St. Expeditus: Patron Saint of Speedy Causes

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St. Expeditus:  Patron Saint of Speedy Causes The venerated image of St. Expeditus in  the Lipa Cathedral In the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Sebastian in Lipa City is a venerated image of a young Roman Centurion saint named Expeditus. Every month of April, a nine day novena in his honor is held in the cathedral that culminates in the celebration of his feast day on the 19th of the month. Who is this saint whose intercession was also invoked in the Oratio Imperata  to avert a catastrophic eruption of Taal Volcano prepared by the Archdiocese of Lipa when the volcano exhibited extra-ordinary activity early  in January, 2020?  St. Expeditus could have found affinity with the Lipenos since the martyr shares a lot of commonality with St. Sebastian, the city’s patron. St. Expeditus, like St. Sebastian was also a young Roman soldier who converted to Christianity and was also martyred as a consequence, during the period of Diocletian persecution.  Hence, a devo...
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Homilies and Reflections: May 15, 2020. Friday. Memorial of St. Isidore, Farmer (Filipino)

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Mayo 15, 2020, Biyernes, Paggunita kay San Isidro Labrador, Magsasaka

Pagninilay sa Mabuting Balita ayon kay San Juan 15: 12-17

Napakaganda ng mensahe ng salitang ito ni Hesus sa ating Mabuting Balita, nagbibigay ng atas “Ito ang aking utos, mag-ibigan kayo gaya ng pag-ibig ko sa inyo.”

Mahalaga na nauunawaan natin kung paano si Hesus umibig upang matupad natin ang utos na ito. Pag-ibig na walang sini-sino, pag-ibigay na nakahandang magbigay, pag-ibig na handang magparaya at ialay ang buhay para sa kaibigan.  Pag-ibig na wagas.  

Ganyan magmahal si Hesus at iyan ang uri ng pagmamahal na inaanyayahan Niya tayong taglayin. Kung paano ka Niya minahal, iyon din ang pagmamahal na ibibigay mo sa iyong kapwa.  Mahirap.  Hindi madali.  Pero hindi imposibleng gawin sapagkat si Hesus, ibinigay na sa atin ang halimbawa.  Si Hesus ay dakilang guro, nagtuturo siya sa pamamagitan ng kanyang salita lalong higit sa kanyang mga gawa.  

Sinabi ni Hesus, mag-ibigan kayo. Hindi niya sinabi na ibigin nyo lamang ang nais ninyong ibigin, ang mga taong kayang ibalik at tumbasan ang pag-ibig na ibinigay ninyo. Ito ay pag-ibig na handang yumakap sa lahat, pag-ibig na handang magsakripisyo.  Kahit si Hesus, inibig at pinatawad ang alagad na nagkanulo sa kanya.  Walang ano pa mang kasalanan o pagkakamali natin sa ating buhay ang maaring pumigil sa pag-ibig ni Hesus sa atin at sana hindi rin maging hadlang ang kahinaan at pagkukulang ng ating kapwa upang hindi natin sila mahalin.  

Wag mo sanang kalilimutan kapatid, umiibig ka sapagkat una kang inibig ng Diyos. Amen.


Photo: CTTO


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