When a development bank in the Philippines included grape growing in its agricultural financing program many years ago, I had to learn all about grape culture and visit bank-financed grape farms (vineyards) as one of its agricultural economists. Like other crops, successful grape growing involves the choice of the best variety. This is in addition to plant culture principles such as soil Ph, fertilization, watering, sunlight, etc. Also for grapes, proper pruning is absolutely

Many of us city dwellers may have only a vague idea of the life and work of shepherds, especially those of olden times, except perhaps from movies. Shepherds tend the sheep by leading them to pastures where there is sufficient grass and water, keeping them from straying, and protecting them from predators like wolves and thieves who would scatter them and catch them for food. Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd because a good shepherd not only takes care of his sheep but lo

"What you don't know won't hurt you." This is an often-quoted saying that some people live by. A similar related saying is: "The truth hurts." No one wants to get hurt by anything, and if something, even if true, causes hurt or pain, it is better not to know it. So some seem to say: "What you don't know won't hurt you." But can one really isolate himself from the truth that hurts? Can one shield himself from the truth that brings pain? Can one live in an island paradise where

Early one morning recently we were awakened by an overseas call from my sister-in-law. She informed us that their first cousin had died of a heart attack. He left three growing children. Another call gave us word that a first cousin had died of Covid. Later that morning, we attended the funeral Mass for a fellow parishioner. After Communion, my daughter sang “Hindi Kita Malilimutan” (I Will Not Forget You) composed by Fr. Manoling Francisco, S.J. This is the meditation song m

Several years ago, I disposed of my heavy B&D lawnmower and gave up mowing my yard myself. Everyone in the family said I was too old to be doing strenuous work like that. The last cut made by my hired grasscutter was before the start of winter last year when the grass became dormant. When spring came this year the grass started growing again, together with weeds that appeared from nowhere. I sprayed it with a weedkiller. Now the grass has grown taller and needs to be trimmed

I had just run my little mower on my front lawn and liked how the grass looked -- even and smooth. There was plenty of sun the couple of days that followed, and then there was rain in the afternoon and overnight, not too much, not too little, but gentle. This morning, I woke up and saw my lawn a greener and thicker carpet of grass. I liked what I saw. Who is the lover of Shakespeare who did not come across that scene in "The Merchant of Venice" where Portia spoke about rain,

The grass is green and tall again the first couple of weeks of spring after its long winter hibernation. But different weeds have also appeared and grown along with it. The unsightly weeds will have to go. They don't belong on my lawn. Weeds have a way of just appearing. If I don't remove them they will choke my grass and take over my yard. Tomorrow I will run my mower to trim the grass to its proper height. I will use my weed whacker and spray weedicides. I will then repair

The Twelve Disciples except one either denied their Master vehemently three times, or abandoned Him hurriedly out of fear, or betrayed him to His enemies for a few coins and with a traitor's kiss. The Denier, when Jesus gave him a loving look while being led from the court of judgment, went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:62) The Betrayer, when he kissed Jesus to identify Him and Jesus called him friend, threw the money into the temple and went away and hanged himself. (

The story of the two disciples walking back to their village Emmaus after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection is one of my favorite stories from the Gospel of Luke. Here were two disciples who followed Christ and had high hopes for the deliverance of Israel from Roman oppression. However, these hopes were dashed when their chief priests and rulers, put Him to death by crucifixion. As they walked back to their village, they were full of sadness and disappointment. These emotio

The cross, the olden times’ infamous instrument of judgment, torture, death and hate, is now the symbol of victory, life, peace and love. The cross without the Author of Life once nailed there was just that -- a cruel arm of judgment by the powers that be -- until the One Who died there rose again and gave the wooden cross beams an entirely new and opposite meaning. "In hoc signo vinces." By this sign, you shall conquer. The cross now held up to the world is a serious reminde