God’s family

January 27, 2026 Tuesday within the third week in Ordinary Time Year A Mk 3:31-35 In this passage, Jesus redefines the very meaning of family. While His biological mother and brothers are standing outside, seeking Him, Jesus turns to the crowd and declares, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.” It is striking how He places obedience to God above blood ties. I can relate personally to this challenge, because there are moments when following God’s call asks me to prioritize His mission over comfort, familiarity, or even expectations from those closest to me. Jesus reminds us that spiritual bonds, rooted in faith and alignment with God’s will, can transcend natural relationships. This teaching also challenges me to examine my own life: where do my loyalties truly lie? Am I more concerned with pleasing people or with doing God’s will? Jesus’ words cut through the human tendency to cling to familiar attachments and invite me to embrace a higher allegiance. I see in my ministry how people who may not be part of my family by blood become brothers and sisters in faith. Every time I counsel, teach, or pray with someone, I am reminded that family in God’s kingdom is formed by love and obedience, not merely by genealogy. Finally, this passage offers profound consolation and hope. In God’s family, no one is excluded. Those who respond to His call, who live according to His will, are embraced as kin of Christ Himself. It reassures me that even when I feel alone, misunderstood, or distant from my earthly family, I belong fully to a larger, eternal family. True belonging is not about proximity or recognition—it is about participation in God’s will, which unites hearts in His love. Walking in that truth brings a deep peace, a reminder that in Christ, we all have a home that surpasses every earthly relationship. Blessings Fr. Jhack

Second Sunday of Advent

December 7, 2025 Second Sunday of Advent Year A Matthew 3:1–12 Let me share with three D’s for today’s reflection: I called it the 3 D’s of our conversion. First, DECIDE The voice of John the Baptist crying out in the wilderness confronts us with a choice: to remain comfortable in our old ways or to decide for God. “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” is not just an announcement; it is a divine invitation to make a firm and personal decision to change. Faith is not passive. It begins the moment we decide to turn our hearts toward God, to admit our need for mercy, and to choose obedience over convenience. Advent reminds us that preparing the way of the Lord always begins with a courageous decision of the heart. Second, DEPART True repentance calls us to depart from what keeps us tied to sin and spiritual laziness. John’s strong imagery of the axe at the root of the tree shows us that God desires a clean break, not a shallow adjustment. Departing means walking away from pride, unforgiveness, dishonesty, and all the hidden sins we have become used to. It also means letting go of false securities and self-righteousness, just as John challenged the Pharisees to stop depending on their lineage and start living authentic lives of faith. This departure is painful at times, but it is necessary for genuine freedom. Finally, DEEPEN The coming of Christ, who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire, calls us to deepen our relationship with God. This fire is not meant to destroy but to transform, leading us into a more intimate, more mature, and more passionate faith. Deepening means growing in prayer, love, humility, and trust, allowing the Spirit to reveal the depths of God’s will in our lives. When we decide for God, depart from sin, and deepen our communion with Him, we truly prepare the way of the Lord and allow His Kingdom to take root in our hearts. Blessings Fr. Jhack

LET GO

August 18, 2025 Monday within the 20th week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 19:16–22 When I read the story of the rich young man, I see myself in him. He is eager, respectful, and searching. He approaches Jesus with a burning question: “What good must I do to gain eternal life?” Deep down, I know I also ask the same thing—not always with words, but with the restlessness of my heart. I try to do good, I keep the faith, I follow what the Church teaches, yet sometimes I still feel that something is missing. Jesus’ reply pierces me: “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor… then come, follow me.” In other words: let go. I may not be rich in money like the young man, but I realize I have my own “possessions” that keep me bound. It could be my pride, my fear of the future, my desire to control, or even relationships and comforts that I hold too tightly. These things give me security, yet they also keep me from fully trusting God. The young man went away sad because his wealth was too heavy to release. I wonder—how many times have I walked away sad because I was unwilling to surrender what God was asking of me? How many moments have I chosen safety over discipleship, comfort over trust, my way over His? This Gospel is not about condemning riches but about confronting attachments. Jesus doesn’t want me half-free, half-his; He wants my whole heart. And I realize that peace will never come from clinging to things, but only from letting go into His hands. Eternal life is not something I earn with my goodness; it is a gift I receive when I follow Him with freedom. My prayer today is simple: Lord, show me what I need to release so I can follow You more fully. Take away my sadness, and replace it with the joy of walking in Your way. Blessings Fr. Jhack

CHILDLIKE

August 16, 2025 Saturday within the 19th week in Ordinary Time Year C Mt 19:13-15 I often catch myself overthinking, trying to control every situation, and measuring my worth by accomplishments or recognition. Yet, when I read Jesus’ words, “Let the little children come to me… for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Mt 19:14), I am reminded that God desires a heart like a child’s—humble, trusting, and open. It challenges me to let go of my pride, to stop overcomplicating my faith, and to simply run to Him with trust, just as a child runs to a parent. Being childlike doesn’t mean being naive; it means learning to rely fully on God, even when I don’t have all the answers. It’s about surrendering my fears, my need to control, and my doubts, and approaching Him with simplicity and humility. In my prayer and daily walk, I try to cultivate that openness—welcoming His love, guidance, and mercy without hesitation or reservation. This childlike faith transforms the way I live each day. I notice that when I let go and trust, peace replaces anxiety, gratitude replaces complaints, and joy replaces restlessness. It reminds me that the Kingdom of God isn’t earned by achievements or status—it’s received by hearts willing to trust, love, and surrender. I want to live with that trust every day, letting God’s grace shape my life like He shapes the lives of children in His arms. Blessings Fr. Jhack

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION

August 15, 2025 Solemnity of thr Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Luke 1:39–56 In today’s gospel, Mary calls herself “the lowly servant” in her Magnificat. She knew she was an ordinary young woman from a small village, unnoticed by the powerful, unknown beyond her town. Yet in God’s plan, her humility became the very reason she was chosen to bear the Savior. Mary’s greatness was not in human achievement but in her total openness to God’s will—her fiat, her “yes” to His word. She recognized that every honor she received came from Him who “has looked upon His handmaid’s lowliness” and “has done great things” for her. The Solemnity of the Assumption is the crowning moment of this divine reversal. The lowly maiden of Nazareth, who once traveled in haste to serve her cousin Elizabeth, is now taken body and soul into the glory of heaven. The one who chose to be last is now lifted to the highest place. This is the Gospel truth embodied in Mary’s life: God exalts the humble, raises the poor, and brings the faithful into His eternal joy. For us, the Assumption is both comfort and challenge. Comfort, because Mary’s glory is a promise of what God desires for each of us—a share in the resurrection and life of heaven. Challenge, because the path to that glory is the way of humility, service, and trust. If we, like Mary, let our lives magnify the Lord rather than ourselves, we too will be lifted up in God’s time, to the place He has prepared for those who love Him. The Assumption reminds us that true greatness begins in lowliness and ends in eternal glory. Blessings Fr. Jhack

SEVENTY SEVEN TIMES

August 14, 2025 Thursday within the 19th week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 18:21–19:1 I remember a time when I felt so wronged that forgiveness seemed impossible. I replayed the words, the actions, and the betrayal over and over in my mind, as if holding on to the pain would somehow make it right. Like Peter, I found myself asking God, “Lord, how many times must I forgive? Surely there must be a limit?” But when I read Jesus’ answer—“Not seven times, but seventy times seven”—I felt both challenged and exposed. He was asking me to let go of my scorecard, to breathe the same mercy that I have received from Him so many times. Jesus is not giving us a calculator; He is revealing the heart of the Father. Divine mercy is not measured in installments. One day in prayer, I realized I was like that servant in the parable—freely forgiven of an unpayable debt, yet quick to hold another person hostage for something far smaller. It was a sobering moment. I had been on my knees countless times asking for God’s mercy, and every single time, He forgave me. Yet here I was, clinging to my hurt, unwilling to release it. That realization didn’t make forgiveness easy, but it made it necessary. It was no longer about what the other person deserved—it was about what God had already done for me. When I finally chose to forgive, it wasn’t a single grand moment; it was a process, sometimes a daily one. Each time the pain resurfaced, I handed it back to God. Over time, the bitterness loosened its grip. I learned that forgiveness doesn’t erase the wound, but it transforms it—it turns it into a place where God’s mercy can shine. And as I walked that road, I discovered something unexpected: in forgiving without limit, I was the one set free. Blessings Fr. Jhack

HOW TO WIN A STRAYED BROTHER

August 13, 2025 Wednesday within the 19th week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 18:15–20 Three practical steps to restore a brother who has strayed (3P’s) 1. Do it in PRIVATE When a brother or sister in faith has strayed or caused offense, the first step is to approach them quietly, away from public eyes and ears. Correction should never be about humiliation but about healing. By keeping it private, we preserve the dignity of the person and create a safe space for honesty and openness. This is what Jesus teaches — go directly, speak gently, and let the spirit of charity and concern guide your words. Sometimes, a single heartfelt, private conversation can begin the journey of reconciliation. Frank Clark once said: “Criticism like rain should be gentle enough to nourish man’s growth without destroying his roots.” 2. Seek a PARTNER If the private conversation does not bear fruit, Jesus calls us to bring along one or two witnesses (Matthew 18:16). This is not to gang up on the person but to introduce another perspective, another voice of love and truth. A partner helps mediate with patience and fairness. It reminds us that we are responsible for one another in the Body of Christ. Our task is never to condemn but to be compassionate, journeying with them in hope toward restoration. 3. Bring it to the PUBLIC If both private and partnered efforts fail, Jesus says to tell it to the Church. This step involves the wider community in the work of healing. In the public setting of the faith community, we can seek the wisdom, prayer, and collective support of others. The goal remains the same: not punishment, but restoration. The Church becomes the family that calls the erring member back home. NB: If the 3P’s don’t work, bring it to your PRAYERS In the end, some hearts change slowly. If our human efforts reach their limit, we place the person completely into God’s hands. Prayer is where our compassion becomes intercession — lifting the brother or sister to the Lord who alone can touch and transform hearts. As we pray, we also ask God to keep our own hearts free from resentment and filled with His peace. Jesus promises, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” I hold onto this whenever I enter difficult conversations. I remind myself that I am not walking into that moment alone. Christ is there — guiding my words, softening hearts, and turning a painful situation into a moment of grace. And each time I choose the path of reconciliation, I’m not just restoring peace with a brother or sister — I’m stepping into the presence of the One who first reconciled me to God. Blessings Fr. Jhack

COURAGE TO FORGIVE

August 13, 2025 Wednesday within the 19th week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 18:15–20 I’ve learned in my own journey that it’s much easier to talk about someone than to talk to them when they hurt us. But Jesus calls me to a higher road — one that’s not always comfortable. He says, “Go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” That means I have to set aside my pride, my tendency to avoid awkward conversations, and my desire to “win.” The goal is not to prove I’m right, but to win back a brother or sister in Christ. There have been moments in ministry when someone’s words or actions wounded me. My first reaction was to withdraw or keep silent. Yet, when I finally took the courage to speak privately, with a heart that sought healing rather than revenge, something sacred happened. The walls began to come down. That’s when I understood: reconciliation is less about correcting another person and more about allowing God to work on both our hearts. Jesus promises, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” I hold onto this whenever I enter difficult conversations. I remind myself that I am not walking into that moment alone. Christ is there — guiding my words, softening hearts, and turning a painful situation into a moment of grace. And each time I choose the path of reconciliation, I’m not just restoring peace with a brother or sister — I’m stepping into the presence of the One who first reconciled me to God. Blessings Fr. Jhack

BECOMING LIKE A CHILD

August 12, 2025 Tuesday within the the 20th week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 18:1–5, 10,12-14 When Jesus says, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 18:3), He is not asking us to be childish, but childlike. The difference is profound. Childishness clings to immaturity, self-centeredness, and irresponsibility. Childlikeness, on the other hand, embraces humility, trust, and a sense of wonder before God. A child knows that they cannot survive without someone greater caring for them. They depend completely on their parents for food, shelter, guidance, and love. In the same way, Jesus invites us to depend entirely on our Heavenly Father—not as a last resort when we’ve exhausted our own efforts, but as our first instinct in every joy, struggle, and decision. To “become like a child” is to live without the illusion of self-sufficiency, knowing that every breath, every blessing, and every moment is a gift from God. This way of living also frees us from pride. In the world, greatness often means climbing higher, gathering power, and being served. In the Kingdom, greatness means kneeling lower, serving others, and being small enough for God to lift us. It’s the simplicity of faith that says, “I may not have all the answers, but I trust the One who does.” And when we live this way—trusting, humble, open-hearted—we find ourselves not only entering the Kingdom but already living in its joy. NB: Be like CHILD! C-ontented H- onest I-nnocent L- oyal D-ependent Blessings Fr. Jhack

FORGIVE!

August 14, 2025 Thursday within the 19th week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 18:21–19:1 Forgiveness may be hard, but it is never beyond reach—because God is always here to give us the grace to do it. When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive, suggesting seven as a generous number, he was thinking within the limits of human fairness. Jesus’ reply—“Not seven times, but seventy times seven” He pulled forgiveness out of the realm of calculation and placed it squarely in the realm of grace. In Scripture, “seventy times seven” is not literal arithmetic but a symbol of completeness, a reflection of God’s own inexhaustible mercy 70 times 7 was not about calculation, but it is about the heart shaped by mercy. In God’s Kingdom, forgiveness is not a rare favor we grant; it is the very air we breathe. To forgive without limit is to participate in the divine nature, for it is God who “is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love” (Ps 103:8). The parable that follows reveals the theological heart of forgiveness: it is always rooted in what we have first received from God. The king’s forgiveness of the servant’s unpayable debt mirrors the grace given to us in Christ. Our sins—an infinite offense against an infinite God—cannot be repaid by human effort. Yet in the cross, God cancels the debt entirely. Therefore, when we withhold mercy from others, we contradict the very grace that has saved us. Forgiveness is not a moral accessory to the Christian life; it is the fruit of salvation and the evidence that we understand the Gospel. To “forgive from the heart” (Mt 18:35) is not to excuse sin or abandon justice; rather, it is to release personal vengeance and entrust judgment to God, whose justice is always infused with mercy. This is a work of the Spirit in us, conforming our hearts to Christ, who from the cross prayed, “Father, forgive them” (Lk 23:34). Each act of forgiveness draws us deeper into the Paschal Mystery—dying to self, rising to new life, and revealing to the world that the Kingdom of God is a kingdom where mercy triumphs over judgment (Jas 2:13). To learn to forgive without limit, then, is to live the Gospel in its purest form, becoming living icons of the mercy we have received. Friends, forgiveness is not the same as forgetfulness, for forgetting is not truly forgiving. Forgiveness is an act of love, and in fact, it is the highest form of love. Never grow weary of forgiving, for true forgiveness knows no boundaries, and mercy has no end. Forgive as often as you can. If you want to uncover the secret to a joyful, healthy, and long life, the key is forgiveness. To live long, forgive daily. To stay healthy, make forgiveness your regular practice. To be truly happy, stop keeping a record of pains and hurts. And if you ever feel tempted to seek revenge, the most powerful way to carry it out is to forgive. Blessings Fr. Jhack

LISTEN TO THE BELOVED SON OF GOD

August 6, 2025 Feast of the Transfiguration Wednesday within the 18th week in Ordinary Time Year C Luke 9::28-36 During Mass, Put Away Your Cellphones. Listen! The Mass is not just any gathering. It is the highest form of prayer—the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice to the Father for our salvation. Every moment of the Mass is sacred. Heaven touches earth. God speaks to us through His Word, and gives Himself to us in the Eucharist. That’s why we are called to be fully present—not just in body, but in heart and mind. Yet in today’s world, it often seems easier to lift a cellphone than to lift our hearts to God. How many of us cannot last an hour without checking notifications or scrolling through our feeds? Instead of hearing the Word of God, we are distracted by messages, updates, and noise. The altar is before us, but our attention is elsewhere. Is this not a form of disrespect to the One who gives us His full attention and love? So here is a gentle but firm reminder: During Mass, put away your cellphones. Listen! Set aside the fleeting concerns and digital noise, and offer the Lord your undivided presence. You don’t need a camera to see God; you need a quiet, attentive heart to hear Him. Because in every Mass, God speaks. The question is: are you listening? NB: Jesus did not told Peter to capture the dazzling moment of glory by building tents but to listen. We are not called to build shelters—but were invited to build lives rooted in listening. The Father’s voice did not say: ‘Worship and capture the glory,’ but rather, ‘Listen to My Son.’ Blessings Fr. Jhack