Reflection for November 5, Friday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 16:1-8

Gospel: Luke 16:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?  

I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’

He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Mr. X is a man of the world; he was materially successful and could practically buy almost anything that he may want. He satisfied his cravings for the material things of life that he totally forgot that he’s a person with a soul. After enjoying the things of this world; his life came to a halt and he realized that he was still empty deep inside notwithstanding his worldly success.  

This is the big danger that may come to the lives of those who are materially successful there’s that tendency to drown in their worldly success. And totally forget that they’re simply stewards of their material possession.  

What is the secret to a successful and fulfilling life? We must learn how to share not only to share a small portion of what we earn. We must hugely share for we are merely stewards with the things that we have. It’s not ours to own; we have what we have right now for us to share it and not to keep it to ourselves. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for November 4, Thursday Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop (M): Luke 15:1-10

Gospel: Luke 15:1-10

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So Jesus addressed this parable to them. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?  

And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.  

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

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

What is your attitude toward the so-called sinners of our society? For example, if you have a sibling and you perceive him to be a sinner, how would you treat him? Should you simply ignore him? Or you would build bridge to gently seek him out and let him know that the love of Jesus knows no bounds. That the love of Jesus upon him is not diminished by the sins that he has committed.  

There are many of us who give up on the lost or sinners and we cannot blame ourselves for this because this is basic human nature. For example if you have a spouse who is a serial womanizer  and you have forgiven him for so many times and yet he does not change his ways. What is your natural reaction to this kind of attitude? Isn’t that your natural reaction is to raise your hands in surrender and give up on that unrepentant spouse?  

If we give up with sinners, Jesus doesn’t give up He will continuously seek out the lost or sinners until He finds them. And when Jesus finds them, He will do everything (without questions asked!) to let this sinner feel His infinite love, mercy and forgiveness.    

The parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin is a showcase of the infinite love of Jesus for us. We who are all sinners and we who continue to struggle with sin. There’s hope after all for all of us sinners for as long as we immediately walk away from anything that makes us sin. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for November 3, Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:25-33

Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

Great crowds were travelling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 

Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? 

But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Have you already watched/listened to a life testimony about Jesus? Majority of these testimonies deals with the many blessings that they’ve received from the good Lord. You would also  hear testimony about their sufferings and crosses and how Jesus helped them carry it. 

In our gospel for today, Jesus speaks to us about the suffering and crosses that is incorporated with our discipleship. Jesus tells us: “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” What do these profound words of Jesus convey? 

This conveys that if we want to follow Jesus we should also be open to carry our own cross and endure our share of suffering/s. Because it is only through these two that we could have that true feeling of companionship with Jesus. If we say, that life is all bed of roses since we’ve followed Jesus. Then, we have not really felt the true companionship of Jesus in our lives. 

True discipleship for Jesus is felt only when we suffer for His sake, when we are willing to carry our cross for His sake. And when we are willing to give even our very lives so that others may live and have that encounter with Jesus. This is the real essence of authentic discipleship for Jesus. 

In the silence of our hearts let us examine our own discipleship with Jesus. Have we already suffered for Him? Have we already carried our cross for Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

When I'm Gone ( A Poem for all Souls' Day)

 When I'm Gone

By: Lyman Hancock

When I’ve come to the end of my journey and I have traveled my very last mile Forget if you can that I’ve frowned Remember only my smile...

Forgive unkind words I have spoken
Remember some good I have done
Forget I ever had heartache
And remember only our fun...

Forget that I've stumbled and fumbled
And sometimes fell by the way
Remember: I fought some hard battles
But had you at the close of my day...

Do not grieve for my going
I would not have you sad this day
But in time gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay...

Perhaps in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the West
Come stand a few moments above me
Remembering only the best...

 

Reflection for November 2, Tuesday; Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day): John 14:1-6

Gospel: John 14:1-6

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 * And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. 

4 Where [I] am going you know the way. 5 Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth* and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you know where would you go after your journey in this world is over? 

Perhaps many of us may lose sleep by mere mention of death, we don’t want to die at this point because we are not yet prepared. But who is prepared to die? Nobody, we are not prepared to die. Why? For the simple reason that majority of us still love to be in this world and enjoy whatever it can still offer us.

Nevertheless, Jesus is telling us in our gospel not to be troubled. For as long as we have faith in Him we would be OK even if we die. For our faith and friendship with Jesus is more than enough to conquer our fear of death. 

Therefore, we have to do our part to get close to Jesus for as long as we live. If we are close to Jesus we have nothing to fear, even death we will not fear. Jesus Himself assures us with these words: Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places (John 14:1-2). 

Let us not only remember our dear departed loved ones today, let us also light a candle and offer prayers for them. If there is no more covid-19 related restriction let us attend Holy Mass and offer Holy Mass for the intention of their souls. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for November 1, Monday Solemnity of All Saints: Matthew 5:1-12a

 

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad,

for your reward will be great in heaven.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

How does one become a saint in his/her own little way? To be saint is to embody the character of Jesus. To be saint is to embody the words of Jesus in our gospel today.

