GOD’s GRACE IS ENOUGH.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Luke 5:1-11 When God calls someone for a mission the feeling of unworthiness is always the immediate response. Isaiah finds himself not worthy of God’s invitation because of his unclean lips. Paul judges himself to be unworthy of the call because of his past as former persecutor of the believers. Peter doubts the words of Jesus telling him to drop his net one more time. These three men in today’s readings acknowledged their inadequacy, weaknesses and vulnerabilities. However, amidst of their excuses God qualifies and sanctifies them. Friends, when we start to be aware of our unworthiness and nothingness that is the perfect time to take a first step into deep water and follow the Lord. The moment we recognized our sinfulness that is the perfect indication of God’s active presence in our life. Our sins does not disqualify us to continue the missionary work of Jesus. At times we feel like Isaiah Paul and Peter in today’s reading. We feel so unfit, however let me tell you my dear friends that perfection is not a requirement to follow the Lord. Just like Isaiah be ready to say “Here I am Lord, send me.” Your dirty mouth can be used by God to speak the truth. Sometimes our mouth is dirty because we fed it with gossips. We fed it with dirty and bad words. We swear. We curse. We insult people. We use our mouth for profanity. Our mouths are sometimes dirty because we use it to complain and vehicle of spreading dishonesty. Just like Paul believe that it is God’s grace who makes us deserving. “I am what I am because of God’s grace.” God’s grace will sufficiently uphold us amidst of our limitations. Like Peter just drop your net. Friends, never allow your dirtiness, fears, and doubts paralyzed God’s trust in you. As Rick Warren once said: “In God’s garden of grace, even a broken tree can bear fruit.” The grace of God makes everything possible. We may think we are not good enough but God’s grace is beyond our imagination. God’s grace is enough. Blessings Fr. Jhack

NEVER GIVE UP

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Luke 5:1-11 Most of the disciples of Jesus were fishermen. Of course, fishing is their way of life. When Jesus called them to be fishers of men, they stop fishing and followed Jesus for three years. But when Jesus died, they were frustrated and they went to their old ways of living:they went back fishing again. The problem was, they caught nothing. “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing.” Maybe they are trying so hard, giving their best, tried every possible means but end up nothing! For Peter it was a fruitless night. The effort does not corresponds to the effects. Friends, we may be like these disciples. Perhaps there are moments in our life that we tried everything but nothing happened. We give our best but seems our best are not enough. We try but we failed. We felt frustrated, disappointed, discouraged and seemingly wanted to give up. Maybe some of us here are undergoing difficult and hard time in our spiritual life, frustrations with our financial life, emotional imbalance or perhaps troubled marriage. Today the gospel is telling us: “Don’t give up, try something new.” Cast and lower your net again and you will find something. Three points I would like to share with you guys. First, when you are disappointed, discouraged and frustrated, never give up. Raised your hands to the Lord and let Him take over. Surrender your problems to Jesus. Don’t give up because great things take time. Remember, life has two rules. Rule number one, never give up. Rule number two, always go back to rule number one. If your plan A didn't work, stay cool for the alphabet has 25 more letters. Second, when you are frustrated, do not try to be tempted to go back to your old ways.(fishing to fishing). Try something new! The Lord wants us to grow. Start something new and fresh because life is great and amazing amidst of failures. Try to be better version of yourself everyday. Take this in mind: success is a journey not a destination. Try something new for old ways won’t open new doors. Friends, when you are tired passing through the doors, tried to get in the window because some windows are wider than doors. Finally, when we allow Jesus to come into our lives; amidst of our imperfections and unworthiness, we will no longer be dragging the burden of problems but we will enjoy the overflowing blessings of God. Amidst of our sins, we have a God who is ready to turn our frustration to celebration. God will always transform our burden into blessings. He will change our sorrow to joy. He will turn our cross to a crown Our trials will be changed into triumphs. If Jesus is all we have, we have all what we need. In our nothingness God will be our everything. Friends, never get frustrated by our emptiness. “Do not be afraid. You will catch people from now on.” Duc in altum! Here I am Lord send me. Blessings Fr. Jhack

JESUS THE ROCK STAR

Monday of Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 6:53-56 The magnetism of Jesus is extraordinary. He is like a rock star: a very famous healer that attracts the crowd anywhere. Many sick people went to him to be healed. In fact, they recognized Him everywhere. “As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.” They flock to Jesus because they wanted something-healing. Friends, it is good to reflect on our own motives why we go to the Lord or why we pray. Do we go to church because we want something or because we love Him? Do we recognized Jesus in the Eucharist? St. Ignatius of Antioch thus calls the Eucharist, “the medicine of immortality, and the antidote to prevent us from dying, which causes that we should live forever in Jesus Christ.” Lord, help us to recognize your voice, help us not to be allured by the madness of the world, so that we will never fall away from you. Friends, live in such a away others may recognize that you have been with Jesus. Finally, people flock to Jesus because they wanted to be healed. Today, we are reminded that broken things can be blessed if you let Jesus do the mending. Let God work on you in your journey in life. Friends, healing begins when we let go of the past hurts, forgive those who have wronged you and learn to forgive yourself for your mistakes. Give God your weakness and He will give you His strenght. Blessings Fr. Jhack

TOUCH

Monday within the Fifth week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 6:53-56 The gospel reminds us of two important realities. First, many desperate people were sick and in dire need of healing. Sick people were everywhere. They’re in market places, in villages, in the cities and even in the farm. The world turns to be a portrayal of a hospital. Second, Jesus is like a magnet. He attracts many followers especially the needy. Wherever he goes people sticking towards him. They wanted to touch him because they believed that by merely touching Jesus it will bring them healing and speedy recovery. Nowadays, many were sick because nobody cares. Many were suffering because nobody touch them. Many were hospitalized because we lost our sense of sympathy. Friends, touch has a healing effect. Touch is the magic wand of healing. Touch is a deep expression of care. Touching people allows the grace of God to overflow. My dear friends, when you do kot know what to say, a simple touch is enough. Touch were invented to let people know that care doesn’t need a word. A touch can be expressed in a form of embrace, hugs, holding hands or tapping one’s shoulder. Never underestimate the power of touch. Touching is healing. Let me end by giving you guys the meaning of accronym of TOUCH. Touch is…. T-eraphy O-pportunity to care U-se it C-ure H-ealing. Blessings Fr. Jhack