JESUS IS THE GLORY OF GOD

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter Year C John 16:12-15 We have a wonderful Responsorial Psalm today: “Heaven and earth are full of your glory.” It is full of God’s glory because our gospel for today reminds us that we are not orphans. Jesus told His disciples about the role of the Holy Spirit: the Spirit of truth will guide them to all truth. When we embrace the truth we give glory to God. Friends, if we live in truth we will see the glory of God. The truth will lead us to Jesus who is our glory. Today, let us guard our life against the spirit of dishonesty and insincerity. Always speak the truth. Allow the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives. The Holy Spirit will never dare us to distort the truth. When we embrace the truth we give glory to God. Speak the truth at all times. Friends, the ultimate end of our life is to display the glory of God. It is a big irony if we shine but God’s glory fade in us. Like John the Baptist let us acclaim: “He must increase I must decrease.” Blessings Fr. Jhack

PERSECUTED BUT NOT ABANDONED

Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter Year C Jn 15:26-16:4a Persecution is the path of those who follow the Lord. In today’s gospel Jesus warns us that we will be persecuted for our testimony. There will always be opposition, struggles and danger in our lives but today’s gospel reading is very comforting. Despite of the challenges Jesus reassures us of the Holy Spirit. He will not leave us alone. “I have said these things to keep you from stumbling.” The Holy Spirit is the one who will comforts us in our affliction. The Spirit possess the truth about Jesus and we are called to testify to the truth. The most powerful testimony is a Godly life. Friends, we will suffer a lot but remain strong. Persecution is an opportunity to hope and trust in the Lord. This pandemic is a modern persecution. These times are hard but it’s only passing. Be strong because things will get better. It would be stormy now but I firmly believe it won’t be stormy forever. I know persecution is not fun but it will purify us. Friends, be strong like wall because strong walls shakes but never collapse. The Holy Spirit is at work with us, empowering us to witness to Jesus. We had an advocate. God promises to make something good out of the storms that bring devastation to our life. “I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling.” God sends storm to show He is the only shelter. Challenge: With Christ darkness cannot succeed. Be strong and don’t give up. Stay strong, stronger than yesterday. Blessings Fr. Jhack

WE ARE NOT ORPHANS

Sixth Sunday of Easter Year C John 14:23-29 Our gospel for today speaks about the farewell discourse of Jesus. He is going away but He is not leaving us alone. “ I am going but I am coming to you.” Let me begin my reflection with this story: A boy find $100 dollars in the trail. He went home and share the story to his dad. Son: Dad I found $100 bucks on the trail this morning. Dad: What did you do to the $100? Son: I took another $100 from my pocket and I left it close to $100 in that trail. Dad: Why did you do that? Son: I did it because I know how it feels to be alone. I left another hundred dollars so that; that $100 there will have company. This story reminds us that God is going home but He will never leave us orphans. Friends, don’t worry. Do not be a worrier but be a warrior. Whatever worries you have today, give it all to Jesus. Do not worry because He is assuring us of peace. Peace is the result when we know that God is in control. “I am giving you my peace.”Friends, I’ll just wanted you to know that someone up there cares for you. His name is Jesus. Today, do not feel like you are alone because you are not. Always remember that in some way or another, you are somebody’s angel even if you don’t know it. They love you and think of you even if you don’t hear it eveyday. Trust that there is love around you even if you cannot feel it. Be brave! Fill your mind with optimistic thoughts. Blessings Fr. Jhack

IN IT BUT NOT OF IT

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter Year C John 15:18-21 “You do not belong to the world” The “world” in today’s gospel does not mean the physical corporeal world but the world of people who have mistakenly made like the world of pleasure, money, fame, success, reputation, power, and authority as their God. This world is beautiful but never allow yourself to be consumed by it, “for what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and looses his own soul.” Today’s gospel is reminding us that our belongingness cannot be found in this world. We are in the world but not of the world. In it but not of it. We are called to be world changers not the world chasers. Three years I remember when I went to St. Peter Basilica in Rome I happened to visit one of the parish nearby. (I can easily spot the difference.) There are plenty of tourists around filming and taking photos but few people attending the Eucharist inside the church. What’s my point? Friends, we cannot improve the world if we conform ourselves to this world. Not everyone will accept Jesus! Therefore, as what I mentioned earlier, let us be world’s changers not its chasers. Live to be approved by God not to be applauded by the world. Let us spend most of our time and energy on what is above rather than on what is below! Blessings Fr. Jhack

