Morning Voice

September 3, 2023. Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time – A. Readings: Jer 20:7-9; Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9; Rom 12:1-2; Mt16:21-27. A French proverb says: “Example is the greatest of all seducers.” And a Spanish proverb adds: “The snake that seduced Eve spoke Spanish.” Seduction is itself an art. It displays to someone the beautiful side of something. But when you take time to look deep inside, it does not hide what it requires to fully possess or live that thing, that is the sacrifices that go with it. We hear and speak most of seduction in relationship with love. And in that sense, women are the experts. I read somewhere that seduction is a game of psychology, not beauty. Seducers see themselves as providers of pleasure. When one seduces you, they seem to offer you the most happy and greatest moments of life. But once you fall into it, you discover what true happiness is about. It does not take away crosses and hardships but transforms them into means of personal fulfillment....

August 27, 2023. Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time – A. Readings: Is 22:19-23; Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8; Rom 11:33-36;Mt 16:13-20. “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven…” Mt 16:19 A British proverb says: “The key to all action lies in belief.” And a Romanian proverb adds: “He that will enter into paradise must have a good key.” Keys are something more than symbolic. They are needed and at times, vital. All of us have keys in our houses. And sometimes, we search even for the highest quality and branded keys for more security. No one gets out of his house without safely locking the doors, and no one gets in a locked house without the keys. Keys are useful to lock and open. And he who holds the keys of a house is entrusted with great responsibilities accompanied by authority. In the tradition and rites of the Church, when a priest is appointed Parish Priest, during the rite of installation, the bishop entrusts him the keys, more particularly, the key of the Tabernacle...

August 20, 2023. Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – A. Readings: Is 56:1, 6-7; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Rom 11:13-15,29-32; Mt 15:21-28. "Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table." A Moroccan proverb says: “The world of humans is divided by lines, but the mind knows no limits, the heart no barriers.” And a Latin proverb adds: “Providence our herald, no barrier can oppose us.” Faith is the only thing that unites people of different origins, languages, cultures, and races. With faith, all barriers fall, and we become one people. No more discrimination, rejections, or segregation. Looking back to the events of Lisbon a few weeks ago, precisely, last August 1 to 6, that gathered millions of youths from all over the world, I can only exclaim that faith makes all things possible. No one bothered about in which language will they communicate. No one cared about which color are you. Neither do they care about degrees. All went fo...

August 15, 2023. Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Readings: Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Ps 45:10, 11, 12, 16; 1Cor 15:20-27; Lk 1:39-56. “Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste…” Lk 1:39 A Filipino proverb says: “Beauty will fade, but not goodness.” And an Ivorian proverb adds: “Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.” It will sound quite strange to read the title of our today's meditation, while we are called to reflect on the Solemn elevation of Mary, the Mother of our Lord and God into heaven. One could ask, what is the link between Mary’s Assumption and the creation? This goes to the events that gave rise to this feast, the historical background of the dogmatic declaration of the Assumption of Mary. It is said that Catholics believe that God assumed Mary’s body into heaven. Byzantine Christians call today her “dormition” or “falling asleep.” Others call today her “harvesting” into heaven. But here we ...

August 13, 2023. Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – A. Readings: 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a; Ps 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14; Rom9:1-5; Mt 14:22-33. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Mt 14:26 An Ewe proverb says: “Who has shoes does not fear thorns.” And a Sicilian proverb adds: “Who serves God, fears nothing.” God is faithful to his promises and true to his words. We must not doubt him. All he promises come true. All that it requires from us to see him is faith; to not fear or doubt, but to believe. God’s presence and apparitions could sometimes frighten us but we should never doubt for, he forsakes or abandons no one who trusts in him. The Catechism says, “God is truth. "The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever." "And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true"; this is why God's promises...

August 6, 2023. Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord – A. Readings: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Pt 1:16-19;Mt 17:1-9. “This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him.” Mt 17:5 A Chinese proverb says: “One's true nature is revealed in times of difficulty.” And an Akan proverb adds: “You can kill a man's identity on earth but you cannot kill his spirit.” In everyone's life, there are moments and events of singular meaning and importance. These moments and events not only mark our whole lives, but they also sometimes shape our identity and reveal who we are to others. I don't like some imageries, but just for the sake of explanation, may we use this? We are in a world where the homosexuality and LGBT movements are growing and trying to impose themselves. Many families have at least one member, one son or a daughter inclined to this reality. In orthodox and strictly conservative families, those members hide themselves and fear reve...

July 30, 2023. Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – A. Readings: 1 Kg 3:5, 7-12; Ps 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128,129-130; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52. “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” 1 Kg 3:9 A Swahili proverb says: “If you want to eat a pig, choose one which is fat.” And a Greek proverb adds: “A drop of wisdom is better than a sea of gold.” In Manila, Quezon City, and many of the surrounding cities, there is a shopping center that always attracts my attention, not by its size, but by its name: SHOPWISE. And for many items and appliances, it is truly wise to shop there. Not only are the qualities great but you are given a wise and wide variety of choices. You get from national to international brands at a very nice price. In life also, wisdom is needed in every choice and decision we make. To choose without wisdom is to ruin one's whole life. Many have gone to their loss because of wrong discer...