DO YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN THESE

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter John 21:15-19 Year C Do you love me? This is an important question. Friends, how much of the things we do, we do it out of love? Do you do things out of love or do you do it for the sake of fulfilling an obligation? Jesus ask Simon: Do you love me more than THESE? The “these” was refered to the fruits of their hard labor in fishing. In short, Simon Peter was asked to choose between Jesus or the income. The gospel for today is very timely because we too are ask to make a better decisions in life. Choosing Jesus is a decision you will never regret. Choose Jesus over the things of this world. Moreover, we are also reminded to do all things with love. Friends, never do things out of money. Avoid doing things just to earn recognitions and praises. If we do something just to receive a recompense it will surely deplete us. But if we do what we do out of love, it will energize us. Mother Teresa once said: “Do small things with great love.” Love demands a loving response. Today, our gospel challenges us to prove our love by feeding and tending the lambs. Love for Jesus must be the foundation of our service. To follow Jesus we must be a person of love. If Jesus were to ask you, Do you love me? How would you respond? Blessings Fr. Jhack

THAT WE MAY BE ONE

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter Year C John 17:20-26 Our Gospel for today shows unto us what prayer is all about. Jesus prays not for himself but for His apostles. Friends, today we are challenged to remember others before we pray for ourselves. Nothing proves that you love someone more than mentioning and remembering them in your private prayers. When we pray for others God listens to us and blesses them. So when you are healthy, successful and happy remember that someone is praying for you. If people spent more time praying for others instead of talking about them they’d get better results. If we love someone, let us pray for them. Pray for peace and unity. Pray for their growth. Pray for their protection. Pray for their happiness. When we pray for each other, something supernatural takes place. Never doubt the power of prayer. I am bless and lucky because I know someone is wasting time praying for me. In today’s gospel Jesus prayed thrice asking the Father that we would all become one as He and the Father are one. There are divisions eveywhere. We live in a world full of divisions. Our lives were fragmented not only by division but also by opposition. Our gispel is very timely and opportune because it is calling us to unite. Oneness is not about evading diversities and eliminating differences. Oneness is all about love. Love is the most powerful weapon that can unite those divided by hatred and hostility. Unity is a sign of God’s presence. Where there is unity division will be gone. No hatred and dissension can rule in a world full of love. Friends, let us unite in love together. Let love be the name of our vaccine. Blessings Fr. Jhack

THE PROMISES OF JESUS

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter Year C John 17: 11b- 19 “We are in the world, but not of the world" My dear friends, today’s gospel reading reminds us that our belongingness is not on this planet. As follower Christ we must not be possessed by the worldly cares and concerns. We cannot improve the world if we conform to this world. The world’s values and priorities are less important than that of God. Thus, we are challenge not to conform our life to the standard of this passing world. We can never influence this universe by trying to be like it. This world of ours cannot give us complete joy. Three things to that inspired me after reading the gospel for today. First, God always protecting us “I guarded them and none of them was lost.” Brethren, never think that God does not care for us. He always do! God is fighting our battles, He is arranging things in our favor and making a way even if we dont see a way. God is our protector. Second, He always share His joy with us. We were never created to live depressed, defeated, guilty, unworthy and condemened. We were created to be victorious. Friends, the joy of heaven outweighs the passing pleasures of this world. God is the only true source of joy. And finally, we belong to Him. Nobody can snatch us away from the Lord. All in us is His. We are no longer of this world. Conclusion: It is better to be child of God than to be king of this world. Blessings Fr. Jhack

MAGNIFICAT

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Luke 1:39-56 “Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country.” Mary is from Nazareth and she had to travel by foot to Judea to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Biblical scholars says, it will take days of travel (2-3days maybe) going to Judea. Travelling before is not fun compared today. It was their tradition before that travellers had to carry with them their gods to protect them from any danger and harm along the way. But for Mary she never carry any gods because she bring with her the God of gods-Jesus in her womb. She too is pregnant! “And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” The visitation episode is telling us that if we carry Jesus with us we don’t need any amulets for protection. We don’t need lucky charms to carry. Jesus is enough! If we bring Jesus, we will be the source of joy for others. “For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy.” Today, its my prayer that all of us will be pregnant of Jesus. (Mabuntis sana tayo at ang batang ating isisilang ay si Hesus.) Like Mary and Elizabeth, if we say yes to God, He can turn the impossible to possible. He can make your burdens into blessings. He can transform your trials into triumphs. Your mourning will be change into rejoicing. We need to have faith like Mary and Elizabeth. When we trust God the blessings He promised is from generation to generation. Finally, the Magnificat is the record of God’s mighty things done to Mary. God always favor the lowly than the arrogant. God loves the humble than the proud. Today, the gospel is inviting us to be humble and recall the great things God has done for us. Be grateful for all of them. Dont complain just be grateful. Friends what is your Magnificat? Blessings Fr. Jhack

TAKE COURAGE

May 30, 2022 Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter Year C John 16:29-33 What makes you depress? Are you frustrated by your failures? Are you broken hearted? Are you tired of everything? This message is for you! Today, the gospel is reminding us to continue to trust that with God we can overcome all obstacles and challenges in our life. “Take courage; I have conquered the world!” Folks, keep going no matter how hard life is. It maybe a bad day but its not a bad life. Remember, every difficulty is an opportunity in disguise. Don’t quit but do it. Moreover, peace and courage are two gifts that Jesus wants to leave with us. “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.” Peace is knowing that we have company. We are not alone in our struggles. And courage is acknowledging that God’s strength will shine out even in our human weakness. Friends, don’t let fear stops you. Bravery is the solution to regrets. Guys, go forth and be fierce. Blessings Fr. Jhack

LOOK UP

May 29, 2022 Solemnity of the Ascension Luke 24:46-53 I was blessed to visit the Ascension site in Jerusalem. In the pilgrimage site the attraction was about the mark of Jesus before he left for heaven. It was believed to be the earthly spot where Jesus ascended into Heaven after his resurrection. Folks, the first message ascension is asking us to leave a legacy. Make an indelible mark on your family that can never be deleted. What is your legacy? How do people will remember you? Today we are invited to be a light in a dark world. We are called to be a solution in a problematic society. Spend your heaven by doing good things here on earth. Pope Francis reminds us to find ways to spread the word of God to every corner of the world. As we do our mission the Lord promise us of his presence. “ I am with you always to the end of age.” Perhaps like the disciples some of us doubted of this yet let the promise of God shine on your problems. What God promises God provides. In our journey of faith there will be moments that we don’t feel his presence. But bear in mind that God’s promise does not depend on our feelings. If God has made a promise He will stand by it. Friends, God is with us. We need not to be afraid what is ahead of us. The best of it is, God is with us. Finally, ascension means going up. Our mission is not only to look down but also to look up. Do not allow the concerns of this world pull you down from ascending. We cannot fly if we are overloaded. Drop all your burdens. Drain all your worries. Folks, gaze up towards heaven because like Jesus that’s where we go to someday. Do everything that will bring us to heaven! Blessings Fr. Jhack

ASK

Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter Year C John 16:23b-28 “Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” There is nothing wrong in asking. Dont be ashamed to ask. We need to ask because there are things that only the Lord can provide. Beg the Lord for He is gracious. When we ask, joy is the answer to our petitions. The Lord knows our needs but He wants us to present our deepest concerns and profound requests. What are your needs? Open your mouth and prepare to open your hands too to receive for the incoming blessings. Keep asking and wait for the right time to receive what you’re asking for. However, let us be mindful that our God is not like a vending machine. There are petitions and request of ours that were not granted not because God don’t like it but because it is for our good. When God does not answer our prayers it means He has another greater plans for us. You know what, God may not always answer the prayers we want but He will always answers the prayers we need. Prayer is not about what we want but its all about God’s will. Friends, God answers our prayers but not in the way we want it. Never stop praying because you can find the answers in prayers. Never stop praying. Always believe. Your miracles is on the way! Lord, thank you that You are listening to my prayers though it may not always be the answer I that am expecting. Thank you for giving me something much better than to what I desire. Friends, be careful what you ask God for. You just might get it. Blessings Fr. Jhack

GRADUATION CLOSING PRAYER

Most gracious and loving God, You are source of wisdom. You are the Alpha and the Omega. We thank you for everything this year 2022 especially for blessing our learnings and hard works. We thank you for keeping us safe from all the danger and harm. As we close this academic school year we humbly beg you to continue pouring out your blessings upon these graduates and their families. Bless their lives with earthly success and heavenly favours. May they seek to practice what they have learned with meekness. Grant that they may strive to be good example to others. Enable them to discern what is right. Help them to me more grateful. Empower them to walk in the truth. May their lives reflects the beauty of Your heart. Fill them with an unquenchable desire to learn your Word. And may they all continue to live lives of humility and kindness, learning and discovery, peace, love and gratefulness as they bless the world with their presence. May the paths they take always lead to you. Lord, we entrust to You the dreams and aspirations of these lovely graduates. Use them for Your greater glory. Thank you for giving them smart and wise educators. Thank you for the teachers who have shaped them intelligently. Thank you for the school administration for giving these graduate a conducive environment to learn. Thank you for all the bus drivers who patiently give these students here a safe ride. Thank you for the school non-teaching staff and personnel for their untiring support and kindness. And most especially we thank you Lord for all the proud parents here for their unceasing love express through different ways for making their children a better Christian. Thank for giving us a lovely community who relentlessly cater the gospel values, morals and sound teachings. This we pray in hope and thanksgiving through Christ our Lord. Amen. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen

YOUR PAIN WILL TURN INTO JOY

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter Year C John 16:20-23 “No one will take your joy from you.” Where is your joy? What is your joy? Who is the foundation of your joy? There is always stress in life but it’s always your choice whether you let it affect you or not. The gospel for today is the continuation of yesterday’s goodnews. Still we are reminded that we will have pain but our pain will be turned into joy. Using a mother in labor is a metaphor to suffering. “But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world.” Friends, joy is the concrete and vivid sign of the presence of God. Nobody can take it away from us. Our enemy the devil will make all the possibilities to make our life miserable and lonely but if our joy is anchored in and with Jesus, victory is ours. Again I say to you: “No one will take your joy from you.” True joy cannot be found in pleasures like sex, drugs, travels, alcohol or in buying. You know what, money, fame, prestige can’t provide ultimate joy. ONLY JESUS! Today be a joyous person. Carry that joy and spread it like a virus. Blessings Fr. Jhack

SORROW TO JOY

Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter Year C John 16:16-20 “You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices, you will grieve but your grief will turn into joy.” Today, our gospel reading is reminding us that all sufferings are only temporary-“just a while.” There is always joy after the pain. After the darkness comes the sun. After the storms comes a calm. Failure is not final. Our God cares for our sorrows. He will surely turn our grief into rejoicing. Our mourning will be transformed into dancing. Pains and struggles of whatever forms are just passing. Problems has an expiration date. Friends, whatever causes you pain, it will subside someday. Nothing will last forever. All will be well. Friends, today allow God to turn your grief into joy. Surrender to Him all your worries. There is comfort in knowing that everything is temporary. So if things are going good, enjoy it because it won’t last forever. And if it things are going bad, don’t worry it won’t last forever either. Everything is bound to end but God’s love will never end. Don’t stress yourself too much because no matter how bad the situation is....it will surely change. Embrace the struggle and let it make you stronger. Your pain is just a “little while.” This pandemic is just a “little while.” Your financial struggle is just a moment. Your emotional distress is soon to end. Your healing is on the way because your pain is just a little while. “You will grieve, but your grief will become joy.” Blessings Fr. Jhack

JESUS IS THE GLORY OF GOD

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter Year C John 16:12-15 We have a wonderful Responsorial Psalm today: “Heaven and earth are full of your glory.” It is full of God’s glory because our gospel for today reminds us that we are not orphans. Jesus told His disciples about the role of the Holy Spirit: the Spirit of truth will guide them to all truth. When we embrace the truth we give glory to God. Friends, if we live in truth we will see the glory of God. The truth will lead us to Jesus who is our glory. Today, let us guard our life against the spirit of dishonesty and insincerity. Always speak the truth. Allow the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives. The Holy Spirit will never dare us to distort the truth. When we embrace the truth we give glory to God. Speak the truth at all times. Friends, the ultimate end of our life is to display the glory of God. It is a big irony if we shine but God’s glory fade in us. Like John the Baptist let us acclaim: “He must increase I must decrease.” Blessings Fr. Jhack