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

OFFLINE IS THE NEW LUXURY.

Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 6:30-34 “You must come away to some lonely place…. And rest for awhile.” In our very busy world the Lord is telling us like His disciples to have a short break. “Rest for a while” means we have to relax, get refresh and recharge. Human as we are we need to take a break from being too hectic activities. Find a quiet, private time. Allow yourself to slow down and you will gain the benefit of a quiet mind. Friends, we cannot give our best unless we learn to stop for a moment and get refreshed. Today have a day off and be rejuvenated. We have to invest in rest. We need to rest. Offline is the new luxury! How to rest? Go to pray. Find a desserted place to commune with God. A prayerful person is like a magnet that attracts people. We need to pray because the more we pray the powerful we become. Why do we need to rest? Because there are so many people like sheep without a shepherd that needs our time, energy and support. Be a good shepherd. Forget about your phone and spent time with your love ones. Make no room for regrets. “And He began to teach them many thing.” Blessings Fr. Jhack

REST FOR A WHILE

Saturday of the 4th Week in Ordinary time Year C Mark 6:30-39 “Rest a while in a quiet place” The apostles had their “reunion” after a successful mission tour. They reported to Jesus all they had done and taught. Jesus noticed that his apostles were weary, tired and exhausted so he invited them to a place of solitude to rest for a while. Our world is a crazy hectic place that is why our gospel for today is teaching us one important lesson-WE NEED TO REST. Call it a rest day, day-off, we need it!(But only if you’ve been working-out). Rest is a sweet sauce of labor and hardwork. If we don’t rest we won’t be able to take care of others. When we take time to replenish our spirit, it allows us to serve others from the overflow. Remember, we cannot serve from an empty vessel. Brethren, relax, rest, turn off your alarm clocks and unwind you need it but “REST FOR A WHILE”. The best way to rest is to spent it in prayer. Like the apostles tell Jesus the story of your success in your prayers. There is weariness in ministry but tiredness is not an excuse not to pray. Rest but don’t quit! Blessings Fr. Jhack

HOW TO TELL THE TRUTH?

Friday within the Fourt week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 6:14-29 How to tell the truth? Let me suggest 3B’s BRAVE- be fearless infront of the abusive giants. Be like David in the face of a proud Goliath. Like John, have the ability to move forward inspite of the horror of fear. Never allow the threats paralyze you. If you smell something fishy, have the courage to expose it so that you will not be suffocated by its own stinks. BOLD- break the culture of hypocrisy. Mute the fake. Silence the impostor. Inform the dumb and the rectify the pretender. Friends, push yourself and be comfortable being uncomfortable. Be a daredevil. Let the truth sets us free. BELIEVE IN GOD Truth will always prevails no matter how powerful the one who hides it. In the face of evil, God has plan. Give it to Him including your fears, your worries and all that makes your night sleepless. Friends, God is still good even if life is not. God will be our strenght. You know what, I would rather lose my head for the sake of truth like John than to keep it by ignoring justice. Are you ready to lose your head too for the sake of truth? Blessings Fr. Jhack

TELL THE TRUTH

Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 6:14-29 John publicly criticized Herod for having an illicit union with his brother’s wife named Herodias. Friends, the gospel for today is telling us that having an illicit affair with someone outside marriage is not pleasing with God. Hebrews 13:4 reminds us of this: “Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.”Friends, let me say this loud and clear; adultery, premarital sex, cheating, concubinage, sodomy and other forms of inordinate sexual tendency is morally wrong and sinful. Today, let us be like John the Baptist. Let us not compromised the moral principles with fear. Speak the truth even if your voice shakes. Make it a habit to hurt someone with truth than comfort them with a lie. Let us shame the devil by loving the truth. The only people who mad at you for speaking the truth are those people living a lie. Nowadays, we are surrounded with so many Herods including ourselves. John is a wonderful great model and guide for all of us. He was never afraid to blew the whistle in the face of injustice. He put his life in danger for what he believed is morally right. We have to become like John-strong in the midst of evil and injustice. Like John we have to speak honestly, boldly and courageously and not be afraid of the consequences of the right thing we’ve done. Dare to speak the truth to shame the devil. As I always tell you friends, “Telling the truth and making someone cry is better than telling a lie and making someone smile.” NB: John was beheaded because of a dance performance. Today, try to dance not take one’s life but dance to praise the Lord. (Psalm 149:3) Express your prayer in a form of dance. If you wish your intentions to have an immediate result, accompany your prayers with a choreography of truth. Blessings Fr. Jhack

DROP IT.

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 6:7-13 Jesus sent his disciples two by two with an instructions to cast out demons, to proclaim the gospel and to remind people to repent. In doing so, they were told to BRING NOTHING. No money, no food, no bad and no extra clothes.Three points that I would like to share. First, like the disciples we too are reminded to bring nothing because our security does not depend on our properties. What we have sometimes are the major reasons for the DELAY of our mission. It could also lead to the DESTRUCTION of our goal. And what we have may sometimes DISTURB us of our spirititual expidition. Avoid these stumbling blocks to your operation. Never put your trust in your properties. They are false securities! Second, keep trusting the Divine providence. Friends, you will never be hungry if you work for God. You will always have a place of refuge if you serve the Lord. As missionary our trust to God includes also in trusting people’s generosity and kindness. Trust the Lord and you will not be put to shame. When was the last time you tell the Lord: “Lord in you I put my trust.” Finally, we are invited today to dump and cast aside the non essentials. Friends, what makes your journey heavy? What gives you so much weight that burden your journey? DROP IT OFF! I am sure there were horrible memories that keep on haunting your beautiful life, forget about it. All those sorrowful and tragic events in the past, don’t carry it with you. Abandon those traumatic and distressing remembrance in your life. Forget those people who makes your life journey complicated. Disown those abusive partner you uhave in the past. Dump those barbaric friends who drained your energy. Ditch those monstrous collegues in your life. There are properties of yours that gives you headaches everyday, let it go. DROP ALL OF THEM! To make your journey light and easy, bring Jesus with you instead. Conclusion: Travel light. Trust the Lord Testify to Jesus. Blessings Fr. Jhack

TWO BY TWO

Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 6:7-13 “Take nothing for the journey” God send the twelve for mission and their assignment is to drive out demons, to proclaim the gospel and to tell people to repent. “Bring nothing: no money, no food, no bag etc.” Our gospel is telling us one important reminder: Our security does not depends on our property. Folks, ALWAYS TRUST IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. Never mind of the temporal and ephemeral things just have the conviction that the Lord will take care of you and your needs. Money, foods and other supplies cannot drive out demons. Money, bread etc. cannot transform and heal people; only God. Money, food, etc makes the life of people complicated. Friends, people dont need money, they need God. Perhaps they have more money than what you have so bring nothing. Trust God not in your belongings. Like the twelve our focus is to eliminate the evil around us not to filled our life with “unnecessary extras”. Like the twelve our mission to provide healing. Friends, how many people has been hurt by you because of your carelessness and aarogance? Our mission is to heal people not to hurt them. In extending a support or a help please never be tempted to receive a recompense. “You received without payment; give without payment.” Friends, service is free of charge. Healing is free. When you demand for payment you are healing but hurting them. Remember, the gospel is not for sale. Finally, my dear brothers and sisters, dont worry for God is never blind to your tears, He is never deaf to your prayers, He is never silent to your pains. He sees, He hears, He will deliver. God will always provide, IT JUST MIGHT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE HAVE IN MIND. As a missionary we are challenge to depend on the Providence of God through the generosity of others. Friends, believe me; you will never be hungry if you will work for God. You will always have a place to stay if you will serve Him. Today find your buddy and start your journey! Blessings Fr. Jhack

WAIT FOR THE LORD.

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Year C Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22-31 Our Gospel narrates the story of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. Jesus was presented in the temple to consecrate Him and to set Him aside for the service to the Lord. Why he needs to be presented? It is a Jewish tradition that every firstborn must be offered to the Lord. Offering is a recognition of God’s goodness and generosity. (It is also a gesture of asking for blessings-take care of this child. It’s yours, we are only stewards.) What I really like and love in the gospel is the mentioned of these two characters who were patiently waiting to see the child Jesus. Who are they? 1. Simeon -very upright and devout man from Jerusalem. - He is waiting and waiting and waiting because of the promise assured to him by the Holy Spirit. “He would not die before seeing the Messiah”. By the way the name Simeon means “GOD HAS HEARD”. 2. Anna - prophetess, daughter of Phanuel - like Simeon she is in the temple day and night fasting and praying. - she was 84 years old when she met the child Jesus. Message: Simeon and Anna’s perseverance in waiting was rewarded with final joy. Our Gospel for today is reminding us that LIFE HAS MEANING WHEN WE SPEND IT WAITING FOR JESUS. Waiting can be frustrating but the joy at the end is wonderful. God is calling us to wait and to be more patient. God knows what is best for us. To those who are single and looking for a partner in life take this in mind: better to wait long than marry wrong. There are moments in our life that we feel like we are waiting for something that is not going to happen. You know what, I hate waiting, but if it’s waiting for the Lord, I will wait. You know what, It took me 18 long years to wait to get ordained as priest. But by patient waiting God grant my hearts’s desire. Brothers and sisters keep this in mind: BLESSINGS MAYBE BELAYED BUT ITS NEVER BEEN DENIED”. Read Psalm 40:10 because God does not disappoint anyone. We must trust God even when his answer is “WAIT”. God answers when you least expect. It is difficult to wait but it is more difficult to regret. Never give up on something you really want. GREAT THINGS COMES TO THOSE WHO WAIT. Lord I will wait for you because I don’t want anyone else. 4P’s to consider: 1. Always PREPARE 2. If we wanted to be blessed PRESENT yourself and make yourself presentable to the Lord. 3. PRAY for your children: consecrate them to God 4. PURIFY yourself. Blessings Fr. Jhack

RISE UP

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 5:21-43 Our gospel is what the Biblical experts called “Markan insertion”- it is a story within a story. Jesus was interrupted by a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. Today’s gospel shows us that our God is sensitive and willing to be interrupted by those who are in need of His help. Today consider any interruptions as God’s intervention. “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” Faith is the remedy of all our sufferings. Friends, faith in Jesus counquers everything even the power of death. The name of this synagogue official is Jairus. His name means “he awakens”. For Jesus death is just like SLEEPING. One day God will wake us up. Friends, sleepless nights won't last, come to Jesus and present to him your worries. Cry out to Him. Give God a chance for we have a God who delights in the impossibilities. Perhaps some of us here are burried witn so many “deaths” in life-(Dead relationships, dead finances, dead health, dead spirituality). Because of these we are so desperate but you know what, Jesus is telling us to RISE UP-Talitha Koum! Wake up! Keep on believing. Do not be afraid just keep up the faith. Rise up and become the person you were meant to be. There is always hope even when you are at the lowest point of your life. Better things are ahead. Blessings Fr. Jhack

YOU’RE NOT A PIG!

Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary time Year C Mark 5:1-20 The Gospel of today is the story of the man who had an unclean spirit. This man had been dwelling in the tombs. His disorder was so severe that no one was able to restrain him, not even with a chain. But when he met Jesus, this man tremble in fear. “Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” The gospel of teaches us the following lessons. First, Jesus is here to cast out the works of darkness. He is here to destroy the projects of the devil. Jesus is here to break the chain that enslave us. Friends, you know what, when we met Jesus He will break our chains. He will give us liberty and freedom. What are the chain that enslaves you? Get out from your tomb. Move away from a stinky sorrounding. Perfume yourself with the odor of Christ. You deserve to stay in the throne not in the tomb. Tomb is a place for the dead. Friends, we don’t belong in the tomb. Second, when Jesus asked his name, the spirit told Him: “Legion is my name. There are many spirits.” Legion means they are countless. Friends, no matter how myriads the devil are; when they are face to face with Jesus they temble in fear. Brothers and sisters dont be afraid of the evil spirit. They will only frightened us but can’t prevail over us. William Shakespeare once said: “Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” Friends, be not afraid for God is here. The devil will disappear if Jesus is with you. Finally, the spirit then begged Jesus not to drive the spirits out of the territory but into a herd of swine that was nearby. Friends, the swine reminds us not to behave like pigs. Pigs love to dig dirt using their snout. They use to fight each for food. They are domineering and noisy in nature. What can we learn here? Friends, we are not a pigs. We are not called to dig the dirt from each other. We are not asked to fight and to dominate. And most importantly we are not encourage to make noise like pigs. Today, choose Jesus over your livelihood and bussiness. Never follow the example of the swineherds who force Jesus to leave. “Then they began to beg him to leave their district.” The townspeople want Jesus to leave but the man who has just been healed and saved wants to be with Jesus. Friends, Jesus is more important than whatever you have combined together. Friends, stay with Jesus. Blessings Fr. Jhack

THE 3 D’s OF REJECTION.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 4:21-30 The reality of rejection is part of our life. We can’t escape it. Even Jesus in today’s gospel experienced the non-acceptance by his own people. “No prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown.” Friends, don’t be upset when people reject you. Rejection is not the end. Valuable things are often rejected by people who can’t afford them. Your value does not diminish when you’re not accepted. What to do when rejected? How to deal with rejections? Let me share three D’s with you folks. First, when you are rejected DON’T BE DISCOURAGED. Every time you are rejected from something good; God is actually leading you to something better. Rejections does not define our fate. They simply reroute us to something amazing. In my case, I was denied in the Philippines because God has prepared Canada for me. If you are not getting rejected it means your goal are not splendidly good enough. Second, when you are rejected, do not force the acceptance. DIVERT your ways. Change your plans. Move to another locations. Try another company. Change your location like what Jesus di he passed through their midst and move away. That’s all we can do in this world. Keep going. Don’t stay if they don’t like you. Don’t be afraid to start over again. What is meant for you, won’t pass you by. Finally, DISTANCE yourself from those who are allergic to your presence. The gospel said: “They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong.” You know what Jesus did? He walk away! Friends, learn to distance yourself from energy drainers. Not everyone deserves your friendship. Move away from people who drain you. Good things happen when you diatance yourself from bad company. You know what, God keep sending messengers. Listen to them. Blessings Fr. Jhack