The second part of today’s gospel (Luke 4:14-21) is the beginning of Jesus’ public life in his hometown, Nazareth. He visits the synagogue and takes this opportunity to launch his message (v.16). 

The first detail, though seemingly superfluous, is the opening of the book that was presented to him. 

In a village in Galilee a wedding feast is celebrated. There are the guests who gathered to spend a few happy days, but here’s a disappointment: there is no wine and there is not even water because—according to the story—the jars are empty. A situation of abandonment, of general sadness. This is the surface. What’s in depth? 

The gospel opens with a significant finding, the people were in expectant. It is easy to imagine what they are waiting for: the slaves expected freedom, the poor a new condition of life, the exploited labourer hoped for justice, the sick, healing, the humiliated and raped woman, recovery of dignity.

All aspired a new world; they hoped that among people, abuse, distortion and mistreatment would disappear, and rapport with peace be installed.

If we pay close attention to the references in the Old Testament, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth could surely nourish our faith. The encounter begins with: “She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth” (v.40) and “the Baptist leapt for joy” (v.41). 

The Jews of that time like today’s, when they meet, greet each other with: Shalom-Peace. The prophet, Isaiah, called the Messiah the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:5). 

Let’s imagine that one of us, eager to prepare well for Christmas, asks the same question to those we consider experts in the field of religion (catechists, pastoral workers, sisters, priests). What would they tell us?

We reflect on John the Baptist and his mission on this second Sunday of Advent. 

John begins his mission in the desert (v. 2), a place full of memories and deep emotional resonance for the Israelites. In the desert, they learned to break away from all that was superfluous; they learned to be in solidarity and to share their goods with each other; they learned, above all, to trust God. 

Maraming mga bagay na maaring magpaalala sa atin na ang Pasko ay malapit na.  May mga ilaw, parol, Christmas tree, belen, at iba’t-ibang dekorasyong pampasko  ang kapaligiran.  Pumapahimpapawid na ang  mga awiting pamasko bagamat Oktubre pa lamang.  Dito sa

Many interpret the dramatic expressions described in today’s gospel as information on what will happen at the end of the world.

The thought of the end of the world scares many. Jesus does not intend to provoke fear, but just the opposite. He wants to free us from fear, inspire joy and infuse hope.  

Lagi nga bang napapako ang mga pangako?  Tanong lamang ito sa kasabihan na ang pangako ay laging napapako.  Nangangahulugan na ang isang tao ay hindi tumutupad sa isang kasunduan, sumpa, o pangako sa kan

At the dawn of the eve of the Passover, the Jews took Jesus and accused him of being a criminal.

The question formulated from the very first interrogation that the prosecutor puts to Jesus is the most delicate, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

The Jews had a gut hatred towards the foreign rule of the Romans, who had been ruling over Israel for years. There were unsuccessful attempts to overthrow them.