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. 

The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ A

ENERGY BOOSTER

Most people are doing the best that they can, working late at night, doing something extra in order to raise foods that will sustain their life. Food are energy boosters, they usually be eaten in order to have energy for the day. If one person does not take food for the whole day, his/her energy will be depleted and as a result he will slowly deteriorate and die.

We have to take in food to obtain energy, and eat enough to keep going for long. Not enough food for the body will make the body weak. In order to remain healthy we need to take enough amount of food daily. Foods are called energy boosters because it provides energy for the body.

If we eat food to sustain our physical well-being, we need also food from heaven to maintain our spiritual well-being.

My dear friends, today we celebrate the solemnity of the most Holy Body and blood of Christ. In today’s gospel, Jesus presents himself as food that will sustain life. However, let us not understand it literally, since we are not cannibals. We don’t eat human flesh and blood. Instead, let us explain it figuratively: Jesus is trying to figure out the importance of following HIM. Whoever eats my body and drinks my blood will live forever. In other words, whoever follows my way will have the promise of everlasting life.

The body and blood of Christ that we ate during the Eucharistic celebration is an energy booster for our souls. Therefore, let us not forget to go to the mass always especially Sundays and holidays. This celebration is an energy booster that will strengthen our souls. It will always give us the right energy that will keep us moving towards our goal, heaven.

Do you know that you can be an energy booster also to other people? If you see and know somebody who suffered lots of difficulties, especially problems and sometimes they tend to give up already, your helping hand is an energy booster to that person. Our help is an energy booster that will keep him/her going.

If you are full of energy because you feel that God is really present in you; then, share your energy to those who are weak. Share your energy to those suffering people around you. Be an energy booster. Only in God you will find happiness, and happy people are full of energy. Release it! Share your energy! You’ve got the power!  Be a Corpus Christi to them. Be an energy booster. 

FEAST OF THE TRINITY A

DON’T GIVE UP YOUR GOD

(Make the sign of the Cross) Sa ngalan sa Amahan, sa Anak, ug sa Espiritu Santo. Amen. Siguro natingala kamo nganong nanguros ako pagkahuman sa pagbasa sa Ebanghelyo? Kini tungod kay mao kini ang akong paagi sa pagsugod sa akong ipaambit kaninyo karon. Ang kapistahan sa Santisima Trinidad: The father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

ADunay usa ka tawo nga dili gayud mutuo sa Ginoo, walay siyay pakialam sa mga pagahimoon sa mga relihiyon. Apan ang iyang asawa, dako kaayo ug pagtuo sa Dios bisan pa sa mga makapasakit nga komento sa iyang bana.

Usa ka adlaw niana, gi invite siya sa iyang asawa sa usa ka prayer service ug ang pagahisgutan mao ang pagpakatawo sa Ginoo apan wala siya nagpakabana. Matud pa niya: !its non sense!” “ngano gud intawon nga magpakatawo man ang Ginoo! Imposible kana!”

Tuod man, nagpabilin lamang siya sa iyang panimalay. Pagkataudtaud kalit nga mikusog ang hangin ug nahimo kining usa bagyo. Busa, misulod siya sa ilang balay ug gisirad-an ang pultahan ug mga bintana. Sa kalit lang adunay milagapak sa gawas sa bintana. Sa iyang pagtan-aw  iyang nakita ang baga nga grupo sa mga patu (Geese) nga naabtan sa bagyo ug didto naglupadlupad sa iyang Farm.

Tungod kay naluoy siya sa mga pato iyang giabrihan ang ilang dako nga bodega tapad sa iyang balay kay basin ug mosulod ang mga pato aron sila maluwas sa bagyo. Apan wala gayud mosulod ang mga pato sa bodega. Iya kining gitistingan ug abog padulong sa bodega apan misamot hinoon kini ug palayo kay nahadlok kaniya. Bisan unsa nalang ang iyang gibuhat apan wala gayud manulod ang mga pato sa bodega. Nakaingon siya sa iyang kaugalingon: “Kon Pato pa lamang unta ako, ako untang masultihan kining mga pato sa pagpasilong sa bodega”.

Sa katapusan iyang gikuha ang iyang binuhing pato ug gidala sa duol sa mga Geese ug iyang gibuhian. Ang iyang binuhing  pato milupad balik sa bodega ug misunod ug hinay-hinay ang mga pato. “sus! Kon pato pa lamang ako dali ra gyod diay nako sila nga maluwas, siya miingon.

Tungod adto nga hitabo, nahinumdom siya sa giingon sa iyang asawa “ang pagahisgutan ang pagpakahimong tawo sa Ginoo.

Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese-blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us.

Suddenly he understood why Christ had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished with the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: “Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm.”

Source: http://persecutedchurch.info/2013/06/14/god-and-the-geese/

Mga igsoon karon atong gisaulog ang kapistahan sa santisima Trinidad, ang atong giila nga Ginoo. Sa daang kasabutan atong Makita ang pagka-Ginoo sa Amahan nga maoy hinungdan sa tanan. Sa bag-ong kasabutan gipadala sa Amahan ang iyang bugtong Anak aron pagluwas kanato ug sa pagkayab ni Kristo ngadto sa langit iyang gibilin nganhi kanato ang baalaang Espiritu aron kanunay magabantay kanato. Mao kini ang trinity- the Christian doctrine of the Trinity (from Latin trinitas "triad", from trinus "threefold")defines God as three consubstantial persons, expressions, or hyposteases: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit; "one God in three persons". The three persons are distinct, yet are one "substance, essence or nature".In this context, a "nature" is what one is, while a "person" is who one is.

Sa atong ebanghelyo karon gipadayag sa Amahan ang pagpadala sa iyang Bugtong Anak aron pagluwas sa kalibutan. Mga igsoon wala gayud kita biyai sa Dios kay iya man usab gihatag ang balaang Espiritu nganhi kanato.

Niining pagsaulog nato sa kapistahan sa Santisima Trinidad, ato untang mapamalandungan ang kaayo sa Dios dinhi kanato. Ato untang mapamalandungan ang dakong gugma sa Dios dinhi sa atong kinabuhi. Whatever happen do not give up your God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He will never leave us.

Remember, Jesus became man to save us all. This is the work of the Trinity, The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Happy fiesta sa tanan!

PENTECOST SUNDAY A

YOU AND I ARE ONE

A car is a composition of different parts. We have the engine, the under chassis, the body, the wheels and many others. It can only be called as “car” if the different parts will work together as one. It is also the same, in a human body- we have the head which is compose also of the different parts, the body and the feet. It can only be called as human (as in complete form of a human being) if the whole parts are put together.

Greetings!

My dear friends, today we celebrate the feast of the Pentecost. A feast commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ as described in the Acts of the Apostles 2:1–31. For this reason, Pentecost is sometimes described as the "Birthday of the Church".

In the Second Reading, St. Paul speaks of the effect of the Spirit on the Christian community which reflects unity and diversity. “We are like a body. Each body has many members, each with its own particular function, yet they all are ordered to one purpose – the good functioning of the body as a whole.” This reminds us that we are all one though obtain different functions in this world and in the church. Therefore, we are called to be one in faith in Christ with different roles and functions in the church.

It is also the same in our church, there are hundreds of people who are part of the ministries of our parish. Some are catechists, faithful alagad, lectors, some are good in music, some work with our young people, some are servers, or you may consider yourself as just a mere church goers but without you, we are nothing in here. All make up the heart of the parish because we are all united by the Holy Spirit. 

Now, let us also apply this to our daily chores. In the family for example, although we have different personality in the family, hope that you will be working together with the same purpose.

Today, we are challenge to be part of this one body of Christ by working on our roles as distinct from others. However, let us always remember, that we are always one in Christ. Different functions but we are one in our goal. YOU AND I ARE INDEED ONE!

FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD A

GO BACK HOME

Adunay panultihon nga nagkanayon: “there is no other place like home”. Ang mga tawo bisan asa sila paingon mouli gayud diin sila gikan. Ilabi na kon didto gyod natawo unya didto pa gyod nagdako, mangita gyod kanunay sa ilang home, tungod kay there’s no other place like home.

Ang akong papa, basta moabot na gani dayon ang MAY mouli gyod siya sa Bohol kay didto man siya natawo ug nagdako. Kon dili paadtoon sa Bohol magsakit dayon, karon nga may wala gyod siya naka adto kay was man money nga nagsakit gyod intawon.

GREETINGS!

Karong adlawa atong gisaulog ang kapistahan sa pagsaka ni Hesus sa langit nga mao ang tinuod niya nga pinuy-anan.  Siya magalingkod sa tuo sa Amahan didto sa langit nga mao ang iyang Home. Anaa na ang Ginoo sa langit nag andam na ug lawak alang kanto. Apan sa wala pa siya mobalik iya kitang 

gipahimangnuan to proclaim the good news to all the earth. The good news is no other than the real home of all who followed him. Busa, ato kining himoon kay lisod kaayo kon ikaw ra usa mobalik sa langit sa umaabot nga panahon. Let us tell the world the good news of our real home in heaven. Let us convince them to go back home.

Daghan ang hinungdan nga makapawala kanato sa atong puluy-anan sa langit. Kon ikaw nagpasulabi lamang sa pagpaka sala ug wala na mahinumdom sa Ginoo, please go back home. Kon aduna ikaw’y higala nga sa daw wala nay simbasimba, tell them go back home.

Nindot kaayo kon kita anaa sa atong home kay safe gayud ang atong pamati. Dali ra kita makapahulay kon anaa kita sa atong home. Mao kini ang atong bation tungod kay there is no other place like home man. Busa kitang ania pa sa kalibutan, let us spread the good news to other people to go back home.

Kon ang mga bol-anon mouli gyod sa ilang jutang natawhan. Mouli pod kita sa atong home ang simbahan, ang langit dinhi sa yuta. Please go back home. 

6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER A

BE SUPPORTIVE

There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, “now that you can see the world, will you marry me?”

The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him. Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her saying:

“Just take care of my eyes dear.”

Greetings!

My dear friends, Jesus in our gospel today promises us to give his advocate or helper or supporter. This advocate is the Holy Spirit that will always light our ways. This Holy Spirit is the one who will protect us, support us in our journey towards a good life. 

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to be with you always.”

The promise that Jesus is telling us in our gospel today is only be given to those who love Him. This is a great prize to those who follow his commandments. Therefore, we need to Love the Lord by showing our love to one another.

But, how do we know if we love Jesus? Let us look at our lives. Do we pray? Do we follow the teaching of the gospel? Are we helping other people? Are we always ready to forgive those who sin against us?

“Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” The reward of discipleship or the fruit of living moral lives is intimate relationship with Jesus and the Father. When we love one another, Jesus and the Father dwell in our hearts and in our midst.

In our home, we always hire a helper who is always vigilant, loving and caring. This kind of supporter will keep us at peace because we know that he will surely do his job. This is what Jesus is also trying to tell us today. Jesus wants us to be a good and vigilant advocate to other people. The love of God is already in us, as helper we need to show this love to other people.

The sacrificial act of the boy in the story of the blind girl reminded us that real love involves sacrifices. Real supporter also is ready to sacrifice himself/herself to the person he loves. 

5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER A

LET’S CONNECT!

Kon ang mga appliances dili maka konekta sa kuryente or battery dili gayod kini mofunction.  Kon ang kahoy sa atong palibot wala maka konekta sa yuta dili gayod kini mabuhi. Kon ang imong celpon walay koneksyon o walay signal dili gayud kini makatawag ug makatext. Kon ang tawo wala maka konekta sa gravity sa yuta dili gayud kini makalakaw. Kon ang imong kinabuhi dili maka konekta sa Dios, wala kiniy hinungdan. Everthing has a connection. Everything is connected.

Mga igsoon ang atong ebanghelyo karong adlawa nagpahinumdum kanato that everything has a connection. Everything is connected. Si Hesus ug ang Amahan kanunay naay koneksyon, “do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak of my own, the father who dwells in me is doing his works.”  Mao kini ang koneksyon sa Dios Amahan ug sa Anak nga sila kanunay kauban. Kita usab adunay koneksyon sa atong Ginoo kon kita mituo kaniya: “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.”

Apan usahay naputol nato ang atong koneksyon sa Ginoo tungod sa kaugalingon natong interests. Naputol ang koneksyon tungod sa sala. Naputol ang koneksyon tungod sa pagpanglupig. Naputol ang koneksyon tungod sa kahakog sa tawo.

Karong domingoha, gihagit kita sa pagsumpay sa naputol nato nga koneksyon sa Ginoo. Let’s connect again to the almighty God the only source of everything.

Remember always you cannot survive without connection. You cannot survive if you are alone. Today, let’s connect because everything is connected.

Are you connected?