Ross Dizon

Fresh Start in Life for Us Men and Women

Jesus shows us the new that one has yet to see or hear or think of.  To be his disciples, we have to make a fresh start. The Pharisees and scribes ask Jesus why his disciples do not follow the tradition of the elders.  It is because the disciples eat with hands that...

Rise or Fall, Live or Die, Yes or No

Jesus comes down from heaven and dwells among us.  He takes up our flesh of death to give us spirit and life.  He wants us to rise. The Jews were the ones who grumbled before when Jesus said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”  Those who grumble now are...

Bearers of Joy and Hope That Flows Over

Jesus’ is the power that frees us from the sadness and hopelessness of death.  He wants us to be bearers of joy and hope like his Mother. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of those who make up the Church to bring Christ to others.  And he is the light of the...

Perishable, Yet Saving Just the Same

The Word becomes flesh; the imperishable, perishable.  And he shares in our humanity so that we may share in his divinity. Jesus says that he is the bread that came from heaven, which makes the Jews grumble.  They are sure that he is from the same land as they and as...
Burden and Sorrow of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Gospel of Jesus, Messiah and Son of God

The Gospel, the Good News, is Jesus himself, his preaching, his ministry.  That is why his presence fills us with consolation, joy and hope. The Gospel implies newness, which shows up in the beginning.  That is because John the Baptist is a different, a new, prophet....

Burden and Sorrow of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Watchful and Hard-working Servants

Jesus, who rose from the dead and went up to heaven, will not fail to return in his glory.  Of course, he wants us to be always watchful and hard-working. Jesus exhorts all of us to be watchful.  And the exhortation sounds urgent, for he repeats it in several ways: ...

Burden and Sorrow of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Evangelizer of All Kinds of Poor People

Jesus is the Evangelizer of the poor.  All those who live announcing the Good News to the poor belong to him and are heirs to the kingdom. Jesus goes around to all towns and villages.  He teaches in the synagogues and proclaims the Gospel of the kingdom.  Moreover, he...

Burden and Sorrow of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Faithful, and Not Lazy, Followers of Jesus

Going up to heaven, Jesus entrusts gifts and talents to his disciples.  He expects them to be faithful, no matter the kind or the amount of the gifts or talents they receive. In the parable of the talents, the good and faithful servants are those who right away trade...

Burden and Sorrow of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Ready, Holding Lamps that Are Burning

Jesus is the bridegroom whom we await.  We will enter with him into the wedding feast, if with wisdom we stay awake and are ready, with our lamps burning. Jesus informs us that we really do not know the day or the hour of his coming.  He can come any day, even at an...

Burden and Sorrow of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Simplicity that Is Unusual, yet Necessary

There is, in Jesus, consistency between thought and word, also between preaching and doing.  We are not Christians if we lack such simplicity. Jesus addresses this time the crowds and his disciples to reassure them.  That is because a religious leader’s bad behavior,...

Burden and Sorrow of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Wisdom that Is Hard to Resist and Believe

Jesus has the wisdom in speaking that his adversaries will be powerless to resist or refuse. The Pharisees love it when people recognize their wisdom and call them teachers.  And they are wise, undoubtedly, as the tricky question they address to Jesus through theirs...