Reflection for November 6 Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:25-33

Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? 

Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

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Reflection:

Would you follow Jesus based on His conditions stated in this gospel? 

Here are Jesus conditions: Hate your parents, children, siblings and even your own life (hate not as hate per see) hate which means that you choose Jesus over them. Very hard to do isn’t it?  Another condition of Jesus: carry your own cross and renounce all your possessions to be able to follow Him. 

Jesus lays down to us the true cost of discipleship, can we measure to these standards of Jesus? Perhaps you and I can’t but this should not stop us from seeking HIM. Then hopefully by HIS infinite grace we would be able to prioritize HIM over anything else in this world. 

It doesn’t matter how many times we stumble in our desire to faithfully follow the Lord. What matters is that we get up after we fall, try our very best to follow Him once again, and hope for His eternal grace to strengthen and guide us.

Jesus conditions for us today are actually a contradiction on how other preachers preach Jesus. Jesus is preached by many as someone who is a cure all God and savior. They do this because this is the best way for them to immediately attract followers. 

But the reality of it all is this: We have to sacrifice our comfort zones.  And we have to leave behind us our worldly priorities so that we would be able to faithfully follow and serve Jesus. 

Are you ready to sacrifice your own comfort zone and leave behind your worldly priorities in favor of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 6, Miyerkules ng Ika-31 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 14:25-33

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:25-33

Noong panahong iyon, sumama kay Jesus ang napakaraming tao; humarap siya sa kanila at kanyang sinabi, "Hindi maaaring maging alagad ko ang sinumang umiibig sa kanyang ama at ina, asawa at mga anak, mga kapatid, at maging sa sarili niyang buhay nang higit sa akin.  

Ang sinumang hindi magpasan ng sariling krus at sumunod sa akin ay hindi maaaring maging alagad ko. Kung ang isa sa inyo'y nagbabalak magtayo ng tore, hindi ba uupo muna siya at tatayahin ang magugugol para malaman kung may sapat siyang salaping maipagpapatapos niyon? 

O sinong hari na makikipagdigma sa kapwa hari ang hindi muna uupo at pag-aaralang mabuti kung ang sampunlibo niyang kawal ay maisasagupa sa kalaban na may dalawampunlibong tauhan? 

At kung hindi niya kaya, malayo pa ang kalaban ay magsusugo na siya ng kinatawan upang makipagkasundo. Gayun din naman, hindi maaaring maging alagad ko ang sinuman, kung hindi niya tatalikdan ang lahat sa kanyang buhay."

Reflection for November 5 Tuesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:15-24

Gospel: Luke 14:15-24

One of those at table with Jesus said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.” He replied to him, “A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.’  

But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’ 

The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’ The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'"

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Reflection:

Why did the invited guest fail to attend the dinner? The reason behind is, they all had their own worldly preoccupations. All the invited guests were very busy with their own personal activities. Thus, they missed the opportunity to break bread with the gracious host. 

If only they put aside first their personal undertaking to honor the invitation. They could have known more about the generous host who invited them.  They would have known that the host wanted to build genuine and lasting friendship with them. 

Our busyness with the things of this world always prevents us from knowing Jesus more deeply. It prevents us from building strong and lasting friendship with Him. We therefore become creatures of this world rather than becoming future dwellers of God’s kingdom. 

Time will surely come that we all have to say goodbye from this world. What would happen to our souls if we have no time for God? If we are all work and pleasure and we don’t honor Jesus’ offer of friendship?

It’s always better to have time for God rather than have time for this world. It’s always better to be poor but have God in our life than be rich without God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 5, Martes ng Ika-31 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 14:15-24

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:15-24

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi kay Hesus ng isa sa mga kasalo niya sa hapag, "Mapalad ang makakasalo sa hapag sa kaharian ng Diyos!" Sumagot si Jesus, "May isang lalaking naghanda ng isang malaking piging, at marami siyang inanyayahan. Nang dumating ang oras ng piging, inutusan niya ang kanyang mga alipin at ipinasabi sa mga inanyayahan. 'Halina kayo, handa na ang lahat!'  

