Reflection for Sunday December 1, First Sunday of Advent: Matthew 24:37-44

Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44

Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

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Reflection: 

What would you do if there is an occasion in your house and you are expecting visitors? What you do is you thoroughly clean your house for it to be worthy in the eyes of your coming visitors.

The first Sunday of Advent ushers a new year in the in the church’s Liturgical calendar. Advent means Coming and this is the time wherein we prepare for the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The gospel talks about the preparation for the Lord’s coming. On the first part of the Gospel the people during Noah’s time failed to prepare. They were so busy with sin and other worldly things until God’s judgment came and they were wiped out on the face of the earth. (Genesis 7:22) Only Noah and his companions survived because they were the select few who were prepared.

The Lord calls us to “Stay awake” to be prepared so that if the Son of Man will come we are ready. How are we preparing for the coming birth of Jesus? Is it centered towards materials things such as buying of gifts, decorating of the house and the like?

Nothing is wrong with these kinds of preparation. However, The Lord wants us also to undergo a much deeper and meaningful preparation for his forthcoming birth. And what is this? It is a preparation centered within ourselves.

Such as repentance from our many sins thus we worthily prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord and Savior. Repentance from our many sins means that we allow the Sacrament of Confession to clean us from the dirt of sin.

When was your last Confession? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo, Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 24:37-44

Mabuting Balita: Mateo  24:37-44

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 37 Katulad ng nangyari sa panahon ni Noe, gayundin sa pagdating ng Anak ng Tao. 38 Noong mga araw na iyon bago dumating ang Baha, kuma­kain at umi­inom ang mga tao at nag-aasawa, hang­gang sa araw na puma­sok si Noe sa da­ong.

39 Ngunit wala silang alam hanggang dumating ang baha at tina­ngay silang lahat. Ganoon din sa pag­dating ng Anak ng Tao. 40 Sa dalawang lalaking nasa bukid, kukunin ang isa at iiwan ang isa. 41 Sa dalawang babaeng gumigiling ng trigo, kukunin ang isa at iiwan ang isa.

42 Kaya magbantay kayo sapagkat hindi ninyo alam ang araw ng pag­dating ng inyong Panginoon. 43 Isipin ninyo ito: kung alam ng may-ari ng bahay kung anong oras ng gabi dara­ting ang magnanakaw, magbabantay siya at hindi niya pababayaang pasu­kin ang bahay. 44 Kaya maging handa kayo sapagkat sa oras na hindi ninyo inaasahan darating ang Anak ng Tao.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for November 30, Saturday; Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle: Matthew 4:18-22

Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

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Reflection:

Are you ready to respond to Jesus’ call?

Jesus called ordinary fishermen to help Him advance the gospel, ordinary folks just like you and me. What is striking  in the gospel reading is their immediate response to the call of Jesus. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew they immediately left their nets (their livelihood) and they both became a follower of Jesus.

The same occurrence happened when Jesus called the brothers Zebedee and John. Upon hearing the call of Jesus they left their boat and their father to immediately become a follower. 

Let us take a closer look at the gospel for today because this is for us also. The four of them were ordinary fishermen, they were expert with their craft but they have no formal education about the faith. 

What does this mean to us? This simply means that a formal education about the faith is not a requirement to become an effective follower. What is important is the desire and willingness to respond to Jesus. For as long as we are ready to respond we all can have a humble role in the mission of Jesus. 

Let us not worry if we have no formal education about our faith because this is not the requirement of Jesus. What Jesus wants from us first is for us to respond to His call, this is perhaps the first requirement responsiveness to His call. 

Jesus is always calling us to follow Him every second, every minute and hour that pass by. Let us respond to this call of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Nobyembre 30, San Andres (Kapistahan): Mateo 4:18-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 4:18-22

18 Sa paglalakad ni Jesus sa pampang ng lawa ng Galilea, nakita niya ang  mag­kapatid na Simon na tinawag na Pedro at Andres na naghahagis ng mga lambat dahil mga mangingisda sila. 19 Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Halikayo, sumunod kayo sa akin, at gagawin ko kayong mangingisda ng tao.”

