Jesus Christ is the leader and perfecter of faith. Fixing our eyes on him, we go forward with firm decision to reach what lies ahead. St. Paul says that “our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” The saying shows that, for him, time moves forward. That...
Ross Reyes Dizon
Author
Discern and Welcome Christ’s Kingship
Jesus has come to serve and give his life as a ransom for all. Those who belong to him discern and welcome his kingship. The inscription on the cross proclaims Jesus as the king of the Jews. And it is the truth: he is the king of the Jews and of the universe. But who...
Overcome through Him Who Loves Us
Christ Jesus fully reveals the love of God. And since no one and nothing at all can separate us from this love, we more than overcome. Does not the reality or possibility of natural disasters and social unrests frighten us? Do we, then, not wonder if we could save our...
Alive by God’s Love in Christ Jesus
Jesus is the last and surest proof that God loves us. Because of this love, God is not the God of the dead, but of the living; all are alive for him. The Sadducees deny that there is a resurrection or that the dead can be alive again because of it. So, with their...
Call to Repentance and Salvation
The Son of Man has come to seek out and save sinners. We can answer him because he is the first to call us to repentance and salvation. Zacchaeus badly wants to see who Jesus is. Never mind that he is short. Wouldn’t it be sad if those who call out to say Jesus is...
Crown of Glory, Crown of Thorns
Jesus wears the crown of glory because he first wore the crown of thorns. He proves true the teaching that God lifts up the lowly. The crown of glory that will never fade awaits the faithful shepherds of God’s flock (1 Pt 5, 1-4). But it will be theirs only when the...
Cry out to God Always and Not Lose Heart
Jesus, “a man of the greatest prayer” (SV.EN IX:326), pleads with God for us always. And his blood cries out to him more loudly than that of Abel. Surely, God brings justice without delay to those who cry out with faith as Jesus. The Gospel this Sunday tells us that...
Thankful for Healing and Salvation
Jesus is the last revelation of divine salvation to Israel and the nations. It is right, then, that all show themselves thankful to him always and everywhere. Nine of the ten lepers that Jesus has healed do not show that they are thankful. For only a Samaritan, who...
Increase Faith and Stir It into Flame
Jesus Christ is the leader and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12, 2). It is right, then, that we ask him to increase always our faith. Faith is a divine gift (Rom 12, 3; Phil 1, 29; 2 Pt 1, 1). That is, God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit gives it to us. We ask it, then, from...
Care and Concern for Those in Need
Jesus fulfills the law and the prophets. He teaches us by words and deeds to care for the poor, their misery making us ill. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus teaches us to care for those who are poor. Though we can safely say that the helpless beggar is resigned...