Ang Mabuting Balita/Repleksyon para sa Oktubre 8 Linggo, Ika-27 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 21:33-43

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:33-43

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga punong saserdote at matatanda ng bayan: Pakinggan ninyo ang isa pang talinghaga. May isang taong nagtanim ng ubas sa kanyang bukid, at ito'y binakuran niya. Gumawa siya roon ng pisaan ng ubas, at nagtayo ng isang mataas na bantayan. 

Pagkatapos, kanyang iniwan sa mga kasama ang ubasan, at siya'y nagtungo sa ibang lupain. Nang dumating ang panahon ng pitasan, pinapunta ng may-ari ng ubasan ang kanyang mga alipin upang kunin sa mga kasama ang kanyang kaparte. Ngunit sinunggaban ng mga kasama ang mga alipin; binugbog nila ang isa, pinatay ang ikalawa, at binato naman ang ikatlo. 

Pinapunta ng may-ari ang mas maraming alipin, ngunit gayon din ang ginawa ng mga kasama sa mga ito. Sa kahuli-huliha'y pinapunta niya ang kanyang anak na lalaki. Igagalang nila ang aking anak,' wika niya sa sarili. Ngunit ng makita ng mga kasama ang anak, sila'y nag-usap-usap: 'Ito ang tagapagmana. Halikayo! Patayin natin ng mapasaatin ang kanyang mamanahin.' Kaya't siya'y sinunggaban nila, inilabas sa ubasan at pinatay. 

"Pagbabalik ng may-ari ng ubasan, ano kaya ang gagawin niya sa mga kasamang iyon?" sumagot sila, "Lilipulin nila ang mga buhong na iyon, at paaalagaan ang ubasan sa ibang mga kasama na magbibigay sa kanya ng kaparte sa panahon ng pamimitas." 

Tinanong sila ni Jesus, hindi pa ba ninyo nababasa ang talatang ito sa Kasulatan? 'ang batong itinakwil ng mga tagapagtayo ng bahay ang siyang naging batong panulukan. Ginawa ito ng Panginoon, at ito'y kahanga-hanga!' Kaya nga sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi na kayo ang pagahaharian ng Diyos kundi ang bansang maglilingkod sa kanya ng tapat.

Reflection for Saturday October 7, Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary: Luke 10:17-24

Gospel: Luke 10:17-24

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

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Reflection:

Why did Jesus caution the disciples not to rejoice for their human triumphs? Perhaps the reason for this is there may be a tendency for the disciples to take pride in what they have achieved.

As if Jesus was telling them, when you’re doing your mission don’t ever forget to always be humble and to always avoid singular or collective honors. For you were not called to be my followers to reap honors. You were called to bring people to me no other reason but to bring your fellowmen to me.

This also is very much applicable for us. Let us not take pride because we have brought people closer to Jesus. Let us not take pride because we have influenced our fellowmen to read the bible, to go to Holy Mass or to take seriously their faith.

If we follow to the letter this directive of Jesus, we leave no room for the sin of pride and arrogance to take foothold in our lives. And what would remain? Humility only humility and humility must always be our guiding light in our discipleship. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 6, Friday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:13-16

Gospel: Luke 10:13-16

Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 

But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’ Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

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Reflection:

Would you listen to Jesus’ call of repentance?

 Repentance is a perpetual call from Jesus and we must listen to this call. What will happen if we would not listen?  There would be punishment and it will not certainly come from God; punishment will originate from the outcome of our sinfulness.

For example, the sin of adultery some spouses engaged in this bestial act notwithstanding the danger and punishment that would befall them. Where would this kind of sin eventually lead? This will eventually lead to despair, nothingness and desolation.  

There’s a lot more examples of those who did not listen, so they received their deserved punishment. Hence, why not repent and listen to the voice of God who always calls us every second of the day to change our ways and walk away from sin? The longer we commit sin the deeper we dig a hole for us into the deepest abyss of hell.

We therefore have to listen to Jesus and walk away from sin while we still have time.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Oktubre 6, Biyernes ng Ika-26 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 10:13-16

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:13-16

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Hesus, “Kawawa ka, Corazin! Kawawa ka, Betsaida! Sapagkat kung sa Tiro at Sidon ginawa ang mga kababalaghang ginawa rito sa inyo, disin sana’y malaon na silang nagdaramit ng sako at nauupo sa abo upang ipakilalang sila’y nagsisisi. 

Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom, higit na mabigat ang kaparusahan ninyo kaysa kaparusahan ng mga taga-Tiro at taga-Sidon. At ikaw, Capernaum, Ibig mong mataas hanggang sa langit? Ibabagsak ka sa Hades! “Ang nakikinig sa inyo’y nakikinig sa akin, ang nagtatakwil sa inyo’y nagtatakwil sa akin, at ang nagtatakwil sa akin ay nagtatakwil sa nagsugo sa akin.”

Reflection for October 5, Thursday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:1-12

Gospel: Luke 10:1-12

Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.

Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment.

Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”

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Reflection:

Do you want to help Jesus in His mission of evangelization?

Jesus talks about the commissioning of His Seventy two disciples; He said to them that there’s an enormous work for them to do. They are few but the people whom they will preach the gospel are many.

Up to this very day there are few who preach and fewer still those who preach and live the gospel yet there are millions who needs it badly. They are yearning to hear the words of Jesus and more has not even heard of the life changing words of the Lord.

 So what are we doing about it? Would we sit still and stay in our comfort zones and do nothing to share in the ministry of Jesus? Preaching nowadays is not anymore confined to face to face vocal preaching. It’s more easier today because we can now preach via social media using our computers and high-tech mobile phones.

Instead of posting about ourselves, why not post something that is related to Jesus and our Catholic faith? Let us post something that can bring someone closer to God. If we do this we now become a follower not only in words but in deeds as well.

Let us see to it also that we live what we preach or we live what we post in our social media accounts. The perfection of our discipleship for Jesus comes when we live what we preach. For example, if we preach simple living we have to live simply as well, if we preach humility let us live humility. If we preach forgiveness we have to be forgiving. Jesus wants us to be His co-laborers in His vineyard; we should not worry about our needs, for he will surely provide for us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Wednesday October 4, St. Francis of Asisi, religious (M): Luke 9:57-62

Gospel: Luke 9:57-62

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” 

And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” 

Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”

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Reflection:

What does it require for someone who wants to follow Jesus? It requires total surrender and abandonment to His will. When a person decides to follow Jesus he is ready to leave everything in favor of the Kingdom of God. He is ready to leave his own comfort zone and embrace the challenge of going to an unknown zone in the company of the Lord. 

The gospel tells us that it’s not easy to follow the Lord. We have to adjust and make the necessary sacrifices. This may seem hard from a far but once you go near Jesus and begin your journey with Him. Things will now suddenly fall into its proper places this is for the reason that the Lord will make his way to accommodate us. 

Has the Lord abandoned those who decided to leave everything for Him? Nobody has been abandoned by Jesus. He is always there by their side helping and strengthening those who courageously decide to follow Him. 

In this era of high tech communication and social media the Lord still wants us to follow Him. He may not even require us anymore to leave our love ones. Perhaps the Lord wants us to follow Him where we are at now. 

For example, if you’re working or you have a business you can follow the Lord by being honest with your dealings. The opportunity to follow the Lord is manifold and limitless. You simply have to signify your desire by taking the first step and thereafter begin your own journey of renewal with Him which you will never regret once you do so.     

Would you be willing to follow the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Oktubre 4, San Francisco de Asis, namamanata sa Diyos (Paggunita): Lucas 9:57-62

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:57-62

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang naglalakad sina Hesus at ang kanyang mga alagad, may taong nagsabi kay Hesus, “Susunod po ako sa inyo kahit saan.” Sumagot si Hesus, “May lungga ang asong-gubat at may pugad ang ibon, ngunit ang Anak ng Tao’y wala man lamang matulugan o mapagpahingahan.” Sinabi ni Hesus sa isa, “Sumunod ka sa akin.” Ngunit sumagot ang tao, “Panginoon, hayaan po muna ninyo akong umuwi upang ipalibing ang akin ama.” 

Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanya, “Ipaubaya mo na sa mga patay ang paglilibing ng kanilang mga patay. Ngunit ikaw, humayo ka at ipahayag mo ang tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos.” Sinabi naman ng isa, “Susunod po ako sa inyo, Panginoon, ngunit magpapaalam muna ako sa aking mga kasambahay.” Sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Ang sinumang nag-aararo at palaging lumilingon ay hindi karapat-dapat sa paghahari ng Diyos.”

Reflection for October 3, Tuesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:51-56

Gospel: Luke 9:51-56

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 

When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

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Reflection:

Why did Jesus decide to enter a Samaritan village when He knew that He would not be welcomed there? He could just have passed by and not went there, He could have chosen another way to avoid passing through the Samaritan territory. But He chose to go to a place where He was not welcome.    

Perhaps we could attribute this to Jesus's deep desire to build friendships and reach out, even to those who were hostile to Him. The Samaritans knew that Jesus was a Jew going to Jerusalem, an area that the Samaritans disliked. 

What does Jesus teach us in this gospel episode? We need to reach out also even to those who are not welcoming of us. We need to do this so that we could offer the olive branch of peace and friendship to them. If they would not accept our offer it’s up to them what is important is we do what we have to do as followers of Jesus. 

It’s not easy to offer peace and friendship to those who do not want our friendship. And it’s not easy to humble ourselves before others most especially before those who dislike us. But this is the way of Jesus, He did not only made Himself available to those who like Him. He also offered Himself even to those who despised Him. 

Are you willing to offer the olive branch of peace and friendship to those who dislike you? Would you be willing to reach out and humble yourself before them? – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Reflection for Monday October 2, Memorial of the Guardian Angels: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. 

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

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Reflection:

Were the disciples expecting that Jesus would tell them that they were the greatest in the kingdom of heaven because they follow Him? From all indications this question (who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven) of the disciples were asked to serve their selfish agendas and Jesus knew about it. 

 Therefore, to straighten out things and to tell the disciples that self-seeking individuals like them would not be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus told them; “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-4). 

The Kingdom of Heaven is reserved for the humble only, for we cannot go to heaven through our own effort. And we cannot go to heaven without the mercy of God. Therefore, children are not only perfect models of humility they are also perfect examples for their reliance on their parents.  Could children exist by themselves? No they can't exist by themselves they need their parents to be with them to survive. 

In like manner the disciples can’t rely on themselves they have to rely on God rather than on themselves. This was perhaps one of the salient point of Jesus when He called the child to their midst (Matthew 18:2). 

This also applies to all of us, we cannot rely on our riches (Ii ever we have riches) no matter how presently rich we are. We cannot rely on our power as well no matter how presently powerful we are for all of these are creation of this world that could evaporate from our hands anytime. 

So, to whom are we going to rely? We rely on God alone. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday October 1, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 21:28-32

Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. 

Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.

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Reflection:

Does this parable of the two sons also speak to us? 

Jesus connects the parable of the two sons to the chief priests and elders of the people. Because they did not listen to John's exhortation to change their self-righteous ways. But he praised the tax collectors and prostitutes, who were considered sinners at that time, because they listened to and believed John's exhortation, leading them to walk away from their sinful ways.

This parable of the two sons is also for us, we who listen to the word of God but often don't allow it to transform us. We who are faithful in our church obligations, but we often don't practice our obligations as followers of Jesus.

How quickly do we judge others because of their appearance and the clothes that they wear? How quickly do we judge them because of their faith, their relationships, and the friends that they keep? How quickly do we judge them because of their behavior and their profile on social media?

We quickly judge by what we see, not minding our own shortcomings and sinfulness. By doing so, we personify the second son who said yes but did not go to the vineyard. We also stand for the chief priests and elders of the people who did not heed the call of John to renew their lives. 

The tax collectors and prostitutes were favored by Jesus for the simple reason that they listened to the call of John. Yes, they were sinners, but the moment they heard John's preaching, they listened, believed, and walked away from their sinfulness. Thus, they represent the first son who initially said no but later had a change of heart and humbly went to work in the vineyard.

We are being called by Jesus to humble ourselves before Him, to have a change of heart, and to completely walk away from our sinfulness, just like what the first son did and the sinful tax collectors and prostitutes who listened to John.

Would you respond to this call of Jesus? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 1 Linggo, Ika-26 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 21:28-32

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:28-32

Noong panahong iyon, tinanong ni Hesus ang mga punong saserdote at matatanda ng bayan: “Ano ang palagay ninyo rito? May isang tao na may dalawang anak na lalaki. Lumapit siya sa nakatatanda at sinabi, ‘Anak, lumabas ka at magtrabaho sa ubasan ngayon.’ ‘Ayoko po.’ tugon niya. Ngunit nagbago ang kanyang isip at siya’y naparoon.  

Lumapit din ang ama sa ikalawa at gayon din ang kanyang sinabi. ‘Opo’ tugon nito, ngunit hindi naman naparoon. Sino sa dalawa ang sumunod sa kalooban ng kanyang ama?” “Ang nakatatanda po,” sagot nila. Sinabi sa kanila ni Hesus, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang mga publikano at masasamang babae’y nauuna pa sa inyong pasakop sa paghahari ng Diyos. 

Sapagkat naparito sa inyo si Juan at ipinakilala ang matuwid na pamumuhay, at hindi ninyo siya pinaniwalaan. Ngunit pinaniwalaan siya ng mga publikano at ng masasamang babae. Nakita ninyo ito, subalit hindi pa rin kayo nagsisi at naniwala sa kanya.

Reflection for Saturday September 30, Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church: Luke 9:43b-45

Gospel: Luke 9:43b-45

While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

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Reflection:

When Jesus told His disciples that he was to be handed over to men they were not able to comprehend it. Why? Because at that time Jesus was doing miracles left and right. And perhaps they were asking themselves, how could this be possible that this miracle man will be handed over to authorities and afterwards suffer? 

The disciples were oblivious because they did not fully know His mission. Otherwise, if they knew, they would have understood this pronouncement of Jesus.  The moment we decide to follow Jesus we must prepare ourselves for the sufferings that we have to go through. 

Because we cannot separate our discipleship with the Lord  with sufferings. To follow Jesus is to embrace suffering also. However, there are people who would say, simply follow Jesus and you will have a problem free life. This is farthest from the truth because everyone of us who truly follow Jesus will have our own share of sufferings and tribulations. 

But let us not bedevil ourselves with the thought of these sufferings because Jesus will not give us trials that we can’t handle. We simply have to have faith in Jesus and that is more than enough to conquer our sufferings.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Friday September 29, Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels: John 1:47-51

Gospel: John 1:47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him. ”Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 

Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

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Reflection:

Do you have some secrets that you think nobody knows except you? It’s not you alone who knows about it Jesus knows about it also.

There was a young woman who had an abortion she kept it from anyone, but there were days that she couldn’t sleep. She was being bothered by her conscience; thinking of a cure from her torment of conscience. She submitted herself to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and there she poured out everything that was bothering her. From there on she was able to sleep soundly.

Jesus is an all-knowing God His presence pervades all over us and we certainly can’t hide anything from Him. Nathaniel was not aware of this fact this is the reason why he asked Jesus: “How do you know me”?

We cannot keep anything from God, He knows everything about us. Our sins, undesirable thoughts and the current sins that we continue to commit. Therefore, we have to distance ourselves permanently from people and places that influenced us to sin.

Otherwise, we have to prepare ourselves for the very severe consequences that will befall us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Setyembre 29, San Miguel, San Gabriel at San Rafael, mga arkanghel (Kapistahan): Juan 1:47-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:47-51

Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ni Jesus si Natanael, ay kanyang sinabi, "Masdan ninyo ang isang tunay na Israelita; siya'y hindi magdaraya!" Tinanong siya ni Natanael, "Paano ninyo ako nakilala?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Bago ka pa tawagin ni Felipe, nakita na kita nang ikaw ay nasa ilalim ng puno ng igos."  

"Rabi, kayo po ang Anak ng Diyos! Kayo ang Hari ng Israel!" wika ni Natanael. Sinabi ni Jesus, "Nananampalataya ka ba dahil sa sinabi ko sa iyong nakita kita sa ilalim ng puno ng igos? Makakikita ka ng mga bagay na higit kaysa rito!" At sinabi niya sa lahat, "Tandaan ninyo: makikita ninyong bukas ang langit, at ang mga anghel ng Diyos ay manhik-manaog sa kinaroroonan ng Anak ng Tao!"