Reflection for Sunday September 29, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

At that time, John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. 

It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

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Reflection:

A parish priest was informed by a catechist that a Christian denomination wanted to use the parish chapel for their worship service. The catechist expected the priest to reject the request, but to his surprise, the humble and good-natured priest allowed the denomination to use the chapel.

Months passed, and this Christian group continued to use the chapel for their worship. Over time, they developed a strong friendship with the parish priest, rooted in his humility and tolerance. After two years of friendship and communication, the Christian group decided to convert to the Catholic faith and were warmly welcomed into the Church by the humble and tolerant priest.

In our Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus speaks about tolerance, humility, and love for others. When John told Jesus that they had tried to prevent someone from driving out demons in His name, John may have expected Jesus to condone his arrogant behavior. However, Jesus rebuked John, saying, 'Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us' (Mark 9:39-40).”

This rebuke of Jesus toward John resonates even today, and it is no longer just addressed to John but to all of us. Jesus reminds us that if the cause being supported by our fellowmen is also about Him, or if it serves a good purpose, we should, by all means, be tolerant.

We must always be tolerant, humble, and loving toward those who are not within the fold of our Catholic faith. Jesus constantly reminds us to live out these virtues, as they are one of the ways He can become a living symbol in our lives.

Sometimes, it is tempting to become proud and arrogant because of our status in life, or because of the primacy of our Catholic faith, which was founded by Jesus Himself. But how can we convince others to join our faith if we are domineering and arrogant? How can we reflect Jesus in our lives if we are always overbearing and superior? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Setyembre 29 Ika-26 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9: 38-43. 45. 47-48

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9: 38-43. 45. 47-48

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi kay Hesus ni Juan, “Guro, nakakita po kami ng isang taong nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ng pangalan mo, at pinagbawalan namin sapagkat hindi natin siya kasamahan.” 

Ngunit sinabi ni Hesus, “Huwag ninyo siyang pagbawalan, sapagkat walang taong matapos gumawa ng kababalaghan sa pangalan ko ang agad magsasalita ng masama laban sa akin. Sapagkat ang hindi laban sa atin ay panig sa atin. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: sinumang magbigay sa inyo ng isang basong tubig dahil sa kayo’y kay Kristo ay tiyak na gagantimpalaan.

“Mabuti pa sa isang tao ang siya’y bitinan ng isang malaking gilingang-bato sa leeg at itapon sa dagat kaysa maging sanhi ng pagkakasala ng isa sa maliliit na ito na nananalig sa akin. Kung ang kamay mo ang nagiging sanhi ng iyong pagkakasala, putulin mo! Mabuti pa ang mapunta ka sa langit nang putol ang isang kamay kaysa may dalawang kamay na mahulog ka sa impiyerno, sa apoy na hindi mamamatay. 

Kung ang paa mo ang nagiging sanhi ng iyong pagkakasala, putulin mo! Mabuti pa ang mapunta ka sa langit nang putol ang isang paa kaysa may dalawang paa na mahulog ka sa impiyerno. At kung ang mata mo ang nagiging sanhi ng iyong pagkakasala, dukutin mo! Mabuti pa ang pumasok ka sa kaharian ng Diyos nang bulag ang isang mata kaysa may dalawang mata na mahulog ka sa impiyerno. Doo’y hindi mamamatay ang mga uod na kumakain sa kanila, at hindi mamamatay ang apoy.”

Reflection for Saturday September 28 St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions, martyrs: 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:

Why were the disciples afraid to ask Jesus to elaborate His meaningful statement that He is going to be handed over to men? Did they sense that something dangerous is going to happen to Jesus soon? Were they afraid to hear something that would deal with suffering and the cross? Or the disciples were simply used to the image of Jesus as a powerful miracle worker and healer?   

Is it only for His miracles and healings that we follow Jesus? Perhaps yes, many of us are only after Jesus the miracle worker and Jesus the healer. But if we are only after His miracles and healings then this is not true discipleship.  

