Category: Faith & Life

In the eighth century B.C., the prophet Hosea emerged in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II (782–753 B.C.). This was a period of relative peace and economic prosperity, especially for the ruling elite and merchant class. But beneath the surface, instability brewed. Following Jeroboam’s death, Israel saw six kings rise and fall within just 25 years—four of them assassinated. This political chaos stood in stark contrast to the more stable Davidic monarchy in the southern kingdom of Judah. By 743 B.C., the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East shifted dramatically. Tiglath-Pileser III, the ruthless king of Assyria, launched a military campaign against the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Like his contemporary Amos, the prophet Hosea warned both the monarch and the people of the impending devastation. Their message was clear: Israel must repent. The Lord was preparing to use Assyria as an instrument of judgment and purification. Ultimately, Hosea’s warnings proved true. The northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed. Samaria, its capital, fell, and in 722 B.C., the majority of its inhabitants were taken into exile to a distant land—never to return.

One of the sweetest memories from my childhood was spending summer days in the hills of Córdoba, Argentina, in a small village where my grandparents lived. We’d visit them every year, and those days were filled with joy. I remember the stream that ran down through the colorful stones, its waters crystal clear, fresh, and pure. My younger brother, cousins, and I would play in it until sunset—building little dams, catching tiny fish, splashing around. Time flew by so fast! Last year, my brother came to visit me, and we went to Tai-O, on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Some Filipino friends took us to a waterfall that poured down from the mountain. The solitude of the place, the shadows, and the cool, clear water brought back those unforgettable days by the stream in that little village on the hills. 

In Amos 7:10–17, we witness a dramatic confrontation between the prophet Amos and Amaziah, the priest of Bethel. Amaziah, acting as a royal official, reports Amos to King Jeroboam II, accusing him of conspiracy and sedition: “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.” (Am 7:10) Amaziah’s reaction reveals the tension between prophetic truth and institutional power. Amos, a shepherd from Judah, is seen as a threat to the Northern Kingdom’s political and religious establishment. This episode illustrates a central biblical principle: the prophetic vocation stands above monarchy and priesthood, serving as the voice of God’s justice and mercy.

Visits to schools and charitable institutions, prayer meetings, Eucharistic Adoration and a hike in Coloane. These are some of the initiatives that the Macau Diocesan Youth Commission will organize in the upcoming weeks. Instead of being confined to a single afternoon, this year’s Diocesan Youth Day will be commemorated as a month-long celebration.

Amos’ “woes” are more than just warnings—they are cries of sorrow for a nation falling apart because of injustice, hypocrisy, and pride. Each woe reveals a different layer of Israel’s spiritual decline and points to the coming judgment from God. When we talk about Israel here, we mean the Northern Kingdom, which was destroyed by the Assyrians in 721 B.C. The northern tribes were taken into exile and never returned; These are known as the “lost tribes of Israel.” Woe to the Corrupt Courts: Justice Turned to Poison (Am 5:7–17) Amos condemns the perversion of justice, where truth is despised and the poor are crushed. The city gate—the place of legal trials—has become a den of contempt.  “Woe to those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground” (5:7) “They hate those who reprove at the gate,  and abhor those who speak with integrity” (5:10)

Halloween Is a Celebration that Does not Worship the Devil

“Hallows” means “holy.” So, Halloween is the celebration of the feast of All Hallows (All Saints).It is a day when Catholics celebrate the triumph of the Church in heaven and the lives of the saints on earth.

Today, we remember the dead, and unwittingly, we are brought to confront the living silence they leave behind. All Souls’ Day is not just a liturgical nostalgia. It is a spiritual reckoning — a moment when the veil thins, and we are invited to gaze into the mystery of death not as an end, but as a threshold. We do not come with answers, but with ache. We do not come with certainty, but with longing. And in this sacred longing, we hear Jesus say, “I shall not reject anyone who comes to me…

The readings for this Sunday  remind us that God sees the heart. He listens to those who are humble and cries out for justice. He does not turn away from the poor or the weak. Instead, He cares for those who trust Him. This Sunday shows us further the difference between pride and humility. Humility involves recognizing our true place in relation to God and others, avoiding arrogance, and admitting when we are wrong.

The East Asia Delegation of the Claretian Missionaries mourns the passing of Fr. Mario Vincenzo Bonfaini, CMF, on October 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM (Macau time). He was a most generous shepherd who spent a lot of his time in the confessional forgiving sins and savings souls for God, a man with deep love for China, a courageous missionary.

Dear Father L

We live in a world where technology dominates almost every aspect of our daily lives.  Phones, tablets, and laptops are not just tools anymore, they have become extensions of our very selves. They connect us with family and friends, guide us through work and school, and give us access to information at lightning speed. While these devices hold the potential for great good, they also carry the dangers of distraction, addiction, and even spiritual harm.  There will always be the tendency for the devil to use these gadgets to urge us to do evil. Can we bring our cell phones and other communication gadgets to be blessed by our priest?