20 Agad nilang iniwan ang kanilang mga lambat at sumunod sa kanya. 21 Nagpatuloy siya sa paglakad at na­kita naman niya ang magkapatid na Jaime at Juan na mga anak ni Zebedeo. Nasa bangka sila kasama ng kani­lang amang si Zebedeo at nagsu­sursi ng kani­lang lambat. Tinawag sila ni Jesus. 22 Agad nilang iniwan ang bangka nila at ang ka­nilang ama, at nag­simulang sumunod sa kanya.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for November 29, Friday; Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:29-33

Gospel: Luke 21:29-33

Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

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Reflection:

A man was asked, what is your greatest fear? The man replied, I fear death for I don’t know what would happen to me when I die.

We all have our own set of fears, we fear losing somebody we love, and we fear losing our job. And the worst fear perhaps is the same as with the man who was asked about his greatest fear.  However why fear when Jesus is always there to soothe and take away our fear?

Many of us have so many fears for the reason that we don’t have Jesus in our life and we don’t have a personal relationship with Him.  This is basically the reason why we have so many fears. But, why don’t we try to discover more about Jesus through our faithful presence at Holy Mass? Why don’t we try to discover more about Jesus by reading about His life in the bible? Surely, all our fears will disappear if we do so.

Jesus in our gospel tells us that heaven and earth will pass away but His words will not pass away (Luke 21:33). Indeed, everything will pass away or we may pass away first before everything pass away. Nevertheless whatever happens and whomever passes away first we have nothing to fear for as long as we have Jesus in our lives.

Do you already have Jesus in your life? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 29, Biyernes: Sa Ika-34 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 21:29-33

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:29-33

sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila ang isang talinhaga: “Tingnan ninyo ang pu­nong-igos at ang ibang mga puno. 30 Pagkakita ninyong nagdadahon na ang mga ito, alam ninyong malapit na ang tag-init. 31 Gayundin naman, pag napansin ninyo ang mga ito, alamin ninyong malapit na ang pag­hahari ng Diyos. 32 Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na hindi lilipas ang salinlahing ito at mangyayari ang lahat ng ito. 33 Lilipas ang langit at lupa ngunit hindi lilipas ang aking mga salita.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for November 28, Thursday; Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:20-28

Gospel: Luke 21:20-28

Jesus said to his disciples: “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the Scriptures are fulfilled. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of the end times?

The talk of end times always sends shivers to many most especially to those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. This topic is something that they always want to avoid as much as possible.

However, if God is in your heart; who can be against you? If God is with you nothing can distress you no matter how horrifying the signs of the times are.

For those who are losing hope; for those who continue to live in sin, for those who do not give space for God in their lives the end times is within their reach already. But there still hope for them. And this hope is given to them by Jesus; they simply have to allow Jesus to come into their life.

For those who steadfastly believe in God, who faithfully follow His commands. Who continuously remain hopeful notwithstanding the discouraging signs of the times. Redemption from any fear is upon them already.

Why don’t we change our ways and why don’t we get closer to Jesus and invite Him to come into our lives? So that whatever happens to this world we’ll have neither worries nor fears for we know that we are always in God’s loving embrace.

Let us change our ways, let us listen to the voice of God calling us all to repent through the Sacrament Confession/Reconciliation. Let us always remember that the indifference of the people of Jerusalem to Jesus resulted in their destruction. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 28, Huwebes: Sa Ika-34 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 21:20-28

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:20-28

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, 20 Kung makita ninyong nakubkob na ng mga hukbo ang Jerusalem, alamin ninyong sumapit na ang kanyang pagka­wasak. 21 Kaya tumakas pa-bundok ang mga nasa Judea, umalis ang mga nasa lunsod, at huwag nang bumalik doon ang mga nasa bukid.

22 Sapagkat ito ang mga araw ng  paghihiganti sa kanya para matupad ang lahat ng nasa Kasu­latan. 23 Sawimpalad ang mga nagdadalantao o mga inang nagpapasuso sa mga araw na iyon. Sapagkat matindi ang sasapit na kapa­hamakan sa lupain at ang galit sa bayang ito. 24 Mamamatay sila sa tabak, dadal­hing bihag sa lahat ng bansa, at yuyu­ra­kan ng mga bansang pagano ang Jerusalem hanggang mabuo ang pana­hon ng mga bansa.

25 Magkakaroon ng mga tanda sa araw, buwan at mga bituin. Sa lupa’y manga­ngamba ang mga bansa dahil sa ugong at alon ng dagat, at wala silang maga­gawa. 26 Hihimatayin ang mga tao dahil sa takot at pagkabahala sa mga sasapitin ng sanlibutan sapagkat mayayanig ang mga puwersa ng san­libutan. 27 At makikita nila ang Anak ng Tao na dumarating na nasa ulap na may Kapangyarihan at ganap na Luwalhati.

28 Kung magsimula nang maganap ang mga ito, tumindig kayo at tumunghay dahil palapit na ang inyong katubusan.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for November 27, Wednesday; Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:12-19

Gospel: Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

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Reflection:

Are you ready to be persecuted for your faith?

We would undoubtedly be persecuted if we decide to faithfully follow Jesus and surely we would be losing some friends for it.. But we need not worry about persecution or losing friends for the sake of Jesus.

Therefore it is very important that we don’t make the mistake of betraying Jesus for the sake of this world. We must not make the mistake of betraying Jesus for the sake of vested friendships and interest. We must be faithful until the very end no matter the persecutions and sacrifices.

What would it benefit us if we gain the whole world yet we lose Jesus in our lives? We gain nothing except fleeting happiness which leads us to sin. We gain nothing except temporal power and riches that may fly away from us anytime.

What would we gain if we have powerful friends if these friends bring us nothing but sinfulness which unfortunately we often times enjoy? Nothing except disturbance in our lives! Should we allow ourselves to be deceived by these false friends who only bring us further away from the love of Jesus?  

But the moment we decide to be faithful to Jesus no matter the temptations and persecutions. We’ll have peace that He only can give us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 27, Miyerkules: Sa Ika-34 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 21:12-19

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:12-19

12 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, bago sumapit ang lahat ng ito, dadakipin kayo at uusigin; ibibigay kayo sa mga sinagoga at dadalhin sa mga kulungan at ihaharap sa mga hari at mga gobernador dahil sa aking pangalan. 13 Sasapit ito sa inyo para makapag­pa­totoo kayo sa akin.

14 Isaisip ninyo na huwag ikabalisa ang pagtatanggol sa inyong sarili 15 dahil ako mismo ang magbibigay sa inyo ng mga salita at karunungang di matata­galan o masasagot ng lahat ninyong ka­away.

16 Ipagkakanulo kayo ng inyong mga magulang, mga kapatid, mga kamag-anak at mga kaibigan, at papatayin nila ang ilan sa inyo. 17 At kamumuhian kayo ng lahat dahil sa aking pangalan. 18 Su­balit hindi maaano isa mang buhok sa inyong ulo. 19 Sa in­yong pagpapaka­tatag, ang mga sarili ninyo mis­mo ang inyong makakamit.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for November 26, Tuesday; Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:5-11

Gospel: Luke 21:5-11

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here–the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of the end of this world?

Jesus mentions destruction of all the beautiful structures that we see. Everything including beautiful places of worship will be destroyed. This scenario is somewhat like the end times already. But He also tells us do not be terrified (Luke 21:9), so what would we do? Should we allow the signs of the end times to terrify us? Or we hold on to Jesus who tells us, “Do not be terrified.” Of course we hold on to what Jesus tells us.

Earthquakes and calamities with massive proportion are happening, wars in different parts of the world are also raging. But let us take this calmly for this is bound to happen and let us not attribute these disastrous events to God as some would do. God doesn’t want this to happen to us otherwise if he wanted us destroyed God would have not sent Jesus to walk on this earth and die for us on the cross.

There are wars in different parts of the world because we humans create it. This is brought about by our greed for power and resources. The same is happening with our abuse of our environment.

There are very destructive typhoons/hurricanes because of human’s unrelenting abuse of its environment also. And what are the results? Massive destruction of lives and properties which is actually preventable if we have compassion for our environment.

In the midst of these bleak signs of the times let us continue to pray and have faith in the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 26, Martes: Sa Ika-34 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 21:5-11

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:5-11

• 5 May ilan namang nag-uusap tung­kol sa Templo, at sinabi nila na may maga­gandang bato ito at mamahaling pala­muti. Sinabi naman ni Jesus: 6 “Darating ang mga araw na walang matitirang magkapatong na bato sa lahat ng inyong nakikita; iguguho ang lahat.” 7 Nagtanong sila sa kanya: “Guro, kailan ito mang­ya­yari at ano ang tanda na sumapit na ito?”

8 Sumagot si Jesus: “Mag-ingat kayo at baka kayo madaya. Maraming aang­kin sa aking pangalan sa pagsasabing ‘Ako ang Mesiyas; ako siya,’ at ‘Palapit na ang pana­hon.’ Huwag kayong sumunod sa kanila. 9 Sa pagkabalita ninyo sa digmaan at mga kaguluhan, huwag kayong mali­galig; mangyayari muna ito pero hindi pa ito ang wakas.”

10  At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Magdi­digmaan ang mga bayan at magla­laban-laban ang mga kaharian. 11 Mag­kakaroon din ng malalakas na lindol sa ma­raming lugar, magkakaroon ng tag­gutom, mag­kakaroon ng mga kakila-kilabot na bagay at ng malalaki ring kaba­­balaghan sa langit.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for November 25, Monday; Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21-1-4

Gospel: Luke 21:1-4

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,  she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.

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Reflection:

Do you give without counting the cost of giving?

Jesus in our gospel favored the generosity of the poor widow for the simple reason that it came from her heart. There is no string attached in her giving, it did not came from her excess money, she gave whatever little amount she had.

This gospel invites us also to examine ourselves not only when we give to our church. It invites us also to reflect our motive of giving when we give to the poor or to anyone who is in need for that matter.

The ideal giving is to give from the heart. The amount of what we give is immaterial what is important is it originates from our heart and not from our head. In the gospel, it was not only the poor widow who gave some wealthy people also gave. However, Jesus is more pleased with the giving of the poor widow because her giving is pure and untainted by any form of ulterior motive.    

Whatever we give from the heart comes back to us a hundredfold. In Luke chapter six verse thirty eight (6:38) Jesus tells us this: “Give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack good measure, pressed down, full and running over. For the measure you give will be the measure you receive back. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday November 24, Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King: Luke 23:35-43

Gospel: Luke 23:35-43

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.”The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who ambitioned to be the king of his nation. When asked why he is ambitioning to be a king. He answered: “I want to enjoy the privileges, power and wealth of a king.” Once told that he would not enjoy any of those that he envisioned but instead become the servant of all. He said: “I don’t want to be a king anymore.      

This Sunday we are at the end of the church’s calendar and we are celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King. The Gospel depicts the kingship of Jesus that is at odds with our own idea of worldly kingship. Jesus’ kingship is a kingship of Obedience, of Humility, of Servanthood and of Suffering and Sacrifice. Jesus did not mind the anguish and humiliation for as long as he can fulfill His mission.

On the latter part of the Gospel are the two thieves hanging on the cross beside the Lord. One is unrepentant and the other one is full of remorse and humility. The remorseful asked Jesus to remember him when He comes to his kingdom. And Jesus did not fail him; He brought along the repentant thief to paradise with Him.

It’s not easy to follow the kingship of Jesus because it’s accompanied by sacrifices and trials. But where would we go or who would we follow? We follow this world and the teachings of this world?  It’s better to follow the Kingship of Jesus notwithstanding the sacrifices and trials.  Why? Because at the end of our temporary journey paradise in heaven awaits us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas