Sirach 15:15–20 | Psalm 119:1–2,4–5, 17–18,33–34 | 1 Corinthians 2:6–10 | Matthew 5:17–37

​On this Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the readings invite us to look at our interior life as committed followers of Christ. Through Baptism, every one of us shares in the universal call to holiness—the call to live the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity (Lumen Gentium, 40). Like the Cross itself, holiness is both vertical and horizontal: loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

Isaiah 58:7-10 | Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 | 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 | Matthew 5:13-16

​My dear sisters and brothers, today we often take salt and light for granted because they are so common in our daily lives. In ancient times, however, they were precious and essential. When Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, He clearly defines our mission as Christians and as Church. On this Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, He reminds us that our call to social justice flows from this mission—to preserve what is good, heal what is broken, give meaning, and bring light to the world.

Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12–13 | Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 | 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 | Matthew 5:1-12

​On this Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we’re invited to reflect on humility—accepting God’s lordship in our lives, discovering strength even in our weaknesses, and learning to love in a way that goes beyond doing just the bare minimum.

Isaiah 8:23—9:3 | Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 | 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 | Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17

​This Sunday we continue our journey through the liturgical season known in our tradition as “Ordinary Time,” marked by numbered Sundays. In the readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear how God’s people of old experienced the joy of God’s light and were no longer forced to live in darkness. This light of Christ unites us, calls us to follow Him, and invites us to help build the Kingdom of Heaven.

Isaiah 9:1-6 | Psalm 98: 1-5 | Ephesians 1:3-6.15-18 | Matthew 18:1-5.10 

​As a nation where children make up 34% of the population, Filipinos are known for their deep love for children. The sight of a child brings joy; a child is welcoming, comforting, and non-threatening. Its strength lies in its weakness, and its power is found in love. It is therefore no surprise that Filipinos have developed a long-standing and widespread devotion to the Holy Child Jesus. This devotion began more than 500 years ago, when the first image of El Santo Niño was brought to Cebu and given by Fernando Magallanes as a baptismal gift to the wife of Rajah Humabon. For Filipino Catholics, the Holy Child represents a God who is a source of great joy—a God who is accessible to all and can be approached without fear. Images of the Sto. Niño are commonly found on family altars in homes, as well as in schools, offices, community stores, and even inside jeepneys, quietly witnessing to a faith that is both intimate and enduring.

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 | Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 | Acts 10:34-38 | Matthew 3:13-17

​Today, in union with the whole Church, we celebrate the great event of the Baptism of the Lord. At his Baptism, the Spirit proclaims Jesus as the Messiah: the PRIEST who would sacrifice his life for others, the PROPHET who would reveal God’s presence in word and action, and the KING who would proclaim his kingdom from the cross.

Isaiah 60:1-6  | Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-11,12-13 | Ephesians 3:2-3a,5-6 | Matthew 2:1-12 

​Legend tells us there were three kings from the East, but if you dig a little deeper, history hints at a spicier version: there were actually more than seven. They all saw the same star. They all packed gifts. They all set out on the journey. But, like many grand pilgrimages, not everyone stayed on the straight and narrow. Only three had the humility, patience, and basic sense of direction to reach Bethlehem and worship the King of kings (cf. Matthew 2:1–12). One king got distracted by a shinier sign, landed in New York, and reinvented himself as Burger King, offering flame-grilled meals instead of frankincense. Another drifted east, discovered noodles, and became Chowking. Two others lost signal somewhere over the Pacific, ended up in Manila, shrugged, and said, “Pwede na”—thus giving us Tapa King and Goto King. And the rest? Ah yes—the other kings. They saw the star too, but instead of following it, they followed opportunity. Why kneel before a newborn King when you could build an empire of your own? So they skipped Bethlehem altogether and went straight into business, dabbling in budget insertions, ghost projects, and developments that looked impressive only on PowerPoint slides. Their caravan was known as BuKing. Eventually, BuKing got caught. After that, they quietly went into hiding—and to this day, no one can seem to find them anymore.

Numbers 6:22-27 | Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 | Galatians 4:4-7 | Luke 2:16-21

​As another year draws to a close, we once again stand at the familiar crossroads of reflection and hope. New Year’s resolutions tempt us with the promise of reinvention—grand plans sketched with sincerity, even as experience reminds us how easily they fade once ordinary life returns. Still, this longing for a fresh beginning reveals something deeper in us: a desire to become better, truer versions of ourselves. As we look ahead to 2026, we place this hope under the gentle gaze of Mary, the Mother of God. She did not chase dramatic change, but quietly welcomed God’s will with trust and courage. In her, we find a model not of fleeting resolutions, but of faithful perseverance—teaching us to carry our dreams, our struggles, and our future years in humble obedience to God.

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 | Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 | Colossians 3:12-21 | Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23

​The greatest Christmas gift of all is the presence of a happy family—together, close, and wrapped in love. That’s why it makes so much sense that we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph during the Christmas season. It reminds us that the family is where humility, selflessness, and a life of prayer are first learned and lived out every day.

Isaiah 9:1-6 | Psalm 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 | Titus 2:11-14 | Luke 2:1-14

​The readings proclaim that God enters human history to bring light, peace, and salvation to a world in darkness, revealed fully in the birth of Christ. They call each and everyone of us to welcome this saving grace with humility, obedience, and lives shaped by God’s redemptive order and purpose.