Be an Empty Cup

Remember Avatar in 2009? I love that conversation between Moat and Jake Sully, wherein Moat said, "It is hard to fill a cup that is already full." Jake Sully replied, "My cup is empty. Trust me. Just ask Dr. Augustine. I'm no scientist." (Source: imdb.com)

Fill 'er Up! by D Sharon Pruitt

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 NAB

To me, the meat of that movie started with that line. I watched that movie more than five times, twice in the movie house within 24 hours of each other. The rest were on DVD. This line kept on jumping at me the whole time, "My cup is empty."

Is Christ Divided?

The second reading of today's gospel asks, "Is Christ divided?" This question has struck me the most in the gospel today.

We all worship Christ, don't we? I have met Christ in the Catholic Church, which to me is the most persecuted Church among Christians these days. Prove me right. Prove me wrong.

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:13 NAB

We all have an array of first-hand and second-hand stories about divisions in Christiandom. World history is filled with it too. These divisions make the saints -- Apostle Paul included -- absolutely crazy.

Ask, Receive and Give Thanks

There appears to be two points in the gospel today: asking with expectant faith and acknowledging the Source of our blessings. To acknowledge is to give thanks. When was the last time we said, "Thank you, LORD!"

NH Catholic Youthfest 2010 Website

Beloved: We have this confidence in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 NAB

We keep on hearing that God loves a cheerful giver. Well, conversely, God also loves a cheerful receiver. We give as we receive.

Prayer -- Christ Does It, Why Dont' You?

As a child, I used to ask, "What is prayer?" All I saw was that people closed their eyes in front of the altar. Sometimes they prayed aloud by saying the rosary. They were talking to someone I could not see.

'Prayer is the Language' by Leland Francisco

The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray. Luke 5:15-16 NAB
Click this to read the full text of the gospel today.

Would you believe I still ask the same question now? What is prayer, really? The answers have evolved. As we mature in faith, the answer evolves.

The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me?

It's hard enough to accept that the Spirit of the Lord is upon us. It is even tougher to tell others that. No wonder why the Father sent Jesus Himself to come and tell us that, or so it says in the gospel today.

Santa María del Mar, Barcelona (Spain) HDR by Marc

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19 NAB
Click this to read the full text of the gospel today.

People who have been born, raised and educated Catholic are oftentimes the tough nuts to crack in the Catholic renewal movement. They say, "What more do I need to learn?" The worst ones would say, "Father ____ didn't crack this nut. What makes you think you can?"

It is the Lord, Do Not Be Afraid

You are in the midst of a storm, alone in a cranky boat, either literally or figuratively. We all have moments like this. If Jesus were to walk on water and attempt to pass you by in this kind of moment, would you recognize Him?

'Emerald Tunnel' by Pierangelo Rosati

They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" Mark 6:50 NAB
Click this to read the full text of the gospel today.

Fear clouds our vision. When fear overwhelms, all we need is Mark 6:50. Let's carve these words in our hearts -- "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid."

The Opposite of Love is Not Hate

The priest said, "The opposite of love is not hate. The opposite of love is selfishness." This homily has kept on ringing in my ears since I was a little kid. It has struck me as profound then. I'm still searching for its true meaning today.

'Sheep-Flock with Shepherd' by Astrid Photography

Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat." He said to them in reply, "Give them some food yourselves." Mark 6:36-37a NAB

Click this to read the full text of the gospel today.

Perhaps the answer is in the gospel today. We look around and see how much help the world needs. We lift our prayers to God. We pray for Him to stretch out His hands from heaven and create world peace and prosperity.

Then we hear a voice saying, "Give them some food yourselves."

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord or 'Three Kings'

Today is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. We used to call this day the 'Three Kings' and people still greet each other "Happy Three Kings" today.

See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Isaiah 60:2 NAB

Today is also the official end of the Christmas Season (or at least that's the way we look at it here in the Philippines). Tomorrow, Monday, everyone goes back to work or business as usual.