1Reflection for October 8, Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:5-13

Gospel: Luke 11:5-13

Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three oaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him, and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. 

And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

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Reflection:

How persistent are you in your prayer? For example, if you have a prayer before Jesus do you pray until your prayer is answered by Jesus? Or you easily give up because you feel the Jesus doesn’t hear your prayer? The best attitude to have when you pray is not to give up because giving-up is a sign of lack of faith. 

The foundation of every prayer is faith for without faith there is no successful prayer. For example, if you pray for healing for your sickness or you pray for something that you badly want you must therefore pray unceasingly with faith. 

In our gospel there is a persistent fellow, who during the dead of night went to the house of his friend to ask for bread for his visitor. What moved this fellow to go to his friend to ask for bread even at midnight? It was faith! The fellow had faith that his friend would never fail him.  

Jesus in our gospel tells us: Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened (Luke 11:9-10).  

Do you have a prayer before Jesus? Never give up continue instead to badger Him with your prayer with faith. Prayer that comes from the depths of your heart and soul. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 8 Huwebes sa Ika-27 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 11:5-13

 

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:5-13

5 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Ipalagay nating may kaibigan ang isa sa inyo at pinuntahan mo siya sa ha­tinggabi at sinabi: ‘Kaibigan, pahiram nga ng tatlong pirasong tinapay 6 dahil kararating lang mula sa biyahe ng isa kong kaibigan at wala akong maihain sa kanya.’ 7 At sasagutin ka siguro ng nasa loob: ‘Huwag mo na akong gambalain. Nakatrangka na ang pinto at nakahiga na kami ng mga bata; hindi na ako maaaring tumayo para bigyan ka.’ 8 Sinasabi ko sa inyo, kung hindi man siya bumangon para mag­bi­gay dahil sa pakikipagkaibigan, baba­ngon pa rin siya at ibibigay sa iyo ang lahat mong kailangan dahil sa pagpu­pumilit sa kanya. 

9 Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: humingi at kayo’y bibigyan, maghanap at mata­tag­puan ninyo, kumatok at bu­buk­san ang pinto para sa inyo. 10 Talaga ngang tumatanggap ang humihingi, nakaka­tagpo ang naghahanap at pinag­bubuk­san ang ku­makatok. 

11 Sino sa inyo ang amang magbi­bigay ng ahas sa kanyang anak kung isda at hin­di ahas ang hinihingi nito? 12 Sino ang magbibigay ng alakdan kung itlog ang hinihingi? 13 Kaya kung kayo mang ma­sa­sama’y marunong magbigay ng ma­bu­buting kaloob sa inyong mga anak, gaano pa kaya ang Ama mula sa langit? Tiyak na ibibigay niya ang banal na Espi­ritu sa mga hihingi sa kanya.”

1Reflection for October 7, Wednesday Our Lady of the Rosary (M): Luke 11:1-4

Gospel: Luke 11:1-4

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: 

Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”

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Reflection:

Have you asked Jesus to teach you to pray? This is one of the most powerful petitions that we could ever ask Jesus; to teach us to pray. But do we pray regularly? When we pray we connect with Jesus and when we pray we allow Jesus to come to us and strengthen us. 

Let us observe our feelings before and after praying, isn’t that we feel good, mentally strong and light after we’ve prayed? The feeling of a person is different before and after prayer. Why is this so? This is the miracle of our prayer to Jesus, it heals us body and soul; it makes us accept the things that is hard for us to accept and it opens our bodies and souls to so many blessings from the Lord.

Starting today begin your prayer with this humble petition for Jesus: Lord teach me to pray and then solemnly recite the prayer (The Our Father) that Jesus taught us to pray. After praying the Our Father connect with Jesus through a personal prayer that comes from your heart and mind. And before ending your prayer ask Saint Joseph, The Blessed Mother and your favorite saint/s to pray for you.

If exercise is for our bodies, our prayers are for our souls for it makes us have an active and healthy relationship with Jesus. Therefore, the more we pray the more that we make healthy our souls and the more we pray the less worries we would have. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 7 Miyerkules; Mahal na Birhen ng Rosaryo (Paggunita): Lucas 11:1-4

 

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:1-4

1 Isang araw, nananalangin si Jesus sa isang lugar at pagka­tapos niya’y sinabi sa kanya ng isa sa kanyang mga alagad: “Panginoon, turu­an mo kaming manalangin kung pa­anong tinu­ruan ni Juan ang kanyang mga alagad.”  

2 At sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Kung mana­nalangin kayo, sa­bihin nin­yo: Ama, sambahin ang ngalan mo, dumating ang kaharian mo, 3 bigyan mo kami araw-araw ng pagkaing kailangang-kailangan namin, 4 patawarin mo kami sa aming mga sala; tingnan mo’t pinatatawad din namin ang lahat ng may utang sa amin, at huwag mo kaming dalhin sa tukso.”

1Reflection for October 6, Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:38-42

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?  Tell her to help me. The Lord said to her in reply,“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.

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Reflection:

Why did Jesus favored Mary? He favored her for the simple reason that she gave her time to Him. She listened to Him and Mary knew that before her is her Lord. Therefore, she would not let this precious moment pass her by without giving Him her ear.  

Many of us chase the many temporal things of this world. We spend a lot of time achieving our worldly dreams and chasing the luxuries of this temporal life thinking that this would make us complete. Only to know later that it will not, we will even end up empty if we continue to chase the temporal things of this world. Why? For the simple reason that worldly things or worldliness will never complete us. 

Jesus only ask us one thing, for us to give Him our time and for us to listen to Him so that we can have inner peace which nobody in this world can give us. We make Jesus very happy if we first listen to Him and leave everything else behind for Him. 

Let us all remember that when the time comes that we are lying on our deathbeds.  We will not be thinking of the temporal achievements that we’ve done for this world.  For example, the riches, the awards and citations and so forth. Around that time, we will long for no one except for the presence of Jesus in our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 6, Martes sa Ika-27 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 10:38-42

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:38-42

Sa kanilang paglalakbay, pumasok si Jesus sa isang nayon at pinatuloy siya ng isang babaeng nagnga¬ngalang Marta. 39 May kapatid siyang babae na tina¬tawag na Maria. Naupo ito sa may paa¬nan ng Panginoon at nakikinig sa kanyang salita. 40 Abalang-abala naman si Marta sa mga pagsisilbi kaya lumapit siya at sinabi: “Panginoon, hindi mo ba napapansing pinabayaan ako ng aking kapatid na babae na magsilbing mag-isa? Pakisabi mo naman sa kanya na tulungan ako.” 

41 Sumagot sa kanya ang Panginoon: “Marta, Marta, abala ka’t balisa sa ma¬raming bagay; 42 isa lang naman ang ka¬ilangan. Pinili nga ni Maria ang ma¬inam na bahagi na hindi kukunin sa kanya.”  

Reflection for October 5, Monday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:25-37

 

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live." 

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 

But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him.

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

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Reflection:

How can we best share the love, compassion and mercy of Jesus? It’s when we go out of our way to help someone in need. It’s when we forgive someone who’ve done us wrong. And it’s when we go out on a limb to convey that God is alive and within us. 

The Samaritan in our gospel even if he was an enemy of the Jews did the unexpected when he helped the man who was robbed and in near death. He could have simply walked by just what the priest and Levite did and completely ignore that man in the throes of death. 

But the Samaritan did not only stop to help the dying man he brought the dying man to a house to ensure that he would regain his wellbeing.  In other words the Samaritan showed mercy, love and compassion to the dying man who was deviously victimized robbers. 

Who is this Samaritan who mirrored the qualities and character of Jesus? We don’t know. But perhaps it’s safe to conclude that this Samaritan is a true follower of Jesus. The samaritan was not a follower in name only but a follower in words and in deeds. 

If we call ourselves follower of Jesus, this story of the good Samaritan should also be our own life story : We should  also be merciful, loving and compassionate. Even to those whom we think do not anymore deserve our Mercy, Love and Compassion.   

Otherwise we are just like the priest and the Levite who were both servants in the temple of God: Servants in name only. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday October 4, Twenty- seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 21:33-43

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. 

Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" 

They answered him, "He will put those wret-ched men to a wret-ched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times." Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

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Reflection:

In what instance/s in our life does Jesus knocks in our hearts? It’s when He wants to get closer to us, Jesus does this to us in so many ways. For example through a friend who may want to share the words of Jesus to us. It may be through a written commentary about life and our faith that may deeply awaken us. It may be through important events in our life such as sickness or even problems. 

Some of us may listen to this knocks of Jesus and we open our hearts to Him and change our lives for the better. But many of us may not listen and may not even give careful reflection about this. Thus, we move on with our lives as if nothing significant has happened to us. We continue to distance ourselves from Jesus or we continue to treat Jesus like a medicine that we only take when we are in need. 

In our gospel for this Sunday Jesus gives us the Parable of the tenants. The tenants were allowed by the landlord to take care of his vineyard. When it was harvest time already of course the landlord was naturally asking for his share because the land was his property.  

So the landlord sent two batches of servants but the tenants refused the demand of the landlord by killing some of the servants that he sent them. Finally the landlord sent his only son thinking that the tenants would now listen to him but they killed him as well. 

The greedy tenants in the gospel are the chief priest and the elders, the landlord is God. The servants that God sent were the prophets and the only son is Jesus whom they have killed as well. The reason they did this to the prophets and Jesus is they disliked their call of renewal and repentance. 

In some ways we also take the role of the greedy tenants because we continue to greedily love this world more than Jesus. Many of us may have already fallen in love with what this temporal world offers us that we refuse Jesus' demand of repentance. We continue to refuse to listen to His voice that asks us that we let go of all of our sinfulness and worldliness.  

 

Nevertheless, Jesus is still persistently knocking at our hearts. Patiently waiting for us to open it so that He can come in, cleanse all our sins and take control of our lives. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Oktubre 4, Ika-27 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 21:33-43

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:33-43

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Punong-pari at matatanda ng mga Judio: 33 Makinig kayo sa isa pang halim­ba­wa: May isang may-ari ng bahay na nag­tanim ng ubasan; binakuran ang paligid nito, humukay para sa pisaan ng ubas, at nagtayo ng toreng bantayan. Pina­upahan niya ang ubasan sa mga magsa­saka at naglakbay sa ma­layo. 34 Nang malapit na ang panahon ng anihan, pina­punta ng may-ari ang kanyang mga katu­long sa mga mag­sasaka para kubrahin ang kanyang bahagi sa ani. 35 Ngunit si­nung­gaban ng mga magsasaka ang kanyang mga katulong, binugbog ang isa, pinatay ang iba at binato ang ilan.

36 Nagpadala uli ang may-ari ng ma­rami pang katulong pero ganoon din ang ginawa ng mga magsasaka sa kanila. 37 Sa bandang huli, ipinadala na rin niya ang kanyang anak sa pag-aaka­lang ‘Igagalang nila ang aking anak.’ 38 Ngunit nang makita ng mga magsa­saka ang anak, inisip nilang ‘Ito ang taga­pag­mana. Patayin natin siya at mapapasaatin ang kanyang mana.’ 39 Kaya sinunggaban nila siya, at pina­layas sa ubasan at pinatay.

40 Ngayon, pagdating ng may-ari ng ubasan, ano ang gagawin niya sa mga magsasaka?” 41 Sinabi nila sa kan­ya: “Hindi niya kaaawaan ang masasamang taong iyon; pupuksain niya ang mga iyon at pauupahan ang ubasan sa ibang magsasakang magbibigay ng kanyang kaparte sa anihan.” 42 At sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi ba ninyo nabasa sa Kasu­latan? ‘Naging panulu­kang bato ang tinanggihan ng mga taga­pagtayo. Gawa ito ng Pangi­noon; at ka­hanga-hanga ang ating nakita.’ 43 Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: aagawin sa inyo ang kaharian ng Diyos at ibibigay sa isang bayang makapag­papalago nito.

1Reflection for October 3, Saturday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:17-24

Gospel: Luke 10:17-24

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” 

At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

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Reflection:

What does Jesus require from us so that we could know Him deeply? Childlike trust and confidence in Him. We will not know Jesus deeply if we only rely on ourselves no matter how educated and intelligent we are. No matter the volumes of books that we’ve read about Jesus and our faith. No matter how many degrees we have earned. It would still not be enough because we have no childlike trust in the Lord. 

If we have childlike trust before Jesus this simply means that we rely on Him and not on ourselves. And we entrust our lives to Him and not entrust it in our hands. The moment we begin to trust Jesus, He also begins to open and equip our minds with knowledge that is not available to those who do not trust Him no matter how intelligent they may be. 

The seventy-two disciples came back from their very fruitful mission of spreading the good news because they had childlike trust. And therefore the power of Jesus reigned upon them. 

Do you have a childlike trust in the Lord? - Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for October 2, Friday; the Holy Guardian Angels (M): Matthew 18:1-5, 10

 

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. 

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

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Reflection:

Why did the disciples ask Jesus about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Were they expecting that Jesus would tell them that they would be one of the greatest in the kingdom of heaven because they follow Him? From all indications this question of the disciples were asked to serve their selfish agendas and Jesus knew about it. 

 Therefore, to straighten out things and to tell the disciples that self-seeking individuals would not be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus told them; “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-4). 

The Kingdom of Heaven is reserved for the humble only for we cannot go to heaven by our own effort. And we cannot go to heaven without the mercy of God. Therefore, children are not only perfect models of humility they are also perfect examples for their reliance on their parents.  Could children exist by themselves? No they can't exist by themselves they need their parents to be with them to survive. 

In like manner the disciples can’t rely on themselves they have to rely on God rather than on themselves. This was perhaps one of the salient point of Jesus when He called the child to their midst (Matthew 18:2). 

This also applies to all of us, we cannot rely on our riches (If ever we have riches) no matter how presently rich we are. We cannot rely on our power as well no matter how presently powerful we are for all of these are creation of this world that could evaporate from our hands anytime. 

So, to whom are we going to rely? We rely on God alone. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 1, Thursday; Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (M): Luke 10:1-12

Gospel: Luke 10:1-12

Jesus appointed seventy-two other 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 his 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.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”

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Reflection:

Do you want to help Jesus in His mission of evangelization?

Jesus talks about the commissioning of His Seventy two disciples; He said to them that there’s an enormous work for them to do. They are few but the people whom they will preach the gospel are many.

Up to this very day there are few who preach and fewer still those who preach and live the gospel yet there are millions who needs it badly. They are yearning to hear the words of Jesus and more has not even heard of the life changing words of Jesus.

 So what are we doing about it? Would we sit still and stay in our comfort zones and do nothing to share in the ministry of Jesus? Preaching nowadays is not anymore confined to face to face vocal preaching. It’s more easier today because we can now preach using the internet via our computers and high-tech mobile phones.

Instead of posting about ourselves. Why not post something that is related to Jesus and our Catholic faith? Let us post something that can bring someone closer to God. If we do this we now become a follower not only in words but in deeds as well.

