Reflection for November 25 Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:29-33

Gospel: 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:

Do you have an awareness of the kingdom of God in your life? 

Many of us are only aware today of the kingdom of this world. Thus, we are very busy to earn for our own survival and self-gratification. We allow ourselves to be eaten by the rat race culture of this world. For example, in other countries where the presence of Jesus is almost non-existent in their people. Once they encounter major failures in their life some people don’t think twice of committing suicide. 

Why is this so? Perhaps the reason behind this is they’ve already focused themselves on this world only. Every aspect of their life revolves around this world. There is no illumination of the presence of Jesus in their life. Here lies the danger of not having God in one’s life. It’s like always the end times whenever they encounter failures/problems in their life.  

We are therefore very fortunate that we know Jesus because we always have this fortress of hope and protection where we can always hold on. Whatever personal problems that we may have and no matter how bleak the future may seem. We remain hopeful and this hope is always given to us by Jesus. 

Let us therefore share the gift of Jesus with our fellowmen let us not keep this to ourselves. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Nobyembre 25 Biyernes sa Ika-34 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 21:29-33

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:29-33

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad ang isang talinghaga: “Tingnan ninyo ang puno ng igos at ibang punongkahoy. Kapag nagdadahon na ito, alam ninyong malapit na ang tag-araw. 

Gayun din naman, kapag nakita ninyong nangyayari na ang mga ito, malalaman ninyong malapit nang maghari ang Diyos. Tandaan ninyo: magaganap ang lahat ng ito bago mamatay ang lahat ng taong nabubuhay sa ngayon. Mawawala ang langit at ang lupa, ngunit ang salita ko’y hindi magkakabula”  

Reflection for Thursday November 24 Memorial of Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs: 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:

Are you afraid of the end of this world? 

The talk of end times always sends shivers to many most especially to those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. This topic is something that they always want to avoid as much as possible. However, if God is in your heart; who can be against you? If God is with you nothing can distress you no matter how horrifying the signs of the times are.  

For those who are losing hope; for those who continue to live in sin, for those who do not give space for God in their lives the end times is within their reach already. But there still hope for them. And this hope is given to them by Jesus; they simply have to allow Jesus to come into their lives. 

For those who steadfastly believe in God, who faithfully follow His commands. Who continuously remain hopeful notwithstanding the discouraging signs of the times. Redemption from any fear is upon them already. 

Why don’t we change our ways and why don’t we get closer to Jesus and invite Him to come into our lives? So that whatever happens to this world we’ll have neither worries nor fears for we know that we are always in God’s loving embrace.  

Let us change our ways, let us listen to the voice of God calling us all to repent through the Sacrament Confession/Reconciliation. Let us always remember that the indifference of the people of Jerusalem to Jesus resulted in their destruction. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Huwebes Nobyembre 24 San Andres Dung-Lac, pari at mga kasama mga martir (Paggunita): Lucas 21:20-28

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:20-28

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Kapag nakita ninyong kubkob na ng mga hukbo ang Jerusalem, talastasin ninyong malapit na ang pagkawasak nito. Dapat tumakas sa kabundukan ang mga nasa Judea, at umalis ng lungsod ang mga naroon; huwag nang pumasok doon ang mga nasa kabukiran. Sapagkat ito ang ‘Mga Araw ng Pagpaparusa,’ bilang katuparan ng mga nasasaad sa Kasulatan. 

Kawawa ang nagdadalantao at nagpapasuso sa mga araw na iyon! Sapagkat darating ang malaking kapighatian sa lupaing ito, at ang poot ng Diyos sa bansang ito. Mamatay sila sa tabak, at dadalhing bihag sa lahat ng bansa. At ang Jerusalem ay magiging busabos ng mga Hentil hanggang sa matapos ang panahong itinakda sa mga ito.  

“Magkakaroon ng mga tanda sa araw, sa buwan, at sa mga bituin. Sa lupa, ang mga bansa ay masisindak at malilito dahil sa ugong at mga daluyong ng dagat. Ang mga tao’y hihimatayin sa takot dahil sa pag-iisip sa mga sakunang darating sa sanlibutan; sapagkat mayayanig at mawawala sa kani-kanilang landas ang mga planeta at iba pang katulad nito na nasa kalawakan.  

Sa panahong iyon, ang Anak ng Tao’y makikita nilang dumarating na nasa alapaap, may dakilang kapangyarihan at malaking karangalan. Kapag nagsimula nang mangyari ang mga bagay na ito, magalak kayo sapagkat malapit na ang pagliligtas sa inyo.”

Reflection for November 23 Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

Are you ready to be persecuted for your faith?  

We would undoubtedly be persecuted if we decide to faithfully follow Jesus and surely we would be losing some friends as well. But we need not worry about persecution or losing friends for the sake of Jesus.  

Therefore it is very important that we don’t make the mistake of betraying Jesus for the sake of this world. We must not make the mistake of betraying Jesus for the sake of vested friendships and interest. We must be faithful until the very end no matter the persecutions and sacrifices.  

What would it benefit us if we gain the whole world yet we lose Jesus in our lives? We gain nothing except fleeting happiness which leads us to sin. We gain nothing except temporal power and riches that may fly away from us anytime.  

What would we gain if we have powerful friends if these friends bring us nothing but sinfulness which unfortunately we often times enjoy? Nothing except disturbance in our lives! Should we allow ourselves to be deceived by these false friends who only bring us further away from the love of Jesus?  

But the moment we decide to be faithful to Jesus no matter the temptations and persecutions. We’ll have peace that He only can give us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Nobyembre 23 Miyerkules sa Ika-34 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 21:12-19

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:12-19

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Darakpin kayo’t uusigin. Kayo’y dadalhin sa mga sinagoga upang litisin at ipabilanggo. At dahil sa akin ay ihaharap kayo sa mga hari at mga gobernador. Ito ang pagkakataon ninyo upang magpatotoo tungkol sa akin. 

Ipanatag ninyo ang inyong kalooban, huwag kayong mababalisa tungkol sa pagtatanggol sa inyong sarili; sapagkat bibigyan ko kayo ng katalinuhan at ng pananalitang hindi kayang tutulan o pabulaanan ng sinuman sa inyong mga kaaway.  

Ipagkakanulo kayo ng inyong mga magulang, mga kapatid, mga kamag-anak, at mga kaibigan. At ipapapatay ang ilan sa inyo. Kapopootan kayo ng lahat dahil sa akin, ngunit hindi mawawala ni isang hibla ng inyong buhok. Sa inyong pagtitiis ay tatamuhin ninyo ang buhay na walang hanggan.”

Reflection for Tuesday November 22 Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr: 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:

Are you afraid of the end of this world? 

Jesus mentions destruction of all the beautiful structures that we see. Everything including beautiful places of worship will be destroyed. This scenario is somewhat like the end times already. But He also tells us do not be terrified (Luke 21:9), so what would we do? Should we allow the signs of the end times to terrify us? Or we hold on to Jesus who tells us, “Do not be terrified.” Of course we hold on to what the Lord tells us. 

Earthquakes and calamities with massive proportion are happening, wars such as the war created by Russia in Ukraine and in different parts of the world are also raging. But let us take this calmly for this is bound to happen and let us not attribute these disastrous events to God as some would do. God doesn’t want this to happen to us otherwise if he wanted us destroyed God would have not sent Jesus to walk on this earth and die for us on the cross. 

There are wars in different parts of the world because we humans create it. This is brought about by humans' greed for power and resources. The same is happening with our abuse of our environment. 

There are very destructive typhoons/hurricanes because of human’s unrelenting abuse of its environment also. And what are the results? Massive destruction of lives and properties which is actually preventable if we have compassion for our environment. 

In the midst of these bleak signs of the times let us continue to be calm, to pray and to have faith in the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Martes Nobyembre 22 Santa Cecilia, dalaga at martir (Paggunita): Lucas 21:5-11

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:5-11

Noong panahong iyon, pinag-uusapan ng ilang tao ang templo – ang kahanga-hangang mga bato na ginamit dito at ang mga palamuti nito na inihandog ng mga tao. Kaya’t sinabi ni Hesus, “Darating ang panahong lahat ng nakikita ninyong iyan ay iguguho, walang batong ititira sa ibabaw ng kapwa bato.” 

Tinanong nila si Hesus, “Guro, kailan po ito mangyayari? At ano ang magiging palatandaan na ito’y magaganap na?” Sumagot siya, “Mag-ingat kayo at nang hindi mailigaw ninuman! Sapagkat marami ang darating sa aking pangalan na magsasabi, ‘Ako ang Mesias!’ at, ‘Dumating na ang panahon!’ Huwag kayong susunod sa kanila. Huwag kayong mababagabag kung makabalita kayo ng mga digmaan at mga himagsikan. Dapat mangyari ang mga ito, ngunit hindi darating karaka-raka ang wakas.”  

At sinabi pa niya, “Makikipagdigma ang bansa laban sa kapwa bansa at ang kaharian sa kapwa kaharian. Magkakaroon ng malalakas na lindol, magkakagutom at magkakasalot sa iba’t ibang dako. May lilitaw na mga kakila-kilabot na bagay at mga kagila-gilalas na tanda buhat sa Langit.”

Reflection for Monday November 21 Memorial of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 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,  she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.

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Reflection:

Do you give without counting the cost of giving? 

Jesus in our gospel favored the generosity of the poor widow for the simple reason that it came from her heart. There was no string attached in her giving, it did not came from her excess money, she gave whatever little amount she had. 

This gospel invites us also to examine ourselves not only when we give to our church. It invites us also to reflect our motive of giving when we give to the poor or to anyone who is in need for that matter. 

The ideal giving is to give from the heart. The amount of what we give is immaterial what is important is it originates from our hearts and not from our head. In the gospel, it was not only the poor widow who gave some wealthy people also gave. However, Jesus was more pleased with the giving of the poor widow because her giving was pure and untainted by any form of ulterior motive.     

Whatever we give from the heart comes back to us a hundredfold. In Luke chapter six verse thirty eight (6:38) Jesus tells us this: “Give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack good measure, pressed down, full and running over. For the measure you give will be the measure you receive back. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Lunes Nobyembre 21 Pagdadala sa Mahal na Birhen sa Templo: Lucas 21:1-4

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:1-4

Noong panahong iyon, nang tumingin si Hesus, nakita niya ang mayayamang naghuhulog ng kanilang kaloob sa lalagyan nito sa templo. Nakita rin niya ang isang dukhang babaing balo na naghulog ng dalawang kusing. 

Ang wika ni Hesus, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang dukhang balong iyon ay naghulog nang higit kaysa kanilang lahat. Sapagkat bahagi lang ng di na nila kailangan ang kanilang ipinagkaloob, ngunit ibinigay ng balong iyon na dukhang-dukha ang buo niyang ikabubuhay.”

Reflection for Sunday November 20, Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe: Luke 23:35-43

Gospel: Luke 23:35-43

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” 

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” 

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was soon to be king; he was a silent but faithful follower of Jesus. When he was about to be anointed as king by his brother. He told him: “My beloved brother after my anointment I will give everything under my kingdom to our people and I will live a simple life of service for them.”  His brother told him: “Why? Don’t you like power and influence? Don’t you like to be served like other kings?    

The man said, I can fully exercise my power and I will be more fulfilled if I will serve our people even until death. The baffled brother simply walked away. 

Today is the Solemnity of Christ the King, a fitting homage we give to Jesus as we end the church’s liturgical calendar. 

The Kingship of Jesus is a paradox for majority of us because how could He be King when He savagely died on the cross? How could He be King when He doesn’t even have a kingdom nor armed soldiers to protect Him?  How could He be king when He served instead of Him being served? How could He be king when He was jeered, punished and then killed on the cross? 

Such is the paradox of the kingship of Jesus; if we look at it superficially it’s really not our idea of true kingship. But Jesus wants to open our eyes to His own brand of true kingship; the kingship that the kings and leaders of this world avoids like a contagious disease. 

Jesus wants us to realize that it is in our exercise of humility that we align ourselves with His kingship. It is in our exercise of service for everyone especially to those who are poor that we become living bearers of His kingship. 

We have our own divergent ideas on how it is to be a king or to be a leader. However, Jesus wants to put this divergence to rest by inviting us to learn from Him on how He exercised His kingship. A kingship of Obedience, Humility and Service to His people even unto death. 

Would you follow this path of Jesus’ kingship? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Nobyembre 20, Pagkahari ng Panginoong Hesukristo sa Sanlibutan (Dakilang Kapistahan) : Lucas 23:35-43

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 23:35-43

Noong panahong iyon, nilibak si Hesus ng mga pinuno ng bayan. Anila, “Iniligtas niya ang iba; iligtas naman niya ngayon ang kanyang sarili, kung siya nga ang Mesiyas, ang hinirang ng Diyos!” Nilibak din siya ng mga kawal, nilapitan at inalok ng maasim na alak. Sinabi nila, “Kung ikaw ang Hari ng mga Judio, iligtas mo ang iyong sarili.” At nakasulat sa ulunan niya sa wikang Griego, Latin at Hebreo, “Ito ang Hari ng mga Judio.” 

Tinuya siya ng isa sa mga salaring nakabitin, at ang sabi, “Hindi ba ikaw ang Mesiyas? Iligtas mo ang iyong sarili, pati na kami!” Ngunit pinagsabihan siya ng kanyang kasama, “Hindi ka ba natatakot sa Diyos? Ikaw ma’y pinarurusahang tulad niya! Matuwid lamang na tayo’y parusahan nang ganito dahil sa ating mga ginawa; ngunit ang taong ito’y walang ginawang masama.” At sinabi niya, “ Hesus, alalahanin mo ako kapag naghahari ka na.” Sumagot si Hesus, “Sinasabi ko sa iyo: ngayon di’y isasama kita sa Paraiso.” 

Reflection for November 19 Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 20:27-40

Gospel: Luke 20:27-40

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 ‘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. Some of the scribes said in reply, “Teacher, you have answered well. And they no longer dared to ask him anything.

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Reflection:

Mr. X is a man who believed in the resurrection but the thing is this: he doesn’t live his life worthy enough to attain it. Will he have this heavenly resurrection? 

In our gospel for today Jesus tells us that those who are deemed worthy will attain heavenly resurrection. The obvious answer for Mr. X is he will not have a heavenly resurrection. 

Who amongst us is worthy enough to have resurrection?  Not one of us is worthy enough to have it for we are all sinners. Does this mean that we will now carelessly live our lives in sin because nobody is worthy? Of course not!  

A sinner can attain instant salvation/resurrection provided there is repentance. Let us look at the sinner on the cross with Jesus who humbly said: “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus said to him: “Amen I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”  (Luke 23:42-43)   

We must always faithfully follow the teachings of Jesus and of the church and then let us leave everything to our merciful God. For no one among us are worthy to claim it for ourselves because salvation and resurrection are grace from God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for November 18 Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 19:45-48

Gospel: Luke 19:45-48

Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”  

And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

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Reflection:

After cleaning the temple of impurities Jesus taught there daily, Jesus is still teaching us up to this very minute. Teaching us how to properly live our lives, teaching us that life is not so much of material and intellectual accumulation. For Jesus life is service, life is humility, life is sacrifice, life is about simplicity and the like.  

What was Jesus everyday teaching topic during that time?  We could only guess that it was about behavior when inside the temple. And perhaps He was also teaching them about life and how to properly live it. Is there a template on how to properly live our life? Of course there is and it’s no other than the life of Jesus himself. To live according to His life is the perfect life template, but would we dare to live the life of Jesus?  

Let us be teachers also like Jesus, let us teach our children about Jesus, let us teach them how to behave at church. Let us teach the life of Jesus by our way of life because it’s thru our way of life that we can best represent the Lord.  Some of us may be tempted to say that His way of life is not anymore relevant in today’s technology and internet driven times.      

But the life of Jesus is more relevant today more than ever. Think of the corruption of our value system, think of how we devalue life itself by killing it while inside a mother’s womb. Jesus is a man for all season and for all times. He is always relevant and His teachings also are always relevant regardless of time, thus; we have to listen to HIM. 

Do you always listen to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas