"Late have I loved You . . ."
A reader of a previous blog post here entitled "Of Tomato Plants and A Fig Tree" commented that the blog theme reminded him of Saint Augustine, who God did not "cut down" even after a long life of sinful and impure living, but gave him time to repent and lead a holy and productive life. Indeed, Augustine's conversion story is a testimony to the loving mercy of God, Who invites everyone to come to him, and to those who do not accept or ignore the invitation He still gives many
"Mano Po"
The first time I met Fr. Marz, a young visiting priest in our parish, I greeted him by offering to shake hands but instead he took my hand and placed it on his forehead in the traditional "Mano or Pagmamano" * way found only in Filipino culture. Even if I am probably about twice older I said, "Father, it is I who should do this because you are a priest." Yesterday, before Sunday Mass, a middle-aged parishioner was about to do the "mano po" gesture but instead Fr. Marz took
Of Tomato Plants and A Fig Tree
This year I decided not to do anymore container gardening which produced a lot of eggplants, tomatoes, gourds and bitter melons in previous years. But when I saw a packet of tomato seeds with a picture of a bunch of big tomatoes, I was encouraged to put them in some pots with soil from last year. The seeds germinated and the plants have grown tall and luxuriantly leafy, but no flowers were coming out that would eventually turn into fruit I have been expecting to see. I repl
On This Day O Beautiful Mother
I remember the days in my old hometown when people from about 20 houses in our block would pray the Rosary in our homes each night and then process, with lighted candles and singing of Marian hymns, to transfer a statue of Our Lady of Fatima to another home. Our Block Rosary was well attended. It made us closer to one another and to Mary and her Son. Today, I went to Mass two times. The first was the early morning Mass in our parish church in Oxon Hill and the other the noon
"Your Face Sounds Familiar"
The Imitator The Model One of the few TV shows I have watched and found entertaining is "Your Face Sounds Familiar," especially the Kids version. It features contestants who try to imitate well-known singers on stage. After much preparation and practice of a song -- voice, body movements and all with the help of mentors, make up artists take over, making the contestant look like the singer -- face, hair, dress and all. After this long and tedious process, the contestant has
