Reflection for October 4, Thursday; Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi: Luke 10:1-12

Gospel: Luke 10:1-12

Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”

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Reflection:

Do you want to help Jesus in His mission of evangelization?

Jesus talks about the commissioning of His Seventy two disciples; He said to them that there’s an enormous work for them at hand. They are few but the people whom they will preach the gospel are many.

Up to this very day there are few who preach and fewer still those who preach and live the gospel yet there are millions who needs it badly. They are yearning to hear the words of Jesus and more has not even heard of the life changing words of Jesus.

So what are you doing about it? Will you sit still and stay in your comfort zone and do nothing to share in the ministry of Jesus? Preaching nowadays is not anymore confined to face to face vocal preaching. You could now preach using the internet via your computer and high-tech mobile phone.

 Instead of posting anything about yourself. Why not post anything that is related to Jesus, post anything about your faith. Post anything that could bring someone closer to God. If you do this you now become a follower not only in words but in deeds as well.

See to it also that you live what you preach or you live what you post in your social media accounts. The perfection of your discipleship for Jesus comes when you live what you preach. For example, if you preach simple living live simply as well, if you preach humility live humility. If you preach forgiveness then be forgiving and throwaway whatever bitterness that you may be keeping in your heart.    

Jesus wants you to be His co-laborers in His vineyard; you should not worry about your needs, for he will surely provide for you. Will you help Jesus in His mission of evangelization?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for October 3, Wednesday; Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:57-62

Gospel: Luke 9:57-62

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”

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Reflection:

What does it require for someone who wants to follow Jesus? It requires total surrender and abandonment to His will. When a person decides to follow Jesus he is ready to leave everything in favor of the Kingdom of God. He is ready to leave his own comfort zone and embrace the challenge of going to an unknown zone in the company of the Lord.

The gospel tells us that it’s not easy to follow the Lord. We have to adjust and make the necessary sacrifices. This may seem hard from a far but once you go near Jesus and begin your journey with Him. Things will now suddenly fall into its proper places this is for the reason that the Lord will make his way to accommodate us.

Has the Lord abandoned those who decided to leave everything for Him? Nobody has been abandoned by Jesus. He is always there by their side helping and strengthening those who courageously decide to follow Him.

In this era of high tech communication the Lord still wants us to follow Him. He may not even require us anymore to leave our love ones. Perhaps the Lord wants us to follow Him where we are at now.

For example, if you’re working or you have a business you can follow the Lord by being honest with your dealings. The opportunity to follow the Lord is manifold and limitless. We simply have to signify our desire and thereafter begin our own journey with Him.    

Would you be willing to follow the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 2, Tuesday; Memorial of the Guardian Angels: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

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Reflection:

Try looking at the face of a child, try also looking at the face of an adult. Which of them give you more joy? Of course, it’s the face of the child.

Jesus in the gospel gives us the secret on how we can enter the kingdom of heaven. Which is none other than to become like children or to be childlike, why? It’s for the reason of the pureness of their thoughts and their innocence.  No wonder being childlike is the key for us to enter God’s kingdom in heaven.

But are we childlike in terms of the pureness of our thoughts and absence of sin? Of course we are not! Who among us could say that our thoughts are as pure as a child?  Who among us could say that we are without sin? Of course, nobody because we are all sinners we sin through our words, actions and thoughts.

Nevertheless, it’s not yet late for us to go back to Jesus and be childlike before Him. Jesus through the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession is always inviting us to humble ourselves before Him. To be like a child who humbly runs to his parents with reckless abandon once he sees them coming home.

It takes childlike humility for us to submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Confession. Are you humble like a child? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 1, Monday; Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church: Luke 9:46-50

Gospel: Luke 9:46-50

An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.”

Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company. Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel great for the reason of the things that you do or for the reason of your status in life?

We can’t help but ask, why did the disciples argue as to who among them is the greatest? Perhaps they got carried away with the sudden fame of being with Jesus. That’s why they were arguing as to who was the greatest among them. By being mindful of their egos they forgot that they were with their Lord and Master.

Jesus knew of their selfish desire for fame thus He took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.”

Least in what aspect? Least in promoting oneself as the greatest and least in filling-up ones ego. It’s indeed very tempting to use Jesus to enhance our self-image. But reality check first, this is not what Jesus wants for us to become. Jesus desire for all of us is to embrace humility at all times.

No one is greatest for Jesus but those who are humble. And those who silently give their time to help him advance His teachings. They are the greatest people in the eyes of Jesus.

If you give your time for Jesus no matter how little so long as you give it with all your heart. If you give your time for Jesus without the objective to boast and the selfish desire to be popular. You’re already the greatest in Jesus eyes. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Sunday September 30, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

At that time, John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

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Reflection:

A parish priest was told by a catechist that there was a Christian denomination who wants to use the parish chapel for their Christian worship. The catechist was expecting the priest to reject the request but to his surprise the humble and good-natured priest allowed the Christian denomination to use the chapel.

Months had passed by and this Christian group was always using the chapel for their worship. Along with it they had built a solid friendship with the parish priest anchored on his humility and tolerance.  After two years of friendship and communication the Christian group decided to convert to the Catholic faith and they were warmly welcomed to the church by the humble and tolerant priest.

In our gospel for this Sunday Jesus speaks about tolerance, humility and love for our fellowmen. When John told Jesus that they tried to prevent someone from driving out demons in His name. Perhaps John was expecting Jesus to condone his arrogant behavior. But Jesus rebuked John by saying, “Do not prevent him, there is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.” 

This rebuke of Jesus towards John echoes up to this time and it is not anymore addressed to John but it is now given to us. We are reminded by Jesus that if the cause that is being espoused by our fellowmen is also about him or if it’s for a good purpose. Let us be tolerant by all means.

We must always be tolerant, humble and loving to those who are not within the loop of our catholic faith.  Jesus at all times reminds us also that we must always live these virtues because this is one of the means that Jesus could become a living symbol in our lives.   

Sometimes it is so tempting to become proud and arrogant because of our status in life. Or because of the primacy our catholic faith which was founded by Jesus Himself. But how can we convince others to join our faith if we are domineering and arrogant? How can we highlight Jesus in our lives if we are always overbearing and superior? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection September 29, Saturday; Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels: John 1:47-51

Gospel: John 1:47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him. ”Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

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Reflection:

Do you have some secrets that you think nobody knows except you? It’s not you alone who knows about it Jesus knows about it also.

There was a young woman who had an abortion she kept it from anyone, but there were days that she couldn’t sleep. She was being bothered by her conscience; thinking of a cure from her torment of conscience. She submitted herself to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and there she poured out everything that was bothering her. From there on she was able to sleep soundly.

Jesus is an all-knowing God His presence pervades all over us and we certainly can’t hide anything from Him. Nathaniel was not aware of this fact this is the reason why he asked Jesus: “How do you know me”?

We cannot keep anything from God, He knows everything about us. Our sins, undesirable thoughts and the current sins that we continue to commit. Therefore, we have to distance ourselves permanently from people and places that influenced us to sin.

Otherwise, we have to prepare ourselves from the very severe consequence that will befall us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection September 28, Friday; Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Priest: Luke 9:18-22

Gospel: Luke 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

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Reflection:

What is the secret to deeper friendship with Jesus? It is through prayer with our full attention directed towards Jesus. Just try allocating about five to ten (5 to 10) minutes of your time everyday in prayer.

Just try reading the Bible and feel every word that is written there most especially the pronouncements of Jesus. Just try attending Mass with your attention focused on the entire celebration. Just try having a regular weekly visit to the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel and spend time there.

These are all methods for us to grow in friendship with Jesus. And it follows that when we’re already friends with Him we shall know that He is the Christ of God. Many of us (including me) have not yet reached that deeper level of friendship with Jesus.

In the gospel, Jesus posed this question to the disciples “Who do the crowds say that I am?” Among them it was only Peter who answered correctly. Why? This is for the reason that among the apostles it was Peter who was always with Jesus. And it is safe to say that when we are always with Him we would develop a much deeper friendship with Him.  

Do you also want to be friends with Jesus? You therefore have to discover more about Jesus through your prayer, presence at Holy Mass, presence at the Adoration Chapel and by reading more about His life and ministry in the bible. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection September 27, Thursday; Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest: Luke 9:7-9

Gospel: Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.

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Reflection:

How would we feel when we do something wrong and immoral? We are perpetually bothered by our conscience. This disturbance in our minds would continue to bother us until such time that we reach a closure (Whatever that closure would be) on the wrong that we have done.    

Herod the tetrarch was very much bothered when news came to him about Jesus. Why? Because Herod killed an innocent man in John. King Herod was already being tortured by his conscience about the wrong that he had done to John. This is perhaps the reason why Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things (Luke 9:9)?”

What is the cure so that we would not be bothered by our conscience and so that we would not lose sleep over something? Let us avoid doing wrong and immoral let us strive to be clean before God and our fellowmen. This is the only cure available for us so that we could avoid being tortured by our conscience. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection September 26, Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:1-6

Gospel: Luke 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

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Reflection:

How do you live in this world? Do you live with your trust and confidence in Jesus or you are living with your trust on yourself and in this world?

When Jesus sent the twelve apostles to their mission of evangelization He told them this: “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic (Luke 9:3). What does this very important statement of Jesus imply to the apostles? Jesus in essence was telling the apostles, rely on no one but me for I will provide for all of your needs!

Did they rely on Jesus? Yes of course except for Judas Iscariot who betrayed Him. The eleven of them relied on Jesus that’s why they were very successful in their mission of evangelization. Majority of them even gave their lives for their mission and reliance to Jesus.

This is a good point of reflection for all of us as we continue our journey in this fleeting world. To whom do we rest our lives in this world? Do we rest it on Jesus or we rest it on this world and ourselves?

Many of us continue to work so hard to accumulate temporal things. There are even some of us or many of us who even work during Sundays so that we could have what we want. So, we sacrifice our worship for God at Holy Mass in exchange for our accumulation of worldly things.

Reliance on material things of this world will bring us only to emptiness. Even if we accumulate all of the material things of this world we would still not be happy we would still have this very deep feeling of void.

What if we rely on Jesus? Then we are already complete and we are the happiest and most contented person in this world even if we have no material riches.  For the simple reason that Jesus is more than enough than any material thing/s of this world.    

We cannot bring to the next life the worldly things that we rely on this world. But if we rely on Jesus if we rest our lives in Him this would assure us of eternal life in heaven with Jesus. 

To whom do you rely? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection September 25, Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:19-21

Gospel: Luke 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

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Reflection:

How could we become relatives of Jesus? We have to hear and live His words, it’s not enough to hear only we have to act and live it as well. Many of us forget that we effectively preach the words of Jesus by the way we live and we put more substance to our faith by living it.

In a family setting, children learn about their faith when their parents teach them about it. They further learn more when what are taught them is lived by their parents. Thus, the family becomes stronger and united and is able to face whatever trials that it may encounter.

What if parents are simply content with teaching without living their faith? There would be failure of effective transmission of the faith. And the children will not fully imbibe what was taught them for the simple reason that their parents did not walk their talk.

In the same breath; we become effective teachers of the faith when we practice what we preach. We gain entrance to the family of God for the same reason as well. Let us therefore not be content by simply hearing the words of Jesus let us live it also no matter how tempting the offer of the devil not to live it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection September 24, Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:16-18

Gospel: Luke 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowd: No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

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Reflection:

What is our mandate as baptized followers of Jesus? It’s to share in the ministry of evangelization of Jesus, this means that whatever we know about our catholic faith we must learn to share. So that our faith would continue to grow and prosper. In the process, we save more lives and we give spiritual direction and substance to others lives.

In the midst of this world darkened by sin we should be like the lighted lamp that is placed on a lampstand that Jesus mentions in our gospel for today. We light this darkened world with the teaching of Jesus we light this darkened world by living our lives the way Jesus wants us to live it.

Just imagine a family that does not talk about Jesus. This means that they do not know Jesus and it’s safe to assume that the same family does not go to church or seldom goes to church for Holy Mass. What would happen to this kind of family? This is where the critical role of parents comes in as bearers of the light of Jesus.

As much as possible parents must take advantage of the docility of their children by giving and teaching them Jesus. Just imagine the life a child being lighted by Jesus as he/she grows. This means that this child is brought to Holy Mass by his/her parents. This means that the same child is introduce to Jesus by His life in the bible. And this means that this child is being lighted by the teachings of Jesus and the church. 

This kind of child will never go wrong as he/she grows up.  This kind of family will have no fear as it journeys through life because the light of Jesus is with them.

