The Social Dimension to the Sacred Heart Looking at the headlines today, the world is in need of love. Becoming entrenched with all the world’s affairs, it’s easier to allow ourselves to remain disengaged. I recall a conversation with a friend last year and a common phrase that I hear them saying is “I’ll just do me,” or rather, “I’ll mind my own business,” as they express their dissatisfaction with current state of affairs in the world. Part 4 of... Read more
As we ring out 2024, what are we taking with us into the new year? Memories? Experiences? Lessons learned? Whatever it may be, may it guide us into the new year. As we explore Part Three of He Loved Us, let us take with us a deeper devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A Devotion Rooted in the Person of Jesus Throughout history, holy men and women sought the heart of Christ, holding to the power of the... Read more
Learning to Open Up Opening up was never easy for me growing up. When writing, a common feedback I’d get from my teachers is wanting to hear more of my voice. In seminary, my homiletics professor encouraged me to share more personal experience. It’s gotten easier to open up over the years with continued encouragement and practice. I take to heart St. John Henry Newman’s coat of arms, “Cor ad cor loquitur,” or “Heart Speaks to Heart.” When I engage... Read more
Where We Encounter God Pope Francis begins the first chapter of his fourth encyclical Dilexis Nos (He Loved Us) noting the importance of the heart. The heart is the inner core where God speaks to us and reveals himself. The heart is also where we encounter the truths of ourselves and life, “the locus of sincerity, where deceit and disguise have no place,” (no. 5). I remember interviewing for a ministry position and was asked, “what makes you a good... Read more
Last Thursday, Pope Francis released Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us), his fourth papal encyclical which explores the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I have yet to fully read and digest all that has was written. Numerous summaries and commentaries are floating around the internet to read for one’s enlightenment. I will dedicate the next four posts to do a series of reflections on this encyclical, similar to what I did for Pope Francis’s 2020 pastoral letter Patris Corde (With a Father’s... Read more
It’s been awhile since I last posted! I recently came across a new society called the Josephology Society. I’m not sure if I mentioned in an earlier post as to why my blog is titled “Mirror of Patience,” but the title is in reference to a title given to St. Joseph in the Litany of St. Joseph. The subject matter of my column has featured different areas such as faith, family and daily living. At the heart of my column... Read more
“The LORD God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him.” (Genesis 2:18) Since the second creation story, God created us for community. As Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas puts, the human person is a social and rational being. We do not live life in isolation, but in community with others. This past Sunday, I had the chance to join the Filipino community for a Mass celebrated by... Read more
This month has been a whirlwind, explaining why I haven’t posted in a while. Last week, I finished my time with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving as a Senior Grants Associate to start a new job with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford as a Grant Writer. Parting ways with the foundation was difficult because I formed so many great relationships with people during my time there, just over two years. When I first started, it was quite... Read more
This past Sunday, I had the joy of being with the Lay Dominicans at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Guilford, CT. I myself am discerning to be a Lay Dominican, currently in a temporary profession. Some of us were sitting outside the monastery grounds before a statue of St. Dominic. As we were engaged in study, I found myself reflecting on St. Dominic since his feast day (August 8th) was recent. I recall a particular quote that St. Dominic... Read more
The marathon event had a bit of a wait in the Olympics, being one of the last events. I wasn’t able to watch it, just catching the highlights on my phone when I woke up. To my surprise, I saw that Eliud Kipchoge dropped out of the race and had a DNF (did not finish). He’s hailed as one of the greater marathoners in the sport, but this past Saturday was not his day. Hard to say it was the... Read more
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