Work is whatever we expend energy on for the sake of accomplishing and achieving something. Ideally, work is not what we do for a living but what we do with our living. Fortunate are those whose work is fulfilling. Work becomes a blessing when we love it and are willing to make a living out of it! In each of our three readings for today, we are invited to explore the importance of work and to learn a lesson in work ethics. First reading: Job 7:1–4, 6–7 The book of Job is one of the masterful pieces of literature in…
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B: Prophet like Moses
At every age, there have been people of courage willing to risk their lives for others for a greater good. Such an initiative requires a thick skin strong enough to endure hardships and a warm heart to forgive and forget with a willingness to be lonely and unpopular. Those who attempt this difficult task should expect no gratitude for their efforts; rather bear the brunt of criticism and at times hostility. Those seeking stability and personal satisfaction should channel their efforts elsewhere. First reading: Deuteronomy 18:15–20 Moses was an exemplary personality who displayed how prophetic ministry was to nurture and…
Third Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B Theme: Dealing With Discrepancies
The common belief is that God’s concerns are universal and that his mercy has been extended to all people. In practice, however, we realize a gaping rift between the ideal and the reality. Such a discrepancy can be answered in one word: PREJUDICE. Prejudice creates the gaping rift between God’s universal vision and our often myopic and selective insight. Prejudice decides that certain people are better than others and worthy of attention. Prejudice organized and executed systematically six million Jews because it was thought that their beliefs and were a threat to racial purity. Prejudice known as apartheid kept South…
Cheating is destructive to the development
We received several questions via email on the captioned article, Cheating is Destructive to Development , authored by Fr. Paulino Mondo. One of the readers, Aidah, asked two questions. Qn 1. How do you deal with a partner you love so much but keeps cheating? Good morning madam Aidah: Indeed you have asked pertinent questions and below are the answers; How do you deal with a partner you love so much but keeps cheating? To love a person who cheats is itself false to both you and the so-called partner because the values of minimum friendship which demand honesty are lacking. …
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B Theme: Here I am
A simple glance at the readings of today will enable us to identify a unifying theme which is ‘vocation’. Samuel was called by God serve and was aided to discern the authenticity of his vocation by Eli. Every Christian vocation is a personal invitation to come and see Christ. First reading: 1Samuel 3:3–10, 19 We read that: “Samuel grew up and the Lord was with him” 1 Samuel 3:19. This thumbnail portrait of Samuel represents the process and ideal of all vocations. To grow up as Samuel in the presence of God is a process of deliberate and decisive maturation,…
Cheating is Destructive to Development
What is cheating? Cheating is self-destructive behaviour built on trickily. Most people cheat to distract themselves from persistent poor self-esteem. Cheating is not freedom but a momentary break from stressors that are simply being frozen. Those who involve themselves in cheating often do so as an attempt to escape anxiety, but they end up getting ensnared in bigger problems. While there is never any excuse to cheat, people often do so because of laxity in doing what is right. Cheating is not indelible Cheating can be overcome when we generate a deep desire to repair the trust that has been damaged. Most…
