Ang Mabuting Balita para Oktubre 26 Miyerkules sa Ika-30 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 13:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:22-30

Noong panahong iyon, nagpatuloy si Hesus sa kanyang paglalakbay. Siya’y nagtuturo sa bawat bayan at nayon na kanyang dinaraanan patungong Jerusalem. May isang nagtanong sa kanya, “Ginoo, kakaunti po ba ang maliligtas?” Sinabi niya, “Pagsikapan ninyong pumasok sa makipot na pintuan. 

Sinasabi ko sa inyo, marami ang magpipilit na pumasok ngunit hindi makapapasok. “Kapag ang pinto’y isinara na ng puno ng sambahayan, magtitiis kayong nakatayo sa labas, at katok nang katok. Sasabihin ninyo, ‘Panginoon, papasukin po ninyo kami.’ Sasagutin niya kayo, ‘Hindi ko alam kung tagasaan kayo!’ At sasabihin ninyo, ‘Kumain po kami at uminom na kasalo ninyo, at nagturo pa kayo sa mga lansangan namin.’ Sasabihin naman ng Panginoon, ‘Hindi ko alam kung tagasaan kayo! 

 Lumayo kayo sa akin, kayong lahat na nagsisigawa ng masama!’ Tatangis kayo at magngangalit ang inyong ngipin kapag nakita ninyong nasa kaharian ng Diyos sina Abraham, Isaac at Jacob, at ang lahat ng propeta, at kayo nama’y ipinagtabuyan sa labas! At darating ang mga tao buhat sa silangan at kanluran, sa hilaga at timog, at dudulog sa hapag sa kaharian ng Diyos. Tunay ngang may nahuhuling mauuna, at may nauunang mahuhuli.”

Reflection for October 25 Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:18-21

Gospel: Luke 13:18-21

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.” 

Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.

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Reflection:

Can you suppress the growth of the kingdom of God in your life? Yes, you can suppress it that’s why many do not grow in faith. But as far as Jesus is concerned He surely wants you to allow the kingdom of God to grow and blossom within you so that through you others would benefit from it. 

How wonderful it is if we only take time to share whatever knowledge that we have about Jesus. If we do so we surely can make a big impact in our fellowmen lives. By sharing Jesus we can give hope to the hopeless and we can give life to the lifeless in spirit.   

Through our baptism God plants the seed of our faith. As we grow up we start to have an awareness of our spiritual identity. Some of us nurture this spiritual identity by continuously thirsting for Jesus, so it would grow. Others would simply ignore this tiny seed of faith that God had planted; this is the reason why some of us do not grow in faith. 

If you will not nurture this seed of faith, how would it grow and how would others know through you that there’s a God who saves, a God who forgives a God who loves them so dearly?  

You therefore have to share whatever you know about God don’t worry if what you know about God is not that substantial. For the reason that God will do something to make it grow just do your part no matter how small because God will take care of everything. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Oktubre 25 Martes sa Ika-30 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 13:18-21

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:18-21

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus, "Ano ang katulad ng paghahari ng Diyos? Saan ko ihahambing ito? Katulad ito ng isang butil ng mustasa na itinanim ng isang tao sa kanyang halamanan. Ito'y lumaki hanggang sa maging punongkahoy at namugad ang mga ibon sa mga sanga nito." 

Sinabi pa ni Jesus, "Saan ko itutulad ang paghahari ng Diyos? Katulad ito ng lebadurang inihalo ng isang babae sa tatlong takal na harina, anupa't umalsa ang buong masa." 

Reflection for October 24 Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:10-17

Gospel: Luke 13:10-17

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, "Woman, you are set free of your infirmity." He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God. 

But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, "There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day." The Lord said to him in reply, "Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering?  

This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?" When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.

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Reflection:

Do you choose the season when you extend help? There is no season or occasion when it comes to helping our fellowmen. For example, you are about to sleep and suddenly a neighbor knocks on your door asking you for help. What should you do? Of course you have to allow yourself to be disturbed and help neighbor in need for the simple reason that this is the right action to do. 

For Jesus there is no Sabbath or holy days when it comes to giving help, what is important for the Lord is to give help. That’s why He cured the woman who had been under the influence of Satan for eighteen long years during the Jewish holy day of Sabbath. 

This must also be our attitude in giving help we must not allow ourselves to be restricted by anyone and we must not choose those whom we will help. For as long as there is someone who needs help let us help. 

After giving help Jesus faced His detractors who were criticizing Him for healing the woman during the Sabbath day and they were humiliated. Why? They realized their very own hypocrisy, arrogance and selective observance of the holy day of Sabbath.   

We therefore have to avoid like a plague hypocrisy and arrogance for it will not do us any good. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para Oktubre 24 Lunes sa Ika-30 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 13:10-17

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:10-17

Noong panahong iyon, si Hesus ay nagtuturo sa isang sinagoga sa Araw ng Pamamahinga. May isang babae roon na labingwalong taon nang may karamdaman, gawa ng masamang espiritung nasa kanya. Siya’y hukot na hukot at hindi na makaunat. Nang makita ni Hesus ang babae, tinawag niya ito at sinabi, “Magaling ka na sa iyong karamdaman!” 

At ipinatong ni Hesus ang kanyang mga kamay sa babae; noon di’y nakaunat ito at nagpuri sa Diyos. Ngunit nagalit ang tagapamahala ng sinagoga sapagkat nagpagaling si Hesus sa Araw ng Pamamahinga. Kaya’t sinabi niya sa mga tao, “May anim na araw na inilaan upang ipagtrabaho. Pumarito kayo sa mga araw na iyan upang magpagaling, at huwag sa Araw ng Pamamahinga.” 

Sinagot siya ng Panginoon, “Mga mapagpaimbabaw! Hindi ba’t kinakalag ninyo sa sabsaban ang inyong baka o asno at dinadala sa painuman kahit Araw ng Pamamahinga? Ang babaing ito na mula sa lipi ni Abraham ay ginapos ni Satanas sa loob ng labingwalong taon. Hindi ba dapat na siya’y kalagan kahit na Araw ng Pamamahinga?” Napahiya ang lahat ng kalaban ni Hesus sa sagot niyang ito; at nagalak naman ang madla sa mga kahanga-hangang bagay na ginawa niya.

Reflection for Sunday October 23, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 18:9-14

Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

Have you ever tried conversing with those who are humble? What do you notice about them? They rarely talk about themselves, if they even talk about themselves they see to it that it’s done not for the purpose of raising their own self-image. So, we naturally gravitate towards them and we love to be with them because they somewhat carry an aura of holiness. 

Have you tried conversing with those who are so full of themselves? Of course, they always talk about themselves: their accomplishments, their riches, things that they do and it goes on and on: all about themselves. Truth be told, we don’t want to hear these self-serving words that only feed their egos. 

God would prefer also that we at all times become humble. To talk less and less about ourselves and our accomplishments for the simple reason that it’s all geared to feed our superficial image.  God already knows everything about us.  He would very much prefer that we simply practice our faith and humbly walk in this temporal world with Him in silence yes in silence.  Never worrying if others would notice us or not. Simply content to do things for the greater glory of God and not to serve our own glorification. 

Many of us are like the Pharisee in our gospel, we love to talk about ourselves and we love to boast about the things that we do. But that will not serve us any good for the simple reason that we will not gain the favor of God if we always point to ourselves as the lead actor. 

The Lord always favors the humble as subtly stated in the gospel. The humble ones are those who talk less of themselves and those who do not let success go to their heads. Because they are very much aware that whatever they have is a gift from God that they must not brag about. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Oktubre 23, Ika - 30 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon : Lucas 18:9-14

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 18:9-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus ang talinghagang ito sa mga taong ang tingin sa sarili'y matuwid at humahamak naman sa iba. "May dalawang lalaking pumanhik sa templo upang manalangin: ang isa'y Pariseo at ang isa nama'y publikano. Tumindig ang Pariseo at pabulong na nanalangin ng ganito: 'O Diyos, nagpapasalamat ako sa iyo pagkat hindi ako katulad ng iba -- mga magnanakaw, mga mandaraya, mga mangangalunya -- o kaya'y katulad ng publikanong ito.

Makalawa akong nag-aayuno sa loob ng sanlinggo; nagbibigay ako ng ikapu ng lahat kong kinikita. Samantala, ang publikano'y nakatayo sa malayo; hindi man lamang makatingin sa langit, kundi dinadagukan ang kanyang dibdib, at sinasabi: 'O Diyos, mahabag po kayo sa akin na isang makasalanan!' Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang lalaking ito'y umuwing kinalulugdan ng Diyos, ngunit hindi ang isa. Sapagkat ang sinumang nagpapakataas ay ibababa, at ang nagpapakababa ay itataas."

Reflection for October 22 Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:1-9

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them–do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” 

And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a sinful man who was counseled to repent from his sins and walk away from it completely. However, the man did not listen to the wise counsel, he persisted on doing his sinful ways until he met a sudden end.  

What will happen to us if we would not walk away from our sinfulness? Sooner or later there will be punishment and there will be reckoning or payback. This is the normal cycle of life; if we refuse to walk away from all of our sinfulness there shall be punishment. If punishment will not catch up with us here in this world it will surely get hold of us in the afterlife.  

In our gospel, Jesus told those who were listening to Him to repent while they have the luxury of time. Because if they would not repent something very bad may happen to them. Same as what happened to the Galileans who were killed by Pilate and the eighteen people who perished when the tower of Siloam fell upon them.     

This is how great the love of God for us, He will continuously call upon us to repent from all of our sinfulness. Why? Because as much as possible Jesus wants us to be saved from the severe punishment of hell. Jesus will give us every opportunity to come back to Him no matter the sins that we have committed.  

But at the end of the day, it’s still in our hands if we would listen to this call of Jesus or not. Let us say we listened to this call of repentance, what would happen to our lives? There would be essential transformation in our lives: From a chaotic to a peaceful life and from a life of sin to a peaceful life free from sin.  

Would you listen to this call of Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 21 Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:54-59

Gospel: Luke 12:54-59

Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? 

Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

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Reflection:

A philandering and irresponsible husband was always being advised by his mother to change his ways and focus his sole attention to his family. But the lure of temptation was too attractive to let go, so he did not listen to his mother.  After some time the limits of his wife’s patience had finally reached its boiling point.  So she and her children left Him, being alone he finally realized how irresponsible he was. 

This is who many of us are we keep on sinning .We are numb to well meaning advice because by its earthly nature sin is attractive. And the devil will keep pushing sin to us (disguised as pleasures) until it destroys us completely. 

However, Jesus has a message for us in the gospel. It’s for us to completely walk away from our sinfulness before it destroys us. For the reason that the moment we allow sin to take hold of us it will destroy not only us but even those that we love dearly. This may take time before it happen but it will surely happen.  

In our gospel Jesus denounced the crowd for their hypocrisy, they could predict the clouds and the weather. However they were purposely deaf to His call of repentance, aren’t many of us are like them? We only listen to the dictates of this world but we shut our ears when it comes to Jesus!  

 Let us listen to Jesus who always call upon us to repent because this is the right course of action to take. Jesus teachings may be unacceptable to us initially because it will entail painful purification and a change of lifestyle. But purification with Jesus always involves temporal difficulties that will eventually translate to a life of tranquility and contentment.

Would you care to listen to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 20 Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:49-53

Gospel: Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? 

No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about two childhood best friends who grew up and went to the same university in college. Best friend number one noticed that something was not right in the behavior of his best friend. So, he asked his best friend if something is wrong best friend number two replied that nothing to worry because everything is fine. 

After a few days best friend number two was caught by the school authorities using illegal drugs.  Best friend number one who was a devout follower of Jesus told his best friend to straighten his life otherwise he would cut his ties with him.     

All along we have this impression of Jesus as a unifying factor, as a man of peace. But what the gospel presents to us is contrary to these images of Jesus. Because what we have in the gospel is a divisive Jesus that creates conflict amongst family members.  

 Indeed, Jesus creates conflict amongst family members’ even friends. That is who Jesus is, He is not afraid to create a wedge amongst us so that we would straighten our crooked ways. For example, if some members of your family don’t want to go to Sunday Mass, what would you do? Would you simply keep quiet and just let it be? Of course not! 

You have to speak and gently remind those members of your family who don’t want to worship God at Mass. Another example, let us say that a member of your family had a pregnancy out of wedlock and a member of your family is suggesting an abortion. Will you simply keep silent and agree about that evil suggestion? Of course not, you have to speak out against the offer of abortion.  

A true follower of the Lord is someone who is not afraid to say what is in his mind even if it is unpopular. Even if it creates temporary division and separation among members of family and friends. As followers of Jesus it is always our responsibility to gently correct those whom we feel are going astray or walking into the darkness with the devil.   

If they would listen to us well and good, if they won’t and it results to division or even conflict.  That’s fine at least we have done something to redirect their lives to the right way of life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 19 Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:39-48

 

Gospel: Luke 12:39-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” 

Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. 

Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 

That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

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Reflection:

Are you prepared for the coming of the Lord? 

In our gospel Jesus tells us to be prepared for we do not know the time of His coming. Aside from being prepared Jesus gives us another responsibility none other than to share whatever we know about Him. It’s not enough for Jesus that we know Him.  He wants us to move and do the next step and this is to share what we know about Him. 

The Christian faith that God has given to us is not to be kept to ourselves. We must share and live it for it is in sharing and living our faith that we are able to completely follow Jesus. To whom we would share? Start within your family most especially your children. If you are able to successfully evangelize you will have no problem of what will happen to them when they become adults. 

But the dilemma of many of us is we don’t share with our children what we know about Christ. Not because we know nothing about Jesus, many of us actually don’t have a shortage of knowledge about Jesus. In fact many of us know abundantly about Jesus but the problem is we don’t live and practice what we know about Christ and His teachings. This is one of the major reasons why we are not able to share Jesus with our children and with our friends. 

We must aspire to learn more about Christ Jesus and after learning more about Him. We must live what we’ve learned from Him, thus we become prepared for His coming anytime. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Tuesday October 18 Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist: Luke 10:1-9

Gospel: Luke 10:1-9

The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 

Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves payment. 

Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”

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Reflection:

A young man decided to become a follower of Jesus but he did not leave behind his worldly lifestyle. He still was living his sinful and hedonistic life and he did not cut his ties with his friends who loved this world more than God. After a few months he noticed that he was not able to convince anyone to follow the Lord. 

How could we become effective bearers of the teachings of Jesus? We must live simply, avoid any form of sin and we should depend on Jesus in everyday of our lives. This doesn’t mean that we just lay idle and wait for the manna from heaven to fall upon us in a silver platter. This means that we still have to work hard but at the same time we have to live simply. And let the values and teachings of Jesus take control of our life.    

Is it still possible to live simply today where the culture of greed, materialism and accumulation rules? Of course it’s still very much possible it’s actually upon our hands on how we would live in this world. Would we let the culture of greed, materialism and accumulation rule over us? Or we let the simple lifestyle of Jesus take control of us? 

When Jesus sent the seventy-two disciples to their mission He advocated simple living and total dependence on Him. Why? Because it’s only through this that they could become effective bearers of the good news of Jesus. It’s only through this way that they would be able to convince others to follow Jesus. 

If we want to become effective and fruitful laborers of the Lord we have to learn to live  simple lives. And we have to learn to trust in the providence of the Lord rather than trust in our own selves. For the simple reason that this is the lifestyle of Jesus: He lived a simple life and Jesus did not trust on himself He trusted on the guidance and goodness of God. 

How are you living your life today? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Monday October 17, Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr: Luke 12:13-21

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” 

Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’  

But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”

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Reflection:

A rich woman unexpectedly died without leaving behind a last will and testament. Her children were bickering since each one of them wanted to have the biggest share of the wealth. Therefore the once strong and loving sibling relationship became divided and distant and the reason behind was their greed for material wealth.  

There are people who feel secure with material wealth as if it could save them from the certainty of death. There are people who think that because they have material wealth they can now buy even the soul and honor of their fellowmen. These are all false notions for the reason that material wealth is temporary and it is not the be all and end all of life. 

Material wealth by itself is not bad because this can sustain our life in this world. This can also be our instrument in spreading the love and mercy of God. For example, we help somebody in need using our material wealth which is surely not bad. Material wealth becomes evil when we become greedy that we allow it to possess and dictate upon us.  

In the gospel Jesus tells us that life is not about material possession. If life is not about material possession what is life all about? Life is about God! If we have all the material wealth in this world yet we don’t have God in our life our life is still empty and barren. 

This is for the simple reason that material wealth can be swiftly taken from us anytime. And it surely cannot bring us to heaven when our time of departure in this world comes. On the other hand if we choose to have God, God will be with us until eternity. 

What is your priority in this world: To have material wealth or to have Jesus in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday October 16, 29th Sunday 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:

Do we always pray with persistence? Meaning, we pray and pray and we never lose heart until we have what we’ve been praying for. Jesus in our gospel is teaching us that we must be persistent in prayer. Even if what we’ve been praying seems impossible we still have to persistently pray because the impossible becomes very much possible with God. 

In our gospel there’s the presence of a heartless judge who feared and respected no one. Yet when he was pestered by the widow for a just decision he gave it to her. Why? Because the widow did not give up. 

If we are in the shoes of the widow and we know that this judge is impertinent would we still pursue our request for a decision or we simply give up?    

When we have a prayer request before God we must always have the motivation to humbly request God again and again to grant us what we want to have from Him. Never mind if it will take time before God answers what is important is we continue to pray and we never give up. 

Because those who never give up in whatever aspect of life’s endeavor will always get what they want. And this is evidenced by the persistent widow in our gospel. 

Do you easily give up when God does not answer your prayer? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Linggo Oktubre 16, Ika - 29 na 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?"

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Repleksyon:

May kasama bang pag titiyaga ang iyong pananalagin? Ang ibig sabihin ay hindi ka nawawalan ng pag-asa hangang ang iyong mga panalangin ay iyong makamit. Sa atin pong mabuting balita tayo ay tinuturuan ni Jesus na manalagin ng may pag titiyaga. 

Dahil pag ang tao ay matiyaga sa kanyang pananalagin ang imposible na makamit natin ay nagiging posible dahil walang imposible sa Panginoon. 

Sa atin pong mabuting balita ay 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. Pero sa kalaunan ay iginawad din ng hukom ang hiling ng babaeng balo dahil siya ay nag tiyaga sa pag hingi ng katarungan sa hukom. 

Kung tayo po ang nasa kalagayan ng babaeng balo at alam din natin na masama ang ugali ng hukom. Tayo po ba ay  mag titiyaga pa din sa pag hingi ng katarungan sa hukom? 

Pag tayo po ay may gustong hilingin sa ating Panginoon kailagan po na tayo ay matiyaga na mananalagin sa kanya na ibigay ang mga panalagin natin. Hindi na bali kung magtagal bago nya ito ibigay sa atin basta ang importante ay tayo ay mag tiyaga. 

Dahil sa anumang larangan ng buhay ang lahat  ng nag titiyaga ay nakakamit ang gusto nya  at ito po ay pinatutunayan ng matiyagang babaeng balo sa ating mabuting balita. 

Matiyaga ka pa rin bang nananalagin kahit hindi ka sinasagot ng Panginoon?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Saturday October 15, Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church: Luke 12:8-12

Gospel: Luke 12:8-12

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 

“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.

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Reflection:

Are you aware of the presence of God the Holy Spirit in your life? 

The Holy Spirit is the initiator of our faith. Before we know God the father and Jesus the Son it is first the Holy Spirit that is first introduced to us. This is made possible through our Baptism and its presence within us is strengthened thru the sacrament of Confirmation. This is how important the Holy Spirit to all of us. Perhaps this is the reason why Jesus said, the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.  

But it’s also ironic that among the three persons in one God it’s the Holy Spirit that is least known. Then, how could we have that special awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives? And how could we develop that deeper friendship with the Holy Spirit? How could we unleash its presence within us?  

It’s through prayers that we can have awareness of its presence in our lives. If we develop a very prayerful life it’s second nature for us to be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit. It would not introduce itself to us for the simple reason that it has been with us ever since our Baptism.  

