19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP TOWARDS JESUS

Dihay usa ka tigulang na nga kabayo nga nahulog sa usa ka daan na usab nga atabay nga wala gamita. Ang mag-uuma nga tag-iya namalandong kon unsa ang iyang buhaton. tungod kay lalom kaayo ang maong atabay ug wala na usab magamit. Tungod kay tigulang naman ang maong kabayo ug wala napod magamit ang atabay, nakadecide siya nga tabunan nalang ang maong atabay kauban sa kabayo. Busa, gitawag niya ang iyang mga silingan aron sa pagtabang sa pagtabon sa atabay. Sa una nilang itsa sa yuta ilang mabati ang tingog sa maong kabayo nga daw gahilak. Ang sunod nga nahitabo nakapakugang kanila tungod kay sa matag itsa nila sa yuta ngadto sa atabay ang kabayo mo shake sa iyang lawas ug motikang pataas. The farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit at the back of the horse. Every time a shovel load of dirt landed on the back of the horse, the horse WOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!

This is what the horse has been doing, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up!” No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old horse fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

Sa hapit na mapuno ang maong atabay, nakalukso ra gayud ang maong kabayo ug nakagawas.

THAT’S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity, WE WILL WIN.

GREETINGS!

Mga igsoon ang atong ebanghelyo karon, naghulagway sa usa ka bagyo nga nasinati sa mga apostoles. Unsa man kining bagyo sa atong kinabuhi? Mao kini ang gitawag nato ug mga problema, difficulties, hardships nga atong naagian. Kasagara kanato kon moabot kini nga panahon sa atong kinabuhi mangalisang kita, mabalaka ug mag panic sama sa nahitabo sa mga tinun-an. Tungod niini, apil ang presensya sa Dios, maalaan nato ug multo!

Sama sa gibuhat sa kabayo, wala niya gitan aw ang problem as hopeless situation but an opportunity for him to be save. The horse learned that every time the dirt would hit his back is the dirt that would help him get out of that well. Kitang tanan aduna gayoy mga problema. Let us look at these problems as a way for us to conquer our fears, our problems and our difficulties.

I would like to paraphrase what I have learned when I attended the youth encounter before. According to the speaker, problems are part of living. Samtang buhi pa ta! Aduna gayod kitay problema. Ang mga tawo nga walay problema kadtong atua na naghigda sa minteryo, mga patay. Ang problema is an opportunity for us to grow. We learned something in our problems. Ang problema sakit apan ang sakit timaan nga kita mitubo sa atong kaugalingon.

Mga igsoon, all we have to do is to find ways on how to solve our problems. Like the old horse he shakes the dirt and step up.

Kon na problema ka karon, find your ways, shake it off and step up towards Jesus. This is what we are g0ing to do, just SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP TOWARDS JESUS. Kon naguol ka tungod sa nagkabingkil nga relasyon, find ways, SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP TOWARDS JESUS. Remember to find ways in your difficulties and don’t forget to SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP TOWARDS JESUS. Remember SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP TOWARDS JESUS.

18th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

EAT ALL YOU CAN

One day, when I was still in Davao City, I happen to ate at a restaurant with “eat all you can” banquet. When I enter the eatery, I followed what other customers are doing, since it was my first time. I realized that in this kind of banquet self service is being observed. You will be the one to get your food. You can get everything, viand, rice, desserts and drinks, as long as you can consume it. It was a very nice system since; you will really feel that you are at home.

Greetings!

My dear friends, the grace of God are like “eat you can” banquet. The grace of God is just around us just “eat all you can”. In our Gospel today Jesus feed 5000 men not including women and children meaning to say there are more than 5000 people. It does not only say like that since, there are 12 baskets left in the banquet. The remaining 12 baskets convey that there are lots of foods available.

In life, we received loads of graces. The basic example for this is our life, the air we breathe every day, the food we take daily, the friends who care for us, our families, and our neighbors are God’s given graces. These all graces are just like “eat all you can” banquet, unlimited and without any expense. Remember that these unlimited graces do not only feed our stomach but also to our soul.

Since, we have received these graces in our life without any expense; it is also fitting for us to give thanks to the giver.

One way of giving thanks to the giver is to share these graces to other people. Share what you have received. Invite and let other people know that you have been enjoying the “eat all you can” graces of God.

But sometimes in our life, we feel that we have been forsaken. It seems that there are empty spaces that need to fill up. There are difficulties that need to settle. If you will feel this way just approach God and ask Him to “eat all you can” to his graces. I am pretty sure that he will always give what you need. Our gospel reminds us today that God provides everything we need.

Friendly reminder: graces are just everywhere, just “eat all you can”.

17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

“LET GO! AND LET GOD…”

Before I enter the seminary, I had a girlfriend, a beautiful girlfriend. We have been in our relationship for quite a long time. We even planned to get married, since; I have already finished my studies in college that time. It was a great plan. However, something came up; somebody invited me to enter the seminary and I joined. While I’m in the seminary formation, I enjoy and begun to love my vocation. Then, the crisis begins. I need to choose: the beautiful girlfriend or my vocation. It becomes a challenged to let go of something. Either I have to continue my priestly vocation or give up. But, it’s been a very long time process, lots of meditation, and lots of reflections. I made my decision when I nearly finish my studies in theology. I have to let go my beautiful girlfriend.

Greetings!

My dear friends our gospel today speaks of parables: the parable of the treasure buried in the field, the fine pearls, and the nets. Each of these parables points to the nature of the kingdom of Heaven. The parable of the buried treasure expresses on our discovery of the kingdom of Heaven. When we discover Jesus in our life, everything in the world is secondary. Many of the world’s richest person let go of their material possessions because they discover Jesus in their life. It is also the same in the parable of the fine pearls for they know that great prize has been awaiting them in the life’s to come.

In life, sometimes, we need to let go of something for the sake of others or for the sake of the kingdom of God. Yet, letting go is not that easy. Letting go is very difficult especially if that person or that thing is the one you love the most. Letting go is a painful experience it requires time, effort and even your energy to do it. Nevertheless, Jesus encourages us today to let go some of our possessions like the man who found the treasure in the field. He sells everything he has to buy that field.

For example, material possessions are not real treasures. The real or true treasure is the Kingdom of Heaven. However, sometimes in our life we are chasing false treasures like money that does not give us real happiness but problem.

Today, we are challenged, whatever our situations are, learn to let go. Your letting go may happen to be keys to real happiness.

Busa kadtong manag uyab diha nga nagbreak na! let him/her go! Fine peace! Fine freedom! Fine heaven the real treasures.

Learn to let go because only then that you will feel at peace, freedom, then you will realize it’s the real happiness.

Learn to let go!

16th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

GOOD OR EVIL, YOU’RE CHOICE!

A highly successful human resources manager was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived in heaven where she was met at the pearly gates by St. Peter himself.
“Welcome to heaven,” said St. Peter…”before you get settled in, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we’ve never once had a human resources manager make it. This far and we’re not really sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in,” said the woman.

“Well, I’d like to, but I have higher orders. What we’re going to do is let you have a day in hell and a day in heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in.
“Actually, I think I’ve made up my mind, I prefer to stay in heaven”, said the woman.
“sorry, we have rules…”

And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it went down-down-down to hell. The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all her friends – Fellow executives that she had worked with and they were well dressed in evening gowns and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played a round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner.
She met the devil who was actually a really nice guy (kind of cute) and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved goodbye as she got on the elevator. The elevator went up-up-up and opened back up at the pearly gates….

And she found St. Peter waiting for her. “Now it’s time to spend a day in heaven,” he said. So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on the clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her.
“So, you’ve spent a day in hell and you’ve spent a day in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity.”
The woman paused for a second and then replied, “Well, I never thought I’d say this, I mean, heaven has been really great and all…but I think I had a better time in hell.”

So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and once again she went down-down-down…

And back to hell.

When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her same friends dressed in rags, standing in filth and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks. The devil came up to her and put his arm around her, which seem so hot ready to scale her skin off.

“I don’t understand,” stammered the woman, “yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate stake & lobster, we danced and had a great time… Now all there is a wasteland of filth and garbage… and all my friends look miserable. “The devil looked at her smiled and said…

“YESTERDAY WE WERE RECRUITING YOU, TODAY YOU’RE AN EMPLOYEE“

(http://stories4homilies.wordpress.com/)

The presence of good and evil in this world is real. We all have to choose it, to be good like the wheat planted by God or weeds planted by the evil one. Evil one is already at work in politics that is why we have corruption; we have murders, injustices and many others. This presence of evil is also among individuals. We have denial to what is truth, pamakak! Panglimbong! Pagdaugdaug sa uban are works of evil.

Today my dear friends, we are challenge to be good wheat meaning a good person. In the beginning we are planted by God in this world as good wheat; however, Satan came also and planted in us weeds that destroys our life.

This co-existence of good and evil is a reality. They are even in the church, in workplaces and even in our homes. We must be careful with our own actions, words and even of what we think because Satan is looking for a chance to tempt us. Do not allow Satan do this to you. You choose now! Good or Evil.

15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

BE A GOOD SOIL

Naa mi’y basakan sa among lugar, ang yuta didto perting humoka mao nga ang among gitanum humay kay daghan magtubig. Kaniadto kami ra pod nga pamilya ang mananum kay nagdako man mi sa basakan. Kon maayo ang imong pag-atiman, ilabi ang pagpatubig niini dako gayud kini ug abot. Kon dako ka ug ma harvest, dako usab ang imong ma kuwarta.

Mga igsoon daghan kaayo ang klase sa yuta dinhi sa pilipinas. Adunay low land area-ang basakan; adunay Upland area- kasagara mga mais, tubo ug mga utanon ang itanom, adunay jutang batoon sa upland area, pareha sa bohol jutang batoon, kining yutaa dili kaayo maayo tamnan kay dili kaayo motubo ang mga tanum, adunay jutang sagbuton usab, kon dili nimo hinloan ang sagbot dili pod makalahutay sa pagtubo ang tanum.

Ang atong ebanghelyo, naglarawan kanato sa upat ka klase sa yuta. Una, adunay yuta nga gahi sama sa yuta sa dalan; ikaduha ang yuta nga batoon; ikatulo ang yuta nga sagbuton ug ang ikaupat ang yuta nga maayo. Kini nga paghulagway ni Hesus nagpasabot sa atong tubag sa pulong nga iyang gihatag kanato. Atong sabton kini nga mga klase sa tawo sa atong palibot nga gihulagway ni Hesus sama sa yuta.

BATO!BATO! SA LANGIT ANG TAMAAN WAG MAGALIT!

Ang yuta nga gahi: adunay mga tawo nga gahi ug ulo, bisan unsaon nimo pagpasabot dili makasabot ug kon ugaling makasabot man dili pod nila tumanon ang imong gipasabot. Mao kini ang mga tawo nga dili interesado sa imong gipamulong. They are stubborn, selfish ug ingon ani ka nga klase sa tawo ang pulong sa Dios dili gayud motubo diha kanimo, kay ang imo ramang kaugalingon ang imong gihunahuna. Wala man ikaw magpakabana sa uban.

Ang yuta nga batoon:  sa sinugdanan excited, ganahan sila ug malipay nga maminaw. Apan kon moabot na gani ang kalisod,problema, kaguol, ug kagubot dili sila makalahutay. Kining mga tawhana mao ang gitawag nato ug mabaw ang pagtuo.

Ang yuta nga sagbuton: kining klase sa tawo mao ang dili makamao nga mohinlo ug maghlimpyo sa kaugalingon. Bisan kon nasayod na siya sa iyang pagkadautan, wala gihapon kaniya ang pagbag-o o ang paghinlo sa mga sagbot sa iyang kaugalingon. Mao nga dili gayud makabunga ang pulong sa Dios sa iyang kinabuhi.

Ang yuta nga maayo: mao kini ang mga tawo nga maayo maminaw sa pulong sa Dios ug ila dayon kining ipakita diha sa buhat. Kini nga klase buotan ug matinahuron. Kabalo siya motan-aw sa panginahanglan sa uban ug mao nga mamunga kini ug daghan.

Daghan ang klase sa tawo sumala pa atong sambingay, apan unsa ka nga klase? Yuta nga gahi, yuta nga batoon, yuta nga sagbutan o maayo nga yuta. Today we are challenged to be a good soil, a good soil that will bear much fruit.

But are you a good soil? If not! Then, be a good soil. 

14th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

BE HUMBLE

Aduna akoy nadungog nga tinuod nga hitabo sa usa ka Obispo dinhi sa pilipinas. Usa ka adlaw niana adunay grupo sa mga kamadrehan nga gusto nga mobisita sa usa ka diocese, sa pag abot nila sa airport, nanawag sila sa Obispo aron magpakuha ug sakyanan. Busa ang Obispo nangita sa iyang driver aron magkuha sa mga madre apan iyang nahinumduman nga day off man diay sa iyang driver. Busa ang Obispo maoy nangunay sa pagkuha sa mga madre didto sa airpot. Sa pag abot sa Obispo sa airport, mikanaug dayon siya sa iyang sakyanan ug iyang giadto ang mga madre nga naghulat. Sa pagkakita sa mga madre sa sakyanan ila dayong gitawag ang driver sa pagpas-an sa ilang mga dala. “mayron pa dito Mr. driver please carry it”, miingon ang madre.  Busa gipas-an usab sa Obispo nga mao ang driver ang mga maleta sa mga madre. Didto sa sakyanan, daghan kaayo ang mga pangutana sa mga madre mahitungod sa diocese ug gitubag usab kini sa driver nga mao ang Obispo. Sa pag-abot na nila sa Bishop’s House: mingon ang Madre, “Dong, palihug kog pakanaug sa mga karga”, ug unya mideretso ang mga madre sa opisina aron sa pagpangutana kon asa ang Obispo. “Asa diay ang Obispo day?” Sila nangutana. “Naa ra sister o kanang nagpas-an sa inyong mga maleta/karga.” Nakurat ang madre ug namula.

GREETINGS!

Mga igsoon ang atong ebanghelyo karong adlawa nagpakita sa usa ka kinaiya sa atong Ginoo. “isangon ang akong yugo ug sunda ninyo ako, kay malumo ako ug mapaubsanon sa espiritu ug makapahulay kamo”. Our God is not an arrogant or overbearing Lord but meek and humble. He cares all the people especially the poor and the abandoned. He loves us; relate to us whatever our situations will be. When he is talking about his meekness and humility, he is talking this to the Father, his obedience to the Father.

My dear friends, in our daily undertakings we usually met many people. We are a social being as the psychologists are saying. In your home for example, you relate with your children, your husbands or wife, your helpers and in the community you also relate with your neighbors, your companions in the ministry, your co-workers in the office and many others. But, how do you relate to them? What are your ways?

Si bishop Tagle akong nadungog sa mga balita sa mga pamantalaan nga nagpaalot daw siya, unya, gusto siyang unahon sa barbero kay cardinal lage siya apan wala siya mosugot kay taas paman ang linya.

Today, we are challenge to have a humble hearts as Jesus is humble. To be humble is not easy. To be humble means to be courteous or respectful, to lower yourself so that others may have their way. This is what I am telling you in the story of the humble bishop. To be meek and humble of hearts involves sacrifices. This may involve your personal longings or comforts. Sometimes to be humble is to leave your comforts zones so that others may enter it.

My dear friends be humble as your Father in heaven is humble.

SOLEMNITY OF STS. PETER AND PAUL APOSTLES YEAR A

YOU ARE THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Si Ritchell Quieta usa ka grabe ka makasasala kaniadto. Sa gamay pa siya talagsa ra mosulod sa simbahan kay magsige lang ug laag. Grade six palang kabalo na moinom ug maghuboghubog. Sa iyang paghigh school, nahimong Gang member sa usa ka grupo sa mga batan-on. Adunay usa ka higayon nga miapil siya ug rumble sa eskwelahan, segi  nalang ug laag, usahay mo cutting classes pa. bugoy gayod kini si Ritchell kaniadto. Apan sa paglabay sa panahon, gitawag siya sa Dios ug nahimong sumusunod ni Kristo. Sa pagka karon naningkamot siya nga mamahimong one of the KEYS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

Si San Pedro usab usa lamang ka ordinary nga mangingisda. Gani atong mabasa diha sa bibliya kon unsa ang iyang mga kinaiya. Una, siya usa ka bakakon- iyang gipanghimakak sa makatulo nga kauban sila ni Hesus; ikaduha, makaingon kita nga siya botboton tungod kay nagpasalig siya nga dili niya biyaan si Hesus bisan unsa pa ang mahitabo (Mt. 26:33) apan wala kini niya buhata; ikatulo, makaingon kita nga siya usab mabudhion tungod sa iyang pagbudhi ni Hesus. Apan, gitawag siya sa Dios ug nahimong unang Santo Papa sa atong simbahan (The Foundation of the Church) kaniya gitugyan ang KEY TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

Si San Pablo usa ka sundalo nga maoy naglutos sa simbahan ug nagpatay sa daghang mga kristianos. Makaingon kita murderous kini si San Pablo. Tungod sa iyang gibuhat makaingon kita nga grabe siya ka makasasala. Apan gitawag siya ni Hesus ug nahimong magsasangyaw sa gingharian sa Dios. Nahimo siyang usa sa mga KEYS TO THE KINGDOM  OF HEAVEN.

Karong domingoha atong gisaulog ang solemnidad ni San Pedro ug San Pablo mga apostoles. Ang atong Ebanghelyo karon nagsaysay mahitungod kang Pedro ang bato (Peter means rock) diin pagatukuron ni Hesus ang simbahan ug siya usab maoy gibilinan ni Hesus sa yawe sa Gingharian sa Langit.

Mga igsoon, ang tawag sa Dios wala nagdepende sa imong kabuotan o kabadlongon. The important thing is that, when Jesus will call us, we are always ready to change our ways like saints Peter and Paul.  Let us forget the wrong doings we have done. Let us begin to face the real us, true Christian followers of Christ.

Today we are challenge to be one of the KEYS TO THE KINGDOM  OF HEAVEN. When we help others see the presence of Jesus in their life; then, we become one of the KEYS TO THE KINGDOM  OF HEAVEN. When we show other people the presence of Jesus in us; then, we will become KEYS TO THE KINGDOM  OF HEAVEN.

Are you ready to change your ways?

Are you ready to be one of the KEYS TO THE KINGDOM  OF HEAVEN?

I am a sinner, saints Peter and Paul are sinners. However, they become the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.  Come join us! Become the KEYS TO THE KINGDOM  OF HEAVEN.