Thursday, March 9, 20230361Have you ever wondered why Jesus told one of his closest friends — Peter — to “Get behind me, Satan!”? (Matthew 16:23). This was the man who had just proclaimed that Jesus was “… the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), and Jesus had responded in the presence of everyone, “Blessed are you, Simon son of...
Wednesday, February 8, 20230658
By Father Jacob Dankasa
Special to The Texas Catholic
People of faith believe in the power and efficacy of prayer – the act of intercession, petition, supplication, thanksgiving to God, or just keeping a relationship with the Lord. In prayer we find joy and fulfilment in communicating with an all-knowing and all-loving Father,...
Friday, January 13, 20230473As we come into a new year, many of us are contemplating how we’ll live in this new year. Many of us have made — or are still making — new year’s resolutions. As we all contemplate what our resolutions will be, let’s remember to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in making our resolutions, and then to help us keep them. Make your...
Wednesday, December 14, 20220669As God lives in our hearts, we need to keep them clean so that we can hear his voice. A clean heart avoids places that pollute the mind; a clean heart speaks words that build, not destroy; a clean heart catches the tongue before it gets loose into profanity; a clean heart listens to others and is empathetic to others’ needs; a clean...
Sunday, November 13, 20220421I once read a story of a little girl who kept praying and asking God to give her a bicycle, but she never got one. Her friends began to tease and laugh at her that God didn’t answer her prayers. But the girl responded to them and said, “He did. God said ‘No.’”
Wednesday, October 12, 20220374We have all experienced moments of varying emotions — some sad, some happy. Humans have different ways of handling or showing emotions, and being emotional is not always a negative thing. In fact, I feel that emotions bring out our humanity, and we must not be shy or afraid to show emotion even as we try to control outbursts of...
Monday, September 19, 20220449Grace is defined as an unmerited favor we receive from God. It’s freely given through God’s benevolence, and God bestows His grace upon anyone He chooses. By our creation as God’s children, every human is potentially a recipient of God’s grace, especially those who draw closer to Him.
Thursday, August 18, 20220411When I was reflecting on what to write for this column, I thought of the story of the Good Samaritan as narrated in the Gospel of Luke 10:25-37. But the term “missionary culture” kept popping into my head. I had no idea what a missionary culture would be in this context, and I haven’t heard or read about it before. But with further...
Friday, July 15, 20220427When the Lord appeared to two of his followers on their way to Emmaus, it was obvious that the men were cold, disappointed, and confused about all that had happened in recent times, especially the crucifixion of the man called Jesus. They were at a loss as to what they could do now that he was no more. And even though they had heard...
Thursday, June 16, 20220638
By Father Jacob Dankasa
Special to The Texas Catholic
The last words of a beloved one are very important. In a family with an older patriarch or matriarch who is in the final stages of life, the family often stands around him or her during the transition from this world. The family often hangs on to the last words of their father...