Reflection for Thursday November 10, Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church: Luke 17:20-25

Gospel: Luke 17:20-25

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”  

Then he said to his disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, ‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’ Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”

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Reflection:

Could you say that you have the kingdom of God? You already have the kingdom of God in your heart if you have Jesus in your life. You already have the kingdom of God if you feel the love of Jesus in your heart. You already have the kingdom of God when you have peace and contentment in your heart. 

Many of us including our politicians today seek the kingdom of this world. We amass wealth even corrupted wealth. We amass vast properties to serve as our earthly kingdoms. But this kind kingdom will not last forever. We will leave behind everything eventually, we have to remember that we came into this world with nothing and we will leave this world with nothing.   

At what price are we willing to pay just to have this earthly kingdom? Are we willing to sell our souls to the devil just to have possession of this earthly kingdom? Let us wake up before it’s too late otherwise our greed for earthly kingdom would become our passage to hell.   

In our gospel for this Thursday Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you (Luke 17:20-21). 

Indeed, the kingdom of God is within our midst already yet it cannot be physically seen and measured nor could it be bought by any amount of money.  This kingdom of God is planted into our hearts by Jesus Himself. 

Would you allow Jesus to plant the kingdom of God into your heart? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Wednesday November 9, Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome: John 2:13-22

Gospel: John 2:13-22

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” 

His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”  

But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

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Reflection:

What do you do when you go to church to pray or for Holy Mass? Do you always go there so that you could feel its solemn atmosphere, so that you could have a personal encounter with Jesus? 

The church is always our place of worship and this is our safe refuge whenever we are burdened by life’s challenges. It is also here where we get to have a personal encounter with Jesus before, during and after the celebration of the Holy Mass. 

Do we still observe the proper respect and discipline when we are at church? Do we still dip our finger in the holy water font, make the sign of the cross and genuflect with our eyes fixed on the tabernacle before we officially enter the church and before we go outside of the church?    

In our gospel we read about Jesus who went to the temple, to His dismay he found the temple in disarray. For they made the temple of worship to a temple of commerce. The people who were supposed to worship were there to do business and other things not related with worship for God. Therefore to create order and to restore the sanctity of the temple Jesus angrily drove out all those who were corrupting the temple.    

This is a good reminder for all of us when we are at church for Holy Mass or to pray. We go to church to encounter, to worship and to give glory and honor to Jesus. The church is not a business office where wheeling and dealing occurs. 

When we go to church to pray or for Holy Mass let us go there with our focus on Jesus. So that when we go out of the church we carry with us this renewed strength and hope that will energize us as we once again face our life’s challenges. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for November 8, Tuesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 17:7-10

Gospel: Luke 17:7-10

Jesus said to the Apostles: "Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.  

You may eat and drink when I am finished'? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes question the existence of God?

Once in a while we would go through episodes in our lives that would force us to question if there is really God. And because we were taught that there is a God we will say, yes there is God. But then again at the back of our minds we will ask again and again and again. If there’s a God, why does suffering exist? 

We don’t know the answers to this very valid question because there are times that God seems to be deaf to our longing for Him. But who are we to question the majesty of God? We are but a speck in this world, mere servants and finite humans that easily gives up on God whenever we are faced by sufferings.  

In our lowliness before this infinite and all powerful God, it’s also valid for us to ask Him questions. It’s also valid for us to beg for answers. Why all these sufferings? Let us ask God to answer these valid questions of ours for the reason that even servants have rights too. 

despite all of these sufferings we who are alive must not lose faith. We must continue to hold on to this God who gave us life and faith. Otherwise if we would lose faith, to where would we go? We embrace evil and allow the Devil to take control of our lives? Of course not! No one of us would want to be controlled by the Devil.  

But the Devil is real and it’s always there waiting for the right time take control of us. However the devil is nothing compared to the power of Jesus. We therefore have to take seriously the teachings of Jesus like how a good servant takes seriously the teachings of his Lord.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for November 7, Monday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 17:1-6

Gospel: Luke 17:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry, you should forgive him.”  

And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

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Reflection:

Why do we sin? We sin because we allow sin to envelope us and we sin because our faith in Jesus is weak it is easily defeated by temptations. The devil is like a drone that always hovers above us it sees us and it detects if our faith in Jesus is weak. The moment that the devil finds out that our faith is weak he quickly sends his slaves to entice us with sinfulness.  

What is the antidote to sin? Very simple, yet we often neglect to harness this antidote called faith in Jesus. This is what defeats the devil and sin, the moment we ask Jesus to strengthen our faith He will surely oblige our request. But do we humbly and prayerfully ask Jesus to strengthen our faith? Are we faithful Holy Mass goers? Do we read our bible? Do we pray the Holy Rosary?  

If we want to have an increase of faith we should not only ask Jesus we should also show Jesus that we are deserving of this faith. The moment we do so we would notice a significant improvement in our faith life and in our journey with Jesus in this world.  

Faith is a gift but at the same time faith is also given by Jesus to those who ask for it. And to those who are willing to walk away from whatever that makes him/her sin. And one testament of a person who deserves the gift of faith is someone who strives to know more about Jesus. And someone who endeavors to share his/her faith about Jesus.  

Do you want to have an increase of faith? Try to know more about the life of Jesus, don’t forget to share what you know about Jesus and have the courage to permanently walk away from anything that make us sin.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday November 6, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 20:27-38

Gospel: Luke 20:27-38

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone's brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.

Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. Then the second and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.

They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out ‘Lord,’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.

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Reflection:

Do you believe that there is life after this present life? 

Mr. X was an unbeliever of the afterlife he always splurges on sinful and other worldly activities. His principle was to make the most of his present life for there will be no more after his present life. 

He eventually died and contrary to his belief he saw heaven and hell. And he chose to go to the pearly gated heaven being watched by a bearded fellow wearing a long white robe who told him that he is not welcome. After which he was suddenly snatched and brought to hell by a grim looking beast. 

The gospel for this Sunday speaks about the Sadducees who deny that there is an afterlife. So, they’ve asked Jesus about a woman who married seven brothers. And they told Jesus: To whose wife would she be in the resurrection? 

Jesus said to them, "The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. (Luke 20:34-36) 

In the resurrection the situation will be different, while here on earth we marry and procreate to sustain the inventory of life. In heaven relationships will not be like that. There will be no more marriage  for we shall be like angels who will only worship God and no one else. 

Our faith has taught us that life is not limited to this world alone, after our death we shall be entering a new doorway of endless blissfulness wherein there shall be no more hardships and problems. But the sad reality is this: Not everyone of us will be able to go there. Some of us who are not leading our lives according to the desire of God will be snatched by the grim looking beast as well. 

So what must we do to experience resurrection? We must live our lives according to the will of God. We therefore have to follow the teachings of Jesus and the church. Hence, we always have to do good, be forgiving,  have a heart for the poor, always impart love even to those who do not deserve to be loved. 

How are you living your life today? – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Nobyembre 6, Ika - 32 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon : Lucas 20:27-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 20:27-38

Noong panahong iyon, may ilang Saduseo na lumapit kay Hesus. Ang Saduseo’y hindi naniniwala na muling bubuhayin ang mga patay. “Guro,” anila, “naglagda po si Moises ng ganitong batas para sa amin: ‘Kung mamatay ang isang lalaki at maiwang walang anak ang kanyang asawa, ang kapatid na lalaki’y dapat pakasal sa balo upang magkaanak sila para sa namatay.’

May pitong magkakapatid na lalaki. Nag-asawa ang panganay, at namatay na walang anak. Napakasal sa balo ang pangalawa, at namatay. Gayun din ang nangyari sa pangatlo hanggang sa pampito: isa-isang napangasawa ng babae at pawang namatay na walang anak. Sa kahuli-huliha’y namatay naman ang babae. Sa muling pagkabuhay, sino po sa pito ang kikilalaning asawa niya yamang napangasawa niya silang lahat?”

Sumagot si Hesus, “Sa buhay na ito, ang mga lalaki at mga babae’y nag-aasawa, ngunit ang mga lalaki’t babaing karapat-dapat na muling buhayin para sa kabilang buhay ay hindi na mag-aasawa. Hindi na sila mamamatay sapagkat matutulad sila sa mga anghel. At sila’y mga anak ng Diyos yamang muli silang binuhay.

Maging si Moises ay nagpapatunay na muling binubuhay ang mga patay. Sapagkat sa kanyang kasaysayan hinggil sa nagliliyab na mababang punongkahoy, ang Panginoon ay tinawag niyang ‘Diyos ni Abraham, Diyos ni Isaac at Diyos ni Jacob.’ Ngunit ang Diyos ay hindi Diyos ng mga patay kundi ng mga buhay – sa kanya’y buhay ang lahat.” Sinabi ng ilan sa mga eskriba, “Magaling ang sagot ninyo, Guro!” At wala nang nangahas na magtanong sa kanya ng anuman.

Reflection for November 5, Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 16:9-15

Gospel: Luke 16:9-15

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. 

If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” 

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”

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Reflection:

What is the true wealth that Jesus speaks about in the gospel? 

The dishonest wealth such as money, possessions, power and the like are temporary, fake and passing. And if we are not careful on handling this dishonest wealth it may possess and eventually destroy us or we may destroy others just to possess it. 

The true wealth is Jesus himself! Let us strive: To seek Him and to know more about Him. To have a personal relationship with Him and to share whatever knowledge we know about Him. We cannot have dishonest and true wealth at the same time we have to choose which one do we want. 

If we would choose dishonest wealth it will certainly satisfy our earthly cravings which by the way is bounded by time. So we enjoy it until such time that we leave it or it leaves us. And then we end up with nothing but misery. 

If we have the true and everlasting wealth that is Jesus; we will not anymore be looking for the temporary/dishonest wealth.  For the simple reason that we already possess the greatest wealth that one could ever have in this world and beyond this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Nobyembre 5 Sabado sa Ika-31 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 16:9-15

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 16:9-15

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Kaya't sinasabi ko sa inyo: gamitin ninyo sa pakikipagkaibigan ang kayamanan ng sanlibutang ito. Maubos man ito'y may tatanggap naman sa inyo sa tahanang walang hanggan. Ang mapagkakatiwalaan sa maliit na bagay ay mapagkakatiwalaan din sa malaking bagay; ang magdaraya sa maliit na bagay ay magdaraya rin sa maliit na bagay. 

Kung hindi kayo mapagkatiwalaan sa mga kayamanan ng sanlibutang ito, sino ang magtitiwala sa inyo ng tunay na kayamanan? At kung hindi kayo mapagkatiwalaan sa kayamanan ng iba, sino ang magbibigay sa inyo ng talagang para sa inyo? "Walang makapaglilingkod nang sabay sa dalawang panginoon. Sapagkat kapopootan niya ang isa at iibigin ang ikalawa, paglilingkuran nang tapat ang isa at hahamakin ang ikalawa. 

Hindi ninyo mapaglilingkuran nang sabay ang Diyos at ang kayamanan." Narinig ito ng mga Pariseo at nilibak nila si Jesus, sapagkat sakim sila sa salapi. Kaya't sinabi niya sa kanila, "Kayo ang nagpapanggap na mga matuwid sa harapan ng mga tao, ngunit nasasaliksik ng Diyos ang inyong mga puso. Sapagkat ang itinuturing na mahalaga ng mga tao ay kasuklam-suklam sa paningin ng Diyos."

Reflection for Friday November 4, Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop: 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:
Do you think of creative ideas so that you could advance more the teachings of the Lord?

The steward in our gospel is creative enough to devise a scheme to ensure his survival after he is out of job. He discounted all the debtors payment, what a clever move but the downside is he did this to ensure only his survival. 

What if he did the same but with the end in mind that he was doing this so that the debtors would know how generous and friendly is his master?  So that when his master eventually comes to visit his debtors they would warmly welcome him. But he did this for his own benefit. 

This is a very good reminder for all of us who profess to follow Jesus. Who are presently doing the mission of Christ or who are aspiring to evangelize the teachings of Jesus. Let us do it not to serve our selfish ends; let us rather always do evangelization to serve the purpose of Christ. So that people would know Jesus more than they would know us. 

Someday when our lives in this world is over  there shall be an accounting of what we have done in this world. God will ask us: What have you done during your lifetime? How shall we answer God by that time? 

Shall we say then that we have shared the many gifts that He has given us? Or we will be mum and speechless because we have not lived a productive life in terms of sharing the gifts that God has given us. 