True discipleship happens to us when we are also ready to suffer for Jesus and when we are also ready to carry our own cross for Jesus. We cannot separate Jesus from suffering because He himself brutally suffered. Thus we cannot also separate ourselves from suffering/s if we truly follow Jesus.  

Nevertheless, let us not be afraid to suffer for our discipleship for Jesus because our suffering for Jesus will not be in vain. There is always something glorious after suffering and carrying our own cross for Jesus. We may not know it immediately but there surely will be glory after we endure our cross and sufferings. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Friday September 27 Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest: Luke 9:18-22

Gospel: Luke 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. 

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

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Reflection:

If Jesus would ask us, who am I to you? How would we answer Him? Would we answer based on what we know about Jesus or we answer Him in a much profound manner like you are my Lord, Savior and my God and I feel your abiding presence in my life everyday. 

We must not limit our knowledge about Jesus to what we read or up to what only our minds would feed us. We must dive deeper than that in such a way that Jesus is already part and parcel of our daily life. This only means that we read and live His teachings. 

We become more productive followers of Jesus if we read and live His teachings because this would open us to a much deeper intimacy with Him. We read Jesus’ life and teachings in the bible. If we only read or hear and we don’t live His teachings our discipleship is lacking in substance. 

We have to know Jesus and then we have to live Jesus these two (Know and live) must always go together. For this would help us endure the many trials/even sufferings that we would be facing as we exist in this world.  

Do you read the life of Jesus and do you live the teachings of Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for September 26 Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:7-9

Gospel: Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” 

But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.

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Reflection:

Are you sometimes being haunted by a wrong which you’ve done in the past?

The wrongs that we’ve done will continue to haunt us for so long as there is no closure to it. It happened to Herod the tetrarch when he ordered his soldiers to kill John at the behest of the woman who lustfully danced in front of them. 

We need to be careful of the actions/decisions that we make in our lives. Impulsive or spur of the moment decisions are usually wrong. Like when Herod to impress his friends impulsively decided to kill John. 

These thoughtless decisions that we’ve made or we’ll make in the future will bother us, in will constantly pop in our minds until we do something to close it. So what is the cure to this dilemma? 

We have to seek closure, if we have to walk an extra mile for us to obtain closure so be it. We obtain closure by making amends with the person concerned. And then we walk away ready to live a new life with Christ Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 25 Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:1-6

Gospel: Luke 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.  

Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

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Reflection:

When Jesus said to the twelve, 'Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic,' He was espousing absolute detachment from any kind of worldly things. He was telling them to rely on no one except Himself, for He would provide for them. 

This is how Jesus also lived His ministry—He relied on no one except the providence of God. God provided for Him because He entrusted His life to Him. In our present, materially driven world, it’s difficult to solely trust in God. For example, how can we advance His teachings without any material provisions? How can we keep going without financial help? These are valid questions that are difficult to ignore. 

Nevertheless, if we truly have rock-solid faith, we would let go of our worldly worries and rely on no one but God alone. This is the challenge for all of us believers: to rely on no one except God. Often, we fail to recognize how God is moving in our lives because we don’t fully rely on Him. We tend to rely more on ourselves and those around us rather than on God. 

We would not be able to feel the presence of Jesus in our lives if we continue to rely on ourselves. Let us continue to have faith, for Jesus has not forsaken anyone who follows Him. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 24 Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:19-21

Gospel: Luke 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” 

He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

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Reflection:

Who would not want to become a relative of Jesus? Of course we all want to become His relatives. But Jesus has one important requirement for all of us so that we could become His relatives: Hear His word and act on it (Luke 8:21). 

Do we hear the word of God and act upon it? For example the commandment of Jesus to love our enemies and to do good to those who hurt us (Matthew 5:44). Do we love our enemies and do good to them?  Or we immediately follow our natural instinct not to love those who don’t love us and hurt those who hurt us. 

