FOLLOW JESUS

Sermon#2 January 15, 2022 Saturday of the First week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 2:13-17 Today’s gospel is reminding us of this wonderful truth: Jesus came not for the righteous but for the sinners. This is of greatnews because it is telling us that we are God’s favorite. We are God’s preferential option. He loves sinners like you and me. The call of Levi reminds us of three important points. First, God does not want us to be perfect. He just want us to follow him. Friends, perfection is not a requirement to follow the Lord. Hence, don’t strive for perfection. Never be discouraged with your imperfections and limitations because that’s precisely the main reason why Jesus came. “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Second, when we decide to follow the Lord expect some rejections, criticisms and persecutions. Not all will be happy with your decision. Your friends will mocked you, laughed at joy and ostracized you but don’t worry because God is on your side. If you have God, that’s what matter most. Job lost everthing but God returned it beyond his expectation. He was blessed abundantly. Joseph lost his entire family but God place him in the palace of Egypt. He was an instrument of saving Canaan from severe hunger. His brothers sold him but Jospeh ended up king. Levi lost his job but he found the Lord. Friends, if you have God you have everything! Having the Lord is having everything. Finally, when we found the Lord always celebrate. Have a party. Like Levi, rejoice and invite the Lord to dine with you. Friends, the Eucharist is always a party because it is a wonderful celebration where in the sinner and Saviour met. The Eucharist is an encounter of the mercy of God towards the sinners. Love triumphs over sins. The Eucharist is a vissible proof of the supremacy of God’s love to the imperfect. You onow what, the happiest time of my life is when I decided to follow the Lord. I have no regrets of my decision. The best decision I ever made. Blessings Fr. Jhack

I AM GOD’S FAVORITE!

January 15, 2022 Saturday of the First week in Ordinary Time Year C Mark 2:13-17 In today’s gospel Jesus calls a man named Levi, a tax collector. Collecting tax during the time of Jesus is the most hated profession. Tax collectors were labelled as “beast in human form.” People hates them because they were greedy, dishonest, extortionist and corrupt. They were looked upon as traitors. Often, they over-collected and keeping the surplus for themselves. The calling of Levi is a great reminder for all of us: For Jesus what matter most is you, not your sins. What God knows about us is more important than what others thinks of us. God knows your heart and that’s all that really matters. Today’s gospel shows us that Jesus loves the most despised individual. He befriend the unfriendly, He welcomes the unwelcomed and pickup the unlikely. “I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” The call is very simple; just two words, “Follow me.” He does not expect us to be perfect, he just want us to follow Him. This is an invitation to build up relationship with Him. Friends, perfection is not a requirement to follow the Lord. When we met Jesus like Levi, let us leave our old sinful lifestyle. Levi lost his job but he found the Lord. Its like in our first reading for today. The donkey of Kish was lost but Samuel found the crown. Friends, when we found Jesus get ready to have a party. Celebrate! But I warned you my dear friends because when we associate with sinners you will always met rejections and criticisms. There will be religious hypocrites who will attact you but dont worry because our God is a scandalous Saviour. He came for you and for me and not for the righteous. We, sinners are the recepient of God’s mercy. If God has a favorite I think its you, I bet! NB: You may not perfect but God loves you. Never be discouraged with your imperfections because that’s the reason why Jesus came. Blessings Fr. Jhack

FORGIVEN

January 14, 2022 Friday of the First week in Ordinary Time Mark 2:1-12 “My son, your sins are forgiven.” One of the most life-giving word that Jesus did in the Gospel for today is about forgiveness of sins. We are challenge today to set ourselves free from the slavery of unforgiveness. Why? Because sin makes us immobile. Sin paralyses us. Folks, what makes you paralyse? Today’s gospel is reminding us that anything is possible if you have the right people there to support you. Brethren, sorround yourself only with people who are going to lift you close to Jesus. Today we are encouraged to help the helpless. Shed hope to the hopeless. Be the hands that feed not only the lips that pray. Friends, no matter how sinful we are, never give up on asking forgiveness from God. What God wants for us is our faith: “ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, Child, your sins are forgiven.” Our sins are not greater than His mercy. There is more mercy in Christ than sins in us. Finally, the gospel is reminding us that compassion will cure more sins than condemnation. God cares about us. No matter how bad and messed up our past was, God promises a better future. “Stand up! Pick up your mat and go home!” Prayer: Lord, if I hurt others give me the strenght to apologize. If others hurt me may you give me the strength to forgive. Blessings Fr. Jhack Diaz

Dirty but loved.

