Reflection for Tuesday November 12 Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr: Luke 17:7-10

Gospel: Luke 17:7-10

Jesus said to the Apostles: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. 

Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.

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Reflection:

What does it take to be a servant of the Lord? It requires humility; a true servant whose only desire is to serve is at all times humble. He/she is ever ready to do what the Lord requires him/her to do. He/she will never complain she will patiently do the given task. 

For many of us, to serve in the church is an opportunity to be popular in the community so that we could advance our own selfish agendas. This is not the desire of Jesus; the desire of Jesus is for us to simply serve with no hidden motives whatsoever. 

Let us not hunger for recognition when we serve God for recognition will eventually come to us if we always serve with humility. To be a true servant of God is to humbly and silently work in His vineyard. Not conscious of any recognition or honor for this is how a true servant behaves. 

To become a true servant of God is to silently accept the hurts that is thrown at you and leave it all up to God. For God will not let a true servant be destroyed by anybody. Eventually, a humble servant will be saved, justified and exalted by the Lord. - Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Nobyembre 12, Paggunita kay San Josafat, obispo at martir: Lucas 17:7-10

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 17:7-10

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ng Panginoon, "Ipalagay nating kayo'y may aliping nag-aararo, o nagpapastol kaya ng tupa. Pagkagaling niya sa bukid, sasabihin ba ninyo sa kanya, 'Halika at nang makakain ka na'? Hindi! Sa halip ay ganito ang sinasabi ninyo: 'Ipaghanda mo ako ng hapunan; magbihis ka, at silbihan mo ako habang ako'y kumakain.   

Kumain ka pagkakain ko.' Pinasasalamatan ba ang alipin dahil sa ginawa niya ang iniutos sa kanya? Gayon din naman kayo; kapag nagawa na ninyo ang lahat ng iniuutos sa inyo, sabihin ninyo, 'Kami'y mga aliping walang kabuluhan; tumupad lamang kami sa aming tungkulin.'"

Reflection for Monday November 11 Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop: Luke 17:1-6

Gospel: Luke 17:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples, "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.  

Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him." 

And the Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who wants her faith to increase, she practically did everything to have it. She went to church regularly, read the bible and she did a devotion to the blessed Mother. However, she noticed that her faith did not increase.  

She even shouted, “Increase my faith O Lord” but there was no increase in her faith. In fact she noticed that her faith was actually diminishing because she was more trusting on herself than the Good Lord. Why?  For the simple reason that she remained arrogant towards her relatives and friends. She always wants to have her way in everything that she does: in short there was no change in her egotistical behavior.  

What must we do for us to have an increase in our faith? We must be humble at all times, before God and others. We must trust God more than we trust ourselves. We attract graces (including the grace of faith) if we are humble and if we bow our heads before God.  

When we’re humble and more trusting in God it simply means that we’re opening ourselves for heavenly graces. That God pours to those who are always ready to accept it with humility. What happens if we’re arrogant and we trust more on ourselves? We’re shutting ourselves from God blessings, that’s how plain and simple it is. 

We cannot anymore fill a glass full of water, this is the arrogant and self-trusting person who is always full of himself. But we can certainly pour more water to a half-empty glass, this is the person who trusts and humbles himself before God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes Nobyembre 11, Paggunita kay San Martin ng Tours, obispo: Lucas 17:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 17:1-6

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Hindi mawawala kahit kailan ang mga sanhi ng pagkakasala; ngunit nakapangingilabot ang sasapitin ng taong panggagalingan nito! Mabuti pa sa kanya ang bitinan ng isang malaking gilingang-bato sa leeg at itapon sa dagat, kaysa maging sanhi ng pagkakasala ng isa sa maliliit na ito. Kaya’t mag-ingat kayo!  

“Kung magkasala ang kapatid mo, pagsabihan mo, at kung siya’y magsisi, patawarin mo. Kung makapito siyang magkasala sa iyo sa maghapon, at makapito ring lumapit sa iyo at magsabing, ‘Nagsisisi ako,’ patawarin mo.”  

Sinabi ng mga apostol sa Panginoon, “Dagdagan po ninyo ang aming pananalig sa Diyos!” Tumugon ang Panginoon, “Kung maging sinlaki man lamang ng butil ng mustasa ang inyong pananalig sa Diyos, masasabi ninyo sa puno ng sikomorong ito, ‘Mabunot ka, at matanim sa dagat!’ at tatalima ito sa inyo.” 

Reflection for Sunday November 10, Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:38-44

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

In the course of his teaching Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation." 

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. 

Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

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Reflection:

The story is told of a poor woman who saw Jesus. Having nothing, she went to Jesus to beg for alms. But to her surprise, Jesus asked her this question: “What can you give me instead?” The poor woman replied to Jesus, “I’m poor; I have nothing to give you.” However, the poor woman wasn’t entirely truthful because she did have a small coin in her pocket that she could have offered to Jesus.

The poor widow in the gospel is the opposite of the poor woman in our story. She gave everything she had, did not lie, and gave from the wellspring of her heart. The rule in giving is to always give from the heart; the amount or quantity doesn’t matter. What is important is that we give sincerely. What is the use of giving if what we give is merely from our surplus?

When we give to God, let us give from the heart, no matter how small, as long as it is sincere. Let us do the same when we give to our fellowmen, especially the poor. Let us not give only from our surplus, for this act of giving is not pleasing to God.

Whatever we give will surely come back to us, not just a hundredfold but a thousandfold. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Nobyembre 10 Ika-32 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:38-44

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:38-44

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang pagtuturo, "Mag-ingat kayo sa mga eskriba na mahilig maglalakad nang may mahahabang kasuutan at natutuwang pagpugayan sa mga liwasan. Ang ibig nila'y ang mga tanging luklukan sa mga sinagoga, at mga upuang pandangal sa mga piging. 

Inuubos nila ang mga kabuhayan ng mga babaing balo, at ang sinasangkala'y ang pagdarasal ng mahaba! Lalo pang bibigat ang parusa sa kanila.!"  

Umupo si Jesus sa tapat ng hulugan ng mga kaloob doon sa templo, at pinagmasdan ang mga taong naghuhulog ng salapi. Maraming mayayamang naghulog ng malalaking halaga. Lumapit naman ang isang babaing balo at naghulog ng dalawang kusing na katumbas ng isang pera. 

Tinawag ni Jesus ang kanyang mga alagad at kanyang sinabi, "sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang dukhang balong iyon ay naghulog ng higit sa kanilang lahat. Sapagkat ang iba'y nagkaloob ng bahagi lamang ng hindi na nila kailangan, ngunit ibinigay ng balong ito na dukhang-dukha ang buo niyang ikabubuhay."

Reflection for Saturday November 9 Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome: John 2:13-22

Gospel: John 2:13-22

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”  

His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” 

But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

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Reflection:

What is a temple of God? 

A temple of God is a house of prayer. Therefore, it is sacred and Jesus has every right to be angry towards the people who were there because they used the house of prayer as marketplace.   

Our bodies are temple of the Holy Spirit what are we doing with it? Do we recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in our bodies by nourishing it with prayers and by not defiling it? 

We must at all times feed our bodies with what is Holy and Godly; we must shun any form that deviates from what is Holy and Godly. God has created us for one sole purpose and that is for Him to always dwell in us. How can we invite the presence of God in our lives if we defile our bodies with sin?   

We would certainly grow in faith and wisdom the moment we always nourish our bodies with what is Holy and Godly. By Holy and Godly means that we nourish our bodies with the words of God this we can do best by reading the bible so that we would know more about God.   

We always have to try our best also to make our bodies clean of any worldly and spiritual defilement. In doing so we always are ready to accept the Holy presence of God in our lives. 

Do you always nourish yourself with what is Holy and Godly? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Nobyembre 9, Pagtatalaga ng Basilika ng San Juan de Letran sa Roma: Juan 2:13-22

Mabuting Balita: Juan 2:13-22

Malapit na ang Paskuwa ng mga Judio, kaya’t pumunta si Hesus sa Jerusalem. Nakita niya sa templo ang mga nagbibili ng mga baka, mga tupa, at mga kalapati, at ang namamalit ng salapi. Gumawa siya ng isang panghagupit na lubid at ipinagtabuyang palabas ang mangangalakal, pati mga baka at tupa. 

Isinabog niya ang salapi ng mga namamalit at pinagtataob ang kanilang mga hapag. Sinabi niya sa mga nagbibili ng kalapati, “Alisin ninyo rito ang mga iyan! Huwag ninyong gawing palengke ang bahay ng aking Ama!” Naalala ng kanyang mga alagad na sinasabi sa Kasulatan, “Ang aking malasakit sa iyong bahay ay parang apoy na nag-aalab sa puso ko.” 

Dahil dito’y tinanong siya ng mga Judio, “Anong tanda ang maibibigay mo upang patunayang may karapatan kang gawin ito?” Tumugon si Hesus, “Gibain ninyo ang templong ito at muli kong itatayo sa loob ng tatlong araw.” Sinabi ng mga Judio, “Apatnapu’t anim na taon na ginawa ang templong ito, at itatayo mo sa loob lamang ng tatlong araw?” 

Ngunit ang templong tinutukoy ni Hesus ay ang kanyang katawan. Kaya’t nang siya’y muling mabuhay, naalaala ng kanyang mga alagad na sinabi niya ito; at naniwala sila sa Kasulatan at sa mga sinabi ni Hesus.

Reflection for November 8 Friday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 16:1-8

Gospel: Luke 16:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ 

The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. 

To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ 

He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat. He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.”

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Reflection:

Are you a good steward of the Lord? A steward in the context of our gospel is someone who manages properties on behalf of somebody else. The steward in our gospel did not measure up to his job so his master decided to replace him. 

What is the lesson for us, we who are mere stewards of the blessings of the Lord? We must always be good stewards of the blessings that the Lord has given us. For example, the riches that we have, we should use it not only for ourselves we should also share it most especially share it with those who can’t pay back our generosity. 

The same with our God given abilities and talents let us not only use it for ourselves. Let us also use it so that others may benefit from it. For example if we think that our God given ability is to write or to speak let us not only use it for our own profit. Let us also use it to advance the teachings of Jesus in this world.      

The mistake of the steward in our gospel is he squandered not only the property of his master. He also did not value the trust and confidence that his master gave him. Our Lord and Master is Jesus, let us not misuse whatever properties, abilities and talents that He gave us. And let us not ruin the trust and confidence that He gave us. 

Are we effective stewards of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 8, Biyernes ng Ika-31 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 16:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 16:1-8

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi rin ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "May isang mayaman na may isang katiwala. Isinumbong sa kanya na nilulustay nito ang kanyang ari-arian. Kaya't ipinatawag niya at tinanong: 'Ano ba itong naririnig ko tungkol sa iyo? Isulit mo sa akin ng buo ang pangangasiwa mo sa aking ari-arian pagkat mula ngayon ay hindi na ikaw ang katiwala ko.'

Nawika ng katiwala sa sarili, 'Aalisin na ako ng aking panginoon sa pangangasiwa. Ano ang gagawin ko? Hindi ko kayang magbungkal ng lupa, nahihiya naman akong magpalimos. A, alam ko na ang aking gagawin! Maalis man ako sa pangangasiwa, may tatanggap din sa akin sa kanilang tahanan.' 

Isa-isa niya ngayong tinawag ang mga may utang sa kanyang panginoon. Tinanong niya ang una. 'Gaano ang utang mo sa aking panginoon?' Sumagot ito, 'Sandaang tapayang langis po.' 'Heto ang kasulatan ng iyong pagkakautang. Dali! Maupo ka't gawin mong limampu.' sabi ng katiwala. 

At tinanong naman niya ang isa, 'Ikaw gaano ang utang mo?' 

Sumagot ito, 'Sandaang kabang trigo po.' 'Heto ang kasulatan ng iyong pagkakautang,' wika niya. 'Isulat mo, walumpo.' Pinuri ng panginoon ang magdarayang katiwala dahil sa katalinuhang ipinamalas nito. Sapagkat ang mga makasanlibutan ay mas mahusay gumawa ng paraan kaysa mga maka-Diyos." 

Reflection for November 7 Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 15:1-10

Gospel: Luke 15:1-10

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So Jesus addressed this parable to them. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?  

And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. 

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a father who had already given up on his wayward son who was in and out of prison. He said to his son, “I already give up on you, I now give you to Jesus and I hope He finds you.” After ten long years the lost son who was given up by his father was found by Jesus and became a priest. 

Finding the lost is one of the most important reasons why Jesus walked on this earth. This is the character of Jesus, always searching and always reaching out to us who are lost. No matter who we may be, no matter the sins that we’ve committed and no matter how many we may be, Jesus desires to find us all and bring us once again to His loving embrace. 

These actions of Jesus of not giving up invites us to reflect about our own actions toward our fellow men and women. How many times have we given up or judged them simply because they are lost or wayward based on our judgment. But who are we to judge and give up on the lost and who are we to condemn them as good for nothing? 

Many times over we’ve been lost also because of our sinfulness yet Jesus has not given up on us even for a single moment. So we must also not give up on the lost and we should not also judge the lost. Let us rather reach out to them and let us make them feel the unconditional love of Jesus. 

We have wayward relatives and friends for the simple reason that we’ve judged them already. We gave up on finding them and we already gave up on showing them the unconditional love and mercy of Jesus. 

Let us never give up on anyone because Jesus has not given up on us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 7, Huwebes ng Ika-31 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 15:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 15:1-10

Noong panahong iyon, ang mga publikano at ang mga makasalanan ay nagsisilapit upang makinig kay Jesus. Nagbulung-bulungan ang mga Pariseo at ang mga eskriba. Ang sabi nila, "Ang taong ito'y nakikisalamuha sa mga makasalanan at nakikisalo sa kanila." 

Kaya't sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus ang talinghagang ito: "Kung sinuman sa inyo ay may sandaang tupa, at mawala ang isa, ano ang gagawin niya? Iiwan ang siyamnapu't siyam sa ilang at hahanapin ang nawawala hanggang sa matagpuan, hindi ba? Kapag nasumpungan na'y masaya niyang papasanin ito. 

Pagdating ng bahay, aanyayahan niya ang kanyang mga kaibigan at mga kapitbahay. Sasabihin niya, 'Makipagsaya kayo sa akin, sapagkat nasumpungan ko sa wakas ang tupa kong nawawala!' Sinasabi ko sa inyo, magkakaroon ng higit na kagalakan sa langit dahil sa isang makasalanang nagsisi't tumalikod sa kanyang kasalanan kaysa siyamnapu't siyam na matuwid na hindi nangangailangang magsisi." 

"O kaya, kung ang isang babae ay may sampung salaping pilak at mawala ang isa, ano ang gagawin niya? Sisindihan niya ang ilaw, wawalisan ang bahay at hahanaping mabuti hanggang sa masumpungan ito, hindi ba? Kapag nasumpungan na ito ay aanyayahan niya ang kanyang mga kaibigan at mga kapitbahay. 

sasabihin niya, 'Makipagsaya kayo sa akin, sapagkat nasumpungan ko sa wakas ang nawawala kong salaping pilak!' sinasabi ko sa inyo, gayon din ang kagalakan ng mga anghel ng Diyos dahil sa isang makasalanang nagsisi't tumalikod sa kanyang kasalanan."

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."