Ngunit nagdahilan silang lahat. Ang sabi ng una, 'Nakabili ako ng bukid at kailangan kong puntahan. Kayo na sana ang bahalang magpaumanhin sa akin.' At sinabi ng isa, 'Nakabili ako ng limang pares na baka, at kailangan kong isingkaw para masubok. Kayo na sana ang bahalang magpaumanhin sa akin.' Sinabi naman ng isa pa, 'Bagong kasal ako kaya hindi ako makakadalo.' Bumalik ang alipin at ibinalita sa kanyang panginoon. 

Nagalit ito at sinabi sa alipin, 'Lumabas kang madali sa mga lansangan at makikipot na daan ng lunsod, at isama mo rito ang mga pulubi, mga pingkaw, mga bulag, at mga pilay.' Pagbabalik ng alipin ay sinabi niya, 'Panginoon, nagawa ko na po ang iniuutos ninyo, ngunit maluwag pa.' Kaya'y sinabi ng panginoon sa alipin, 'Lumabas ka sa mga lansangan at sa mga landas; at pilitin mong pumarito ang mga tao, upang mapuno ang aking bahay. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: isa man sa mga unang inanyayahan ay hindi makatitikim ng aking handa!'

Reflection for Monday November 4 Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop: Luke 14:12-14

Gospel: Luke 14:12-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.  

Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

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Reflection:

Who do you normally invite when you have a banquet in your home? 

The leading Pharisee who invited Jesus was obviously well-known and powerful. Thus, we can surmise that his circle of friends was naturally well-known and powerful as well. Jesus knew this, which is why He gave the Pharisee something to think about—or food for thought—regarding the matter of inviting guests. 

Jesus said to him; when you have a lunch or a dinner. Do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. Wow! This is very hard to do for the Pharisee and for us as well! 

How could we invite them when they are not inside our circle of friends? How could we invite them when most of them live in an environment foreign to our environment? How could we invite them when they are not externally presentable and there are many more reasons not to invite them.  

If we don’t invite them, we are judging them already based on what we see about them. And most of the time what we see on them is unpleasant and not worthy for our very judgmental eyes. But we don’t see the heart of the poor, the cripple, the outcast and the blind. If only we could see what’s in their hearts, it’s none other than Jesus, Jesus dwells in their hearts. 

Let us seriously take note of these teachings of Jesus because when we invite them we are actually inviting Jesus to come to our homes. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes Nobyembre 4, Paggunita kay San Carlos Borromeo, obispo: Lucas 14:12-14

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:12-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa pinuno ng mga Pariseo na nag-anyaya sa kanya: “Kapag naghahanda ka, huwag ang mga kaibigan mo, mga kapatid, mga kamag-anak o mayayamang kapitbahay ang aanyayahan mo, sapagkat aanyayahan ka rin nila, at sa gayo’y nagantihan ka na.  

Kaya kung ikaw ay maghahanda ng isang malaking salu-salo, ang mga pulubi, mga pingkaw, mga pilay, at mga bulag ang anyayahan mo. Hindi sila makagaganti sa iyo at sa gayo’y magiging mapalad ka. Gagantihin ka ng Diyos na muling pagkabuhay ng mga banal.”

Reflection for Sunday November 3, Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:28b-34

Gospel: Mark 12:28b-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 

The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. 

And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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Reflection:

In a certain neighborhood, there was a very rich family who always went to church to worship God. They never missed attending Sunday Mass, and they regularly gave to their church. As a result, they were greatly admired by their community.

But when they go home they belittle and berate their maids when they commit mistakes. They also look down on their poor neighbors because they are very rich and educated. 

What is the best expression of our love for God? It’s to love others no matter who they are, no matter if they are rich or poor and no matter if they've done us good or not. This is the best expression of our love for God: To love others without any discrimination. 

How can the love of God be with us and how can we say that we love God if we look down on the poor and downtrodden?  If we only love those who are lovable to our eyes? 

