Fr. Jade Shares

We wonder why Jesus did not allow his disciples to bring money, food and extra clothes. Jesus was actually telling his disciples that the real enemy was in the spiritual realm. In fact, He gave them authority over unclean spirits. Secondly, he was giving them the way to learn to trust each other and the people they would be visiting. They were not the real enemies after all. [Mark 6:7-13, Thursday...

Simeon after taking the baby Jesus to his arms said to Mary and Joseph, "this child is destined for the rise and fall of many." His adult publuc life showed what that meant. The outcast and poor, he lifted but the proud were called out. Being Christians, that is also our calling. (Luke 2:22-40, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)

2 stories of healing. Healing for the child of an official and healing for poor woman hemorrhaging woman. [Mark 5:21-43, Tuesday of the 4th Week in the Ordinary Time]

Jesus came to a pagan town and healed a possessed man. This shows his readiness to connect with them. Later on, Jesus instructed the liberated man to witness to his own family. (Mark 5:1-20, Monday of the 4th Week in the Ordinary Time)

Envy and entitlement were two possible reasons why the locals of Nazareth did not accept Jesus. (Luke 4:21-30, 4th Sunday in the Ordinary Time]

The Gospel challenges us with two things: SOW THE SEEDS in every opportunity and TRUST GOD. (Mark 4:26-34, Friday of the 3rd Week in the Ordinary Time)

Put the lamp on a lampstand not under the bed. Those who have ears to hear ought to hear. It is clear that whatever we have and we can do, make them to good use. Fear and insecurity at times constrain us from using our talents and gifts. [Mark 4:21-25, Thursday in the 3rd Week on the Ordinary Time]

We can either be like Saul (Paul) causing pains to Goď's people or Ananias being an instrument of healing when Saul regained his sight. (Mark 16:15-18, Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul)

Yes, it is true that this world is on a war between good and evil. However, the evil has a very effective strategy! The evil's best option to get the soul of man is to promote a war between good and good. Sadly, it's winning. How can good be against good? Jesus said, "if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand." The Enemy's strategy is to make the good appear as evi...

Mary's painful expression "Son, why have you done this to us?" became later on a blissful celebration with Jesus conquering sin and death. Jesus shows us resiliency in addressing his own pains along his ministry. (Luke 2:41-52, Feast of Sto. Niño)

When criticized by the Pharisees, Jesus referred to the the sinners as "sick" not expired, terminated or dead. "Sick" means there is hope for healing and be whole once again. The Lord looks at sinners with much hope for forgiveness and reconciliation. [Mark 2:13-17, Saturday of the 1st Week in the Ordinary Time]

A possessed man desturbed the synangogue where Jesus was teaching. The incident shows us the value of listening. The teaching of Jesus threatened the evil spirit. Evil is warded off when we teach the truth and our faith.

It was certainly no accident that Jesus call for his first disciples were pairs of brothers, of families. God's call to serve and be fishers of men is not only for individuals but also for families. Let's start serving God as a family.

John spoke of Christ's baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire but the Father spoke of a love for His Son. [Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Luke 3:15-16, 21-22]

God manifested Himself in Jesus. The three magi found the baby Jesus in the manger. The details of it give us three ways to see the face of Jesus, the glory of God. [ Matthew 2:1-12, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord]

Home, Hope & Heart. To experience peace in our lives, the will of God needs to happen, continue in life & surrender everything to God. [Luke 2:16-21, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God]

The prophecy "out of Egypt, I called my Son" was like the call of God to the Israelites to leave Egypt under yhe leadership of Moses. [Matthew 2:13-18, Feastbof the Holy Innocents]

Jesus at 12 staying behind in Jerusalem was found after days of looking by his parents in the temple. Jesus' reply to Mary implies that Jesus has a bigger family. Thus, it should also be everyone's dream that we are able to serve the community and society. [Luke 2:41-52, Feast of the Holy Family]

Like John who pointed to Jesus as greater than him, the first way to make our Christmas is to understand that the celebration is not about us but about the birth of God as man in the person of Jesus. The 2nd way is to understand that the true GIFT is not what we give to others nor the gifts that we eagerly await during Christmases but it is Jesus. The Father gave his Son to the world.

God willed that the son of Zechariah would not be named after him which was the tradition. God instructed them to name their son as John. Zechariah meaning "remembered by God" to John which means "God's gift." [Luke 1:57-66, December 23, 8th Simbang Gabi]

The Magnificat of Mary expressed the pitiful condition of Israel. The favor of God goes to the "bullied" though. Mary at her young age spoke of her love for her nation, Israel. [Luke 1:46-56, 7th Simbang Gabi]

The visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth brings us the challenge to always see Jesus in everyting and in everyone & the promising future because of Him. [Luke 1:39-45, 4th Sunday of Advent]

Angel Gabriel revealed that the name of the Child to be born of the Virgin would be "Jesus". Prophecy said that the Messiah be named "Emmanuel". [Matthew 1:18‐25, 3rd Simbang Gabi]

When asked by John's disciples whether He was the One prophesied, Jesus just said to report what they heard and saw. [Luke 7:18-23, Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent]

Jesus recognized the "sinners" who were better than the "saints" of his time in their openness to his message. [Matthew 21:28-32, Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent]