Reflection for Sunday November 17, Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 13:24-32

Gospel: Mark 13:24-32

Jesus said to his disciples: "In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. "And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. 

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

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Reflection:

Every now and then there are movies with end times' story lines such as extensive flooding, hunger, tsunamis, disasters, wars and the like. This is not only happening in movie themes, this is in fact already part of our life’s reality. Just watch the news and you will see many depressing situations. What if these frightening events that we see are really signs of the end times? Are we ready for it? 

Perhaps none of us are ready for these end-times scenarios, nor are we prepared for Jesus pronouncements made in the gospel. He tells us: 'In those days after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken' (Mark 13:24-25). This is unimaginable and terrifying, but what if it suddenly comes like a thief in the night? What will happen to us? Where will we end up? 

We may not all be ready for these horrific events, we may lose sleep thinking about these dreadful scenarios. But for so long as we have God in our hearts and for so long as we live within the ambit of His teachings. We need not worry for God will give us faith to endure all of these tribulations. He will give us peace in the midst of the absence of peace in our hearts. 

But oftentimes, we forget God's power over everything that happens and exists in this world. We often forget that God is above all these tribulations. Yes, all of this may happen when we least expect it, but if we have faith, we have nothing to worry about. If we love and believe in Jesus, we have nothing to fear.

Let us always learn to give all our worries to God. Let us always learn to invite Him to dwell in our hearts. By doing so, we will not dread anything; even the horrific end times, we will not fear.

Do you always pray and ask the Lord to come into your life? Do you always pray to make you strong in the midst of the tribulations and problems in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Nobyembre 17 Ika-33 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 13:24-32

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 13:24-32

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Sa mga araw na iyon, pagkatapos ng mga napakalaking kapighatian, magdidilim ang araw, hindi magliliwanag ang buwan, malalaglag mula sa langit ang mga bituin, at mayayanig ang mga kapangyarihan sa kalawakan.

 At makikita ang Anak ng Tao na nasa alapaap, dumarating na may dakilang kapangyarihan at malaking karangalan. Susuguin niya ang kanyang mga anghel sa apat na panig ng daigdig at titipunin nila ang mga hinirang ng Diyos, mula sa lahat ng dako.

“Unawain ninyo ang aral mula sa puno ng igos: kapag sumisipot na ang mga dahon sa sanga nito, alam ninyong malapit na ang tag-araw. Gayun din naman, kapag nakita ninyong nangyayari na ang mga bagay na ito, malalaman ninyong malapit na ang panahon ng pagparito niya – nagsisimula na. 

Tandaan ninyo: magaganap ang mga bagay na ito bago mamatay ang mga taong nabubuhay sa ngayon. Mawawala ang langit at ang lupa, ngunit ang mga salita ko’y hindi magkakabula.

“Ngunit walang nakaaalam ng araw o oras ng pagsapit niyon, kahit ang mga anghel sa langit o ang Anak man – ang Ama lamang ang nakakaalam nito.”

Reflection for November 16 Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 18:1-8

Gospel: Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’  

For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’ The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.  

Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

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Reflection:

How persistent are we when we have prayer petitions before God? If God seems silent; do we easily give up that He will hear our prayer petitions? Do we lose our faith when we don’t hear/feel any signs from God about our pleadings?  

In the gospel Jesus gave the disciples a parable about a Judge who neither feared God nor respected any human being and a widow who was very persistent with her petition before the judge to grant her a just decision against her enemy. 

Initially it would seem that the judge would not grant her request but the widow was very persistent and she never gave up thus she continued on badgering the judge. Eventually the judge granted her petition for a just decision.  

We all have our own silent prayers before God, we may have been praying for weeks, months, even years and it may seem that God is absent and quite. Let us not lose hope let us continue to whisper to God our prayers.  For in His own time of choosing and when we least expect it He definitely will respond to our prayers. 

Are you always persistent when you pray to the Lord?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 16, Sabado ng Ika-32 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 18:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 18:1-8

Noong panahong iyon, isinaysay ni Jesus ang isang talinghaga upang ituro sa kanila na dapat silang manalanging lagi at huwag manghinawa.

