​“Dear Kuya Jeff, thank you so much for letting us be part of your recent mission with children on the spectrum and those with other disabilities. I’m really grateful that you always involve us in works of mercy whenever we can. I noticed during our pilgrimages that some church images were covered, and this morning at our Palm Sunday Mass, the statues in our parish were covered too. Why is that done during this time? And is there a specific color that’s supposed to be used? I hope you can share some insight when you have time. Praying for you and your ministry always!” – Iris P.

"Dear Kuya Jeff, we had a great session last night in the spiritual warfare series, especially the part about moving from being wounded to becoming a witness. Thank you for that—it really spoke to us. We just wanted to ask a question about sacramentals, particularly crucifixes. Our worship ministry head recently instructed that all crucifixes should depict Jesus with His right foot over the left. Because of this, he asked that crucifixes showing the left foot over the right be removed. We found this a bit confusing and wanted to understand if there is a Church basis for this. We also wanted to ask if it matters where we buy religious articles. Is it important that they come specifically from Catholic religious stores, or is it okay to buy them from other places as well? We’d really appreciate your guidance on this. Thank you, and we’re looking forward to our next Formation Friday." - Maricel and Rochelle

​“Dear Kuya Jeff, congratulations! We had a wonderful discussion earlier tonight. I particularly appreciated when you said, 'If you’re not asking sorry or repenting, God’s forgiveness is not applied in the way that reconciles you with Him. But God is always ready to forgive the moment you turn to Him with a contrite heart.' This reminds us that the key is admitting one’s fault and being truly sorry. Similarly, God forgives us as we forgive those who have wronged us. As you mentioned in Luke 17:3-4, we are called to forgive anyone who admits their fault and seeks forgiveness—even if it happens repeatedly. My question is: how should we respond when someone who has wronged us never admits their fault or shows remorse? Can we still forgive them? I also read in Matthew 5:23-24 that before presenting an offering to God, we must reconcile with anyone against whom we hold a grudge. Does this mean we can forgive without full reconciliation? I would greatly appreciate your insights on this. I also promise to continue attending our Spiritual Warfare series every Friday. Thank you, and more power to you!” – Mayline K. / Macario C.

​“Dear Kuya Jeff, my daughter’s classmate recently took her own life by drowning. Sa diary niya, she wrote about being bullied in school and how much she was struggling with her parents’ separation. She was also diagnosed with a mental disorder and was under treatment for severe depression before it happened. I tried to help the family talk to their parish priest, pero mukhang senior clergy siya, and he refused to offer a Mass after finding out na suicide ang cause of death. Ano po ba talaga ang guidelines ng Church in cases like this?” – Vita Dulcedo

​“Dear Kuya Jeff, thank you po for extending our Bible Study to include the Biblical Walk Through the Mass! Super enlightening. Now I get it—the Jewish people who didn’t recognize Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath still worship on Saturdays hanggang ngayon. May mga sects din na ganito pa rin, like the Seventh-Day Adventists. Pero since Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday, ascended to heaven on a Sunday, and the Holy Spirit also descended on a Sunday, the early Christians started gathering, reading Scripture, and breaking bread on the first day of the week, which is Sunday (Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10). In our family, Sunday Mass has always been part of life—though for decades, we’ve been going every Saturday afternoon kasi may anticipated Mass sa parish namin. Okay lang po ba ‘yung ganitong practice? I know that Sunday is the Lord’s Day, pero parang na-curious lang ako, kasi we’ve been doing this for so long. Promise, Catholic pa rin ako—hindi po ako Jew or Adventist!” – Sabado Girl

​“Dear Kuya Jeff, hi po! Alam ko sobrang busy mo, sorry talaga for bothering you. May quick clarification lang po ako. Last time sa Biblical Walkthrough the Mass, you mentioned na the Word of God is meant to be proclaimed and listened to during the Holy Mass. Sabi mo rin po na yung lector, deacon, or priest dapat nagpo-proclaim habang the faithful ay nakikinig hindi nagbabasa kasi the Word isn’t something to be studied at that moment, but a sacramental proclamation na dapat tanggapin through the ears and the heart. Pwede po ba ako makahingi ng mga references for follow-up reading? Alam ko busy ka po, sorry ulit ha! Thank you so much in advance, Kuya!” — Ann M.

​“Dear Jeff, anak, our discussion last Tuesday about the Communion of Saints really opened my eyes. At 86, I see that our journey of knowing, loving, and serving the Lord truly lasts a lifetime—I still get so many ‘aha’ moments and new learnings in our sessions. I got cut off last time because my phone’s battery died. I’ve been meaning to ask you about something I often see on Facebook during the birthdays of those who have passed away—the greeting, ‘Happy birthday in heaven.’ How does this fit, or not fit, with our Catholic belief in the Communion of Saints and life after death? Last Tuesday you mentioned that you pray and offer daily sacrifices for each of us. In the same spirit, I promise to keep praying for you and for all my loved ones, both living and departed, as part of the Communion of Saints. Thank you for always guiding us, anak. God bless you!” – GLORIA In Excelsis Deo

​“Dear Kuya Jeff, thank you for breaking down the Holy Eucharist and how it’s tied to Christ’s passion and death in our Messianic Fulfillment Part 3 talk. I get it now—Holy Thursday and Good Friday are actually one continuous story. By the way, what’s the heresy called when some groups only do singing and preaching for worship but skip the sacrifice part? Is it basically a false teaching the Church already addressed?” - In Eucharistic communion with him, Macario

​By: Jeff L. Jacinto PhD DHum 
Contributors: Bessie Jacinto and Leanna Jacinto

​“Dear Kuya Jeff, thanks so much for that super engaging discussion on the Maccabean Revolt—it really got me thinking! It’s amazing and honestly inspiring how our spiritual ancestors stood up for their faith, even against the powerful Greek empire, knowing it could cost them their lives. It reminds me that above everything, our relationship with God is what matters most—definitely not something we should trade away, no matter the pressure or perks. Quick question though! I’ve been using the Good News Bible for my personal study (it proudly says “With Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha” on the cover, by the way), and it has all 73 books. But my friend’s Bible—she’s using the King James Version—only has 66 books. I noticed that 1 and 2 Maccabees, plus a few others from my Bible, are missing in hers. I’d really love to have a thoughtful convo with her about why we Catholics include those extra books—and maybe even encourage her to explore the full version of God’s Word. What solid points or historical reasons can I share to help explain why those seven books (especially Maccabees) truly belong in the Bible? Looking forward to your insights and to more Bible Study sessions ahead. Thanks again and God bless, Kuya!” – Kring