Reflection for November 28, 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:

Do you have fear of the end times? Many of us are fearful of the end times. But why fear?  Jesus is telling us in our gospel today not to fear! 

But in hindsight we are human beings and as such it’s natural for us to have fears in our hearts.  most especially when we see calamitous storms, outbreak of viruses and wars. But Jesus words are more powerful than any wars, viruses and storms combined! 

In the gospel for this Tuesday Jesus mentions about destructions and wars. Jesus mentioned these words in the gospel hundreds of years ago. And what He mentioned then is actually happening right now. There are many ongoing wars and destructions in many parts of the world like the wars in Ukraine and Israel. Are we going to tremble in fear? Of course not!   For the reason that we know deep in our hearts that there’s hope! And this hope is given to us by Jesus. 

Jesus tells us not to be terrified for He is far more powerful than any wars and destructions. Therefore, what we must do is to have hope and faith in Jesus for when we have Jesus in our hearts we have nothing to fear. Even the most destructive wars and calamities we will not fear! 

Do you have fear/s in your heart right now? Surrender and give it all to Jesus for He will take care of it for you. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 28, Martes sa Ika-34 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: 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 November 27, Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

Do you know that the more you give that more that you would receive? Many generous people including the poor widow in the gospel who gave her whole livelihood knows all about this. Perhaps this is not the first time that the widow offered her whole livelihood to the church’s treasury. 

Maybe she had been doing this act of extreme generosity for so many times already. And time and again this poor yet generous woman had proven that whatever she gave out of her poverty comes back to her a hundredfold times. 

You may ask, if what the poor woman gave comes back to her many times over. Then why is she still poor? Yes she is still poor based on our own materialistic eyes, but she is actually very rich in terms of her faith and spirituality this is the reason why she could give everything including her earnings from her livelihood.  

To be materially poor is OK for as long as you are rich in faith and spirituality. For what is the essence of material wealth when it can easily fly away from our hands anytime?  

Are you generous like the poor woman in our gospel? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 27, Lunes sa Ika-34 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: 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 26, The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe: Matthew 25:31-46

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

(Jesus said to his disciples) "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 

Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. 

Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you? And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 

Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me. 

Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs? He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me. And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

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Reflection:

In 1925, by virtue of his encyclical letter Quas Primas, Pope Pius XI mandated that every last Sunday of October be dedicated as the Feast of Christ the King. This decision was a response to the growing secularism of that time. In 1969, Pope Paul VI assigned the celebration a new date, and henceforth, it has been observed every last Sunday of the liturgical year. This modification emphasized Jesus Christ's supreme authority and reign over all creation as the liturgical year concluded and a new one began with the Advent season. 

Do we want to attract God’s blessing upon us? We have to do what Jesus commands us in the gospel. Jesus tells us to give food to the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, give clothes to the naked, take care of the sick, and visit the imprisoned.

Jesus is teaching us to discard the 'me first' mindset, for so many of us have this 'me first' mindset. What would we feel if we do away with the 'me first' mindset? We would be free from the bondage of greed and selfishness, which, by the way, is an instrument of Satan.

Life in this world is temporary; therefore, we have to make worthy decisions and take actions that would impact the lives of others. Let us never be concerned about our own life and needs, for God will take care of them as long as we continue to be faithful to Him. Has God ever abandoned anyone who has been faithful to Him?

The gospel tells us that, at the end, there shall be judgment and separation among those who followed and did not follow the will of God. Where would you end up during that judgment and separation? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Nobyembre 26 Dakilang Kapistahan ng Paghahari ng Panginoon Hesukristo sa Sanlibutan: Mateo 25:31-46

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 25:31-46

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Darating ang Anak ng Tao bilang Hari, kasama ang lahat ng anghel, at luluklok sa kanyang maringal na trono. Sa panahong iyon, matitipon sa harapan niya ang lahat ng tao. Sila'y pagbubukud-bukurin niya, tulad ng ginagawa ng pastol sa mga tupa at mga kambing. Ilalagay niya sa kanyang kanan ang mga tupa, at sa kaliwa ng mga kambing. 

At sasabihin ng Hari sa mga nasa kanan, 'Halikayo, mga pinagpala ng aking Ama! Pumasok na kayo at manirahan sa kahariang inihanda para sa inyo mula pa nang likhain ang sanlibutan. Sapagkat ako'y nagutom at inyong pinakain, nauhaw at inyong pinainom. Ako'y isang dayuhan at inyong pinatuloy. ako'y walang maisuot at inyong pinaramtan, nagkasakit at inyong dinalaw; ako'y nabilanggo at ako'y inyong pinuntahan.' 

Sasagot ang mga matuwid, 'Panginoon, kailan po namin kayo nakitang nagutom at aming pinakain, o nauhaw at aming pinainom? Kailan po kayo naging dayuhan at aming pinatuloy, o kaya'y walang maisuot at aming pinaramtan? At kailan po namin kayo nakitang may sakit o nasa bilangguan at aming dinalaw?' Sasagutin ng Hari, 'Sinasabi ko sa inyo: nang gawin ninyo ito sa pinakahamak sa mga kapatid kong ito, ito ay sa akin ninyo ginawa.'

"At sasabihin naman niya sa mga nasa kaliwa, 'Lumayo kayo sa akin, mga sinumpa! kayo'y pasa-apoy na di-mamamatay, na inihanda para sa diyablo at sa kanyang mga kampon. Sapagkat ako'y nagutom at hindi ninyo pinakain, nauhaw at hindi ninyo pinainom. Ako'y naging isang dayuhan at hindi ninyo pinatuloy; ako'y nawalan ng maisuot at hindi ninyo pinaramtan, ako'y may sakit at nasa bilangguan at hindi ninyo dinalaw.' 

At sasagot din sila, 'Panginoon, kailan po namin kayo nakitang nagutom, nauhaw, naging dayuhan, nawalan ng maisuot, may sakit o nasa bilangguan, at hindi namin kayo pinaglingkuran?' At sasabihin sa kanila ng Hari, 'Sinasabi ko sa inyo: nang pinagkaitan ninyo ng tulong ang pinakahamak sa mga ito, ako ang inyong pinagkaitan.' Itataboy ang mga ito sa kaparusahang walang hanggan, ngunit ang mga matuwid ay tatanggap ng buhay na walang hanggan."

Reflection for November 25, Saturday of the Thirty-third 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:

What will happen to us after we die? Would we still know each other’s name if we see each other in heaven? Would we still feel the same if we see each other in heaven? We don’t know because we haven’t died yet. 

But one thing is sure there will come a time that we will have a physical death. Would it be the end? No, we who follow Jesus believe that our physical death is only the beginning of eternal life with Jesus in heaven. 

The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. That’s why they asked Jesus the question about the seven brothers who married the same woman. So they asked Jesus, to whom will she belong during resurrection? 

Jesus gave them this meaningful answer, “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 (Luke 20:34-35). 

Many of us may have the same concern with the Sadducees, what will happen to us after we die? Are we not stretching our minds too far by having this thought? Instead of being concerned with the afterlife or the resurrection. Why don’t we focus our attention to our present life? Do we live it according to the will of Jesus? If we live our present life according to the will of Jesus, we need not worry about the afterlife for the simple reason that Jesus will take care of it all. 

Let us not worry about the afterlife because when we die there will be no more worries only happiness. When we die there will be no more conflicts only love. And when we die there will be no more distinction as to who we are for we shall all be equal in God’s eyes. Life in the afterlife is glorious beyond what we can imagine. 

The afterlife in the kingdom of God is the perfect life for us, let us aim for it while we are still in this worldly journey. Let us start by living our lives according to what God wants us to live it.– Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 25, Sabado sa Ika-33 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 20:27-40

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 20:27-40

Noong panahong iyon, may ilang Saduseo na lumapit kay Jesus. Ang Saduseo'y hindi naniniwala na 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 ng 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. Nagpakasal sa balo ang pangalawa, at namatay. Gayon 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 Jesus, "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 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 magtanong sa kanya ng anuman.

Reflection for Friday November 24, Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs: 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:
A few years ago I read an article about the confession of a young man who had a sex change. From male he became female, after a few months of going through the procedure this young man was already full of regrets. 

According to him, he was being deeply bothered by his conscience and he felt that something is wrong with the function of his body. I can’t remember if he died but he got sick a few months after going through that procedure. 

