Fr. Jade Shares

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]

Zacchaeus short, tax collector and considered by others as tax collector stood hopeful and humble. Jesus rewarded him together with his family. [Luke 19:1-10, Tuesday of the 33rd Week in the Ordinary Time]

The blind man did not stop in life. He moved on in life despite his disability - begging at the roadside, calling on Jesus and even finding his way to approach Jesus. As Jesus said, "your faith has saved you." [Luke 18:35-43, Monday of the 33rd Week in the Ordinary Time]

Further signs will happen after tribulations. These signs and warnings are actually opportunities for us to change and make our lives better. [Mark 13:24-32, 33rd Sunday in the Ordinary Time]

Remove Jesus, it is hell here. See Jesus and it is Heaven here. Jesus said, "the Kingdom of God is among you." [Luke 17:20-25, Thursday of the 32nd Week in the Ordinary Time]

By looking for the other nine healed lepers, Jesus wishes to show them how important they are to him. More than the healing, Jesus wants us to grow in faith. That was why he said to the grateful healed leper, "Your faith has saved you."[Luke 17:11-19, Wednesday of the 32nd Week in the Ordinary Time]

We thought the challenge is only to avoid sin but Jesus warned the disciples of another important thing. That is not to cause others to sin. How? 2 ways: correct others of their wrong doing and forgive or recognize others' efforts to change. [Luke 17:1-6, Monday of the 32nd Week in the Ordinary Time]

Values over vanities. Humble gesture of one's trust in God rather than flaunting pride before people. [Mark 12:38-44]

Gamitin ang pera para makipagkaibigan. Huwag gamitin ang pakikipagkaibigan para magkapera. This is a way we can show ourselves that we are not serving both God and mammon. [Luke 16:9-15, Saturday of the 31st Week in the Ordinary Time]

Jesus challenges us to employ ingenuity in advancing the Kingdom of God. We do not easily give up. We are not to be timid. [Luke 16:1-8, Friday of the 31st Week in the Ordinary Time]

Before we get confused to the math of parable of the lost sheep and lost coin, let us remember that those parables firstly recognized the sinfulness of the tax collectors and public sinners. [Luke 15:1-10, Thursday of the 31st Week in the Ordinary Time]