Let us see to it also that we live what we preach or we live what we post in our social media accounts. The perfection of our discipleship for Jesus comes when we live what we preach. For example, if we preach simple living we have to live simply as well, if we preach humility let us live humility. If we preach forgiveness we have to be forgiving. Jesus wants us to be His co-laborers in His vineyard; we should not worry about our needs, for he will surely provide for us.

 Will you help Jesus in His mission of evangelization?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 30, Wednesday; St. Jerome, priest and doctor of the church (M): Luke 9:57-62

Gospel: Luke 9:57-62

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”

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Reflection:

How do we follow the Lord inside the Sacrament of Matrimony? We follow the Lord by being faithful to our marriage vows. We know for a fact that the priest who marries the husband and wife does it in the person of Jesus Christ. Therefore the two becomes one through the Sacrament of Matrimony courtesy of Jesus.

However, no marriage is made in heaven, every marriage goes through the fire of trials and tribulations. But if both spouses are serious in following the Lord through their sacred vows. Both spouses should always find it in their hearts to forgive whatever offenses that was committed against them.

This simply means that there should always be a sacred room for forgiveness in the heart of hearts of married couples. This is for the reason that no married couples are perfect, in fact both are flawed individuals united by Jesus in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

Therefore, forgiveness should be one of those select requirements for both husband and wife if they want to follow the Lord. If the Lord is present in their marriage and if both spouses are serious in their desire to follow the Lord. There would always be love, forgiveness and humility until they breathe their last. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 30, Miyerkules, San Geronimo, pari at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita): Lucas 9:57-62

 

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:57-62

57 Habang naglalakad sila, may nag­sabi kay Jesus: “Susunod ako sa iyo saan ka man pumunta.” 58 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “May lungga ang mga asong-gubat at may mga pugad ang mga ibon; ang Anak ng Tao nama’y wala man lang mahiligan ng kanyang ulo.” 59 At sinabi naman niya sa isa: “Sumunod ka sa akin.” Sumagot naman ito: “Pauwiin mo ako para ma­ili­bing ko muna ang aking ama.” 

60 Ngu­nit sina­bi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Hayaan mong ilibing ng mga patay ang kanilang mga patay; humayo ka naman at ipa­ngaral ang kaharian ng Diyos.” 61 Sinabi naman ng isa pa: “Su­sunod ako sa iyo, Panginoon pero pauwiin mo muna ako para makapagpaalam sa aking mga kasambahay.” 62 Sinabi sa kanya ni Je­sus: “Hindi bagay sa kaharian ng Diyos ang humahawak ng araro at pagkatapos ay lumilingon sa likuran.”

Reflection for September 29, Tuesday; Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels (Feast): John 1:47-51

Gospel: John 1:47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

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Reflection:

Do you think about God when you are alone? Many of us are forced to think about God when we encounter bumps and humps in our life. But contemplate of God? When we are not bothered by any problems only a few of us perhaps do this.

What was Nathaniel doing under the fig tree? Was he contemplating about God? Was Nathaniel praying before God to lead him to Him? Nathaniel was reflecting about God while he was under the fig tree, he was silently asking God to manifest Himself to him. Then, soon after the call from Jesus came.

When we think of God often we would slowly but surely have a clearer picture of the identity of God. We would have an idea about who really God is and the role that He plays in our lives. To many of us God seems so distant but is it God who is distant or us who distance ourselves from God?

 Jesus is never distant from us He is always there for us anytime and every time. It’s us who do not have time for Him or us who refuse to create time for Him except when we are in dire need of Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 29, Martes, San Miguel, San Gabriel at San Rafael, mga arkanghel (Kapistahan): Juan 1:47-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:47-51

47 Nakita ni Jesus si Natanael na palapit sa kanya at sinabi niya tungkol sa kanya: “Hayan, isang totoong Israelitang walang pagkukunwari.” 48 Sinabi sa kanya ni Natanael: “Paano mo ako nakilala?” Su­ma­got sa kanya si Jesus: “Bago ka pa man tawagin ni Felipe, habang nasa ilalim ka ng punong-igos, nakita na kita.” 

