Sunday Reflection (May 18, 2025)

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Sunday Reflection upon John 13:31-35 and Revelation 21:1-8  

John saw a ‘new heaven and a new earth’ where humankind and the cosmos transform into something beyond our imagination and biological existence. This new heaven and earth represent God’s faithfulness to creation, not his abandonment. As we anticipate this time that is beyond our imagination, we are not to sit around and wait for it. Jesus explicitly commands us while we are here in this enclosed time described as the first heaven and first earth: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ This commandment is always new because we have issues following it, but by loving others as Jesus loves us, we cast out evil and begin a new creation even today. The urgency of this commandment should motivate us and compel us to act, knowing that our love has the power to transform the world.

Prayer for the Week (May 11-May 17, 2025)

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Let us pray that our life be a response to God’s love: God, source of all love you have made your love visible to us in the life, death and message of your Son and our brother Jesus Christ. May our life be a visible statement that we love you in return. Help us echo your love by caring for our brothers and sisters with a love freely given, even when it is not answered. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

(Claretian Publications)         

                                                                      

Sunday Sermon May 11, 2025

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Sunday Reflection (May 4, 2025)

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Sunday Reflection upon Revelation 5:1-14

The book of Revelation starkly warns us of our inherent bent toward corruption on personal and social levels. In Revelation, ‘beastly’ images symbolize earthly systems of economics and politics that oppress the poor and most vulnerable while enriching and empowering the rich and most powerful who use violence to control others. The Book of Revelation cries out: Who is Worthy? Who is worthy to open the seal of judgment, a symbol of divine authority and justice, upon this world’s unjust, unfair systems? The one worthy to open the seal is not the world’s most powerful or politically well-placed; rather, the one worthy to open the seal of judgment is the one who became human and suffered, a stark contrast to the corrupt systems.  

 

Revelation’s judgment is primarily directed at those who misuse their power and privilege. However, the ultimate judge is the one who never exploited his power or position for personal gain: Jesus, ‘the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.’ How will we, as individuals, and our society as a whole, stand before him? Will we be able to justify our actions? The book of Revelation calls us to turn away from violence, malice, greed, prejudice, and hatred, and instead, embrace the core values of love and kindness. Let this be our inspiration, hope, and guiding light: The path of the one slain from the foundation of the world.’   

Prayer for the Week (May 4-May 10, 2025)

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Let us pray that our lives respond to God’s love: God, source of all love, you have made your love visible to us in the life, death, and message of your Son and our brother Jesus Christ.  May our life be a visible statement that we love you in return.  Help us echo your love by caring for our brothers and sisters with a love freely given, even when it is unanswered. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

(Claretian Publications)         

                                                                      

Sunday Sermon May 4, 2025

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Devotion April 29, 2025

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Sunday Sermon April 27, 2025

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Devotion April 22, 2025

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Sunday Reflection (April 20, 2025)

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Easter Sunday Reflection upon Isaiah 25:6-9 / Luke 24:1-12 / 1 Corinthians 15 

 Paul exhorts us to live a compassionate life based not on fear and judgment but on the hope of resurrection. Living in such a manner can empower the world with a glimpse of the quality of resurrection life. Jesus’s teaching and life displayed what’s ultimately coming down the pike that counters our notions of power and boundaries of exclusion. Although he had all the power in the world, he didn’t oppress anyone. Although he could have kept to himself, he went outside his boundaries to share God’s love. He refused to return evil for evil, hatred for hatred, and punch for punch, a different way of life because of the resurrection of Jesus. As Christians, we can embody this hope by loving even our enemies, sharing grace and kindness, and practicing forgiveness and reconciliation in our relationships.  

Despite our proclamation of the resurrection, Christians have not always lived lives that reflect the quality of life in the resurrection. We have often disregarded the societal structures that perpetuate injustice, and we have shown little compassion for the struggles of poor immigrants. Our judgment has been clouded by prejudice, leading to the mistreatment of others on personal and social levels. Does the resurrection of Jesus genuinely influence how you live your life? Or do you harbor the same hatred, fears, and prejudices as those who do not know God? However, empowered by the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, let us show the world a glimpse of God’s inviting, forgiving, and compassionate love by challenging injustice wherever we find it.