PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN RULES

Wednesday of the Fourth week of Lent Year C John 5:16-30 The healing of a paralyzed man on the sabbath by Jesus inflame the hatred of the Jews for two reasons. First, its a violation of the sabbath law and second they accused Jesus of blasphemy: a subsequent claimed for equality with God. They found it offensive. “For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.” Friends, we are invited to heal and free others from illness and pain. We are challenged to follow the law but remain being compassionate and loving towards others. Observe the law of love. Let the law of love rule our lives. Friends, todays gospel is teaching us this message. Giving healing to a person is more important than keeping the laws. Faitful to the laws but neglectful to fraternal charity is not an outstanding way of living. Sometimes we are guilty of this because we keep the rules but we dont care the needs of people around us. We follow the rules but we are hard on people. We are faithful to the law but not mindful of the needs of people around us. Note this striking statement: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” What work Jesus’ doing? He is working for our salvation. He is busy in loving us, busy in gathering the scattered sheep, busy in driving out demons, busy in giving mercy and busy in welcoming sinners. He has an astounding authorithy like the Father. He is like the Father. He is in harmony with the Father. And our Gospel of today is reminding us that our God is not a lazy God. Hes always at work. Today, like Jesus, be productive. If we desire to be like Jesus then complete surrender and obedience is necessary. Blessings Fr. Jhack

HAVE FAITH

Monday of the Fourth Sunday of Lent Year C John 4:43-54 Today’s Gospel is reminding us that our God is a gracious God. Even in hopeless and desperate situations He grants our requests. Jesus does not discriminates anyone who pleads for help. Three points that I would like to share with you today. First, Jesus is reminding us that once you are in the ministry of spreading the goodnews, you can't expect your closest family, friends, or countrymen to appreciate you. “Prophet has no honour in the prophet’s own country.” Don’t get frustrated because some people may welcome you. Friends, if the door is close for you dont worry because some windows are wider than doors. Second, the story of the healing of the official’s son reminds us that faith in Jesus will turn our sorrow to joy. Faith in Jesus transforms our desperation to hope. Friends believe in miracles. You may experiencing struggles, frustrations, crisis and hopeless situations but faith in Jesus will makes all things well. Just believe! Miracles always happen when you believe. Third, dont underestimate the power of intercession. Today, there so many people that put their trust in our prayers. Dont hesitate to waste your time to pray for their needs. When people ask you to pray for them, do it because they believed that you are an angel sent by God to bring their petitions and request to God. Everyone of us gets through the thougher times because somebody is there, standing in the gap to fix it for us. Intercession is a way of loving others. Friends, thanks for all your prayers. Blessings Fr. Jhack

SIN NO MORE

Tuesday of the Fourth Sunday of Lent Year C John 5:1-16 Three points that I would like to share. First, Jesus saw the man who had been ill for many years (thirty-eight years of waiting lying at the pool.) No one takes the initiative to help him. Our Gospel is reminding us that burden and suffering continue to oppress us if there is no one who cares. There are so much suffering because people think only of themselves. Friends, I would like you to take note of this, care is cure. When we care we can cure. When we care nobody will be sick. If we care nobody will be addicted and depressed. If we care like Jesus many will be cured. Care is the medicine for cure. Second, the Pharisee thought that keeping the laws are more important than helping someone in need. They thought that following the rules were far better than providing assistance to someone suffering. In short, the Pharisees were law abiders but charity breakers. They’re faithful to the laws but they don’t have love for the needy. Are we this kind person? For Jesus, the person is more important than the law. Saving lives supersede military checkpoints. The Gospel for today shows us that we have a God whose priority is our wellness. We have a savior whose desire is to set us free from any oppressive burdens and sufferings. Finally, we are encouraged to stop commiting sin. “Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you.” God is warning us, whatever wicked things we are into now, stop it. Dont do it again. Refrain from repeating thesame mistakes, stay away from sin because if you will repeat and repeat it, someday your name didnt make God smile anymore. It is sin that makes us crippled and lamed. Friends, set yourself free. “do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” Blessings Fr. Jhack

PRODIGAL SON

Fourth Sunday of Lent: Year C Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Im wearing a color Rose vestment today because the fourth sunday of lent is known as Laetari Sunday. Laetari means “REJOICE”. The color is purely liturgical, not politically motivated. Why to rejoice? First, the fasting is almost over. We are on a relaxation mode of the penitential character of the Lenten season. We have to rejoice for one more week to go it will be Easter. Second, we need to be joyful because we have a God who never tired of welcoming us. His delight is forgiveness. Mercy is His name after love. Our Gospel for today is the most famous bible story and it speaks about God’s immense love for us. Brethren, today, I have good news to tell you: GOD LOVES YOU. This is very consoling statement. He came not to condemn but to save. He never gets tired of forgiving us. You know what, even if we are prone and incline to error and sin; Jesus’ mercy and unconditional love always rescues us. He proved His love by dying on the cross. Because of His great love, He keeps on waiting for our return. God doesnt care whether we are the most notorious sinners or not. He sees all the ugly pieces of our life but still chooses to love us. Friends, we cannot stop God to love us again and again. We have a God who is not tired of giving us chances. When we return to Him He is willing to restore back our dignity. This is Lent is all about: returning to God. Blessings Fr. Jhack

