Ross Dizon
Slaves in the Same Way as Jesus
Jesus takes the form a slave and becomes like us. We who seek to follow him are to become lowly slaves in the same...
Sweat in Seeking the Other’s Good
Jesus shows us how to love in truth God and our neighbor. Out of love for them, he has to sweat blood and give...
Reflect the Creator and Owner of All
Jesus is the image of the God whom no one has ever seen. Hence, he cannot but reflect God who is merciful, kind, and...
Lure of Power, Wealth and Glory
Jesus wears the crown of glory since he rejected the devil’s lure and suffered death. The Crucified is model of true grit; we fix our gaze on him. The Holy Spirit who came down on Jesus in the Jordan now leads him to the desert. There, the one who embodies the truth...
Lies, Darkness and Polarizations
Jesus is the light of the world. To follow him means not to walk in the dark, in lies, but to have the light of life, the truth. Jesus warns his hearers about blindness and the darkness that comes with it. It is, of course, about spiritual blindness, about not...
Heavenly as Our Father Who Is in Heaven
Jesus, the second man is from heaven. He bids us to be one with him, so that we who are of the earth may become heavenly also. We heard last Sunday that Jesus looked at his disciples and then announced the blessings and the woes. Did he mean to say that he wanted...
Curses that Turn Out to Be Blessings
Jesus became a curse to free us from curses and fill us with blessings. He became sinner and poor to make us just and rich. Those who are to catch men and women have much to learn still. And today the one who has called them teaches them about curses and blessings....
Fishers of Men and Women, Sinners All
Jesus is the leading fisher of men and women. Those he calls are also, though sinners, to be fishers of other sinners. Jesus tells Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” And Simon answers, “Teacher, we have worked hard all night and have...
Lover of Sinners and Outcast
Jesus is a lover of those whom religion and society shun: sinners, widows, orphans and strangers. They are dear to true Christians too. It seems the leaving out of “vengeance,” when Jesus read Is 61, 1-2, did not bother his fellow Nazareth citizens. For they still...
Program of the One Anointed with the Spirit
Jesus is Good News to the poor. To be such news is his program as the One that the Father has anointed with the Holy Spirt and sent. True to what the voice from heaven told him at his baptism, the Son takes up the Servant’s program. We heard two Sundays ago that...
Traditions, Customs, and Habits
Jesus makes all things new. Hence, he questions traditions and customs, most of all, those that veil his true face. Jesus and his disciples are at a wedding. There too is his mother. And the wedding, no doubt, follows the traditions and customs of the Jews. But as...
Baptize with the Holy Spirit and Fire
Jesus is the one the Father has anointed with the Holy Spirit. Hence, he cannot but baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, and do good. The baptized are to do the same. John the Baptist is simple and humble. He does not want to let down those he has baptized or...