In the course of our lives, we encounter various experiences that shape our understanding and outlook. Among these experiences are moments of both joy and sorrow, including the solemn occasion of attending funerals, which serve as stark reminders of life’s impermanence.

Reflecting on the readings for this weekend’s Mass brings to mind a strong memory from my past, a moment of profound revelation about the power of community and the boundless strength found in unity.

Before I rejoined my family in Queens, I lived with my aunt in an affluent gated community in the Philippines.

The English language can be very complicated for foreigners who are trying to learn it. We have words that sound alike but mean different things (to, two, and too) and other words that are spelled similarly but pronounced differently (enough and through). There are even times when one word can mean very different things depending upon their usage.

In 2015, Sony Films released “War Room,” which became the seventh highest grossing Christian film despite very mixed reviews. The film centers around the Jordan family, a seemingly “happy” family.

This week’s Gospel is very similar to the Gospel we heard last week on Divine Mercy Sunday.

As any teacher can attest, you can always tell when a student is guilty of some infraction. Few, if any, are capable of not wearing the word “guilt” on their facial expressions.

I have to admit that I am not a big fan of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the musical. Perhaps it is my own personal inclinations, my own disposition, but something about Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s “rock opera musical” I really don’t like.

When I was leaving my very first priestly assignment as a young parochial vicar, I was, naturally enough, very sad.

On this fifth Sunday of Lent, we read from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah. Our loving and just God speaks, through the prophet, about the nature of the Covenant.