Reflection for September 11 Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:20-26

Gospel: Luke 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. 

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. 

But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Would we be willing to be poor, to be hungry, to weep and to be insulted for our steadfast faith in Jesus? Surely, these questions will drive us to think hard because it’s not easy to be poor to be insulted, to weep and be hungry for the sake of our steadfast discipleship.  

But if this is the means for us to gain closeness with Jesus we have no other way but to embrace these hard choices. But how many of us are willing to embrace this kind of life? Come to think of it, are these choices really hard? Is it really hard to be poor, hungry, to weep and to be insulted?  

It is hard if Jesus is not with us but if Jesus is with us and if He walks with us. To be poor, hungry, to weep and be persecuted becomes a blessing for us. For the simple reason that this assures us of a life with Jesus in heaven after our life in this world is over.  

What would it benefit us if we are rich, powerful and if everyone is praising us to high heavens if it drives us to sin? If Jesus is not in our life or if Jesus is just a miniscule particle in our life? The best choice therefore is to have a life with Jesus even if it would entail sacrifices and hardship.  

What is your choice? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Setyembre 11, Miyerkules ng Ika-23 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 6:20-26

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:20-26

Noong panahong iyon, tumingin si Jesus sa mga alagad, at kanyang sinabi, "Mapalad kayong mga dukha, sapagkat ang Diyos ang maghahari sa inyo!" "Mapalad kayong mga nagugutom ngayon, sapagkat kayo'y bubusugin!" 

"Mapalad kayong tumatangis ngayon, sapagkat kayo'y magagalak!" "Mapalad kayo kung dahil sa Anak ng Tao kayo'y kinapopootan, ipinagtatabuyan at inaalimura ng mga tao, at pati ang inyong pangalan ay kinasusuklaman. Magalak kayo at lumukso sa tuwa kung ito'y mangyari, sapagkat malaki ang inyong gantimpala sa langit-- gayon din ang ginawa ng kanilang mga ninuno sa mga propeta.  

"Ngunit sa aba ninyong mayayaman ngayon, sapagkat nagtamasa na kayo ng kaginhawahan!" "Sa aba ninyong mga busog ngayon, sapagkat kayo'y magugutom!" "Sa aba ninyong nagsisitawa ngayon, sapagkat kayo'y magdadalamhati at magsisitangis!" "Sa aba, ninyo kung kayo'y pinupuri ng lahat ng tao, sapagkat gayon din ang ginawa ng kanilang mga ninuno sa mga bulaang propeta."

Reflection for September 10 Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:12-19

Gospel: Luke 6:12-19

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.  

And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all. 

+ + + + + + + 

Reflection: 

What is the significance of this call on the apostles in our lives?  

Looking back on the lives of the apostles, except for Judas all were faithful followers of the Lord. They were His eyes and ears they were His collaborators in His mission. The apostles did not lead lives of ease and comfort in fact except for Judas who betrayed the Lord. Almost all of them were martyred in doing the mission that Jesus bestowed upon them.  

By virtue of our Baptism we too are called to collaborate with Jesus to spread the good news of our salvation. We are called to lead Holy lives so that others may see Jesus in us.  We are called to be patient, to shun the temptation of the flesh and materialism, to persevere and to be enduring and faithful until the very end.  

If you say that you love Jesus it means that you’re always ready to suffer and be humiliated for the sake of the advancement of His kingdom. Ready to persevere and ready to face the hardship that may come your way. For this is the mark of a true and faithful follower whose eyes are not solely fixated in this temporal world.    

Would you respond to the call of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Setyembre 10 Martes ng Ika – 23 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 6:12-19

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:12-19

Noong panahong iyon, umahon si Hesus sa isang burol at magdamag doong nanalangin. Kinaumagahan, tinawag niya ang kanyang mga alagad, at pumili siya ng Labindalawa sa kanila, na tinawag niyang mga apostol: si Simon na pinangalanan niyang Pedro, at si Andres na kanyang kapatid; sina Santiago, Juan, Felipe, Bartolome, Mateo, Tomas, at Santiago na anak ni Alfeo, si Simon ang Makabayan; si Judas na anak ni Santiago, at si Judas Iscariote, na naging taksil.   

Bumaba si Hesus, kasama sila, at tumayo sa isang patag na lugar. Naroon ang marami sa kanyang mga alagad at ang napakaraming tao buhat sa Judea at Jerusalem, at sa mga bayan sa baybaying-dagat ng Tiro at Sidon.  

