Paring Pasyonista
Paring Pasyonista offers concise reflections on the Gospel seen through the lens of priesthood and the Passion of Christ. Each meditation bridges Scripture and vocation — revealing how the Word continues to shape, challenge, and sustain those called to serve.
6th Sunday of Easter
“I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.”
Aside from the Holy Spirit, God gave us Mama Mary and mothers!
Dear Mothers!
As I get older I realize more and more the role of a mother to her children! The mothers are the first to know that a new creature is in the offing. They are the first to offer sacrifice in order to give birth to a new life! They are the first to feed their young by offering their milk. They are the happiest when their children become what God called them to be. They are also the saddest when they outlived their children. Lastly, they never cease to be a mother no matter how old their children would be!
To all who are mothers in any way, kudos to you! You are the most beautiful obra maestra of God in the universe. Your beauty is beyond what the eyes can see! May God continually bless, guide and protect you!
A BLISSFUL MOTHER’S DAY!
From my Fr. Orven Gonzaga, CP
John 14:18-20
Light and Truth
“…For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”
Truthfulness is always link to the light. Truth welcomes accountability and transparency for that is how to live in the light.
Wickedness likes to lie for it wanted to remain in darkness and refuse to walk in the light for fear of being exposed.
Jesus’ mission is to set us free from darkness and wickedness in order to become children of light and truth that gives real peace.
Lord Jesus have mercy on us when we choose sometimes to stay in darkness and slavery.
May your light give us courage to live the truth and experience your peace.
May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.
John 13:16-21
Born from Above
“‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Being born from above is to be of the Spirit.
Being of the Spirit is to walk the path in the light of Christ.
Hence, any person who may be in darkness and hard-hearted can be transformed by the Spirit when it wills and anyone can see the difference.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we resist change despite the promptings of the Spirit.
May our ego subside as we let the Spirit guide our path to live our lives as people born from above.
May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts!
John 3:7b-15
Born of Spirit
“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit…”
Born of Spirit is the baptism each Christian has to receive.
It is not physical rebirth, not merely self-improvement and reincarnation. It means radical change from being just a human being into becoming the child of God. It means active transformation happening through the Holy Spirit.
All human beings are created by God, but not all human beings are baptized and recognize God as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Much more, those who are true to their baptism manifest the fruits of the spirit in their lives. It is like wind that you feel but never know where it comes and goes.
Lord Jesus have mercy on us when we fail to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and work in us.
May the forgiveness we receive be our commitment to spread the beauty of mercy and catapult us to enter the Kingdom of God.
May the passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.
John 3:1-8
Divine Mercy Sunday
“Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Aside from greeting the disciples “Peace be with you” and sending them as the Father has sent Him, Jesus gave the disciples the Holy Spirit and gave them mandate to forgive and retain sins. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that this forgiveness can be given by the Church.
Jesus did not carry with him grudges and condemnations, instead he gave shalom that prepared the hearts of the disciples to receive the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is indeed merciful and his mercy is infinite. The disciples who experienced the mercy of God were sent to do likewise. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God includes forgiveness of sins.
Lord Jesus have mercy on us when we tend to be selfish in seeking for your mercy yet not open to give this to those who offended us.
May your mercy be enough for us to be generous in forgiving and steadfast in sharing your compassion and love.
May the passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.
John 20:19-31
Joy to Proclaim the Truth
“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
After appearing to Mary Magdalene and his disciples, Jesus made a command. His command is pregnant of care and urgency to save. His command geared to benefit every creature.
His resurrection is not only a source of courage but also a privilege to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world.
Lord Jesus have mercy on us when we don’t have the motivation to proclaim your good news to the world.
May your resurrection inspire us to proclaim out of your grace. May the calling to proclaim your good news be a reward and our joy that we may always be grateful of.
May the Passion of the Jesus Christ be always in our hearts!
Mark 16:19-15
Obeying the Truth
“Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.”
In the midst of frustration out of human efforts, the Word of assurance to catch something may sound intriguing if said by a stranger. But they caught a lot and realized it was the Lord.
Any truthful Word from God when obeyed will bring us to fruition.
Lord Jesu have mercy on us when we don’t trust your word sometimes.
May abiding in the Word of God lead us to proclaim God’s goodness the more.
May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.
John 21:1-14
Truthful Peace
"Peace be with you."
This greeting of Jesus deeply showed how Jesus understood why his disciples betrayed, disowned and abandoned him in his passion and death.
This greeting of Jesus calmed the anxiety, doubts and fears the disciples had.
The truth of peace is the calming power it bestows upon the recipient.
Lord have mercy on us, when we don’t believe in your power to diminish our worries and fears.
May your peace grow in our hearts to overcome all the troubles that besets us everyday.
May the passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.
Luck 24:35-48
Burning Hearts
“Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
The disciples could not believe what they have heard about the news of the resurrection of Jesus. They were still nursing the pain and the hurts of knowing that the one they believed who would redeem Israel was nowhere to be found.
As they walked to Emmaus, Jesus was with them along the way. Jesus journeyed with them step by step until they realized that Jesus had already taught them a lot of things and their hearts were burning as they listened to Him.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us, when we cannot see immediately the Joy of your resurrection when we are in distress and frustration.
May the times that we feel your presence and our hearts are burning be an assurance that you are there even when setbacks and failures dim our vision to see you immediately.
May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.
Luck 24:13-35
Truth in Disguise
“Woman, why are you weeping?”
Mary was so downtrodden that she failed to recognize that Jesus was just with her.
Like footprints in the sand, God has always been there carrying us especially during troubled times.
What a Joy when we realize that the empty tomb is just a truth in disguise. It does not mean absence but presence of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we easily get drowned by our misfortunes. May your resurrection make us see your presence in our setbacks and darkness.
May the passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.
John 20:11-18
Joyfully Truthful
“Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
The soldiers were bribed by the chief priests to say not what they saw but to say that the disciples of Jesus stole the body of Jesus during the night while were asleep.
Desperate move to save themselves from shame and ridicule for maliciously condemning Jesus to death.
Jesus after resurrection told the women not to be afraid and tell the disciples to go to Galilee and see Him.
Liars want to save themselves but witnesses want to save the truth.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we choose to save our lives and compromise the truth. May your resurrection make us bold to stand joyfully for the truth.
May the passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.
Matthew 28:1-15
Vindicated - Victorious
“Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Something unusual happened. The ONE crucified did not just come back to life or resuscitated like Lazarus. The ONE crucified did not have his soul separated from his body. The ONE crucified did not experience reincarnation.
The CRUCIFIED ONE RESURRECTED.
The Crucified One has been raised from the dead. No longer limited by space and time.
The women saw HIM, heard HIM and touched HIM. Jesus crucified is the One who resurrected.
His Resurrection means Vindication, Victory, and Via Nova.
Jesus accused of blasphemy was vindicated. God was totally pleaseD PPwith Jesus and his resurrection vindicated Him.
Matthew 28:1-10
Jesus who was condemn to death was victorious. Death did not turn up to be a defeat. God confirmed His offering of life for the redemption of the world. Death did not stop the mission of salvation. Instead, the resurrection took away the sting of death.
Jesus has been vindicated and victorious over sin and death. He is truly the way, the truth and the life.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we sometimes find your vindication and victory not enough for us to hold firm on to our faith in you and follow the path you have prepared for us.
May the passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.
Black Saturday 2026
In Silence we Reflect and Wait
We may contemplate this day the 7 Sorrows of Mary as we meditate upon the Death of Our Lord.
All the sorrows of our Mother Mary are connected to the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY
1. The Prophecy of Simon
(Luke 2:34-35)
“…Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradictedl
35
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)* so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Seven Sorrows of Mary
O Mother Mary, at your tender age, you must be so excited to present Jesus to the temple. However, a prophecy from Simeon must have broken your heart for it signaled a responsibility which would not be easy to bear. You were not just any mother tending to any child. You are the chosen Mother of God. You gave birth and took care in your arms the only Begotten Son of God. This task must be so heavy to carry. You had experienced this because of Jesus.
2. The Flight into Egypt
(Mt 2:13-15)
“When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,* and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
14
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.
15
* He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophetd might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
O Mother Mary, the threat to the life of Jesus must have instill fear in your heart. The haste, the distance, the murderers, must have run into your mind that the flight to Egypt has to be acted upon immediately. You had experienced this because of Jesus.
3. The Losing and Finding of Jesus in Jerusalem (Lk 2:41-51)
“After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
44
Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
45
but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him…”
O Mother Mary, you shared to Jesus when he was 12 years old your tradition to go every year to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. Losing him for the first time even just for a day must have filled your hearts with sorrow just like any mother. How would he eat? Where would he sleep? Some guilt as to why you hadn’t make sure he was with you as you went home. You had experienced this because of Jesus.
4. The Carrying Of the Cross
(Jn 19:17)
So they took Jesus,
17
“…and carrying the cross himself* he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.”
O Mother Mary, seeing your son carrying the cross meant for criminals must have filled your heart with sorrow. You might have been resigned to the will of the Father, but you cannot deny the hurt that you felt looking at a horrible sight. You had experienced this because of Jesus.
5. Standing by the foot of the Cross
(Jan 19:25-27)
“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.
26
When Jesus saw his mother* and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”n
27
Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”
O Mother Mary, seeing your Son carrying the cross was already sorrowful. O how the tears flowing from your eyes must have been a welcome to blur your eyes on seeing your Son being crucified. Losing and finding your son in Jerusalem when he was 12 was just a prelude of losing him again but slowly as his strength and breath fade to nothingness. You had experienced this because of Jesus.
6. Receiving the body of Jesus from the Cross ( Jn 19:38)
After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body.
O Mother Mary, you must had been grateful to Joseph of Arimathea for making an initiative to let you hold and embrace the dead body of your son before it be laid in the tomb. But the sorrow of touching his wounds and seeing the scattered blood all over his body must have been devastating. You had experienced this because of Jesus.
7. Placing the body of Jesus in the tomb
(Jan 19:39-43)
“…Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried.
42
So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.”
O Mother Mary, at last the body of Jesus was laid peacefully in the tomb. Yet, the thought of still seeing him, caring for him, cooking for him, laughing and crying with him and the things you used to do must have broke some tears to fall on your cheeks. You had experienced this because of Jesus.
O Mother Mary I am ashamed to admit that what give us sorrows are the lofty things of this world and not because of Jesus. I have not experienced the pain that you went through. Now I understand that the flickering sorrows may just be little, but like you, I have to bear them anyhow and not be drowned by them. However I believe that it is still better to experience sorrows which are related to our Lord Jesus, for it will make us closer to your 7 Sorrows. I am sorry when you are mocked and I have no courage to stand for what you have done. You took the hurts and pains of sorrow not just for Jesus but for the salvation of all your children as well. You always lead us back to Jesus even in your sorrows.
Mater Dolorosa, ipanalangin mo kami!
May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts!
Priesthood - Eucharist - Service
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.”
- LORD, Grant me the grace to forgive. Your have experienced worst cruelties, yet I sometimes act as if I have the right not to be merciful because I was deeply hurt.
“Truly, I say unto you, today thou shalt be with me in paradise.”
- LORD, Grant me the grace to deeply trust your promise of eternal life and not be tangled in the flimsy and fleeting allurements of the world.
“Woman, behold thy son. Behold thy mother.”
- LORD, Grant me the grace to be assured that I have a Mother who always try to comfort me in my distress and guide me to be better as well as strengthen me to love her other children.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”
- LORD, Grant me the grace to see the depths of my anxiety and not lose my trust in you to the end.
John 13:1-15
“I thirst.”
- LORD, Grant me the grace to be convinced that it is only you who can satisfy my thirst.
“It is finished.”
