Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 6, Sabado sa Ika-31 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 16:9-15

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 16:9-15

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 9 sinasabi ko sa inyo: gamitin ninyo ang di-matuwid na Perang-diyos para magkaroon ng mga kaibi­gan para sa pagkaubos nito’y tanggapin naman nila kayo sa walang hanggang mga taha­nan.  

10 Ang mapagkakatiwalaan sa mali­liit na bagay ay mapagkakatiwalaan din sa malalaki, at ang di mapagka­katiwalaan sa maliliit ay di rin ma­pagkakatiwalaan sa malalaki. 11 Kung hindi kayo mapagkatiwalaan sa di-matuwid na pera, sino ang magtiti­wala sa inyo ng tunay na kayama­nan?  

12 Kung hindi ka­yo mapagkatiwalaan sa mga bagay na hindi talaga sa inyo, sino pa kaya ang magbi­bigay sa inyo ng talagang inyo? 13 Walang katulong na makapag­si­-silbi sa dalawang amo; siguradong kamu­muhian niya ang isa at mamahalin naman ang isa pa, o magiging ma­­tapat sa isa at mapababayaan ang ikalawa. Hindi kayo makapaglilingkod sa Diyos at sa pera.”  

14 Naririnig ng mga Pariseo ang lahat ng ito. Sakim sila kaya pinagtatawanan nila siya. 15 At sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Gina­gawa ninyo ang lahat para mag­muk­hang mabuti sa paningin ng mga tao ngunit alam ng Diyos ang inyong mga puso. At kasuklam-suklam sa pa­ningin ng Diyos ang mataas sa mga tao. 

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.

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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 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 5 Biyernes sa Ika-31 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 16:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 16:1-8

1 Sinabi rin ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “May katiwala ang isang mayaman, at isinumbong sa kanya na nilulustay ng katiwala ang kanyang kayamanan. 2 Ipinatawag niya ito at sinabi sa kanya: ‘Ano itong naririnig ko tungkol sa iyo? Magsulit ka sa akin ng iyong pangangasiwa dahil hindi ka na makapangangasiwa.’ 

3 At inisip ng katiwala: ‘Tatanggalin ako ngayon sa pangangasiwa ng aking panginoon. Ano ang gagawin ko? Kulang ako ng lakas para magbungkal ng lupa, nahihiya naman akong magpalimos. 4 Ah, alam ko na ang gagawin ko. At pagkatanggal sa akin sa pangangasiwa, may mga magpapatuloy sa akin sa kanilang mga bahay.’ 

5 Kaya tinawag niyang isa-isa ang mga may-utang sa kanyang panginoon. Tinanong niya ang una: “Magkano ang utang mo sa aking panginoon?’ 6 Sumagot ito: ‘Sandaang galon ng langis.’ Sinabi ng katiwala: ‘Narito ang resibo mo; maupo ka agad at isulat mo: Limampu.’ 7 Tinanong naman niya ang ikalawa: ‘At ikaw, magkano ang utang mo?’ Sumagot siya: ‘Sanlibong takal ng trigo.’ Sinabi ng katiwala: ‘Narito ang iyong resibo at isulat mo: Walundaan.”

8 Hinangaan ng panginoon ang mata¬linong paggawa ng di-matuwid na katiwala. Mas matalino nga ang mga taong makamundo sa pakikitungo sa mga gaya nila kaysa mga tao ng liwanag.

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.”

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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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 4 Huwebes San Carlos Borromeo, obispo : Lucas 15:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 15:1-10

1 Lumapit kay Jesus ang lahat ng kolektor ng buwis at mga makasalanan para makinig. 2 Kaya nag¬bulung-bulungan ang mga Pariseo at mga guro ng Batas: “Tinatanggap niyan ang mga makasalanan at nakikisalo sa kanila.” 3 Kaya sinabi ni Jesus ang talinhagang ito sa kanila:

4 “Kung may sandaang tupa ang isa sa inyo at mawala ang isa sa mga ito, hindi ba niya iiwan ang siyamnapu’t siyam sa ilang para hanapin ang nawawala hanggang matagpuan niya ito?  

5 At pag natagpuan ito’y masaya niya itong pinapasan sa balikat, 6 at pagdating sa bahay ay tatawagin niya ang mga kaibigan at mga kapitbahay at sasabihin sa kanila: ‘Matuwa kayong kasama ko sapagkat natagpuan ko na ang nawawala kong tupa.’ 7 Sinasabi ko sa inyo: mag-kakaroon din ng higit na kagalakan sa langit para sa isang makasalanang nagsisisi kaysa siyam-napu’t siyam na matuwid na di nangangailangan ng pagsisisi.  

8 Kung may sampung baryang pilak ang isang babae at nawala ang isa sa mga ito, hindi ba siya magsisindi ng ilaw, magwawalis sa bahay at hahanaping mabuti hanggang matagpuan ito? 9 At pagkakita rito’y tatawagin ang mga kaibigang babae at mga kapitbahay: ‘Matuwa kayong kasama ko sapagkat natagpuan ko ang nawawala kong baryang pilak.’ Sinasabi ko sa inyo na ganito rin sa mga anghel ng Diyos, magkakaroon ng kagalakan para sa isang makasalanang nagsisisi.” 

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.”

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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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 3 Miyerkules sa Ika-31 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 14:25-33

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:25-33

25 Habang naglalakad ang napa­kara­ming tao na kasama ni Jesus, hu­marap siya sa kanila at sinabi: 26 “Kung may dumating sa akin na di nagtatakwil sa pag-ibig sa kanyang ama at ina, at asawa at mga anak, at mga ka­patid na lalaki at babae, at maging sa kanyang sarili, hindi siya puwedeng maging alagad ko. 27 At hindi puwedeng maging alagad ko ang di nagpapasan ng kan­yang krus sa pag­su­nod sa akin. 

28 At paano kung may magbalak mag­­­tayo ng silungan ng bantay sa bukid? Di ba’t uupo muna siya at tatantyahin ang gastos para ma­laman kung may sapat siya para maipatapos iyon? 29 Sapagkat kung mailagay niya ang pundasyon at hindi naman niya iyon ma­ipa­tapos, pagtatawanan lamang siya ng lahat: 30 ‘Hayan ang nagsimu­lang magtayo at hindi na maipa­tapos.’ 

31 At paano kung may haring ma­ki­kipag­harap sa ibang hari? Di ba’t uupo muna siya para mag-isip kung kaya niya at ng sampung libong kasama niya  na harapin ang dumarating na may dala­wam­­pung libo? 32 At kung hindi naman, malayo pa ang isa ay magpapadala na siya ng mga sugo para maki­pag-areglo. 33 Gayon din sa inyo. Hindi puwedeng maging alagad ko ang di tumatalikod sa lahat ng kanya.

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...

 

1Reflection 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.

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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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 2 Martes Paggunita sa lahat ng mga Pumanaw na Kristiyano: Juan 14:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:1-6    Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 1 Huwag mabagabag ang inyong mga puso. Manalig kayo sa Diyos, at manalig din kayo sa akin. 2 Mara¬ming silid sa bahay ng aking Ama. Kung hindi’y hindi ko sana sinabi sa inyong: “Pupunta ako upang ipag-handa kayo ng lugar.” 3 At pag pumunta na ako at naipag¬handa kayo ng lugar, muli akong darating at dadalhin ko kayo sa akin upang kung saan ako naroon, gayon din naman kayo. 

4 At alam n’yo ang daan sa pupun¬tahan ko.” 5 Sinabi sa kanya ni Tomas: “Pangi-noon, hindi namin alam kung saan ka pu¬punta. Paano namin malalaman ang daan?” 6 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Ako siyang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang nakalalapit sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko.  

Reflection 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.”

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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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 1 Lunes Lahat ng mga Banal: Mateo 5:1-12a

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:1-12a

1 Nang makita ni Jesus ang makapal na tao, umahon siya sa bundok. Naupo siya roon at lumapit sa kanya ang kanyang mga alagad.

2 At nag¬simula siyang magturo sa kanila:

3 “Mapapalad ang mga may diwa ng dukha sapagkat sa kanila ang Kaha¬rian ng Langit.

4 Mapapalad ang mga nagluluksa sapagkat pagiginhawahin sila.

5 Mapapalad ang mga di-marahas sa¬pagkat mapapasakanila ang lupain.

6 Mapapalad ang mga nagugutom at nauuhaw sa katarungan sapagkat bubu¬sugin sila.

7 Mapapalad ang mga maawain sapagkat kaaawaan sila.

8 Mapapalad ang mga may busilak na puso sapagkat makikita nila ang Diyos.

9 Mapapalad ang mga nagpupun¬yagi para sa kapayapaan sapagkat tatawagin silang mga anak ng Diyos.

10 Mapapalad ang mga pinag-uusig dahil sa katarungan sapagkat kanila ang Kaharian ng Langit.

11 Mapapalad kayo kung iniinsulto kayo at pinag-uusig at sinisiraang-puri dahil sa akin. 12 Magsaya kayo at maga¬lak sa¬pagkat malaki ang gantim¬palang nasa Diyos para sa inyo.

1Reflection for Sunday October 31, Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:28b-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.

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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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Octobre 31 Ika-31 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:28b-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:28b-34

28 May isang guro ng Batas na nakarinig sa pagtatalo ni Jesus at ng mga Sadduseo. Nang mapansin niyang tama ang sagot ni Jesus sa mga Sadduseo, lumapit siya at nagtanong kay Jesus: “Ano ang una sa lahat ng utos?”

29 Sumagot si Jesus na “Ito ang una: Makinig nawa, O Israel! Iisa lang ang Panginoong ating Diyos. 30 At mamahalin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buo mong puso, nang buo mong kaluluwa, nang buo mong pag-iisip at nang buo mong lakas. 31At pangalawa naman ito: Mamahalin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili. Wala nang utos na mas mahalaga pa kaysa mga ito.” 

32 Kaya sinabi ng guro ng Batas: “Mabuti, Guro, totoo ang sinabi mong isa Siya at wala na maliban sa kanya. 33 At ang mahalin siya nang buong puso at nang buong kaluluwa at nang buong lakas, at mahalin din ang kapwa gaya ng sarili ay mas mahalaga kaysa mga sinu¬nog na handog at mga alay.”

34 Nakita ni Jesus na tama ang sinabi nito kaya sinabi niya: “Hindi ka malayo sa kaharian ng Diyos.” At wala nang nanga¬has magtanong sa kanya.