FREEDOM

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent Year C John 8:31-42 The truth will make us free. But what is the meaning of "truth" and what is the meaning of "free"? Three points that I would like to share with you today. First, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. We are reminded in today’s gospel that we will never be free until we free ourselves from the prison and slavery of this monster called sin. What makes you a slave? Work? Pride? Anger? Lust? Envy? Addiction to drugs and alcohol? Negative mind? Laziness? Brethren, free yourself and approach the Lord. Beg for His mercy through the sacrament of reconciliation. You deserve to be free! MAKE A DECISION TO LOVE. Second, everyone wants to be free; free to do what we want, but is this really the true meaning of freedom? Today, Jesus is teaching us that true freedom is submission to God. If we wanted to be free, don’t close your eyes and ears to Jesus. Love for God makes us truly free. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Today, tell yourself, I AM NO LONGER SLAVE TO SIN. Never give the sin the chance to control you. Control what controls you. Jesus has come to set us free from the slavery of sin. Hold on to the freedom Christ has given you. Be slave of Jesus not of sin. Third, we are challenged to believe in Jesus. Never allow the devil filled with garbage to dump it on you. We are not the dumpsite of garbage but wellspring of God’s grace. Live free from the slavery of sin. Make Jesus your master by hating the monster. Love the life you live and live the life you love. Blessings Fr. Jhack

LOOK AND LIVE

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent Year C John 8:21-30 Our Gospel for today speaks of this three important reminders: First, our life is a journey towards everlasting life but our sins prevents us from going where Jesus is going. Sin is more poisonous than the bite of the serpent. It is the deadliest disease a human person can have. Its the new serpent that looking for innocent victims. Stay away from sin. Return to the Lord because without God we will die. Sin kills but God gives life. The cross is the new bronze serpent, look at it and you will lived. Second, in the gospel it says: “You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world.” Friends, it will be hard to follow Christ when our life are tied to the things and cares of this world. Brethren, we are in the world but not of the world. In it but not of it. We are sent by God to transform the world and be transformed by the one who sent us. Be who you are in Christ, not who the world wants you to be. Jesus came down to this world so that we may be lifted up. Third, the cross reveals God to us. The cross becomes the glorification of Jesus. “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.” Im grateful for the cross of Jesus because it is the reason why even in pain I smile, why even in confusion I understand, and even in fear I continue to fight. Our crown is the cross. Blessings Fr. Jhack

JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent Year C John 8:12-20 The world nowadays needs light. Why? Because many of us make the things of this world our light. We make our success, as our light. We make our riches as our light. We make our influence as our light. Friends, these kinds of light darkens our world. That is why in the gospel for today, Jesus boldly proclaims to us that He is the light of the world saying: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Suffice it to say, shun the darkness and all its influences. Friends, if Jesus is our light we can dispel the darkness of this world. The light of Jesus will prevent us to others by appearances. Today, be the light that others see for within you is a light of a thousand suns. Let your light shine everyday. Radiate kindness, forgiveness, compassion and love. Let these reflect in our lives so that others may see the truth of God. Follow Jesus because He is a the light that never goes out. It is Jesus or darkness. There is no third option. Blessings Fr. Jhack

ELIMINATING SIN FROM THE SINNER

Fifth Sunday of Lent Cycle C John 8:1-11 Our gospel is telling us that we have a merciful God who will not condemn us for our failings and our sins. God’s mercy overflows in our misery. The woman caught in adultery was given by Jesus another chance. “Go your way, and from now on do not sin more.” Perhaps, we are like this woman in today’s gospel. We sinned but not caught. We do wicked deeds yet not caught perhaps because we are clever. Friends, whether caught or not the gospel is inviting us to refrain from sinning. Reform is what the Lord ask of us today. He forgives our sins but He asks us not not sin again. Like this woman, caught in adulteryJesus release us from our dark and horrible past. Friends, let us free ourselves by avoiding sin in the future. We cant meet Jesus and continue sinning all over again. Finally, we are encouraged to stop throwing stones from each other. Friends, stoning people is not a commendable fraternal way of correcting them. The best way to do is to drop our stones and replace it with love and mercy. As followers of Christ we should arm ourselves with love not with stones. In our modern world I find bashing, gossiping, and racism as the contempary stones. Friends, let us stone each other with mercy. Blessings Fr. Jhack

DEFEND JESUS LIKE NICODEMUS

Saturday of the Fourth Sunday of Lent Year C John 7:40-53 In today’s Gospel, prejudice is the main reason that hinder the Jews from accepting Jesus as the promised Messiah. To them, Jesus was a threat, a danger to their position of authority and they will lose their credibility among the people if they would not eliminate Him. They doubted His Davidic descent because he was of Galilean origin. Three points I would like to share with you today. First, opinions founded on prejudice are always sustained with the greatest violence. Prejudice is a disease. Its like virus too. Sometimes our human opinions and personal prejudices blinded us to the truth about God. Friends, let us be cautious of our judgements towards others. Have yourself check in the mirror first. Take a good look at ourselves before we judge others. Second, I love what Nicodemus did, He stand to defend Jesus saying: “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” He was not afraid to take his stand to defend Jesus. Friends, we need people like Nicodemus. Defend Jesus, fight for Jesus because He is always fighting for us. Finally, like Jesus let our life be a sign of contradiction. Today, in this world which choose and promote death (abortion, Euthanasia) let us be the defender of life. If government wants the legalization of divorce then fight for the sanctity and unity of marriage. Hate any concept that destroys our faith. Continue to be faithfull even others are faithfless. Fight the good fight of faith. Stay in the fight till the final round. Let your persecutors and accuser say: “Never before has anyone spoken/fight like this man.” Blessings Fr. Jhack

FEAR NOT

Friday of the Fourth Sunday of Lent Year C John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Today’s Gospel speaks about the struggle of Jesus because of people’s hostility and rejection towards Him. Many were seeking an excuse to kill Him. He knew it but He was not afraid because He also knew that he has a mission that is greater than his death. Fear has no power to stop him from carrying out his mission. Three points that I would like to share with you. First, face your fears. If you don’t face your fears, you will have to run your whole life. I salute people who are brave enough to take risks. Jesus, inspite of death threats He took risks because of His love of the Father. He did not let His fear conquer Him. Friends, remember this when we face our fears we live our dreams and we are able to achieve great things in life. Are you brave enough to express your faith even if other people are hostile to you? Second, conquer your fears. What are your fears? Ask Jesus to help you defeat it for He will surely help you. Fear is an instrument of the devil to prevent us from achieving great our dreams. Never let your fear decide your future. Finally, fear not. God is so much bigger than the challenges, problems, struggles and difficulties we will encounter in life and at work. FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear will only scares us but it cannot defeat and control us. Brethren, let your faith be bigger than your fears. When fear knocks, answer it with faith. Blessings Fr. Jhack

GOD’S APPROVAL

Thursday of the Fourth Sunday of Lent Year C John 5:31-47 The Gospel of today enumerates witnesses to Jesus and His ministry but people around Him refused to believe. Inspite of the testimony of John about Him, amidst of the revelation of the Scripture about Him and inspite of His Father’s testimony they are still skeptical and cynical. The reason of thier disbelief is this: “How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?” Jews are seeking human praise not God’s glory. Let us not be a stiff-neck people. Three points that I would like to share with you today. First, do not look after for human recognitions, appreciations and praises from others. God’s approval is more important than human’s acceptance. Friends, try to please God than men. A life spent seeking approval of others is a life spent without joy. The greatest prison people live in is the fear of what other people think. Brethren, care more about what God thinks. Second, there must be something in us that other people might see. We dont need to tell them, they should be able. You heard me say this before: “IT IS BETTER TO HAVE GOD APPROVE THAN THE WORLD APPLAUD.” Friends, dont worry about what people’s opinion of you for God never told us to impress others but to believe in Him. Finally, let pleasing God be bigger than pleasing people. Our main purpose is to make God smile. Pleasing a human is very difficult but pleasing God is the easiest. Let us live our life for the Lord not for the people. Blessings Fr. Jhack

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