Balik-Tanaw | The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the Eucharist shows us that the way forward is not to focus on ourselves and on our “truths” but to move toward others, especially those who are in need, as Jesus Christ had shown us in his life, ministry, passion and resurrection. There are no alternative truths and we cannot own the truth. The post Balik-Tanaw | The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Balik-Tanaw | My Lord and my God
Compassion is but a concept, mercy is elusive, hope seems unattainable for our poor brothers and sisters, for those in the margins of our society, and it will remain so if we continue to allow ourselves to become agents of evil, to be the festering wounds on the body of Christ. The post Balik-Tanaw | My Lord and my God appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
“Why does some of the body of Christ celebrate Passover, Easter, both, or neither?”
Passover (The Feast of Unleavened Bread) is a celebration in remembrance of “The Last Plague”, when the Lord moved throughout Egypt, destroying the firstborn people and animals and forcing Pharaoh to release the Israelites (Exodus 11). Commanded by God, the Israelites slaughtered and smeared the blood of an unblemished lamb on their doorposts and lintel […].....»»
Balik-Tanaw | Acting courageously in the time of tyranny
ur country is stained with blood of innocent martyrs. Killings continue on a daily basis, with the perpetrators go unpunished. There is a time to mourn to honor the victims and there is a time to continue what the martyrs have started. And, as Jesus said to the little girl: “Talitha Koum!” (“Little girl, I say to you, GET UP!”), it is also time for us Christians and disciples of Christ to get up. The post Balik-Tanaw | Acting courageously in the time of tyranny appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Balik-Tanaw | Most Precious Body and Blood
In sharp contrast to the biblical times, lives lost today were unholy sacrifices to the altar of greed, corruption (abuse of power), and injustices. These aren’t celebrated, but mourned. These aren’t lifted up to the skies, but buried with the heaviest burdens in our hearts. The post Balik-Tanaw | Most Precious Body and Blood appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Daily Gospel, March 28
This is the Daily Gospel for today, March 28, 2024, which is Holy Thursday (Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper). READ MORE: Daily Gospel, March 27 Daily Gospel, March 26 Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 13, 1-15. Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass.....»»
Holy Week 2024: Tabor Hill in Talamban, experience the authentic essence of Via Crucis
CEBU CITY, Philippines – This Holy Week, the Via Crucis, also known as the Stations of the Cross, is one of the most practiced form of devotion among Catholics, particularly in the Philippines. The Via Crucis commemorates the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It typically involves a series of 14 stations.....»»
Holy Week 2024: A peek into 7 Metro Cebu churches for Visita Iglesia
The Lenten Season is also about reflection and prayer about the passion of Christ. There are days to fast and during the Holy Week on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the Catholic faithful usually practice the Visita Iglesia or the tradition to visit 7 or 14 churches, where they pray and reflect and do.....»»
Spy Wednesday
What significant event took place on the Wednesday of the Holy Week? If Maundy Thursday was all about the Last Supper, the betrayal of Jesus, etc. and Good Friday was all about the kangaroo trial, torture and crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ and Easter Sunday was the glorious resurrection of our Lord, what, I wondered, happened on the Wednesday before......»»
Daily Gospel, March 24
This is the Daily Gospel for today, March 24, 2024, which is Passion (Palm) Sunday. READ MORE: Daily Gospel, March 23 Daily Gospel, March 22 Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 14, 1-72.15,1-47. The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were to take place in two days’ time. So the chief.....»»
A time to meditate
Sometimes I wonder how many people still care to remember that the purpose of Holy Week is to reenact, relive and participate in the passion of Jesus Christ. In Catholic churches, it is a time to commemorate and enact the suffering and death of Jesus through various observances and services of worship......»»
Balik-Tanaw | The dissident love of Jesus
The readings for Palm Sunday begin with narrating the triumphant entry of Jesus and His disciples to Jerusalem. According to the story, Passover and the Feast of the Unleavened Bread is coming in two days’ time and a lot of Jews will go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast. As observant Jews, Jesus and his disciples came to Jerusalem in observance of the feast that will take place (John 12: 12-16; Mark 14:1-15). When they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus instructed his two disciples to go to a village where they will find an ass and to bring it to him. Jesus rode on the ass when he entered Jerusalem. The people accompanied him and they held palm branches while crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our Father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!’ (Mark 11:1-10). The post Balik-Tanaw | The dissident love of Jesus appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Balik-Tanaw | In defense of life’s sanctity
The season of Lent invites us to commemorate Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. In this holy season, we are called to reflect on Christ, who was beaten by Roman soldiers, humiliated, stripped naked, wounded, hung on a cross, and suffered until death. The post Balik-Tanaw | In defense of life’s sanctity appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
What examples of comparison-free joy have influenced your life?
What examples of comparison-free joy have influenced your life? How does remembering your place in the body of Christ free you from the need to compare yourself to others?.....»»
Balik-Tanaw | The revealing of God through Christ and through us
In a moment, anytime today we will be hearing loud bangs and celebrations coming across the world as we close this year’s chapter. A few days ago, we were also delighted at how we joyously celebrated Christmas Day and how we also stood in solidarity with those who were unable to do so because of the many struggles they were facing. The post Balik-Tanaw | The revealing of God through Christ and through us appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Balik-Tanaw | Reign of God where talents are not tools of profit but of love and service
Our Gospel Reading for this Sunday pertains to the different scenarios of parables leading up to the scenario of Parousia in Matt 25:31-46, in the coming celebration of Christ the King Sunday. The post Balik-Tanaw | Reign of God where talents are not tools of profit but of love and service appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Is it menopause?
With each passing birthday I get closer and closer to that midlife transition known as menopause, and whenever I feel unusually warm, I wonder if it is finally happening. Menopause is the time when a woman no longer has menstrual cycles for 12 continuous months. It is a natural biological process and is not a disease. The average age of menopause for Filipino women is 49 years old, and the changes can begin between in the early 40s, with symptoms starting three to five years before menses stop and can even last for an average of seven years up to 14 years after the menses stop. One of the most commonly associated symptoms of menopause are hot flashes -- a feeling that typically begins as a sudden sensation of heat centered in the upper chest and face that rapidly spreads all over the body. The sensation of heat lasts about two to four minutes and is often associated with profuse sweating and occasionally palpitations, sometimes followed by chills and shivering and a feeling of anxiety. Hot flashes usually occur several times per day and are particularly common at night and can interfere with sleep. While hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause, it is not the only symptom. Once the menses start becoming irregular, women can feel irritable and have mood swings, trouble sleeping, joint pain, incontinence, memory loss and depression. Some may have trouble describing their symptoms, and they may consult with a number of specialists -- from cardiologists to gastroenterologists, endocrinologists and psychiatrists. Menopause can also occur after surgical removal of the ovaries. Menopause can also occur after surgical removal of the ovaries. If you have surgery to remove your uterus (hysterectomy) you will no longer have periods, but if your ovaries are left behind you can still go through perimenopause and menopause later on. If your ovaries are also removed during a hysterectomy, you may experience symptoms of menopause immediately. The management of menopause varies from person to person and depends on the severity of symptoms and a woman’s overall health. Several approaches can be considered: 1. Lifestyle changes. Many women find relief from symptoms by adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet and stress reduction techniques. 2. Maintaining an appropriate weight for your height. 3. Hormone replacement therapy. This involves taking medications that replace the hormones (estrogen and sometimes progesterone) that decline during menopause. It can effectively relieve symptoms but carries some risks and is not suitable for everyone. 4. Non-hormonal medications. Some non-hormonal medications can help alleviate specific symptoms, such as antidepressants for mood swings or prescription creams for vaginal dryness. 5. Alternative therapies. Some women explore alternative treatments like acupuncture, herbal supplements or natural remedies to manage their symptoms, though the efficacy of these methods can vary. 6. Regular health checkups. It’s crucial for women in menopause to maintain regular health checkups, as this life stage can be associated with an increased risk of certain health conditions, such as heart disease and osteoporosis. A visit to your doctor can help to find out if you could be going through perimenopause. If have any of the symptoms but are younger than 45 years old, these may not be due to menopause but other hormone problems. Your doctor can order some blood tests to check your hormone levels to determine the cause of your symptoms. Menopause is a transformative journey that every woman will experience. While it comes with its share of challenges, it is a natural and inevitable part of life. Understanding the phases, symptoms, causes and management options for menopause can empower women to make informed decisions and embrace this new phase with confidence and grace. It is also important for women to seek support, whether from healthcare professionals, support groups or loved ones, to navigate this significant life transition successfully. The post Is it menopause? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Flesh and blood
Perhaps in all the years in this lifetime that Israel has been at war, we Filipinos never made enough sense of what it is really about. Not until we learned, since 7 October, how cruel and bitter it can be — in the photos of a grown man forever captured screaming into the air over his dead nephew’s body; of shrouded bodies that may never be identified; or a clip of a father holding plastic bags of his kids’ remains. And the babies. And the burned bodies. And the blood splattered all over a bomb shelter. No one — unless it is you or yours — can imagine how it truly feels. If you can feel rage and grief at seeing images alone, how much more can your heart take if it were happening right before you? “We are all human,” a father said on Tiktok. It was he who posted about that father with the plastic bags. “There is no difference between me and this man. When we talk of kids getting killed, bombed, or put on fire, it doesn’t really matter what you believe in, where you come from, or what religion you follow. This is never acceptable! You just have to be a human being to stand up and say stop.” Now I am not sure whether this man was genuine (heaven knows there has been plenty of fake and biased news) or if it was propaganda designed to turn sympathy toward a specific cause. But what he said about being human was true. Amid all the atrocious crimes we have seen in the war raging in Gaza, we need to view the whole situation through our humanity. When Gaza struck Israel the way Hitler hit the Jewish people — with extreme violence and a detailed plan to eliminate the enemy in very specific ways — we recoiled. We remembered. But when Israel defended itself, many condemned it. Why? Many immediately concluded that the war was a Palestinian issue, or about Israel’s attempt at occupation or conquest. It is not. So, while it is natural to react the way we do over civilian casualties and collateral damage — likely letting our emotions get the better of us — we need to muster the sense to take it all in with the correct perspective. We must know more, learn more. Shooting from the hip or erupting without understanding — well, wouldn’t that be just as bad as the perpetrators of the war? What is fact and what is fiction? We must seek the truth in light of the misinformation being deliberately spread on social media. One such claim was debunked on Associated Press recently, about the bombing of a hospital in Gaza supposedly by the Israeli military. This was spread in a social media post written in Arabic. AP said, “No such post exists on the military’s actual social media pages and its top Arabic-speaking spokesperson confirmed his office had issued no such statement.” To think this is but one aspect of the entire issue. Let’s begin with the fact that Hamas is a terrorist organization. It is not about Palestine, it is about pushing Islamic supremacy through force. Israel, if you think about it, has “no quarrel with Palestinians,” as Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss, himself emphasized in a talk with DAILY TRIBUNE on Monday. “We are in a war against Hamas, not Palestinians — we have to defend our citizens,” he said. It is a “war of survival,” he added. Israel has long been fighting against Islamic forces that want to see it obliterated from the planet. “We don’t have a choice. We will fight. We will win.” The ambassador added, “The charter of Hamas calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. And it says that there is no political agreement…no political agreement can be reached with Israel. Israel has to be eliminated, and Israelis and Jews have to be killed. That’s the agenda of their philosophy. It has to be an Islamic land. “So, when people ask me today, what is the political future here? I say this is a question that you have to ask Hamas or the Palestinians, because in Israel, we have a government that makes decisions, makes a lot more, and when we sign a document, we respect it, and we can negotiate. We’re a political entity. “Hamas is not in a negotiating position. It is in a war position to eliminate Israel. Very simple. And you see the history. I’m not going into the long history, but Israel had pulled out of Gaza since 2005. We are not controlling Gaza. We are on the international border. So, it’s not about a few patients. It is about an organization that, every few years, initiates again an attack against Israel. This time it was the biggest…” However, the ambassador admits, on a personal level, that a solution seems hazy “because it is continuing and we are living in a complicated neighborhood,” he told this columnist. The enemies are “fundamentalists that are promoting these Islamic states, promising these fundamentalistic terror agenda…” Ambassador Fluss may be keeping it all real as a diplomat, but what he may not ever say is that this war is about all of us, too — humans and families and connected lives. When a Filipino caregiver refuses to leave her ward, sacrificing her own life to the end, that is humanity. But to believe that life is only worth living if another race or culture is removed, where is the humanity in that?.....»»