Some of us will say that how can we share our time when we hardly have time for ourselves. This is a very self-serving statement because if we really desire to share we would be able to share. It all boils down to desire; if we really want to share what we have we can make it happen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for November 3, Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

Are you patient enough to look for those who are lost or wayward? Say for example, a sinful relative or a friend; do you have the patience for them? Do you have the time to counsel or even listen to them so that they could find their way back to the loving embrace of the Lord?   

There were one hundred sheep being taken care of by the good shepherd, suddenly one went ashtray into the wilderness. The good shepherd left the ninety-nine to patiently look for the lost one. He did not stop until He found it. 

The same story goes for the woman with ten silver coins. She lost one silver coin and she never stopped searching for it until she found it. 

This is the love of God for us; He never stops looking for us until He finds us, we who are sinners. Jesus never stops loving us no matter how sinful we are. In fact the big-time sinner we are the bigger His love for us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

When I'm Gone ( A Poem for All Souls Day ) 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 Wednesday November 2, The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day): John 14:1-6

Gospel: John 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: "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. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 

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. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" 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:

Where are we going after our life in this world is over? We don’t know only God knows. But Jesus in our gospel is giving us a hint as to where would we be eventually. Jesus tells us: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

The secret therefore to know where we would eventually end up is to follow Jesus. Why follow Jesus? Because He is the truth and the life and we cannot reach the Father in heaven except through Him. 

From time to time we would hear stories of conversion about troubled lives, lives lived in sin, without peace and contentment. Until they’ve known Jesus after that their lives were never the same again. From troublesome or worrisome lives it became peaceful and serene courtesy of Jesus. 

Jesus is the only way and He is the only one that can give us peace that transcends this world. Jesus will give us a glimpse of this peaceful feeling the moment we immediately choose to rest our lives in Him. 

We all know that life in this world is uncertain it may end very abruptly anytime. Let us therefore invest more on Jesus rather than on this world. We can do this by learning more about Him, by helping the poor and by living Jesus’ life of simplicity. 

If we do this we can perhaps have our reserved dwelling place with the Lord in heaven someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Tuesday November 1 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:

What is the objective of your life? Is it limited only for the enjoyment of the things of this world? There is a more meaningful life that lies beneath this superficial life. However, you wouldn’t be able to discover the essence of life unless you learn to detach yourself from this world and begin to embrace the teachings of Jesus. 

What does it mean to be poor in spirit and why is it a blessing to be poor in spirit? As the literal poor relies on the generosity of his fellowmen so that he could sustain himself. To be poor in spirit means that we always rely on Jesus in everything most especially for our spiritual nourishment. 

This means that we rely on the goodness of Jesus. We continuously rely and hunger for God to fill our empty lives so that He could enrich us spirituality. 

Today is all Saints Day, we solemnly remember the Saints they who generously gave their very lives for the mission of Jesus. The saints are not actually spotless when it comes to sin. Just like us they also had their own battle with sin and they triumphed over it because of the help of Jesus. 

The saints became saints for the simple reason that they recognized their spiritual poverty. They discerned that life is empty and meaningless without the guidance of Jesus. We too could become saints in our own little way. If only we would acknowledge our own poverty of spirit. And if only we would invite Jesus to come into our lives and fill our empty and barren lives. - Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for October 31 Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:12-14

Gospel: Luke 14:12-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. 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 sisters 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.

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Reflection:

Have you tried giving to those who cannot give you back?  

There is always this feeling of unexplainable happiness when you give to those who cannot give you back. For example, when you give to a poor relative, a poor friend or an unknown poor just passing by you. There’s always that feeling of unfathomable happiness. 

From where does this feeling of happiness comes from? It comes from God who gives back on behalf of those who cannot repay your kindness. Such how good God is, He always sees to it that the good that you do is given back to you. And when God gives back He gives back generously. 

But many of us prefer to give to those who are capable of giving us back. Perhaps that’s human nature but what if we try giving to those who cannot repay our generosity? The moment we do it then we see how good God really is. 

The gospel for today invites us to reflect on the motives of our giving. Do we give because we expect something in return? Or we give because we find unfathomable joy in giving especially to those who cannot reciprocate our generosity.  

Every act of goodness that we do most especially to those who cannot give us back is generously rewarded by God in manifold way. – Marino J. Dasmarinas