Reflection for October 3 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.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Would you be willing to be an ambassador of Jesus? 

It’s hard to respond to this call of Jesus to follow Him most especially when you see nothing but challenges. For example, provisions are very scarce, nobody wants to be with you for the simple reason that they don’t love God as much as you do.  

What would you do then? You must carry on! The harder the challenges in front of you the firmer your resolve to pursue and follow the Lord. The enemy of God which is no other than the devil will continue to badger you to give up. It will continue to paint a picture of hopelessness with what you do for Christ so as to discourage you. But you must not give up. You must continue to hold on with your desire to partake with the mission of Jesus.  

The statement of Jesus that the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few is as true as the sunshine today. Each day we see the decline of the morality and values of many people. Each day we see the debasement of the sanctity of marriage. Each day we see the disintegration of families most especially in the so called first world countries. This is the abundant harvest that Jesus pertains today.  

Don’t say that you don’t see any abundant harvest. Look in your own sphere of environment and you’ll see them. Focus on them; share Jesus with them thru your words or thru your lifestyle for they are your abundant harvest. Don’t worry about anything for Jesus is with you, He will protect you and He will provide for you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 3, Huwebes ng Ika-26 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 10:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, ang Panginoon ay humirang pa ng pitumpu’t dalawa. Pinauna niya sila nang dala-dalawa sa bawat bayan at pook na patutunguhan niya. Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Sagana ang aanihin, ngunit kakaunti ang mga manggagawa. Idalangin ninyo sa may-ari na magpadala siya ng mga manggagawa sa kanyang bukirin. 

Humayo kayo! Sinusugo ko kayong parang mga kordero sa gitna ng mga asong-gubat. Huwag kayong magdala ng lukbutan, supot, o panyapak. Huwag na kayong titigil sa daan upang makipagbatian kaninuman. Pagpasok ninyo sa alinmang bahay, sabihin muna ninyo, ‘Maghari nawa ang kapayapaan sa bahay na ito!’ Kung maibigin sa kapayapaan ang nakatira roon, sasakanila ang kapayapaan; ngunit kung hindi, hindi sila magkakamit nito. 

Manatili kayo sa bahay na inyong tinutuluyan; kanin ninyo at inumin ang anumang idulot sa inyo – sapagkat ang manggagawa ay may karapatang tumanggap ng kanyang upa. Huwag kayong magpapalipat-lipat ng bahay. Kapag tinanggap kayo sa alinmang bayan, kanin ninyo ang anumang ihain sa inyo; pagalingin ninyo ang mga maysakit doon at sabihin sa bayan, ‘Nalalapit na ang paghahari ng Diyos sa inyo.’ 

Ngunit sa alinmang bayang hindi tumanggap sa inyo, lumabas kayo sa mga lansangan nito at sabihin ninyo, ‘Pati ang alikabok dito na dumikit sa aming mga paa ay ipinapagpag namin bilang babala sa inyo. Ngunit pakatandaaan ninyong nalalapit na sa inyo ang paghahari ng Diyos!’ Sinasabi ko sa inyo: sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay higit na mabigat ang kaparusahan ng mga tao sa bayang yaon kaysa dinanas ng mga taga-Sodoma!” 

Reflection for Wednesday October 2 Memorial of the Holy 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.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Have you tried looking at the face of a child and have you tried looking at the face of a grown-up person? Which of them give you more joy? Of course, it’s the face of the child. 

Jesus in the gospel gives us the secret on how we can enter the kingdom of heaven. Which is none other than to become like children or to be childlike, why? It’s for the reason of the pureness of their thoughts and their innocence.  No wonder being childlike is the key for us to enter God’s kingdom in heaven.  

But are we childlike in terms of the pureness of our thoughts and absence of sin? Of course we are not! Who among us could say that our thoughts are as pure as a child?  Who among us could say that we are without sin? Nobody because we are all sinners we sin through our words, actions and thoughts.  

Nevertheless, it’s not yet late for us to go back to Jesus and be childlike before Him. Jesus through the Sacrament of Reconciliation is always inviting us to humble ourselves before Him. To be like a child who humbly runs to his parents with reckless abandon once he sees them coming home.  

Are you humble like a child? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Oktubre 2, Paggunita sa mga Banal na Angel na Tagatanod: Mateo 18:1-5, 10

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18: 1-5, 10

Noong sandaling iyon, lumapit kay Hesus ang mga alagad at nagtanong, “Sino po ang pinakadakila sa kaharian ng langit?” Tinawag ni Hesus ang isang bata, pinatayo sa harapan nila, at sinabi, “Tandaan ninyo ito: kapag hindi kayo nagbago at tumulad sa mga bata, hinding-hindi kayo mabibilang sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos. 

Ang sinumang nagpapakababa na gaya ng batang ito ay siyang pinakadakila sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos. Ang sinumang tumatanggap sa isang batang ganito dahil sa akin ay ako ang tinatanggap. “Ingatan ninyo na huwag hamakin ang isa sa maliliit na ito. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: sa langit, ang kanilang mga anghel ay laging nasa harapan ng aking Ama.”

Reflection for Tuesday October 1 Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church: 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.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:
Would you open the door of your house to Jesus? 

The Samaritans did not welcome Jesus because they did not know Him well. If only they knew Him they would have welcomed Him even if He was going to Jerusalem. But they did not know Him that’s why they refused to be hospitable to Him.  

There are some problematic individuals who decide to end their life by way of committing suicide. Why? Because they do not know Jesus, if only they know Jesus they would have not committed that grievous sin.  

We miss so many blessings when we do not fully know the Lord. For example, the blessing of hope, the blessing of love, the blessing of understanding, humility, peacefulness, companionship and many more. These are but a few of the many blessings that we miss when we do not know Jesus that well.  

But how do we come to know Jesus? We must read the Bible, especially the first four books of the New Testament. We should also make it a point to attend the celebration of the Eucharist or Holy Mass regularly, particularly on Sundays. By doing these acts of faith, slowly but surely, the eyes of our faith will be opened to the friendship of Jesus.

But how about those who do not know Jesus? How would they know Jesus? We have to share Jesus and we have to live His teachings so that through us they will know Jesus. To know Jesus is still not enough we have to share Him and we have to live what we know about Him.     

Do you want to live a more meaningful life? If your answer is yes, you therefore have to share and live Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Oktubre 1 Paggunita kay Santa Teresita ng Sanggol na si Hesus, dalaga at pantas ng Simbahan: Lucas 9:51-56

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:51-56

Nang nalalapit na ang panahong iaakyat si Hesus sa langit, ipinasiya niyang pumunta sa Jerusalem. Sinugo niya ang ilan upang mauna sa kanya. Humayo sila at pumasok sa isang nayon sa Samaria upang ipaghanda siya ng matutuluyan. Ngunit ayaw siyang tanggapin ng mga Samaritano sapagkat siya’y patungo sa Jerusalem.  

Nang makita ito nina Santiago at Juan ay kanilang sinabi, “Panginoon, payag ba kayong magpababa kami ng apoy mula sa langit upang pugnawin sila?” Ngunit bumaling siya at pinagsabihan sila. “Hindi ninyo alam kung anong uri ng espiritu ang sumasainyo,” sabi niya, “sapagkat naparito ang Anak ng Tao hindi upang ipahamak ang mga tao kundi upang iligtas sila.” At nagtungo sila sa ibang nayon.

Reflection for Monday September 30 Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church: Luke 9:46-50

Gospel: Luke 9:46-50

An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” 

Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.” Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” 

+ + + + + + +

 Reflection:

Who is the greatest? It’s the humble one, the one who is always willing to serve us, always willing to be with us. We may not know it but Jesus has been serving us since time immemorial. He is in the person of the priest during the Sacrament of Reconciliation forgiving us of our sins.

He is always present in the Eucharistic or Holy Mass celebration humbly giving His Body and Blood to nourish our body and our soul. He is the greatest treasure that we can ever have! But His greatness is a paradox to some of us because we measure greatness by our worldly standards.

Such as greatness thru power and influence this is mostly fueled by political power, position in government and in the private sector and the size of our bank accounts. But this greatness is passing and temporary; the time will come that it shall pass us and we shall be forgotten.

Jesus is the personification of true greatness: His humility, His self-sacrifice and His refusal to wield power for His own self-interest. This greatness of Jesus is usually not heard by this world; nevertheless we should emulate the greatness of Jesus and shun the greatness that this world offers us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita: Lunes Setyembre 23, Paggunita kay San Geronimo, pari at pantas ng Simbahan: Lucas 9:46-50

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:46-50

Noong panahong iyon, nagtalu-talo ang mga alagad kung sino sa kanila ang pinakadakila. Batid ni Hesus ang kanilang iniisip, kaya’t tinawag niya ang isang maliit na bata at pinatayo sa tabi niya. 

At sinabi niya sa kanila, “Ang sinumang tumatanggap sa batang ito alang-alang sa akin ay tumatanggap sa akin; at sinumang tumatanggap sa akin at tumatanggap sa nagsugo sa akin. Ang pinakaaba sa inyong lahat ay siyang pinakadakila.”  

Sinabi ni Juan, “Guro, nakita po namin ang isang taong nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ng pangalan ninyo. Pinagbawalan namin siya sapagkat siya’y hindi natin kasamahan.” Ngunit sinabi ni Hesus, “Huwag ninyo siyang pagbawalan; sapagkat ang hindi laban sa atin ay kapanig natin.” 

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.

+ + + + + + +

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.

+ + + + +  + +

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

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Setyembre 28, San Lorenzo Ruiz at mga kasama, mga martir (Paggunita): Lucas 43b-45

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:43b-45

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang nanggigilalas ang mga tao sa lahat ng ginawa ni Hesus, sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad, “Tandaan ninyo itong sasabihin ko: ipagkakanulo ang Anak ng Tao.”

 Ngunit hindi nila ito naunawaan, pagkat inilingid ito sa kanila. Nangangamba naman silang magtanong sa kanya kung ano ang ibig sabihin niyon. 

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.”

+ + + + +  + +

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  

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Setyembre 27, San Vicente de Paul, pari (Paggunita): Lucas 9:18-22

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:18-22

Isang araw, samantalang nananalanging mag-isa si Jesus, lumapit sa kanya ang kanyang mga alagad. Tinanong niya sila, "Sino raw ako ayon sa mga tao?" Sumagot sila, "Ang sabi po ng ilan ay si Juan Bautista kayo; sabi naman ng iba, si Elias kayo, at may nagsasabi pang nabuhay ang isa sa mga propeta noong una." "Kayo naman, ano ang sabi ninyo?" tanong niya sa kanila. "Ang Mesias ng Diyos!" sagot ni Pedro.  

Itinagubilin ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad na huwag na nilang sasabihin ito kaninuman. At sinabi pa niya sa kanila, "Ang Anak ng Tao'y dapat magbata ng maraming hirap. Itatakwil siya ng matatanda ng bayan, ng mga punong saserdote at ng mga eskriba. Ipapapatay nila siya, ngunit sa ikatlong araw ay muling mabubuhay."