1Reflection for November 11, Monday; 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:

Jesus has a lot of things to say to us in this gospel reading about Sin, Forgiveness and Faith.

First: We must always be careful not to be a conduit for our brothers and sisters to sin. And if we see somebody committing sin in whatever manner we must always have the courage to advice them to avoid sin. Sometimes we think twice if we would advice a sinner simply because we are afraid of the consequence of our actions. We should not allow these factors to deter us because it is our moral obligation to correct those who go astray.

Second: We must always forgive those who have done us wrong no matter how deep the wound that they have caused us. If God can forgive who are we not to forgive? Let us always remember that the more we keep deep seated resentment and anger in our hearts the more that we allow them to hurt us. Try to forgive and you will feel as if a big burden has been taken off your back.

Third: No matter how hard the times are right now, we must continue to have faith for it is in having faith that we manifest how deep our love and hope for God. The apostles said to Jesus: "Increase our faith."

Isn’t this what we also want to have in our life an increase in our faith on Jesus? If this is so, we should not only ask, we should do something about it by thirsting for Jesus. In other words we have to walk our talk. If we will not work for it, our increase of faith will not drop like manna from heaven.  

God smiles to those who exert effort to know Him and He surely showers His wisdom upon them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 11, Lunes: San Martin de Tours, Obispo : Lucas 17:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 17:1-6

1 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Hindi maaaring wa­lang katitisu­ran at magpapabagsak sa tao ngunit sawimpalad ang taong naghahatid nito! 2 Mas makabubuti pa sa kanya na talian ng gilingang-bato sa leeg at ihagis sa dagat kaysa tisurin at pa­bagsakin ang isa sa maliliit na ito.

3 Mag-ingat kayo. Kung magkasala ang ka­patid mo, pagsabihan mo siya, at kung mag­sisi’y patawarin mo. 4 At kung pitong beses si­yang magkasala sa iyo sa isang araw at pitong beses din siyang bumalik sa iyo na nagsisisi, pata­warin mo siya.”

5 Sinabi ng mga apostol sa Panginoon: “Dag­dagan mo ang aming pana­nam­palataya.” 6 Su­magot ang Panginoon: “Kung may pananampalataya kayong sinlaki ng buto ng mustasa, masa­sabi ninyo sa punong malaigos na iyan: ‘Mabunot ka at sa dagat ka matanim,’ at su­sundin kayo nito.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday November 10, Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 20:27-38

Gospel: Luke 20:27-38

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone's brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. Then the second and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out ‘Lord,’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who did not believe in the resurrection. So he did everything that he wanted to do including many actions that made him very sinful. When he was dying already he saw Satan at his bedside and he asked Satan: “Why are you here?”  Satan immediately replied, I’m here to bring you to my kingdom so that you can spend the rest of your life there.

It’s very hard to think that there is no resurrection like what the Sadducees believed. For example if there’s no afterlife what then is the purpose of our life in this world? What then is the purpose of our worship and faith in an eternal God?

We follow Jesus and we try to live His teachings because we believe that by doing so. We would be with our Lord after our earthly journey is over already. To deny that there is no resurrection is like to deny that there is no heaven and hell in the afterlife.

But we know that there is heaven and hell and this heaven and hell is not an exclusive domain of the afterlife. For example, if we live our life in this world contrary to the teachings of God. We would experience hell even while we are still alive. On the other hand if we live our life according to the teachings of the Lord we would experience heaven even if we are still here in this world.

There is resurrection and there is an afterlife. We must believe this because this is the teachings of our faith and this is the reality. Therefore, we have to live a life that is worthy in the eyes of the Lord. We have to avoid whatever forms and shapes of sin, why? So that we can begin to prepare for our own resurrection in heaven someday.

Do you believe in the resurrection? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Nobyembre 10, ika-32 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 20:27-38

Mabuting Balita Lucas 20:27-38

27 Lumapit noon ang ilang Sadduseo na mga taong tutol sa pagka­buhay. 28 At itinanong nila kay Jesus: “Guro, isinulat ni Moises para sa amin: ‘Kung may magka­kapatid na lalaki at mamatay na walang anak ang isa sa kanila, kailangang kunin ng kanyang kapatid ang kanyang asawa para mag­pasibol ng supling sa kanyang kapatid.’ 29 Ngayon, may pitong magka­kapatid na lalaki. Nag-asawa ang panganay at namatay na walang anak. 30 Kinuha ng pangalawa ang biyu­da, 31 at pagkatapos ay ng pa­ngatlo naman, pero hindi nagkaanak ang pito. Namatay sila 32 at sa bandang huli’y namatay rin ang babae. 33 Sa pagkabuhay, ka­nino sa pito siya maituturing na asawa? Ang pito nga ang umangkin sa kanya.”

34 Sinagot sila ni Jesus: “Nag-aasawa ang mga ta­ong nasa daigdig na ito, lalaki man o babae. 35 Ngunit hindi na mag-aasawa ang mga ituturing na karapat-dapat sa kabilang-buhay at sa pagkabuhay ng mga patay, lalaki man o babae. 36 Hindi na nga sila mamamatay. Kapantay na sila ng mga anghel at mga anak sila ng Diyos matapos silang ibangon. 37 Tiyak na may pagkabuhay ng mga patay; ipina­hiwatig ito kahit na ni Moises sa kabanata ng palumpong nang tawagin niyang Diyos ni Abraham, Diyos ni Isaac at Diyos ni Jacob ang Panginoon. 38 Hindi siya Diyos ng mga patay kundi ng mga buhay, at buhay na kasama niya silang lahat.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for November 9, Saturday; Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome: John 2:13-22

Gospel: John 2:13-22

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace. His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

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Reflection:

Why is Jesus so angry? Because they have desecrated the holiest place of worship: the temple. They’ve turned it into a marketplace to say the least and they were not simply selling and dealing goods there.

There were other things that were evolving: greed, deceit and many more that made Jesus really mad. Jesus told them: “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace (John 2:16).” Don’t we hear Jesus speaking to us too? Telling us the same words born out of His anger from what He saw in the temple area or from what some of us do when we are at church.

How do we behave when we are at church most specifically when we are inside the church? The church is our sacred place of worship a place where we encounter God. Thus, we must observe proper discipline when we are inside or within its vicinity.

Do we still deep our finger into the Holy water font, make the sign of the cross and genuflect before entering the church? Do we still sit quietly and pray to Jesus while our eyes are fixed on the tabernacle?

Our church is our safe refuge when we are troubled by our many worries. This is where we encounter and receive Jesus during Holy Mass. Therefore we must observe proper discipline when we are in this Sacred and Holy place of worship. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 9, Sabado: 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.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for November 8, Friday; 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:

Why was the steward removed from his position as the fund manager of his master? Because he became complacent and negligent in his job. Otherwise if he did his job well he would have not been removed but he became complacent.

On the surface it may seem that the only issue here is the incompetence of the steward. But in a deeper sense there is a lesson that we could all learn from the steward. When he learned that he was to be removed fear suddenly set in on him. He was worried about his future for the reason that he would be without a job.

Therefore to ingrain a debt of gratitude from their debtors and to assure his survival he collected their debts with a discount. With the fervent hope that they would take care of him when he is finally dismissed from his job.  On the first debtor he discounted fifthly and on the second he discounted twenty. Suddenly this complacent steward became very creative because what was at stake was his very survival.

We are also being reminded to be creative not in assuring our survival in this world. For the simple reason that all that we have in this world are all temporary and passing. We are reminded to be creative in sharing our faith in Jesus most specially during this time wherein technology is very advance.

 Let us therefore creatively harness the many social media platforms that are available at our disposal to continuously share Jesus. For this will assure us of survival not in this world anymore but our survival after our lives in this world is over and done with already. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 8, Biyernes: 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.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for November 7, Thursday; 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:

Are you patient enough to look for those who are lost or wayward? Say for example, a sinful relative or a friend; do you have the patience for them? Do you have the time to counsel or even listen to them so that they could find their way back to the loving embrace of the Lord?  

There was one hundred sheep being taken care of by the good shepherd, suddenly one went ashtray into the wilderness. The good shepherd left the ninety nine to patiently look for the lost one. He did not stop until He found it.

The same story goes for the woman with ten silver coins. She lost one silver coin and she never stopped patiently searching for it until she found it.

This is the love of God for us; He never stops looking for us until He finds us, we who are sinners. Jesus never stops loving us no matter how sinful we are. In fact the big-time sinner we are the bigger His love for us.

If you think that God has stopped loving you, think again because Jesus has never stopped loving you. He never stops searching for you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 7, Huwebes: 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.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

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

Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

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Reflection:

A dying man was given two choices by the angel of God. One choice was to be well again and live a worldly life and the other one was to die immediately and enter the pearly gates to be with Jesus. The dying man chose to die and be with Jesus, baffling as it may seem for many of us yet the dying man made the right choice. 

What is the essence of life if it’s only lived for this world? What is the reason for living if it’s empty of Jesus’ presence? To choose to follow Jesus over this world is to discover the real meaning of life in this world. To fill your life with Jesus is to finally discover the real reason why you’re existing and breathing in this world.

The core of life is a life lived in union with Jesus. Surely, Jesus will forgive us if we contradict Him by immediately jumping into discipleship without careful thinking -- Jesus is a God of love and forgiveness anyway.         Because if we carefully think first we may be overwhelmed by the daunting task of discipleship. And we immediately back out without even trying and experiencing how it feels to be a follower or a disciple. 

Whereas, if we immediately decide to follow Jesus we will right away have an experience about how to be His follower. If we find it hard or difficult let us never hesitate to call on Jesus. For He is always there for us, by our side walking with us as we wade through the many challenges of being His follower. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

1Reflection for November 5, Tuesday; Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:15-24

Gospel: Luke 14:15-24

One of those at table with Jesus said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.” He replied to him, “A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.’ But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’ The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’ The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'"

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Reflection:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gospel: Luke 14:12-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

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Reflection:

 Have you noticed that there’s a greater feeling of satisfaction when you give to the poor than when you give to someone who could repay you? If you have not done this yet just try doing it so that you would feel it.

For example, try preparing two sets of the same food; you give one to your neighbor and the other one you give to the poor. Notice immediately the deeper feeling of grace and fulfillment that will set in to your heart after you’ve given the food to the poor.

Why is this so? Because the poor, the unwanted and the less fortunate of our society are closest to the heart of Jesus. In-fact Jesus Himself told a story about the last judgment where the king said: ‘Truly I say to you: just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it to me (Matthew 25:40).’

In the gospel, Jesus was invited to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. And while there Jesus gave them a food for thought or something to think about and ponder.

Jesus said this to the host who invited Him: “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:12-14).”

This loaded and meaningful lecture of Jesus is not only for the leading Pharisee who invited Him this is also for us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday November 3, Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 19:1-10

Gospel: Luke 19:1-10 

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

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Reflection:

A man ambitioned to become wealthy by hook or by crook because he thought that if he becomes wealthy he would eventually be happy and fulfilled. He did everything to achieve his ambition including dirtying his hands with dishonest wealth. He eventually became wealthy but he was still not happy neither fulfilled. Until he found Jesus and from thereupon he had peace and fulfillment.

Is Zacchaeus an ambitious man?

Yes, Zacchaeus is an ambitious man, he ambitioned to become wealthy no matter what it takes. And with the help of his job as a tax collector his ambition eventually became a reality. He did not mind dirtying his hands with corrupted money just to become rich.  

Considering that he was wealthy and almost had every worldly things that he could ask for, what moved Zacchaeus to seek Jesus? Perhaps, after enjoying all the trappings of dirty wealth and influence. Zacchaeus was still empty deep inside him, he was still yearning for that something that would fill his inner longing for peace and fulfillment.  

Many of us are like Zacchaeus, we chase wealth and power. We don’t even mind if we would be stepping on others toes just to achieve what we want.  This is for the reason that we think that we would become happy and satisfied once we are already wealthy.

