GOD FIRST

Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 8:18-22 We may love our families very much and be very close to them but the greater love has to be to God. To follow Jesus would have meant leaving everything including our home. Jesus asks us to place Him above all--including occupation, family, personal desires, and aspirations. All we desire and all our work must have Christ as the focus and purpose. God must be first even before breakfast. Life is short, make the most of it and just go and follow Jesus. Life is short therefore spend it in serving the Lord. To be a disciple we must do what Jesus tells us to do. Put Christ before personal comfort, relationships and career. God first. Be willing to make Christ first in your life. Let Him your fundamental option. Friends, the password to a happy life is giving God the first part of your day, the first priority to every decision and first place in your heart. Put God first in your life and you will live joyfully. What holds you back to follow the Lord? Blessings Fr. Jhack

REJOICING JOT REFUSING

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Luke 9:51-62 The call to discipleship is not easy. It involves making sacrifices like doing things that at times are not very pleasant. But you know what, the greatest things I ever done in my life was the moment when I say yes to the call of Jesus. Like Elisha in our first reading our response to the invitation of God should be joy. Friends, when you hear God is calling you, do not REFUSE but REJOICE. Never say “excuse me” but instead say “include me.” Suffice it to say, when the Lord calls you, celebrate and rejoice because our greatest inheritance is the Lord. Today, we are challenged to follow Jesus without any reservations. Let us make an effort not an excuse for excuses are nails use to build a house of failures. Friends, let us dettach ourselves from our attachments. It is attachments that creates problems and worries. We ask the Lord to give us the grace to give up everything we have and surrender our lives to Him in the service of others. Blessings Fr. Jhack

IMMACULATE HEART OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary Year C Luke 2:41-51 Yesterday we celebrated Jesus’s Sacred Heart and today today we remember the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary's heart is intended to be a template for how we should love God. Her heart is so pure, immaculate and blessed. Let us imitate Mary's blameless heart. Today’s gospel reading is reminding us that what we lost we can found it in the temple. The temple is the right place to find what we lost. Mary and Joseph diligently search their boy among their relatives and friends but they did not knew that Jesus stayed in the temple. “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” Jesus understood that he was God’s Son even at the young age of twelve. Mary continued to ponder all these things and treasure them in her heart. Her heart was pierced but smiling. Why? Because Mary knows from the very start who Jesus is. He is the only begotten Son of God. Jesus was not lost. We are the ones who were lost because we wander every where but we failed to stay and spend time with God in the tabernacle. “Why are you searching for me” is phrase that reminds us to prioritize heavenly relationship over earthly ties. God first over everything! Seek more of His presence. His word not the world. Blessings Fr. Jhack

GOD IS GRACIOUS

Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist Luke 1:57-66,80 Today we celebrate the birth of St. John the Baptist. The name John means “God is gracious”. Today’s feast day reminds us that we have a God who can make impossible becomes posible. He is a God who never denies our longings. His timing is perfectly perfect. John was born with a mission. What’s the mission of this baptizer? He prepares people for the Lord. Like John we are encouraged to lead and draw others to Jesus not to ourselves. That is why he is known to be as the precursor of the Messiah. What lessons can we learn from the life of John the Baptist? Like him let us live in simplicity, appreciate repentance and value the importance of humility. My dear friends these are the three powerful weapons we need this time. Life is simple don’t complicate it. We are sinful, we failed so many times but keep asking for forgiveness. Don’t be ashmed to say sorry. When people appreciate us, give the credit back to God. We see John’s humility when he did not want attention on himself but directed people to Jesus. When Jesus came to John asking for baptism, John recognized Jesus at once and said, “Look, there is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” After Jesus’ baptism once again we see John turning the attention to Jesus as he declared, “He must increase, I must decrease.” (John 3:30) Finally, like John the Baptist let us be a messenger of truth. What kind of truth? He upholds the dignity of marriage and condemning the adulterous relationship of Herod and Herodias. He was beheaded because of that. So like John the Baptist don’t be aftraid to speak out the truth even if it cost your life. People may hate us but never mind because what matter most is living in truth. Friends, never tolerate any mistakes of people close to us especially if it concerns in morality. Blessings Fr. Jhack

BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS

Wednesday of the Twelve Week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets says the Lord. They are dangerous and deceptive. Watch out of fake prophets! All they want is a profit. Friends, pretending to be someone we are not is a sin and evil. How do we know who is genuine and who is fake? How to identify the genuine from fake? First, fase prohets use God’s name in vain to promote their evil agenda which is ussually connected in gaining money and popularity. Friends, just because you met them at the church does not mean they are the one. Demons go to church too. The grass looks always greener when it is fake. Watch out! Second thing, we can identify false prophets through the fruits of their labor. “You will know them by their fruits.” Today we are reminded to be cautious with people whose actions don’t match with their words. Actions show us who someone really is. Words show you who they pretend to be. The basic fault of a fake prophet is self interest. They may speak like an angel and act like a saint but if they seek less of God and more of themselves; they’re fake. False prophets will usually use God’s name to promte their evil intentions which are usually connected in gaining more profits. Watch out! False people are like clouds when they dissappear the day is much brighter. Today, let us be genuine and honest. Be who you are. When you are authentic you will be fruitful. Faithfulness and fruitfulness are what we are called into. Our mission is not only faithfulness but also fruitfulness. Watch out of fake prophets. They may speak like an angel, they may act like a saint and even look heavenly, but deep within they are ravenous wolves. Friends, be yourself because an original is worth more than a copy. Don’t pretend to be someone you are not but be someone you would be proud to know. Watch out for false prophets. Blessings Fr. Jhack

THE GOLDEN RULE

Tuesday of the Twelve Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 7:6,12-14 “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you” The road that leads to heaven is very narrow and only few people finds it. Entering the narrow gate means following Christ. The best way to find it is by keeping the “golden rule”. Jesus never said that the journey would be easy but He did say that the arrival is worthwhile. This is hard but the Lord promise us that this gate leads to life eternal. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord. How do you want others to treat you? If we want to get respect then give respect. If we wish to receive kindness then don’t be stingy in giving kindness. In short, we get what we give. So, treat others as you desire to be treated. Talk to people the way you want to be talked to. Respect is earn not given. Life is like an echo. What you sends out it comes back. What we sow, we reap, what we give we get. Therefore, radiate and give love and it will come back to you. Blessings Fr. Jhack

STOP JUDGING

Monday of the Twelve Week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 5:1-7 Mother Teresa said: “If you judge people you have no time to love them.” Judging a person does not define who they are. It defines who we are. Today’s gospel Jesus warns us not to judge others because “the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.”You harvest what you planted. You reap what you sow. Friends, be busy improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others. Nowadays, people are so quick to judge other faults but never quick to point out their own. Those who spend their time looking for the faults in others, usually spend no time to correct their own. To those that judge others, I offer this fraternal advice: stop it. Before you judge others besure that you are perfect. Stop being judgmental but try to fix what is wrong in you before you start judging others. My dear friends, counting other people sins does not make us a saint. Stop judging, start loving. Blessings Fr. Jhack

CORPUS CHRISTI

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi Sunday) Year C Luke 9:11b-17 Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. It is a Eucharistic solemnity or better called the solemn commemoration of the institution of that sacrament. It is moreover, the Church's official act of homage and gratitude to Christ who by instituting the Holy Eucharist gave to the Church her greatest treasure. In today’s gospel Jesus multiplies the bread and fish at hand and feed the hungry crowd. Nowadays, there are many people who are hungry: hunger for food, hunger for affection, hunger for peace, hunger for love, hunger for silence, hunger for acceptance, hunger for care. Today Jesus tells us, his disciples in our world today: “Give them some food yourselves.” Friends, let us be attentive to the needs of the people around us and in our world. You know what, if you don’t feel any hunger it means you are full of yourselves. Let us be food to others. Miracles always happen if we guys are willing to contribute little of what we have. “You give them something to eat.” The more we share the more we have. There is no scarcity if only we will pay attention. “And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.” You know what, one person can make a difference and everyone should try. The gospel reminds us that Eucharist is SHARING. "You give them something to eat." I believed that sharing is caring. Our life is not about accumulation but its all about contribution. Folks, the happiest people are those who do the most for others. Today is a day of sharing and compassion. Let us be bread broken for others. This is Eucharist what is all about. Christ showed compassion so must we. Second, Eucharist is GATHERING. One of the greatest miracle of the Eucharist is, it unites people together. It unites us and make us one. We gather because we believe that God will provide. Today, I challenge all the family to gather together especially during meal time. Food should unite us. Let the food like the Eucharist makes us one in mind and heart. Finally, Eucharist is THANKSGIVING. We give thanks because of the daily sustenance from above. We are grateful because the Eucharist is the vivid evidence of the real presence of God in us. "I am with you always." Let me end this reflection by quoting Pope Francis: “You pray for the hungry. Then you feed them. That’s how prayer works.” Friends, the Eucharist is the surest, safest and shortest way to heaven. NB: HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! Blessings Fr. Jhack

DON’T WORRY

Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 6:24-34 Do not worry Life is very simple so do not worry. 99% of the things you worried about don’t even happen. So relax for God is always with us. He who trust in the Lord will not be disappointed (Isaiah 49:23). Today the gospel is reminding us to put our 100% trust in God. “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” Worrying is not a good idea. The gospel does not suggest that we stop worrying but it challenges us to trust in Jesus instead. Those who leave everything in God’s hand will eventually see God’s hand in everything. Trusting God means having faith that He knows what is the best for us. As St. Pio once said: “Pray, hope and don’t worry.” Anxiety is useless faith is power. 3 reasons why we were stressed: 1. We serve the wrong master. We love wealth more than God. 2. We focus not on the Creator but we keep on chasing the ephemeral things created by the Creator. We pursue the offer of this world and neglect the promise of Jesus. 3. We never trust the ability of God to perform wonders and miracles in our life. Worry undermines our confidence in God. Worry will freeze God’s blessings in you. Anxiety is futile, be allergic to it. CONCLUSION: Depend on the Lord, trust Him and He will take care of you. (Psalm 37:5) Friends, if you are struggling right now remember this: God will always provide. His ways are often different than our own but He always provides. It just might different than what we have in mind but He will supply all our needs. Whatever causes you to worry, give it to God and sleep. Don’t worry because worry is incompatible with being a Christian. If we’re worried it means we never trust the Lord. Worry undermines faith. To get rid of worries rely solely on the hope of heavenly grace. Be a warrior not a worrier! Trust the Lord and He will take care of you. Worry ends when faith in God begins. Blessings Fr. Jhack

TREASURES IN HEAVEN

Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 6:19-23 Where is your treasure? Nowadays, most of us are more incline to materialism. We have the tendency to accumulate and amass something. Infact, large number of people seem to believe that material wealth is the solution and answer to every problem. Materialism is buying things we do not need with money we dont have to impress people that don’t matter. Today, Jesus in the gospel reminds us:“Do not store up treasures for yourself here on earth.” Friends, be mindful that finite things cannot quench infinite longings. What is not eternal is eternally useless. Our real treasure is not what we possess but the God who owns us. The most important things are not things! Remember that folks. Store up treasures in heaven. That is the very message of today’s gospel. Those who lays up treasures in heaven looks forward to eternity. And the way to store up treasure in heaven is in investing people getting there. My dear friends, if material things are what you are talking about when you say “I am blessed.” You have no idea what blessing is. Jesus is our real treasure. Today, never allow earthly treasure corrupts your hearts. Blessings Fr. Jhack

ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time Year C Mt 6:7-15 Prayer is not a multiplication of words. Jesus told His disciples “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them.” In short, pray without using words. Why? Because the Lord knows our needs before we ask him. Even if we dont make a sound God still hears. Do not believe that the more words we say during our prayer it makes our petitions better. Take note, silence is the language of God. Prayer us not about the quantity of our words but it us all about the quality of our trust. For me prayer is not more on words but of actions. When we smile at someone that is prayer. When we give somebody a ride, that is prayer. When we phone someone thats prayer. When we prepare food for our family that is prayer. When you give someone a thumbs up, that is prayer. When we obey traffic rules that is prayer. Prayer is where the action is. Remember prayer is a verb not an adjective. Without action prayer is powerlesss. My dear friends please pray ASAP. Always Say A Prayer Conclusion: When you pray make it SHORT, SPECIFIC and SINCERE. Blessings Fr. Jhack