Reflection for November 12 Thursday, Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr (M): 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 with 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 asked: “Where does the kingdom of God rest?” She calmly said: “it’s here and now in my heart.” This woman was a prayerful woman, she lives her faith and she was always a constant presence in the Eucharistic Celebration. 

The kingdom of God is ours for the taking if we learn to become prayerful, if we learn to live our faith and if we prioritize our one hour presence at Holy Mass over our many worldly undertakings. Worldly undertakings which only brings us further away from the Kingdom God. 

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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 12 Huwebes; San Josafat Obispo at martir (Paggunita): Lucas 17:20-25

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 17:20-25

20 Tinanong si Jesus ng mga Pariseo kung ka­ilan darating ang paghahari ng Diyos at su­magot siya: “Hindi lantaran ang pagdating ng kaharian ng Diyos; 21 di masasabing ‘Narito o naroon,’ nasa inyo na nga ang kaharian ng Diyos.” 

22 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga alagad: “Dara­ting ang panahon na pananabikan ninyong makita ang isa sa mga araw ng Anak ng Tao at di naman ninyo makikita. 23 At may magsasabi sa inyo ‘Narito siya, naroon.’ Huwag kayong pu­­punta, huwag maghahanap. 24 Sumi­siklab nga ang kid­lat at nagniningning mula sa isang dako ng langit hanggang sa kabila, gayundin naman ang Anak ng Tao sa araw ng kanyang pagdating. 25 Subalit kailangan muna niyang mag­tiis ng ma­rami at itakwil ng mga tao sa kasalu­kuyan.

Reflection for November 11 Wednesday, Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop (M): 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 voices, 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:

The story is told about a young woman who was diagnosed with a severe sickness. Her doctor told him that she needs to undergo a dangerous operation upon reaching the age of twenty- five otherwise she would die. Having nothing except her faith this woman relied on nobody except Jesus. 

As years passed by she eventually reached the age of twenty-five yet nothing serious has happened to her neither did she went through a dangerous operation. She is still alive and in the pink of health. In gratitude for the healing that she received from Jesus she entered a convent to become a nun. 

Do you believe in the healing power of Jesus? 

Our faith in Jesus can easily heal us of any sickness no matter how severe. We simply have to ask Jesus with faith and He surely would give it to us. Yet in every healing that we receive from the Lord there is also an unwritten responsibility that we have to do. And that is to give thanks and humbly share the healing experience we had.   

The ten lepers who were healed by Jesus obviously had faith otherwise they would have not been healed.  But amongst the ten it was only the Samaritan who did not forget to go back to Jesus to humbly express His thanksgiving. 

How about the nine who were also healed, where did they go? Perhaps they went back to their respective environments and quietly resumed their lives there. Whom are we going to emulate here the nine Jews or the humble Samaritan?  The answer is no brainer we have to follow the example of the grateful and humble Samaritan. 

Do you always express your humble thanksgiving to Jesus for all the blessings that you receive from Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 11 Miyerkules; San Martin ng Tours (Paggunita): Lucas 17:11-19

 

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 17:11-19

11 Habang papunta si Jesus sa Jerusalem, dumaan siya sa hangganan ng Samaria sa Galilea. 12 At pagpasok niya sa isang nayon, may sampung lala­king may ketong ang luma­bas para salubungin siya. 13 Tumayo ang mga ito sa malayo at tumawag nang malakas: “Jesus, Guro, maawa ka sa amin.” 

14 At sinabi naman sa kanila ni Jesus: “Uma­lis kayo at humarap sa mga pari.” At nang­yari na guma­ling sila habang nag­la­­lakad. 15 Isa sa kanila ang agad na nag­balik nang makita niyang guma­ling siya, at pasigaw niyang pinuri ang Diyos. 16 Nagpatirapa siya sa paanan ni Jesus, sa pag­papasa­lamat sa kanya. Isa siyang Samaritano. 

17 Kaya sinabi ni Jesus: “Di ba’t sampu ang gumaling? Nasaan ang siyam? 18 Wala bang bumalik para magpuri sa Diyos kundi ang dayuhang ito?” 19 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Tumayo ka, iniligtas ka ng iyong pana­nampalataya.”

Reflection for November 10 Tuesday, Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church (M) 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 characterize a meaningful life? It’s a life in service for God and our fellowmen. God brought us into this world not to be served but to serve. However, to serve God is not easy it’s in fact hard and tiring. Nevertheless, we have to serve no matter how hard and tiring so that we can help Jesus spread the faith.    

But what does it require to become a true servant? We have to be humble at all times for this is the only way that we can become true servants.   But do we have humility when we serve? Many of us oftentimes serve because we want to look good in the eyes of our fellow men and women. 

 Many of us oftentimes want to serve the poor because we want to look good in the eyes of Jesus. But we cannot fool Jesus, we may fool our fellow men and women but Jesus? We can never fool Him and we cannot hide from Jesus the true intent of our service for Him.  

The moment we decide to follow or serve God He surely would reward us The first reward that He will give us is peace of mind. And surely many other rewards will follow. These rewards may not be like the rewards that we expect from this world. But there surely will be a reward which is more profound and greater than any reward that this world can give us. 

Our reward may even not come in our lifetime yet it surely will come after our lifetime in this world. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 10 Martes; San Leo Magno papa at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita): Lucas 17:7-10

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 17:7-10

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 7 Ipagpalagay nang may katulong na nag-aararo o nag-aalaga ng mga tupa ang isa sa inyo. Ano’ng sasabihin niya rito pagbalik nito galing sa bukid? Sasa­bihin kaya niya: ‘Halika na’t dumulog sa hapag’? 8 Sa halip ay sasabihin niya: ‘Ihanda mo ang aking pagkain; mag­bihis ka’t pagsilbihan ako habang kumakain ako’t umiinom, at saka ka na kumain at uminom.’ 

9 Dapat kaya ka­yong tuma­naw ng utang-na-loob sa utusang iyon dahil ginawa nito ang ini­utos? 10 Gayundin naman sa inyo. Pagka­gawa ninyo sa lahat ng iniutos sa inyo, sabihin ninyo: ‘Mga karaniwang utusan kami; ginawa lang namin ang dapat naming gawin’.”

Reflection for November 9 Monday, The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (Feast) 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 recognise 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 our bibles 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 para sa Nobyembre 9, Lunes; Pagtatalaga ng Basilika ni San Juan de Letran sa Roma ( Kapistahan): Juan 2:13-22

Mabuting Balita: Juan 2:13-22

13 Malapit na noon ang Paskuwa ng mga Judio, at umahon si Jesus pa-Jerusalem. 14 Natagpuan niya sa patyo ng Templo ang mga nagtitinda ng mga baka, mga tupa at mga kalapati, at ang mga nakaupong tagapalit ng pera. 15 Kaya gumawa siya ng panghagupit mula sa mga lubid, at ipinagtabuyan ang lahat mula sa Templo, pati ang mga tupa at mga baka, at isinabog ang pera ng mga tagapalit at ipinagtataob ang mga mesa. 

16 At sinabi niya sa mga nagtitinda ng mga kalapati: “Alisin n’yo ang mga ito! Huwag n’yong gawing palengke ang Bahay ng aking Ama.” 17 Naalaala ng kanyang mga alagad na nasusulat: “Tinutupok ako ng mala­sakit sa iyong Bahay.”  

18 Kaya sumagot ang mga Judio: “Anong tanda ang maipapakita mo sa amin at ginagawa mo ito?” 19 Sinagot sila ni Jesus: “Gibain n’yo ang templong ito, at ibabangon ko ito sa tatlong araw.”  

20 Sinabi naman ng mga Judio: “Apat­­-napu’t anim na taon nang itina­tayo ang templong ito, at ibabangon mo ito sa tatlong araw?” 21 Ngunit and templong katawan niya ang kanyang tinutukoy. 22 Nang iba­ngon siya mula sa mga patay, naalaala ng kanyang mga alagad ang sinabi niyang ito. Kaya naniwala sila sa Kasulatan at sa salitang sinabi ni Jesus.

Reflection for Sunday November 8, Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 25:1-13

Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 

The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’  

Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ 

While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

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Reflection:

What is the advantage of being prepared? We are always ready for what may happen during any time of the day. 

Jesus said to his disciples: stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour (Matthew 25:13). Indeed, nobody knows the moment of the Lord’s coming, that’s why it is a must that we are always prepared by following The Lord’s teachings. We must avoid doing things that would make us sin. 

It is very easy to say that we are always prepared for His coming but sometimes it is only lip service without real conviction to do so. We are easily tempted to sin again, to hurt people again, to ignore those who are in need again most especially the poor. And to be egoistic and have that superiority mindset again.  

Many of us are like that, we are only prepared for a short period of time and then we sin again. Why this is so and what must we do to avoid backsliding to our sinful behaviors again? We must have a continuous encounter with Jesus through our attendance at Holy Mass, through our prayers, through reading the Bible. For this is the only way for us to keep ourselves from backsliding into sinfulness again.  Hence, we would always be prepared. 

In the gospel, we read about the ten virgins, five of them were foolish and five were wise. Those who were wise came prepared by bringing along extra flask of oil. So that their lamps would be lighted if ever the bridegroom would arrive late. 

And true enough the bridegroom came in late for the wedding feast. But the five wise virgins had no problem because they had an extra flask of oil for their lamps.   For this reason, the five wise virgins were allowed entry to the wedding feast to witness the ceremony. What happened to the other five who were foolish? They were not allowed entry by the bridegroom. Why? Because they were not prepared. 

Our continuous engagement with sin makes us unprepared for the coming of the Lord. The same continuous engagement with sin will not allow us entry into heaven when our time is up in this world.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for November 7, Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 16:9-15

Gospel: Luke 16:9-15

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. 

If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” 

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a young  man that said: “I will work hard to become rich.  So that when I grow old and retire I will have all the material wealth that I need to sustain myself. Hence he worked really hard not minding if he engaged in corruption and stepped on the toes of others just to be rich. A few days after retiring he died and was immediately plucked by the devil for he was possessed by his greed for dishonest wealth when he was still alive. 

What is dishonest wealth? Dishonest wealth are the following: money, possessions, fame, power or anything that enslaves us in this world.  These dishonest wealth create a false sense of security for us. 

We cling to this dishonest wealth with the thought in mind that this would complete us and make us happy.  Only to discover that it can never complete or make us happy. In fact the more that we chase dishonest wealth the more that our lives become empty and barren. 

What then is honest wealth or true wealth? True wealth is Jesus Himself! If we have Him  in our lives we already possess the greatest wealth. Wealth than can give us peace of mind while we are still in this world. Wealth that we can also have beyond this world and wealth that is our passage to heaven. 

Do you already possess in your heart the greatest wealth? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 7, Sabado sa Ika-31 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 16:9-15

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 16:9-15

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 9 sinasabi ko sa inyo: gamitin ninyo ang di-matuwid na Perang-diyos para magkaroon ng mga kaibi­gan para sa pagkaubos nito’y tanggapin naman nila kayo sa walang hanggang mga taha­nan. 

10 Ang mapagkakatiwalaan sa mali­liit na bagay ay mapagkakatiwalaan din sa malalaki, at ang di mapagka­katiwalaan sa maliliit ay di rin ma­pagkakatiwalaan sa malalaki. 11 Kung hindi kayo mapagkatiwalaan sa di-matuwid na pera, sino ang magtiti­wala sa inyo ng tunay na kayama­nan? 

12 Kung hindi ka­yo mapagkatiwalaan sa mga bagay na hindi talaga sa inyo, sino pa kaya ang magbi­bigay sa inyo ng talagang inyo? 13 Walang katulong na makapag­si­-silbi sa dalawang amo; siguradong kamu­muhian niya ang isa at mamahalin naman ang isa pa, o magiging ma­­tapat sa isa at mapababayaan ang ikalawa. Hindi kayo makapaglilingkod sa Diyos at sa pera.” 

14 Naririnig ng mga Pariseo ang lahat ng ito. Sakim sila kaya pinagtatawanan nila siya. 15 At sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Gina­gawa ninyo ang lahat para mag­muk­hang mabuti sa paningin ng mga tao ngunit alam ng Diyos ang inyong mga puso. At kasuklam-suklam sa pa­ningin ng Diyos ang mataas sa mga tao.

Reflection for November 6, 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 para sa Nobyembre 6, Biyernes sa Ika-31 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 16:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 16:1-8

1 Sinabi rin ni Jesus sa kan­yang mga alagad: “May katiwala ang isang mayaman, at isinumbong sa kanya na nilulustay ng katiwala ang kanyang kayamanan. 2 Ipinatawag niya ito at sinabi sa kanya: ‘Ano itong nariri­nig ko tungkol sa iyo? Magsulit ka sa akin ng iyong pangangasiwa dahil hindi ka na makapa­ngangasiwa.’ 

3 At inisip ng katiwala: ‘Tatanggalin ako ngayon sa pangangasiwa ng aking panginoon. Ano ang gagawin ko? Ku­lang ako ng lakas para magbungkal ng lupa, nahihiya naman akong magpa­li­mos. 4 Ah, alam ko na ang gagawin ko. At pagka­tang­gal sa akin sa panga­nga­siwa, may mga magpapatuloy sa akin sa kani­lang mga bahay.’  

5 Kaya tinawag niyang isa-isa ang mga may-utang sa kanyang panginoon. Tina­nong niya ang una: “Mag­kano ang utang mo sa aking pangi­noon?’ 6 Suma­got ito: ‘Sandaang galon ng la­ngis.’ Sinabi ng katiwala: ‘Narito ang resibo mo; maupo ka agad at isulat mo: Limampu.’ 7 Tina­nong naman niya ang ikalawa: ‘At ikaw, magkano ang utang mo?’ Sumagot siya: ‘Sanlibong takal ng trigo.’ Sinabi ng katiwala: ‘Narito ang iyong resibo at isulat mo: Walundaan.” 

8 Hinangaan ng panginoon ang mata­linong paggawa ng di-matuwid na katiwala. Mas matalino nga ang mga taong makamundo sa pakikitungo sa mga ga­ya nila kaysa mga tao ng liwa­nag.

Reflection for November 5, 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 para sa Nobyembre 5, Huwebes sa Ika-31 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 15:1-10

 

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 15:1-10

1 Lumapit kay Jesus ang lahat ng ko­lektor ng buwis at mga makasa­lanan para makinig. 2 Kaya nag­bulung-bulungan ang mga Pariseo at mga guro ng Batas: “Tinatanggap niyan ang mga makasalanan at na­kikisalo sa kani­la.” 3 Kaya sinabi ni Jesus ang ta­linhagang ito sa kanila: 

4 “Kung may sandaang tupa ang isa sa inyo at mawala ang isa sa mga ito, hindi ba niya iiwan ang siyamnapu’t siyam sa ilang para hanapin ang nawawala hanggang matag­puan niya ito? 5 At pag natagpuan ito’y masaya niya itong pinapasan sa balikat, 6 at pag­dating sa bahay ay tatawagin niya ang mga kaibigan at mga kapitbahay at sasabihin sa kanila: ‘Ma­tuwa kayong kasama ko sapagkat natagpuan ko na ang nawawala kong tupa.’ 7 Sinasabi ko sa inyo: mag­kakaroon din ng higit na kagalakan sa langit para sa isang ma­ka­­sa­lanang nagsi­sisi kaysa siyam­napu’t siyam na matuwid na di nanga­ngaila­ngan ng pagsisisi. 

8 Kung may sampung baryang pilak ang isang babae at nawala ang isa sa mga ito, hindi ba siya magsisindi ng ilaw, mag­wawalis sa bahay at hahana­ping ma­buti hanggang matag­puan ito? 9 At pagka­kita rito’y tatawagin ang mga kaibigang babae at mga kapitbahay: ‘Matuwa ka­yong kasama ko sapagkat natag­puan ko ang nawawala kong baryang pilak.’ Sina­sabi ko sa inyo na ganito rin sa mga ang­hel ng Diyos, mag­kakaroon ng kagala­kan para sa isang makasalanang nagsisisi.”

Reflection for November 4, Wednesday Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop (M): 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 with our desire to faithfully follow the Lord. What matters is we get up after we fall and once again try our very best to follow Him 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 for the reason that 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 

Reflection for November 3, 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:

The story is told about a young mother who was always being advised by her father to always bring her children to church for Mass. The young mother would always reason out that they have many preoccupations. When her children grew up they became disrespectful to her. All of them did not finish their studies and were not successful in their personal lives. 

The celebration of Holy Mass is always an invitation for all of us to be there. Nobody is barred from attending its celebration but unfortunately not everyone of us responds to this invitation. And our usual reason is we also have our many concerns. Thus our presence at Holy Mass becomes the least of our priorities. 

Let us not wait for the time when we become retired, old and sickly to make time for God through our attendance in the Holy Mass. Let us take advantage to always be there while we are still in the pink of health. 

At the end of our lives, our worldly achievement will not count anymore no matter how significant it is, it will not count anymore. What will count then is the personal relationship  that we’ve built with Jesus. 

We therefore  have to make time for Holy Mass let us not be afraid of covid-19. Because when we are at Holy Mass we partake of the Body and Blood of the greatest healer who ever walked this earth which is Jesus Himself! 

Do you always create time for Jesus at Holy Mass? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 3, Martes sa Ika-31 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 14:15-24

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:15-24

15 Sinabi kay Jesus ng isa sa mga inanyayahan: “Mapalad ang makakasalo sa bangkete ng kaha­-ri­an ng Diyos!” 16 Sumagot si Jesus: “May isang taong naghanda ng isang malaking bangkete at marami siyang kinumbida. 17 Sa oras ng han­daan, pinapunta niya ang kanyang katulong para sabihin sa mga imbitado: ‘Tayo na’t handa na ang lahat.’ 

18 Ngunit parang sabay-sabay namang nagdahilan ang lahat. Sinabi ng una: ‘Bumili ako ng bukid at kaila­ngan kong pumunta para tingnan iyon. Pasensya ka na.’ 19 Sinabi naman ng isa: ‘Bumili ako ng limang pares na bakang pang-araro at pasu­subukan ko ang mga ito. Pasensya ka na’ 20 Sinabi ng isa pa: ‘Ba­gong kasal ako kaya hindi ako makakapunta.’ 

21 Pagbalik ng katulong, ibinalita niya ang lahat ng ito sa kanyang panginoon. Galit na galit ang maysambahayan at sinabi sa kanyang katulong: ‘Pumunta ka agad sa mga liwasan at mga lansa­ngan ng lunsod, at pa­pasukin mo rito ang mga dukha, mga bale-wala, mga bulag at mga pilay.’ 

22 At pagkatapos ay sinabi ng katulong: ‘Nagawa na ang ipinag-utos mo at may lugar pa rin.’ 23 Sumagot sa kanya ang pangi­noon: ‘Lumabas ka sa mga daan at mga bakuran at pilitin mong pumasok ang mga tao para ma­puno ang bahay ko. 24 Sapagkat sinasabi ko sa inyo: walang sinu­man sa mga ginoong iyon na kinum-bida ko ang makatitikim ng aking handa’.”

Reflection for November 2, Monday; the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls): John 11:17-27

Gospel: John 11:17-27

17 When Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. 18 As Bethany is near Jerusalem, about two miles away, 19 many Jews had come to Martha and Mary, after the death of their brother, to comfort them. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary remained sitting in the house. 

21 Martha said to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection, at the last day.” 25 But Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection. Whoever believes in me, though he die, shall live. 26 Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 Martha then answered, “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.”

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Reflection:

Do you want to die now? Surely you do not want to die now for we all want to live longer. However death is a certainty of life. Somewhere along our journey in this world we will get sick and we die. 

Today is All Souls’ Day, we reserve this day to remember our departed love ones. Have you already offered Holy Mass for the eternal repose of their souls and are they always part of your prayers?  We always beseech Jesus to remember our departed love ones whenever we offer Holy Mass and prayers for them. 

Like our love ones who’ve gone ahead of us we too will come to the point of death. But we have nothing to fear about our mortality for it’s simply death of our mortal body. Death can do nothing to us we are in fact forever immortal in spirit if we have Jesus in our life. Our spirit will continue to live even if our physical body dies because we have faith and belief in Jesus.   

In our gospel Jesus tells us, I am the resurrection. Whoever believes in me, though he die, shall live. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die (John 11:25-26). Do you believe these pronouncements of Jesus? If you believe you truly will never die even if the time comes that your mortal body dies.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 2, Lunes; Paggunita sa lahat ng mga Pumanaw na Kristiyano: Juan 11:17-27

Mabuting Balita: Juan 11:17-27

17 Pagdating ni Jesus, apat na araw na palang naka­libing si Lazaro. 18Mala­pit ang Betania sa Jerusalem, halos tatlong kilo­metro ang layo. 19 Marami sa mga Judio ang pumunta kina Marta at Maria para maki­ramay sa kanila sa kanilang kapatid.  

20 Kaya pagkarinig ni Marta na duma­rating si Jesus, sinalubong niya ito. Si Maria naman ay nakaupo sa bahay. 21 At sinabi ni Marta kay Jesus: “Pangi­noon, kung naririto ka, hindi sana namatay ang kapatid ko. 22 Ngunit kahit na ngayon, alam kong anuman ang hingin mo sa Diyos ay ibibigay sa iyo ng Diyos.” 

23 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Baba­ngon ang kapatid mo.” 24 Sinabi naman sa kanya si Marta: “Alam ko na baba­ngon siya sa pagkabuhay sa huling araw.” 

25 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Ako siyang pagkabuhay (at ang buhay.) Mabu­­buhay ang nananalig sa akin kahit na mamatay siya. 26 Hinding-hindi mama­matay kailanman ang bawat nabubuhay at nananalig sa akin. Pinani­niwa­laan mo ba ito?” 27 Sinabi niya sa kanya: “Opo, Pangi­noon. Nananalig nga ako na ikaw ang Kristo, ang Anak ng Diyos, na dumarating sa mundo.”