Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Nobyembre 28 Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 21:25-28, 34-36

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:25-28, 34-36

25 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: Magkakaroon ng mga tanda sa araw, buwan at mga bituin. Sa lupa’y manga¬ngamba 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.” 

Mag-ingat kayo’t baka bumigat ang inyong mga isip sa mga bisyo, paglalasing at mga intindihin sa buhay. At baka bigla kayong datnan ng araw na iyon. 35 Babagsak itong parang bitag sa lahat ng nasa lupa. 36 Kaya lagi kayong magbantay at manalangin para maging marapat na makatakas sa lahat ng mangyayaring ito at makaharap sa Anak ng Tao.”

Reflection for November 27, Saturday the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:34-36

Gospel: Luke 21:34-36

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. 

For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.

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Reflection:
Do you yield to temptations?

We are always vulnerable to the many temptations of this world. The temptation of the flesh, the temptation of money and many more secular temptations that will take us away little by little from God’s loving embrace. 

What is the cure to these many temptations? We must always be connected with God by having an active relationship with Him. Active relationship means being prayerful. We also have to attend the Celebration of the Holy Mass, we read the scriptures and we translate this to a faith that is lived daily. This is the only way for us to avoid the many temptations of this secular world. 

But majority of us do not take this seriously for we love the trappings of this world more than the friendship that God constantly offers us.  Thus, we often times give up the faith based values that was taught to us by the church. 

After our life on this world comes to a close we will stand before God and He will ask us if we’ve been faithful to Him. Many of us will not be able to speak before God for we’ve failed Him. Let us not wait for the fearful day to happen. While there is still time let us mend our ways and tread the correct path that God is offering us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 27 Sabado sa Ika-34 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 21:34-36

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:34-36

sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 34 Mag-ingat kayo’t baka bumigat ang inyong mga isip sa mga bisyo, paglalasing at mga intindihin sa buhay.  

At baka bigla kayong datnan ng araw na iyon. 35 Babagsak itong parang bitag sa lahat ng nasa lupa. 36 Kaya lagi kayong magbantay at manalangin para maging marapat na makatakas sa lahat ng mangyayaring ito at makaharap sa Anak ng Tao.”

Reflection for November 26, Friday the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:29-33

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:

Are you aware that God is always manifesting Himself to you? 

God uses creative ways for us to be aware of His presence: There are times that He comes to us through a friend who will share His words to us. He comes to us through fortunate and unfortunate events in our lives. And there are many more ingenious manifestations of God in our lives for this is His desire: to introduce Himself to us.  

 But how do we react with these manifestations of God? Oftentimes this is ignored by us for the reason that we are so enamoured with what the world offers us such as: Wealth, Power, Treasures and the like. We therefore fail to discern that it is God because we have already been enslaved by this world.    

Then we get seriously sick that we are a few steps from death’s doorway and here we are cramming to know God. Here we are making amends with those whom we’ve hurt. And here we are trying our best to straighten our way of life. 

Why wait for that time? Why not listen and get closer NOW with GOD while we are in the pink of health? Why not get close with God now? Why not reach out and humble ourselves with those whom we have offended? Why not leave behind any form of sinfulness right now? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 26 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.

Reflection for November 25, Thursday the 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:

There are two kinds of human sufferings that comes to us. The first kind of suffering is one that we create for ourselves. For example, a drunkard who has been told time and again by his relatives to stop for it would result to his getting sick. But the drunkard would not listen to their wise counsel. Eventually he got sick with cancer of the liver caused by his excessive drinking of liquor.  

The second kind of suffering that comes to us are those sufferings that we don’t bring to ourselves. Example of this is sickness that comes with getting old or any kind of suffering that we don’t create for ourselves.  

In our gospel for this Thursday Jesus speaks about the destruction of Jerusalem and its people. They could have easily avoided this kind of sufferings if they listened to the messengers of God (the prophets) who called on them to leave behind their sinful ways. But they did not, they continued to sin they killed the messengers that God sent them including His Son Jesus.  

As we close the curtains of this liturgical year and as we enter the door of Advent. We are called by God to listen to His voice who calls upon us to humbly repent from our sinfulness. And the best response that we could ever do is to humbly submit ourselves to the Healing Sacrament of Confession.       

We are all sinful and we are all in need of Jesus’ Mercy, Forgiveness and Healing. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 25 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.”

Reflection for November 24, Wednesday Saint Andrew Dŭng-Ląc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs (M): 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:

What made you decide to follow Jesus? Is it because of a promise of a good life, a life free from problems and worries from this world?  Many of us have this mistaken notion that it is easy to become a follower. But it’s not easy for to follow Jesus involves great sacrifice.  

 It involves deep humility, it involves giving up some of our family time. To follow Jesus even involves making unpopular stand on family and societal issues such as abortion, immorality and the like.  

There is no free ride going to Jesus, we have to persevere, we have to sacrifice and carry our own cross. Yet everything that we do for Jesus is well worth it. This is for the reason that whatever we do for Jesus, He will give back to us a hundred times.  

Perhaps it may not be during our lifetime in this world. But certainly someday He will surely reward us very generously in the afterlife. Let us therefore always be faithful and courageous in our decision to follow Jesus whatever it may cost us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 24 Miyerkules San Andres Dung-Lac, pari at mga kasama, mga martir (Paggunita): 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.  

Reflection for November 23, Tuesday of the 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:

When will the end times be? Many would say that the end time is here and now. Just look at the Covid-19 pandemic creating havoc in the world. Just look at the many terroristic activities happening almost everywhere. Just look at the massive hunger in third world countries. Just look at the massive environmental catastrophes around the world. 

Aren’t these all signs of the end times? These unfortunate events are not yet the end times for no one of us knows about it, only God knows when it would be. But it seems that the telltale signs are already in place. 

However it’s not the end times yet. This is for the reason that these unfortunate events that are happening now all over the world are created by us and not by God. For example, human’s greed for power and natural resources creates wars in many parts of the world. Our abuse of the environment creates natural disasters. 

Terroristic activities that are happening everywhere are due to human’s misguided and fanatical devotion to their creed. So, who is creating these end times scenarios? It’s not God but us, by our misguided adherence to this world we actually are speeding up the world’s end times. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 23 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.

Reflection for November 22, Monday Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr (M): 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, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

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Reflection:

What is your motive when you give to your church or to your fellowmen? Do you give because you are expecting something in return? Or you give because you have a generous heart and  simply want to help? 

The right form of giving is to give without strings attached and to give from the heart. We don’t give because we are forced to give or we give because we have surplus. The joy of generous giving comes when you give freely. Just observe that unexplainable joy that you would feel after you’ve given something straight from your heart.  

We have countless motives when we give or when we help our fellowmen. Whatever our motives are we can rest assure that God knows our reasons because we cannot hide anything from God. 

The two small coins given by the poor widow in the gospel seem to be insignificant compared to what were given by the wealthy people. However, Jesus was pleased with her act of generosity for she gave it all. She gave without conditions and she gave without expecting something in return. 

Are you like the poor widow when you give? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 22 Lunes Santa Cecilia, dalaga at martir (Paggunita): Lucas 21:1-4

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:1-4

1 Tumingin si Jesus at may mayayaman na naghuhulog ng kanilang abuloy sa kabang-yaman. 2 At nakita rin niya ang isang pobreng biyuda na naghulog ng dalawang barya. 3 At sinabi niya: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na pinakamahalaga sa lahat ang inihulog ng dukhang biyudang ito. 4 Naghulog nga silang lahat sa kabang-yaman mula sa sobra nila pero inihulog naman niya mula sa kanyang kasalatan ang buo niyang kabuhayan.”

Reflection for Sunday November 21, The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe: John 18:33b-37

Gospel: John 18:33b-37

Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?" Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?" 

Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

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Reflection:

An ambitious man wanted to be the king of his self-created world. So, he studied very well and after finishing his studies he created a business that became very financially successful. He soon after achieved his dream of becoming the king of his world. For he could already do and buy whatever he wants yet there was still a deep emptiness in his life. 

If we continue to aspire to become the king of our own self-created world there would still be emptiness. No matter how successful even powerful we become, we would still be longing for that something that will complete us. 

Today is the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe. This Kingship of Jesus  is the only Kingship that can satisfy our deepest longing. Because when we decide to embrace His Kingship we are already complete and there surely will be no more emptiness.

We will not anymore be chasing whatever this world would dangle in front of us. But the great paradox of the Kingship of Jesus is it’s not based on anything of this world. Jesus Kingship is something which is not seen yet we can deeply feel it satisfying our deepest longing in this world. 

In the gospel, when Jesus was asked by Pilate if He is the King of the Jews (John 18:33b). Jesus did not deny His Kingship but He told Pilate, “My kingdom does not belong to this world (John 18:36). 

Indeed, Jesus’ Kingship doesn’t belong to this world because His Kingship is in contradiction with worldly kingship. This is for the reason that Jesus chose to serve rather than be served, He chose humility over arrogance. And He chose forgiveness over hatred.

If you choose humility over arrogance, if you choose to serve rather than be served if you choose forgiveness over hatred and if you choose to give your life so that others may live. There is no doubt that the Lord Jesus Christ is the one and only King of your universe. 

Is the Lord Jesus Christ is the one and only King of your universe? – Marino J. Dasmarinas