Dear Brothers, It is hard to believe that Holy Week and the Paschal Feast are here. The ancient liturgical events from Palm Sunday through Holy Week and culminating on Easter morning are so rich. I know each of you will be preparing sermons, and that is good. But the liturgy will do a great deal of the preaching…

23 December 2021 Reflection by Bp. Elmer Belmonte READINGS Psalm 80 * 146, 1472 Samuel 7:18-29Galatians 3:1-14Luke 1:57-66 The greatest commandment is to love God. A commandment given to Israel, then reaffirmed by Jesus as the greatest commandment, with the addition of loving y neighbor as self. Regarding the matter, there is no room for…

22 December 2021 Reflection by Bp. Elmer Belmonte “Advent is the time when God breaks in on us with new surprises and touches us with a renewing and restoring power.” Robert Webber READINGS Psalm 72 * 111, 1132 Samuel 7:1-17Titus 2:11–3:8aLuke 1:39-48a(48b-56) Today’s reading is called “Visitation.” It has been the focus of commentators, painters…

We live in a culture that loves comfort. For many of us, comfort is synonymous with convenience, ease, relief, and even luxury. We love air conditioning, ATM’s, 24/7 stores, pain-relievers, amusement centers, fast food. With the advent of mobile smart phones, the internet, GPS, among other advances in technology, this obsession with comfort has become…