How do we deal with suffering mental health in the academe? tl;dr: Suffering is part of life. Poor mental health will be a regular challenge for both educators and students. But we can reframe these forms of suffering as opportunities to be more authentic; to stay the virtuous course. This is an opportunity for all […]
Did Jesus have a messianic complex? Mark 8:27-33. Who do you say that I am? Peter said He was the Messiah, but Jesus forbade the disciples to publicly label Him as such due to the political connotations and misinterpretations others may have about Him. Jesus also shared his views on suffering and virtues. The irony […]
We are all blind (and that’s okay) Mark 8:22-26. Jesus heals a blind man Maybe we’re familiar with the story of the blind men and an elephant, each having their personal version of what an elephant is based on part of an elephant a particular blind man can sense (even if limited). To us who […]
Guard against the leaven (corruption) Mark 8:14-21. Guard against the leaven of Herod and the Pharisees Another trend continues in the gospel: Jesus inviting the Apostles to deeply reflect and understand beyond what they see, beyond the traditions, the fillers of bread, and seek the Bread Himself. In our pursuit of material successes, it is […]
Asking God for signs? Better ask for insight! Mark 8:11-13. No signs will be given “Lord, give me a sign!” As we celebrate a Happy Valentine’s Day, I can hear my past self praying to God so that He may give me a hint if my then-friend-now-wife liked me (HAHA!) Popular books and other intelligibilia […]
Woe to the deliberately ignorant; blessings to the humble Luke 6:17, 20-26. Ministering to a great multitude This gospel is a version of the Beatitudes, but complemented with a series of “woe to you” in contrast to the more positive “blessed are you”. What I appreciate most from the preachings of Jesus is the importance […]
Nourishment is more about giving and less about receiving Mark 8:1-10. Jesus feeds the crowd loaves of bread and fish From a supernatural miracle perspective, this gospel accounts for how Jesus seemingly multiplied loaves of bread and fish. From a more realistic/skeptical perspective, this gospel shows how Jesus can inspire His followers to give what […]
How do we become like Christ? Mark 7:31-37. Jesus heals a deaf-mute First, happy feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes! As a proud Lourdesian alumnus from LSQC, I would like to reflect on our mission-vision: becoming like Christ. I would like to relate this with what my current student, PatYu, asked me to reflect […]
Analytically different, but really entangled Mark 7:24-30. Jesus cures the daughter of a Gentile woman Does Jesus really distinguish between Jews and Gentiles? This gospel, together with the parable of the good Samaritan, demonstrates that regardless of a person’s background, as long as the person seeks what is truly good, that person shall be healed […]
The unseen interior Mark 7:14-23. The things that come out from within are what defile “Perception is real, and the truth is not.” Lauren Greenfield’s documentary on Imelda Marcos captured this remarkable quote from the former first lady. This statement epitomizes the age of post-truth and the battle of narratives. How have we come to […]