Pumaroon sila upang makinig sa kanya at mapagaling sa kanilang mga karamdaman. Pinagaling din niya ang mga pinahihirapan ng masasamang espiritu. At sinikap ng lahat ng tao na mahipo siya sapagkat may taglay siyang kapangyarihang makapagpagaling ng lahat. 

Reflection for Monday September 9 Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest: Luke 6:6-11

Gospel: Luke 6:6-11

On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. 

But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up and stand before us.” And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you have the guts to defy someone so that you could do something positive to others? 

In the Gospel, Jesus cured the man with a withered hand notwithstanding the presence of the Pharisees and the scribes. They were keenly watching the Lord if He would heal the man on a Sabbath day: A day of rest and a holy day for them. But Jesus defied the Pharisees and scribes so He healed the man even if it was a Sabbath day. 

Jesus placed greater importance on helping the sick man than on observing the Sabbath. What unquestionable courage. Let’s say there comes a time when we find ourselves in the same situation as Jesus. What should we do then? Should we heal on that prohibited day or not? 

Would we simply forgo helping those who are in need because it is a sacred day? Or we will be like Jesus who put more weight on extending help to someone in need. 

The best path to take is to be like Jesus who helped the man with a withered hand notwithstanding the presence of the Pharisees and scribes. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita: Lunes Setyembre 9, San Pedro Claver, pari: Lucas 6:6-11

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:6-11

Isang araw ng Pamamahinga, muling pumasok si Jesus sa sinagoga at nagturo. May isang lalaki roong tuyo't ang kanang kamay. Sa hangad ng mga eskriba at mga Pariseo na maparatangan si Jesus, nagbantay sila upang tingnan kung siya'y magpapagaling sa Araw ng Pamamahinga. Subalit batid ni Jesus ang kanilang iniisip, kaya't sinabi ni Jesus sa lalaking tuyo't ang kamay, "Halika rito sa unahan." 

Lumapit naman ang lalaki at tumayo roon. Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila, "Tatanungin ko kayo. Alin ba ang ayon sa Kautusan: ang gumawa ng mabuti o ang gumawa ng masama sa araw ng Pamamahinga?" Magligtas ng buhay o pumatay?” 

Tiningnan ni Jesus ang mga nasa palibot niya at sinabi sa lalaki, "Iunat mo ang iyong kamay!" Iniunat nga niya ang kanyang kamay at ito'y gumaling. Nagngingitngit sa galit ang mga eskriba at Pariseo, at pinag-uusapan nila kung ano ang dapat gawin kay Jesus. 

Reflection for Sunday September 8, Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:31-37

Gospel: Mark 7:31-37

Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. 

He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. 

He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A young man was complaining to his father that he does not feel the presence of Jesus in his life. His father told him, 'Examine your lifestyle. You are always out with your friends. When you are home, you are either in front of the computer, playing with your smartphone, or watching TV. If you continue with that lifestyle, you will not feel the presence of Jesus in your life. 

How can we have an up-close and personal encounter with Jesus? It’s when the environment around us is silent, and there's no one else present except us and Jesus. This is always the most conducive environment for us to encounter the Lord. It’s very difficult to encounter and feel the presence of Jesus when there are many people around and when there is noise.

Only in the quietness of our life will we be able to encounter and feel the healing presence of Jesus. And in the quietness of our life, we will be able to hear the voice of Jesus, telling us what we need to hear so that we can find the motivation and energy to move on amidst the noisy and difficult grind of our life.

Do we feel the presence of Jesus in our life? If not, let us try to live a quiet life and give more time to Jesus than give time satisfying our pleasure-seeking and loud lifestyle. This doesn’t mean that we will isolate ourselves  from our friends and usual environment.

This simply means that we will lessen the noise in our life and reduce our engagement with worldly pleasures until we completely get rid of it.  We still remain connected to this world, not to seek earthly pleasures anymore. But to reach out to those who are engaged with these earthly pleasures, so that we can bring them closer to Jesus.

The deaf mute man in our gospel was healed by Jesus, not in the midst of the noisy crowd. Instead, Jesus brought the deaf mute man away from the crowd to be with Him alone in a quiet place, and in the stillness of that environment, Jesus healed him (Mark 7:33-35).

Do you regularly have your own quiet time with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Setyembre 8 Ika-23 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 7:31-37

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 7:31-37

Noong panahong iyon, pagbabalik ni Hesus mula sa lupain ng Tiro, dumaan siya sa Sidon, at nagtuloy sa Lawa ng Galilea, matapos tahakin ang lupain ng Decapolis. 

Dinala sa kanya ang isang lalaking bingi at utal at ipinamanhik nila na ipatong sa taong ito ang kanyang kamay. Inilayo muna siya ni Hesus sa karamihan, at isinuot ang kanyang mga daliri sa mga tainga nito. Pagkatapos, lumura at hinipo ang dila nito. 

Tumingala si Hesus sa langit at nagbuntong-hininga, at sinabi sa tao, “Effata,” ibig sabihi’y “Mabuksan!” At nakarinig na ito, nawala ang pagkautal at nakapagsalita na nang malinaw. Sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao na huwag ibalita ito kaninuman; ngunit kung kailan sila pinagbabawalan ay lalo naman nilang ipinamamalita ito. 

Sila’y lubhang nanggilalas, at ang wika, “Anong buti ng lahat ng kanyang ginawa! Nakaririnig na ang bingi, at nakapagsasalita ang pipi!

Reflection for September 7 Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:1-5

Gospel: Luke 6:1-5

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”  

Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat,  ate of it, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you always do what is right even if it’s unpopular?  

There are times that we are hindered of doing something that is noble because we fear the judgment of others. For example, a young woman  who suddenly had an unwanted pregnancy. Since she was still young her family wanted her to abort the life in her womb. But the lady rightfully stood her ground and went through her pregnancy and gave birth.  

While the disciples were picking grains some Pharisees admonished them because it was their day of rest or Sabbath day. But Jesus reproved the ever critical Pharisees by citing what David and his companions did: They ate the bread offering which was exclusively for the priest. Then, Jesus topped HIS rebuke of the Pharisees by saying that HE is over and above their Sabbath law.  

The rule that Jesus’ follows is this: Rightful human need/s such as our need for food takes precedence over any laws even the Sabbath law. Doing acts of mercy is more important than fulfilling a custom or tradition. For the Lord it’s the greater good that must prevail even if it’s not written.  

Come to think of it, what good would it do us if we follow the law/s but in the process of following it we deprive those who are in need? What good is our presence at church every Sunday for Holy Mass if we don’t live the teachings of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Setyembre 7 Sabado sa Ika-22 Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 6:1-5

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:1-5

Isang Araw ng Pamamahinga, naparaan sina Jesus sa triguhan. Ang kanyang mga alagad ay nangitil ng uhay, at kanilang kinain ang mga butil matapos ligisin sa kanilang mga kamay. "Bakit ninyo ginagawa sa Araw ng Pamamahinga ang ipinagbabawal ng Kautusan?" tanong ng ilang Pariseo.   

Sinagot sila ni Jesus, "Hindi ba ninyo nabasa ang ginawa ni David nang magutom siya at ang kanyang mga kasama? Pumasok siya sa bahay ng Panginoon, kumuha ng tinapay na handog sa Diyos at kumain nito. Binigyan pa niya ang mga kasama, bagama't ayon sa Kautusan, ang mga saserdote lamang ang may karapatang kumain niyon." At sinabi pa niya sa kanila, "Ang Araw ng Pamamahinga ay nasa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ng Anak ng Tao.

Reflection for September 6 Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 5:33-39

Gospel: Luke 5:33-39

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?  

But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” And he also told them a parable. “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak.  

Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a lady who was giving her personal testimony on how Jesus made a big impact in her life and how Jesus filled her life with joy and contentment. She said further that now that Jesus is in her heart. She now will always ask Jesus to take care of her sadness and other trials.  

Whether we admit or not sadness and other lonesome emotions will once in a while visit us. Most especially right now wherein so life is hard and many also are suffering - but this is normal for we are all beings with emotions. However if we have Jesus, we have nothing to worry even if these lonesome feelings will come to us.  

We would know how to handle it for the simple reason that we already have Jesus in our life. We have nothing to worry about anything that may come to us. Thus, we continue to move ahead with hope because Jesus is by our side.  

Assuring us that no human affliction and emotion no matter how severe could bring us down anymore. Not even the saddest moment in our lives for we have already been renewed and poured into the fresh wineskin which is no other than Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Setyembre 6, Biyernes sa Ika-22 na Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Luke 5:33-39

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:33-39

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ng mga Pariseo at mga eskriba kay Jesus: "Ang mga alagad ni Juan ay malimit mag-ayuno at manalangin. Gayon din ang alagad ng mga Pariseo. Ngunit ang mga alagad mo'y patuloy ang pagkain at pag-inom."

 Sumagot si Jesus, "Pag-aayunuhin ba ninyo ang mga panauhin sa kasalan samantalang kasama pa nila ang lalaking ikinasal? Kung wala na ang ikinasal, saka pa lamang sila mag-aayuno."  

Sinabi rin niya sa kanila ang isang talinghaga; "Walang pumiraso sa bagong damit upang itagpi sa luma. Kapag ginawa ito, masisira ang bagong damit at ang tagping bago ay hindi babagay sa damit na luma. Wala ring nagsisilid ng bagong alak sa lumang sisidlang-balat. Kapag gayon ang ginawa, papuputukin ng bagong alak ang balat, matatapon ang alak, at masisira ang sisidlan.  

Sa bagong sisidlang-balat dapat ilagay ang bagong alak. at walang magkakagustong uminom ng bagong alak kapag nakainom na ng inimbak, sapagkat sasabihin niya, 'Masarap ang inimbak.' "

Reflection for September 5 Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 5:1-11

Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.  

Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch. Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets. When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them.

They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man. For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men. When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is it with Jesus that He can make ordinary fishermen to become fishers of men? This is for the reason that all things are possible with our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ.  

The encounter of Simon Peter and the other fishermen with Jesus by the lake of gennesaret is a magical and whirlwind encounter. It was an encounter that transformed their very lives! An encounter that moved them out of their own comfort zones so that they could follow Jesus.  

We too have our own encounter/s with our Lord. We encounter Him through the celebration of the Eucharist/ Holy Mass. We encounter Him when we take time to read His very words in the bible. We encounter the Lord when we pray and there are many more encounters that occurs between us and the Lord. But sad to say, many of these encounters with the Lord we fail to discern.  

All of these encounters with Jesus are specifically designed to transform us. So that like Simon Peter and his companions of fishermen we too could be converted and become Jesus’ followers. Our every encounter with Jesus is always life-changing, transformative and enlightening.

Do you want to have an encounter with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Setyembre 5, Huwebes ng Ika-22 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 5:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:1-11

Noong panahong iyon, nakatayo si Hesus sa baybayin ng Lawa ng Generaset. Pinagkalipumpunan siya ng napakaraming tao na ibig makarinig ng salita ng Diyos. May nakita siyang dalawang bangka sa baybayin; nakalunsad na ang mga mangingisda at naghuhugas ng kanilang mga lambat. Lumulan siya sa isa sa mga bangka at hiniling kay Simong may-ari nito, na ilayo nang kaunti sa tabi. Naupo siya sa bangka at nangaral sa mga tao. 

Pagkatapos niyang magsalita ay sinabi niya kay Simon, “Pumalaot kayo at ihulog ang mga lambat upang manghuli.” Sumagot si Simon, “Guro, magdamag po kaming nagpagod at wala kaming nahuli! Ngunit dahil sa sinabi ninyo, ihuhulog ko ang mga lambat.” Gayun nga ang ginawa nila at sa dami ng kanilang huli ay halos magkansisira ang kanilang mga lambat.  

Kaya’t kinawayan nila ang kanilang mga kasamahang nasa ibang bangka upang patulong, at lumapit naman ang mga ito. Napuno ang dalawang bangka na halos lumubog. Nang makita iyon ni Simon Pedro, siya’y nagpatirapa sa paanan ni Hesus at nagsabi, “Lumayo po kayo sa akin, Panginoon, sapagkat ako’y makasalanan.” 

Nanggilalas siya at ang kanyang mga kasama dahil sa dami ng kanilang huli; gayun din sina Santiago at Juan, mga anak ni Zebedeo, na mga kasosyo ni Simon. At sinabi ni Hesus kay Simon, “Huwag kang matakot. Mula ngayo’y mamamalakaya ka ng mga tao.” Nang maitabi na nila ang kanilang mga bangka, iniwan nila ang lahat at sumunod kay Hesus.