4TH SUNDAY OF LENT A

KEEP YOUR FLASHLIGHT WITH YOU

Sa wala pa ako sa seminary,  nagserbisyo ako sa mga batan-on sa kisolon, Bukidnon ug mga isa ka bulan. Didto ako gibutang aron sa pag organize sa mga youth dadto. Sa hapit na mahuman ang akong assignment, nag outing mi ug nanulod sa langub nga gitawag ug Sumalsag Cave. Sa wala pa kami nakasulod gi orient kami sa guidenga dili gyod buhian ang among dala nga flashlight. “Always keep your flashlight with you” miingon siya. Sa pag abot namo sa baba sa langub, perting ninduta gyud kaayo, hayahay kaayo ang paminaw. Sa pagsulod na namo, nasinati namo ang kalisod sa pagsubay sa langub. Pag abot pod sa unahan naa poy hayahay nga dalan, nindot ang palibot kay Makita man namo tungod sa among flashlight. Sa unahan lisod napod kaayo, gani naka agi mi nga nagkamang kay gamay kaayo ang bangag, sulod sa upat ka oras didto mi sa sulod sa langub nagbaklay, nay lisod anaa poy sayon. Ang hinungdan nga wala mi mawala because we always keep our flashlight with us. Nanguli mi nga nindot kaayo ang kasinatian ang still we keep our flashlight in our hands.

Kitang mga tawo dili ta ganahan ug ngitngit gusto gayod kita ug hayag. Gani kon mag brownout sa atong balay, magbagutbot man gani kita. Dili kita makalihok ug tarong kon walay kahayag.

Greetings!!!!!

Mao usab kini ang gibati sa buta diha sa atong ebanghelyo karong Domingoha.

 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth.
 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him.
We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

Sa atong kinabuhi usahay usab makasinati kita ug kangitngit: mga prolema, kalisod, ug panagbingkil kini mao ang giisip nato nga kangitngit sa kinabuhi. Mura kita ug buta nga nagpangapkap sa kangitngit. But Jesus said:  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

Sa among pagsulod sa langub, we always keep our flashlight with us. Mao usab kini ang atong buhaton diha sa atong kinabuhi. Keep your flashlight with you no other than Jesus Christ. The only flashlight of our way is Jesus Christ. Siya ang maga dan-ag sa atong kinabuhi. Kon kita nakasinati ug kangitngit, kalisod, problema pag antus, use your flashlight, Jesus Christ.

Sa atong bunyag, nahayagan na kita ni kristo pinaagi sa pagkunsad sa Espiritu Santo kanato. Aduna na kitay kahayag nga mao si Kristo, kinahanglan nalang padilaabon nato kini aron usab mahayagan ang uban nga anaa sa kangitngit. Sa ato pa, atong ipaambit ang kahayag nga atong nasinati ug naangkon ngadto sa uban ilabi na kadtong anaa sa kangingit. Apan dili kini nato mahimo kon wala kitay gigikanan sa kahayag. Dili ka maka dan-ag kon wala kay flashlight.  Keep your flashlight with you, Jesus Christ the only real light of the world.

Isip mga sumusunod ni kristo atong gamiton ang iyang kahayag aron magdan ag sa atong kinabuhi ug magdan ag sa kianabuhi sa uban. Si kristo mao ang matuod nga kahayag.

Keep your flash light with you, no other than Jesus Christ.

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Thursday, 3rd week of Lent year II

REACH YOUR DREAMS EVEN IN POVERTY (Homily for graduating High School Students)

When I was still in pre-school our teacher required us to recite in front of the class our ambitions in life or what we want to be in the future.  That time, I said: “I want to become an engineer someday”.

Most of us have ambitions in life. Maybe some of you want to become a lawyer, a teacher, a doctor, a nurse and I think nobody would like to become a priest.

I started my elementary grades with full of struggles. Since I belong to a poor family, I have to work and earn extra money to pay some of the requirements in school.  Namaligya mi ug tinap-anan sa among silingan: kana bitaw’ng isda nga gituhog. Poor family as we are, we lived in the middle of a rice field, our house is very small hut with one room, a living room and a dilapidated small kitchen. Kon magbutang kag jolen didto sa flooring sa kitchen, moligid na ang jolen kay nagtakilid naman. We have no electricity; our light is only made up of an empty bottle with a gas on it (kana gong palongpalong).  Our only appliance in the house is a small AM radio. Since, we belong to a poor family, we need to work together in order to survive.

Why is it that I am sharing this to you my dear graduating students? This is because poverty for me is not a hindrance to have a good education. If you will know how to work together with your family, parents and students, together you will conquer your dreams and ambitions. Mga ginikanan, paminaw kamo dili babag ang kapobrehon sa pag eskwela sa bata. Daghan ang pamaagi aron matapos ang pagtuon. Bahalag mag antos basta sa umaabot masantos ra.

(sample: personal experience with my father) kaniadto sa dihang nangayo mi ug kuarta sa among papa kay mobalik nami sa school, nakahilak ko nagtan aw sa “shorts” sa akong papa kay gision na kaayo busa ako siyang gipa-ilis apan mao raman daw to iyang “shorts”. Kalooy sa akong papa oi! Wala namay “shorts”. However, we did not surrender, we continue to fight.

Because of the effort of my parents, their 5 siblings had graduated in college. We are actually 5 brothers and 1 sister in the family. The eldest did not finished college since he got married earlier. My eldest sister is now a teacher at Valencia National High School. My younger brother next to me is now an Engineer working at a big company in Manila. My other brother stays at home since nobody would take care of our parents and the farm. The youngest one is also an engineer, working at a Japanese company in Cebu city. The last one that I did not mention becomes a priest.

My dear parents and graduating students, I am not boasting myself. I just want to let you know that even in poverty; we can still pursue our dreams and ambitions in life. Working together is the most important part of the game. Like what our gospel is saying today.

17	But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.

 Next school year is the new beginning of your college life. Whatever school you are in, be courageous and continue your journey towards your dream. If you will survived great prize will be waiting for you.

Today, I challenged you to go on. Be ambitious. Reach that dreams of yours. Reach the unreachable stars.

http://frritchellsquitahomilies.blogspot.com/

3RD SUNDAY OF LENT A

BUILD A WELL OF FORTUNE

Once a group of 500 people were attending a seminar. Suddenly the speaker stopped and decided to do a group activity. He started giving each person a balloon. Each person was then asked to write their name on it using a marker pen. Then all the balloons were collected and put in another room.

The people were then let into that room and asked to find the balloon which had their name written on it within 5 minutes. Everyone was frantically searching for their name, colliding with each other, pushing around others and there was utter chaos.

At the end of 5 minutes no one could find their own balloon.
Then, the speaker asked each person to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it. Within minutes everyone had their own balloon.

The speaker then began, “This is happening in our lives. Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where it is.

Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them their happiness; you will get your own happiness. And this is the purpose of human life…the pursuit of happiness.”

(Author Unknown)

Real happiness is to give, and to care for the good of other people. Real happiness is building ourselves a Well of Fortune.

This is what happened in our gospel today. In the Well of Jacob, Jesus and the Samaritan woman were talking each other. It is in the Well of Jacob that the woman sees the Messiah who can give the living water.

“During the time of Jesus, Wells were sources of water but they were also meeting places. People used to go there to do business, to catch up on gossip, even to meet their future partners.” It is in the Well that the woman receives forgiveness; it is in the Well that the woman heard the good news of the living water (eternal life); it is in the Well that the woman receives her faith; it is in the Well that the woman meets God.

Today we are challenged to build a Well of Fortune. Kini nagpasabot nga ang atong kaugalingon mamahimo untang well of fortune(wELL INSTEAD OF WHEEL) ngadto sa uban. A place where we can find forgiveness, HEARS the goodnews, receives the faith and MEETS God.

short deepening:

forgiveness – kon ikaw mapasayloon sa mga tawo nga nakasala kanimo, you are a Well of Fortune to that person.

HEARD THE GOODNEWS- kon ang imong pulong imong gipakita pinaagi sa buhat, it is preaching the good news. You will become a Well of Fortune for those who would hear and see you.

RECEIVES THE FAITH- pinaagi sa imong pagpaningkamot sa pagsunod ni Kristo, others may receive the same faith as you.

MEET GOD- kon magpuyo kita sa kinabuhi nga kristohanon, balaan nga kinabuhi, other people will believe that God is in us.

Our challenge today is to build a Well of Fortune in the self, family, community where other people may find real happiness because they meet God in us. We should become wealthy of good behavior, rich of good and right conduct where people will come to us and talk to us about faith, forgiveness, and happiness. Build yourself a Well of fortune, then, you are building the kingdom of Heaven-the living water. 

2nd Sunday of Lent A

PAG-ANTOS ARON KA MASANTOS

Usa ka hari ang nagbutang ug dakong bato sa dalan ug unya mitago siya aron iyang Makita kon kinsa ang motulod ug mopadaplin niini. Adunay niabot nga mga datong  negosyante sa kaharian apan igo lamang silang mitan aw ug milabay. Ang uban nga nakakita nagbagutbot ngano nga ang hari wala magsugo ug mga tawo nga maoy mopadaplin sa maong bato. Unya usa ka pobre nga mag uuma ang miabot nga nagdala ug mga utanon aron ikabaligya. Sa dihang iyang nakita ang maong bato iya kining gitulod aron pagpadaplin niini. Sa kadugayan sa iyang pagpaningkamot nagmalampuson siya ug iyang napadaplin ang maong bato. Sa dihang mopadayon na unta siya sa paglakaw, iyang nakita nga adunay pinutos sa supot didto sa dalan diin kanhi nahimutang ang bato. Sa iyang pag abli iyang nakita ang daghang mga gold coins ug ang sulat sa hari nga nagkanayon: “these gold coins is the prize for those who would removed the stone from the road”.

This is so because every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one’s condition.

Ang pagkausab sa panagway ni Hesus nahitabo human niya masugid sa iyang mga apostoles nga siya mag antos ug mamatay. Ang mga apostoles wala makasabot niini ug sila nabalaka sa mahitabo kang Hesus ug kanila. Ilabi na sa dihang miingon si Hesus: “kon gusto kamong mosunod kanako, pas-ana ang inyong krus ug sunod kanako”. Alang kang Pedro kini nga panghitabo dili maayo tungod kay kon mamatay si Hesus, unsa naman lamang ang mahitabo kanila. Sila nabalaka ug nahasol, busa iyang gidala si Pedro ug ang duha ka mga tinun an didto sa bungtod ug didto nahitabo ang pagkausab sa panagway ni Hesus. kini kinahanglan nga mahitabo aron mahanaw ang ilang kabalaka.

Most of us will also feel this way, we felt sometimes fear of our own security, fear of our own death. Many had already lost their hopes in life, feeling that they are worthless. My dear friends let us look at the disciples who experienced the foretaste of the glory of God through the transfiguration.

Ayaw kabalaka ug kahadlok sa mga pag antos sa kinabuhi kinahanglan kini nga mahitabo aron kita makahibalo modala sa atong kinabuhi. Kon walay pag antos, wala gayoy masantos. Sama pananglitan sa pag eskwela, kon dili ka mag antos sa pagtuon dili ka gayud makakuha ug maayo nga grado. Pag antos aron ka masantos. Alang sa atong mga OFW ngano nga nag antos man sila sa kamingaw sa ilang pamilya? Siguro aron makatabang sa paglambo sa pamilya. Pag antos aron masantos.

Niining panahon sa kwaresma, kita gihagit sa pagpadayon sa atong kinabuhi luyo niining atong pag antos. Ang pagkausab sa panagway ni Hesus makahatag kanato ug paglaum nga sa katapusan adunay himaya nga atong gipaabot. In the midst of crisis in life, please pray, like the disciples did on the top of the mountain. Prayer can move the obstacles in life. The transfiguration of Christ also challenges us not to be afraid of anything in life. The suggestion of Peter to build 3 tents may mean a building of the so-called comfort zones. Apan wala musugot si Hesus tungod kay dili ingon ana ang kinabuhi. Comfort zone means refusal to accept the cross of Christ. Ang panahon sa kwaresma, mao ang panahon to break out our comfort zones aron kita motubo diha sa Dios.

Today we are challenges to go on amidst difficulties and obstacles in life. We have hope, the hope of the glory of God.

Remember, every obstacle, difficulties, presents a great prize in the Kingdom of God.

Kon walay pag antos, walay masantos.

Pag antos aron ka masantos.

http://frritchellsquitahomilies.blogspot.com/

1ST SUNDAY OF LENT A

BUSY ka ba?

Usa ka adlaw niana gitawag ni satanas ang tanang demonyo sa tibuok kalibutan aron sa paghimo sa world wide convention. Sa iyang speech miingon siya: “dili na gyod nato mapugngan ang mga tawo sa pag-ampo, sa pagbasa sa ilang bibiliya ug sa pakigsuod sa ilang dios. Busa kitang mga demonyo kinahanglan mohimo ug action. Atong ilugan ang ilang oras aron wala na silay panahon sa pakigsuod sa dios.” “unsa may among buhaton?” Misinggit ang mga demonyo. “Simple lang, himoa silang mga busy kaayo”, mitubag si satanas.

1.       Tintala sila sa paggasto pag ayo ug kon wala na silay kuarta pautanga sila, utang! utang! utang!

2.       Tintala ang mga asawa sa pagtrabaho ug ang mga bana sa pag-overtime aron wala na silay panahon sa ilang mga anak, sa madugay mabungkag ra ang ilang mga pamilya.

3.       Tintala sila sa pagpaminaw sa mga FM, TV, CD, ug mga computers aron malingaw sila ug mawad- an ug panahon sa pamilya.

4.       Diha sa ilang pagpangaon taga-e sila ug mga newspapers ug uban pang mga basahon nga mga balita, 24 hours.

5.       Himoa nga ang modelo sa mga commercials mga guapa kaayo aron ang mga bana maibog niini ug mangita ug laing asawa.

6.       Ipaadto sila sa mga amusements park aron sila malingaw ug kapuyan sa pag-atiman sa ilang pamilya.

7.       Keep them busy, busy, busy and busy.

8.       Kon aduna silay mga pag ampo, ipa tsismis sila ug ipasaway sa mga namunuan sa pag ampo.

9.       Kon mosimba sila , disturboha aron dili maminaw.

Lakaw kamo ug isangyaw kining dautang mga hitabo. Nanglakaw ang mga demonyo ug nagsugod sa ilang trabaho.

Ang pangutana, nag malampuson ba ang mga demonyo? Ikaw ang mag judge sa imong kaugalingon. Does BUSY mean?

B-eing

U-nder

S- atan’s

Y-oke?

Mga igsoon, daghan ang mga lihok sa yawa sa atong palibot karon. Susama sa atong Ebanghelyo karong adlawa si Hesus gitental sa Yawa sa daghang paagi.

Sa atong kinabuhi daghan usab ang tentasyon nga modangat kanato. Kining tanan nga mga tentasyon makapahimo kanato nga busy diin malimot kita  sa pinaka importanting bahin sa atong kinabuhi, ang pakigrelasyon nato sa Dios. Dili unta kita malimot sa atong purpose in life. We are her to give time to God above all.  We are her to give time to our families and friends. Don’t let Satan keep you busy. Remember BUSY is:

 B-eing

 U-nder

 S-atan’s

 Y-oke.

Are you BUSY?

Ash Wednesday (2014)

GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL

Nakahinumdom ko kaniadto kon maglimpyo ang akong mama ug kaldero ang iyang gamiton kining abo. Kon gamiton na gani ang abo mobalik gayud pagkasinaw ang kaldero, mura siyag mobag-o pag usab. Kaniadto mga igsoon ang abo mao ang ilang sabon nga gamiton sa pagpanglimpyo. Mao nga kini ang gitawag nilag “the oldest soap”.

Karong adlawa gisaulog nato ang ash Wednesday, diin kitang mga katoliko pagabadlisan sa abo aron sa pagpahinumdom kanato sa paglimpyo sa atong kaugalingon(“Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”) ug magpahinumdom usab kanato kon asa ta gikan didto usab kita balik(“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”) .

Mga igsoon, niining panahon sa kwaresma mao ang panahon diin kita gitawag sa pag bag-o sa atong kaugalingon. Sama kini sa abo diin iyang limpyohan ang kaldero nga naitom na sa kahugaw aron mobalik ang original niini nga hulagway. Mao usab kini ang atong buhaton niining panahon sa kwaresma, atong ipabalik ang original nato nga pagkakita – gikan kita sa Dios nga balaan busa kita usab usa ka balaan, mao kini ang original nga pagkakita. Ang atong ebanghelyo karong adlawa nagpahinumdom kanato sa pamaagi kon unsaon sa pag bag-o sa kaugalingon: Paghatag sa mga kabos, pag ampo, ug pag puasa.

Paghatag sa mga kabos- panghatag sa mga nanginahanglan labi na niadtong wala gayoy ilaha pero ayaw na pagsaba ato ato ra ni!

Pag ampo pod! – didto man ta sa iya gikan balik pod ta sa iya.

Pagpuasa -       sakripisyo pod gamay alang sa uban.            

Ready naba mo sa pag bag-o? Badlisan ko na ang agtang ninyo.       

8TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A

MONEY OR LIFE

A vacationing American businessman standing on the pier of a quaint coastal fishing village in southern Mexico watched as a small boat with just one young Mexican fisherman pulled into the dock. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.

“How long did it take you to catch them?” the American casually asked.

“Oh, a few hours,” the Mexican fisherman replied.

“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” the American businessman then asked.

The Mexican warmly replied, “With this I have more than enough to support my family’s needs.”

The businessman then became serious, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

Responding with a smile, the Mexican fisherman answered, “I sleep late, play with my children, watch ballgames, and take siesta with my wife. Sometimes in the evenings I take a stroll into the village to see my friends, play the guitar, sing a few songs…”

The American businessman impatiently interrupted, “Look, I have an MBA from Harvard, and I can help you to be more profitable. You can start by fishing several hours longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra money, you can buy a bigger boat. With the additional income that larger boat will bring, before long you can buy a second boat, then a third one, and so on, until you have an entire fleet of fishing boats.”

 “Then, instead of selling your catch to a middleman you’ll be able to sell your fish directly to the processor, or even open your own cannery. Eventually, you could control the product, processing and distribution. You could leave this tiny coastal village and move to Mexico City, or possibly even Los Angeles or New York City, where you could even further expand your enterprise.”

Having never thought of such things, the Mexican fisherman asked, “But how long will all this take?”

After a rapid mental calculation, the Harvard MBA pronounced, “Probably about 15-20 years, maybe less if you work really hard.”

“And then what, señor?” asked the fisherman.

“Why, that’s the best part!” answered the businessman with a laugh. “When the time is right, you would sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.”

“Millions? Really? What would I do with it all?” asked the young fisherman in disbelief.

The businessman boasted, “Then you could happily retire with all the money you’ve made. You could move to a quaint coastal fishing village where you could sleep late, play with your grandchildren, watch ballgames, and take siesta with your wife. You could stroll to the village in the evenings where you could play the guitar and sing with your friends all you want.”

The mexican replied, OHH... that is what I am doing almost every day.  (Story from Stories for homilies)

Most of us want to have more money. Do you know that money is the source of evil? For example: hired killers paid to kill; many runs in politics because of money; families are arguing and even killing each other for money, and many others. Money is the source of evil. However, we can also say that money is important in our daily life. Almost everything in this world involves money: food, education, shelter, etc. therefore, money is important. It will only become source of evil if you don’t know how to use it.

Today Jesus tells us not to let money control our life. If that is the case then, you will ruin your life. The most important thing is not to have more money but to have a beautiful life. However, you can find a beautiful life only in Jesus Christ. Mag unsa manang kuarta kon patay kana?

I want to share this very beautiful story to you of what money can and cannot buy.

Money can buy a bed, but not a sleep

Money can buy Medicine, but not health.

Money can buy Books, but not brains.                    

Money can buy Luxuries, but not culture.
Money can buy Food, but not appetite.                  

Money can buy Amusements, but not happiness.
Money can buy best clothes, but not beauty.           

Money can buy Companions, but not friends.
Money can buy A house, but not a home.             

 Money can buy Flattery, but not respect.

Today we are reminded to have a beautiful life in Jesus and not to let money control us. But, still I will give you a choice to ponder: MONEY OR LIFE? I have a suggestion: MONEY AND LIFE but, do not let money ruined your life.