WE ARE NOT SLAVES BUT FRIENDS OF JESUS

Friday of the Fifth week of Easter Year C John 15:12-17 We are reminded today to love one another. This is a command not an option therefore it requires a total obedience. The greatest proof of love was exemplified by Jesus. He did it by dying on the cross. He died in the name of love. Friends when you choose to love, do it without measure, love without conditions. Loving means committing to it without guarantee. You know what, the best and the greatest way to love is to die for someone you love. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Loving to the point of death is possible only if we only develop genuine friendship. “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Are you willing to offer your life for others? Finally, the gospel reminds us that we are not slaves but friends of Jesus. Let us reciprocate this love by observing the Lord’s command. In our first reading there are certain ordinances we need to keep as a sign of promoting our love to God. One among them is “abstaining from unlawful marriage.” If you abstain from doing wickedness, you will do well because the Father will give you whatever you ask Him in Jesus’ name. Friends, love is not using others for personal satisfaction. Love is dying for others. The Lord is telling us today to love people not to hurt them. We are told to love one another not used one another. Love one another do not rob one another. Love is who you are! Blessings Fr. Jhack

THE POWER OF LOVE

Thursday of the Fifth Sunday of Easter Year C John 15:9-11 “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.” Our gospel for today is very short but very inspiring. Jesus offer us the secret to true happiness. “I have loved you; abide in my love.” Joy is what happen when we allow ourselves to recognize how much love God has for us. Friends, love is what we need today. “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete." Today Jesus wants us to be happy. Do you guys want to be happy? Remain in God’s love and listen to Jesus. I am pretty sure that love is reason behind your smiles. Love is what makes you happy. Love is the other name of God. It is interesting to note that joy is the vissible fruit of love. And what is most interesting is that; joy lasted even during trials. Friends, we are invited to rejoice even under persecution. You know what, no amount of persecutions can kill our joy. Joy is immortal. Joy is the presence of God in us. If we remain in God’s love no barriers can stop us from keep smiling. Life is better when you’re laughing. Keep yourselves in God’s love. Let the power of love overwhelm the life of people around you. Keep loving because love is an agent of change. Love can transform people. Love can change people from bad to good. Love can make all things beautiful. Love will makes you complete. “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.” Blessings Fr. Jhack

VINE AND THE BRANCHES

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter Year C John 15:1-8 If we remain, the divine life will flow and overflow in us. On the otherhand if we cut ourselves and choose to detach we will surely die. Connection with Jesus is the most important connections. Nowadays, our worldly concerns gradually separating us from the true source. If we disconnect we will surely have FLU. We will be FRUITLESS LIFELESS USELESS CPA is our mission. We are called to : CONNECT PRODUCE ABIDE Three years ago I was on my trip to the city of Rome and I have connecting flight in Toronto from Edmonton. I need to be connected or else I will surely lost my track. God wanted us remain in Him because He knows, we can do nothing without Him. “Apart from me you can do nothing.” Friends, connection with Jesus is an immortal connection. Once you are connected it has no expiry date. “I am with you always until the end of time.” Abide in Him and prayer is the link that connect us to God. Blessings Fr. Jhack