Are we aware that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? Are we aware that Jesus is deeply saddened when we try to alter the physical composition of our body? Today with the help of science we can make ourselves appear younger. We can even make our bodies a walking expression of who we are. 

Is this right? Of course not for God created our bodies to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. This is the reason why it does not deserve to be altered by any form of medical procedure and by our own wild imagination disguised as self-expression. 

In the gospel, Jesus got angry with those who were defiling the temple. Why? Because they were using the temple not for worship anymore but to advance their own self-interest.  - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for November 23, Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 19:41-44

Gospel: Luke 19:41-44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes. 

For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.

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Reflection:

What will happen to us if we refuse to hear the wise counsel of our elders? For example, if we are advised to stop doing what is not good or to stop doing something which is immoral or wrong? If we continue to refuse to hear their wise counsel. Eventually these wrongdoings that we continue to do will take us down through sickness, embarrassment and so forth.     

In the gospel for today, Jesus wept over Jerusalem and its people for they refused to hear His call of repentance and to reform their lives. Not only that they refused to listen to Jesus they also refused to listen to the prophets who were sent before Jesus. They instead mired themselves in sin similar to a beast miring itself in a cesspool.   

When we refuse to let Jesus come into our life and when we continue to refuse to hear His call of repentance. There would surely be no peace within us no matter how rich we are and how powerful we are. For as long as we refuse to hear the Lord’s call we will have no peace we would still be living complicated lives that may eventually destroy us.

Jerusalem did not find peace and were destroyed by the Romans during the first revolt in A.D 70, because they refused Jesus, they did not recognized Him as the ultimate peace bearer. They instead continued to stray far from Him.

Jesus is always knocking at our hearts, always waiting for us to open our life to Him. For the reason that he will not only bring us peace He would also bring us contentment, serenity and other things that this world cannot give us.  

Would you listen to the voice of the Lord, who always speaks to you through the many events in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Wednesday November 22, Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr: Luke 19:11-28

Gospel: Luke 19:11-28

While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, "A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. 

He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, 'Engage in trade with these until I return.' His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, 'We do not want this man to be our king.' But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. 

The first came forward and said, 'Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.' He replied, 'Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.' Then the second came and reported, 'Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.' And to this servant too he said, 'You, take charge of five cities.' Then the other servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.' 

He said to him, 'With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.' 

And to those standing by he said, 'Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.' But they said to him, 'Sir, he has ten gold coins.' He replied, 'I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.'" After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a successful businessman who suddenly died, when his soul was about to separate from his body he saw an angel and a devil. He naturally veered away from the devil and he put himself at the side of the angel. When they were about to enter the heavenly gates God was there to ask him this question: What can you say about your life on earth? The man said, I was a successful businessman when I was still alive and I did no wrong to anyone. 

Then God said that’s very good! But have you done something for my kingdom? The man was not able to answer for he did nothing to help grow the kingdom of God. Subsequently, God commanded the angel to bring him to the other side of the fence where the environment was very hot and humid for he did nothing to advance the kingdom of God.   

What is your present preoccupation right now? Are you very busy with the things of this world? Like how to expand your business and how to grow your money in the bank and the like? Many of us are perhaps very earthly and always very busy with earthly things. But if we are all busy with the affairs of this world where would we be after our journey in this world is already over and done? Where would we end up if we do nothing for the kingdom of God in this world?  

In the gospel a nobleman gave his servants gold coins so that they could do something to make it grow. Two of them were able to increase its value but there was one who simply kept in a handkerchief what was entrusted to him. He did nothing to grow the money entrusted to him by his master. 

In our faith life doing nothing is never an option or faith in Jesus that is kept to oneself is never an alternative. We must share this faith that Jesus has entrusted to us in whatever manner possible so that it could grow and have life. 

When you share your faith you also enrich your spiritual life and you become a productive servant of the Lord. - Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for Tuesday November 21, Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 19:1-10

Gospel: Luke 19:1-10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. 

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” 

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

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Reflection:

Was it only Zacchaeus who was seeking an encounter with Jesus? Was Jesus not also seeking an encounter with Zacchaeus?  Yes, Jesus was also seeking an encounter with Zacchaeus! Why? Because Zacchaeus was a sinner like all of us and truth be told Jesus always wants to have an encounter with sinners so that He could convert them. And what made it more interesting for Jesus to seek out Zacchaeus was Zacchaeus’ desire to see Jesus as well. 

Before Jesus arrived in Jericho He already had in mind Zacchaeus He knew that this chief tax collector was looking for Him and ready to change his sinful ways. With this factor present the encounter of Jesus and Zacchaeus occurred. After their meeting Jesus subsequently went to the house of Zacchaeus to purify his house. As well as to liberate Zacchaeus from any form of sinfulness and right then and there his conversion and liberation from any form of sinfulness happened. 

How could we relate this gospel episode with our personal lives? Like Zacchaeus we too are sinful and Jesus is knocking at our hearts so that he could also have a personal encounter with us. 

If we say that we are not yet ready to have an encounter with the Lord,  then when? Next month or next year? It may be too late already, nothing is certain in this world anything can happen the next seconds or minutes. 

Therefore, we must also be like Zacchaeus who responded to the desire of Jesus to meet him. Let us not delay anymore let us rush to meet Jesus now for tomorrow may be late already. 

Would you want to have a personal encounter with Jesus today? - Marino J. Dasmarinas             

Reflection for November 20, Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 18:35-43

Gospel: Luke 18:35-43

As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” 

Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

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Reflection:

Who is Jesus to you? Is Jesus the hope and salvation of your life? The blind man in our gospel had his hope and salvation anchored on Jesus. When he heard that Jesus is passing by he shouted with all his might, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” His shout comprised his prayer with faith in Jesus. 

From a hopeless situation the blind man suddenly found hope and salvation because Jesus passed by him. And Jesus did not disappoint the blind man because He asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Then the blind man said in reply, please let me see my Lord and immediately he receive his sight and he became a follower of Jesus from thereupon. 

What separates the blind man from many of us? It’s his persistent and persevering faith, it’s faith that can move mountains. This is what separates this blind man from many us, what if we are in the shoes of the blind man? Would we simply give up and be silent because we were rebuked and sternly told to be silent?    

But this blind man, when he was rebuked and told to be silent the more that he persisted and the more that he cried loudly to Jesus for help.  And because of his persevering and persistent faith he was heard and given the gift of sight by the Lord. 

What is it that you want from the Lord? Don’t give up, be persistent and have faith for the Lord will soon hear you. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday November 19, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 25:14-30

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one--to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money.

After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy. 

Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy. 

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back. His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? 

Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has more will be given and he will grow rich but from the one who has not even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

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Reflection:

Are you prepared if the Lord were to call you to account for the talents He has given you? In the gospel, the master who returned from a journey had an accounting of the talents that He loaned to His servants.

What if the master did not return? There would have been no accounting for the servants, especially the third unproductive servant who was given one talent. But the master returned, thus creating a problem for the third servant.

Inaction or status quo is never an option in our faith life or even in life itself. We have to move; we have to take calculated risks and sweat it out; otherwise, we will not grow and bear fruit in our faith life. The same goes for our daily existence; if we just lay idle and do not move, we will not survive; we will die of hunger.

Because of his laziness and lack of initiative to move, the third servant was labeled as useless by his master. He was thrown into the darkness of hell, where there was grinding and wailing of teeth. 

Through our baptism, the Good Lord has entrusted us with talents and responsibilities according to our abilities. Parents have this inherent responsibility, which they must use for them to become good and Godly parents.

In what manner could we become good and Godly parents? We teach our children about our faith for the simple reason that we are the first formators or teachers of our children. The home is also the domestic church or the little church where children are initially introduced to Jesus and formed with values. Parents must also teach children how to live simply because God created us to live simply, not to live complicated and worldly lives.

How else can we become productive talent bearers of the Lord in this world? We have to serve the church in whatever capacity. We have to integrate our faith life with our parish church even for a short period of time for us to grow more in our faith life. And, of course, we also have to teach and live our faith.

Someday there will also be an accounting of the talents or responsibilities that Jesus has entrusted to you. How will you account to the Good Lord? Will you be like the two productive servants, or will you be like the third unproductive servant who did nothing and risked nothing? – Marino J. Dasmarinas