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