We can be saints in our own little way for as long as we aspire to follow the life of Jesus and for as long as we live the words of Jesus in the gospel. For example, if you’re a parent and you try your very best to rear your children according to the teachings of Jesus you are already a saint for them. If you’re a son or daughter and you try your very best to take care of your parents, you are already a saint for them. 

In our gospel Jesus mentions nine blessed situations. The first is poor in spirit; how does one become poor in spirit? Does this mean that we are blessed because we lack the necessary spiritual vitality? No, the poor in spirit are those who are lacking in material possessions and whose reliance is in God. 

To be poor in spirit means that we continuously hunger for Jesus. Nobody could fill this hunger than the words of Jesus in the gospels, we rely on Jesus more than we rely on ourselves and this world. 

Do you always hunger and thirst for the Lord? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday October 31, Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:28-34

Gospel: Mark 12:28b-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  

The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”  

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God. And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a pastor who was preaching about love for God and neighbor. Across his church was a man who would always create noise whenever he was preaching. And he would naturally be distracted by that man. One morning the pastor went to that man and angrily told him that he is disturbing him. The man said to the pastor: “Why are you angry with me, don’t you know that I am just testing you if you live what you are preaching?” 

Do you love God? Surely you do. How about your neighbor?  It’s easy to say I love God but to live this love of God is a different story altogether. Because if we would live this love of God. Then, we would be willing to love even our unlovable neighbor. 

But who is this neighbor? He/she could be anyone that you know who’ve hurt you. He/she could be your spouse, your relative, your friend or your literal house neighbor. The supreme test of our love for God is when we are willing to love even our unlovable neighbor.  

If we say we love God yet we hold deep resentment toward somebody who has hurt us badly. Then, our love of God is simply superficial. It becomes authentic when we hold no bitterness toward those who’ve hurt us no matter how deep the hurt they’ve inflicted upon us.  

What is the use of going to church, of giving offerings and doing other forms of sacrifices as an expression of our faith and love for God. Yet, we hold a grudge against someone? Thus, we are still wanting in our profession of our love for God. True love for God is when we are capable of forgetting and forgiving the hurt that had been inflicted upon us.  

What if the hurt is consistently being made afresh, there is no sign of remorse from that neighbor. Perhaps it’s about time to completely walk away from that neighbor. We walk away not because we don’t love that neighbor and God. We walk away because that is the most ethical act to do.  

In the gospel, Jesus talks about the two greatest commandments: Love for God and neighbor. These two expressions of love should always be together and it should not be separated. Does this mean that there’s always a happy ending when we love God and neighbor?     

Not always, there are also sad endings when we express and live our love for God and neighbor. However, these sad endings are temporary eventually there would be a happy ending. Why? Because we never give up on loving our God and our neighbor. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for October 30, Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:1, 7-11

Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-11

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. 

He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor.  

A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.  

Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." 

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a wise man who shunned publicity. He would speak every once in a while and when he speaks everyone listens to him. After speaking he would immediately hide away into his own private place. There would be rare times that he grant interviews and when he does he would always point to God as the giver of whatever wisdom that he possesses.  

Many of us may be tempted to own to ourselves the wisdom or material wealth that we presently have. But we should not allow ourselves to be possessed by that temptation, for who are we to own to ourselves what we have? We have to always remember that we are mere vessels of God, whatever we have comes from God.     

In the gospel, Jesus highlights the great virtue of humility. Jesus tells us to always be humble and not to crave for attention and adulation. Why? For the simple reason that the humbler we are the more that Jesus is seen within us. The humbler we are the more the we become His effective vessels in this world. 

The humbler you are the more that you allow Jesus’ light to shine upon you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 30 Sabado sa Ika-30 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 14:1, 7-11

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:1, 7-11

Isang Araw ng Pamamahinga, si Hesus ay inanyayahang kumain sa bahay ng isang pinuno ng mga Pariseo; at binabantayan nilang mabuti ang kanyang mga kilos.

Napansin ni Hesus na ang pinipili ng mga inanyayahan ay ang mga upuang nakalaan sa mga piling panauhin. Kaya’t sinabi niya ang talinghagang ito: “Kapag inanyayahan ka ninuman sa isang kasalan, huwag mong pipiliin ang tanging upuan. 

Baka may inanyayahang lalong tanyag kaysa iyo. At lalapit ang nag-anyaya sa inyong dalawa at sasabihin sa iyo, ‘Maaari bang ibigay ninyo ang upuang iyan sa taong ito?’ Sa gayo’y mapapahiya ka at doon malalagay sa pinakaabang upuan. 

Ang mabuti, kapag naanyayahan ka, doon ka maupo sa pinakaabang upuan, sapagkat paglapit ng nag-anyaya sa iyo ay kanyang sasabihin, ‘Kaibigan, dini ka sa kabisera.’ Sa gayun, nabigyan ka ng malaking karangalan sa harapan ng mga panauhin. Sapagkat ang nagpapakataas ay ibababa, at ang nagpapakababa ay itataas.”

Reflection for October 29, Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:1-6

Gospel: Luke 14:1-6

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” 

But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer his question.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

To cure or not to cure on a Sabbath day? Sabbath day is supposed to be a day of rest and worship for the Jews. But here is Jesus not following the rules of their Jewish religion. Did Jesus deliberately disregard His Jewish faith? Or there is something more important for Jesus than mere observance of His Jewish faith?   

Jesus doesn’t choose a special place, occasion or time to help and to heal as what is shown in the gospel. As long as Jesus’ sees a need He would do something about it regardless if it’s a Sabbath day or not. 

The Pharisees and the scholars of the law were those who faithfully observe the Sabbath law. However, Jesus by His action simply told them that there’s an exception. That the law of the Sabbath can be violated also for as long as there is a valid reason to violate it. Therefore the observance of the Sabbath law should be superseded by a more important need. In this instance the need to heal the man sick with dropsy. 

What would you do for instance if you were in the situation of Jesus? Would you simply let the man suffer from his severe sickness even if you can actually do something to help him? 

Our faith in God is made more real, alive and dynamic when we are able to live it. And when we are able to translate it to living acts of love, mercy and kindness even during a Sabbath day.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 29 Biyernes sa Ika-30 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 14:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:1-6

1 Isang Araw ng Pahinga, pumasok si Jesus sa bahay ng isang pinuno ng mga Pariseo para ku­main, at minamanmanan naman nila siya. 2 Nasa harap niya roon ang isang taong mina­manas 3 kaya nag­tanong si Jesus sa mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo: “Puwede bang magpagaling sa Araw ng Pahinga o hindi?” 4 Hindi sila umi­mik kaya hinawakan ni Jesus ang maysakit, pinaga­ling ito at saka pi­na­uwi.  

5  Pagkatapos ay sinabi niya sa kanila: “Kung mahulog sa balon ang anak o ang baka ng isa sa inyo, di ba’t agad niya itong iniaahon kahit na Araw ng Pahi­nga?” 6 At hindi nila siya nasa­got.

Reflection for October 28, Thursday Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles: Luke 6:12-16

Gospel: Luke 6:12-16

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you have a habit of prayer or is prayers part of your daily life?  

Jesus is a man of prayer, He always makes it a point to pray and commune with God. Prayer is an important part of His life. 

There are many of us who only remember to pray when there’s a need for it or when we have problems. And sometimes the intensity of our prayers varies also. Serious problem equals intense prayers, not so serious problem equals not so intense prayers. 

There are even many of us who treat prayer like a thing in the house that we just use when there’s a need. When there’s no need for it we just keep it somewhere. Until a new problem jolts us out of our comfort zones and therefore we are forced to pray once again.  

Our active prayer life is one of the primary food for our souls. We beseech Jesus when we pray and we humbly open ourselves before Him. We ask the Lord to be with us, to strengthen us and to listen to us. We also develop a deeper intimacy with Jesus when we always pray and prayer makes us peaceful.  

In the gospel, before choosing the twelve apostles that would help Him advance the faith. Jesus went first to the mountain to pray (Luke 6:12). Jesus went to the mountain to seek God’s guidance. He had a dialogue in the mountain with God and Jesus was there all night praying (Luke 6:12). After which He went down from the mountain and He chose the twelve apostles (Luke 6:13). 

Do you always have your daily prayer moments with Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 27, Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:22-30

Gospel: Luke 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.  

After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’

Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.  

And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Where would we end up after our temporary journey in this world is already over? We actually do not know however Jesus is giving us a clue where would we be going. If we choose to follow and be faithful to Jesus we would be going to His kingdom where Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets are.  

But it’s actually not easy to follow the path of Jesus because it would require us to sacrifice our very selves so that we could follow Him. For example, would we be willing to give up our wealth or even just a portion of our wealth so that others may live?  

Would we be willing to sacrifice our high paying job so that we could serve the poor? Would you be willing to swallow our pride and reach out to those whom we have antagonized? Would we be able to leave behind anything that makes us sin? These are but a few of the many sacrifices that we have to make if we want to follow the Lord.  

A life with Jesus is not to enjoy earthly trappings it’s rather to do away with whatever that is earthly and sinful in favor of Jesus. It’s also to discard whatever that makes you distant from Jesus. If you’re friends are pulling you farther away from Jesus, by all means leave your friends so that you could be near Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for October 26, Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:18-21

Gospel: Luke 13:18-21

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.” 

Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Where does the kingdom of God begin in your life? 

The Kingdom of God starts small in your heart like a tiny mustard seed. If you would nurture it, it will have life until it grows big. Where others could benefit from it thus you become God’s instrument of blessing for others. 

But others don’t allow God’s Kingdom to take root in their hearts. They prefer the things of this world than God. They choose the temporary over what is eternal, the worldly over Godly.  We must not commit the same mistake. 

We should allow God to have His dwelling in our heart no matter how small, then we have to nurture it so that it could grow. Nurture it with prayers, reading the bible and other books that would help us grow in faith. 

We should also strive to be present at Holy Mass whenever we could most especially during Sundays. And of course, we should live our faith. If we would do all of these the kingdom of God would surely be upon us and it would grow. 

Will you allow the kingdom of God to have a permanent dwelling in your life so that God could bless others through you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas