Conversations with Fr. Joel Jason

The first time I googled about John Paul II’s teaching on Theology of the Body, my first reaction was, “ooops, this will take a hundred years for me to read and truly understand.”   So, as excited to learn quickly about it (and of course not fail to read the real documents), I started to look for something simplier, from Christopher West’s to Jason Evert’s to other TOB writers.  Then someone recommended the book “Free Love, True Love” by this one Filipino priest, Fr. Joel Jason.

The book was engaging, simple and easy to understand.  It did actually made me realize God’s amazing power of Real Love.  True Love.  From simple explanations to variety of examples (and even jokes), you get to learn and love JPII’s teaching by heart.  And somehow, you get to ask, will the author write another book?

Fr. Joel also writes and shares his Sunday homilies on his facebook page.  Practical homilies that can lead you to reflect about life and the simple things that gives you joy.  So, I was kinda grateful when he agreed to take time from his busy schedules and participate in my Conversations series.

Sky:  What makes you feel like a kid?

FJJ:  I feel like a kid when I’m with young people. In fact, I don’t feel my age since I am mostly with the young people I teach and form and journey with in the seminary.

Sky:  What’s the happiest place on earth?

FJJ:  Hmmm.  The happiest place on earth is where my friends and loved ones surround me.

Sky:  What are your simple joys?

FJJ:   Simple joys, reading a good engaging book, a good cup of coffee, a hot plate of pasta and freshly baked pizza, a game of basketball or tennis, jamming with friends on the guitar and most of all, being still before Jesus in the tabernacle.

My father died when I was in my first year in the seminary. My father didn’t have lot to leave behind when he passed on to eternal life. But what he gave me I treasure. I still use it now as a priest. When I entered the seminary at the age of 16, my father gave me his Bible. I knew it was his Bible because it was “dirty” – the pages were worn out, it had highlights, it had marks on it and even some scribbled little notes. You can tell he read it. You can tell he prayed with it. Jesus was not only ink for him. Jesus was a voice speaking to him in the pages of his Scriptures. – Fr. Joel Jason (on his homily on Good Shepherd Sunday)

 

 

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