The Barefoot Journey Home

This was something quite profound that a friend of mine mentioned during his wedding speech. He likened it to how loving someone isn't solely about the feelings which Hollywood seems to portray to the human race in this day and age, but it is a choice. He shared that this choice would entail sacrifice, and that it would mean accepting the person for who he or she is, regardless of his or her flaws. In other words, we do not get to pick and choose.  All of us are called to love. In fact, this is the greatest commandment that Jesus Christ himself has given to his followers; that we love one another as he has loved us.  The commandment for us to love one another is indeed a tall order. But of course, we know that it is possible. Many people have been able to live up to this commandment. For instance, despite the statistics that show how many couples are getting divorced in this day and age, we know of many couples who choose to remain faithful to one another, despite one another'...

I am truly fortunate to come from a parish where there is a strong sense of community among the Youths and Young Adults. Most if not all of our young people who come back to be part of the community after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation are seeking for a relationship with our triune God, and they do have a sense of love for God in their hearts, there's no denial of that. However, I've heard this said about my community by many friends who are not from my parish. "Your community is low-key protestant."  I used to think that the ones who said such things about my community were (for lack of a better term) somewhat jealous of us. It's not in every parish where the priests put so much of an emphasis on providing a space for their young people to call home, to the point that they employ two full-time youth coordinators. Not every parish provides the youths with a room to hang around in Church, or a youth chaplain who cares to go the extra mile to make himself a...

We've just celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It is usually celebrated early on in the year and I think that it is an excellent reminder for us as disciples to be grateful for our baptism. It also allows us the opportunity to make our New Year Resolutions to help us to live out our Baptismal Call.  According to the Catechism, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism forms the Basis of Christian Life and allows us to be reborn as Sons of God. This is evident in the rites of the Church, where at an Infant Baptism, the very first question that the Minister asks the parents of the child is; "What name do you give your child?" At the point of Baptism, the Minister calls the child by name, before baptising the child in the name of the trinity. Just like how Christ called the disciples personally, so too have we been called personally to die with Christ in the waters of Baptism, and to live a life of discipleship.  For those who were baptised on the night of the Easter Vigil,...

 Let's be honest. The year 2020 was not a good year for most, if not all of us. From undergoing lockdowns because of the pandemic, to being stuck at home during the holiday season due to travel restrictions, to the political situation in the United States, I think it's safe to say that last year was indeed a terrible year.  Even in the life of the Church, the year 2020 brought about many changes that were not so welcome. For instance, for the first time in the history of this Archdiocese (if I'm not mistaken), the celebration of the Liturgy with the entire Body of Christ had to be suspended for months. When Masses slowly started resuming in July, restrictions were imposed such that up till today, not all of us can attend the Sunday Mass on a weekly basis. Many of us were unable to obtain a seat to attend Mass during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. And even for those of us who have been fortunate enough to return to Church regularly, we still have to deal with social distan...