Fr Jose Arcilla SJ
Fr Catalino Arevalo, SJ 
Fr Renato Puentevella, SJ
and Fr. Sergio Su, SJ
Author: pjaa
Follower of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
In honor of his 80 years as a Jesuit in May 2021, the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus is pleased to announce the Fr Roque Ferriols SJ Suscipe Fund.
The Suscipe Fund named after the famous prayer, “Receive, O Lord” of St Ignatius of Loyola at the end of the Spiritual Exercises, is launched not only to honor our Jesuit Jubilarians but also to raise funds for the support of our infirm and elderly Jesuits. With an increasing number of them needing special and individual attention, the Philippine Province is taking active steps to ensure support for their care.
The fund is made possible through the generosity of Mr. Manuel V Pangilinan.
Fr Provincial Primitivo Viray Jr. SJ was extremely gratified by Mr Pangilinan’s response, saying in his note of gratitude, “Your continued generosity will greatly help in defraying one of the Society’s biggest expense items and ensuring that our beloved Lolo Jesuits like Fr Ferriols and Fr Catalino Arevalo (also celebrating 80 years in the Society) continue to receive the best care.”
On his part, Mr Pangilinan stated “It would take a truly hardened heart to turn deaf to this request. Happy to do this.” Mr Pangilinan has often stated that Fr. Ferriols, his Ateneo de Manila Philosophy professor, taught him many lessons that remain with him to this day.
Mr. Pangilinan’s donation serves as the Suscipe Fund’s seed contribution and it is hoped that other friends and benefactors will likewise contribute in prayerful gratitude for the lives and missions of our Lolo Jesuits.
PHILIPPINE PESO DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO: PHILIPPINE JESUIT AID ASSOCIATION, INC (PJAA)
- Online bank transfers
- BPI family bank C/A 6861-0026-14
- BDO S/A 0086-5001-6141
- BPI Bills Payment to “PJAA” or “Phil Jesuit Aid Association”
In place of a reference number, input your full name.
- Credit Card
VISA OR MASTERCARD https://www.phjesuits.org/portal/give-online/ In the comments box, indicate Suscipe Fund.
- PayMaya
US DOLLAR DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO: PHILIPPINE JESUIT FOUNDATION (PJF)
- Credit Card
- phjesuits.org/pjf/share.php . In the comments box, indicate Suscipe Fund.
- Zelle
Please use pjf@phjesuits.org. Include your email address, and indicate Suscipe Fund.
- Send a check to Philippine Jesuit Foundation, PO Box 312, New York, NY 10028. On the memo line, indicate Suscipe Fund.
Categories
Good Shepherd Sunday
4th Sunday of Easter 2021, April 25, 2021
The Word, Source: John 10. 11 – 18 Jesus — The Good Shepherd
11 I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
12 The hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them.
13 This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me,
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.This command I have received from my Father.
REFLECTION
It can be well assumed that Jesus was quite familiar with three ways of life, among others, in Galilee and Judea. There were fisherfolk and farmers and sheepherders. Each of these can be seen or heard about in one place or another in the Gospels. Of course, we recall well that the shepherds are the first to see the baby Jesus there in Bethlehem.
Our reading today and our subsequent prayer find Jesus portraying himself as a shepherd –
the Good Shepherd.
And different from the versions of farming and fishing – here he puts himself actively in the picture.
The image I have chosen above was found on Google on a site with a novena to the Good Shepherd.
What touched me deeply was that in the picture –
the hands and feet of the Shepherd still have the marks of the nails.
The reality, the cost of being our Good Shepherd.
We pray that we may be touched by this reality of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ.
MY PRAYER
Quiet yourself in God’s presence and pray Psalm 23 slowly, over and over.
The LORD is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures he makes me lie down;
to still waters he leads me;
he restores my soul.
He guides me along right paths
for the sake of his name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me.*
You set a table before me in front of my enemies;*
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the LORD for endless days.
Categories
3rd Sunday of Easter
The Word
Source: Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15, 17-19
(Some short time after the gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter and John went to the temple, as was their custom, to pray. While there, they cured a man who was crippled – raising him up in the name of Jesus. A great commotion followed, a crowd gathered and this is the story.)
13 [Peter spoke out:]
The God of Abraham, [the God] of Isaac, and [the God] of Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, when he had decided to release him.
14 You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.
15 The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.
16 And by faith in his name, this man, whom you see and know, his name has made strong, and the faith that comes through it has given him this perfect health, in the presence of all of you.
17 Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did.
18 but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.
19 Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.
A REFLECTION
The Acts of the Apostles is quite a vivid presentation of what happened in the early days of the Church. The timid and fearful fishermen of Galilee are now strong and speak out. The gift of the Holy Spirit gave them knowledge and wisdom and courage. In the first chapters of the Acts, we see all that happened, what all the apostles went through – first to bring the good news to the Jewish people, the people of the Covenant. Sadly, they fail. Then, inspired by the Holy Spirit, they will move on, and bring God’s good news of love and forgiveness and redemption to those who are not of the Jewish faith.
Peter and Paul will be the point persons designated by the Lord Jesus himself. Peter having received his commission from the Lord during the years of training and preparation and at the Last Supper and at the great commission given at the end of the Gospels. Paul, in a very different way, would also receive his commission from the Lord Jesus in a very unique moment of blindness on the road to Damascus. Paul did not know the Jesus of the apostles; he only knew the Risen One from that personal experience and from the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in his life.
I think is very important to read the Acts of the Apostles. How the early Church progressed to the preaching of those entrusted with the knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ. Peter and Paul are the first among these.
We are those who are being taught – we are the Gentiles, not inheritors of the old testament. We are the new people of God. We truly thank Peter and Paul and so many after them, even to this very day, who brought to us and continue to bring to us the Good News of Jesus the Christ.
ALLELUIA!
MY PRAYER
Look at the picture again – Peter’s style is so simple –
Would you listen to him? Would you pay attention to him?Recall the events of just two or so weeks ago –
Recall the reading on Good Friday – what did the people cry out?
If you have been there and the place of Pilate – what would you have cried out?Consider this carefully – Where do I stand – what do I say?
Where am I standing now – what am I saying?
Where do I want to stand – what do I want to say?
Jesus – your Cross is my salvation – I believe, I repent, I desire to you live your life for others –
I ask, dear Jesus, that you will help carry my cross I ask that you give me joy and fullness of life – Thank you, Jesus, Thank You!
Categories
2ND Sunday of Easter
April 11, 2021
THE WORD, Source: John 29.24-29 (excerpt from today’s Gospel)
The Risen Jesus and the Unbelieving Thomas
(Thomas was absent when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. John 20.19-23)
24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you”.
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
28 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
A REFLECTION
(Today is Divine Mercy Sunday – for some a moment of special prayer and novena. Our emphasis will be on faith in Jesus Christ.)
For the early church – the church of the lifetime of the apostles – the core preaching was about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ relying on his death and resurrection. There would have been many stories about what Jesus said and did, and these would later be put together in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
There developed, too, inspired by the Holy Spirit that the gift of faith was not just for the Jewish people, but for anyone who would believe in Jesus Christ. There would have been many stories shared about Jesus Christ; what he said and what he did. But it would only be a later time that these will be written up as the Gospels we know today from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These were written beyond the lifetime of the apostles.
The role of faith is well emphasized in today’s Gospel reading.
Thomas lacking trust and faith says: “Unless I see, I will not believe.”
Jesus accedes to this demand, going so far as inviting Thomas to touch his wounds. And Thomas is struck by this gesture of Jesus.
We still believe, 2000 years later. We are given a great blessing by Jesus –
“Blessed are they who have not seen but have believed.”
It may be good today to remember those who transmitted the gift of faith to us – parents, parishes, schools, communities. The testimony of Peter and Paul are still part of our lives today. We believe – because they believed and shared that belief, that faith in Jesus Christ.
MY PRAYER
As always – try to be comfortable and quiet
Recall God’s presence before you and you before him
What grace or blessing would you ask for at this moment.
Perhaps I think of the many who have passed the faith onto me, the knowledge and love of Jesus
⦁ Lord, bless those who have blessed me with the gift of faith –
I consider how faith in Jesus changes my life – how I live with others –
my family, household helps coworkers, those who approach me for help – for whatever –
- Forgive me, Jesus, for the many moments I have been unfaithful to your example –
like Thomas, I come and kneel before you –
- Strengthen me in my life of faith – I want to believe –
- Jesus, I kiss your hands – I love you – thank you for your life and death and resurrection –
My Lord and My God!
Categories
Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, SJ
JesuitAid invites you to donate to the following advocacies to keep his memory and legacy alive:
Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, SJ, Endowed Fund-Law School Development Fund
- This Fund provides support for scholarships, professorial chairs, faculty development, and other various projects and needs of the Ateneo Law School.
Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, SJ, Fund for Elderly and Infirm Jesuits
- This Fund will support the medical needs of the Jesuit priests and brothers in the Jesuit Health and Wellness Center and other ailing Jesuit priests under the Philippine Province.
HOW TO DONATE
Philippine Peso donations may be made to Philippine Jesuit Aid Association, Inc. (PJAA):
- Online bank transfers to:
- BPI Family Bank C/A 6861-0026-14
- BDO S/A 0086-5001-6141
- BPI Bills Payment to “PJAA” or “Phil Jesuit Aid Association.” In place of a reference number, input your full name.
- Visa or Mastercard https://www.phjesuits.org/donate/give.php
- Gcash
Important: Please send a copy of your transaction by email to aid@phjesuits.org, or by viber to (0908) 866-1067, and indicate your preferred advocacy in the name of Fr. Bernas.
US Dollar donations may be made to Philippine Jesuit Foundation (PJF):
- Send a check to Philippine Jesuit Foundation, PO Box 312, New York, NY 10028. On the memo line, indicate your preferred advocacy in the name of Fr. Bernas.
- Credit Card https://www.phjesuits.org/pjf/share.php In the comments box, indicate your preferred advocacy in the name of Fr. Bernas.
- By Zell. Please use pjf@phjesuits.org. Include your email address, and indicate your preferred advocacy in the name of Fr. Bernas.
Categories
Easter Sunday 2021
The Empty Tomb — Peter and John
1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”
3 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
4 They both ran,but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths* there,
7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths
but rolled up in a separate placed
8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.
9 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.
A REFLECTION
The Resurrection stories in the Gospels are all wonderful! Read and reread them this week. Here are two of my favorites – and a most beautiful Philippine tradition – read all the stories.
Luke 24. 13 – 35
Salubong – Traditional Philippine celebration as the two statues carried in procession meet in the front of the church very early Easter morning.
(The first meditation for the Fourth Week of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius)
MY PRAYER
A time to be there at the tomb with the others – up to this point no one has experienced the risen Lord – they just see the empty tomb –
it was only later, after all had gone, as Mary Magdalene sat sobbing the Jesus showed himself to her. She was overjoyed – she grabbed him! I wonder what he felt, what she felt? GREAT JOY!
And now, my time to be with the Risen Jesus –
There are many Easter stories – today’s Gospel and two of my favorites above –
- as much as possible, put yourself in a quiet disposition a quiet and comfortable place
- know that God is with you and you wi
- we ask for the grace of the Fourth Week of the Spiritual Exercises –
Father, give to us the joy and the peace that your Risen Son gave to his followers –
- Imagine yourself there with the group discussing what happened to the body of Jesus
- What would you hear? What would you say?
- And if you stay behind with Mary –
Jesus, please give me a portion of that happiness that you gave to Mary
- Imagine yourself at that table with Jesus and the two followers in Emmaus
- It was their invitation “Stay with us . . . “ that brought Jesus to the table
Jesus, stay with me, stay with me
Lastly, consider how I can bring joy and peace – and blessings – to others
How do I accomplish this? By what I think, by what I say, and by what I do –
- Jesus, by my faith that you are raised from the dead –
- Give to me the grace to bring joy and peace and blessings to others –
Our mantra
Alleluia! Jesus is risen from the dead –
He is our life and resurrection! Alleluia!
Categories
The Word And A Reflection and Prayer
PALM SUNDAY 2021
The Word, John 12.12-16
Jesus’ Enters Jerusalem for the Passover
12 On the next day [Sunday], when the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,[even] the king of Israel.”
14 Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written:
15 “Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes, seated upon an ass’s colt.”
16 His disciples did not understand this at first, but when Jesus had been glorified they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done this for him.
A Reflection
The story of Jesus’ life for us rushes to its end. The great Passover feast of the Jews commemorating their freedom from slavery in Egypt is a highlight celebration even to this very day. But this Holy Week will be the story of the new freedom from sin one for us by Jesus.
Jerusalem is crowded – everyone wants to be there for the festival. People are delighted to see friends and visitors. Our gospel reading today is the reading used at the blessing of the palms before the Holy Mass. At the Mass itself we will hear one of the Passion narratives.
A simple note: Mondays Gospel will tell us of what happened that Saturday evening before the Palm Sunday event. Jesus was enjoying a “Thank You” dinner with Lazarus and Martha and Mary.
My Prayer
- Make yourself quiet and comfortable
- Look at the picture again – perhaps imagine yourself there
- Read the story again – maybe a number of times – want to be there –
Pray with the joyful children – HOSANNA! HOSANNA!
Pray with the adults – Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Read again the Gospel – Recall that in a few days the cry will be “Crucify him!”
Hosanna in the Highest – Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!
Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies, Scripture from the New American Bible
Categories
The Word and A Reflection and My Prayer
5th Sunday of Lent, March 21, 2021
The Word, John 12.20-33
The Hour of Jesus’ Glory (excerpts)
23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24 Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.
26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”
33 He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.
A REFLECTION
Our gospel story today is a jump almost three years from our story of last week when Jesus and Nicodemus spoke in the evening. Since that time Jesus and his disciples had spent much effort preaching and healing and forgiving throughout Galilee and Judea.
The background of today’s story is that Jesus went up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. But before going there as we will hear at the end of the week, he joined Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary, for a special dinner. It was at that time that Mary would anoint the feet of Jesus.
After Jesus’ joyful entrance into Jerusalem, he spent much time in the temple precincts talking with the leaders of the Jews and others about his Father and the role that he himself would play that all might be saved. Sadly, his words were not accepted and in fact, rejected and ended with his death in Jerusalem just a few days later.
A Reminder
Prayer time need not be long . Setting aside short but dedicated prayer time -even just 10 minutes each day is already a good practice.
MY PRAYER
- Put yourself in a comfortable quiet position
- Recall God’s presence with you and your presence before God
- Read the passage again – even more than once if so desired
- What grace do you ask for – desire – need – for yourself at this moment
- Feel yourself present – intently listening to Jesus
The Lord’s glory is seen in his death that brings life like the seed that dies (vv. 23 – 24) Lord, help me to understand this in my own life
- A father or mother who gives up their life for the sake of the children (vv. 25-26)
- The soldier who fights the enemy to preserve his home country
- The office mate who gives a personal time to visit or to call s sick friend
- Lord, help me to understand what it means to give of myself even a part of myself for others –
- Help me understand what it means to give myself- for my family and especially those in need
Jesus lifted up – draws all to himself – for new life (vv. 32-33)
Lord Jesus – help me to know and accept the Cross.
Lord Jesus – draw me to yourself !
Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies
Categories
A nation at the crossroads