Police warn against speculation in US synagogue leader’s murder
The politically active leader of a US synagogue was found dead with stab wounds outside her home on Saturday, as police cautioned against speculation over the motive for the murder. Police requested FBI assistance in investigating the murder of Samantha Woll, 40, who presided over the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, which serves metropolitan Detroit. Police Chief James White urged "that everyone remain patient" while the investigation is underway despite "many unanswered questions." "It is important that no conclusions be drawn until all of the available facts are reviewed," White said in a statement. "An update ... will be forthcoming tomorrow." The murder came amid escalating tensions in Jewish and Muslim communities across the United States over the Israel-Hamas conflict that has taken thousands of lives this month. Emergency personnel found Woll dead "with multiple stab wounds to her body," police said. A trail of blood led officers to Woll's nearby home, "which is where the crime is believed to have occurred." The motive in the killing "is unknown," a police statement added. The Detroit office of the FBI told AFP in an email that it "will assist the Detroit Police Department as requested." "We are shocked and saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Samantha Woll, our Board President," the synagogue posted on its Facebook page. "At this point, we do not have more information." Woll, who led the synagogue since 2022, was also active in Democratic Party affairs, working for US congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and on the campaign of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, the Detroit Free Press said. "I am shocked, saddened, and horrified to learn of Sam's brutal murder. Sam was as kind a person as I've ever known," Nessel posted on X, formerly Twitter. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said he was "devastated" to learn of Woll's death. "Just weeks ago, I shared a day of joy with Sam at the dedication of the newly renovated Downtown Synagogue," Duggan posted on X. "It was a project she successfully led with great pride and enthusiasm." Slotkin, who served as a CIA officer before entering Congress, said Woll sought to build "understanding across faiths, bringing light in the face of darkness." The Free Press said Woll had been active in a grassroots organization aimed at building ties between young Muslims and Jews. The post Police warn against speculation in US synagogue leader’s murder appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Delivery bag checklist before giving birth
Mary Mason once said, “A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years and in your heart till the day you die.” During a woman’s pregnancy, one of the things she meticulously prepares is her delivery bag. A delivery bag consists of new mother’s and baby’s essentials when the baby is born in a hospital or clinic. If you are nearing your delivery due date, around eight months, and haven’t had any idea what to bring, check out this basic list. [gallery size="large" columns="1" ids="200378,200381,200382"] For newborn Baru-baruan or newborn clothes set — At least two pieces of tops (either sleeveless or with sleeves), shorts or long pants, a pair of mittens and booties and a baby cap. Liquid soap — To wash off some fluids or vernix (the white, cheesy-looking substance that coats the newborn’s skin), a mild liquid soap is necessary. The baby’s first bath will be done by a lying in or hospital staff after giving birth. Diapers — Bring at least two to five pieces of newborn diapers. A good quality diaper should be super absorbent, gentle on baby’s skin, great fit and made of eco-friendly materials. Bib or small, soft cloth — This can come in handy to protect the baby’s delicate skin and clothes from spit-up, breastmilk and drool. Have at least three pieces. Receiving blanket — A thick blanket helps protect the baby from the cold air. Choose colors either blue or pink for easy gender identification. Plain white is also good. [caption id="attachment_200379" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] THE baby’s first bath will be done by the lying-in or hospital staff.[/caption] For mommy Dress — Bring at least two to five nursing clothes to make your breastfeeding journey more manageable and comfortable. It’s easy to put on, easy to loosen and easy to take off again since it doesn’t put any pressure on your postnatal body. Adult diapers — Carry at least six to eight pieces of adult diapers to help absorb leakage of excess blood after giving birth. Maternity pads — After the adult diaper phase, maternity pads give extra protection after child birth. Toiletries — These include liquid soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, bath towel, deodorant and cotton buds. You can add wet wipes and tissue, too. Slippers — Wear your slippers before going to the hospital or lying in. Scrunchie, comb and mirror — Stay clean to avoid any infection and you also feel better after giving birth. Comb your hair to look good as well. Liters of water — Be extra hydrated by drinking at least 16 cups of water a day to help you produce breastmilk round the clock. Documents and IDs — These are given requirements from the hospital or lying in, as well as your baby’s identification for birth certificate. Bring at least two government IDs. Speaking of government IDs, update your PhilHealth contributions to avail of maternity hospital coverage. Ideally, keep the delivery bag by your house door or any accessible place so it’s easy to grab and go when the time comes. Start ticking off this checklist now! The post Delivery bag checklist before giving birth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
75: Diamond love for a rich, incomparable life
Seventy-five: More than it being the digits that scream seasoned and being on this planet for more than seven decades and five summers, this is the most opportune time to be grateful. This feeling stems from the fact that, by that time, I would still be alive and kicking ass, and a true survivor of personal and domestic battles, health crises, financial boom and gloom, the political landscape, leaders of this so-called democracy — the golden ones and greedy lot, imploding economies and falling regimes, the see-sawing peso, perhaps another pandemic, plus earthquakes, coup d’etats, volcanic eruptions, super typhoons, drought, famine, pestilence, wars, and also digital technology, creativity, the evolving arts and many more. [caption id="attachment_194558" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Seventy-five means being surrounded by loved ones. | PHOTOGRAPH Courtesy of unsplashpatricia prudente[/caption] Good old times Hitting 75 will make me more nostalgic of the good old times, when life was simpler and one had that drive and hunger to realize one’s dreams. It will make me long for friends and colleagues who have been gone to soon, felled by affliction or shocking tragedy, thus allowing me to appreciate lasting friendships and loyalties that are still with me. I will smile as I recollect the follies of my youth, the trials and triumphs of my adult life and, as they say in a song, “ang mga nakalipas na di na maaari at pwedeng balikan.” These feelings, of course, also bring some pangs of pain. But I get to appreciate all my experiences, good or bad, happy or sad, because I am what I am by then because of them. Seventy-five means being surrounded by loved ones — my partner, children, grandchildren, up to the apo sa tuhod and talampakan. The successes of my loved ones are also my success. Their pains I likewise carry, though I do not let them know about it. The reason I have become successful at this point is because I worked hard on being a good person first. Call me a sentimental fool, but success earned that also destroyed your humanity and corrupted your morality is not my definition of success and being successful. The people I love, those that I hold dearest in my heart and who are with me and surround me now, are the manifestations of the goodness at the core of my success. Legacy and vocation Seventy-five also means I have made a name for myself. And it is a name that not only is admired but respected and trusted. Whatever career I had chosen during my wonder years, it is now my legacy and has become my vocation. This name has been a product of blood, sweat and errors, sacrifices and victories. Of sticking to my core values always being kind, fair, honest and sincere, and making people feel good, important and treated with dignity. Whatever riches I have, I have earned and gained them through hard work, determination, tenacity and passion to be the best in my profession and personal vocation. My name is the most precious bequeathal I can make. When all else fails, I want people to remember me as a man who had a good name, a good heart and made a lot of people feel good. But 75 also means there are still so many years ahead to be curious, to learn new things, to be naughty if my body still permits it, to share stories, make people laugh, mentor others, teach and exclaim that indeed, life and the world are beautiful and wonderful. One’s diamond year deserves diamond-caliber love and celebration — for the rich life thus far, and the (hopefully) richer life still ahead. The post 75: Diamond love for a rich, incomparable life appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»