Reflection for Wednesday September 14, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; John 3:13-17

Gospel: John 3:13-17

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

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Reflection:

After the death of Jesus there was an intense persecution of Christians. But during the year 312 AD the church entered a new era and that was when Constantine I, adopted the christian faith and became the first Christian Emperor of Rome. One of his first edict was to stop the persecution of Christians.

It was said that Constantine I, deputized his mother Helena to gather Christian relics. So she travelled to the Holy Land, while there she discovered three different crosses used during the crucifixion of Jesus and the two thieves (Dismas and Gestas).

Since there were three crosses her dilemma was to find the real cross of Jesus. So she called on the sick people of the community and let them touch each of the three crosses. Among the three there was one that stood out, since it instantly healed those who touched it. Helena declared it to be the true cross of Jesus.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, unlike other Christians whose cross is without Jesus. Our cross is never complete without Jesus on it.

Often times, our cross symbolizes the burdens that we carry. A young mother who was asked, who is your cross and she instantaneously replied it’s my irresponsible husband because he is always with his friends indulging in drinking sprees and whenever he arrives he subjects me to physical and emotional abuse.

Each and everyone of us has our own cross that makes life difficult for us. Sometimes we may even say: why is it that the more that I go near Jesus the heavier the cross that I carry? The cross that we carry is a test of our faith, we would not be able to fully comprehend the presence of Jesus in our life without silently carrying and enduring our own cross.

What is important is whenever we carry our cross we invite Jesus to help us carry it and implore Him to journey with us with our cross. Let us not question why we have our cross because the cross that burdens us right now is nothing compared to the cross of Jesus.

The paradox of it all is this: the cross that has given Jesus tons of sufferings became the catalyst in the completion of His mission. This cross is also the symbol of our salvation so long as we believe and look up to Jesus who died for us on the cross. There is no exaltation of the cross without the salvific sacrifice of Jesus,

Are you carrying your own cross or do you have a cross right now, a cross that makes life so difficult for you? Look up to Jesus then close your eyes and humbly ask Him to help you carry it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday September 13, Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church; 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, exclaiming, “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:

 What does Jesus do to our life?

He makes miracles for us everyday some of us notice these miracles that’s why we always thank HIM everyday through prayers. Many of us also do not notice this, so we live our lives without being aware of the goodness of Jesus.

While on their way to Nain Jesus saw a funeral march with a grieving widow. Jesus saw her approached her and told her, “Do not weep.” And thereafter HE approached the coffin of her son and HE said, Young man I tell you arise! The grieving widow suddenly became joyous and thankful for the reason that Jesus brought to life again her only son.

This is Jesus for you and me, a God who heals, a God who create miracles. And a God that is always by our side ever ready to help us in whatever way. Therefore, in everyday of our life we must strive to walk with Jesus. We must discard any actions and thoughts which would only make us sin.

Do you make a conscious effort to avoid sin or distance yourself away from people who influence you to sin? Have you recently thought of submitting yourself to the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday September 12, 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:

Do you always prioritize the poor over the rich?

The concern of the centurion/military officer to his slave is very admirable; just imagine he went to Jesus for healing for his very sick slave. The centurion/military officer’s love for his slave was very pleasing for Jesus that’s why Jesus granted his desire for healing for his slave.

By the way, who’s the slave in our modern times? The slaves of our time are the poor people that we know, whose status in life is way way below us. Oftentimes our concern for the poor is very different from those who are rich.

To be brutally honest, we actually have two sets of standards of concern for our friends who are poor and rich. Many of us have biases towards our rich friends for this is what is normal for us: go for the rich friends first before we go for the poor friends.

Let us always remember that Jesus always wants us to help and pray for those who are in need specially the poor for they are closest to His heart. This doesn’t mean that we neglect the rich but if there would be a choice to whom would we extend help first.

 It’s no brainer that we go to  the poor first, we have to prioritize them over the rich. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday September11, Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Luke 15:1-32

Gospel: Luke 15:1-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  So to them he addressed this parable. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Then he said, “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.  When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.  And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.

The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns, who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.

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Reflection:

A newly-elected president from a faraway country had the shock of his life. When he discovered that almost fifthly percent of his country’s population was hooked on heroine and other illegal drugs.   So he called for an emergency meeting of all of his government department heads. And the president told them, “Let us create a comprehensive program the will take care and rehabilitate these drug addicts.”

After five years the government of this president was successful in eliminating the drug menace of his country. The former drug addicts that his government rehabilitated were back on their feet; some were productively working. Some were volunteers in their respective communities and many became very successful in their field of interest.

When the term of this president was about to end, these former drug addicts pooled whatever meager resources that they have to sponsor a nationwide paid advertisement to thank him for nurturing them and for not giving-up on them.  Because according to them they were once upon a time were lost but this humble and caring president did not give-up on them.

Through parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son Jesus in the gospel for this Sunday speaks about the not giving-up with the lost ones. Jesus teaches us not to give up on them no matter how sinful they are.

How many times have we given-up on the lost ones? We think about them as discards and scourges of society that they are not useful anymore. We therefore give up on them, this is who many of us are: We give up on the lost and we treat them as good for nothing!

But that is not what Jesus is teaching us in this gospel, What Jesus is teaching us is not to give up on the lost ones. Jesus is telling us that instead of giving up on those who are lost we should instead patiently look for them. For they still can be found, they still can be rehabilitated and they still are very much capable of straightening their ways if we will not give up on them.

Do you easily give up on those who are lost? Those who are unproductive and wayward members of your family? Are you forgiving and patient enough to help them get back on their feet again? -  Marino  J. Dasmarinas   

Repleksyon para sa Linggo Setyembre 11, Ika-24 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon; Lucas 15:1-32

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 15:1-32

Isang araw, ang mga maniningil ng buwis at ang mga makasalanan ay lumapit kay Jesus upang makinig. 2  Nagbulung-bulungan naman ang mga Pariseo at mga tagapagturo ng Kautusan. Sabi nila, "Ang taong ito'y nakikisama sa mga makasalanan at nakikisalo sa mga ito." 3 Dahil dito, sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus ang talinhagang ito. 4 "Kung ang sinuman sa inyo ay may isandaang tupa at mawalan ng isa, ano ang gagawin niya? Hindi ba't iiwan niya ang siyamnapu't siyam sa pastulan at hahanapin ang nawawala hanggang sa ito'y matagpuan? 5  Kapag nakita na niya ang tupa ay masaya niya itong papasanin. 6  Pagdating sa bahay, aanyayahan niya ang kanyang mga kaibigan at mga kapitbahay at sasabihin sa kanila, 'Makipagsaya kayo sa akin dahil nakita ko na ang tupa kong nawawala!' 7 Sinasabi ko sa inyo, magkakaroon ng higit na kagalakan sa langit dahil sa isang makasalanang tumatalikod sa kasalanan kaysa siyamnapu't siyam na matuwid na di nangangailangang magsisi."

"O kaya, kung ang isang babae ay may sampung salaping pilak at mawala ang isa, ano ang gagawin niya? Hindi ba't magsisindi siya ng ilawan, wawalisan ang buong bahay at hahanaping mabuti ang nawawalang salapi hanggang sa ito'y kanyang makita? 9 Kapag nakita na niya ito, aanyayahan niya ang kanyang mga kaibigan at mga kapitbahay at sasabihin sa kanila, 'Makipagsaya kayo sa akin, sapagkat nakita ko na ang nawawala kong salaping pilak!' 10 Sinasabi ko sa inyo, gayundin ang kagalakan ng mga anghel ng Diyos dahil sa isang makasalanang tumatalikod sa kasalanan."

Sinabi pa ni Jesus, "May isang tao na may dalawang anak na lalaki. 12 Sinabi sa kanya ng bunso, 'Ama, ibigay na po ninyo sa akin ang mamanahin ko.' At hinati nga ng ama ang kanyang ari-arian. 13    Pagkalipas ng ilang araw, ipinagbili ng bunso ang kanyang kaparte at nagpunta siya sa malayong lupain. Nilustay niya roon sa pamamagitan ng mga bisyo ang lahat niyang kayamanan. 14 Nang maubos na ito, nagkaroon ng matinding taggutom sa lupaing iyon, kaya't siya'y nagsimulang maghirap. 15 Namasukan siya sa isang tagaroon, at siya'y pinagtrabaho nito sa isang babuyan. 16       Sa tindi ng kanyang gutom, at dahil sa wala namang nagbibigay sa kanya ng pagkain, halos kainin na niya ang mga bungangkahoy na kinakain ng mga baboy. 17  Ngunit napag-isip-isip niya ang kanyang ginawa at nasabi niya sa sarili, 'Labis-labis ang pagkain ng mga alila ng aking ama, samantalang ako'y namamatay dito sa gutom! 18 Babalik ako sa aking ama at sasabihin ko sa kanya, "Ama, nagkasala po ako sa Diyos at sa inyo. 19        Hindi na po ako karapat-dapat na tawaging anak ninyo; ibilang na lamang ninyo akong isa sa inyong mga alila."' 20 At siya'y nagpasyang umuwi sa kanila.

"Malayo pa'y natanaw na siya ng kanyang ama, at dahil sa matinding awa ay patakbo siyang sinalubong, niyakap, at hinalikan. 21 Sinabi ng anak, 'Ama, nagkasala po ako sa Diyos at sa inyo. Hindi na po ako karapat-dapat na tawaging anak ninyo.' 22        Ngunit tinawag ng ama ang kanyang mga alila, 'Madali! Kunin ninyo ang pinakamagandang damit at bihisan ninyo siya. Suotan ninyo siya ng singsing at bigyan ninyo siya ng sandalyas. 23 Katayin ninyo ang pinatabang guya at tayo'y magdiwang. 24  Sapagkat ang anak kong ito ay namatay na, ngunit siya ay nabuhay; nawala, ngunit muling natagpuan.' At sila nga'y nagdiwang."

 25 "Nasa bukid noon ang anak na panganay. Nang umuwi ito at malapit na sa bahay, narinig nito ang tugtugan at sayawan. 26 Tinawag niya ang isang utusan at tinanong, 'Bakit? Ano'ng mayroon sa atin?' 27      'Dumating po ang inyong kapatid!' sagot ng alila. 'Ipinapatay po ng inyong ama ang pinatabang guya dahil ang inyong kapatid ay nakabalik nang buhay at walang sakit.' 28Nagalit ang panganay at ayaw niyang pumasok sa bahay. Pinuntahan siya ng kanyang ama at pinakiusapan. 29 Ngunit sumagot siya, 'Pinaglilingkuran ko kayo sa loob ng maraming taon at kailanma'y hindi ko kayo sinuway. Ngunit ni minsa'y hindi ninyo ako binigyan ng kahit isang maliit na kambing para magkatuwaan kami ng aking mga kaibigan. 30 Subalit nang dumating ang anak ninyong ito, na lumustay ng inyong kayamanan sa masasamang babae, ipinagpatay pa ninyo siya ng pinatabang guya!' 31 Sumagot ang ama, 'Anak, lagi kitang kapiling at ang lahat ng aking ari-arian ay sa iyo. 32 Nararapat lang na tayo'y magsaya at magdiwang, sapagkat patay na ang kapatid mo, ngunit nabuhay; nawala, ngunit muling natagpuan.

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Repleksyon:

Sa isang malayong lugar ay may isang bagong halal na presidente na nagulat ng matuklasan niya na halos kalahati ng popolasyon ng kanyan bansa ay alipin ng ipinagbabawal na gamot. Kaya ang ginawa niya ay tumawag siya ng pagpupulong ng iba’t-ibang namumuno ng mga departamento ng  kanyang bansa at sinabi niya sa kanila: Gumawa tayo ng programa na mangangalaga, magtuturo at maggagamot sa mga taong ito para maayos nila ang kanilang buhay.  

