Bill Hao

Lent is Fast Approaching The Lenten season has a double character. It prepares both catechumens and the baptized faithful to celebrate the Paschal Mystery. The catechumens are prepared for their reception of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. On the other hand, the baptized faithful are prepared through penance and prayer for the Easter celebration. This year, the Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday (March 6, 2019) and ends on Holy Thursday (April 18, 2019). In addition…

Love your Enemies Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours…

Four Blessings and Four Woes And raising his eyes toward his disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap…

Happy Chinese New Year! According to the Chinese lunar calendar, 2019 is the year of the pig. Many cultures in the world have different opinions of the pig. For the Chinese people, the pig symbolizes good luck, good fortune and happiness. The year of the pig is a good year to make big plans and to undertake big projects. The Holy Name of Jesus Chinese Catholic Mission began the Chinese New Year with an evangelization seminar on February 2-3. Miss…

Rejection of Jesus Christ in Nazareth   One might think that Jesus could have been more politically correct and said things that would have pleased the people and made them feel good. Instead, Jesus chose to say things that they didn’t like to hear. He exposed what was in their hearts and made them feel uncomfortable and very angry; even to the point that they wanted to throw Him off a cliff. The reception given to Jesus by the people…

The Old Law and the New Law   God gave us his Law in two ways. The first way was called the Old Law, which God gave to the Israelites through Moses at around 1400 B.C. Hence, it is also called the Law of Moses. The second way was called the New Law, which God gave to us through Jesus, God’s only begotten Son. Hence, it is also called the Law of Jesus Christ. The Old Law is summed up…