WHY TO FORGIVE?

Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 18:21–19:1 Three things I would like to share today. First, forgiveness is not equivalent to forgetfulness. Forgetting is not forgiving. Forgiving means loving. It is an act of genuine love. Friends, forgiving is the highest form of loving. When we have someone whom we are not in good terms with, don’t be sad because enemies are ladder for our holiness. When you have enemies it means God is giving you the chance and opportunity to enter the kingdom of God. Second, forgiveness is unlimited. Jesus points out that forgiveness knows no limit. The limit of mercy is limitless. Its infinite. Friends, forgiveness is a way in which we align our life with God’s life. Never give up to forgive. Dont get tired to apologize. Let go of the thoughts and fantasies of revenge. Finally, forgiveness brings us healing. The secret of a happy, healthy and long life rest in forgiveness. If we want to live long, practice forgiveness everyday. If we want to be heathy, make forgiveness as your daily exercise. If we wish to be happy, dont keep the records of pains and hurts. Release them by forgiving. Challenge: Go and reconcile. Say sorry and be sincere with your apology. Blessings Fr. Jhack

FEAST OF ST. LAWRENCE

Wednesday within the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Feast of St. Lawrence John 12:24–26 “Those who love their life lose it” The purpose of life is not to live but to give life for others. There is something wrong in us if we live just to acquire possessions, attain status, achieve success and experience happiness. Our life is all about loving and serving God. “Whoever serves me, the Father will honour." I remember a famous preacher Rick Warren said: “Without God life has no purpose, and without purpose life has no meaning, without meaning life has no significance.” My friends, today’s gospel teaches us the following: First, don’t forget to live before you die. The best way to live is to be productive. Secondly, love eternal life more than earthly existence. Third, follow Jesus and finally, be a servant. Desire to serve than to be served. Blessings Fr. Jhack

3P’s TO RESOLVE CONFLICT

Wednesday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 18:15-20 “If your brother or sister sins against you, you should go and talk with them about the situation.” It is not easy to speak out. It is not that comfortable to correct others. They may hate us because of that. We may have enemies when we do it in a wrong way. Today’s gospel reading teaches us the right christian approach in dealing with internal conflicts with members who erred. The formula is very basic and simple. First, engage in a dialogue. Initiate a personal PRIVATE conversation between the two of you. The offended party must talk directly to the offender and have a private chat. Friends, converse but not confront. “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” Guys, if you have problems and issues with your leader; go to your leader. Fix the friction and the tension. Approach and have a private conversation with your leader. If you have problem with the banana, go and talk to the banana not to the apple. You know what I mean? Our problem however is this: we ignore! We keep our distance. We skip rule number one and we proceed to step two without completing first the stage one. Friends, if you have an issues with your boss talk to your boss not to his secretary. If you have disagreement with your parish priest, talk directly to your pastor. Bringing the issue directly to a higher authority is not a healthy and charitable move. That’s unfair! This is following the law of subsidiarity. You know what, the best gift to heal our hurts and pains is a simple dialogue. For me, it is the most effective way of resolving conflict. Second, “if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” It means look for a PARTNER to help you settle the disputes. A partner may represent a friend, an elder, an expert or someone you trusted. Folks, we are responsible for one another. Frank Clark once said: “Critism like rain should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without deatroying his roots.” Finally, if he refuses give him another chance by asking the support of the community. Bring the issue to PUBLIC and ask the wisdom of the group. Our job is to win our erring brethren back. We have to reach out and encourage them back to the faith. If we are going to bring out the best in people, we too need to sow the seeds of encouragement. Friends, train yourself to find a blessing in everything. If the the 3 P’s failed, bring it constantly to your PRAYERS! Don’t stop to win your friend back again! Blessings Fr. Jhack

BE LITTLE

Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 18:1-5,10,12-14 Whenever we hear the word “great” we ussually attribute it to size, strength, power, ability, achievements, etc. How do we achieve greatness? Friends, greatness is not found in possession, power, position or prestige. Greatness is discovered in humility, goodness, service and character. We come nearest to greatness when we are great in humility. Greatness, in the spiritual sense, is associated with littleness and humility. And humility is the mother of giants. If we wish to be great, be little! If we don’t know how to bent we are not fit to enter God’s kingdom. The gate of heaven of very low, only those who are humble can enter it. Among Jesus' greatest concerns was his care for the weak and the little ones. Friends, the path of humility is the road that leads towards greatness. “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” Blessings Fr. Jhack

RISE AGAIN

Monday of Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 17:22-27 “But He will rise on the third day.” In today’s gospel, the disciples were unable to cope with news of Jesus’ sufferings. They were devastated but the story says: “He will rise on the third day.” There will always be difficulties in our journey but I always believe that better days are always coming our ways. Trials always followed by triumph. Death is always followed by the resurrection. Just as night is temporary so is hardship and suffering. Folks, suffering may inflict us but it has an expiration date. Just because it is stormy now it does not mean that you are not headed for sunshine. Stay positive, bitter days will be gone and better days are on their way. There is always comfort in knowing that everything including suffering is temporary. Blessings Fr. Jhack

BE PREPARED

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Luke 12:32-48 “Be prepared, for the Son of Man will come when you do not expect Him.” Friends, life is unpredictable and we never know what is coming next. Don’t be ever get too comfortable. Always be ready. Opportunity comes only once, so “Stay awake for you do not know the day nor the hour.” Today I have 3-C’s to share with you. First, we need to be CONSISTENCY. Consistent actions creates consistent result. Folks, be consistent in our life of holiness. Be consistent in your faith, love, smiles and good works. Second, try to avoid COMPLACENCY (showing uncritical satisfactions). Complacency is the kiss of death. Friends, better safe than sorry. Once the door is close and lock no more bargainings. Dont be lazy. There is no holiness in laziness.Those unprepared will not receive a second chance. Victory loves preparation. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Folks, never postpone. Dont love “Manana habit” and guys be allergic to procrastination. Finally, if we are consistent and trying to shun complacency expect a CONGRATULATORY compliments. Since you are wise welcome to the banquet. The door is widely open. Enjoy. Those who are faithfull will always be successful. “Blessed are the servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.” Blessings Fr. Jhack

PRAYER CHANGES EVERYTHING

Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Year C TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS Mark 9:2-10 “And while He was praying, the aspect of His face was changed and His clothing became dazzling white.” Today we celebrate inadvance the feast of the Transfiguration. The gospel tells us that the cause of Jesus’ transfiguration was PRAYER. Friends, like Jesus we also have our mountain to journey into. We have lots of mountains in life. Mountain may represents challenges in life, hindrances in faith, problems and doubts. Sometimes these mountains are in us. Folks, don’t let this mountain cover us. Just continue to make a journey towards its peak. Amidst of the challenges keep going. When we encounter challenges the best thing to do is not to walk but to kneel. Prayer is the cure for the confused mind, a strenght for a weary soul and a medicine to a broken heart. “If life gets too hard to stand, then kneel.” Friends, let us not underestimate the power of prayer. I watched a movie entitled “Heaven is real.” It is a story of a boy who shared his extraordinary life changing experience. This young boy Colton claims visited heaven during a near death experience. Today our gospel gives us a beautiful picture of heaven. It is GLORIOUS. Folks, keep your connection to heaven by constantly and faithfully listening to the Beloved Son of God through prayers. Blessings Fr. Jhack

NO CROSS NO CROWN

Friday within the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 16:24-28 In today’s gospel, Jesus tells his disciples: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. Three things I would like to share. 1. Deny yourself. God wants us to give up the ways of the world because He has something much better for us. To gain, we must give up. When we choose to follow the Lord we have to renounce everything that are not necessary in following Him. If we do not learn to deny ourselves we can make no progress in perfection. Christian life is not about self promotion but self denial. Ourself is no longer the most imporatant thing in the world but the others and Jesus. No more selfies! To live forever, we must die. Friends, if we give up worldly life we will surely gain life eternal. 2. Take up your cross. The Lord does not promise us bed of roses. He is inviting us to carry our cross daily. Crosses may represent relationship imbalance, illness, spiritual crisis, financial worries, family difficulties, depression, joblessness etc. You know what, dont be afraid of the cross because those who have crosses are the strongest person in the world. Brethren, remember this-No cross, no crown. Your greatest burdens will be your greatest blessings. Your greatest trials will become your greatest triumph. If you carry your cross joyfully, it will carry you. There will be sufferings but its only temporary. It has an expiration date. Storms dont last forever. 3. Follow the Lord Folks, follow the Lord not people. Follow the Lord not the world. Follow Him and prosperity, blessings and abundance will overflow in you. Turn away from Him and you will perish. “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul.” Brothers and sisters, make space for what matters. Start your journey with Jesus now. Blessings Fr. Jhack

WHO JESUS IS?

Thursday within the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 16:13-23 Feast of St. John Marie Vianney Do you know who Jesus is? Who is this man for you? Two things I would like to share today. First, knowing someone is essentially crucial in our life. There is comfort in knowing Jesus. Friends, Jesus is asking His disciples a question not because He wanted to impress them but He wanted to reveal the truth of God. The confession of Peter declares and confirmed that indeed He is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. The gospel is teaching us that there must be something in us that other people might know. We don’t need to tell them, they should be able. Second, our Church founded by Jesus himself is a genuine and strong Church. “I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it”. Many people wanted to destroy this Church but until now it stands firm, strong and alive. The true church can never fail if it is founded on true foundation. It remains strong because of you. Folks, church is who we are, not where we go. Church’s vitality is not measured by how many people filled the pews but rather how much those people are filled with Jesus. Finally, Peter was reproached by Jesus after receiving a compliments because his plan is not in accordance to God’s plan. “Never, Lord! No. This must never happen to you.” Obviously, he does not want Jesus to suffer. Friends, sometimes we are like Peter because our plans are not in line with God’s plan. We think not as God’s. Most of our plans are earthly not heavenly. If you know Jesus, you will accompany Him even until the cross! Guys, do not be afraid to suffer. Avoiding the cross is the essence of the demonic. Embrace the cross. Learn to accept the storms of your life. Lord, I will stay with you even if everybody is leaving. In you I remain. Blessings Fr. Jhack

BE PERSISTENT

Wednesday within the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 15: 21-28 Dont be discouraged. Be persistent. This is what I think the message of today’s gospel. Friends, if you’re dreaming of something that is impossible to attain this message is really perfect for you. If you find life burdensome and you are planning to quit, today’s gospel is perfect for you. Are there people around you instead of helping and encouraging you they are trying to put you down? Well, listen to the Words of Jesus for you today. Keep trying! Never give up. Find a way to make it happen. Always live for your dreams. Don’t give up because of a single bad page in your life. Your story doesnt end in that one bad page. If your plan does not work, change the plan but never the goal. Keep going. Don’t give up, just because of the negative comments you heard from others. Use that as a motivation to push harder. Stars can’t shine without darkness because most of the time; the darkness night produces the brightest star. Theres always different faces of problems but if you are not giving up, God will surprise you with a great prize. “Let it be done for you as you wish.” Remember this: It is difficult to wait but I think it is more painful to regret. Friends, keep your eyes on the prize not on the problems. Fix your eyes to your success not to the hindrances. Keep forward and never mind of the dogs that bark. Finally, if we have problems seek directly the help of the master not of his servants. Go straight to the boss not to the associates. Approach immediately president not his representatives and cabinet members. Jesus is the only solutions to all our miseries in life. Seek God alone. Blessings Fr. Jhack

RITUAL PURITY

Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Mt 15:1-2, 10-14 “It is not what you eat that defiles you” It is not what goes into our mouths that makes us ‘unclean’. The problem is not the stomach, but the heart. If we watch our physical figure but never watch our spiritual fitness there is something wrong with our spiritual life. Defilement is moral and spiritual, not physical. If you have red lips but with dirty mouth your lipstick is useless. If we dress up with branded and expensive clothes but we make our body a temple of wickedness, we are like a “devil wearing prada”. Jesus said, if you want to be concerned about things that defile - look into your hearts for the cause of real impurity. Moral cleanliness is more important than ritual purity. Do not be a blind guide folks. (Our worship is meaningless if our practices is just for display. Our going to the church is just a mere show if on the other hand we are dishonest, unfaithful to each other, having an illicit affairs, we keep on swearing, lustful etc.) Friends, let us internalized our externals. My dear kababayans, becareful with what seeds you allow to take root in the garden of your heart. Not all seeds bear good fruit. Your life is your garden. Your thoughts are the seed. If your life is not awesome you have been watering not the seeds but the weeds. Fellow sinner, our heart needs the help of heaven. Let us cry out to Jesus right now and ask Him to make us clean in and out. Blessings Fr. Jhack