The Sun shines in the morning for everyone of us, it doesn’t discriminate, poor, rich, educated, not educated bad or good. Hence, our love for our neighbor must also be. Why? Because we profess to love God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Nobyembre 3 Ika-31 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:28b-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:28b-34

Noong panahong iyon, lumapit ang isa sa mga eskriba kay Hesus at tinanong siya, "Alin pong utos ang pinakamahalaga?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Ito ang pinakamahalagang utos, 'Pakinggan mo, Israel! Ang Panginoon na ating Diyos -- siya lamang ang Panginoon. 

Ibigin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buong puso, nang buong kaluluwa, nang buong pag-iisip, at nang buong lakas.' Ito naman ang pangalawa, 'Ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili.' Wala nang ibang utos na hihigit pa sa mga ito."  

 "Tama po, Guro!" wika ng eskriba. "Totoo ang sinabi ninyo. Iisa ang Diyos at wala nang iba liban sa kanya. At ang umibig sa kanya nang buong puso, buong pag-iisip, at buong lakas, at ang umibig sa kapwa gaya nang kanyang sarili ay higit na mahalaga kaysa magdala ng lahat ng handog na susunugin, at iba pang mga hain."

Nakita ni Jesus na matalino ang kanyang sagot, kaya't sinabi niya, "Malapit ka nang mapabilang sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos." At wala nang nangahas magtanong kay Jesus mula noon.

Reflection for Saturday November 2 The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day): John 14:1-6

Gospel: John 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.  

Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

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Reflection:

There were two senior citizens who were near death one was a believer the other was not. The non-believer was deeply troubled on what would happen to his soul when he dies. The believer was very calm and was not afraid to die. 

There are those who dread the mere mention of death as if it’s a plague that needs to be avoided. But no matter how hard we avoid death using our wealth and power we cannot escape it because it’s a certain fact of life and it’s the rite of passage for the next life.  

In the gospel Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places (John 14:1-2).” Therefore, Jesus is assuring us that we already have a place reserved for us there someday.  

But we are still here in this world and the big question is - can we be there someday to be with our Lord? Nobody knows about it except the Lord, what we have to do is to simply follow His teachings and we leave everything to Him.  

We do it not to buy our way to His Father’s house; we follow His teachings because that’s what the Lord wants us to do. Then, when our time comes we simply submit our soul’s fate to Him.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Nobyembre 2, Paggunita sa Lahat ng mga Pumanaw na mga Kristiyano: 14:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:1-6

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Huwag kayong mabalisa; manalig kayo sa Diyos at manalig din kayo sa akin. Sa bahay ng aking Ama ay maraming silid; kung hindi gayun, sinabi ko na sana sa inyo. At paroroon ako upang ipaghanda ko kayo ng matitirhan. 

Kapag naroroon na ako at naipaghanda na kayo ng matitirhan, babalik ako at isasama kayo sa kinaroroonan ko. At alam na ninyo ang daan patungo sa pupuntahan ko.” Sinabi sa kanya ni Tomas, “Panginoon, hindi po namin alam kung saan kayo pupunta, paano naming malalaman ang daan?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Ako ang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang makapupunta sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko."

Reflection for Friday November 1 Solemnity of All Saints: Matthew 5:1-12a

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad,

for your reward will be great in heaven.”

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Reflection:

How does one become a saint in his/her own little way? To be saint is to embody the character of Jesus. To be saint is to embody the words of Jesus in our gospel today.

We can be saints in our own little way for as long as we aspire to follow the life of Jesus and for as long as we live the words of Jesus in the gospel. For example, if you’re a parent and you try your very best to rear your children according to the teachings of Jesus you are already a saint for them. If you’re a son or daughter and you try your very best to take care of your parents, you are already a saint for them. 

In our gospel, Jesus mentions nine blessed situations. The first is "poor in spirit." But what does it mean to be poor in spirit? Does this imply that we are blessed because we lack the necessary spiritual vitality? No, being poor in spirit refers to those who may lack material possessions yet place their reliance on God.

To be poor in spirit means that we continuously hunger for Jesus. No one can satisfy this hunger except Jesus and His life-transforming words in the gospel. Therefore, we rely on Jesus more than we rely on ourselves and on this world.

Do you always hunger and thirst for the Lord? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Nobyembre 1, Dakilang Kapistahan ng Lahat ng mga Banal: Mateo 5:1-12a

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:1-12a

Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ni Hesus ang napakakapal na tao, umahon siya sa bundok. Pagkaupo niya’y lumapit ang kanyang mga alagad, at sila’y tinuruan niya ng ganito: 

“Mapalad ang mga aba na wala nang inaasahan kundi ang Diyos, sapagkat makakasama sila sa kanyang kaharian.” 

“Mapalad ang mga nahahapis sapagkat aaliwin sila ng Diyos.”

“Mapalad ang mga mapagkumbaba, sapagkat tatamuhin nila ang ipinangako ng Diyos.” 

“Mapalad ang mga nagmimithing makatupad sa kalooban ng Diyos, sapagkat ipagkakaloob sa kanila ang kanilang minimithi.” 

“Mapalad ang mga mahabagin, sapagkat kahahabagan sila ng Diyos.” 

“Mapalad ang mga may malinis na puso, sapagkat makikita nila ang Diyos.” 

“Mapalad ang mga gumagawa ng daan sa ikapagkakasundo, sapagkat sila’y ituturing ng Diyos na mga anak niya.” 

“Mapalad ang mga pinag-uusig dahil sa kanilang pagsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos, sapagkat makakasama sila sa kanyang kaharian.” 

“Mapalad kayo kapag dahil sa aki’y inaalimura kayo ng mga tao, pinag-uusig at pinagwiwikaan ng lahat ng uri ng kasamaan na pawang kasinungalingan. Magdiwang kayo at magalak, sapagkat malaki ang inyong gantimpala sa Langit.” 

Reflection for October 31 Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:31-35

Gospel: Luke 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’ 

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

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Reflection:

Would you be willing to die for your faith? Perhaps you will immediately say yes with an exclamation point! But when the actual time comes that you will be killed for defending  your faith you might renounce your faith to save your life. Many of our saints died for our faith they could have renounced it to save themselves but they chose to be faithful until the very end. 

When Jesus was told by the Pharisees to go away because King Herod wants to kill Him. Jesus did not budge a bit He courageously stared the challenge in the eye and faced it notwithstanding the threat to His life. 

Do we recognize that to be a follower of Jesus is no joke? This is for the reason that like Jesus, the prophets before Him and the saints we are also called to stand up for what is right. To face anyone and courageously stare them eyeball to eyeball so that we could advance the teachings of Jesus. 

To be a follower in name only is easy but to be a committed follower until the very last gasp of our breath is never easy. For it will require us to get out of our own comfort zones or to even sacrifice our very own lives so as to preserve and advance the teachings of Jesus.    

What kind of follower are you? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 31, Huwebes ng Ika-30 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 13:31-35

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:31-35

Dumating noon ang ilang Pariseo. Sinabi nila kay Hesus, “Umalis ka rito, sapagkat ibig kang ipapatay ni Herodes.” At sumagot siya, “Sabihin ninyo sa alamid na iyon na nagpapalayas ako ngayon ng mga demonyo at nagpapagaling, bukas ay gayun din; sa ikatlong araw, tatapusin ko ang aking gawain. 

Ngunit dapat akong magpatuloy sa aking lakad ngayon, bukas at sa makalawa; sapagkat hindi dapat mamatay sa labas ng Jerusalem ang isang propeta! “Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Pinapatay mo ang mga propeta at binabato ang mga sinugo ko sa iyo! Makailan kong sinikap na kupkupin ang iyong mga mamamayan, gaya ng paglukob ng isang inahin sa kanyang mga sisiw, ngunit ayaw mo. 

Kaya’t lubos kang pababayaan. Sinasabi ko sa iyo, hindi mo na ako makikita hanggang sa dumating ang oras na sasabihin mo, ‘Pagpalain nawa ang dumarating sa pangalan ng Panginoon!’”