- LORD, Grant me the grace to gladly follow your will until I have done the things you have asked me to do.
“Father, into thy hands, I commit my spirit.”
- LORD, Grant me the grace to fully entrust to you my life while I live so that I may not find it difficult to surrender my death to you.
May the Passion of Jesus Christ be Leah’s in our hearts.
Si Hesus ay Namatay sa Krus
“Ama, sa mga kamay mo'y ipinagkakatiwala ko ang aking espiritu!”
Sa ika-4:30 ng umaga ay sinimulan ang istasyon ng Krus. Pinagnilayan ang mga kaganapan patungkol sa pasyon, pagkamatay at muling pagkabuhay ng Panginoong Hesu-Kristo.
Sobra-mahigit 12kilometro ang nilakad ng mga tao mula sa umpisa hanggang sa matapos ang istasyon ng Krus ng mga bandang 8:45 ng umaga. Dinaanan halos lahat ng lugar na kinasasakupan ng Parokya ng Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary ng Sun Valley, Paranaque.
Mga namataan ko sa aking sarili habang sumasama sa sambayanang nagninilay.
1. Nagpapahuli
Dahil sa pinili kung magpahuli, hindi ko na halos makita ang Krus at at marinig ang dalangin sa istasyon.
Sa Buhay, kapag tayo ay lumalayo sa Diyos, hindi na rin natin halos siya makilala kapag siya ay nagpapahiwatig ng kanyang presensiya sa atin.
Lukas 23:44-46
2. Sumusunod sa Hanay
Dahil sa pinili Kong sumunod sa hanay, nararamdaman ko na ako’y naiinip dahil mabagal ang aking sinusundan.
Sa Buhay, Kailangan nating tanggapin na hindi lahat ay dinadaan sa biliş. Ang pagninilay ay hindi mabilisan bagkus ito ay mabagal at mahinahon. Sa mga bulong ng hangin at hindi sa kulog at kidlat maririnig ang tinig ng Diyos.
3. Nauuna
May napansin ako na iilan na gusto ng mauna pa sa Krus.
Sa Buhay, minsan sa sobrang bilib sa ating sarili gusto natin pangunahan ang pamamaraan ng Diyos.
4. Kuwentuhan
Minsan nahuli ko ang aking sa sarili na nakikipagkuwentuhan na sa halip na manalangin at magnilay.
Sa Buhay, minsan ang panahon na inilaan natin sa Diyos ay ninanakawan pa natin para sa ibang gawain.
5. Nababagot
Minsan ako ay nababagot dahil ang nagbabasa ay hindi niya alam na halos di na siya naririnig sa hina ng kanyang boses.
Sa Buhay, minsan may mga bagay na alam nating magawan pa ng paraan upang makapaglingkod ng mas mabuti, kaso kontento na tayo minsan sa mga gawain na “ok na yan”.
6. Napahanga
Minsan ako ay napahanga dahil may mga senior citizens na sumama sa istasyon at malalakas pa ring lumakad para sumunod sa istasyon.
Sa Buhay, minsan ang mga inaakala mo na wala at may dahilan na di sumama ay naririyan, samantalang ang mga inaakala mo na may kakayahang sumama ay wala naman.
7. Biglang hinto
Minsan dahil gusto ko uminom ng tubig, ako ay napahinto at nabangga sa akin ang sumusunod sa akin.
Sa. Buhay, minsan dahil sa sarili lang ang iniisip, hindi natin alam na ang ating ginhawa ay maaring pahirap na sa iba.
8. Ayaw umusog ng konti
Minsan May mga nauuna at pagdating sa istasyon ay tatayo na lang at walang pakialam na may iba pang mga tao na dadaan.
Sa Buhay, minsan dahil sa gusto natin makomportable umangat sa buhay, may mga tao naman tayo na nahahadlangan upang umangat ang kanilang buhay.
9. Kumakarera
Nakita ko na para akong nasa karera at gusto kung maunahan ang iba sa paglalakad.
Minsan sa Buhay, iniisip natin na katunggali ang iba sa ating paglalakbay. Ang daan sa kabanalan ay hindi isang paligsahan na may katunggali kundi isang pagtutulungan na lahat ay makalapit Kay Kristo.
10. Nagbibigayan
May mga iskinita na dinadaanan na halos isa o dalawang tao lang ang makadaan. Dahil sa nagbibigayan, ang daloy ay isang organic at hindi siksikan na makauna.
Minsan sa Buhay, kailangan ang nagbibigayan. Ang aksidente minsan nangyayari dahil ayaw magbigayan. Ang giyera sa mundo ay nangyayari dahil walang gustong magbigayan.
11. Kusang lumuluwag
Napansin ko rin na sa pagsunod sa daloy, may mga puwang sa unahan na kusang lumuluwag na upang ako ay umabante ng walang pagpililit.
Minsan sa Buhay, may mga pagkakataong kusa na lang nagbubukas sa iyo ang daan ng pagpapala na maisip mo kung gaano inihahanda ng Diyos ang mga pagpapala na nakalaan sa iyo lamang.
12. May nagbibigay ng Tubig
Napansin ko na sa daan ng istasyon ay may mga taong kusang nagbibigay ng libreng tubig sa mga nagiistasyon ng Krus.
Minsan sa Buhay, may mga tao tayong hindi kakilala ngunit ginampanan nila ang kanilang pagiging bukas-palad at pagmamagandang loob na nagdulot sa atin ng kaginhawahan. Nawa’y lubos pa Silang Pagpalain ng Diyos,
13. Tumunog ang Cellphone
May isang beses na sa gitna ng panalangin ay tumugtog ng malakas ang cellphone ng isang ale.
Minsan sa Buhay, may mga bagay na hindi kaayaaya at pagkakamali na nangyayari na hindi natin inaasahan. Kailangan din tanggapin at nawa’y hindi na maulit muli.
14. Lahat ay nakatapos
Nakita ko na kahit pinapawisan na sa pagod at init parang madali lang lakarin ang 12 kilometro at 14 na istasyon.
Sa Buhay, ang ibang bagay ay nagiging secondary na lang kung mayroon tayong nilalayon at may mga kasama ka sa parehong adhikain.
Kay Hesus, ang lahat ay kanyang kinaya para sa layunin niyang iligtas ang sandaigdigan. Sa huli, buo pa rin ang loob niyang hinabilin ang ang kanyang espiritu sa Ama dahil natapos niya na ang kanyang misyon.
Marami ang nangyari sa akin sa pagsama ko sa istasyon ng krus, di ko alam kung matawag ko ba itong makahulugan na pagninilay. Gayun pa man, marami rin itong naitulong na aral sa aking pakikipagbuno sa hirap ng Buhay.
Panginoon, maawa ka, kung minsan agad na lang kaming sumusuko kahit na alam naming kasama ka namin sa ano mang mga laban sa Buhay upang Ikaw ay mamayani sa bawat puso ng sangkatauhan.
May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.
Priesthood - Eucharist - Service
“Do you realize what I have done for you?…”
Everything that Jesus have done were not without purpose. Things that happened may not be easy to understand but they needed to happen. The washing of the feet during the Last Supper was the craziest thing that happened that evening which may be more than walking on the water or the calming of the storm. The washing of the feet simplifies the meaning of Jesus’ kenosis in fulfilling His mission.
The significance of being washed by Jesus during baptism is fundamental to initiate our relationship with Jesus. Without being cleansed by the blood of Jesus, we may not inherit anything from him.
The act of humble service theologically means giving up willingly His life for our salvation and sacramentally instituted the link of fraternal charity to the Sacrament of Holy Orders and the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we tend not do what you ask us to do because our minds and heart cannot understand yet. Cleanse us and live in our hearts and minds.
May the passion of Jesu Christ be always in our hearts.
John 13:1-15
Betrayal
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
Jesus knew that the only way for him to be handed over to the hands of those who hated him was betrayal. It would be hard to catch Jesus in the midst of the crowd for he had done nothing but healing, preaching, forgiving story telling and anything life-giving.
