Homilies and Lectio Divina

Christmas Day (December 25, 2023)

By Fr. Jovy Gallego, OAR / December 25, 2023 / Comments Off on Christmas Day (December 25, 2023)

The First Christmas. It is the final phase of Mary’s pregnancy. The Baby is about to be born. But there is a mandate from the government that they need to register for the census. Left no choice, they have to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Traveling this time might be a little bit challenging given…

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Christmas Eve – Midnight Mass (December 24, 2023)

By Fray Leo G. Alaras OAR / December 24, 2023 / Comments Off on Christmas Eve – Midnight Mass (December 24, 2023)

As we celebrate the sanctity and solemnity of this sacred Christmas midnight, our hearts are drawn to the humble manger in Bethlehem, where the light of the world was born. Tonight, we celebrate the wondrous mystery of the Incarnation – the moment when God embraced humanity with boundless love. In the silence of this holy night, let…

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9th Day of Simbang Gabi (December 24, 2023)

By Fray Allan M. Jacinto, OAR / December 23, 2023 / Comments Off on 9th Day of Simbang Gabi (December 24, 2023)

Fourth Sunday of Advent Luke 1: 26-38 Today, we are about to welcome Christ as a little child. A child at a very tender age understood that his life would never be easy. For this reason, we must reflect on the lessons our Gospel today teaches us. In the Annunciation story, we contemplate the beautiful…

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8th Day of Simbang Gabi (December 23, 2023)

By Fray Rafael B Pecson OAR / December 22, 2023 / Comments Off on 8th Day of Simbang Gabi (December 23, 2023)

Over the past couple of misa de gallo, our reflections have centered on another significant birth—the arrival of our Lord’s cousin, John the Baptist. Amidst the joy and celebration in the household on that special day, one person remained notably silent: the father of the newborn, Zechariah. In today’s gospel account, he not only breaks…

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7th Day of Simbang Gabi (December 22, 2023)

By Fray Don H Besana OAR / December 21, 2023 / Comments Off on 7th Day of Simbang Gabi (December 22, 2023)

Praise and Thanksgiving for God’s Gifts through Mary I have a personal story to tell.  As a religious priest who has solemnly professed the vow of chastity, I have no children of my own.  However, God has blessed me with a handsome nephew and 5 beautiful nieces.  I have always been grateful to God for…

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6th Day of Simbang Gabi (December 21, 2023)

By Fray Jessriel Marcha, OAR / December 20, 2023 / Comments Off on 6th Day of Simbang Gabi (December 21, 2023)

“Mga kapatid, iba na ang may alam at may pakialam sa panahon ngayon” sabi sa extro ng YouTube channel ng News5. Masaya tayo kapag tayo ay may alam dahil nagbibigay ito sa atin ng pagkakatong gumawa ng maraming bagay. Subalit, madalas ayaw nating may nangigialam sa atin. Gusto natin na tayo ang nangingialam sa iba…

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5th Day of Simbang Gabi (December 20, 2023)

By Fray Alexus Mansueto, OAR / December 19, 2023 / Comments Off on 5th Day of Simbang Gabi (December 20, 2023)

Reflection: “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” We have reached halfway through our Misa de Gallo. For the past days we have heard of the stories that serves to bring us to this day’s Gospel, the Annunciation of the Lord.…

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4th Day of Simbang Gabi (December 19, 2023)

By Fray Albert Pellazar, OAR / December 18, 2023 / Comments Off on 4th Day of Simbang Gabi (December 19, 2023)

My dear brothers and sisters, on this fourth day of our Simbang Gabi, the Gospel brings us a story that is both familiar and profoundly moving — the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Imagine with me for a moment the scene in the temple. Zechariah, a priest of the Lord, chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary.…

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LECTIO DIVINA: Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

By Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR / December 18, 2023 / Comments Off on LECTIO DIVINA: Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Lk. 1:26-38. A. Invoking the Holy Spirit. We invoke the Holy Spirit using the words of St. Augustine.           Come, Holy Spirit, by whom every devout soul, who believes in Christ, is sanctified to become a citizen of the City of God! (en. Ps. 45:8) Come, Holy Spirit, grant that we receive the motions of…

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3rd Day of Simbang Gabi (December 18, 2023)

By Fray Randy C Castillo OAR / December 17, 2023 / Comments Off on 3rd Day of Simbang Gabi (December 18, 2023)

     Who is Joseph, being the father of Jesus and a husband of Mary – the guardian of the Holy Family?      Our gospel on this third day of the “Simbang Gabi” (Mt. 1:18 -25) clarifies all things and somehow answers all our questions.      Joseph, first and foremost, is conscientious to God’s law and…

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