Reflection for Friday October 4 Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi: Luke 10:13-16

Gospel: Luke 10:13-16

Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? 

You will go down to the netherworld.’ Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.

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Reflection:

Is it possible for us not to sin anymore? 

No, as we live here in this world we will continue to sin for we are mere mortals with frailties. We sin through our thoughts, words and actions. However, as we keep on sinning God calls us always to repentance until the time comes that our sins will be diminished. 

Amid our humanness and sinfulness God wants us to know that we need to repent this is why He created the Sacrament of Reconciliation. For us to humbly submit ourselves and for us to be aware of God’s goodness and forgiveness.  Obviously the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were stone hearted. They did not listen to the call of Jesus for them to repent.

There really are people who are like the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. No matter how we try to help them and no matter how hard we gently speak to them. They will not walk away from their sinfulness they will really not hear us.

This is perhaps the mystery of human psychology; God comes to us yet we refuse Him. Or we are given advice by those who are concerned for our welfare yet we refuse to hear them.    

So, for those who refuse to hear the wisdom of God and the wise counsel of the people around them. Be prepared for the consequences for there are really consequences for those who refuse to hear. But why wait for the price of our stubbornness to befall us?  Why not listen and walk away from our sinfulness? 

Let us repent while we still have time and let us humbly ask Jesus to forgive us of all our sins. The best vehicle for us to do this is to humbly submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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.”

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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.”

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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

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.

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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

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.” 

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 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.

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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