Thursday of the First Week of Ordinary Time Mark 1:40-45 Year A Lepers were outcasts. They were socially and religiously isolated. Nobody wants to be with them. Why? Because they were considered dirty and dangerous to be with. Its like being infected of COVID 19. Their presence is risky and deadly. Thus, keeping your distance from them is the only safest way to do. (Social distancing) But I love what Jesus did: “Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand and touched him.” Jesus knew that touching a leper will made him ritually unclean but His compassion is more powerful than what the law prescribed. He goes beyond the law. Jesus is showing us that love is the greatest law. Friends place your trust in Jesus for He will not fail us. Just approach Him and say: “Lord if You choose, you can make me clean.” Nowadays, we do not have leprosy issues literally speaking. However, countless number of people are and were suffering from isolation. Perhaps, you are one of them! Good number of individuals were ignored, avoided and neglected. Many children wants to be isolated from their parents. They found their parents annoying and irritating. On the other hand, many parents too are distancing themselves from their parental responsibility. Many company fired their workers for financial instability. Many individuals were isolated from each other because of different reasons perhaps because of anger, pride, social status, beliefs, sin, addictions, etc. Isolation is the modern leprosy. Today, Jesus is challenging us to reach out and touch those individuals we typically avoided. Friends, do we have the courage to be with the people ignored and isolated by many? Move and strech out your hands. Do not be comforted in living life invisibly. Today is the right time to approach the one you have been avoided and ignored in life. Friends, what keeps you or separates you from each others? Conclusion: God loves dirty people. God is here to cleanse us. You know what, we dont need healing, what we need is cleansing. “Lord if You choose, you can make me clean.” Friends, we have a compassionate God. He wants to be with the outcast. Today, Jesus is teaching us this lesson: Compassion is the solution not condemnation and isolation. Compassion is a verb with no boundaries. Never mind if you are dirty, come to Jesus. Why? Because to be far away from Jesus is the saddest isolation. Blessings Fr. Jhack

Don’t be Lazy

Wednesday of the First week in Ordinary Time Mark 1:29-39 Today’s gospel reading present to us how busy and productive Jesus was. He was nit tired of healing the sick. From sundown to sunrise he makes himself available preaching and teaching, casting out demons and spending time in prayer. Indeed it was a hectic and productive day. Today allow me to share 3P’s with you. First, like Jesus always remember your PRIORITIES in life. What is your goal? Execute your purpose. Focus onnyour targe. Know what matters most and invest your time feeding your focus. Like Samuel in today’s first reading serve the Lord and be ready to answer Yes when He calls you. Like Jesus never waste your time. Like the mother-in-law of Peter when your body is physically able and fit spend it in serving those who help you. Friends, it is wonderful to be blessed but it is more awesome to be a blessing. Second, when you know your priorities you will always be PRODUCTIVE. That’s the second P stands for. Production will destroy the influence of laziness in our life. Whether we like or not, sometimes we have the tendency to do nothing. There is in us the unwillingness to use our energy. We have dull moments. We lost our passion and interests. Keepmthis in mind that laziness is the mothers of all evils. Three signs to determine that you are influence by laziness. One, you have an excuse for everything. Two, you always procrastinate and third, you are allergic to change. You hate commitments and no lists of specific tasks. Never be lazy because there is no holiness in laziness. Final P is PRAYER. Jesus amidst of his hectic schedules he never forget to refuel. Prayer is our spiritual battery. Like Samuel just say: “Speak Lord your servant is listening.” Friends, don’t be lazy to pray. Time spent with God is priceless. Time with God is time well spent. Blessings Fr. Jhack

CARE IS CURE

Wednesday of the First week in Ordinary Time Mark 1:29-39 Our gospel present to us how busy Jesus was. After He left the synagogue He went to the house of Simon and He heals Simon’s mother-in-law. I love how Jesus did the healing. “He came, grasped her hand and help her up.” Today we are reminded that miracles and healings are possible when there is an encounter (personal touch.) When someone is sick the most effective medicine is our presence. Friends, when we care we can cure. Care is cure! After all His hectic ministry, Jesus went to a deserted place and there He prayed. Friends, Jesus is reminding us that amidst of our busy schedules let us not forget to spent time with God. Nobody is too busy, it is just a matter of priorities. Nobody is ever too busy, if they are interested they will make time. Let us always start our day with consultation with God through prayer. Friends, never start your program without an opening prayer. Don’t eat without thanking God first for the good in your table. Never start driving without praying. Today find time to go to your desserted places and there speak to the Lord. Time spent with God is priceless! The way we spend our time defines who we are. NB: Don’t be lazy. There is no holiness in laziness. Blessings Fr. Jhack

God is powerful

January 11, 2022 Tuesday of the First week in Ordinary Time Mark 1:21-28 Our gospel speaks of three important reality. First, evil spirit exists. They are real. Devil is at work and its around us. Their job is to destroy us, to discourage us, to make our life miserable and seduce us not to believe and worship the true God. Every Tuesday night during my priestly duty to pray the Liturgy of the Hours (night prayers) the reading from 1 Peter 5:8-9a is reminding me to: “Stay sober and alert because our opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. “ Friends, evil spirits exist but do not be scared! They will only scare us but cannot defeat us because we are God’s children. Second, noise is the laguage of the devil. The devil loves to shout. They like to scream and to yell. Today the gospel is teaching us to appreciate the importance of silence. Friends, stop yelling. Raise your words but not your voice. Dont raise your voice just improve your argument. Speak quietly so that everybody can hear your message. If everyone is yelling no one can be heard. Raising our voice will never make things better. Friends, shouting is the language of the devil. Shouting and yelling silences our message. Let us speak quitely so that other people can hear our words instead of our voice. Stop yelling and avoid swearing please. Third, the devil knows God. “I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” They knew God but they dont obey and follow Him. Friends, knowing God is far different from obeying Him. Most of us had the evil in us because we are only good in the knowing level but failed on the doing stage. The greatest gap in the world is the gap between knowing and doing. Friends, doing is far better than knowing! Conclusion: Yes evil spirit exist but God is more powerful than them. God is stronger than them. As a matter of fact our gospel present to us how terrified the evil spirits are with Jesus. Friends, there are always an influences of evil in us but do not to be afraid because God is more powerful than them. God is here to drive them away. No evil can destroy the Son of God. Combat evil with good. Lord keep me safe from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet. Blessings Fr. Jhack

“Come. Follow me.”

Monday of the First week in Ordinary Time Mark 1:14-20 “Come. Follow me.” The invitation, “follow me,” is the invitation to leave behind our nets, our boats, and even our family. Today we are reminded that to change our life we have to change our priorities. “Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” We never get anywhere new as long as we’re unwilling to leave where we are. We accept Jesus’ invitation to follow, not by packing up but by letting go. The call to follow Jesus is the call to discipleship. It means that we have to put Jesus first; we have to give Him our total loyalty, unquestionable obedience and complete trust. Friends, God promise us new life don’t exchange God’s invitation with something else. Finally, when we choose to follow Christ, it means we choose to be changed. May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. People don’t realize how important decisions are until they make the wrong ones. Friends, choosing to follow Jesus is a decision we will never regret. Take note of this: When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place. Our decision defines our destiny. Who youbare yoday is the product of your choice. You know what, I have no regrets with my decision in life. Blessings Fr. Jhack

Live life to express not to impress.

Saturday After Epiphany John 3:22-30 John clearly understands that his mission is to prepare the way for the Christ. He knew who he was in the sight of God: A precursor! He considered himself as someone working happily at the background. Friends, John the baptist is teaching us this message: everything we do, does not need to be seen or heard. Work behind the scene. Live life to express not to impress. John clearly understands that the Christ will “increase” and his role will “decrease.” Friends, as Christians, our mission is to make Christ known and not ourselves. Our mission is to promote Jesus. Today, we are challenge to rejoice in decreasing. Work even nobody noticed you. Never stop doing your best just because someone does not gives you the credit. Work hard in silence. Let success make the noise. Stay humble. People who shines from within does not need a spotlight. Friends, do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Climb the mountain so you can see the world not so the world can see you. The higher we are placed, the more humbly we should walk; for a great man always willing to be little. “He must increase,I must decrease.” Blessings Fr. Jhack

NEVER FORGET TO PRAY

Friday after Epiphany Luke 5:12-16 I would like to focus my reflection on the last paragraph of today’s gospel. “The wird about Jesus spread abroad, many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured if their diseases but he would WITHDREw to deserted place and pray.” The healing that Jesus did attracts great crowd including non-believers. Pagans were also attracted to Jesus. The news went viral. It spread abroad. Jesus was not only the talk of the town but also the topic abroad. People wants to be with him but I loved what he did. “He withdrew to deserted place and PRAY.” Three points that I would like to share. First, The life of Jesus is reminding us that it is more important to do good than to be known. To do good is much better than to be famous. Friends, do good not to be popular but because it is the right one. Jesus withdrew because he wanted to reminds us that good deeds should be done with intention not for attention. Do your good deeds quietly. Showing off, displaying our acts of kindness, boasting and flaunting our achievements, posting our charities and bragging or flaunting are NOT the ways of Jesus. “He WITHDREW to the deserted place and PRAY.” Second, when the world gives you the chance to be popular, NEVER FORGET TO PRAY. When the world gives younthe opportunity to be famous, NEVER FORGET TO PRAY. When you reach the zenith of prominence and the peak of prestige, NEVER FORGET TO PRAY. Why? Because our first reading reminds us that God’s testimony is greater that man’s. Friends, God’s clap is better than the world’s thunderous applause. The testimony of God is the best! Today try to find your deserted place and pray. Finally, when you pray imitate the leper’s example. “He bowed with his face to the ground and begged Him, Lord if you choose, you can make me clean.” Ask for cleansing rather than for healing. “If you choose you can make me clean.” Pray for cleansing. Why? Because many were healed but not cleansed. Many recovered but still dirty. This is the grace that we ask today. Lord make me clean. If it is your will so be it. Amen. NB: Kindly share this to your fb friends and tag those who are hungry of God’s Word. Let us clean the dirt and mess in social media by being a cyber missionary. Be a channel of change. Make God’s Word viral. Help me spread the goodnews of our faith😇 Blessings Fr. Jhack

Be made clean

January 7, 2022 Friday After Epiphany Luke 5:12-16 “I do will it. Be made clean.” All of our sickeness can be healed if we humble ourselves and beg God for healing. Nowadays, there is an illness worst than leprosy and I called it SIN. It is more dreadful than leprosy. Friends, sin makes us dirty but our gospel present to us the love and mercy of God. “I do want to heal you!” It is good to ask ourselves: What areas in my life that needs cleaning and healing? We might be the modern leepers of today but our God always come near to us. We have a God who touches the untouchables and love the unlovable. Friends come to Jesus. Give Him your weakness and He will give you His strenght. Give God your sins and get ready to be healed right away. Friends, don’t repeat what we can’t repair. Finally, the healing that Jesus did attracts great crowd of people. The news went viral. It spread all over. He was the talk of the town. But I loved what Jesus did: “He withdraw to deserted places to pray.” Jesus is telling us that it is more important to do good than to be known and popular. Being famous has its benefits but fame is not one of them. Brethren, when the world give you chance to be popular never forget to pray. God’s clap is better than the world’s applause. Work for a cause not for an applause! NB: Isolation is the problem now. Many are isolated. The cure for isolation is compassion. Couple please sleep together. Your bed should be double not single. Sleep in a double bed. Never be comforted in sleeping alone. You are meant to be with one another unless you made a vow of celibacy. Blessings Fr. Jhack