Reflection for Tuesday November 1 Solemnity of All Saints: Matthew 5:1-12a

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad,

for your reward will be great in heaven.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is the objective of your life? Is it limited only for the enjoyment of the things of this world? There is a more meaningful life that lies beneath this superficial life. However, you wouldn’t be able to discover the essence of life unless you learn to detach yourself from this world and begin to embrace the teachings of Jesus. 

What does it mean to be poor in spirit and why is it a blessing to be poor in spirit? As the literal poor relies on the generosity of his fellowmen so that he could sustain himself. To be poor in spirit means that we always rely on Jesus in everything most especially for our spiritual nourishment. 

This means that we rely on the goodness of Jesus. We continuously rely and hunger for God to fill our empty lives so that He could enrich us spirituality. 

Today is all Saints Day, we solemnly remember the Saints they who generously gave their very lives for the mission of Jesus. The saints are not actually spotless when it comes to sin. Just like us they also had their own battle with sin and they triumphed over it because of the help of Jesus. 

The saints became saints for the simple reason that they recognized their spiritual poverty. They discerned that life is empty and meaningless without the guidance of Jesus. We too could become saints in our own little way. If only we would acknowledge our own poverty of spirit. And if only we would invite Jesus to come into our lives and fill our empty and barren lives. - Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for October 31 Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:12-14

Gospel: Luke 14:12-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they  may invite you back and you have repayment.  

Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Have you tried giving to those who cannot give you back?  

There is always this feeling of unexplainable happiness when you give to those who cannot give you back. For example, when you give to a poor relative, a poor friend or an unknown poor just passing by you. There’s always that feeling of unfathomable happiness. 

From where does this feeling of happiness comes from? It comes from God who gives back on behalf of those who cannot repay your kindness. Such how good God is, He always sees to it that the good that you do is given back to you. And when God gives back He gives back generously. 

But many of us prefer to give to those who are capable of giving us back. Perhaps that’s human nature but what if we try giving to those who cannot repay our generosity? The moment we do it then we see how good God really is. 

The gospel for today invites us to reflect on the motives of our giving. Do we give because we expect something in return? Or we give because we find unfathomable joy in giving especially to those who cannot reciprocate our generosity.  

Every act of goodness that we do most especially to those who cannot give us back is generously rewarded by God in manifold way. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Sunday October 30, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 19:1-10

Gospel: Luke 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. 

When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” 

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a man who ambitioned to become wealthy because he thought that if he becomes wealthy he would eventually be happy and fulfilled. He did everything to achieve his ambition including dirtying his hands with dishonest wealth. He eventually became wealthy but he was still not happy neither fulfilled. Until he found Jesus and from thereupon he found peace and fulfillment. 

Is Zacchaeus an ambitious man? 

Yes, Zacchaeus is an ambitious man, he ambitioned to become wealthy no matter what it takes. And with the help of his job as a tax collector his ambition eventually became a reality. He did not mind dirtying his hands with corrupted money just to become rich.  

Considering that he was wealthy and almost had every worldly things that he could ask for, what moved Zacchaeus to seek Jesus? Perhaps, after enjoying all the trappings of dirty wealth and influence. Zacchaeus was still empty deep inside him, he was still yearning for that something that would fill his inner longing for peace and fulfillment.  

Many of us are like Zacchaeus, we chase wealth and power. We don’t even mind if we would commit corruption just to achieve what we want.  This is for the reason that we think that we would become happy and satisfied once we are already wealthy. 

 But the more that we become wealthy and powerful the more that we are not able to sleep soundly at night. The more that we would not have peace of mind and this is principally caused by our greed for wealth and power. 

On the external Zacchaeus is a picture of wealth and power. But deep inside he is crumbling primarily brought by his lack of peace of mind. Until he heard about Jesus and from thereon he promised himself to look for Him no matter what it takes. 

And when he heard that Jesus would be passing by his place, he chased him with all of his might. He did not mind if he would wade through a sea of humanity and he did not mind either if he would climb a sycamore tree to get Jesus’ attention. Why? Because he knew that it is only Jesus who can give him peace of mind and fulfillment. 

How about you who gives you peace and fulfillment? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 29 Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:1, 7-11

Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-11

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.  

He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.   

Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.  

Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What can humility do to your life? Among many other things humility can give you peace and contentment. With humility you can also have many friends and you would get their silent admiration.  

Many of us are afraid to imbibe and live humility because we are afraid that we would be dominated. But humility doesn’t work that way, humility is not to be afraid to be dominated. And humility is not to think less of ourselves but to think of ourselves as somebody who is not superior than anyone else no matter how educated and learned we are.  

For example, if the situation calls for us to say yes and follow lawful orders by all means we have to say yes and follow. Thus, we have to do the task that is given to us with utmost competence.  We give it our all until we are able to achieve what is expected of us and then we simply fade away from the limelight.   There is always a reward that accompanies humility and that is honor and exaltation not from our fellow human beings but from God.  

In the gospel Jesus tells us about the parable of the wedding banquet. The Lord tells us that when we get invited we have to seat first at the lowest place no matter who we are and let the host have a free hand to bring us to the place which we deserve.    

Why is the Lord very particular about humility? The reason behind is it’s only through our humility that the Lord could pour out His unfathomable blessings upon us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Oktubre 29 Sabado sa Ika-30 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 14:1, 7-11

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:1, 7-11

Isang Araw ng Pamamahinga, si Hesus ay inanyayahang kumain sa bahay ng isang pinuno ng mga Pariseo; at binabantayan nilang mabuti ang kanyang mga kilos.  

Napansin ni Hesus na ang pinipili ng mga inanyayahan ay ang mga upuang nakalaan sa mga piling panauhin. Kaya’t sinabi niya ang talinghagang ito: “Kapag inanyayahan ka ninuman sa isang kasalan, huwag mong pipiliin ang tanging upuan. Baka may inanyayahang lalong tanyag kaysa iyo.  

At lalapit ang nag-anyaya sa inyong dalawa at sasabihin sa iyo, ‘Maaari bang ibigay ninyo ang upuang iyan sa taong ito?’ Sa gayo’y mapapahiya ka at doon malalagay sa pinakaabang upuan. Ang mabuti, kapag naanyayahan ka, doon ka maupo sa pinakaabang upuan, sapagkat paglapit ng nag-anyaya sa iyo ay kanyang sasabihin, ‘Kaibigan, dini ka sa kabisera.’ Sa gayun, nabigyan ka ng malaking karangalan sa harapan ng mga panauhin. 

Sapagkat ang nagpapakataas ay ibababa, at ang nagpapakababa ay itataas.”

Reflection for Friday October 28 Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles: Luke 6:12-16

Gospel: Luke 6:12-16

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Would you be willing to respond to Jesus’ call to spread the good news? You may say, I have not studied about the catholic faith thus I have nothing to share so, I will not respond. 

The twelve apostles were ordinary men called by Jesus for an extraordinary mission. Majority or them lived ordinary lives and have not studied yet they responded to Jesus’ call. There was a common denominator that bonded them together and that was the desire to respond to Jesus’ call. 

If you respond to Jesus’ call your life would be more meaningful for the simple reason that you will not exist for yourself anymore. You will now be touching lives; you will become salt and light in the lives of others. You certainly will not become rich for the simple reason that Jesus did not call you to be rich, what is riches anyway when it can fly away from our hands anytime? Jesus is calling you so that you could bear fruit and touch more lives.  

Should you respond just like the twelve apostles? Of course you should, never worry of the material things for God will provide for you. Respond and abandon yourself to Jesus and see the unfolding of events that will marvelously show the infinite goodness and guidance of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 27 Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:31-35

Gospel: Luke 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’  

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

+ + + + + + + 

Reflection: 

What if Jesus allowed fear to grow in His heart? There would be no salvation for all of humanity, but Jesus faced His fears and accomplished His mission by dying on the cross.  

What can we learn from this courageous act of Jesus? We also must learn to face our fears, many of us are not able to evangelize because of fear. Fear that no one will listen to us, fear that we might be rebuked and we have many more unfounded fears. We fear for the simple reason that we allow it to live in our hearts. But once we do not give haven for fear, we now become successful missioners for Christ Jesus.   

The key to become successful missioners for Christ is to defeat fear with faith. But human as we are we often succumb to fear most especially if we are in the line of fire. If we have this mindset what will happen now to the propagation of the faith that was started by Jesus?   

If Jesus, the apostles and the saints allowed fear to conquer them we have no Christian faith to hold and speak of right now. We would be pagans and faithless wanderers in this world, but we have our faith and we owe this to the courage of Christ Jesus and His followers.  

Let us therefore emulate Christ, let us not fear the obstacles before us. For obstacles are meant to be conquered by the strength of our faith in Jesus. Face your fears and creatively live your Baptismal mission to evangelize.  

Be courageous and never worry for the simple reason that as you do your mission for the faith Jesus will always be with you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 26 Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:22-30

Gospel: Luke 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. 

After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from. And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' 

And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a man who died, minutes before his last breath he said to his family: I will go to heaven to be with the Lord because I know Jesus. After he died he was not allowed entry to the heavenly gates. Since, he knew the Lord he asked: “Why am I barred from entering heaven I know Jesus?” The angel said to him, “Yes you know the Lord but you did not do something for him during your lifetime.”  

How are you living your life today? Do you live it in pursuit of the many pleasures of this world? There are many stories of destroyed lives for the simple reason that they immersed their lives in this world. Not knowing that they were actually being brought little by little by the devil to his kingdom. 

The door to hell is wide, it’s full of worldly pleasures, for example, try going to a night club or a bar in the dead of night. What would you find there? People who loves worldly pleasures, people who would readily commit sin if the opportunity presents itself most especially when they are already intoxicated.  

Jesus in our gospel talks about the narrow door; this is the door that leads to Himself. Why is it narrow? Because to follow the Lord is not a bed of roses we have to sacrifice to follow the Lord. Knowing the Lord and following Him are two different things. It’s very easy to say I know the Lord but to follow Him is difficult in the sense that we have to go through purification and sacrifice. However, after our purification and sacrifice we will be in heaven this is the reward that awaits us someday. 

We need to reflect and ponder at some point in our lives and ask ourselves this question, is my life all about knowing the Lord and not following Him? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 25 Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:18-21

Gospel: Luke 13:18-21

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.” 

Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Can you suppress the growth of the kingdom of God in your life? Yes, you can suppress it that’s why many do not grow in faith. But as far as Jesus is concerned He surely wants you to allow the kingdom of God to grow and blossom within you so that through you others would benefit from it. 

How wonderful it is if we only take time to share whatever knowledge that we have about Jesus. If we do so we surely can make a big impact in our fellowmen lives. By sharing Jesus we can give hope to the hopeless and we can give life to the lifeless in spirit.   

Through our baptism God plants the seed of our faith. As we grow up we start to have an awareness of our spiritual identity. Some of us nurture this spiritual identity by continuously thirsting for Jesus, so it would grow. Others would simply ignore this tiny seed of faith that God had planted; this is the reason why some of us do not grow in faith. 

If you will not nurture this seed of faith, how would it grow and how would others know through you that there’s a God who saves, a God who forgives a God who loves them so dearly?  

You therefore have to share whatever you know about God don’t worry if what you know about God is not that substantial. For the reason that God will do something to make it grow just do your part no matter how small because God will take care of everything. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 24 Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:10-17

Gospel: Luke 13:10-17

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, "Woman, you are set free of your infirmity." He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God. 

But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, "There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day." The Lord said to him in reply, "Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering?  

This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?" When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Do you choose the season when you extend help? There is no season or occasion when it comes to helping our fellowmen. For example, you are about to sleep and suddenly a neighbor knocks on your door asking you for help. What should you do? Of course you have to allow yourself to be disturbed and help neighbor in need for the simple reason that this is the right action to do. 

For Jesus there is no Sabbath or holy days when it comes to giving help, what is important for the Lord is to give help. That’s why He cured the woman who had been under the influence of Satan for eighteen long years during the Jewish holy day of Sabbath. 

This must also be our attitude in giving help we must not allow ourselves to be restricted by anyone and we must not choose those whom we will help. For as long as there is someone who needs help let us help. 

After giving help Jesus faced His detractors who were criticizing Him for healing the woman during the Sabbath day and they were humiliated. Why? They realized their very own hypocrisy, arrogance and selective observance of the holy day of Sabbath.   