SHALOM

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter Year C John 14:27-31a "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." The gospel is reminding us that if we want to look for genuine peace seek it in Christ. Peace cannot be find in this world. Pleasure is not the answer for peace. Fame is not the solution to peace. Power is not the password of peace. Drugs is not the medicine of peace. Look for it with Jesus. The peace that Jesus promises is not an escape from trouble. It is an avoidance from unpleasant things in life but believing and trusting in Jesus. Lord, help us to seek the peace that will bring us eternal joy in this changing world. Peace is relationship with Jesus. If we have Him, life has no worries and without anxieties. Jesus is the peace! Simply put, peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Jesus. Let me suggest three important proposals for us to experience serenity and tranquility of the soul. First, make it a habit to pray. Connection to Jesus leads to inner peace. Second, dettach from earthly desires. Friends, let go of your inordinate attachments. The less we have, the peaceful our life will be. Finally, do good and keep doing it. Goodness is the door of peace. May the peace of Christ be with you always. Live in peace. Blessings Fr. Jhack

LOVE IS A VERB

Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter Year C John 14:21-26 My attention was drawed to this line of the gospel. “Whoever loves me keeps my word.” Our Gospel directly reminding us that love is best express when its proven by action. It means when we love someone, do not just say it but also do action to prove your love ; for love is a verb not an adjective. Love is a verb! When you say it, do it. Simply put, love is not just a lips service. Love is not about how much we say ‘I love you’ but how much we can prove that it is true. Nowadays, any person can say that they love you but only few can prove it. In the same manner, loving God means keeping His commandments. If we love the Lord we should keep His ordinances. We are reminded that whoever observes the commandments of God is the one who loves Him. Friends, if we love the Lord we should refrain from doing wicked things. If you love the Lord stop hurting your partner, stop hurting your family, stop hurting people around you. If you love the Lord be honest and cease from spreading fake news. If you love the Lord, do what pleases Him. Today, we are challenge to prove our love for Him through our loyalty and obedience. Friends, love what the Lord loves. Finally, we are reminded to cast away our worries because Jesus promise a paraclete to teach and reminds us of everything. The Holy Spirit is the Advocate that God has sent to help us and to support us. The Holy Spirit too help us to carry out the will of God. Blessings Fr. Jhack

LOVE IS WHO WE ARE

Fifth Sunday of Easter Year C John 13:31-33a,34-35 In today's gospel we hear Jesus's commandment. “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” Friends, LOVE is our mark and identity. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Do we really demonstrate the love of God to others? You know what, today we are reminded that we have the responsibility to show to the world who we are by loving one another. Friends, learn to love well! Why do we need to love? For three reasons: First, love is the weakness of the enemy. When we love the devil trembles. When we love, we can transform our enemies. When we love, we can change the world. Love will make all things beautiful. Second, we need to love because love, can make all things beautiful. Love is the force that makes an earth a heavenly paradise. “There shall be no more death or mourning, crying out of pain, for the world that was, has passwd away.” Folks, love makes a world a happy and perfect place to live in. Today and forever, love without conditions. If we really love others, then let us love them without terms and conditions because it is a love not a bussiness contract. Friends, love without limit for love has no expiration date. Finally, when we love expect some troubles and persecutions. “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” But do not be afraid for love is the greatest conquerors. It conquer all obstacles and defies all storms. Friends, the beauty of love will lead us to our salvation and of the salvation of others. Start to love the way God loves. Blessings Fr. Jhack

REMAIN IN GOD’S LOVE

Saturday of the Fifth week of Easter Feast of St. Matthias John 15:9-17 When I was a seminarian, I remember what our Italian formator told us. He is telling that during their time there were three major requirements for priesthood. Number one, you should be BELLE, second you must be BENE and third BRAVI. Its an Italian words meaning: BELLE-you should be good-looking BENE-you must be smart and intelligent BRAVI-strong and brave. Inshort, the definition of best are belle, bene and bravi. Priesthood is giving your BEST to God. Looking at myself with all these three basic requirements, I felt I am not qualified. Im not the personification of BEST. Im not a good looking guy, Im not the smartest one and I don’t possess the virtue of courage. However today’s gospel is clearly telling me, I was called not because I am the best but because I am loved. I was ordained not because I am good but because of God’s grace and love. Love is the completeness of joy. Jesus is telling me today, Fr. Jhack I called you because I love you. I choose you so that your joy may be complete. Friends, life is not complete without God’s love. Remain in His love and let us share this joy by loving one another. Blessings Fr. Jhack