​God is love as well as truth. The readings this Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time call us to reflect on “truth” and “love” and the relationship between them.

​In today’s world of disconnection, multi-tasking, and disturbance, the art of listening is very important. We live in a noisy world. It is difficult to find a quiet place with televisions, radios, horns and the Internet’s endless talking, and now cell phones. The generation is on the move. Much time is given to doing and little to reflecting. The readings on this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time invites us to be attentive to the Word of God and to each other. 

​Being a nation where children comprise 31% of the population (about 34 million of the total 112 million), Filipinos are known for their love of children. When we see children, we are happy. A child is welcoming, comforting and non-threatening. Its power is in its weakness. Its force is its love. It comes as no surprise that we have a long-standing and widespread devotion to Holy Child Jesus after the first image of El Santo Niño Jesus was brought to Cebu and given as a baptismal gift to Rajah Humabon’s wife by Fernando Magallanes 500 years ago. 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. One can easily notice an image or icon of the Sto. Niño displayed in family altars of homes, schools, offices, community stores and even inside jeepneys. 

​At a Baptismal ceremony, Fr. Joel asks "What name do you give your triplets?" Joan replies, "Mercedes, Nissan and Ford, Father." Fr. Joel asks, "Why in the world would you name your children after cars?" Joan replies, "I love cars and everything about them, Father".  Fr. Joel gives in, "Okay, let's do away with water. What do you want me to pour down on their heads, Premium or Unleaded?"

Originally, there were seven kings from the Orient but only three made it to Bethlehem ​to pay homage to the King of kings as reported in Matthew 2:1-12. One was led by another star to New York and became Burger King. Another reached Beijing and became Chowking and the last two found their way to Manila to become Tapa King and Goto King!