But what would happen if we follow our selfish human instinct? There would be more hatred and hurt, more walls than bridges. Mahatma Gandhi once said: An Eye for an eye would only make the whole world blind. 

It’s not easy to become a relative of Jesus if we place too much value on ourselves. If we hold ourselves in such high regard, we may quickly despise those who have hurt or disrespected us. However, Jesus himself forgave those who hurt, persecuted, and killed Him.

Though it’s difficult to become a relative of Jesus for it requires humility and forgetting of ourselves. Nevertheless, we must aspire to become a relative of Jesus and not aspire to become a lover of unforgiveness, ego and pride. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Monday September 23 Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest: Luke 8:16-18

Gospel: Luke 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.  

For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away. 

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Reflection: 

The story is told about a long dormant lighthouse that was revived and brightly lighted by the community around it.  The voyagers and fishermen were very happy to see its light once again. For it gave them direction and it made their life easier at sea.  

By virtue of our faith and what we know about Jesus we also have the potential to become a bright lighthouse. That gives direction, inspiration and hope to our fellowmen. This could happen provided we have the courage to live and share Jesus through our words and actions.  

But how many of us have become the living light of Jesus to our fellowmen? How many of us have dared to live and share the teachings of Jesus? If we don’t dare live and share Jesus we simply become an unlighted lighthouse. A lighthouse that is overcome by darkness it doesn’t give hope, inspiration and direction.  

Let us never forget to remember that we can always become a lighted lamp that is placed on a lampstand that Jesus mentions in the gospel. In that way we can bless others by sharing and living our faith. – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Reflection for Sunday September 22, Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:30-37

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. 

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” 

Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who heard an announcement in their parish church about its need for those who would be interested to volunteer for parish work. Thus, he volunteered and he went through the formation process.  

However, he had this thought that his volunteer parish work was an opportunity to become popular and influential in the community. He was already imagining that his newfound popularity would lead him into politics.

In the Gospel, while journeying through Galilee, Jesus heard His disciples arguing. When they were in a house in Capernaum, He asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the way?' (Mark 9:33). They were unable to answer because they had been arguing about who was the greatest among them.

Who is the greatest in the eyes of the Lord? For Jesus, the greatest is the one who is willing and ready to serve and not be served. The greatest is the one who humbles himself despite the temptation to boast and be arrogant. The greatest are those who quietly fulfill their vocation for the Lord without expecting anything in return.

Many of us love to project power and feel superior because we hold exalted positions in our work, church, or community. However, this is of no importance in the eyes of the Lord. What matters to Jesus is our childlike humility and our willingness to follow Him without expecting anything in return.

Are you ready to humbly follow the Lord without expecting anything in return? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Saturday September 21 Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist: Matthew 9:9-13

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. 

  

The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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Reflection:

Does Jesus have a soft spot for sinners? Yes, Jesus has a soft spot for all of us sinners. For example, in the Gospel, He called a tax collector and a sinful man named Matthew. After calling Matthew, Jesus went to Matthew’s house to dine with tax collectors and sinners. 

All of us are sinners, and Jesus is continuously calling us to leave our sinful lives for good and follow Him. The gravity of our sins is no longer important to Jesus. What matters to Him is that we respond to His call, just as Matthew did in the Gospel. 

Perhaps we may ask, why is Jesus calling us to follow HIM? Among many other reasons Jesus wants us to be freed from the bondage of sin; HE wants us to be enlightened by HIS grace. And Jesus wants to save us from hell where Satan holds court. These are the reasons why Jesus is calling us to follow HIM.   

Our lives will never be the same again the moment we accept this call of Jesus. There will be healing in the family; we will now become averse to commit any form of sin and we will be freed from its bondage.  We have nothing to lose if we would follow the Lord in fact we gain everything including our future dwelling in heaven someday. 

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

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Setyembre 21, Apostol San Mateo, manunulat ng Mabuting Balita (Kapistahan): Mateo 9:9-13

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:9-13

Noong panahong iyon, umalis si Jesus sa lugar na iyon. Sa kanyang paglalakad, nakita niya ang isang taong ang pangala'y Mateo; nakaupo ito sa paningilan ng buwis. Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya, "Sumunod ka sa akin." Tumindig si Mateo at sumunod sa kanya. 

Nang si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad ay nasa bahay ni Mateo, dumating ang maraming publikano at mga makasalanan. At sila'y magkakasalong kumain. Nang makita ito nang mga Pariseo, tinanong nila ang kanyang mga alagad, "Bakit sumasalo sa mga publikano at sa mga makasalanan ang inyong guro?" 

Narinig ito ni Jesus at siya ang sumagot, "Ang mga maysakit ang siyang nangangailangan ng manggagamot, hindi ang mga walang sakit. Humayo kayo at unawain ang kahulugan nito, 'Habag ang ibig ko at hindi hain.' Sapagkat naparito ako upang tawagin ang mga makasalanan, hindi ang mga banal."

Reflection for Friday September 20 Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs: Luke 8:1-3

Gospel: Luke 8:1-3

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. 

Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

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Reflection:

Who are the majority crowd during Sunday Holy Mass or daily Holy Mass for that matter? The majority are women, who are the majority who volunteers for church work? It’s women again! During the time of Jesus and as it is today the silent workers and supporters of Jesus and His church are women.

When Jesus was dying on the cross the majority of those who remained loyal to Him are women too (Luke 23:49)! The same when Jesus resurrected, the loyal woman supporters of Jesus saw Him first (Luke 24:9–11).

The gospel this Friday mentions Jesus, the twelve apostles and a number of women with different backgrounds. Some are sinners, some are rich and some are poor also. What brought these women with diverse background together? What made them silently support Jesus?

It’s their love and loyalty to Jesus. The same love and loyalty to Jesus that fuels the many women of today who silently support Jesus and the church that He founded through peter.   

Like the women in the gospel who followed and provided help for Jesus. We too are being challenged to humbly follow Jesus and provide support for the church that He founded through Peter. 

What can you contribute to Jesus and the church today? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 19 Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:36-50

Gospel: Luke 7:36-50

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. 

Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 

“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. 

You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

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Reflection:

Why is it that many of us are very quick to condemn those who are supposedly sinners? I for one is oftentimes like that I’m very quick at judging people but on second thought who are we to judge them? When we in fact are sinners too! We are quick to judge because we see them as bigtime sinners so we condemn or judge them. 

How about the private sins that we commit? Those sins that nobody else knows except us and God only. Most of the time those who are self-righteous are sinners too. They only refuse to admit that they are for they are blinded by the very high esteem that they give to themselves. 

Regardless if we are a public sinner of private sinner Jesus wants us to have a renewal in our lives. This we do by means of humbly approaching Him through the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession. 

Most of the time repentant public sinners are the most effective bearers of Jesus love and forgiveness. Why? For the reason that they have nothing to hide anymore they humbly open themselves to God’s infinite grace, mercy and forgiveness. 

Are you a sinner who is very much willing to repent? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 18 Wednesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:31-35

Gospel: Luke 7:31-35

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’ 

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

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Reflection:

Are you quick to judge? 

Every once in a while, each and every one of us are guilty of judging our fellowmen by what we exteriorly see on them. This happened to John and Jesus, they both were unfairly judged based on what they exteriorly saw. But the danger of judging quickly is we immediately close our minds to further be enlightened by the person/s that we judge. 

But how could we know the person better if we quickly judge them? How could we see their pureness, gentleness and humility if we judge them? It’s always better to know the person first and if possible to get acquainted with them before we judge them. 

Because if we do, we would not be judging or condemning them quickly anymore. This is for the reason that we would be able to discover who they really are. Those who judged John and Jesus were deprived of discovering the real identity of Jesus and John. They also unknowingly deprived themselves of their friendship, blessing and wisdom. 

This may happen also to us if we are quick to judge. – Marino J. Dasmarinas