Parish Youth Ministry - Dawis

23/08/2026

HOMILY | Wednesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Matthew 20:1–16

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us about workers hired at different hours of the day. Some worked from morning. Others came at noon. And some arrived when the working day was almost finished.

Yet at the end of the day, the landowner gave them the same wage.

Naturally, those who worked the whole day complained: “Why did they receive the same as us?”

And the landowner answered with a question that can also be addressed to us: “Are you envious because I am generous?”

Perhaps there are three simple lessons for us.

1. Stop comparing.

Many of our unhappiness comes from comparison.

We are happy with our house—until we see our neighbor’s bigger house.
We are grateful for our children—until we hear about somebody else’s successful children.
We are satisfied with our blessings—until we see what others have.

Even in the Church, comparison can enter our service.

“Father, dugay na baya ko nagserbisyo diri.”
“Why was that person chosen? I have been here longer.”
“Why was their group recognized and not ours?”

The workers were not unhappy because the landowner was unfair to them. They became unhappy when they started looking at what the others received.

Brothers and sisters, do not allow somebody else’s blessing to make you forget your own.

2. Make room for those who come late.

Some workers arrived only at the last hour, but the landowner still welcomed them.

This tells us something beautiful about God: For Him, it is never too late.

Maybe someone has been away from the Church for twenty years. Come home.

Maybe someone has made many mistakes. Begin again.

Maybe someone is only now discovering prayer and faith. Welcome.

Sometimes those of us who have been in the Church for a long time can behave as if the Church belongs to us.

But the vineyard belongs to God.

The Church is not a club for those who arrived first. It is a home with an open door for those who still want to come in.

3. Learn to rejoice when others are blessed.

The landowner asks, “Are you envious because I am generous?”

That is a beautiful examination of conscience.

Can I rejoice when my neighbor succeeds?

Can I be happy when another person is appreciated?

Can I thank God when somebody receives the opportunity I wanted?

Sometimes we want God to be generous—but only to us!

But there is enough grace for everyone. When God blesses another person, He has not taken anything away from you.

There is a simple story about two children who were each given a candle during a brownout. One child became worried because the other child’s candle seemed brighter.

So he tried to cover the other candle with his hand.

His mother stopped him and said, “Why are you trying to make his candle darker? Your candle will not become brighter by putting out his light.”

What a simple lesson.

Sometimes we do the same. We criticize, compare, become jealous, or pull others down, thinking somehow that we will shine more.

But putting out another person’s light will never make ours brighter.

So when God blesses your neighbor, rejoice.

When someone succeeds, congratulate them.

When someone who has been away returns to God, welcome them.

And when you are tempted to compare, look again at your own life and remember how generous God has already been to you.

Because in God’s vineyard, there is work for everyone, room for everyone, and enough grace for everyone.

23/08/2026

HOMILY | 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

If Jesus were standing here today and asked us, “Who do people say that I am?” I think we could answer very quickly.

We could check Facebook. Search Google. Watch YouTube. Ask ChatGPT. In a few seconds, we would have hundreds of answers!

But then Jesus would probably put away our phones and say, “No, no. I am not asking Google. I am not asking Facebook. I am asking you: Who do YOU say that I am?”

And suddenly, the question becomes more difficult. Because Jesus is not asking for information. He is asking for a relationship. He is asking for a decision. He is asking for our life.

Today, I would like to leave you with three simple challenges:

KNOW CHRIST.
CHOOSE CHRIST.
BUILD WITH CHRIST.

1. KNOW CHRIST — DON’T LET THE CROWD ANSWER FOR YOU.

In the Gospel, the disciples tell Jesus what everybody else is saying: “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” Everybody has an opinion!

And today, there are even more voices. Facebook has an opinion. TikTok has an opinion. Politicians have opinions. Influencers have opinions. And now AI can give us an answer in seconds.

You can ask AI, “Who is Jesus?” and it can give you a very good answer. But AI cannot believe for you. Love Jesus for you. Pray for you. Follow Jesus for you.

Christianity is not simply knowing things about Jesus. It is knowing Jesus—speaking to Him in prayer, listening to His Word, trusting Him in difficult moments, and allowing Him to become part of our daily life.

So our first challenge is: Know Christ personally.

2. CHOOSE CHRIST — ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS DIFFICULT.

Peter answers beautifully: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” But Peter will discover that saying this is easier than living it.

The same is true for us. It is easy to say, “Jesus is Lord,” inside the church. But what happens outside?

When everybody is cheating, will I remain honest?
When corruption becomes normal, will I refuse to participate?
When people online are attacking someone, will I join the crowd—or refuse to add more hatred?
When my friends say, “Come on, everybody is doing it,” will I have the courage to say, “But I am a Christian”?

Sometimes we want Jesus to be our Savior, but not our Lord.
“Lord, bless me. Protect me. Heal me. Help my family.”
But when Jesus says, “Forgive that person,” we say, “Lord, maybe something else.”
When Jesus says, “Share with the poor,” we say, “Lord, next time.”
When Jesus says, “Change your life,” we say, “Lord, just bless me.”

But if Jesus is truly Lord, then He must have a say in how we live. Our faith is tested not when following Jesus is convenient, but when following Him costs us something.

So our second challenge is: Choose Christ—not only with your lips, but with your life.

3. BUILD WITH CHRIST — DON’T ADD TO THE DIVISION.

Finally, Jesus tells Peter: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.”

Notice that beautiful word: BUILD.

We live in a time when destroying is very easy. One angry post can destroy a reputation. One piece of fake news can divide a community. One careless accusation can damage a family. One political disagreement can turn friends—even relatives—into enemies.

But Christians are not called to be destroyers. We are called to be builders.
Build your family. Build your parish. Build friendships. Build bridges. Build communities where the poor are remembered and people can disagree without hating one another.

Before posting something, ask: “Will this build or destroy?”
Before speaking about someone: “Will my words heal or hurt?”
Before making a decision: “Will this bring people closer to Christ and to one another?”

And notice something very important. Jesus does not say to Peter, “Peter, you will build my Church.” He says, “I will build my Church.”

The Church belongs to Christ. Not to the bishop. Not to the priest. Not to any organization, movement, or group. Christ is the builder. We are only His workers.

And that should keep all of us humble.
——

There is a story about two brothers who lived on neighboring farms. For many years, they worked together and helped one another. But one day, because of a misunderstanding, they had a serious quarrel. Harsh words were exchanged, and eventually they stopped speaking to each other.

One morning, a carpenter came to the older brother looking for work.

The older brother pointed to the small river separating his farm from his brother’s and said, “Build me a high fence. I don’t want to see my brother anymore.”

The carpenter went to work.

But when the older brother returned that afternoon, he was surprised. There was no fence.

Instead, the carpenter had built a bridge across the river.

And there, on the other side, stood his younger brother.

The younger brother slowly walked across the bridge and said, “After everything I said and did, you still built a bridge between us.”

The two brothers embraced.
——

My dear brothers and sisters, there are already many people building fences in our world.

Jesus needs Christians who will build bridges.

So remember: KNOW CHRIST.
CHOOSE CHRIST. BUILD WITH CHRIST.

22/08/2026

Let us strengthen the Campus Youth Ministry.

In the face of growing concerns about school violence, student behavior, and the challenges young people are experiencing today, we need to look beyond punishment and ask how we can form, accompany, and guide our young people before they reach a breaking point.

The Campus Youth Ministry may not be the sole solution to the problems confronting our schools, but I believe it can help a lot.

Our young people need spaces where they can be heard without judgment, where they can ask difficult questions, build meaningful friendships, discover their purpose, and encounter God. They need mentors and communities that can walk with them—not only when there is a problem, but especially before one arises.

Teachers cannot carry this responsibility alone. Parents, teachers, school administrators, guidance counselors, youth ministers, parishes, and the wider community must work together in forming our young people.

A stronger Campus Youth Ministry can become one of those bridges—a safe and welcoming space where faith, values, friendship, service, and responsible citizenship can be nurtured.

We cannot expect our young people to choose peace if we do not give them opportunities to experience and practice peace. We cannot simply tell them to be respectful; we must surround them with communities that teach, model, and live out respect.

The Campus Youth Ministry may not solve everything. But every young person reached, every heart listened to, every life guided, and every act of kindness nurtured is already a step toward a safer and more compassionate school community.

Let us not wait for another tragedy before we invest in the formation of our youth. Let us strengthen our Campus Youth Ministry now.

21/08/2026

18/08/2026

EVERYTHING IS GRACE | “Our first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel gives us a strong warning about pride.

The ruler of Tyre had become powerful, successful, and wealthy. And slowly, something dangerous happened in his heart. He began to think too highly of himself. God says to him: “Because you are haughty of heart, you say, ‘A god am I!’ … And yet you are a man, and not a god” (Ezekiel 28:2).

There is a simple but important lesson here: Never allow your blessings to make you forget the One who blessed you.

Sometimes success can be more spiritually dangerous than failure. When we fail, we easily turn to God: “Lord, help me.” But when everything is going well—when we have money, influence, intelligence, accomplishments, or authority—we can begin to think, I did this. I earned this. I deserve this. I don’t need anyone.

And without realizing it, even if we never say, “I am God,” we begin to live as though we were.

This temptation can happen to anyone. It can happen to politicians and businesspeople. It can happen to professionals. It can even happen to bishops and priests. The more people call us by our titles, listen to us, respect us, and serve us, the greater the danger that we begin to believe that we are more important than we really are.

Ezekiel reminds us: “You are a man, and not a god.” Perhaps we need to hear those words from time to time.

You are gifted—but you are not God.
You may be successful—but you are not God.
You may have authority—but you are not God.
You may have money—but you are not God.
You may be admired by many—but you are not God.

Everything we have can disappear. Positions end. Money can be lost. Beauty fades. Strength weakens. Even our titles will one day belong to someone else.

What remains is who we are before God.

That is why humility is not thinking poorly of ourselves. Humility is simply remembering the truth about ourselves: that everything is grace. Whatever intelligence we have, whatever opportunities we received, whatever success we achieved, whatever good we have accomplished—all these became possible because God first gave us life, gifts, people, opportunities, and strength.

So today, perhaps the Lord is inviting us to remember who we are.

When God gives you success, be grateful.
When God gives you authority, use it to serve.
When God gives you wealth, use it to help.
When people praise you, remain humble.

Because the higher God allows us to rise, the more firmly our knees should bend before Him. Never allow your blessings to make you forget the One who blessed you.”

— Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy
Maymay sa Magbalantay | 18 August 2026

18/08/2026

Congratulations, Rev. Ricmar Manigos Narciso!

The Parish Youth Ministry - Dawis joyfully congratulates you on your ordination as a newly ordained deacon. May God continue to guide and strengthen you as you faithfully serve Him and His people.

We are proud of you and will continue to keep you in our prayers. 🙏🤍

Congratulations, Deacon Ricmar! 🎉✝️

Congratulations, Rev. Ricmar M. Narciso!

Kuyog kami sa imong kalipay ug dako among garbo kanimo, Bro. Ricmar! Among ipadayon ang pag-ampo para sa imong paglakaw paingon sa imong bokasyon.🙏✨ - Dawis Parish Family

17/08/2026

🕊️REST IN PEACE, JIAH “SHOBE” NARCISO TOTING🕊️

With deep sorrow, the Parish Youth Ministry – Dawis mourns the passing of our beloved sister and fellow youth, Jiah “Shobe” Narciso Toting. 🤍

Your beautiful smile, kindness, joyful spirit, and faith have touched the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing you. Though your journey with us was far too short, the memories you shared with us will remain forever in our hearts. As you begin your eternal journey, may you find peace in the loving embrace of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the angels welcome you into His heavenly kingdom, and may perpetual light shine upon you. 🕯️🕊️

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
- 2 Timothy 4:7

We offer our deepest prayers and condolences to her family, loved ones, friends, and everyone who is grieving this great loss.

Rest peacefully, Shobe.

You will never be forgotten. Your Parish Youth Ministry family will continue to remember you in our prayers. 🤍🙏

🕯️Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

Reminder to all Parish Youth Ministries: August 15 is the last day to register for DYD 2026!
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of this meaningful journey😁

Register na mga KaDuYoG!✨