We therefore have to avoid like a plague hypocrisy and arrogance for it will not do us any good. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para Oktubre 24 Lunes sa Ika-30 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 13:10-17

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:10-17

Noong panahong iyon, si Hesus ay nagtuturo sa isang sinagoga sa Araw ng Pamamahinga. May isang babae roon na labingwalong taon nang may karamdaman, gawa ng masamang espiritung nasa kanya. Siya’y hukot na hukot at hindi na makaunat. Nang makita ni Hesus ang babae, tinawag niya ito at sinabi, “Magaling ka na sa iyong karamdaman!” 

At ipinatong ni Hesus ang kanyang mga kamay sa babae; noon di’y nakaunat ito at nagpuri sa Diyos. Ngunit nagalit ang tagapamahala ng sinagoga sapagkat nagpagaling si Hesus sa Araw ng Pamamahinga. Kaya’t sinabi niya sa mga tao, “May anim na araw na inilaan upang ipagtrabaho. Pumarito kayo sa mga araw na iyan upang magpagaling, at huwag sa Araw ng Pamamahinga.” 

Sinagot siya ng Panginoon, “Mga mapagpaimbabaw! Hindi ba’t kinakalag ninyo sa sabsaban ang inyong baka o asno at dinadala sa painuman kahit Araw ng Pamamahinga? Ang babaing ito na mula sa lipi ni Abraham ay ginapos ni Satanas sa loob ng labingwalong taon. Hindi ba dapat na siya’y kalagan kahit na Araw ng Pamamahinga?” Napahiya ang lahat ng kalaban ni Hesus sa sagot niyang ito; at nagalak naman ang madla sa mga kahanga-hangang bagay na ginawa niya.

Reflection for Sunday October 23, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 18:9-14

Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Have you ever tried conversing with those who are humble? What do you notice about them? They rarely talk about themselves, if they even talk about themselves they see to it that it’s done not for the purpose of raising their own self-image. So, we naturally gravitate towards them and we love to be with them because they somewhat carry an aura of holiness. 

Have you tried conversing with those who are so full of themselves? Of course, they always talk about themselves: their accomplishments, their riches, things that they do and it goes on and on: all about themselves. Truth be told, we don’t want to hear these self-serving words that only feed their egos. 

God would prefer also that we at all times become humble. To talk less and less about ourselves and our accomplishments for the simple reason that it’s all geared to feed our superficial image.  God already knows everything about us.  He would very much prefer that we simply practice our faith and humbly walk in this temporal world with Him in silence yes in silence.  Never worrying if others would notice us or not. Simply content to do things for the greater glory of God and not to serve our own glorification. 

Many of us are like the Pharisee in our gospel, we love to talk about ourselves and we love to boast about the things that we do. But that will not serve us any good for the simple reason that we will not gain the favor of God if we always point to ourselves as the lead actor. 

The Lord always favors the humble as subtly stated in the gospel. The humble ones are those who talk less of themselves and those who do not let success go to their heads. Because they are very much aware that whatever they have is a gift from God that they must not brag about. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Oktubre 23, Ika - 30 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon : Lucas 18:9-14

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 18:9-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus ang talinghagang ito sa mga taong ang tingin sa sarili'y matuwid at humahamak naman sa iba. "May dalawang lalaking pumanhik sa templo upang manalangin: ang isa'y Pariseo at ang isa nama'y publikano. Tumindig ang Pariseo at pabulong na nanalangin ng ganito: 'O Diyos, nagpapasalamat ako sa iyo pagkat hindi ako katulad ng iba -- mga magnanakaw, mga mandaraya, mga mangangalunya -- o kaya'y katulad ng publikanong ito.

Makalawa akong nag-aayuno sa loob ng sanlinggo; nagbibigay ako ng ikapu ng lahat kong kinikita. Samantala, ang publikano'y nakatayo sa malayo; hindi man lamang makatingin sa langit, kundi dinadagukan ang kanyang dibdib, at sinasabi: 'O Diyos, mahabag po kayo sa akin na isang makasalanan!' Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang lalaking ito'y umuwing kinalulugdan ng Diyos, ngunit hindi ang isa. Sapagkat ang sinumang nagpapakataas ay ibababa, at ang nagpapakababa ay itataas."

Reflection for October 22 Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:1-9

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them–do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” 

And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a sinful man who was counseled to repent from his sins and walk away from it completely. However, the man did not listen to the wise counsel, he persisted on doing his sinful ways until he met a sudden end.  

What will happen to us if we would not walk away from our sinfulness? Sooner or later there will be punishment and there will be reckoning or payback. This is the normal cycle of life; if we refuse to walk away from all of our sinfulness there shall be punishment. If punishment will not catch up with us here in this world it will surely get hold of us in the afterlife.  

In our gospel, Jesus told those who were listening to Him to repent while they have the luxury of time. Because if they would not repent something very bad may happen to them. Same as what happened to the Galileans who were killed by Pilate and the eighteen people who perished when the tower of Siloam fell upon them.     

This is how great the love of God for us, He will continuously call upon us to repent from all of our sinfulness. Why? Because as much as possible Jesus wants us to be saved from the severe punishment of hell. Jesus will give us every opportunity to come back to Him no matter the sins that we have committed.  

But at the end of the day, it’s still in our hands if we would listen to this call of Jesus or not. Let us say we listened to this call of repentance, what would happen to our lives? There would be essential transformation in our lives: From a chaotic to a peaceful life and from a life of sin to a peaceful life free from sin.  

Would you listen to this call of Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 21 Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:54-59

Gospel: Luke 12:54-59

Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? 

Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A philandering and irresponsible husband was always being advised by his mother to change his ways and focus his sole attention to his family. But the lure of temptation was too attractive to let go, so he did not listen to his mother.  After some time the limits of his wife’s patience had finally reached its boiling point.  So she and her children left Him, being alone he finally realized how irresponsible he was. 

This is who many of us are we keep on sinning .We are numb to well meaning advice because by its earthly nature sin is attractive. And the devil will keep pushing sin to us (disguised as pleasures) until it destroys us completely. 

However, Jesus has a message for us in the gospel. It’s for us to completely walk away from our sinfulness before it destroys us. For the reason that the moment we allow sin to take hold of us it will destroy not only us but even those that we love dearly. This may take time before it happen but it will surely happen.  

In our gospel Jesus denounced the crowd for their hypocrisy, they could predict the clouds and the weather. However they were purposely deaf to His call of repentance, aren’t many of us are like them? We only listen to the dictates of this world but we shut our ears when it comes to Jesus!  

 Let us listen to Jesus who always call upon us to repent because this is the right course of action to take. Jesus teachings may be unacceptable to us initially because it will entail painful purification and a change of lifestyle. But purification with Jesus always involves temporal difficulties that will eventually translate to a life of tranquility and contentment.

Would you care to listen to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 20 Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:49-53

Gospel: Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? 

No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about two childhood best friends who grew up and went to the same university in college. Best friend number one noticed that something was not right in the behavior of his best friend. So, he asked his best friend if something is wrong best friend number two replied that nothing to worry because everything is fine. 

After a few days best friend number two was caught by the school authorities using illegal drugs.  Best friend number one who was a devout follower of Jesus told his best friend to straighten his life otherwise he would cut his ties with him.     

All along we have this impression of Jesus as a unifying factor, as a man of peace. But what the gospel presents to us is contrary to these images of Jesus. Because what we have in the gospel is a divisive Jesus that creates conflict amongst family members.  

 Indeed, Jesus creates conflict amongst family members’ even friends. That is who Jesus is, He is not afraid to create a wedge amongst us so that we would straighten our crooked ways. For example, if some members of your family don’t want to go to Sunday Mass, what would you do? Would you simply keep quiet and just let it be? Of course not! 

You have to speak and gently remind those members of your family who don’t want to worship God at Mass. Another example, let us say that a member of your family had a pregnancy out of wedlock and a member of your family is suggesting an abortion. Will you simply keep silent and agree about that evil suggestion? Of course not, you have to speak out against the offer of abortion.  

A true follower of the Lord is someone who is not afraid to say what is in his mind even if it is unpopular. Even if it creates temporary division and separation among members of family and friends. As followers of Jesus it is always our responsibility to gently correct those whom we feel are going astray or walking into the darkness with the devil.   

If they would listen to us well and good, if they won’t and it results to division or even conflict.  That’s fine at least we have done something to redirect their lives to the right way of life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 19 Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:39-48

 

Gospel: Luke 12:39-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” 

Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. 

Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 

That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you prepared for the coming of the Lord? 

In our gospel Jesus tells us to be prepared for we do not know the time of His coming. Aside from being prepared Jesus gives us another responsibility none other than to share whatever we know about Him. It’s not enough for Jesus that we know Him.  He wants us to move and do the next step and this is to share what we know about Him. 

The Christian faith that God has given to us is not to be kept to ourselves. We must share and live it for it is in sharing and living our faith that we are able to completely follow Jesus. To whom we would share? Start within your family most especially your children. If you are able to successfully evangelize you will have no problem of what will happen to them when they become adults. 

But the dilemma of many of us is we don’t share with our children what we know about Christ. Not because we know nothing about Jesus, many of us actually don’t have a shortage of knowledge about Jesus. In fact many of us know abundantly about Jesus but the problem is we don’t live and practice what we know about Christ and His teachings. This is one of the major reasons why we are not able to share Jesus with our children and with our friends. 

We must aspire to learn more about Christ Jesus and after learning more about Him. We must live what we’ve learned from Him, thus we become prepared for His coming anytime. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Tuesday October 18 Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist: Luke 10:1-9

Gospel: Luke 10:1-9

The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two 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 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.’”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

A young man decided to become a follower of Jesus but he did not leave behind his worldly lifestyle. He still was living his sinful and hedonistic life and he did not cut his ties with his friends who loved this world more than God. After a few months he noticed that he was not able to convince anyone to follow the Lord. 

How could we become effective bearers of the teachings of Jesus? We must live simply, avoid any form of sin and we should depend on Jesus in everyday of our lives. This doesn’t mean that we just lay idle and wait for the manna from heaven to fall upon us in a silver platter. This means that we still have to work hard but at the same time we have to live simply. And let the values and teachings of Jesus take control of our life.    

Is it still possible to live simply today where the culture of greed, materialism and accumulation rules? Of course it’s still very much possible it’s actually upon our hands on how we would live in this world. Would we let the culture of greed, materialism and accumulation rule over us? Or we let the simple lifestyle of Jesus take control of us? 

When Jesus sent the seventy-two disciples to their mission He advocated simple living and total dependence on Him. Why? Because it’s only through this that they could become effective bearers of the good news of Jesus. It’s only through this way that they would be able to convince others to follow Jesus. 

If we want to become effective and fruitful laborers of the Lord we have to learn to live  simple lives. And we have to learn to trust in the providence of the Lord rather than trust in our own selves. For the simple reason that this is the lifestyle of Jesus: He lived a simple life and Jesus did not trust on himself He trusted on the guidance and goodness of God. 

How are you living your life today? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Monday October 17, Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr: Luke 12:13-21

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” 

Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’  

But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A rich woman unexpectedly died without leaving behind a last will and testament. Her children were bickering since each one of them wanted to have the biggest share of the wealth. Therefore the once strong and loving sibling relationship became divided and distant and the reason behind was their greed for material wealth.  

There are people who feel secure with material wealth as if it could save them from the certainty of death. There are people who think that because they have material wealth they can now buy even the soul and honor of their fellowmen. These are all false notions for the reason that material wealth is temporary and it is not the be all and end all of life. 

Material wealth by itself is not bad because this can sustain our life in this world. This can also be our instrument in spreading the love and mercy of God. For example, we help somebody in need using our material wealth which is surely not bad. Material wealth becomes evil when we become greedy that we allow it to possess and dictate upon us.  

In the gospel Jesus tells us that life is not about material possession. If life is not about material possession what is life all about? Life is about God! If we have all the material wealth in this world yet we don’t have God in our life our life is still empty and barren. 

This is for the simple reason that material wealth can be swiftly taken from us anytime. And it surely cannot bring us to heaven when our time of departure in this world comes. On the other hand if we choose to have God, God will be with us until eternity. 

What is your priority in this world: To have material wealth or to have Jesus in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas