Fr. Jade Shares

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]

St. John the Baptist in answering the queries of these individuals spoke of at least 4 ways we can find happiness. [Luke 3:10-18, 3rd Sunday of Advent]

The conversation of Mary and angel Gabriel during the annunciation revealed God's many favors to seemingly insignificant young girl from Nazareth. [Luke 1:26-38, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary]

Powerful names were mentioned but God sent His message from a voice from the wilderness. The images of flattening and straighthening the way of the Lord give us an idea of the bulk of work needed to prepare the way of the Lord to us. [Luke 3:1-6, 2nd Sunday of Advent]

The teaching of the Lord to his disciples about "walk the talk" was followed by the teaching about listening to God and obeying accordingly. It was compared to a wise man who built his house on rock amd not on sandy ground. I then say that it is not enough to say 'walk the talk'. We also need to 'act the hark.'

Jesus' heart was moved in pity at the sight of the people who were weary and hungry. This moved Him to do something. Sympathy is improved by empathy but empathy is completed by charity. [Matthew 15:29-37, Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent]

Jesus in his call to the first disciples immediately expressed what he planned for them to become. He called them to become fishers of men. It necessitated much trust for these fishermen for Jesus to be able tell them of such a challenging task. [Matthew 4:18-22, Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent]

Unity in adversity. Diversity in unity. The centurion's plea with Jesus' favorable response showed these important values. (Matthew 8:5-11, Monday of the 1st Week of Advent)[1st Novena Mass for the Immaculate Conception, Manila Cathedral]

Jesus said, "heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." We are to put our trust in Jesus words, his promises.[Luke 21:29-33, Friday of the 34th Week in the Ordinary Time]

Jesus was straightforward in saying that persecution and even death await those who follow Him. Red Wednesday is a celebration of our faith and hope in the Lord in the midst of suffering and pain for the faith. [Luke 21:12-19, Wednesday of the 34th Week in the Ordinary Time]

Jesus speaks of that time and the scenarios. [Luke 21:5-11, Tuesday of the 34th Week in the Ordinary Time]

While we wait for the reign of God's Kingdom, our lives should testify to the truth. [John 18:33-37, Solemnity of Christ the King]

The sadducees questioned Jesus apparently to challenge and ridicule Jesus but the reply they heard just exposed their ignorance. [Luke 20:27-40, Saturday of the 33rd Week in the Ordinary Time]

Jesus was not actually refering to the usual pickpockets nor thieves we see in the marketplaces today. He was refering to the chief priests and scribes who were deviating from the right purpose of the temple. Jesus was then reclaiming ownership of the temple. [Luke 19:45-48, Friday of the 33rd Week in the Ordinary Time]

If there is selective listening, the Gospel today points to us that there is also selective seeing. That means that there are things that we need to consciously decide to see. While there are sad and painful realities today like death, poverty and suffering, the Gospel tells us to also choose to see God in the midst of all these. He will be our strength, our hope and our joy. [Luke 19:41-44, Thurs...

The parable of the ten gold coins challenges us to do something with what God has given us. Timidity and indifference definitely are not what our faith is about. God did the hardest part. We then do ours. [Luke 19:11-28, Wednesday of the 33rd Week in the Ordinary Time]