Browsing Fr. Reggie's Reflections
PARABLE OF THE LAST JUDGMENT
Posted by John Sage on 11/19/17
We have reached the end of the Church’s calendar year with the Feast of Christ the King. The figure that’s presented is a king who will judge us. He will decide on that final day who will or will not share his kingdom forever. It’s a dreadful scene. But ... Read More »
WISDOM AS BEAUTY PERSONIFIED:
Posted by John Sage on 11/11/17
In the Philippines, in most marriages I have solemnized, the bride always arrives late from thirty minutes onwards. Very rare have I observed that the groom was late. In fact there were times when the groom was already there way ahead of me. What the Gospel just narrated is ... Read More »
“SERVANT OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD”
Posted by John Sage on 11/03/17
One of the strong criticisms directed at Catholics by Protestant fundamentalists concern calling the Pope “Holy Father” and priests “Fathers." They say this is against the teaching of Christ. They cite Mt. 23:9 of this Sunday’s gospel which reads: “You must not be called ‘Teacher’... You have only one ... Read More »
THE GREATEST LAW IS THE LAW OF LOVE
Posted by John Sage on 10/28/17
There is a story of a Filipino Priest who wanted to go to America and thus was interviewed for his visa application at the US Embassy. To determine that he was indeed a priest, the interviewing officer told him to recite the 10 Commandments in order. Forgetting its correct ... Read More »
RETURNING LOVE
Posted by John Sage on 10/21/17
When the Jews asked Jesus whether it was lawful to pay to the emperor or not, He gave a brilliant answer: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, but give to God what is God’s.” This, of course was not a direct answer to their question. Instead, Jesus made them ... Read More »
JESUS, THE PARTY LOVER
Posted by John Sage on 10/15/17
Some people love parties, and if you do, be happy of this fact; Jesus is a party lover, too. The Gospel today starts another parable from the Lord Jesus; this time, involving a man who threw a wedding banquet, a party, and invited many people to come. Feasts, banquets, ... Read More »
THE TIME TO CHANGE IS NOW
Posted by John Sage on 10/07/17
Jesus tells a simple parable in this Sunday’s gospel but, in fact, it is a summary of the whole Old Testament. First of all, when we read the Old Testament, we notice that there is a cycle. When the people lived a good life, God blessed them. But unfortunately, ... Read More »
OBEDIENCE AS A MORAL VIRTUE ...
Posted by John Sage on 9/30/17
Today’s Gospel story is one interesting parable from which we can draw two lessons. The first speaks about obedience not as a moral obligation but as a Christian moral virtue. Obedience as a moral obligation looks at commandments and errands as burdens and an opposition from external authority. Obedience ... Read More »
“TO ERR IS HUMAN, TO FORGIVE DIVINE!”
Posted by John Sage on 9/16/17
It has been a year since the Catholic Church celebrated the Special Jubilee Year of Mercy. For some, it was just an event that came and went. But for many, it would have been a period of grace. The Year of Mercy was an invitation to experience God’s infinite ... Read More »
LOVING IS DISAGREEING TOO...
Posted by John Sage on 9/09/17
There was once a manager in an office who had been drinking heavily. Everybody was talking, even snickering, behind his back. Because he was the boss, nobody would dare broach the problem to his attention. He was heading over the precipice. Until one day a guy mustered enough courage ... Read More »