Be prayerful, live a holy and righteous life and always invite God the Holy Spirit to be an active presence in your life. He will surely not fail you if you live a life worthy in God’s eyes and if you ask with faith.  

Do you want to have a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Reflection for October 14, Friday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:1-7

Gospel: Luke 12:1-7

So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees. 

There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. 

I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

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Reflection:

Mario is a married man who works abroad. While there he was tempted to have an illicit affair with his female officemate. The forbidden affair bore fruit to a baby boy; since he was abroad the philandering husband was very confident that he will not be caught.  

However, the wife was already suspicious of him so she decided to ask the help of their friends who works with her husband. To make a long story short; the illicit secret was eventually discovered by the wife. 

The gospel tells us this: There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known (Luke 12:2). What we think we can keep forever God will unravel, God will do this not to embarrass us. He will do this to give us a chance to straighten out our lives.    

God works in mysterious ways; no matter how we try to conceal our sinful secrets. God will do something about it for it to be uncovered.  Why? So that we can repent and leave our sinful past, thus we live an upright life once again. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Oktubre 14 Biyernes sa Ika-28 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 12:1-7

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 12:1-7

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang dumaragsa ang libu-libong tao, anupa't nagkakatapakan sila, nagsalita muna si Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Mag-ingat kayo sa lebadura ng mga Pariseo-- ito'y ang pagpapaimbabaw. Walang natatago na di malalantad, at walang nalilihim na di mabubunyag. Anumang sabihin ninyo sa dilim ay maririnig sa liwanag at anumang ibulong ninyo sa mga silid ay ipagsisigawan." 

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo, mga kaibigan, huwag ninyong katakutan ang mga pumapatay ng katawan, at pagkatapos ay wala nang magagawa pa. Sasabihin ko sa inyo kung ano ang dapat ninyong katakutan: katakutan ninyo yaong pagkatapos na pumatay ay may kapangyarihan pang magbulid sa impyerno. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, ang Diyos ang dapat ninyong katakutan! 

"Hindi ba ipinagbibili sa halagang dalawang pera lamang ang limang maya? Gayunman, kahit isa sa kanila'y hindi pinababayaan ng Diyos. Maging ang buhok ninyo'y bilang na lahat. Kaya, huwag kayong matakot; higit kayong mahalaga kaysa mga maya."

Reflection for October 13, Thursday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:47-54

Gospel: Luke 11:47-54

The Lord said: “Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building.  

Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building.  

Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter. When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

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Reflection:

Who are the modern day prophets that we encounter today? It’s anyone who speaks about God, the truth and anyone who has so much concern for our welfare. 

But we normally don’t listen to them most of the time we instead listen to the fleeting dictates of this world. There are even times that we label them as people who are out of this world. Until we encounter problems because we did not listen to the meaningful advice of these modern day prophets who have so much concern for us. 

Next time, we have to listen when we are given meaningful advice about God and life. For they are not doing it on their own accord, they were sent by God to us for a very meaningful and valid reason. None other than to bring us closer to God.  

Do you always listen to the Prophets sent by God to you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 12, Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:42-46

 

Gospel: Luke 11:42-46

“Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.” 

Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too. And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.

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Reflection:

Is Jesus angry in the gospel? 

Seldom do we see Jesus angry and this gospel episode is one of the rare ones. What made Jesus angry? He was angry with the Pharisees, (the learned ruling class during that time) for the reason that they imposed so much religious requirements to their people. 

However, they were only good on imposing those requirements. They were not actually willing to live what they wanted their people to do. The Pharisees were religious leaders in name only, they love to display their religiosity. But they did not live their religiosity, it was simply a superficial display of faith.  

Some if not many of us are like the Pharisees. We love to give orders: do this and to that but it ends there. We don’t lift a finger to do it ourselves, we want others to do things for us while we watch and relax. How can we become good examples, good leaders and ideal followers of Jesus if we are not willing to walk our talk? How can we make Jesus happy if we are not living our faith?  

Effective faith in Jesus is faith that is alive and kicking and faith that is leading and working. This is the most effective faith, let us therefore live our faith. Not because we want others to see us living it. We live our faith because this is our obligation as true followers of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas