1Reflection for October 7, Monday; Our Lady of the Rosary: 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:

Is there such a word as perfect love? Yes, there is it’s when we are able to live our love for God and neighbor. To love God is to worship Him with all our being and to love our neighbor is to humanize our love for God.

It was very ironic that the priest who was supposed to love God failed to humanize his love for God same as with the Levite who was also involved in the service for God. Both the priest and the Levite failed the test of true love and discipleship because they simply ignored the man in need of their help.

They might have reasons for ignoring the man in need but whatever reasons that they might have was not valid at all. What if the Samaritan did not pass by? The victim may have died due to the indifference of the two.

It was good that the exemplar of perfect love (Samaritan) passed by otherwise the victim might have bleed to his death.

Many of us who love and worship God fails to translate this love to a love for our fellowmen. Some of us are able to translate this love for God to a love for our neighbor. But we oftentimes limit our love for our neighbor to those whom we only know and to those who are only good to us.

If the person in need of our help is not good to us we may simply pass them by and ignore them just like what the priest and Levite did. Jesus urges us to follow the example of the Good Samaritan who exemplified perfect love. He took care of the victim even if he doesn’t know him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa October 6, ika-27 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 17:5-10

Reflection for Sunday October 6, 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:

Were the apostles lacking in faith, that’s why they asked Jesus to increase their faith? Yes, they were already lacking in faith otherwise they would have not asked Jesus. Are you sometimes tempted to ask the Lord for an increase of faith as well? 

Diminishing faith is an ever present danger in our relationship with Jesus. Most especially today where our faith in God is severely being tested by the enormous trials that we face. Does faith in God still matters today wherein smart phones, gadgets and the internet rules? Of course! Notwithstanding the modernity of our time our faith in Jesus still matters now more than any other time.

Our life today is full of challenges and problems. There is always that danger that these challenges and problems might overwhelm us. And it may lead us to believe that there is no God. But there is a God and we believe in this God.

Jesus answer to His apostles desire for an increase of faith is very deep and interesting. He told His apostles, “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.

We all know that a mustard seed is tiny or small when it’s planted. However, when it’s nurtured it grows big. Perhaps, the Lord is telling us that from now on begin to nurture the faith that you have in your heart right now. It does not matter how small that faith is what is important is you nurture it so that it could grow big.

How are you going to nurture this tiny faith? You have to nurture it through your presence at Holy Mass. You have to nurture it by being faithful to the teachings of Jesus and you have to nurture this faith by your actual acts of faith.

How is your faith in the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 5, Saturday; Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time: 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? Perhaps 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 and 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 take pride because we have brought people closer to Jesus. Let us not take pride 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 would remain? Humility only humility and humility must always be our guiding light in our discipleship. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 4, Friday; Saint Francis of Assisi: 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 this call. What will happen if we would 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, the sin of adultery some spouses engaged in this bestial act notwithstanding the danger and punishment that would befall them. Where would this kind of sin eventually lead? This will eventually lead to despair, nothingness and despair.  

There’s a lot more examples of those who did not listen, so they received their deserved punishment. So why not repent and listen to the voice of God who always calls us every second of the day to change our ways and walk away from sin? The longer we commit sin the deeper we dig a hole for us into the deepest abyss hell.

We therefore have to listen to Jesus and walk away from sin while we still have time.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 3, Thursday; Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:1-12

Gospel: Luke 10:1-12

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

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Reflection:

Would you be willing to be an ambassador of Jesus?

It’s hard to respond to this call of Jesus to follow Him most especially when you see nothing but challenges. For example, provisions are very scarce, nobody wants to be with you for the simple reason that they don’t love God as much as you do.

What would you do then? You must carry on! The harder the challenges in front of you the firmer your resolve to follow. The enemy of God which is no other than the devil will continue to badger you to give up. It will continue to paint a picture of hopelessness with what you do for Christ so as to discourage you. But you must not give up. You must continue to hold on with your desire to partake with the mission of Jesus.

The statement of Jesus that the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few is as true as the sunshine today. Each day we see the decline of the morality and values of many people. Each day we see the debasement of the sanctity of marriage. Each day we see the disintegration of families most especially in the so called first world countries. This is the abundant harvest that Jesus pertains today.

Don’t say that you don’t see any abundant harvest. Look in your own sphere of environment and you’ll see them. Focus on them; share Jesus with them by your words or your lifestyle for they are your abundant harvest. Don’t worry about anything for Jesus is with and He will provide for you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 2, Wednesday; The Holy Guardian Angels: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

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Reflection:

Why did the disciples ask Jesus: “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” Were they expecting that Jesus would tell them that they’re the greatest in the kingdom of heaven because they are His disciples?

Instead, Jesus called a child and said: “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4)

The key that can unlock for us the kingdom of heaven is the humility of a child that we must always emulate. The key that can invite the grace of the Holy Spirit upon us is the same childlike humility.

 It’s no brainer to ask why a child and not an adult?  Unlike adults, children have the simplest and purest minds. Children are not tainted by any form of sin and they are docile humble and obedient. Adults like us are sinful we defy God’s commandments to satisfy our whims and caprices.

Life nowadays is not easy as well many of our children today are also more exposed to poverty than before. Just look around and you will see. What intervention can you do to help these children? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 1, Tuesday; Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church: 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:

Why did Jesus decide to enter a Samaritan village when He knew that He would not be welcomed there? He could just have passed by and not went there, He could have chosen another way to avoid passing through the Samaritan territory. But He chose to go to a place where He was not welcome.   

This perhaps we could attribute with the deep desire of Jesus to build friendship and to reach out even to those who are hostile to Him. The Samaritans knew that Jesus was a Jew going to Jerusalem an area that the Samaritans dislike.

What does Jesus teach us in this gospel episode? We need to reach out also even to those who are not welcoming of us. We need to do this so that we could offer the olive branch of peace and friendship to them. If they would not accept our offer it’s up to them what is important is we do what we have to do as followers of Jesus.

It’s not easy to offer peace and friendship to those who do not want our friendship. And it’s not easy to humble ourselves before others most especially before those who dislike us. But this is the way of Jesus, He did not only made Himself available to those who like Him. He also offered Himself even to those who despised Him.

Are you willing to offer the olive branch of peace and friendship to those who dislike you? Are we willing to reach out and humble yourself before them? – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Reflection for September 30, Monday; Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church: Luke 9:46-50

Gospel: Luke 9:46-50

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

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

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Reflection:

What does a child represent? It represents humility and obedience.

The disciples were arguing who among them is the greatest. Therefore Jesus brought in a child to impart to them lessons about humility and obedience to the will of God. When a person is humble he doesn’t care about who is the greatest. What he only cares for is to serve never mind if there is no recognition for as long as he is able to serve.

In the vineyard of the Lord to be the greatest must not be an objective of anyone. The objective that a person should rather have is to be the servant of everyone. When a person aims to be a star in his discipleship for the Lord he also strips himself of the right to serve the Lord. Because how can he be authentic in his discipleship if his motives are not? How can he truly serve the Lord if his objective is to be the star of his group/ministry?

It’s not for anyone to seek greatness when he is serving in the vineyard of the Lord. It’s for God to bestow greatness and God always bestows it generously to those who are humble. Never He bestows it to those who seek it to serve their selfish agendas. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 29, ika-26 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 16:19-31

Reflection for Sunday September 29, 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 dying rich woman had a dream about Jesus asking her if she wants to be in heaven when she dies. The dying woman said: “Yes my Lord I want to be in heaven when I die.” Then, Jesus asked her again: “Would you be willing to give your treasures to the poor?” The woman replied, “Yes my Lord I will give all I have to the poor.” So she donated all her treasures to the poor. After a few days the woman died and true enough her soul was immediately welcomed by the Lord in heaven.    

Does the poor have a purpose in the life of the rich? Yes they have! The poor closes the gap between the rich and God, the poor brings God closer to the rich for the poor is very much loved by God. Jesus himself said that whatever we do to the poor we do unto Him (Matthew 25:40).

We have in our gospel the characters of the nameless rich man and the poor man Lazarus. The nameless rich man is insensitive to the needs of the poor man Lazarus. Why? Because the rich man perceived Lazarus as good for nothing, Lazarus will simply disturb him.

What if the rich man knew beforehand that at the back of his door stands God in disguise in the person of the poor man Lazarus? Who unceasingly knocks to bring him more blessings and to save him from going to hell? He would have immediately opened his door and give Lazarus every precious things and every royal treatment that he could give him.

But the rich man never recognized the presence of God in Lazarus, he instead indifferently continued with his insensitive behavior.

How can we connect this gospel to our own personal lives? We see and encounter the materially and spiritually poor almost everyday. Are we doing something to fill their empty stomachs and spirits? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 28, Saturday; 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:

Do you sometimes find it difficult to understand the ways of the Lord in your life? Everyone of us perhaps experience this kind of dilemma. For example, when you pass through severe testing in your life that may lead you to question God. Some may even say this question before Jesus: “Why do I have to go through this difficulty in my life when I follow you?”

When we pass through these kinds of trials in our life. We simply have to remember that we are created beings of God with finite minds. As such our intellect is limited no matter how intelligent some of us may be. Thus, we really won’t be able to comprehend the ways of God. We simply have to submit to the will of God and we simply have to firmly hold on to our faith in our infinite God.

Therefore when we go through some episodes in life that may seem difficult for us to understand. Let us never be afraid to question God, “Why do we have to go through this trial.” Yet after questioning God let us firmly hold on to our faith in Him and continue to believe that He has a purpose why we’re going through this kind of trial/s. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for September 27, Friday; Saint Vincent de Paul, 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:

If Jesus would ask us, who am I to you? How would we answer Him? Would we answer based on what we know about Jesus or we answer Him in a much profound manner like you are my Lord, Savior and my God and I feel your abiding presence in my life everyday.

We must not limit our knowledge about Jesus to what we read or up to what only our minds would feed us. We must dive deeper than that in such a way that Jesus is already part and parcel of our daily life. This only means that we read and live His teachings.

We become more productive followers of Jesus if we read and live His teachings because this would open us to a much deeper intimacy with Him. We read Jesus’ life and teachings in the bible. If we only read or hear and we don’t live His teachings our discipleship is lacking in substance.

We have to know Jesus and then we have to live Jesus these two (Know and live) must always go together. For this would help us endure the many trials/even sufferings that we would be facing as we exist in this world.  

Do you read the life of Jesus and do you live the teachings of Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 26, Thursday; 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:

Have you experienced being bothered by your conscience?

At the back of his mind Herod was silently asking himself: Who is this man who is doing what John did? He certainly is not John because I beheaded John.

Why was Herod bothered by Jesus’ actions? Because Herod thought that John had risen from the dead and now he is again doing what he has been doing: To call for repentance, to speak the truth no matter who gets hurt, to heal and so forth. It was a disturbing déjà vu for the powerful Herod.     

Herod was surely bothered for he knows that what he did against John was against the law of men and God. But Herod was the supreme power during that time. And as such he could practically do whatever he wants and nobody would dare cross his path or run after him.

But Herod’s power is limited to this world alone. There’s a much bigger power which controls everything in this world and everything that is beyond this world and that is God! Therefore the greater power which is God was already bothering the mind of Herod. Perhaps Herod was already losing sleep and incessantly being disturbed by his conscience because of what he did to John.

What is the lesson for us in this gospel episode? Worldly power no matter how enormous has its limitations too! Because God can pierce and burst that power whenever He wants. God can do something that is unseen by others to punish a seemingly powerful and arrogant person.

Therefore we should be careful on how we exercise our power we should not abuse it! We should know that it has its own limitations. And once we transgress the limitations of our power the justice of God would be upon us to haunt us as it haunted Herod. – Marino J. Dasmarinas