Pagkatapos ng limang taon ang gobyerno ng presidenteng ito ay naging matagumpay sa kanilang pangarap na alisin na ang pagkagumon ng mga taong ito sa ipinagbabawal na gamot. Ang dating mga adik na tinulungan ng kaniyang gobyerno ay nakabalik sa kanilang normal na buhay. Ang iba ay nagkaroon ng trabaho at kabuhayan at ang iba ay naging volunteer na tagatulong  sa kanilang kumunidad.

Nang matatapos na ang panunungkulan ng presidenteng ito ang mga dating adik ay nag ambag-ambag ng anuman na kanilang makakaya. Para mag pagawa ng kanilang mga tarpaulin na nagpapasalamat sa presidente nila. Dahil para sa kanila sila ay minsan na nawala sa tamang landas ng buhay ngunit hindi niya sila pinabayaan.

Sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhaga ng nawawala at natagpuang tupa, ang nawawala at natagpuang salaping pilak at ang alibughang anak. Si Jesus sa pamamagitan ng ating mga talinhaga sa ating mabuting balita ay nakiki-usap sa atin na huwag na huwag nating pababayaan ang mga nawawala kahit na gaano man kabigat ang kanilang mga kasalanan.    

Ilang beses na po ba nating pinabayaan yung mga taong nawawala sa ating mga buhay. Minsan ang ating turing sa kanila ay wala na silang halaga dahil sa kanilang mga nagawang pagkakamali sa atin. Kaya pinababayaan nalang natin sila na para bagang wala na silang halaga sa ating buhay at sa ating lipunan.

Pero hindi ito ang itinuturo sa atin ni Jesus sa ating mabuting balita bagkus ang itinuturo sa atin ni Jesus ay huwag pababayaan ang mga nawawala sa tamang landas.  Patuloy silang hanapin dahil kaya parin nilang mag bagong buhay sa pamamagitan ng ating pagmamahal, pagpapatawad at pagtulong sa kanila.

Pinababayaan mo nalang ba yung mga nawawala sa tamang landas ng buhay? Kaya mo pa bang hanapin sila, mahaling muli at tulungan na magbago? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Saturday September 10, The Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time; Luke 6:43-49

Gospel: Luke 6:43-49

Jesus said to his disciples: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”

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Reflection:

Are you easily affected by the worries of life? For example, a severe sickness or a family issue, do you allow these episodes in your life to blow you away? Or you remain calm because you believe that ultimately God is in charge and He will take care of everything.

What is the advantage of having a deep friendship with Jesus? We remain strong even during the lowest point in our life. Yes being human we will be affected by the trials that we may encounter. But at the end of the day we will remain strong and we will certainly survive amidst these trials because we hold on to Jesus.

Life is never permanent, there would be episodes of loneliness and happiness there may even be times that the loneliness are far more than the happiness. But we survive because we have Christ in our lives. For if we have Christ nobody could bring us down not even the hardest problem that we may encounter.    

Let us therefore pray for a deeper encounter with Jesus, let us invite Him to come into our lives. So that we would always remain serene and calm amidst the trials and turbulence in our lives.

Would you want a deeper encounter with Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Friday September 9, Saint Peter Claver, Priest; Luke 6:39-42

Gospel: Luke 6:39-42

Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

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Reflection:

Are you self-righteous?

Every once in a while we all become guilty of this offense called self-righteousness. We see ourselves as someone who is above all,  we are quick to point out the offense of our fellowmen. Why is this so? Is this brought about by our self serving perception that we are closer to God than anyone else? Is this brought about by our social and economic status?

It’s all of the above and more. But the problem with self-righteous individuals is they only see the shortcomings of others but not their own. They are very quick to judge the wrongs of others but not their own.

The moment we judge others we also open our very selves to judgment. By judging them forcefully invite them to disrespect us. If we don’t want others to judge us let us stop being judgmental and let us abhor condemnation. 

Instead of judging why not motivate? Why not apply gentle correction, why not understand and forgive? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Thursday September 8, The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

Gospel: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan,Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

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Reflection:

Do you believe that parents play a critical role in the life of their children?  

Today is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, why is Mary so humble and docile to the will of God? Is it an inherent character of Mary? The humility and docility of Mary is a gift from God.

But it was also influenced upon her by her parents: Joachim and Anna, it was said that they were childless until an angel appeared to Anna and told her that she would conceive. Somehow the appearance of the angel to Joachim and Anna would tell us what kind of individuals the parents of Mary.

Both of them loved God deeply—both of them were prayerful, humble and docile to the will of God. Therefore God gifted them with a new child and that is Mary. Mary is an epitome of humility and docility as well. Without Mary Jesus would have not been born; thus a savior was born because of the humility and docility of Mary.

As we remember the birth of the Blessed Mother let us not forget the role of her parents. Let us also not forget to inculcate upon our children the importance of humility and docility. For it will define their character as they grow-up.

Have you taught your children the values of humility and docility? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Wednesday September 7, Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time; Luke 6:20-26

Gospel: Luke 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,

for the Kingdom of God is yours.

Blessed are you who are now hungry,

for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who are now weeping,

for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you,

and when they exclude and insult you,

and denounce your name as evil

on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!

Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.

For their ancestors treated the prophets

in the same way.

But woe to you who are rich,

for you have received your consolation.

But woe to you who are filled now,

for you will be hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now,

for you will grieve and weep.

Woe to you when all speak well of you,

for their ancestors treated the false

prophets in this way.”

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Reflection:

What is the main requirement to get closer to Jesus? It’s to suffer for the sake of the advancement of the kingdom of Christ in this world. Without suffering for Christ there would be no intimacy with Jesus.

 Many of us are so afraid to suffer for Christ sake because we are selfish. We only think of ourselves and not think of others, we only are concerned of what we can get from this present world and forget about what is after this world.

In the process of our desire to get closer to Jesus many will hate us even distance themselves from us. But what the heck! We have to understand that we don’t live in this world to be in this world. We live in this world now so that we can go to heaven someday.

Our motivation in existing in this world should always be heaven to be with Jesus. Otherwise if our motivation is centered in this world we would never have peace. We may have all the things of this world yet we still will have no peace for there’s an absence of Christ in our lives.  

Therefore, let us not be afraid of the challenges that we might face for the sake of advancement the kingdom of God in this world. For this is the reason of our existence in this world. He made us to exist in this world so that we could bring others closer to Jesus.

Have you already suffered for Christ and have you already brought somebody closer to Jesus? If your answer is yes, you are surely blessed! – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for Tuesday September 6, Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time; Luke 6:12-19

Gospel: Luke 6:12-19

Jesus departed 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.

And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.

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Reflection:

Why did Jesus called the twelve to be His apostles?

There was a reason why Jesus called the twelve disciples to be His apostles and that is to help Him spread the good news of our salvation. Looking back on the lives of these apostles except for Judas all were faithful servants of the Lord. They were His eyes and ears they were His collaborators in His mission.

The apostles did not lead lives of ease and comfort in fact except for Judas almost all of them were martyred in doing the mission that Jesus bestowed upon them. What is the significance of this call on the apostles in our lives?

By virtue of our Baptism we too are called to collaborate with Jesus and the apostles to spread the good news of our salvation. We are called to lead Holy lives so that others may see Jesus in us; we are called to be patient, to persevere and to be enduring in our discipleship.

If we say that we love Jesus it amounts to saying that we are always ready to suffer and to be humiliated for the sake of the advancement of His kingdom. This is the mark of a true and faithful disciple/apostle.

Are you ready to suffer for Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday September 5, Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time; Luke 6:6-11

Gospel: Luke 6:6-11

On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up and stand before us.” And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

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Reflection:

Do you have the guts to defy someone so that you could do something positive to your fellowmen?

Jesus cured the man with a withered hand notwithstanding the presence of the Pharisees and the scribes who were keenly watching Him. Jesus defied the Pharisees and scribes who were strictly observing the Sabbath law.

Jesus put more importance on the need to help the sick man rather than be afraid. What an unquestionable courage. Let us say that there shall come a time that we will also be in the same situation with Jesus. What shall we do then?

Would we simply forgo helping those who are in need because we are afraid that we might offend someone who is very influential? Or we will be like Jesus who courageously faced the very powerful Pharisees and scribes.

The best path to take is to be courageous like Jesus, to help those who are in need no matter the threat against us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Sunday September 4, Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time; Luke 14:25-33

Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

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Reflection:

A dying man was given two choices by the angel of God. One choice was to be well again and live a worldly life and the other one was to die immediately and enter the pearly gates to be with Jesus. The dying man chose to die and be with Jesus, baffling as it may seem for many of us yet the dying man made the right choice. 

What is the essence of life if it’s only lived for this world? What is the reason for living if it’s empty of Jesus’ presence? To choose to follow Jesus over this world is to discover the real meaning of life in this world. To fill your life with Jesus is to finally discover the real reason why you’re existing and breathing in this world.

The core of life is a life lived in union with Jesus. Surely, Jesus will forgive us if we contradict Him by immediately jumping into discipleship without careful thinking -- Jesus is a God of love and forgiveness anyway.         Because if we carefully think first we may be overwhelmed by the daunting task of discipleship. And we immediately back-out without even trying and experiencing how it feels to be a follower or a disciple. 

Whereas, if we immediately decide to follow Jesus we will right away have an experience about how to be His follower. If we find it hard or difficult let us never hesitate to call on Jesus. For He is always there for us, by our side walking with us as we wade through the flood of difficulties and challenges of being a follower or a discipleship. – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Reflection for Saturday September 3, Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor; Luke 6:1-5

Gospel: Luke 6:1-5

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat, ate of it, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”

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Reflection:

What kind of Lord and Master is Jesus? He is a loving and caring Lord and Master, He will always see to it that His people are properly taken care of no matter what the circumstances are. If there’s a need and a precedence to violate certain laws so be it for as long as it could help His people.

When Jesus defended His disciples from the rebuke of the Pharisees (From picking and eating grains on a Sabbath day) He was simply saying that the need of His disciples always takes precedence over any observance of the Jewish law/s.

Jesus was indirectly saying to His critics that they sometimes have to be flexible also anyway they did not commit any criminal act. The disciples were simply hungry and that was it they simply have to satisfy their need.  In fact King David also did that in the old testament as told to them by Jesus(1 Samuel 21:2-7).

Here we see what kind of Lord and Master Jesus is, He properly takes care of His people. Jesus is even willing to violate the sacred Sabbath law for as long as it would be beneficial to His followers. By virtue of our baptism we already are followers of Jesus we may not be faithful to Him all the time. Nevertheless, His love, care and concern for us will always be there by our side no matter the circumstances we are in. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Friday September 2, Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time; Luke 5:33-39

Gospel: Luke 5:33-39

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” And he also told them a parable. “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

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Reflection:

A lady was giving her personal testimony on how Jesus made a big impact on her life and how Jesus filled her life with joy and contentment. She said further that now that Jesus is in her heart. She now will always ask Jesus to take over her sadness and other trials.

Whether we admit or not sadness and other lonesome emotions will once in a while visit us. This is normal for we are all beings with emotions. However if we have Jesus, we have nothing to worry even if these lonesome feelings will come to us.

We would know how to handle it for the simple reason that we already have Jesus in our lives. We have nothing to worry about anything that may come to us. Thus, we continue to move ahead with hope because Jesus is by our side.

Assuring us that no human affliction and emotion no matter how severe could bring us down anymore. Not even the saddest moment in our lives for we have already been renewed and poured into the fresh wineskin which is Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas