TURN TO THE LORD NOW

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent Year C Luke 11:29-32 “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus compares himself to Jonah calling people for conversion. This (our) generation is an evil one because often we are deaf and blind to God’s invitation to conversion and call to the call of repentance. Instead of making ourselves better, we always asked for a signs. Friends, if we recognized Jesus there should be a sign of repentance and conversion in us. It is an evil generation because we always postpone our repentance. We always delayed our conversion. We always have the tendency to procrastinate. We live our life as if God never exist. The best way to get something done is to begin. Procrastinations is an opportunity’s assasin. Delaying is not the answer; it will add another problems. If we wait until we’re ready, we will be waiting for the rest of our lives. We maybe evil like Niniveh but if we are not complacent we will be saved. Today’s generation is an evil but we can save our generation by turning to the Lord. When we repent and change for good we are actually saving not only ourselves but also our family and our country too. Repentance pleases God, do it now! Action will destroy our procrastination. Save your soul! Blessings Fr. Jhack

HOW TO PRAY

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent Year C Matthew 6:7-15 Prayer is not a multiplication of words. It is not a formula for vocal recitation nor a blue print of vain repititions. It is not a litany of petitions either because our Father already knows our needs before we ask. Friends, prayer is not all about what we wanted but what God wants for us. Jesus teaches us that it is not the amount of words, nor the time we spend but faith that is important. Brethren, Jesus loves short and simple prayers but with sincerity of intentions and holiness of heart. Friends, when you pray make it short. Precise but concise! Second thing, when we pray avoid being seen. Do it between you and God. The Scribes and Pharisees wanted the people to think they were pious and close to God, so they made it their practice to pray in such a way as to be seen by men. They went into the synagogues and made a show out of their prayers. What was important to them was what the people thought not God. This is hypocrisy! Finally, time spent in prayer is never wasted. You will never regret the time you spent with God. In this season of Lent let us strenghten our relationship with God through prayer. Friends, never doubt the power of prayer! Be sincere with your prayers. Your sincerity is proven when you learn how to forgive those who mistreat you. Your sincerity is ratified when you forgive your enemies. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Conclusion: In praying be short, be specific and be sincere. Blessings Fr. Jhack

HELP OTHERS

Monday of the First Sunday of Lent Year C Matthew 25:31-46 “Whatever you have done to the very least of my brothers you have done to me” St. John Chrysostom once said: “If you do not recognized Jesus in the beggar at the church door, neither will you find Him in the Chalice.” Jesus identifies with each one. Jesus is already present but in disguise in every person. In today’s gospel Jesus makes it clear that what we do or do not do for others is a significant determining factor for our future. We will be judged according to our love and service done for others. We will be judged by our deeds not by our words. It is our actions not our words that matter. Our choices determines our future. We have the power to choose to help others or to ignore them and their needs. Friends, let us be mindful of the needy around us or else we are missing the whole point of living. We show our love for Jesus by loving and serving other people. Be a sheep in the midst of goats. CONCLUSION: Those who shut their ears and refuse to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. Proverbs 21:13 Blessings Fr. Jhack

TEMPTATION

First Sunday of Lent Year C Luke 4:1-13 Three things I would like to share: 1. Temptation is a part of our life. Its everywhere and it exist anytime. Satan is always at work. The closer we are to God the more we will be tempted but when when we are tempted don’t be discouraged. Don’t give up! The more we resist the more it persists. It is easier to avoid temptation than to resist it. 2. Tempation is like in a wilderness. It ussually attacks when we are alone, lonely, powerless, depress, and sad. The devil knows our weakness. He knows our achiles hill and human loopholes. Frinds, if you noticed most of our sins are repetitive. We confess same sins again. We do it again and again. The devil always appears good looking. He will disguise as an angel. This is what I called “apparent good.” Appears to be good but it’s wicked and evil in its totality. Becareful! Don’t play game with the devil. 3. Temptation is not a sin. Jesus was tempted yet He never sinned. For me temptation is an inclination to sin-an invitation to commit sin. Take note of this, when we are tempted, God is giving us an opportunity to do good because every tempatation is a chance to prove that we are good. Every tempation is an opportunity to enter the kingdom of heaven. Every tempation is an opportunity to trust God. We have trials but if we trust in God we will be triumphant. Conclusion: In our life there are two spirits fighting each other-the wild beast and the angel. One is pushing us to do evil and the other telling us to stay good. One is enticing us shouting “come on do it” while the other is preventing us whispering “dont.” Warning, Satan does NOT like our getting close to God and will do anything to derail our attempts at holiness. Don’t save your body by selling your soul. What to do now? “Repent and believe in the good news”. Blessings Fr. Jhack

GOD IS ENOUGH

Saturday after Ash Wednesay Luke 5-27-32 Better a humble sinner than a self righteous saint. Our Gospel present to us two different types of persons- the sinner (Levi) and the self-rigtheous (Pharisees). The sick and those who pretend to be healthy. In today’s gospel it tells us that Jesus did not come to call the righteous. He is here for the sick. “Those who are well have no need of a physician”. He is inviting us to follow Him. Have yourself check to our Divine physician. Levi was an outcast, unwanted, despised, hated because of his profession. Someone no one wants to be around. You know what, our sins makes us the modern Levi but I have goodnews to tell you-the world may not care about us but God does. Yes, He does! He hates our sins but He loves us. I made mistakes, I messed up, I am not perfect but God’s grace is perfect and greater than my sins. We maybe a great sinner but the goodnews is, we have a greater savior. When Jesus invited Levi to follow Him; Levi left everything and gave a great banquet in his house. Levi understand that Jesus is more important than his wealth and his career. Friends, like Levi repent and rejoice. When we found Jesus we have the great reason to celebrate and initiate a party. The Eucharist is always party because it is celebration of a sinner who found a saviour. "Eucharist is 'not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak”. (Pope Francis) Brothers and sisters don’t miss to attend the party everyday. Jesus is waiting for you! Blessings Fr. Jhack

FASTING BRINGS US CLOSER TO GOD.

Friday after Ash Wednesay Matthew 9:14-15 Today our gospel is reminding us that when we fast we don’t need to compare what were doing. “Why do we and Pharisees fast often but your disciples do not fast?” Stop comparing, do your thing! Comparison is a thief of joy. Second, don’t complain if others are not fasting. Complaining never makes anything better. If were comparing and keep on complaining such fasting will not make your voice heard on high. Such fasting is not acceptable and pleasing to the Lord. There is a bit of Pharisaic attitude in us. We fast but we complain. We fast but we compare our piety to others. We love to post in social media our piety. We dont have to post it to prove it. Its an irony if we are faithful in fasting but the Lord is far from our lives. Finally, our gospel tells us that to be with Jesus is a thing of joy. “The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them.” Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God. Its the echo of God’s life in us. Celebrate and choose joy because happiness is not enough. Blessings Fr. Jhack

CHOOSE WELL

Thursday After Ash Wednesday Luke 9:22-25 I find our Responsorial for today very reassuring. “Happy are they who hope in the Lord.” Following the Lord is not an easy commitment. Observing our lenten piety is a challenge. Sometimes it is difficult to renounce the lures of worldly appetites. Temptation is very alluring. Indeed, life is a mixture of good and evil. As our first reading says: “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.” Friends, on this second day of Lent our gospel present to us the reality of suffering. Life is a struggle but its not our identity. Today we are invited to rise up from our frailties and never allow any shortcomings of ours; taste their victory. Brethren, make a decision to follow the Lord. If we put our trust on Him the following will be our rewards. First, you shall live long and become numerous. Second, the Lord will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. And finally, your name will be remembered for all eternity. Remember, we are the product of our choices. There are times in life when you have to choose between turning the page and closing the book. Choose well. Choose to be better instead of bitter. Friends, you have the power to choose the life you want to live. Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow the Lord. Blessings Fr. Jhack Diaz

ASH WEDNESDAY

ASH WEDNESDAY First day of Lent Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” In this ancient formula we are reminded of our mortality and that we shall one day return unto the dust from which man was originally drawn. The ash reminds us that we are not immortal, we are only pilgrims travelling on the journey. One day we will be gone. Ash Wednesday is a reminder of our humanity. It is a day that reminds us we will not be here forever. We have an expiration date thus we are challenge to live the very best everyday. Folks, make the rest of your life the best of your life. For today, I would like to share 5S’s with you guys. The season of Lent reminds us that we are all SINNERS. Sin make us dirty, mortal and weak. Ashes on our foreheads reminds us that we are dirty. We commit mistakes in thoughts, in words and in actions. But no matter how sinful we are; there is a God who always loves and accept us. As St. Paul said: “Where sins abounds, grace abounds all the more.” Friends, Return to the Lord for He is gracious and merciful. Yes, we are all sinners that is why we need to do some SACRIFICES. We need to do something to please our creator. Be reconciled to God and now is the acceptable time. Our Holy mother Church asked us to pray, fast and give alms. Today is the right season to minimize our focus on the worldly affairs and fix our life to spiritual endeavors. Less of inordination worldy concerns and spend more on heavenly reaities. But, in doing so we need to do it in SECRET. Friends, pray in secret, fast in secret and give alms in secret. Showing that we are praying is hypocrisy. Displaying our generosity is pretension. Jesus warns us in the gospel saying: “Beware of practising your piety before people inorder to be seen.” Do not let your right hand knows what your left hand is doing. Finally, when we do some sacrifices we need to accompany it with a big SMILE. When you pray, smile. When you fast, smile. When you give alms, smile. SILENCE and SMILE are two powerful tools. Smile is the way to solve many problems and Silence is the way to avoid many problems. Fellow sinners, do sacrifices but do it in secret and accompany it with a smile. My dear friends, wishing you a blessed Lent. Let me end my reflection by sharing with you three signs of a sincere repentance. 1. CONTRITION. It means, you show a sincere sorrow not by shedding tears but by changing your sinful lifestyle. You are sad because you hurt someone up there who loves you so much. 2. CONFESSION. It is an act of humble recognition of our sinfulness. Naming our sins means accepting our limitations and imperfections. 3. CONVERSION. It means you promise not to do it again. You make an honest oath not to repeat the same mistakes again. Friends, don’t do it again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you. Blessings Fr. Jhack

GIVE UP EVERYTHING AND FOLLOW THE LORD

Tuesday of the Eight Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Mark 10:28-31 Friends, it is no easy to give our all but today’s gospel is very reassuring. The promise of Jesus is very clear: No man ever gave up anything for the sake of God and of His good news without getting it back a hundredfold. Our practice of self denial had a reward of eternal life in the age to come. Today, try to practice some sacrifices and self-denial for God’s sake and be surprised of God’s reward. You know what, spending your time in prayer is not a waste of time. Attending daily masses as your personal devotion is not a vain effort. Making yourself the last priority for the sake of others will surely receive hundred more times reward. Suffice it to say, the more we give the more we receive. Friends, let us make our life here on earth a means of storing-up heavenly treasures. Never be afraid to let go of our earthly wealth for Jesus promised us that if we give up this world and chose to follow Him; we will receive more than this world could offer. “The just man’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.” (Sirach 35:6) Challenge: Let us start accumulating spiritual wealth now. How? Give up everything and follow the Jesus. Following the Lord must be our greatest investment. Friends, what are you capable of giving up for Jesus? Blessings Fr. Jhack

DETTACH

Monday of the Eight Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Mark 10:17-27 “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The season of Lent approaches. As we enter this beautiful season we are invited to give our full attention to Jesus. Today’s gospel is teaching us to value the importance of dettachment. Friends, the less attached we are the more joyful we become. Attachments lead to sadness and disappointment. “And he went away sad, for he had many possessions." Our unwillingness to share our blessings with the needy cause us a troubled heart. Friends, never be a prisoner of your possessions. Jesus thus makes it clear that a true follower of His who wants to possess eternal life must share his riches and other blessings with the less fortunate. Our Buddist friends believed that attachment is the cause of all sufferings. Friends, loosen your grip on what is not eternal. Be not entangled of what is temporary. Today if we wish to follow the Lord, let go and let God. “Go sell what you have and give to the poor, and come follow me.” If we have God we are rich. If we have God we are saved! Jesus is all we need. Blessings Fr. Jhack

HOW TO BE A GOOD GUIDE

Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Luke 6:39-45 Some people may judge us by our appearance. Others through the types of gadgets we possess. But how do we really get to know a person? Our first reading tells us that the interior defines the exterior. To know someone it requires us to discover their heart. Wait for the person to open his mouth because “Man can be detected in what he says.” Friends, speech is not just about words and sounds but can be the guiding principle to know one’s heart. Speech is the mirror of the soul. Let us then be careful because our speech can affect the lives of others. Be mindful of the value of human speech. Friends, how pure is your interior? When your heart is troubled your speech is grumbled. “For the mouth speaks from the fullness of the heart.” How to purify our hearts? Three points we need to consider. First, we need a good guide. “A blind person cannot guide another blind.” Second, we need to get out from the trap of selfrigteousness. Sometimes we are quick to judge but slow to correct ourselves. It’s so easy to see the sin of someone else and point it out but often more difficult to see our own sin. “Friends, being selfrighteous is hypocrisy. Hypocrites are those who conveniently forget their faults to point out someone else. Better to be known as humble sinner than a selfrighteous hypocrite. Counting other peole’s sins does not makes us a saint. Inshort, do not judge another person for what we see in others ussually exist in us. Let us examine our own sins, failures and mistakes. Friends, don’t find fault, find a remedy. Finally, let us use our speech to produce good words. Lord please clean my heart so that my words and deeds may glorify you. Blessings Fr. Jhack