BE HUMBLE WHEN YOU PRAY

Saturday of Third Week of Lent Year C Luke 18:9-14 What is the right way to approach God in prayer? In the gospel for today, two people went to the temple to pray but only one received the reward. Both of them pleaded for Divine favors but only one got the blessings. Three points that I would like to share. First, when we pray, we dont need to promote ourselves. Prayer is not about bragging. We dont need to flaunt our achievements and accomplishments. Prayer is not about our glory but His glory. The Pharisee went to the temple to praise himself, the Publican went to praise God. One is centered on God; the other is centered on himself. Proud people full of themselves while humble people full of God. Jesus cautions us against anything that elevates us or sets us apart from others. Second, when we pray try to avoid the litany of comparisons. The prayers of the Pharisee was not pleasing to God because he broadcast about his righteousness by comparing himself to the Publican. He thinks that he is better than others. In our Christian life, there are people who thinks that their holiness are superior to others. They think that their righteousness are the most ideal. They have convinced everyone that they are the epitome of righteousness. They think that they are the paragon of holiness and embodiment of virtue because they always attended church worship. Today, we are challenge to avoid the idea that we are better and superior than other people. Today’s Gospel is teaching us humility. Pray like the Publican, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Prostrate before God, and asks for mercy. Finally, God rewards the humble and rejects the proud. Pride ends in a fall while humility brings honor. Remain humble in your prayer. Let your actions tell your story. St. Augustine once said: “It was pride that changed an angels into devils and its humility that makes men angels.” Blessings Fr. Jhack

FIAT OF MARY

Feast of the Annunciation Luke 1:26-38 Our gospel for today speaks about the story of Mary’s Annunciation. The angel appeared to her and told her that she would conceive and bear a Son. If you are on the shoes of Mary how will you react? Perhaps confusion and fear. Right? You know what, the encounter of Mary with the Angel is the most wonderful announcement ever happend in the world because it is the moment where heaven and earth mets in Jesus. Jesus is the meeting point of heaven and earth. Friends, the truth of the annunciation is wonderful reminder that God wanted to be with us. He is God but He choose to dwell with us. God is not far from us. He is the Emmanuel. The Annunciation tells us that Jesus is the perfect expression of God’s love. Our gospel for today is reminding us that in difficult times like this we have to hold on to what the angel said: “...you have found favor with God.” Friends, I knew many of us were scared and worried today but be consoled by God’s promise. “Do not be afraid.” God is fully in charge of our world. Mary trusts to what the angel has said is true and would be fulfilled. Folks, trust like Mary for nothing will impossible with God. “He who trust in the Lord will never be disappointed.” Like Mary, we are challenged to take delight in God’s promise. Finally, the Virgin Mother is the supreme example of obedience to the will of God. Friends, obey like Mary. Even if we don’t understand it, just obey. Friends, learn to say NO to the good so you can say YES to the best. Obey and all will be well. There is always hope for all things are posible with God. Like Mary we say: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” May our life be a constant Yes to God. Blessings Fr. Jhack

APORECIATE THE GOOD IN OTHERS

Thursday of Third Week of Lent Year C Luke 11:14-23 Jesus did a good work, curing a man who was mute. Yet some of those around him were critical to his goodness. Three points that I would like to share. First, when we do good there will always be critics, haters, oppositions and hostility. Most often, the best of our actions are open to misjudgement. Our good intentions sometimes are misunderstood. There will be people who will try to put us down, but don’t be discouraged folks. Continue to do good no matter what people has to say. Keep shining like the sun; despite of the clouds covering at it from beneath. Second, the beast is envious when we do our best. When we do good the devil is upset. Doing good is like revealing the “finger of God.” Continue to do good anyway. Don’t get tired to open the mouth of those muted by the devil. Don’t get frustrated to do good. Do good unceasingly. Darkness is conquered by light. By doing good, we do well. By doung good we walk in the way of God. Friends, as long as you know that God is with you, it doesnt matter who is against you. Finally, try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. Friends, kindness is a language that deaf can hear and the blind can see. Today let us ask the Lord to give us the grace to see the best in others, as we pray for them to see the best in us. Like Jesus our mission is to cast our evil in all its forms. Blessings Fr. Jhack

LAW

Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent Year C Matthew 5:17-19 Jesus is always faithful to the laws infact He is the fulfillment of it but his oppositions often criticized him as “law-breaker.” Sometimes we live life like the Pharisees because we often judge another person for doing something that we may think as not correct. In today’s gospel Jesus said: “I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” What did Jesus mean by the word fulfill? It means He came bringing out the true essence of God’s commandments. The law can be fulfilled in three ways. First, Love it. For Jesus, love is the supreme law since the law is finds its fulfillment in love. Friends, hating and violating the law is not fulfilling it. Second, Act on it. It means dont just observe the norms but live the rules. Nowadays, we need doers not just keepers. We need witness than teachers.“Whoever keeps and teaches the law will be called great.” In life, we all meet hypocrites: people who promote something while not even following it themselves. Do what you say. Act on it! Third, be wise. Wisemen obeys the law, idiots violates it. Qouting from our first reading for today it says: “Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.” Conclusion: Have you noticed that I just personally give the accronym meaning of the LAW? And I defined it this way: LAW- L-ove it A-ct on it, & it will make you W-ise Friends, obey the law and you will be blessed, disobey and you will be punished. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. Listen to Him and get ready to float in the ocean of God’s blessings. Blessings Fr. Jhack

FORGIVE WITHOUT LIMIT

Tuesday of Third Sunday of Lent Year C Luke 4:24-30 “How often should I forgive?” Three things I would like to share: First, forgiveness is never easy. It is difficult but it is not impossible to make appease. That is why, our gospel for today is challenging us to be men and women of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the virtue of the brave. Brethren, forgive and keep doing it. Jesus in today’s gospel is telling not only Peter but all of us too to forgive not only seven times, but seventy-seven times. Meaning, forgive without limit. Why? Because the limit of forgiving is limitless. Forgiveness is not limited to the quantity of numbers. Forgiving is an endless and infinite Christian virtue. Keep this in mind, not to forgive is like drinking a poison and expecting others to die. Second, be quick in forgiving. Don’t procrastinate nor postpone it. Never delay in saying sorry. Delaying is making it worst. If you hurt someone in the morning don’t wait for the night to reconcile. When you forgive you heal. When you let go you grow. Forgive and forget. If its hard to forget then change the way you remember it. Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an aplogogy you never got. Brethren, forgive not because your enemies deserves forgiveness but you deserve peace. Finally, we need to forgive because we are 0% perfect and 100% forgiven. God’s math is like this: 3 nails plus 1 cross equals 4given. When you are tempted to lose patience with someone, remember how patient God has been with you. Forgive because FORGIVING IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVING. There is no love without forgiveness and there is no forgiveness without love. Friends, stop remembering what God has forgotten. To heal a wound, you need to stop touching it. Blessings Fr. Jhack

REJECTION

Monday of Third Sunday of Lent Year C Luke 4:24-30 Have you felt rejected by those closest to you? The irony of life is like this: sometime those who are close to you are sometimes the first one who will criticise and spread gossip about you. The mouth who praise you are sometimes same mouth who will cursed you. There will be moments in our life that we have more rejections than acceptance. There will be lots of instances that we will received two fingers (not the thumbs but the middle one.) Keep this in mind, when you are rejected don’t be discouraged. When people don’t like you, do not think that you are not good enough. You are actually awesome but they failed to see it because they were blinded by their bias and pride. Rejections happened because your haters think they are better than you, your critics think they are more knowledgeable than you. Be glad when you are rejected because most of the great people in the Bible are the rejected. God loves the reject. Finally, I love what Jesus did in the gospel. When he was rejected he passed through their midst AND WENT AWAY. Friends, when people dont accept you, dont force for acceptance. If they dont like you, then move away. If they show no interest then stay far off. Don’t force them! If you live for people acceptance, you will die from their rejections. The most powerful motivation is rejection. See rejection as redirection. Blessings Fr. Jhack

REPENT OR PERISH

Third Sunday of of Lent Year C Luke 13:1-9 Friends, why are we fruitless? Why are we suffering? Why success is so elusive? Today’s readings will help us to discover the underlying truths about our fruitlessness. To understand it, Jesus in today’s gospel uses the parable of the barren fig tree to explain the cause of our misery. The Jewish people has this spiritual outlook of associating their sufferings to their sinfulness. We have a bad times because we make wrong choices. It is our sins that destroys us not God. Friends, the outcome of our life depends on our ability to response to the call of God for repentance. You know what, “If we don’t repent we will perish.” We suffer not because our God is harsh but because we do things not in accordance with the ways of our creator. Friends, start to make a good choices in life. You know what, amidst of our wickedness our Gospel for today gives us a wonderful image of God. He is like a gardener who is patiently hoping for our progress. He is a God who believes that one day we will bear good fruits. Friends, Jesus is that God who always gives us the “second chance.” He continue to give us the opportunity to better ourselves everyday. He is very patient with our slow progress. God sees our efforts to change and be great again. Like Jesus we are challenge to be patient even if others are fruitless. Conclusion: When life give us the second chance, let us give our best shot. Let us be FRUITFULL. God is more than generous with the opportunities for us to reform our lives. Repent, or else something worse may happened to us. Time may run out, never delay nor postpone your repentance. Blessings Fr. Jhack