"Sa isang lunsod," wika niya, "may isang hukom na hindi natatakot sa Diyos at walang taong iginagalang. Sa lunsod ding yaon ay may isang babaing balo na punta nang punta sa hukom at humihingi ng katarungan. Tinanggihan siya ng hukom sa loob ng ilang panahon.  

Ngunit ng malaunan ay nasabi nito sa sarili: 'Bagamat hindi ako natatakot sa Diyos ni gumagalang kaninuman, igagawad ko na ang katarungang hinihingi ng babaing ito sapagkat lagi niya akong ginagambala-- baka pa ako mainis sa kapaparito niya.'" 

At sinabi ng Panginoon, "Narinig ninyo ang sinabi ng masamang hukom. Hindi ipagkakait ng Diyos ang katarungan sa kanyang mga hinirang na dumaraing sa kanya araw-gabi, bagama't tila nagtatagal iyon. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, agad niyang igagawad sa kanila ang katarungan. Ngunit pagdating ng Anak ng Tao sa daigdig na ito, may makikita kaya siyang mga taong nananalig sa kanya?"

Reflection for November 15 Friday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 17:26-37

Gospel: Luke 17:26-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. 

So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, someone who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise one in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. 

I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.”  They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.

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Reflection:

What would happen if we no longer listen to God? We would feel no qualms about committing sin. Sin would become our wicked way of life until this kind of lifestyle ultimately destroys us. We might not fully comprehend the wickedness of sin until it’s already too late. 

This is how the devil actually works: he hides sin behind eye-catching appearances and temptation-filled situations, making it attractive to many of us. Therefore, we must recognize the warning signs—the red flags—that tell us we are slowly but surely falling for the devil’s many enticements. And what are these? 

They arise when we begin to love this world more than we love God, when we indulge in hedonistic actions, when we no longer heed meaningful advice. All of these are red flags warning us that we are self-destructing toward the devil’s den. 

We are self-destructing because God is no longer present in our lives. And we all know what happens to a person’s life when he/she shun God: there is no peace or contentment, only temptations, sin, and problems. Let us, therefore, confront temptation and sin, so that they would avoid us. The result is we would once again hear the voice of God.

Do you always listen to God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 15, Biyernes ng Ika-32 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 17:26-37

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 17:26-37

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Ang pagparito ng Anak ng Tao ay matutulad sa kapanahunan ni Noe. Noon, ang mga tao'y nagsisikain at nagsisiinom, nag-aasawa, hanggang sa araw na sumakay si Noe sa daong. Dumating ang baha at namatay silang lahat. 

Gayon din noong panahon ni Lot -- ang mga tao'y nagsisikain at nagsisiinom, namimili at nagbibili, nagtatanim, at nagtatayo ng bahay. Ngunit nang araw na umalis si Lot sa Sodoma, umulan ng apoy at asupre at natupok silang lahat. Gayon din sa pagdating ng Anak ng Tao.  

"Sa araw na iyon, ang nasa bubungan ay huwag ng bumaba upang kunin ang kanyang mga ari-arian sa loob ng bahay. Ang nasa bukid ay huwag nang umuwi. Alalahanin ninyo ang nangyari sa asawa ni Lot. Ang sinumang magsikap na iligtas ang kanyang buhay ay mawawalan nito; ngunit ang sinumang mawalan ng kanyang buhay ay siyang makapagliligtas nito.  

Sinasabi ko sa inyo: may dalawang lalaking natutulog sa isang higaan sa gabing iyon; kukunin ang isa at iiwan ang isa. May dalawang babaing magkasamang gumigiling; kukunin ang isa at iiwan ang isa. May dalawang lalaking gumagawa sa bukid; kukunin ang isa at iiwan ang isa." "Saan po, Panginoon,?" tanong ng kanyang mga alagad. Sumagot siya, "Kung saan naroon ang mga bangkay, doon naman nagkakatipon ang mga buwitre."

