Reflection for October 3, Saturday of the 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:

What does Jesus require from us so that we could know Him deeply? Childlike trust and confidence in Him. We will not know Jesus deeply if we only rely on ourselves no matter how educated and intelligent we are. No matter the volumes of books that we’ve read about Jesus and our faith. No matter how many degrees we have earned. It would still not be enough because we have no childlike trust in the Lord. 

If we have childlike trust before Jesus this simply means that we rely on Him and not on ourselves. And we entrust our lives to Him and not entrust it in our hands. The moment we begin to trust Jesus, He also begins to open and equip our minds with knowledge that is not available to those who do not trust Him no matter how intelligent they may be. 

The seventy-two disciples came back from their very fruitful mission of spreading the good news because they had childlike trust. And therefore the power of Jesus reigned upon them. 

Do you have a childlike trust in the Lord? - Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for October 2, Friday; the Holy Guardian Angels (M): 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 about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Were they expecting that Jesus would tell them that they would be one of the greatest in the kingdom of heaven because they follow Him? From all indications this question of the disciples were asked to serve their selfish agendas and Jesus knew about it. 

 Therefore, to straighten out things and to tell the disciples that self-seeking individuals would not be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus told them; “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 Kingdom of Heaven is reserved for the humble only for we cannot go to heaven by our own effort. And we cannot go to heaven without the mercy of God. Therefore, children are not only perfect models of humility they are also perfect examples for their reliance on their parents.  Could children exist by themselves? No they can't exist by themselves they need their parents to be with them to survive. 

In like manner the disciples can’t rely on themselves they have to rely on God rather than on themselves. This was perhaps one of the salient point of Jesus when He called the child to their midst (Matthew 18:2). 

This also applies to all of us, we cannot rely on our riches (If ever we have riches) no matter how presently rich we are. We cannot rely on our power as well no matter how presently powerful we are for all of these are creation of this world that could evaporate from our hands anytime. 

So, to whom are we going to rely? We rely on God alone. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 1, Thursday; Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (M): 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:

Do you want to help Jesus in His mission of evangelization?

Jesus talks about the commissioning of His Seventy two disciples; He said to them that there’s an enormous work for them to do. They are few but the people whom they will preach the gospel are many.

Up to this very day there are few who preach and fewer still those who preach and live the gospel yet there are millions who needs it badly. They are yearning to hear the words of Jesus and more has not even heard of the life changing words of Jesus.

 So what are we doing about it? Would we sit still and stay in our comfort zones and do nothing to share in the ministry of Jesus? Preaching nowadays is not anymore confined to face to face vocal preaching. It’s more easier today because we can now preach using the internet via our computers and high-tech mobile phones.

Instead of posting about ourselves. Why not post something that is related to Jesus and our Catholic faith? Let us post something that can bring someone closer to God. If we do this we now become a follower not only in words but in deeds as well.

Let us see to it also that we live what we preach or we live what we post in our social media accounts. The perfection of our discipleship for Jesus comes when we live what we preach. For example, if we preach simple living we have to live simply as well, if we preach humility let us live humility. If we preach forgiveness we have to be forgiving. Jesus wants us to be His co-laborers in His vineyard; we should not worry about our needs, for he will surely provide for us.

 Will you help Jesus in His mission of evangelization?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for September 30, Wednesday; St. Jerome, priest and doctor of the church (M): 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 we follow the Lord inside the Sacrament of Matrimony? We follow the Lord by being faithful to our 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 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 their sacred vows. 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 no married couples are perfect, in fact both are flawed individuals united by Jesus in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

Therefore, forgiveness should be one of those select requirements for both husband and wife if they want to follow the Lord. If the Lord is present in their marriage 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 

1Reflection for September 29, Tuesday; Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels (Feast): 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 think about God when you are alone? Many of us are forced to think about God when we encounter bumps and humps in our life. But contemplate of God? When we are not bothered by any problems only a few of us perhaps do this.

What was Nathaniel doing under the fig tree? Was he contemplating about God? Was Nathaniel praying before God to lead him to Him? Nathaniel was reflecting about God while he was under the fig tree, he was silently asking God to manifest Himself to him. Then, soon after the call from Jesus came.

When we think of God often we would slowly but surely have a clearer picture of the identity of God. We would have an idea about who really God is and the role that He plays in our lives. To many of us God seems so distant but is it God who is distant or us who distance ourselves from God?

 Jesus is never distant from us He is always there for us anytime and every time. It’s us who do not have time for Him or us who refuse to create time for Him except when we are in dire need of Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

1Reflection for September 28, Monday; St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions, martyrs (M): 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 bodies and our souls. He is the greatest treasure that we can ever have! But His greatness is a paradox to many of us because we measure greatness by our worldly 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 accounts. But these greatness are passing and temporary; the time will come that it 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 and shun the greatness that this world offers us.

Which greatness do you prefer? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

1Reflection for Sunday September 27, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 21:28-32

Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.

Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

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Reflection:

Is there hope of redemption for a sinner like everyone of us? Yes there is always hope for us for as long as we change our ways. God’s love for us is without limit and it’s always there for us and it’s ours to take anytime we want it. 

Aside from Jesus and the man and his two sons there are others who play an important role in this Sunday’s gospel reading. They are the following: Chief Priest, Elders of the people, Tax collectors, the prostitutes and John the Baptist. 

The chief Priest and the elders of the people are those who are authorities of the faith. They are always in their place of worship but ironically they oftentimes are wanting or lacking in terms of living their faith. Jesus is actually subtly telling the chief Priest and the elders of the people about their faith that lacks life and action. 

The chief Priest and the elders of the people  represents the Son who said, Yes, sir, but did not go to work in the vineyard. They also did not listen to the call of John the Baptist to turn away from their sins and completely repent. 

The tax collectors and the prostitutes were obviously the sinners that repented. They represent the Son who said: “I will not go to the vineyard”, but afterwards changed his mind and went and did his father’s will. They listened to the call of John the Baptist: “Repent and change your ways for the kingdom of God is forthcoming.” 

What is the relevance of the gospel to our lives? We who are all sinners like the tax collectors and prostitutes. We are being called by Jesus to repent from our sinful ways. It’s not anymore John who calls us out to repentance but Jesus Himself. 

Life is so fragile it can end anytime most especially right now caused by this Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, we must listen to this clarion call of Jesus while we still have time for this is what He desires for us all: To lead lives according to His will and not according to our selfish and sinful will. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Setyembre 27, Ika-26 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 21:28-32

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:28-32

28 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga saserdote at matatanda ng bayan: “Ano sa palagay ninyo? May dalawang anak ang isang tao. Lumapit siya sa isa at sinabi: ‘Anak, pumunta ka ngayon at magtrabaho sa aking ubasan.’ 29 Sumagot ang anak: ‘Ayoko.’ Ngunit pagkatapos ay nagbagong-isip siya at pumunta. 

30 Pinuntahan din ng ama ang pangalawang anak at gayundin ang sinabi. Sumagot naman ang anak: ‘Opo.’ Pero hindi siya pumunta.” 31 At itinanong ni Jesus: “Sino sa dalawang anak ang tumupad sa gusto ng ama?” Sumagot sila: “Ang una.” At sinabi ni Jesus: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: mas nauuna sa inyo patungo sa kaharian ng Langit ang mga publi-kano at mga babaeng bayaran. 

32 Dumating nga si Juan para ipakita sa inyo ang daan ng kabutihan pero hindi kayo naniwala sa kanya, samantalang naniwala naman ang mga publikano at mga babaeng bayaran. Nakita ninyo ito at hindi kayo nagsisi o naniwala sa kanya.

Reflection for September 26, Saturday of the 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 knew, they would have understood this pronouncement 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 our discipleship with the Lord  with sufferings. To follow Jesus is to embrace suffering also. However, there are people who would 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

1Reflection for September 25, Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

Why does Jesus always remind his disciples about his impending sufferings? Why not keep His coming sufferings only to Himself? Come to think of it, if Jesus had concealed His suffering from His disciples He could have attracted more disciples. But Jesus did not lie to them, He did not sugar coat His words to attract them.  He was brutally honest and He laid down everything to them.  

Many of us don’t want to talk of sufferings when following Jesus. However the moment we take away sufferings then there’s no more authentic discipleship for Jesus. This is for the reason that discipleship without going through suffering is fake discipleship.

How could we have a clearer picture of Jesus if we wouldn’t go through pains and sufferings? How could we know Jesus more deeply if we are not willing to suffer for Him? If we say that we follow Jesus and we are afraid of sufferings then we are not really a follower. We are simply bystanders who don’t care much about the mission of Jesus.

As they say, No Pain No Gain if we relate this with our discipleship with Jesus. This now becomes, No Pain No Date in Heaven with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 24, Thursday of the 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. Another avenue to erase our guilt of conscience is to humbly submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Confession. 

When was your last Confession? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for September 23, Wednesday Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest (M): Luke 9:1-6

Gospel: Luke 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.  

Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

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Reflection:

When Jesus said to the twelve, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.” He was espousing absolute detachment from any kind of worldly things. He was telling them to rely in no one except in Himself for He would provide for them.

This is how Jesus also lived His ministry, He relied in no one except in the providence of God. God provided for Him for He trusted His life in Him. In our present materially driven world it’s so difficult to solely trust in God. For example, how could we advance His teachings without any material provisions? How could we keep going without financial help? These are valid questions that are so difficult to ignore.

Nevertheless, if we really have rock solid faith, we would let go of our worldly worries and rely on no one but God alone. This is the challenge for all of us believers, to rely on no one except God. Often times we do not recognize how God is moving in our lives because we don’t totally rely on Him. We rely more on ourselves and those around us rather than Jesus.

We would not be able to feel the presence of Jesus in our lives if we continue to rely on ourselves. Let us continue to have faith for Jesus has not forsaken anyone who followed Him. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 22, Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

Who would not want to become a relative of Jesus? Of course we all want to become His relatives. But Jesus has one important requirement for all of us so that we could become His relatives: Hear His word and act on it (Luke 8:21). 

Do we hear the word of God and act upon it? For example the commandment of Jesus to love our enemies and to do good to those who hurt us (Matthew 5:44). Do we love our enemies and do good to them?  Or we immediately follow our natural instinct not to love those who don’t love us and hurt those who hurt us. 

But what would happen if we follow our selfish human instinct? There would be more hatred and hurt, more walls than bridges. Mahatma Gandhi once said: An Eye for an eye would only make the whole world blind. 

It’s not easy to become a relative of Jesus if we put so much value to ourselves. If we look at ourselves so highly and we immediately despise those who’ve hurt and disrespected us. But Jesus himself has forgiven those who’ve hurt, persecuted and killed Him.   

Though it’s difficult to become a relative of Jesus for it requires humility and forgetting of ourselves. Nevertheless, we must aspire to become a relative of Jesus and not aspire to become a lover of unforgiveness, ego and pride. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 21, Monday Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (Feast) 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:
Why does Jesus calls us to follow Him? He calls us out of His great love for us. Jesus doesn’t want any of us to be lead astray by the many sins of this world. Jesus doesn’t want any of us to suffer in hell after our mortal life in this world is over and done with already.

We have in our gospel a character named Matthew a corrupt tax collector who was called by Jesus to follow Him. Even if Matthew is a sinner deep in his heart he knows Jesus. Matthew knows deep in his heart that in Jesus he would find healing, forgiveness and a new life. Matthew knows deep in His heart that in Jesus he has somebody who will not condemn him but would be very much willing to listen to his desire to repent and become His follower.

Therefore, when Jesus told Matthew to follow Him (Matthew 9:9) he immediately left everything behind him and followed Jesus. When Matthew heard Jesus telling him to follow Him, Matthew heard the sweetest words that he could ever hear in his entire life. It made Matthew whole once again for he has been broken by sin throughout his adult life. Perhaps Matthew burst into tears when he heard Jesus told him to come and follow Him. It was tears of unexplained happiness, tears of relief and freedom from the enslavement of the devil.

 Do you also want to feel how Matthew felt during that very day that Jesus called him to come and follow Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas