Why do we hold celebrations for our babies? We celebrated Franco’s baptism today. (We would have wanted to invite more friends and family, but alas, budget is limited!) At the back of my mind, I’m asking myself, why do we have to celebrate and have a feast in honor of someone who is too young […]
What does it take to know who a person is? In today’s fast-paced world, organizations and institutions dedicate considerable time and resources to recruit personnel, aiming to get a clear understanding of who these candidates truly are. From degree programs to job interviews, we rely on resumes, letters of recommendation, and interviews as primary tools […]
Where there is doubt, (a reason to have) faith The structure of media – both traditional and social – make it easy for celebrities, artists, influencers, and athletes to have fans and haters. The fanaticism cultivated by these structures hinge more on emotions and impulses rather than reason and discernment. It is important for us […]
Suffering and glory are two sides of the same coin This afternoon, I took on the role of being the panel chair for a dissertation that aimed to explore stress and well-being in both work and non-work domains. I found myself pondering: is well-being truly about eliminating stress? The more I mulled over it, the […]
If we clip each other’s wings, we cannot fly “I should have clipped her wings and made her mine for all eternity.” When I first heard this lyric from the Orange and Lemons song Heaven Knows (This Angel Has Flown), I felt that the words captured the tension between true love and selfish love. It’s […]
In between fear and joy When we overlap fear and joy, what emotion are we feeling? What can best describe that experience? Maybe it is a kind of delight when miracles happen. Maybe it is a kind of happiness when our prayers and wishes come true then we realize the weight of responsibility. This unique […]
Insight awaits those who take courage from within and have faith that goes beyond In today’s rapidly changing world, we often find ourselves in unfamiliar territories, surrounded by uncertainty. Fear and anxiety are natural responses to such situations, but they can also be obstacles to growth and learning. True insight and wisdom arise when we […]
“You’re an angel!” In romance, the term “angel” is often used to describe a partner who possesses heavenly beauty. It’s a term that has become ingrained in our culture and is frequently employed as a term of endearment. However, it might be worth considering that the true meaning of an angel transcends mere physical attractiveness. […]
Closers recognize when the job is not yet finished What struck me the most about today’s homily by Fr. Dave Concepcion is how he explained the importance of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus taking the dead body of Jesus. Fr. Dave highlighted that most of us tend to be only present during the most dramatic […]
Compliance versus obedience When we follow instructions to the letter, we are compliant. When we follow the commands of our parents, mentors, or leader, we are obedient. Obedience is more powerful than compliance. Obedience means we have a sense of ownership not only of the command but also the spirit and will of the one […]