When firefighters are on duty, their uniforms display their identity—their purpose, responsibilities, and commitment. To fashion that dedication, firefighters leave their personal lives behind, plans, hobbies, and even family responsibilities, to focus on their duties when scheduled. Upon receiving a call involving fire, disaster, and medical emergencies, they are the first responders to arrive on the scene.
Have you ever thought about how our body gets the energy to sustain life and adapt to environmental changes? The human body needs to consume food and water every day. The physical food we eat and the liquid we drink are crucial for our body, and they are processed in the digestive system that broken down into nutrients that produces energy, growth, and cell repair. If we do not consume the right food and water, the processing system will suffer, and our health will decline.
As we look back at how the pandemic progressed over the years, particularly during the lockdown, we can recall how grim periods all people have endured. Thus, we witnessed unexpected illness, separation, and the loss of lives. It was even worse when we saw people who could not have the slightest chance to say goodbye to their loved ones at the graveside or mourning with family members. To cope with such, some folks skipped the mourning process, while some others refused to acknowledge the horrifying outcomes so they could keep moving forward at a normal pace.
There is a story of a woman whose house burned down in a terrible fire, and she had three sons. She asked her sons to design and build a new home for her. The first son said, “I am an electrician; therefore, I don’t know anything about drawing, bricklaying, or plumbing. I can’t build the house.” The second son exclaimed, “I am a bricklayer. I don’t know anything about the electricity, plumbing, drafting, or roofing; I can’t build the house.” The third son said, “I am a plumber; I don’t know anything about the electricity, bricklayer, or carpentry; I can’t build the house!”
May is the month of graduation for many colleges and universities across America. Arriving on the day of the graduation ceremony, the graduates hold a fixed feeling—time to celebrate the achievement and time to say goodbye to friends, classmates, buddies, and allowances! The bonds and relationships they have formed for four years or longer are now about to end. While some friendships continue to unfold, others must accept that they will venture out into the open world, encountering new places and people. Saying goodbye to someone can be one of the hardest things to do. We congratulate the college graduates and best of luck with their future endeavors!
I learned to ride a bike when I was about six-year-old. The scary concepts were controlling the pedal and keeping the bicycle moving straight without falling! Even with my best efforts to ensure the bike’s balance, I had to admit the assistance of my cousin was critical. He held on to the bike’s saddle during the training process while running behind. He attentively waited for the moment to release the cycle when I had some measure of balance. Of course, I fell a few times! Yet - eventually, I could ride the bicycle alone. Having someone to help us when we might get lost or fall is a tremendously courageous journey through life’s unseen roads.
Hello! Disappointment can make people defensive. As a result, we must find a way to channel it. The beginning of today's gospel describes Judas leaving the Last Supper while Jesus and the rest of the disciples remain. What was the cause? Judas is frustrated because Jesus knew what he would do next. According to Matthew's gospel, Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, which troubled Judas. Feeling desperate, Judas departs from the Last Supper! While the gospel begins with personal selfishness, disconnection, and betrayal, it concludes with the latter apostles' love, faithfulness, and unity only because of Jesus' commandment.
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers! We learn and mimic our mother's characteristics at a very early stage of life, one of which is her voice. Research shows that babies might begin to hear their mom's voice around 23 to 26 weeks in the mother's womb. Thus, this development helps the infants distinguish between their mother's voices and the voices of others shortly after birth. From the mysterious ways of life, we believe that God has instilled in them the instinct that they could communicate with their children to great lengths that she brings us to life and subsistence.
In today's first reading, the Acts of the Apostles illustrates a scenario where the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem aggrieved the first apostles. While preaching and healing in the essence of Jesus' love and power, the Jewish leaders warn them not to do good deeds in the name of Jesus. How so? The religious leaders fear that the name of Jesus could reincite public attention regarding the execution they inflicted on Him. Indeed, the name of the Jewish man they once tried to eradicate vexed their memories!
It was a joyful Easter Sunday, and I hope you will experience the spirit of the Risen Christ every day! On Easter Sunday, as I was driving along the 60 freeway, I saw the parks were filled with people and their families camping and picnicking together. Their gatherings shared various aspects of life, supporting each other. We must recognize that the good influence of a collective system is intense. Whenever a group of people gathers together in a spirit of collaboration for the common good of others, the outcome is enormous.
Happy Easter to you! For some people or customs, they will only purchase new clothes and dress up on Easter Sunday. These people tend to wear brightly colored outfits for the first time on Easter Sunday, not because they are affluent or to show off to others. Instead, they are wearing brightly colored costumes for the first time on Easter Sunday to symbolize that Easter brings a new beginning, hope, peace, and life. What are other joyful practices and beliefs on Easter Sunday and Season?
The history of crucifixion dates back about five hundred years before Christ when King Darius I of Persia used the method to punish political rivals in Babylon. Later, the Greek Empire crucified Jews who refused to accept Greek culture. The Romans adopted crucifixion to punish pirates and enemies of Rome. By this time, crucifixion was meant to inflict the maximum amount of suffering on the victim's body and spirit and humiliate them publicly so no one would challenge Roman authority.
In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. invites you to join us in transforming awareness into action by participating in a special nine-day Novena for Protecting and Healing from Abuse, April 22-30. For more information and to join the Novena on April 22, please visit https://lacatholics.org/united-together/.
Our brains allow us to interpret the complexity of our surroundings and connect with them on an emotional level. In fact, we instinctively run away if we perceive a dangerous situation, like a wild beast attacking; a tsunami wave is coming, or even hearing frightening sounds. However, we respond differently when we hear a welcoming voice, joyous laughter, or see a friend waving hello to greet us.
The parable of Jesus stands out in Luke's gospel because of its rich facts and is deeply personal. Readers of all ages can easily relate to the characters within the family unit. Thus, we may identify with the prodigal son, the elder brother, or the father's grief and joy. Nonetheless, the motif of the parable is to underscore the characters of the son and the father and invite us to look into our relationship with the spiritual Father and fellow humans.
It is hard to accept and apologize for mistakes and sins to others and God! The words of apology we express to others echo our inner dissonance and are unpleasant. In addition, when we apologize, we assume to offer the recipients the power to choose. Can you imagine if a wife says to her husband: "I am so sorry I should not have said or done that to you and your family." Nevertheless, what do we stockpile when we refuse to say those words?
According to news reporters, about two million Ukrainians have left their homelands for neighboring countries in the wake of the Russian invasion. The images of Ukrainian children and women scrambling in the buses and trains' stations, hoping to find buses and trains that could take them out of the invasion forces, are heartbreaking. Overnight, the Ukrainians lost their homes and loved ones through separation. The stories of such Exodus can constantly inundate with bitterness, grief, distress, and loss in the days to come.
Sometimes, we may wish we could have known the package of our entire lives! As we journey through life, we get caught up in the challenges and unexpected realities; we pause, relive, and wonder about the feelings and memories of the past. Thus, our memories can guide us in what we are becoming in the future, for better or worse.
Have you ever wondered where plants and trees get their food? Those cultivating them in your gardens may know that plants' foods come from sunlight, water, and air. Thus, plants and trees use the leaves to absorb light energy, then the energy is used to change water, light, and carbon dioxide into food. This process is called photosynthesis. All in all, plants and trees must go through these processes.