Reflection for November 14 Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 17:20-25

Gospel: Luke 17:20-25

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” 

Then he said to his disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, ‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’ 

Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was always busy with the things of this world, he was busy making himself rich for he thought that it would give him fulfillment and peace. But the more that he became rich the more that he became disturb by the things of this world. 

Where can we find the kingdom of God? We certainly cannot find it if we are always busy with the things of this world. We cannot find the kingdom of God if we continue to allow this world to dictate upon us. For example, can we find the kingdom of God if we are busy accumulating the things of this world which by the way we will leave behind someday? 

A woman was once asked, “Where does the kingdom of God rest?” She calmly replied, “It’s here and now, in my heart.” This woman was prayerful, lived her faith, and was a constant presence at the Eucharistic Celebration. 

The kingdom of God is ours to embrace if we learn to be prayerful, live our faith, and prioritize our hour at Holy Mass over our many worldly pursuits—pursuits that often pull us further from the kingdom of God. 

Do you feel the kingdom of God in your heart right now? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 14, Huwebes ng Ika-32 Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 17:20-25

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 17:20-25

Noong panhong iyon, si Jesus ay tinanong ng mga Pariseo kung kailan itatatag ang kaharian ng Diyos. Sumagot siya, "Ang pagsisimula ng paghahari ng Diyos ay walang makikitang palatandaan. at wala ring magsasabing nagsisimula na roon o rini. Sapagkat ang totoo'y nagsimula nang maghari ang Diyos sa puso ng mga nananalig sa kanya." 

At sinabi niya sa mga alagad, "Darating ang panahong hahangarin ninyong ang isa sa mga araw ng Anak ng Tao, ngunit hindi ninyo makikita iyon. at may magsasabi sa inyo, "Naroon siya! o, 'Narini siya!' Huwag kayong pumunta upang siya'y hanapin. Sapagkat pagsapit ng takdang araw, ang Anak ng Tao'y darating na parang kidlat. Ngunit kailangan muna siyang magbata ng maraming hirap, at itakwil ng mga tao sa ngayon."

Reflection for November 13 Wednesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 17:11-19

Gospel: Luke 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” 

As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

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Reflection:

Do you always thank the Lord for all the blessings you receive from Him every day? 

In our Gospel, ten lepers were healed by Jesus, but only one—a Samaritan (considered an enemy of the Jews)—was grateful enough to express his thankfulness to Jesus. What happened to the other nine? They returned to their normal lives with the gift of healing, courtesy of Jesus, yet they never went back to express their gratitude. 

The Samaritan in the Gospel teaches us through his faith and act of thankfulness. He reminds us to always have faith and to be grateful for the miracles Jesus gives us every day. For example, do we remember to thank Jesus for the gift of life every morning? 

Many of us are so busy that we forget to say a prayer of thanksgiving upon waking up. Many young people today, instead of offering a prayer of thanks, check their smartphones first for new messages and updates. 

Let us never forget to express our gratitude to Jesus first, no matter how busy we are. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 13, Miyerkules ng Ika-32 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 17:11-19

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 17:11-19

Sa paglalakbay ni Hesus patungong Jerusalem, nagdaan siya sa hangganan ng Samaria at Galilea. Nang papasok na siya sa isang nayon, siya’y sinalubong ng sampung ketongin. Tumigil sila malayu-layo at humiyaw ng: “Hesus! Panginoon! Mahabag po kayo sa amin!” nang makita sila ay sinabi niya, “Humayo kayo at pakita sa mga saserdote.”

At samantalang sila’y naglalakad, gumaling sila. Nang mapuna ng isa na siya’y magaling na, nagbalik siyang sumisigaw ng pagpupuri sa Diyos. Nagpatirapa siya sa paanan ni Hesus at nagpasalamat. Ang taong ito’y Samaritano.

“Hindi ba sampu ang gumaling?” tanong ni Hesus. “Nasan ang siyam? Wala bang nagbalik at nagpuri sa Diyos kundi ang dayuhang ito?” Sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Tumindig ka’t humayo sa iyong lakad! Pinagaling ka dahil sa iyong pananalig.”

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.”