 But the more that we become wealthy and powerful the more that we are not able to sleep. The more that we would not have peace of mind and this is principally caused by our greed for wealth and power.

On the external Zacchaeus is a picture of wealth and power. But deep inside he is crumbling primarily brought by his lack of peace of mind. Until he heard about Jesus and from thereupon he promised himself to look for Him no matter what it takes.

And when he heard that Jesus would be passing by his place, he chased him with all of his might. He did not mind if he would wade through a sea of humanity and he did not mind either if he would climb a sycamore tree to get Jesus’ attention. Why? Because he knew that it is only Jesus who can give him peace and fulfillment.

How about you who gives you peace and fulfillment? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Nobyembre 3, ika-31 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 19:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 19:1-10

1 Pumasok si Jesus sa Jerico at dumaan sa siyudad. 2 At may isang taong nagnga­ngalang Zakeo. Pinu­no siya ng mga kolektor ng buwis at napaka­yaman. 3 Sinikap niyang ma­kita kung sino si Jesus pero pandak siya at hindi niya magawa dahil sa dami ng mga tao. 4 Kaya patakbo siyang umuna at umakyat sa isang punong-ma­laigos para makita si Jesus pagdaan doon. 5 Pagdating ni Jesus sa lugar na iyon, tumingala siya at sinabi sa kanya: “Zakeo, bumaba ka agad. Sa bahay mo nga ako dapat tumigil ngayon.”

6 Nagmamadali siyang bumaba at tuwang-tuwang tinanggap si Jesus. 7 Inireklamo naman sa isa’t isa ng lahat ng nakakita rito: “Sa bahay ng isang lala­king makasalanan siya nakituloy.” 8 Ngu­nit tumayo si Zakeo at sinabi sa Panginoon: “Pa­nginoon, ibibigay ko sa mga dukha ang kalahati ng aking mga ari-arian; at kung may nadaya ako, apat na beses ko siyang babayaran.” 9 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Dumating ngayon ang kaligtasan sa sambaha­­yang ito dahil anak nga ni Abraham ang taong ito. 10 At dumating ang Anak ng Tao para hanapin at iligtas ang nawa­wala.” 

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

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

Gospel: John 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

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Reflection:

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

Today is All Souls Day, we remember our departed loved ones. Our attention is understandably more highlighted for them today. But is it only for them today? How about us who are still in this journey called life? Can’t we also reflect about our own mortality? That someday we will be the ones who will be visited, remembered and prayed for? What legacy are we etching in this world? Would it be worth remembering by our loved ones and friends someday?

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

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

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

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

When I'm Gone: A Poem for All Souls Day

When I'm Gone
By: Lyman Hancock

When I’ve come to the end of my journey
and I have traveled my very last mile
Forget if you can that I’ve frowned
Remember only my smile...

Forgive unkind words I have spoken
Remember some good I have done
Forget I ever had heartache
And remember only our fun...

Forget that I've stumbled and fumbled
And sometimes fell by the way
Remember: I fought some hard battles
But had you at the close of my day...

Do not grieve for my going
I would not have you sad this day
But in time gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay...

Perhaps in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the West
Come stand a few moments above me
Remembering only the best...

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

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a

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

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

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

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

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

Rejoice and be glad,

for your reward will be great in heaven.”

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Reflection:

What are these beatitudes all about? The beatitudes are guidelines for living that Jesus gave to His disciples. The beatitudes deal also with humility and utter dependence upon the goodness of God. Do you live humility and do you always depend on the goodness of God?  

   

As we remember the saints today, we are being invited to take a closer look at their lives for they lived it with humility and dependence on the Lord. They did what they had to do but at the end of the day they humbly submitted everything to the will of God.

The saints did not do it their way, they went through the way of God thus they embraced the beatitudes. For example, why is the poor in spirit blessed? They are blessed because they know that their knowledge about God is something that they should not be proud of. They acknowledge their nothingness before God thus God continuously fills them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas