Ross Dizon

Branches that Remain on the Vine

Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches.  That we remain in him, and he in us, is what makes us bear much fruit. In Ps 80, the Shepherd of Israel is asked to bring back his people.  This people started out as a vine that God brought out of Egypt and transplanted. ...

Lead God’s Flock in the Same Way as Jesus

Jesus shows what God does to lead his flock.  And so, he also gives a model for his shepherds. The crowds longed for someone to lead them out of the mess, a Messiah to guide a people in trouble.  But they ended up disappointed since they did not want a suffering...

Misgivings, Doubts, Questions, Darkness

Jesus was once dead, but now he lives forever and ever (Rev 1, 18).  For God raised him from the dead.  May our misgivings not lead us to deny him. It is hard to get rid of misgivings.  And misgivings can easily arise even in the hearts of the disciples. But...

Joyful to See the Lord in Their Midst

The risen Christ stands in the midst of his disciples and wishes them peace.  He shows them his hands and his side.  And they turn joyful. The disciples are not at all joyful after the death of Jesus.  They are even broken and hopeless. For not only do they miss their...
Curses that Turn Out to Be Blessings

Peace and Reconciliation at All Costs

Christ is our peace.  He breaks down, through his flesh, the wall of hatred that separates us from one another. Justice and peace are what the commandment, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” seeks.  It forbids vengeance like that of Lamech, who boasts, “I...

Curses that Turn Out to Be Blessings

Salt of the Earth and Light of the World

Jesus is the first to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  He appoints the disciples to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world also. First, salt cleans and preserves food.  It also seasons it, giving it taste.  Hence, to say Jesus is salt...

Curses that Turn Out to Be Blessings

Free from All Sin, All Anxiety and Worries

Jesus is the most eminent among those who, free from sin and anxiety, commit themselves to God and the neighbor. Having Moses as mediator, God announced the commandments on Mount Sinai.  But in these last days, God, speaking to us through his Son, also on a mountain,...

Curses that Turn Out to Be Blessings

Chosen and Appointed to Bear Lasting Fruit

Jesus is the one who has chosen and appointed us to bear fruit. Jesus’ chosen way breaks the mold.  Unlike the religious leaders who are settled in Jerusalem, he withdraws to Galilee. His withdrawal to Galilee shows his courage.  He has chosen not to turn back as...

Curses that Turn Out to Be Blessings

Know the Son, Servant and Lamb of God

The only Son is the one who reveals God.  Without the Son, we can neither know God nor attain salvation. No one knows the Father except the Son.  And only those to whom the Son wants to reveal the Father can know the Father.  Hence, Jesus is indispensable. We need...

Curses that Turn Out to Be Blessings

Worship of God in Spirit and Truth

Only through Christ can we give to the Father the pleasing worship in Spirit and truth.  And we come to the one who alone suffices only through Jesus. In Jerusalem, magi from the east ask a question.  They want  to know where the newborn king of the Jews is and to...

Curses that Turn Out to Be Blessings

Awesome and Alluring Blessing

Jesus is our only Savior, and he saves in an awesome and alluring way.  He will bless us when as priests through our baptism, we invoke his name upon one another. There is no other name by which salvation comes to us but the name of Jesus.  And since he is our all...

Curses that Turn Out to Be Blessings

Light for our Path Is the Word of God

The creative and sustaining Word, made flesh and dwelling among us, is the true light that enlightens everyone. The comforting oracle through prophet Isaiah comes to fulfillment with the coming of Jesus.  In him, too, the great light that people walking in...