BRING THE WORD NOT THE SWORD

Conversion of St. Paul Mark 16:15-18 Today we celebrate the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. From being Saul who was once a great notorious persecutor of the early christians; he became Paul and turned to be a great apostle to the Gentiles. Three points that I would like to share today. First, conversion is not impossible. If God himself has called Saul who caused the suffering and misery of many early christians, he can also transform us from being beast to best. Friends, like St. Paul our life is constantly under construction. God is not finished yet with us. (Read Philippians 1:6) Let us be reminded that God is still putting our life in it’s proper place and perspective just the way He planned it. God is not done with us. It is not over until He says it is over. There is always something to improve in us. Everyday God is giving us the opportunity to better ourselves. Friends, if you are not aware that you are the cause of the misery and suffering of others; God will surely give you a Damascus” experience so that you will become a great source of joy, healing, unity and blessings. God is not finished writing your story. Second, encounter with the Jesus will change us instantly. When we encounter the Lord, He will change the way we think. He will change our perspectives. He will make our vission clearer and sharper. He will give us new heart, new passion and new interesting mission. Just be aware that every goods that comes to ourlives are the result of our connection with Jesus. Now, what what do we need to do? Today’s gospel is telling us to believe. Have faith! You will not be condemened if you believe. You can work miracles if you believe. What miracles? Those who believe in Jesus can cast out demons. You can speak in new tongues. You can cure sickness and no deadly drink can hurt you. Suffice it to say, God will give you the ability to transform the world and make it a better place to live in. Paul conversion does not only change himself but it also change the world. Finally, the conversion of St. Paul is inviting us to break away from our former evil ways of life. Nowadays, our world needs “St. Paul’s” who will take the goodnews to all the world. Be reminded that conversion is not a solo flight. It is not a one man-show. We need someone to guide us. We need the help of others around us to better ourselves. In the same way, God will always give you someone to accompany you to the road of conversion. Friends, never be discouraged because God will always sent you an Ananias to guide you to start your new journey. God will never sends you into a situation alone. He will always send yoy the right one at the right time. And most importantly, never forget that God is with you forever to finish your race. Go out to all the world and proclaim the goodnews.Bring the WORD not the SWORD. Blessings Fr. Jhack

BEAST TO BEST.

Tuesday within in the Third Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Mark 16:15-18 Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle Our gospel reading for today speaks about the importance of believing. “The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” Friends, never stop believing because miracles happens everyday. There is always hope even when we are at the lowest point of our life. I am a living testimony for that. You know what, there was a moment in my life when I thought it was the end of everything. I felt like my dreams was shattered and I felt like miracles are impossible. Im hoping against hope but I was mistaken because life taught me that failures are not final. Brethren, believe in what you pray for. What we believe, we receive. Friends, the world change when we change our perspective. Saul was once a Christian persecutor turns to be Paul and became great apostle to the Gentiles. Have patience, God is not finish yet. The conversion of St. Paul is reminding us that our life is constantly under construction. There is always something to improve. Your miracle could be just around the corner. Everything is going to be okay at the end! NB: Like St. Paul, let us transform ourselves from BEAST TO BEST! Switch from BITTER TO BETTER. Believe that what is IMPOSSIBLE will become POSSIBLE. Blessings, Fr. Jhack

JESUS CAME TO DEFEAT THE DEVIL.

Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 3:22-30 We live in a world where we poison others by criticism. Nowaday, it reach in peak. Call it bashing, negative feedbacks, attacks, personal assasination etc. It is easy for us to judge and criticize people today. Even Jesus was a victim of it. He did an exorcism but was acussed of being possessed by a devil. The gospel is reminding us that whatever you do, good or bad, people will always have something negative to say. Call it prejudice and perhaps a critism and an attact. Jesus is put someone on the hotseat those who cannot recognise goodness and who see only evil in others. We lways have the tendency tearing each other down in order to build ourselves up by putting others down. Friends, remember this: your value does not decrease based on someones inability to to see your worth. Never be distracted by the dog that barks. Its only a bark. Critics are like dogs. Let them bark. You know what, the moon does not care if the dog barks at it. Don’t be distressed by criticisms. Educated people do not go with the level of animals. Challenge: Always recognize the good in others not their stain. Cherish and appreciate someone today. Blessings, Fr. Jhack

BE CRAZY FOR THE POOR

Saturday within the Second week in Ordinary Time: Year C Mark 3:20-21 Our gospel for today is very short yet very profound in meaning. The family of Jesus restrain him and they set out to seize him because people were saying: “He is out of his mind.” Friends, if you are one of Jesus’ biological family what will be your reaction if you heard people saying that one of your family kin is crazy? What will you feel if you are on the shoes of Jesus? Imagine this: you are doing everything to help the needy that even your time to eat was taken away from you, yet at the end you will hear people saying: “you are crazy!” What is the gospel is trying to tell us today? Friends, even if people will call you crazy continue to help the less fortunate. Even if others will labelled you as insane, never stop extending aid and assistance to the poor. Choose to be crazy by helping the needy than being normal but insenstive to the needy. It is fine to be called insane because of your big heart for the underprivelege. Choose to be psychotic than being heartless and inconsiderate to the poverty-stricken individual. It is better to called deranged than normal but thoughtless and heartless to those in want. Friends, be crazy for the poor. Loss your mind for the less fortunate. Waste your time for the destitute. I would rather befriend a poor man with a rich heart than rich and famous person with a poor heart. Like Jesus our purpose in life is to be crazy for the poor. God puts us in this world to help the poor and to love them. Let me end my reflection with this: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 19:17 Blessings Fr. Jhack

THE TWELVE APOSTLES

Friday of the Third week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 3:13-19 Our gospel speaks about the calling of the Twelve apostles. These twelve guys were very “ordinary” men. Some of them were known as public sinners. Others were uneducated. Some were trouble makers and most of them were insignificant fishermen. The following are the names of the apostles: Peter- outspoken, opinionated person. He acts without thinking. He is always “on the go.” He was known as “the denial king.” He denied Jesus thrice. Matthew (Levi)- dishonest man. He was a corrupt tax collector. Extortionist. As a tax collector, he was known as “beast in human form.” Bartholomew (Nathaniel)- He had issues with prejudice. He was biased with people from Nazareth. Very judgmental in person but brutally honest. James and John- They were known as “sons of thunder.” They possessed a violent temper. They asked for rain of fire to destroy those who refused to believe the Messiah. They were also ambitious. They asked for a place of special prominence. On the positive note James was a man of courage and forgiveness, a man without jealousy, living in the shadow of John, a man of extraordinary faith. While John was known as the most “beloved disciple.” Philip- He was a man with a warm heart and a pessimistic head. He was one who would very much like to do something for others, but who did not see how it could be done. He was timid too. Andrew- Inquisitive. He was optimistic and well content in second place. His main purpose in life was to bring others to the master. Thomas Didymus- Skeptical in person. “To see is to believe” was his driving philosophy in life. He was known as the “doubter.” James the less-the most obscure apostle. He was a man of strong character and one of the most fiery type. James Thaddeus -characterized as a tender-hearted, gentle man who displayed childlike humility. Jude Alpheus- the least of all the apostles”; he knew it and felt cheerful about it. Simon the Zealot- Revolutionary, idealistic and proud person. He loves riot and mutiny. Judas- He loves money more than people. He was known as the traitor the one who betrayed Jesus with a kiss. What is interesting to note is this: Amidst of the 12 apostles' weaknesses they were called by Jesus. They were chosen and commissioned. Humanly speaking they don't possess good qualifications but God qualifies them. Jesus loves to qualify the unqualified. Perfection is not a requirement to follow God. Today, do not wait until you feel qualified to do what God is calling you to do. Our God has the habit of picking up nobodies to be somebody. The ability to serve God is not based on our ability but according to God’s will. Like the Twelve Apostles we are called to be with Jesus. We are sent to preach the good news and commissioned to cast out demons. NB: Our first reading is telling us to do good even if others hates you. The greatest blessing in life is receiving it from an enemy. In short, the password of an overflowing blessing is receiving it from someone who does not like you. When your enemy will bless you, it will make you great. Bless and pray for your persecutors. Do well to those who wish you ill. Blessings Fr. Jhack

PRAY CONSTANTLY

Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 3:13-19 In today’s gospel Jesus chose twelve among his disciples to make them his closer companions. However before naming them He spent the whole night in the mountain to pray. This is to show us that prayer is very important in our relationship with God. Friends, before you decide anything, do not start without first consulting God in prayer. Pray then decide. Dont decide then prayed after. Pray then go to work. Do not do the opposite. A day without prayer is like a day without a blessing; and a life without prayer is like a life without power. Today we are called by God to be men and women of prayer. You know what, sometimes all it takes is just one prayer to change eveything. Brethren, find your mountain and spend your moment there with God. The more time we spent with God, the more we resemble Him. Today turn your worries into worship and watch God turns your battles into blessings. Finally, like the disciples we are summoned not only to call people to repentance but to change ourselves too. Friends, the sun may rise tomorrow but you may not. Repent today! The most beautiful blessings we have been given is the chance to repent. Remember this: repentance is not a punishment but a privilege. Blessings Fr. Jhack

GOOD PEOPLE ATTRACTS

Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 3:7-12 Jesus was mobbed by great multitude of crowds. He was like a sensation that attracts onlookers. He was like a magnet that ordinary and unimportant people offer him an extraordinary reception. They came to Him for healing yet what is interesting is that its only the devil who recognized Him. “You are the Son of God!" Do you also recognize Jesus as the Son of God? What’s the gospel is trying to tell us today? People recognized Him as a healer but for the devil He is the Son of God. Friends, there will be moments in your life that people will only come to you if they need you. They will seek you when they need you. They will ignore you until they need you. Some people will only love you as much as they can use you. Their loyalty ends where the benefits stops. How sad when people look for you when they need you. Yes, it is sad but don’t feel bad. Feel priviledge that you are like a candle that comes to their mind when there is darkness. Blessings Fr. Jhack

SABBATH

Tuesday within the Second week in Ordinary time Year C Mark 2:23-28 Today’s first reading speaks about the calling of David. What is very striking is way God chooses His annointed. Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart. Friends, God is not impressed by our looks. He is after the purity of our hearts. David was choosen not because of his physical appearance but because it was God’s choice. Saul on the other habd was removed from his throne because je rejected God. Brethren, the moment we so evil and displeased God our authority will be taken away from us. In short, we lost our power and authority if we disobey the Lord. Moving in our gospel, it tells us the supreme authority of God even on the day of sabbath. “The sabbath was made for the people not people for the Sabbath, so the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” The pharisees were faithful abiders of the law but charity breakers. They were very ritualistic, conservatives and legalistic in strictest sense. Sabbath for them is more on observing the law and keeping the regulations. For Jesus however, day of rest supersedes the ritual demands of sabbath. Liberating people from the supression of injustice is the meaning of sabbath. Three points that I would like to share. First, deeds of mercy muat not be neglected even during sabbath. The best way to obeserve sabbath is to engage in deeds of kindness. Sabbath should not prevent us to do good. Second, our worship is useless if we are indifferent to the needs of the leass fortunate. Friends, the good of the people is the supreme law. Do not forget that people are more important than rules. Finally, our belief does not make us a better person, our behaviour does. Let love and mercy be our constant habit. Be happy to serve the poor. Deeds of kindness has no limitations and expirations. Blessings Fr. Jhack

There are no red lights for helping.

Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Mark 3:1-6 Religion is not more on ritual but more in service. It is not about litanies of laws, rules and regualtions but it is all about love. In today’s gospel Jesus was upset. “Jesus looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart.” Seldom does the Gospel show an angry Christ. Here his anger is provoked by the hardness of their heart. Today we are challenged to let the power of love open the eyes of those blinded by legalism. Let the law of love rules! Another thing, we are reminded today that not all people will appreciate the good works we do. Like Jesus, we will have our critics and haters. “The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against Jesus, how to destroy him. He cured the man with wretched hand but they accused Him of violating the sabbath law. Friends, as what I told you yesterday, the good of the people is the greatest law. Sabbath is not an impediment to do acts of kindness. There are no stop signs in giving kindness. There are no red lights for helping. Never allow the day of rest prevents you from doing what is good. Friends, when we do good not all people will appreciate it. Like Jesus we will encounter haters and critics. You know what, haters are confirmation that you are actually doing something right. Haters will make you famous! When others want to destroy you, it is because you’ve got something they want. We are challenge to do good deeds for someone today even if it is difficult. Friends, there are good numbers of people with “wretched hand” around us, take time to do something good today. NB: May your critics live a long life to see your success. Blessings Fr. Jhack

LOVE IS THE GREATEST LAW.

Tuesday of the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 2:23-28 The Pharisees were people who always noticed the shortcomings of others. They were law abiders but charity breakers. They were ritualistic persons but fond of judging and critizicing others around them. They were strict observers of the law but hard on people. For the Pharisees sabbath is more on observing the laws and keeping the regulations. They were legalistic type of people. Friends, in our life we will always met people even inside the church who behave like Pharisees. We will always have people around us who value rules than relationships. Today we are reminded that people are more valuable than rules and laws. The good of the people is the greatest law. When youre doing your devotions and disturbed by a hungry person, feed the poor first then proceed to your devotions. Let us strive to keep the Sabbath holy by being kind and merciful to the least, lost and last. Deeds of mercy must not be neglected even on the Sabbath. The best way to observe the day of rest is to engage in deeds of kindness. Our worship is useless if we are indiferent to others. A rules-based religion is no more than a modern-day Phariseeism. Brethren, our religion is not law-centered religion but love-centered one. Remember that! Our belief does not make us a better person, our behaviour does. Blessings Fr. Jhack

JOY is vivid sign of God’s presence.

Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Mark 2:18-22 The gospel tells us that to be with Jesus is an experience of JOY. “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” Jesus identifies Himself with the bridegroom. Today, we are reminded that JOY is the presence of God. Friends, if the Lord is with us, there is no reason to do fasting. “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” Jesus wants you to be happy. Being cheerful keeps us healthy but being gloomy on the other hand is killing us softly. Feasting instead of fasting must be our response because a wedding party is a time for rejoicing. When we have Jesus He will turn our mourning into dancing. Let us spread the radiance of joy. Finally, when we do fasting we do not need to compare our piety to others. Stop comparing just do your thing. Guys, there are so many beautiful reasons to be happy. Be happy not because everything is good, but because you can see the good in everything. You know what, the kingdom of God is like a wedding feast so rejoice. Mourning and fasting are not the right disposition to celebrate. Folks, rejoice in the Lord. Happiness is a decision. You will be exactly as happy as you decide to be. NB: You were never created to live depressed, defeated, guilty, or unworthy. You were created to be victorious and happy. Blessings Fr. Jhack