Father Dags

18/09/2026

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that I do not have to be in the spotlight to be part of Your mission. Like the women who followed Jesus and supported Him in their own simple ways, teach me to use whatever I have (my time, talents, and resources) to serve You and others.

Lord, help me not to think that what I can give is too small. May I learn to serve quietly, give generously, and help whenever I can. Show me the needs of others and give me a heart that is always willing to help.

Thank You for giving each of us a place in Your mission. May I faithfully follow You and serve You in my own simple way, trusting that even the smallest act of love can become something meaningful in Your hands.

Amen.

17/09/2026

Our Lord understands even the tears we cannot put into words. 🥲

Here's 57 seconds of the Gospel today, Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time.

17/09/2026

17/09/2026

Happy Birthday to the man right here, Sir Raymund Francis.

We only met a few times. But that day (August 1, 2018), when he accompanied his Mama, the ever-strong 104-year-old Nanay Cring, to give me the jeep that I am still using today in my missions, it felt like we had shared a connection far deeper than the years we actually knew each other.

This afternoon, we braved the rain just to visit and bless his remains.

Eternal thanks, too, to the entire Baylon Family: Nanay Cring, Doc Tess, Maam Tonette, and all their children, for the kindness and generosity. 🥲

16/09/2026

Sadly, many times, whatever God does, we still find something to complain about. It's because, we want God to work according to what we want.

Here's 91 seconds of the Gospel today, Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time:

16/09/2026

When we are in pain, our Lord feels the same. He cries with us. He suffers with us.

16/09/2026

THIS WORD EXPOSES THE HEART OF JESUS.

Please read.

1. The word "splanchnízomai" (σπλαγχνίζομαι) is a Greek verb found IN ALMOST ALL OF THE HEALING MIRACLES OF JESUS in the Gospels, and it’s very rich in meaning.

2. Root Meaning

It comes from the root word splanchna or splanchnon, which literally means the INTERNAL ORGANS (heart, lungs, liver, intestines, or what we call the “GUTS”).

In the ancient world, the “bowels” or “innermost parts” were considered the seat of deep emotions, much like today we say “I feel it in my heart” or “gut feeling" like what my Lola Pesing used to say whenever she saw a poor beggar, in Bisaya, "Murag gilubag akong tina-e."

3. Meaning in Scripture

So, splanchnizomai means:
— to be moved in the depths of one’s being,
— to feel compassion at the core,
— to have mercy that comes from the gut, not just the mind.

4. Usage in the Gospels

It’s often used to describe Jesus’ compassion:

• When He saw the crowds like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34).

• When He saw the widow of Nain weeping for her son (Luke 7:13).

• When He healed the sick and fed the hungry (Matthew 14:14; 15:32).

5. Spiritual Sense

In all these, the Evangelists didn’t just say “Jesus had pity”. They used "splanchnizomai" to show that His mercy wasn’t superficial. He was moved to His very core, and that movement led to concrete action: healing, feeding, forgiving, raising the dead. HE CRIED. HE WEPT.

6. Consoling Message

It teaches us that true Christian compassion is not mere sympathy (“I feel sorry for you”) but deep solidarity (“I carry your pain in my gut and I must help”).

God’s mercy is not cold or distant. It is deep-seated, deeply felt, and expressed in saving action.

He suffers with us. He cries with us. Splanchnizomai.

15/09/2026

Today, September 16, is the Feast of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian.

1. Who are Saints Cornelius and Cyprian?

Saint Cornelius was the Pope from 251–253 AD, and Saint Cyprian was the Bishop of Carthage. Both were martyrs who gave their lives for Christ and the Church during the persecutions of the Roman Empire.

2. Why do we celebrate their feast together?

Because they were close collaborators in defending the unity of the Church. Cornelius was in Rome, Cyprian in Africa, yet they stood side by side in spirit—facing controversies, persecutions, and divisions with courage and faith.

3. What challenges did Pope Cornelius face?

He guided the Church during a time of great persecution under Emperor Decius. Many Christians had denied their faith out of fear, and Cornelius wisely allowed them to be reconciled after true repentance, showing the Church’s balance of truth and mercy.

4. What was the role of Bishop Cyprian?

Cyprian defended Church unity and authority, teaching that “you cannot have God as your Father if you do not have the Church as your Mother.” He encouraged the faithful to remain steadfast even in trials and persecution.

5. Why are they important for us today?

They remind us that:
— The Church is one body, united in Christ, even when scattered across nations.
— Mercy and forgiveness must always be offered to the repentant.
— Faith is worth living for, and even dying for.

6. What are their contributions to the faith?

Cornelius: defended the mercy of Christ and the Church’s mission to heal sinners.

Cyprian: taught about Church unity and the role of bishops in shepherding God’s people.

Together, they witnessed that leadership in the Church is service and sacrifice, not power.

7. How can we imitate them?

By being merciful like Cornelius, firm in faith like Cyprian, and united as one Church, even in times of hardship.

LET US PRAY:

Lord, through the intercession of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, grant us courage in trials, mercy in dealing with others, and fidelity to the unity of Your Church. May we, like them, bear witness to Christ in our words and in our lives. Amen.