What the Eight Beatitudes Mean for Our World Today

Last updated on: January 3, 2024 at 8:44 pm By Jocelyn Soriano

The Eight Beatitudes preached by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount probably contain some of the most radical and the most inspiring teachings in the Bible. Countless books and articles have been written to reflect upon the wisdom and truth they contain. The Catechism of the Catholic Church itself states: “The Beatitudes… shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life; they are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations…” (CCC 1717)... Read more

8 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Soul

Last updated on: January 3, 2024 at 8:42 pm By Jocelyn Soriano

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What better time to set a new goal or to form a new habit than the New Year? As Catholics, we may already be making our personal resolutions daily. We ask forgiveness for our sins, and we resolve to do better next time. We also pray that God may continue to help us grow spiritually. But there’s nothing wrong with making these resolutions just in time for the New Year. It would be great if we could finally turn our... Read more

Can Christian Writers Evangelize Artificial Intelligence?

Last updated on: January 3, 2024 at 8:43 pm By Jocelyn Soriano

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I think it is safe to say that we can no longer go back to a world without artificial intelligence. This technology is everywhere. We use it at work. We engage with it as we unwind and play. It’s behind our social media interactions. The time may come when our children will be so reliant on AI that it would enjoy the status of being their teacher, counselor or friend. And people would believe whatever AI says. We may doubt... Read more

When You Feel That Your Sins Are Keeping You Away From Prayer

Last updated on: December 7, 2023 at 7:26 am By Jocelyn Soriano

There are people who seem to walk with a dead conscience. They no longer seem to feel the burden of their sins. On the other hand, there are people who feel so ashamed of having sinned they deem themselves unworthy of God’s forgiveness. Have you ever felt so sinful you can no longer pray? Because of the weight of your sins, you feel ashamed. You know that when you pray, you draw close to God. But you can’t even imagine... Read more

Can Poor People Still Be Happy?

Last updated on: December 7, 2023 at 7:24 am By Jocelyn Soriano

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Have you ever seen poor people who are happy? I see them every day in the poor streets where I walk. I see them in children who are laughing despite their tattered clothes and dirty faces. I see them in old ones bent from work but who could still spare their time to talk. I see them in those who labor all day but who could still sing all night, eating and having a good time with their friends. Didn’t... Read more

Why It Makes Sense To Give Until It Hurts

Last updated on: December 14, 2023 at 10:56 am By Jocelyn Soriano

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“I must be willing to give whatever it takes to do good to others. This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts. Otherwise, there is no true love in me, and I bring injustice, not peace, to those around me.” – Mother Teresa No one wants to be hurt. Not physically, not emotionally, and not financially. We shield ourselves from pain as much as possible. But when it comes to love, do we really think it’s possible... Read more

Signs of False Apparitions

Last updated on: December 6, 2023 at 5:32 pm By Jocelyn Soriano

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Have you ever heard of a recent apparition from the Blessed Virgin Mary? What are your immediate thoughts about it? Do you have to wait for Church approval before you believe in the said apparition? While it is prudent to wait for Church declaration, we may sometimes feel that we may be missing a lot of blessings if we don’t take a pilgrimage to an apparition site that seems worthy of our belief. We may have loved ones who are... Read more

Why Money Is Not the Only Measure of Your Success in Life

Last updated on: November 29, 2023 at 8:15 am By Jocelyn Soriano

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Most of us Christians won’t ever think of money as the only measure of success in life. It’s so far from what we know is true. Jesus even tells us in the Gospel that we can’t serve both God and money at the same time. And didn’t the rich man go away sad when he couldn’t let go of his riches so he could be perfect in God’s sight? But the theories we hold in our heads don’t always seem... Read more

Does God Appreciate What We Do?

Last updated on: November 22, 2023 at 8:37 am By Jocelyn Soriano

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Too often, people are not ashamed to say unkind words to others. More and more people speak without even thinking. They do not care whether they could hurt others with their words. But when it comes to appreciating another person, there, we hold back. Why it it that people are not ashamed to mindlessly spout bad words but think twice about saying kind compliments to others? Is it really too difficult to say words of appreciation? Even when it comes... Read more

What Keeps Even Christians Worrying?

Last updated on: November 15, 2023 at 8:00 am By Jocelyn Soriano

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“I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:5 (NRSVCE) Have you ever had those times when you were so worried about nothing that you kept on worrying even after you had prayed to God? There was a time when something kept me worrying all day. I kept on praying, but I wasn’t able to let go of my worries. I kept on looking for visible signs that God would solve... Read more