Every religion has weird practices and ideas attached to it that, while not essential to the religion, and maybe even inimical to it, can influence the way it is seen. They can alienate or drive away people who try to live and believe sensibly, intelligently, and without having to apologize for the bizarre. Father William Grimm shares some thoughts…

The woman knew better. She knew that what she had was nothing compared to what God offers. God offers me eternity. Can I, in gratitude, find ways to offer up my treasure of time? About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. For news in and about the Church i…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. The claim by a Hindu leader that churches are involved in drug trade in India’s northeast region has sparked widespread anger among Christians. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Fabian Anton…

Being a Christian is not about behaving toward others in a certain way. It is about having a special kind of relationship with God. All else follows from that. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.u…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. A new bishop ordained in China shortly after the renewal of the Sino-Vatican agreement on appointment of bishops in the communist nation for another four years. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compile…

The 17th-century Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō made several journeys through the country writing haibun, a combination of haiku poetry and prose observations. Father William Grimm shares some thoughts on this. Produced by Binu Alex About the Speaker: Father William Grimm, a native of New York City, is a missioner and presbyter who since 1973 has serve…

The Gospels do not hesitate to put us followers of Jesus in a bad light. We, represented by the disciples, can be so dense that we miss something that evil demons know and that even a blind man can see. That is, that Jesus is the presence of the Reign of God among us. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s e…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. A bishop’s request to the pope asking not to be made a cardinal has surprised Catholics in Muslim-majority Indonesia. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Anosh M…

Nihon Hidankyo, Japan’s nationwide organization of atomic bomb survivors, was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. The award announcement said one reason the organization received the award was that the personal testimony of its members has advanced “stigmatizing the use of nuclear weapons.” Father William Grimm shares some thoughts on this. Produce…

Sometimes, being a Christian means going against doing what comes naturally. The whole world does what comes naturally, and that is why it needs salvation. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucane…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Indian Church leaders welcome maiden government-sponsored peace talks between tribal Christians and Hindu Meitei community in conflict-torn Manipur state. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by R…

Jesus is challenging us to live in the real world, to give up all that might allow us to avoid the truth that there is no easy way to share in everlasting life. And everlasting life is what we all really want; all our other searches are symptoms of that desire. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experien…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Pope Francis announced 21 new cardinals including five Asians, which observers say once again shows his thrust for going to the peripheries of the Church. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by R…

Jesus defended two groups in his society that had no defense. He forbade discarding wives or denying children their right to a place among his followers. There is no toleration in the Reign of God for the bias that infected his society and infects our own. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Religious hardliners target Sufi shrines, minorities and culturally important places in Muslim-majority Bangladesh following the political changeover. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock …

We companions of Jesus have an essential vocation. All men and women are called to live in the dignity of children of God. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the …

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Sri Lanka’s first leftist president sparks hope for change in the crisis-laden island nation. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Anosh Malekar, presented by Dav…

We can all understand the argument the disciples had. We spend much of our lives seeking status, protecting our status, or mourning the loss of status. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.c…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Christian leaders say Indian government’s new “road map” for peace in strife-torn Manipur state is too late and too difficult to achieve as warring parties continue “to stick to their guns.” Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed …

Christ's call for us to take up the cross is an invitation to learn that though suffering is always with us and may make us think God is far from us, it is actually a share in the life of God who also takes up the cross. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Ca…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Pope Francis wrapped up the longest apostolic journey of his pontificate covering four nations in Asia and Oceania, infusing joy and hope among millions in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly n…

The way to make God's love present in this creation is to groan with Christ. Anyone who has tried to share God's love with the world comes to know that. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Pope Francis arrived at the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Tuesday, kicking off the longest apostolic journey of his pontificate covering four nations in Asia and Oceania. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporter…

Do my devotions, practices and thoughts deepen my understanding of real Christianity, or am I in danger of wandering from the truth? Have the customs I learned from my family, from my community and from the teachers of my faith begun to warp or replace that faith? About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s exper…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Devastating floods left dozens of dead and millions affected in Bangladesh and India in recent days. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Anosh Malekar, presented…

If Jesus is indeed who he and the Church say he is, then there really is no place else to go. If he is real, then any alternative is unreal. We have no choice. If we accept the truth of Jesus' divinity, we must accept the reality of the Eucharist we share. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Pakistani Christians marked the first anniversary of the anti-Christian violence in Jaranwala with a protest rally, calling for justice and an end to abuses. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled b…

Would someone watching us at the Eucharist be so stirred or disturbed by our conviction that the sacrament is the real presence of Christ for us that he or she might think I was involved in some form of cannibalism? About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodi…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Global rights group Human Rights Watch slammed the military junta and rebel forces for atrocities against civilians in the conflict-scarred nation. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ron…

The Eucharist we share is food like that the angel gave Elijah. It is food that enables us to persevere in our long journey to God. It is the strength of God. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.uc…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Impoverished Timor-Leste faces criticism for allocating US$12 million for Pope Francis’ visit in September including US$1 million for an altar for a papal Mass. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compile…

The Lord sets a banquet before me, but all too often, I look over, under and around the table for the sort of nourishment I think I need instead of feasting on what I am offered, the only real nourishment I need. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. …

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Indians mourn as a series of landslides destroyed hundreds of homes and killed at least 200 people in India’s southern Kerala state. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, ed…

The Eucharist is the miracle in which Christ takes "the work of human hands" and presents it to the Father as himself. Our own little bit, our own willingness to search out what we can do, becomes part of that. God is looking for the Andrew in each of us. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in …

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Bangladesh dismisses controversial civil service quota system after deadly violence, prompting the government to enforce nationwide curfew, deploy military and internet blackout. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News …

The Lord tells the apostles and us to pack up the picnic basket, get in the boat and get away from it all. Our bodies, minds and souls all need an occasional break. Sometimes, to find prayer and God's love, all I need do is not do. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong …

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. At least nine students were killed, and hundreds injured in escalating violence in Bangladesh amid protests for reforms in the government job recruitment policy. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compil…

It is hard to believe that God is relying upon me, when I thought I was supposed to rely upon God. But, that's the case. God needs me, needs us, to bring the Good News to a world waiting unawares for it. So, Jesus tells us to wear our shoes, ready to go forth and ready to be ready. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner …

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. The Vatican has approved sainthood process for first Korean Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, known for his love for the poor, efforts for lay participation in the Church, and support for democracy. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. F…

God does not force us to accept love. In today's Gospel, we hear that Jesus could not perform miracles because people would not believe in him. They were not willing to accept the love God offered them because it came in a form they did not expect. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mo…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Monsoon flooding hit parts of South and Southeast Asian nations affecting millions of people. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Anosh Malekar, presented by Joh…

In many cases, Christian formation consists of providing answers to questions that no one has asked. So instead of becoming an encounter with Christ it becomes a source of irrelevant information. But the world is looking for something else; it is looking for answers to the questions that disturb and motivate people today. Father William Grimm share…

The world as God wills it and the world as we experience it are both real. To accept only one while ignoring the other is not realistic. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in …

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. The deadly civil war in Myanmar continues to worsen as two monks were shot and killed allegedly by the military in three days. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited b…

The night prayer of the Church recognizes the connection between sleep and death. Our night prayers are meant to be a preparation both for dropping off to sleep and for death, when we will have to let go of everything. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Camb…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. The pro-Hindu party ruled Rajasthan state to become the 12th Indian state to enact a draconian law to criminalize religious conversions. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario…

'Your mustard seed is what the Reign of God is about. Your little faith, your little effort is enough. Give your little bit and stand by amazed as you see what God will do with it. Your mustard seed will flourish.' About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. Myanmar’s embattled military junta is resorting to indiscriminate bombings and brutal atrocities to hold back advancing rebel forces. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, e…

If we do not admit our wretchedness, we will not open ourselves to allowing God to embrace us, forgive us, and welcome us into what St. Paul calls "a dwelling provided for us by God, a dwelling in the heavens, not made by hands, but to last forever." About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-…

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes. India’s Hindu-theocratic Bharatiya Janta Party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a third-consecutive victory in the national election but failed to gain an absolute majority. Listen to the story and more in a wrap-up of the weekly news from Asia. Filed by UCA New…