Veritas PH

The WORD. The TRUTH.


 585 total views

4th Sunday Advent (C)
Mic 5:1-4a

The reading highlights the prophet Micah’s condemnation of the sins of Israel and Judah, predicting their downfall. He identifies Bethlehem, the hometown of David, as a place of hope for the future Messiah. While the town is small and insignificant (v1), its importance lies in its connection to David and the Messiah’s origins. Micah suggests that the period of exile will end with the Messiah’s birth, bringing restoration to the people (v2). Unlike previous rulers who angered God (v3f), this future king will be guided by the Lord, concerned for the welfare of his people, and will establish a universal, lasting peace, (v4).

Heb 10:5-10
The passage from Hebrews summarizes Christian soteriology underlining the superiority of Jesus’ sacrifice compared to Jewish sacrifices. It begins with a quote from the Septuagint version of Psalm 40, highlighting the significance of Jesus’ body as a personal offering (v10). The author contrasts Jesus’ sacrifice, which replaces the old covenant (v9b),with the four types of Jewish sacrifices (v5). The text emphasizes that Jesus’ obedience and sacrifice fulfill God’s will, establishing a new covenant) and a new people of God (vv9f). Ultimately, Christ’s single sacrifice is deemed to have unlimited efficacy (v10).

Lk 1:39-45
The account of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth in Luke highlights the theological significance of their meeting, representing the convergence of the two covenants. Key points include:
1. The recognition of Jesus’ superiority by John, who leaps in Elizabeth’s womb (v44), mirroring the biblical story of Jacob and Esau.
2. Elizabeth defers to Mary, emphasizing John’s role as the precursor to Jesus, acknowledging the salvific event through his reaction.
3. The meeting symbolizes the old covenant, represented by Elizabeth, Zechariah, and John, and the new covenant, represented by Mary, Joseph, and Jesus (v41).
4. Elizabeth acknowledges the blessedness of both Mary and Jesus, paralleling themes later found in the “Hail Mary”, (cf 1:25-38).
5. Mary’s response, the Magnificat, reflects her humility and gratitude towards God, acknowledging her faith and the importance of the anawim, or the poor of God (vv46-55).
6. The visitation underscores the humble origins of Jesus, conveying a message of simplicity and domesticity.
We are often easily impressed by fame and wealth, and many of us do not shy away from notoriety when it comes our way. As Christmas approaches, today’s liturgy reminds us of the humble beginnings of the Lord and Mary’s humility. We pray that we, too, may be humble enough to be obedient like Jesus and Mary so that God’s plan can be fulfilled. Amen!

previous arrow
next arrow

Veritas Editorial

Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual

Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual

President of Radio Veritas

The End Of Pork Barrel

 9,244 total views

 9,244 total views Kapanalig, noong 2013 winakasan na ng Supreme Court ang paglustay ng mga mambabatas at opisyal ng pamahalaan sa pera ng taumbayan nang ideklara na iligal at unconstitutional ang Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) o sinasabing congressional pork barrel. Pero hindi pa dead, tuloy-tuloy ang biyaya ng pork barrel Kapanalig, ang pork barrel system

Read More »

Paasa At Palaasa

 18,808 total views

 18,808 total views Kapanalig, 2025 na., isa kaba sa mga taong nagtataglay ng ugaling ito? Tuwing papasok ang bagong taon, tayong mga tao ay maraming gustong baguhin sa sarili…mga ugaling hindi kanais-nais, pisikal na kaanyuan, pakikitungo sa kapwa… kaaya-aya sana kung unang-una ang pagpapatawad. Kapanalig, ano ang mga “To do list” mo ngayong 2025? Kapanalig, napahalaga

Read More »

New year’s resolution para sa bayan

 38,774 total views

 38,774 total views Happy new year, mga Kapanalig! May mga new year’s resolutions ba kayo? Anumang pagbabago ang nais ninyong simulan, sana ay matupad ninyo ang mga ito. Ano naman ang new year’s resolution mo para sa ating bayan ngayong 2025? Nakakapagod ang nagdaang taon, hindi ba? Naging maingay ang mga namumuno sa ating gobyerno. Nagbatuhan

Read More »

May mangyari kaya?

 58,493 total views

 58,493 total views Mga Kapanalig, kung sinubaybayan ninyo ang labintatlong pagdinig na ginawa ng tinatawag na quad committee (o QuadComm) ng mga mambabatas sa Mababang Kapulungan tungkol sa mga extrajudicial killings (o EJK) kaugnay ng “war on drugs” ng administrasyong Duterte, nanlumo siguro kayo sa dami at bigat ng mga inakusa sa mga sangkot. Humantong ito

Read More »

Kilalanin ang mga haligi ng bayan

 58,469 total views

 58,469 total views Mga Kapanalig, ngayon ay Rizal Day, ang araw kung kailan inialay ng ating pambansang bayani ang kanyang buhay para sa bayan. Sa araw na ito noong 1896, pinatay sa pamamagitan ng firing squad si Gat Jose Rizal sa Bagumbayan o mas kilala ngayon bilang Rizal Park. Pinatawan siya ng parusang kamatayan ng pamahalaang

Read More »
12345
Shadow
Shadow

Related Story

Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

Our Savior Comes

 123 total views

 123 total views Christmas (2024) “Your Savior comes” (Isaiah 62:11)! This phrase captures the essence of all the readings from the prophet Isaiah that we hear during today’s celebration of Christmas: Isaiah 9:1-6 at midnight mass, Isaiah 62:11-12 at dawn, and Isaiah 52:7-10 during the day. It symbolizes the dawn of a new era. The second

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

Judgment

 1,182 total views

 1,182 total views 3rd Sunday Advent (c) Zeph 3:14-18 The book of Zephaniah, written during the time of King Josiah in the late seventh century B.C. (1:1), consists of three chapters and addresses both severe judgments against Judah, Jerusalem, (ch. 1), and the surrounding nations (ch. 2), followed by a message of deliverance for God’s faithful

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

Return

 1,372 total views

 1,372 total views 2nd Sunday Advent (C) Bar 5:1-9 The Book of Baruch is a short work originally composed in Hebrew but survives primarily in Greek. It is attributed to Jeremiah’s secretary and likely dates from late pre-Christian times, post-200 B.C. Influenced by Isaiah, Baruch focuses on the theme of the exiles’ return from Babylon, relevant

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

Advent

 2,073 total views

 2,073 total views Jer 33:14-16 This passage from the prophet is a late addition to the book, absent in the Septuagint, and reflects a reworking of an earlier oracle (cf 23:5-6) Written in the post-exilic period, it focuses on hope for Jerusalem and Judah, with minimal reference to Israel. The passage emphasizes the significance of a

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

CHRIST’S Kingship

 3,260 total views

 3,260 total views Dan 7:13-14 This passage from Daniel introduces the title “Son of Man,” often associated with Jesus. In this vision, the Son of Man contrasts the four beasts representing historical empires opposing God’s reign (7:1-9). Symbolically, he embodies God’s reign and represents the saved people of God, who will gain dominion over the earth

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

The End

 949 total views

 949 total views 33rd Sunday B Dan 12:1-3 The passage from Daniel concludes the account of final warfare and the downfall of foes (ch. 10-11), presenting the first clear statement on resurrection and eternal life in Hebrew scriptures. It introduces a distinction between the just and the wicked, allowing for a deeper understanding of retribution beyond

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

True Sacrifice

 6,260 total views

 6,260 total views 32nd Sunday B 1 Kgs 17:10-16 The passage describes a miracle involving the prophet Elijah during a drought in Israel and Phoenicia. The story highlights Yahweh’s providential care for both the prophet and a widow in dire circumstances, emphasizing her willingness to give from her limited resources. Despite her initial hesitation, the widow

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

The Great Commandment

 2,935 total views

 2,935 total views Deut 6:2-6 The passage serves as a closing exhortation from Moses. It highlights two forms of positive law: “statutes” (huqim) which establish penalties, and “commandments” (mitsot) which simply state commands (v2f). Law observance reflects the covenant between Yahweh and the Israelites, with blessings like long life and prosperity assured in return. The Shema

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

Preferential Attention

 3,278 total views

 3,278 total views 30th Sunday B Jer 31:7-9 In one of Jeremiah’s most celebrated chapters, the prophet speaks about the return of the exiles from the northern kingdom, who had been deported by the Assyrians after their victory in 721 B.C. Those who lived through the devastation are now making their return. They are referred to

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

Servanthood

 3,276 total views

 3,276 total views 29th Sunday (B) Is 53:10-11 This passage comes near the end of the fourth and last song of the servant of the Lord in Deutero-Isaiah. The servant’s sufferings, which have become more intense, eventually lead to his death (53:3, 5, 😎. But the chorus of onlookers realizes that he was innocent, and his

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

Perfect Discipleship

 3,932 total views

 3,932 total views Wis 7:7-11 Today’s reading recalls that event in Solomon’s life (v7) when he asked early in his reign as king for the gift of wisdom so that he might be an understanding and discerning judge for his people (1 Kgs 3:5-15). It was a gift to be preferred over all others and is

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

Indissoluble Union

 4,241 total views

 4,241 total views 27th Sunday (B) Gen 2:18-24 The passage describes Yahweh’s plan to create a partner for man (Adam). He created animals, which Adam named to show their subordination to him. However, none of them was a suitable partner. So, God put Adam into a deep sleep, took one of his ribs, and created a

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

Shared Responsibility

 4,611 total views

 4,611 total views 26th Sunday B Num 11:25-29 The reading contains an incident from the time of the Israelites’ desert sojourn. The story of Eldad and Medad is concerned with the sharing of Moses’ charismatic spirit among the people at the time. Earlier in the chapter, Moses had complained to Yahweh about his inability to provide

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

The Suffering Servant

 5,256 total views

 5,256 total views 24th Sunday B Is 50:4 – 9 This is the third of the four so-called Servant Songs in Deutero-Isaiah (42:1-7; 49:1-7; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12). The servant’s identity, as originally intended, has both collective (Israel) and individual features. He is perhaps best described as a prophetic figure who suffers on behalf of others; he is

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey

Wholeness

 5,436 total views

 5,436 total views Isaiah 35:4-7 This reading follows the announcement of judgment on the nations (ch 34) and a song celebrating the joy of the redeemed people of Israel by Yahweh (ch 35). The deliverance of Yahweh vanquishes evil. In Hebrew thought, evil is disguised in various forms: physical illness, handicaps, burned and scorched land without

Read More »
123456789101112

Latest Blogs

123456789101112