Do you still share the light of Jesus to the internet savvy children of today? Is the lamp of Jesus always aflame in your family? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday September 23, Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:30-37

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

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Reflection:

A young man heard an announcement in their parish church about its need for those who would be interested to study for the priesthood. He made himself available so he went through the formation process. 

However, he had this thought in his mind that this is an opportunity for him to be popular in their community. He was already imagining that aside from being popular he would also be respected. Why? Because he would be studying for the priesthood.

While journeying to Galilee Jesus heard His disciples arguing, so Jesus’ asked them when they were in a house in Capernaum. “What were you arguing about on the way?” They were not able to answer because they were arguing who was the greatest among them.

Who is the greatest in the eyes of Jesus? The greatest for Jesus is the one who is willing to serve and not to be served. The greatest is the one who is willing to humble himself amidst the temptation to boast and be arrogant. The greatest are those who silently do their task without expecting anything in return. 

Many of us love to project power.  We feel that we are above all because we occupy an exalted position in our work or community. However, this is without importance in the eyes of Jesus what is important for Jesus is our willingness to follow Him without expecting anything in return. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Saturday September 22, Saturday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:4-15

Gospel: Luke 8:4-15

When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.

“This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.

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Reflection:

What do you usually do when you encounter the words of God? For example, when you go to Holy Mass do you carefully listen to the readings most especially the gospel? Do you allow it to disturb your conscience? Do you allow it to carve a space in your heart that you think about it even if you’re already in your house?

Do you read your bible regularly and when you read it do you allow it transform you?  The bible is the words of God, He created it to transform us. God created it also for us know Him more, so that the God who is distant would now become the God who is with us and the God who walks with us.

The seeds that was sowed that Jesus mentions in the gospel are the very words of God. These words are very powerful it could transform our lives if we would allow it. It could create calmness and serenity within us if we would reflect on it.

  

But many of us are so busy that we hardly have time for these seeds that God so generously showers us. Many of us do not mind it anymore until we hit a roadblock in our lives. Thus we are reminded of God we instantly hurry to go to Him simply because we hit rock bottom.

But why wait for that roadblock to hit us before we allow the words of God to flourish and bear much fruit in our hearts? – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for Friday September 21, Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist: Matthew 9:9-13

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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Reflection:
Why does Jesus calls us to follow Him? He calls us out of His great love for us. Jesus doesn’t want any of us to be eaten alive by the many sins of this world. Jesus doesn’t want any of us to suffer in hell after our mortal life in this world is over and done with already.

We have in our gospel a character named Matthew a corrupt tax collector who was called by Jesus to follow Him. Even if Matthew is a sinner deep in his heart he knows Jesus. Matthew knows deep in his heart that in Jesus he would find healing, forgiveness and a new life. Matthew knows deep in His heart that in Jesus he has somebody who will not condemn him but would be very much willing to listen to his desire to repent and become His follower.

Therefore, when Jesus told Matthew to follow Him (Matthew 9:9) he immediately left everything behind him and followed Jesus. When Matthew heard Jesus telling him to follow Him, Matthew heard the sweetest words that he could ever hear in his entire life. It made Matthew whole once again for he has been broken by sin throughout his adult life.

Perhaps Matthew burst into tears when he heard Jesus told him to come and follow Him. It was tears of unexplained happiness, tears of relief and freedom from the enslavement of the devil.

Do you also want to feel how Matthew felt during that very day that Jesus called him to come and follow Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Thursday September 20, Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Priest, and Paul Chong Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs: Luke 7:36-50

Gospel: Luke 7:36-50

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to share his meal, so he went to the Pharisee’s home, and as usual reclined at the table to eat. 37 And it happened that, a woman of this town, who was known as a sinner, heard that he was in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and stood behind him, at his feet, weeping. She wet his feet with tears; she dried them with her hair; she kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them. 39 The Pharisee who had invited Jesus was watching, and thought, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what sort of person is touching him; isn’t this woman a sinner?” 40 Then Jesus spoke to the Pharisee and said, “Simon, I have something to ask you.” He answered, “Speak, master.” And Jesus said, 41 “Two people were in debt to the same creditor. One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other fifty. 42 As they were unable to pay him back, he graciously canceled the debts of both. Now, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, who was forgiven more.” And Jesus said, “You are right.” 44 And turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? 45 You gave me no water for my feet when I entered your house; but she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You didn’t welcome me with a kiss; but she has not stopped kissing my feet since she came in. 46 You provided no oil for my head; but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 This is why, I tell you, her sins, her many sins, are forgiven, because of her great love. But the one who is forgiven little, has little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The others reclining with him at the table began to wonder, “Now this man claims to forgive sins!” 50 But Jesus again spoke to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace!”

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Reflection:

Why is it that many of us are very quick to condemn those who are supposedly sinners? I for one is oftentimes like that I’m very quick at judging people but on second thought who are we to judge them? When we in fact are sinners too! We are quick to judge because we see them as public sinners so we condemn or judge them.

How about the private sins that we commit? Those sins that nobody else knows except us and God only. Most of the time those who are self-righteous are sinners too. They only refuse to admit that they are for they are blinded by the very high esteem that they give to themselves.

Regardless if we are a public sinner of private sinner Jesus wants us to have a renewal in our lives. This we do by means of humbly approaching Him through the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession.

Most of the time repentant public sinners are the most effective bearers of Jesus love and forgiveness. Why? For the reason that they have nothing to hide anymore they humbly open themselves to God’s infinite grace, mercy and forgiveness.

Are you a repentant sinner? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Wednesday September 19, Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:31-35

Gospel: Luke 7:31-35

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

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Reflection:

Are you quick to judge?

Every once in a while, each and every one of us are guilty of judging our fellowmen by what we exteriorly see on them. This happened to John and Jesus, they both were unfairly judged based on what they exteriorly saw. But the danger of judging quickly is we immediately close our minds to further be enlightened by the person/s that we judge.

But how could we know the person better if we quickly judge them? How could we see their pureness, gentleness and humility if we judge them? It’s always better to know the person first and if possible to get acquainted with them before we judge them. Because if we do, we would not be judging or condemning them quickly anymore. This is for the reason that we would be able to discover who they really are.

  

Those who judged John and Jesus were deprived of discovering the real identity of Jesus and John. They also unknowingly deprived themselves of their friendship, blessing and wisdom.

This may happen also to us if we are quick to judge. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Tuesday September 18, Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:11-17

Gospel: Luke 7:11-17

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, crying out “A great prophet has arisen in our midst, “ and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

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Reflection:

Do you want to feel the compassion and mercy of Jesus? 

Jesus compassion is undeniably supreme in our gospel reading today. Upon seeing the widow HE was moved with compassion and sympathy for her. Jesus has compassion for all of us also, we who are struggling with life, Jesus is always with us, HE feels our loneliness, brokenness and our emptiness.

Jesus saw a widow crying over the death of her only son When Jesus saw her; he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” And then Jesus did the unthinkable, He raised the widow's only son to life.

How many times has Jesus made miracles in our life that we are not aware of? In the daily grind of life let us not forget that Jesus is always by our side making little and big miracles for us. Let us not forget it, let us always be grateful to Him.

Just like the widow in the gospel, perhaps you’ve also passed through a stage of sorrow, loneliness and even brokenness. How were you able to triumph over it?  Did you ask help from Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Monday September 17, Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:1-10

Gospel: Luke 7:1-10

When Jesus had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.

Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come here, and he comes; and to my slave, Do this, and he does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

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Reflection:

Are we concerned of the welfare of the less fortunate?

When the centurion/soldier heard that Jesus was nearby. He asked one of his people to ask Jesus to pass by his house so that HE could heal his slave. 

The concern of the centurion to his slave is very commendable. I wish that we are all like him: very concerned with the welfare of the less fortunate. But the reality of it all is many of us do not care for the slaves or the less fortunate. 

We just have to look around and we’ll see that poverty is all over the place. What are we doing about this? Are we doing something to help them in whatever way possible? Or we don’t mind them for the reason that they are poor and they can’t pay us back.

Many are poor nowadays because many of us are indifferent to their plight. And many of these indifferent people are politicians who shamelessly steal money which is supposed to be given to the poor. Let us become modern day centurions by being helpful to the slaves of our times none other than the poor people of our society.

Jesus will surely be happy if we would help them. But are we concerned for their welfare? – Marino J. Dasmarinas