Judas consumed by his weakness and driven by the devil seized the opportunity and took 30 pieces of silver to hand Jesus over. Judas was clearly fooled and scammed. Judas did not hate Jesus. Judas did not detest Jesus. He just loved money more than his relationship with Jesus. For Judas, Jesus is only a Rabbi than can be drop anytime. Hence, the devil found entry into Judas’ weakness to manipulate his decisions in life.
In the end, we knew that Judas regretted what he had done by returning the 30 pieces of silver. Pero, he thought HULI NA ANG LAHAT and ended his own life.
Matthew 26:14-25
Lord, have mercy on us when we allow the devil and knowingly exchanged you for something less important to satisfy our inordinate desires for money, sex, fame, power, control, pleasure and the like.
May the Paschal Triduum, the most sacred time in our liturgical year, make us aware of our weaknesses and not allow the devil to enter through them. Let the grace of Your passion and resurrection be the power that we can rely upon to overcome our weaknesses every time we are haunted to choose and decide.
Don’t make April 1 your everyday, Let the One be with you everyday.
May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.
Lord's Faithfulness All The Time
“Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”
Peter promised to give his life for Jesus, but Jesus knew that Peter’s declaration was all bravado and lack substance. Jesus even made Peter aware of his denial, which speaks a lot of how much Jesus intimately knew his disciples.
We sometimes had words that we seemingly believe yet when tested we broke and folded. God knows our hearts and minds. He knows our weaknesses. Only when we rely in the strength of God and not on our own can we satisfactorily overcome our weaknesses.
Have mercy on us Lord, when we tend to confess our faith without putting our hearts and minds into it. Yet, even in our unfaithfulness you remain faithful to love and forgive us.
May the Passion of Christ be always in our hearts!
John 13:21-33, 36-38
Loving in Time
"Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."
Jesus appreciated what Mary did than the concern of Judas to give alms to the poor. Indeed, there are moments that pass away and there are realities that stay for the time being. A missed opportunity for Judas, and a timely expression of love for Mary! We sometimes take time and people for granted and missed the opportunity to express our love to them in time.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we let time pass by and missed the chance to manifest our love to you and to those who had been with us.
May this Holy Week not pass us by without renewing deeply our relationship with you and the people who are with us right now.
John 12:1-11
Palm Sunday
Betrayal - Abandonment - Denial - Murder into LOVE
One with the Winner
We welcome and walk with Jesus shouting Hosanna to Son of David.
Not one with the Loser
We betray, abandon, disown and crucify Jesus to seemingly secure ourselves.
HUMAN WEAKNESS
BETRAYAL - like Judas money can be more important than Jesus
ABANDONMENT - like the apostles protecting one’s life can be more important than Jesus
DENIAL - like Peter disowning Jesus can be more important than Jesus
MURDER - like the crowd to be one with the majority to crucify can be more important than Jesus.
of the Lord's Passion 2026
STRENGTH OF HUMAN SPIRIT
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE - like Jesus however hard and painful is the way, He still chose to take the difficult path to manifest His faithfulness to love us even until death. We May betray, leave, deny, crucify Jesus… but Jesus would still look at us with compassion; Love and Mercy.
This unconditional love is Christ’s expression to be one with the weak, the lost, the least, the last and the sinners.
Jesus knows also that we are all capable with Him in our hearts to give unconditional love and mercy to others.
May God bless us to follow Christ in his love for humanity especially those in the periphery!
Holy Week 2026
Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday
Mga taong Iyong inaasahan
Sa biyaya lahat nagpapalakpakan
Sa panahon ng kahirapan
Ikaw ay madaling tinalikuran
Holy Chrism/Last Supper
Paglilingkod Mo’y sadyang totoo
Buong-buo ang Iyong Puso
Pagtaksilan ka man ng mga tao
Pagliligtas nangibabaw sa Iyong Puso
Good Friday
Hindi ka nag-atubiling maialay
Ang lahat-lahat pati Iyong buhay
Kung ito ang maging katubusan
Sa kasalanang di namin mabayaran
Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday
Winala ng Diyos ang Iyong kahihiyan
Ginawang panalo ang akalang pagkatalo
Tinanggalan ng pangil ang kamatayan
Pagbabago’y abot-kamay na ng mga tao.
May our Holy Week be fruitful and meaningful.
May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts!
Betrayal - Service - Sacrifice - New Life
The Life-changing Touch
“Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.”
Jesus is consumed healing energy that anyone who needs restoration of health begged to be allowed to touch him. All who were able to touch even just the tassel on his cloak were healed. Being close to Jesus means opening one’s life to the newness every day.
Lent is a season to look deeper on how close we are to our Lord Jesus Christ and see how our life is being influenced by Him everyday!
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we just want to be closer to you but unwilling to let you renew our life.
Mark 6:58-56
Real Sight
“I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”
Jesus exposed what is real blindness and real sight.
The blind was able to see clearly because he believed Jesus, the Pharisees were not able to see and remain blind because of unbelief.
Discipleship is knowing Jesus deeply, loving Him dearly and serving Him purely.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we choose to remain blind because of unbelief which deprived us to have a real sight.
Jn 9:1-41
Humility
“…for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Jesus warned his audience about the danger of “I am holier than you” attitude. Our holiness does not depend on how we lift our selves up above others but on how we humble ourselves before God.
Discipleship is learning how we can truly humble ourselves before God and our neighbor.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us, when we see ourselves as above the rest of humankind and fail to see how lowly we are in your presence.
Lk 18:9-14
The First of all the commandments
"You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
Jesus gave two inseparable commandments in the Gospel today. They are to love God above all and love your neighbor as yourself! Jesus gave the compact answer that should inspire every rule and law. Jesus did not only give the law but also a measure to see the legitimacy of every law. Is it loving God and loving neighbor without diminishing oneself?
Discipleship is a journey towards the Kingdom of God by living out these two inseparable commandments.
Lord Jesus have mercy on us when we can say with our lips that we love you yet not able to love our neighbor especially those who offended us as well as doing charity as if it is enough without having the time to worship you and discern your love and will in our lives.
Mk 12:28-34
Enemies of the Kingdom
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
Jesus did not come to divide but to invite us to enter the Kingdom of God. Clearly there are those who would like to have their own kingdom like Satan. Those who follow Satan surely are not with Jesus. Our oneness with Jesus is not simply the sacrament of baptism but the clarity of who really reigns in our hearts that influences our decisions and choices in life.
Discipleship is to love, follow and serve Jesus alone.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we sometimes choose to let our hearts be reigned by other beings aside from you that make us actually enemies of the Kingdom of God.
Lk 11:14-23
Fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Everything that points to Jesus signifies the purpose of the law and the prophets, hence, Jesus would not abolish them. Consequently, Jesus would clarify in his proclamation that everything will lead to the establishment of the New Heaven and the New Earth - the Kingdom Of God! Every law that we promulgate may always be related to the building of the Kingdom of God and not the kingdom of human beings.
Discipleship is to be familiar with the Kingdom of God so as not to be misled and mislead other people.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we fail to see the importance to obey the law in spirit which gears towards the building of your kingdom.
Mt 5:17-19
Forgiveness
“Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?As many as seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times…” Peter acknowledges that human beings sins against one another and would like to know when is the time not to forgive anymore. Jesus affirmed Peter’s assertion but taught Peter that forgiveness is not about how many times but as long as we want our heart to be free from unforgiveness.
For God, forgiveness never ends for his mercy is always available to those who want to avail of it. So, as humans we all are sinners and need forgiveness. Forgiveness is made available to us when Jesus offered himself as a ransom for our sins. Sincere repentance always merits forgiveness from God.
Mt 18:21-35
Teredore, when we are forgiven, we also must forgive those who offended us. Unwillingness to forgive means we have not truly live in our lives the power of being forgiven. To forgive is divine for it manifests the presence of God’s grace actively working in our lives. To err is human, to forgive is divine.
Discipleship is willingness to forgive after receiving the grace of forgiveness.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we choose not to forgive and eventually take your sacrifice on the cross for granted which obviously harden more our hearts to receive and share your forgiveness.
The Native Place
“Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place…”
Jesus was aware that the prophets were first rejected in their native place. Familiarity builds contempt that Jesus’ pronouncement were taken with fury. Blessings and miracles did not happen in his native place because they drove Jesus away.
Discipleship is welcoming Jesus into our hearts and allowing him to do wonders into our lives.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we are blinded by our pride and jealousy and miss your transformative work in the process!
Lk 4:24-30
The Samaritan Woman
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Jesus treated the Samaritan woman with respect and dignity though he knew the woman was living in sin. Jesus did that which was socially forbidden like talking to a Samaritan much more to a woman.
The Samaritan Woman was the first person to whom Jesus expressly revealed his identity as the Messiah when she told Jesus that Messiah they were waiting for a long time would tell them everything.
Jesus offered the Samaritan woman a drink that will make in her a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
Jn 4:5-42 (International Women's Day)
The Samaritan Woman was clearly waiting for an opportunity to live a better life when she showed empathic desire to take the life-giving water that Jesus would love to a give to her. The Samaritan woman came out from her encounter with Jesus empowered and dignified. She was the first person to whom Jesus revealed his identity as the Messiah and she became the first witness of Jesus in Samaria.
In celebrating International Women’s Day, we can learn a lot on how Jesus related with women during His time. Jesus empowered women like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and valued them as disciples. Jesus challenged social norms by engaging meaningfully with women in public like conversing with a Samaritan Woman. Jesus listened to a sincere request of a poor and widowed mother by healing her son. Jesus showed compassion to a marginalized woman accused of adultery by lifting her spirit and giving her a new life asking her to go and sin no more. Jesus raised the bar of right relationship and opposed the prevailing culture that objectified women by declaring it as a sin for lust comes from one’s heart and mind.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us, when we fail to see and learn how you related with women before.
The Compassionate Father
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
Jesus presented the mercy of the God the Father as the compassionate father in the parable treated his two sons. The repentant son returned and welcomed with compassion by the Father. The father made the elder son realized that all the father has is also of his. God father has different ways of dealing with his sons who also had different temperaments. The bottom line is for God to always offer what is best for his children.
Discipleship is sharing the compassion of God to others!
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we take for granted your offer of love in the midst of our waywardness and stubbornness of heart!
Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
The Tenants
“Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”
Jesus considered those who are entrusted to proclaim the Kingdom of God as tenants.
The tenants are expected to be fruitful in the vineyard.
Discipleship is a process of becoming fruitful in the vineyard of the Lord.
Lord, have mercy on us when we neglect our tasks to be fruitful in proclaiming your Kingdom!
Mt 21:33-43, 45-46
Lazaruz
“…And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.”
Jesus did not give the name of the rich man in contrast to the trend in our society today. Jesus named the poor man as Lazarus. Biblical Meaning: Derived from Elazar (Hebrew) and Lazaros (Greek), it means "God has helped" or "whom God helps".
Most poor have what is needed to get God’s attention which most rich do not have. The poor do not have the power which most rich have in any society. The rich man’s fault is not greediness but indifference. It is a state of lacking interest, concern, or emotional reaction towards someone or something, often characterized by apathy, nonchalance, or a neutral attitude.
Lk 16:19-31
Discipleship is becoming emphatic like Jesus for the opposite of love may not be hate but indifference.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we tend to evade and see your face in our poor sisters and brothers and fail to lift a finger when we know you have blessed us with so much to help.
The Master
“Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
We have the tendency to find the easier route of being served than to serve. Jesus taught his disciples that his way is not the easiest route but the necessary path towards salvation.
Discipleship is doing the Master’s way to serve.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us when we choose to do the easiest way rather than what is necessary as you have shown as our master.
Mt 20:17-28