Reflection for Monday October 3, Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time; Luke 10:25-37

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

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Reflection:

How do we express our love for God and neighbor?

 It is by caring for those who are in need no matter who they may be. For so long as they’re in need we should help them but there are those who are so withdrawn that even if they’re in need they find it hard to ask for help. There are people who are like this; they’re in need but they don’t ask for help because of low self-esteem and shyness.

 What should we do? We must be sensitive to their plight, we must not be stonehearted we should help without being asked for help.

The question of the scholar of the law is perhaps also our question before Jesus: How can we inherit eternal life? And Jesus referred them to what was written in the law; Love of God and love of our neighbor; these are the two keys to have eternal life.

Jesus further reinforced these two teachings with a story of a man who was victimized by robbers. As he lay half-dead a priest followed by a Levite both prominent people passed by but they did not lift a finger to help him. Afterwards a Samaritan came and he surprisingly helped the man, then not content with helping him the Samaritan brought the man to an inn to be properly nursed there.

It’s not enough to say, we love God and our neighbors for these are mere words that are empty. We put life and meaning to these two greatest commandments when we become like the Samaritan. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for Sunday October 2, Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time; Luke 17:5-10

Gospel: Luke 17:5-10

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

“Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

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Reflection:

What is the character of a good and faithful servant? He/she submits to his master. And whatever lawful orders that his master tells him to do he does it even if it’s very difficult.  Therefore a servant is always obedient and faithful to his Lord and master.

Who are we in this fleeting world? We are mere servants! Who do we serve? Many of us are serving this world, for example when we work and work and we sacrifice our love and worship for God in favor of our work and other worldly preoccupations this world becomes our lord and master.

We become obedient to the dictates of this world, whatever this world would tell us we obey it without question. However, the problem is, this world is not a good lord and master. In fact this world is the worst lord and master that we could ever have.

The moment we allow this world to be our Lord and master it will hold us by our necks and never let go of us until we become slaves of this world. And when we become slaves of this world we will eventually die a life devoid of purpose.

Who then is the Lord and Master that we should follow? The same Lord and Master of the apostles whom they humbly asked to increase their faith, none other than Jesus.

Who is your Lord and Master? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Saturday October 1, Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church; Luke 10:17-24

Gospel: Luke 10:17-24

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

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Reflection:

Why did Jesus caution the disciples not to rejoice for their human triumphs? The reason for this is there may be a tendency for the disciples to take pride with what they have achieved.

As if Jesus was telling them, when you’re doing your vocation for me. Don’t ever forget to always be humble. To always avoid singular or collective honors, for you were not called to be my followers to reap honors. You were called to bring people to me no other reason but to bring your fellowmen to me.

 

This also is very much applicable for us. Let us not rejoice because we have brought people closer to Christ. Let us not rejoice because we have influenced our fellowmen to read the bible, to go to Holy Mass or to take seriously their faith.

If we follow to the letter this directive of Jesus, we leave no room for the sin of pride and arrogance to take foothold in our lives. And what will remain? Humility only humility and this must always be our guiding light. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Friday September 30, Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church; Luke 10:13-16

Gospel: Luke 10:13-16

Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’ Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

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Reflection:

Do you listen to Jesus’ call of repentance?

 Repentance is a perpetual call from Jesus and we must listen to Him. What will happen if we will not listen?  There would be punishment and it will not certainly come from God; punishment will originate from the outcome of our sinfulness.

For example a woman who had been advised by her relatives to stop her adulterous affair. Instead of listening to her relative’s admonition he persisted. Eventually they were caught by their respected spouses; you can just imagine the punishment that they'll receive.

There’s a lot more examples of those who did not listen, so they received their deserved punishment. Punishment which did not come from God, It originated from their stubbornness and refusal to heed God’s call of repentance.

So why not repent and listen to the voice of God who always calls us every minute of the day to change our ways for the better? Are we not afraid of the punishment that is surely forthcoming?

In the church true repentance happens when we humbly submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Confession. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Thursday September 29, 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 believe that Jesus knows you very well? Many will not believe but the truth of the matter is Jesus knows each and everyone of us very well. What we are thinking right now Jesus knows about it also!

 If Jesus knows everything about us why is it that he doesn’t intervene whenever we are in the verge of committing sin?  This is for the reason that God gave us the freewill or the freedom of choice to do what we want to do.

However the moment we strive to get closer to Jesus. For example we religiously attend Holy Mass. We spend time to read the Holy Bible and practice His teachings, we surely would feel the movement of Jesus in our lives. We therefore invite Jesus to take an active part in our life when we strive to get close to Him.

In the gospel Nathanael was surprised that Jesus knew him in advance. But looking at the life of Nathanael it comes without surprise that Jesus knew him beforehand. This is for the reason that Nathanael was also a man who was quietly seeking and thinking about God.

Do you want to feel the intervention of Jesus in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Wednesday September 28, 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:

How do you follow the Lord inside the Sacrament of Matrimony? You follow the Lord by being faithful to your marriage vows. We know for a fact that the priest who marries the husband and wife does it in the person of Jesus Christ. Therefore the two persons  becomes one through the Sacrament of Matrimony courtesy of Jesus.

However, no marriage is made in heaven, every marriage goes through the fire of trials and tribulations. But if both spouses are serious in following the Lord through the Sacrament of Matrimony. Both spouses should always find it in their hearts to forgive whatever offenses that was committed against them.

This simply means that there should always be a sacred room for forgiveness in the heart of hearts of married couples. This is for the reason that married couples are not perfect, in fact both are flawed individuals united by Jesus in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

Therefore, forgiveness must be one of those select requirements for both husband and wife if they want to follow the Lord. But forgiveness doesn’t come cheap, it comes with a very high price tag.

 However, if the Lord is present their union and if both spouses are serious in their desire to follow the Lord. There would always be love, forgiveness and humility until they breathe their last. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Tuesday September 27, Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest; Luke 9:51-56

Gospel: Luke 9:51-56

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them,

and they journeyed to another village.

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Reflection:
Would you open the door of your house for Jesus? 

The Samaritans did not welcome Jesus because they did not know Him well. If only they knew Him they would have welcomed Him even if He was going to Jerusalem. But they did not know Him that’s why they refused to be hospitable to Him.

There are some problematic individuals who decide to end their life by way of committing suicide. Why? Because they do not know Jesus, if only they know Jesus they would have not ended their lives.

We miss so many blessings when we do not fully know Jesus. For example, the blessing of hope, the blessing of love, the blessing of understanding and a lot more. These are but a few of the many blessings that we miss once we do not know Jesus that well.

But how would we know Jesus? We must read our bible most especially the first four books of the New Testament. We must often be present in the celebration of the Eucharist or Holy Mass  most especially during Sundays. If we do it, slowly but surely our eyes will be opened to the friendship of Jesus.

But how about those who do not Jesus? How would they know Jesus? We have to share Jesus and we have to live His teachings so that through us they will know Jesus. To know Jesus is still not enough we have to share Him and we have to live what we know about Him.    

Do you want to live a more meaningful life? If your answer is yes, you therefore have to share and live Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Monday September 26, Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time; 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:

Who is the greatest? It’s the humble one, the one who is always willing to serve us, always willing to be with us. We may not know it but Jesus has been serving us since time immemorial. He is in the person of the priest during the Sacrament of Reconciliation forgiving us of our sins.

He is always present in the Eucharistic or Holy Mass celebration humbly giving His Body and Blood to nourish our body and our soul. He is the greatest treasure that we can ever have! But His greatness is a paradox to some of us because we measure greatness by our earthly standards.

Such as greatness thru power and influence this is mostly fueled by political power, position in government and in the private sector and the size of our bank account. But this greatness is passing and temporary; the time will come that this shall pass us and we shall be forgotten.

Jesus is the personification of true greatness: His humility, His self-sacrifice and His refusal to wield power for His own self interest. This greatness of Jesus is usually unheard in this world nevertheless we should emulate the greatness of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for Sunday September 25, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Luke 16:19-31

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent. ’Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’

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Reflection:

A man who did not believe in God and in the afterlife wantonly wasted his life by living a life of sinful pleasures.   It was always a life of immoral satisfaction for him: drugs, sex, and other sinful things, in other words he had no time for God. This became his life because he did not believe in the existence of the afterlife much less God.

Is there really an afterlife or a life which will immediately replace our present life after our life in this world is over and done with already? The answer is a resounding yes! The gospel shows us that there is an afterlife which is very different from the life that we have today. There in the afterlife exist two kingdoms: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of hell where the devil and his minions dwell.

In the gospel, we see the characters of the unnamed rich and indifferent man and the poor man named Lazarus. The rich man perhaps did not believe in the afterlife or was not aware that there is an afterlife that’s why he did not mind the poor man Lazarus who was in dire need of his help. He nonchalantly ignored Lazarus as if the poor man did not exist.

When both of them died there was a reversal of places: The poor man Lazarus who endured a difficult life when he was still alive was in the kingdom of God and the rich man who savored earthly life was in the dark kingdom of the devil.

Why was there a reversal of places? Because the rich man was indifferent to the crying need of the poor man Lazarus. If he only knew that Lazarus was very close to God. If he only knew that Lazarus could have been God in disguise. The lesson for us is very simple, we should not ignore the crying need of the poor and we should always be sensitive to their plight.      

What do you do when you encounter the poor? – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for Saturday September 24, Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time; Luke 9:43b-45

Gospel: Luke 9:43b-45

While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

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Reflection:

When Jesus told His disciples that he was to be handed over to men they were not able to comprehend it. Why? Because at that time Jesus was doing miracles left and right. And perhaps they were asking themselves, how could this be possible that this miracle man will be handed over to authorities and afterwards suffer?

The disciples were oblivious because they did not fully know His mission. Otherwise, if they kn0w, they would have understood this pronouncements of Jesus.  The moment we decide to follow Jesus we must prepare ourselves for the sufferings that we have to go through.

Because we cannot separate Jesus with sufferings, to follow Jesus is to suffer also. However, there are people who will say, simply follow Jesus and you will have a problem free life. This is farthest from the truth because everyone of us who truly follow Jesus will have our own share of sufferings and tribulations.

But let us not bedevil ourselves with the thought of these sufferings because Jesus will not give us trials that we can’t handle. We simply have to have faith in Jesus and that is more than enough to conquer our sufferings.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Friday September 23, Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, 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:

Do you live the teachings of Jesus?

When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” they were unsure, some said that He was 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.”

If Jesus will ask us, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” I don’t know if we will be able to answer at all. Because unlike the disciples who walked and lived with Jesus and who shared and preached the word of God. We may not have preached and shared Him it yet.

What if He will also say to us, “But who do you say that I am?” Would we be able to reply like Peter who said with conviction, “The Christ of God.”

These are two simple questions from Jesus that invites us to examine if we have a personal relationship with Him. If we don’t have it yet let us implore the guidance of the Holy Spirit who is ever ready to bring us closer to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Thursday September 22, Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time; 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:

Are you sometimes being haunted by a wrong which you’ve done in the past?

The wrongs that we’ve done will continue to haunt us for so long as there is no closure to it. It happened to Herod the tetrarch when he ordered his soldiers to kill John at the behest of the woman who lustfully danced in front of them.

We need to be careful of the actions/decisions that we make in our lives. Impulsive or spur of the moment decisions are usually wrong. Like when Herod to impress his friends impulsively decided to kill John.

These thoughtless decisions that we’ve made or we’ll make in the future will bother us, in will constantly pop in our minds until we do something to close it. So what is the cure to this dilemma?

We have to seek closure, if we have to walk an extra mile for us to obtain closure so be it. We obtain closure by making amends with the person concerned. Or a much better avenue to erase our guilt of conscience is to humbly submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Confession.

By the way, when was your last Confession? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Wednesday September 21, 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:

Does Jesus have a soft spot for sinners? Yes Jesus has a soft spot for all of us: sinners. For example in our gospel HE called a tax collector and a sinful man named Matthew. After calling Matthew Jesus went to his house to dine with tax collectors and sinners.

All of us are sinners and Jesus is continuously calling upon us to leave behind for good our sinfulness and follow HIM. The gravity of our sins are not anymore important for Jesus what is important for HIM is we respond to HIS call same as how Matthew in our gospel responded.

Perhaps we may ask, why is Jesus calling us to follow HIM? Among many other reasons Jesus wants us to be freed from the bondage of sin; HE wants us to be enlightened by HIS grace. And Jesus wants to save us from going to the kingdom of the devil. These are reasons why HE calls us to follow HIM.

Your life will never be the same again once you accept this offer of Jesus. There will be healing in your family; you will now become averse to commit any form of sin and you will be freed from its bondage.  Are you not tired of sinning? Are you not tired of a life without peace and contentment?

Why not try to respond and see for yourself the miracle and healing that Jesus will bring into your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday September 20, Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs; 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:

Do you consider yourself as a relative of Jesus?

Very clearly Jesus tells us that we could only be called His relatives if we hear His word and act on it. What if we don’t hear His word and don’t act on it? Does this mean that we are not anymore related to Jesus?

 For example, if you have a wayward relative who doesn’t listen to your advices. Would you treat him as not your relative anymore? Will you condemn him to eternal damnation? Of course not!

Jesus said this statement, (My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it). To convey a message to the crowd and to us too that we must at all times abide by His teachings.

But human as we are, we sometimes wander away and we sin thus we distance ourselves from Jesus. However the tie that binds is still there, Jesus still pines for us. He patiently looks for us and eager to bring us closer to Him so that He could embrace us once again. 

If you are a sinner (as we all are) remember that you are still very much loved by Jesus notwithstanding your many sins. – Marino J. Dasmarinas