Christmas in the Air

 

This was after Church today:

Santa was even in town with candies. The joy can be contagious but it's only November 16th. It didnt sit very well with me. But I was happy this brought joy to many. 

God bless

Pal Ronnie 

The Quiet Wisdom of Healthcare: Why “Just Be Human” Matters More Than Ever

This week, a student asked me for a piece of wisdom about working in healthcare. I didn’t give him a lecture about pharmacology, protocols, or physiology. I told him something much simpler, just be human. It is the best thing to be in this age of artificial fakery. 

In this field, we often forget that the people we care for are not just diagnoses, vitals, and medication lists. They are human beings looking to us not only for treatment, but for connection. Compassion is not a chartable item, but patients feel it instantly, and they remember it.

That same day, a patient shook my hand after my interaction with him and said something that stayed with me: “I can tell you are real. A lot of actors come in here as though they care, but they don’t.” His honesty was painful, and he wasn’t wrong. Even among ourselves, as clinicians, we know who truly cares and who merely performs the part and go home. Too many of us have allowed this work to become just a job, a series of tasks we get through until the next shift.

But this job is more than that. It is a responsibility, a privilege, and at times a calling to care for people at the very worst. Every patient we meet is someone’s sibling, parent, child, partner, or friend. They are often scared, vulnerable, or in pain, and in those moments, what they need most is a real human being standing beside them.

That’s why I told the student what I did. Skills can be taught. Procedures can be learned. Techniques et all can be learned as well. But authenticity, being present, being genuine, being human, that’s where healing truly starts.

Long after these students went back to school, I reflected on this and was surprised where that came from. But I am glad I told him that. 

The best thing we can do for each other and our civilization is to be human to one another. We were not and are not born machines (smart) ones.

God bless and stay human. 

Pal Ronnie 

Saturday November 15th

First Reading: (Wisdom 18:14–15)

Psalm: (Psalm 105)

“Remember the marvels the Lord has done.” (Ps 105:5)

Alleluia

“The word of God is living and effective…” (Heb 4:12)

Gospel: (Luke 18:1–5)

Reflection

Today’s reading is a reminder that God moves powerfully in silence and answers those who call on Him with perseverance.

In the Book of Wisdom, God’s saving action comes in a moment of absolute stillness. His Word descends not with noise, but with purpose. This teaches us that God works even when we cannot see or feel movement.

In the Gospel, Jesus urges us to “pray always and not lose heart.” The widow refuses to give up. She keeps showing up, keeps asking, keeps believing that justice will be given. Her persistence transforms what seemed impossible.

Jesus’ question at the end is the heart of today:
“When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Lk 18:8)

Faith is not proven in comfort but in endurance, praying when tired, trusting when confused, staying faithful when life feels silent. God is not slow. God is forming us. And He promises justice, mercy, and deliverance in His perfect time.

Today, ask yourself:
Where is God inviting me to persevere?
Where must I pray again, trust again, rise again?

May we be found faithful, like the widow who refused let go.

God bless and have a wonderful weekend. 

Pal Ronnie

Friday November 14th 2025

Friday, November 14th, 2025

First Reading: (Wisdom 7:22–8:1)

 Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 19)

Response: The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia.
“Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Alleluia.-Gospel: (Luke 17:26–37)

 Reflection

As we enter the final weeks of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to turn our attention to the final coming of Christ. In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the examples of Noah and Lot. The people of their time were living ordinary lives,  eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, planting, and building, until sudden destruction came upon them without warning.

Noah and Lot were saved, but many others were not prepared.

Jesus teaches that the days of the Son of Man will be similar. At an unexpected moment, Christ will return, and final judgment will begin. His message is unmistakably clear:

Be ready at all times.

Although we have heard this message many times, many people fail to live by it. It is easy to think:
“I have tomorrow to change.”
So we give in to temptation today, believing we will repent later. But when tomorrow arrives, the same temptation appears, and the cycle repeats.

This is dangerous for two reasons:

First, Christ could return today.

Or our own life could end suddenly and unexpectedly. If that happened today, would we be fully prepared to stand before the judgment seat of Christ?

Most would not.

Second, Christ comes to us every moment.

Jesus does not only come at the end of time, He comes now, in every moment, inviting us to choose grace over sin, heaven over earthly indulgence, obedience over self-preservation.

He says:
“Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will save it.”

This applies to the final judgment, but it also applies to today.
Every time we choose sacrifice, mercy, forgiveness, humility, and love over sin, pride, and selfishness, we “lose our life” for Christ and gain His saving grace in return.

Reflection for Today

Ask yourself:

• Do I seek daily to “lose my life” for the sake of Christ?

• Do I choose grace over sin in the small, quiet decisions of each day?

• If Christ came today, am I ready?

Live for God now, in this moment.
Those who choose Him daily will not fear the day of judgment, they will welcome it.

Mass Reading and Reflection on Thursday November 13th, 2025

First Reading: (Wisdom 7:22–8:1)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 119:89)
Response: Your word is forever, O Lord.

Alleluia: (John 15:5)
“I am the vine and you are the branches,” says the Lord.
“Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.”

Gospel: (Luke 17:20–25)

Reflection 

In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God was to come. They had heard Him preaching about it, the same kingdom that forms the Third Luminous Mystery, the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus often described this kingdom using parables. “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king…” (Matthew 18:23), “The kingdom of heaven is like a wedding feast…” (Matthew 22:1–14), “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…” (Matthew 13)

He invited people to strive to enter this kingdom (Luke 13:24), and in the Our Father taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come.” (Matthew 6:10)

But what is this kingdom?

Jesus’ answer today reveals that the Kingdom of God is not a place beyond the skies, but a state of being, a condition of peace, love, joy, and righteousness. It is a spiritual reality within us.

As St. Paul teaches, “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)

When we live in peace, love, forgiveness, and solidarity, there, the Kingdom of God is among us. Jesus Himself was the embodiment of this kingdom, the living presence of God’s peace, mercy, and love.

Therefore, heaven begins now, in every act of charity, in every moment of unity, in every heart that forgives and welcomes others. The kingdom is here whenever we live in the Spirit of God.

Let us pray for the grace to live this way, that as we say, “Thy kingdom come,” we may also live in such a manner that the Kingdom of God is truly in our midst.

Have a great day.

Pal Ronnie

Daily Mass – Wednesday, November 13, 2025

First Reading: (Wisdom 6:1–11)

Responsorial Psalm – (Psalm 82)

Response: Arise, O God, judge the earth.

Alleluia

In all circumstances, give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Alleluia.

Gospel: (Luke 17:11–19)

Reflection

The Gospel story of the ten lepers is one we know well, but today let us focus not on the one who returned, but on the courage of all ten who dared to come to Jesus in the first place.

Lepers were outcasts.
They lived away from society, forbidden from entering public places.
If one dared to come near others, he risked being stoned to death.
Yet these ten risked everything, because their hope in Jesus was greater than their fear of rejection or punishment.

They came because they believed only God could heal them.
They came because they hoped, and hope does not disappoint.
Their risk was rewarded: they received healing.

We are called to take that same risk of faith.
To come to Jesus with our pain, our sin, our confusion, even when we are afraid or feel unworthy.
The lepers cried out with persistence:
“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
That is the cry of prayer born from hope.

Too often, we give up too quickly.
We stop praying when things get hard.
But the lepers remind us, faith takes courage.
Prayer is an act of hope.

At the end, Jesus said to the grateful leper:
“Go, your faith has saved you.”
This is what He desires for each of us: faith that keeps coming to Him, faith that prays, trusts, and hopes against all odds.

Throughout Scripture, those who prayed in hope were never disappointed.
Hannah prayed for a child, and received Samuel.
Abraham and Sarah hoped in old age, and received Isaac.
When we pray with hope, God never fails us.

Let us, therefore, learn from the ten lepers to dare, to risk, and to come to Jesus with all our problems.
He is our only hope, and hope in Him never disappoints.

Amen 🙏 

Mass Reading and Reflection for Tuesday November 11th 2025

First Reading: Wisdom (2:23–3:9)

Responsorial Psalm – (Psalm 34)

Response: I will bless the Lord at all times.

Gospel Reading: Luke (17:7–10)

Reflection

Today's first reading, the book of Wisdom teaches us how to understand death. Humans as God created us were never meant to die. When God created us, He made us in His image and likeness, and since God is immortal, He created us to share in that immortality. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived in God’s constant presence, seeing Him face to face, that was the gift of immortality.

But through sin, humanity lost that divine gift of immortality. The devil, out of envy, tempted Adam and Eve, causing them to lose the beauty of eternal life in God’s presence. Thus, death entered the world, not as a creation of God, but as a consequence of sin.

Now, death has become the door through which we return to God. It is the passage to eternity. Yet, only the virtuous shall regain the fullness of immortality.

Those who live righteously, even though they die, will rise again to live forever in peace. The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and no torment shall ever touch them. But those who die in sin will rise only to die again, eternally, in separation from God.

To the foolish, death seems to be the end, a tragedy or destruction. But the Book of Wisdom tells us that for the virtuous, death is not an end, but a beginning, a passage into eternal life.

So, the question is: Am I, and are we living a virtuous life so as to gain immortality?
Are we living a virtuous life so that we too may live forever?

When others weep because we have died, we who lived righteously will rejoice, because our souls are at peace with God.

How then can we live virtuous lives, By doing what God asks of us, Shunning evil and doing good, Loving God and our neighbor, Forgiving those who hurt us, Feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, and welcoming the stranger. If live this way, we shall be virtuous. And when we die, we will rise to live forever in the joy of immortality.

Even when we fall through human weakness, the Sacrament of Confession is always available to help us begin again. Let us therefore live in this constant awareness:

May God grants us the grace to live righteously, love sincerely, and serve faithfully, that we may share in the eternal life God prepared for the virtuous after this life.
Amen.

God bless you and have a wonderful day. 

Why Pragmatism, Not Betrayal, Ended the Longest U.S. Government Shutdown In History

Yesterday, Sunday, major headway was made to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Across social media today, the outrage was instant. Some claimed that the New York State Senator, Chuck Schumer’s time in Congress was over because he supposedly “caved” to the ruling party in order to reopen the government. 

When I see such reactions, I sit back and watch. I analyze the tone, the anger, the impulse to condemn before understanding.

Yes, people are shocked and angry about what happened last night, and perhaps they should be. But what happened in the capital of the United States was not a betrayal, as some political commentators would like to claim. Politicians are supposed to be serving the people.

Let's be honest, politics is messy. It always has been. And if you are a person with a conscience and a soul, there’s often very little about it you would want to touch. Real politics requires negotiation, compromise, and sometimes taking a step back so the country doesn’t collapse further. Look at the outcry these past few weeks over SNAP benefits being cut. Yes, there are abuses but they are also people whose livelihood depends solely on this. 

While social media can afford the comfort of moral purity, governing demands responsibility if you ask me. 
During the shutdown for instance, hundreds of thousands of federal workers were struggling to pay rent, buy food, and keep their families afloat. Small businesses were suffocating. Communities were in limbo. Ending the shutdown wasn’t about party pride, it was about human lives.

That’s why I find it ironic when people accuse leaders of “selling out” for choosing to end the suffering. The loudest critics are often the least affected.

Much has been made about the “eight Democrats” who voted to reopen the government. They’ve been called traitors, sellouts, even corporate puppets. But the truth is more complicated than hashtags and soundbites. Yes, the rich will always get their way, they have more money to buy a whole politician/s while most people only rely on their vote for change. It just doesn't help the ordinary every day people. 

In reality, these lawmakers faced an impossible choice: continue a shutdown that was hurting millions or compromise to reopen the government and live to fight another day. Honestly, I will say those democrats didn't cave to their demands, but cave to their donors. Politicians are front runners and kids, take note. 

To call that “betrayal” is to misunderstand what leadership is. Sometimes leadership means taking the hit so that ordinary people can breathe again.

It’s easy to say “follow the money” we all know that, and yes, money in politics is a real problem as as stated earlier. But not every vote or decision comes from corruption. Sometimes it comes from context, strategy, and timing.

The truth is that politics is a chess game, not a street brawl. If you burn all your pieces to prove your passion, you will have nothing left when it’s time to win.

Progress in a democracy doesn’t happen through boycotts alone, it happens through persistent engagement, negotiation, and more importantly, compromise.

There’s another narrative being pushed, that “the oligarchs” control everything, that every politician is bought, and that the people have no power except to boycott. That kind of thinking feels righteous, but it’s also defeatist.

Yes, corporations influence politics, no argument there, folks. But let’s not pretend the solution is as simple as “buy Black” or “buy local.” Economic resistance has its place, but disengaging entirely is not how power shifts.

Real change comes from building coalitions, voting strategically, holding officials accountable, and showing up, not checking out. Politics is corrupt, but that is what we have got, let's use our strategies wisely. 

When we paint all public servants as villains, we destroy the possibility of good governance altogether.

There’s also fear about healthcare, and much of it is justified. Some conservative plans do aim to roll back the Affordable Care Act. But let’s be clear: not every negotiation over the budget is an attack on social safety nets.

The Affordable Care Act still stands because of political compromise. Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare survived decades of opposition because both parties, at different points, chose preservation over purity.

If Democrats refused to reopen the government until every program was guaranteed, the shutdown could have stretched into months. And millions of Americans, including those who depend on those very safety nets, would have suffered first.

People love to romanticize rebellion. “Shut your wallet,” “burn the system,” “buy nothing.” It sounds powerful, but what does it achieve in practice?

Revolutions that succeed are guided by organization and patience, not fury.

Progressives should remember that the New Deal itself, the very thing many claim to defend, was born out of compromise and coalition-building, not social media outrage.

So yes, be angry. Be vocal. But also, be strategic.
Because if every act of negotiation is labeled betrayal, then no one will ever be brave enough to lead again.

It’s easy to call out politicians from the comfort of a timeline. It’s harder to understand the weight of keeping a nation from crumbling.

The decision to end the shutdown wasn’t cowardice, it was compassion.
It wasn’t about surrendering to power, it was about restoring stability to millions who had nothing to do with Washington’s gridlock.

You can call that politics. I call it responsibility.

I just read that the Bill t reopen the government is now of to the House of Reps. America is not broke, we just have to get rid all the waste but in a smart way so the vulnerable among us doesn't starve to death. That will be a curse on America.

Pal Ronnie

Daily Mass Reading and Reflection for November 10th 2025

 

First Reading: (Wisdom 1:1–7)

Responsorial Psalm – (Psalm 139)

Gospel:  (Luke 17:1–6)

Reflection

On forgiveness, it’s not uncommon for people with high ideals to be intolerant, easily scandalized, or offended. Don't we see that daily? 
While some may say they should be more wise, 
Jesus instead teaches us not to give anyone reason to be scandalized,
no matter how hardened they may be to life’s challenges.

We might know more people with high ideals who often struggle to forgive the weaknesses of others especially offense. 
Some often try but their efforts may fail when it comes to grasping the power of temptation and overlook the hidden goodness within those around them.

Yet Jesus reminds us that sin and failure are inevitable in the Gospel.
He does not ask us to condemn those who fall short, but to have faith in God’s ongoing work within them, just as we trust Him to work within us.

We should all therefore strive hard to be merciful, understanding, and patient, so that in forgiving others, we ourselves may draw closer to the heart of Christ, who forgives us endlessly.

God bless you,

Pal Ronnie

St. John Lateran