Cross Training

THE ROAD TO OUR CALVARY IS OUR PATHWAY OF HOPE

March 31, 2024 by Eddie Leave a Comment

I trust that you’ve all been keeping step with the celebration of the Holy Triduum during the past days, and that you’ve spent quality time reflecting on and studying the significance of the passion and death of Jesus. And now this, the resurrection of Jesus. While we read John’s version of the story in chapter 20:1-9, you may also want to read the different nuances of the same story reported by Matthew, Mark and Luke.

For today, rather than focusing on those nuances and details of the resurrection, I invite you to reflect on the significance of Christ’s resurrection from the perspective of the obedience of Jesus in taking up His cross.

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GOD LOVES YOUR ENEMIES, TOO

February 24, 2024 by Eddie Leave a Comment

I don’t want to start on a negative note, but I hope you will give me permission just for a moment to stir up some unhappy emotions. Just for a bit. And I pray that the Lord Himself will comfort you through this segment.

If I ask you to think about your enemies, who would immediately come to your mind? I mean, do you even have enemies? I hope not. But if you do, think about who these people are for a moment. I don’t want you to dwell on the reasons why you avoid or refuse to deal with that person. I’m sure you have good reason to. But for now just keep that person (or persons) in mind.

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LET’S DO GOOD ANYWAY

January 31, 2024 by Eddie Leave a Comment

Today’s gospel narrates another interesting episode in the life of Jesus. The three gospel writers, Mark, Matthew and Luke wrote about the same incident, some with more details and preceding events than others. Today we reflect on Mark’s version found in the opening verses (1-6) of chapter 6. This is the story when Jesus pays a visit to his hometown in Nazareth, and has a chance to preach in their synagogue on the Sabbath, in his usual eloquent and amazing style. However, his kababayans – though they are amazed at his depth of preaching – are not impressed and cynically put him down saying: “Where did this man get these things? He’s just a carpenter! He’s Mary’s boy. We’ve known him since he was a kid. Who does he think he is?” Apparently, they had judged Him in their minds beforehand, and had already tagged Him as unworthy of their attention.

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HOW MUCH FAITH DO YOU NEED?

January 23, 2024 by Eddie 1 Comment

Often, when we encounter challenges in our lives so that we are overcome by great anxiety, or fear, and we are facing an uncertain future, one of the most common encouragements we hear from others — or maybe we tell ourselves even — is that we should not be afraid, but instead we should just trust God. Right? Sige lang. Trust God.

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NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

December 24, 2023 by Eddie Leave a Comment

Tomorrow we celebrate Christmas, and in anticipation of that joyful day, we are reminded in today’s gospel from the first chapter of Luke’s gospel, about the time when the Angel Gabriel first appeared to Mary and announced to her that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus.

We’re all familiar with that narrative, right? It begins with the Angel surprising Mary with the greeting, “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Then the angel calms her down and proclaims God’s plan, about her giving birth to God’s Son, and then assures her that even though she’s a virgin, the Holy Spirit will come upon her and make the impossible virgin birth happen. Finally, the story concludes with Mary accepting and saying, “I am the servant of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.”

While we get ourselves ready to commemorate the birth of Jesus tomorrow, let me share with you THE verse in this passage that has brought hope to me personally in my ministry, in my role as a father, in my work, and in even in my prayers for others people’s well-being. And I pray that this verse today brings hope to all of us throughout the year, and not just on Christmas day.

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