49 Sumagot si Natanael: “Rabbi, ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos, ikaw ang Hari ng Israel.” 50 Sumagot si Jesus: Sinabi ko lang sa iyong nakita kita sa ilalim ng punong-igos, at naniniwala ka na? Higit pa sa mga ito ang makikita mo.”

51 At idinugtong ni Jesus: “Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, makikita ninyong bukas na ang langit at panhik-panaog sa Anak ng Tao ang mga anghel ng Diyos.”

1Reflection for September 28, Monday; St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions, martyrs (M): Luke 9:46-50

Gospel: Luke 9:46-50

An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.”

Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.” Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

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Reflection:

Who is the greatest? It’s the humble one, the one who is always willing to serve us, always willing to be with us. We may not know it but Jesus has been serving us since time immemorial. He is in the person of the priest during the Sacrament of Reconciliation forgiving us of our sins.

He is always present in the Eucharistic or Holy Mass celebration humbly giving His Body and Blood to nourish our bodies and our souls. He is the greatest treasure that we can ever have! But His greatness is a paradox to many of us because we measure greatness by our worldly standards. Such as greatness thru power and influence this is mostly fueled by political power, position in government and in the private sector and the size of our bank accounts. But these greatness are passing and temporary; the time will come that it shall pass us and we shall be forgotten.

Jesus is the personification of true greatness: His humility, His self-sacrifice and His refusal to wield power for His own self interest. This greatness of Jesus is usually unheard in this world nevertheless we should emulate the greatness of Jesus and shun the greatness that this world offers us.

Which greatness do you prefer? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

1Reflection for Sunday September 27, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 21:28-32

Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.

Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

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Reflection:

Is there hope of redemption for a sinner like everyone of us? Yes there is always hope for us for as long as we change our ways. God’s love for us is without limit and it’s always there for us and it’s ours to take anytime we want it. 

Aside from Jesus and the man and his two sons there are others who play an important role in this Sunday’s gospel reading. They are the following: Chief Priest, Elders of the people, Tax collectors, the prostitutes and John the Baptist. 

The chief Priest and the elders of the people are those who are authorities of the faith. They are always in their place of worship but ironically they oftentimes are wanting or lacking in terms of living their faith. Jesus is actually subtly telling the chief Priest and the elders of the people about their faith that lacks life and action. 

The chief Priest and the elders of the people  represents the Son who said, Yes, sir, but did not go to work in the vineyard. They also did not listen to the call of John the Baptist to turn away from their sins and completely repent. 

The tax collectors and the prostitutes were obviously the sinners that repented. They represent the Son who said: “I will not go to the vineyard”, but afterwards changed his mind and went and did his father’s will. They listened to the call of John the Baptist: “Repent and change your ways for the kingdom of God is forthcoming.” 

What is the relevance of the gospel to our lives? We who are all sinners like the tax collectors and prostitutes. We are being called by Jesus to repent from our sinful ways. It’s not anymore John who calls us out to repentance but Jesus Himself. 

Life is so fragile it can end anytime most especially right now caused by this Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, we must listen to this clarion call of Jesus while we still have time for this is what He desires for us all: To lead lives according to His will and not according to our selfish and sinful will. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Setyembre 27, Ika-26 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 21:28-32

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:28-32

28 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga saserdote at matatanda ng bayan: “Ano sa palagay ninyo? May dalawang anak ang isang tao. Lumapit siya sa isa at sinabi: ‘Anak, pumunta ka ngayon at magtrabaho sa aking ubasan.’ 29 Sumagot ang anak: ‘Ayoko.’ Ngunit pagkatapos ay nagbagong-isip siya at pumunta. 

30 Pinuntahan din ng ama ang pangalawang anak at gayundin ang sinabi. Sumagot naman ang anak: ‘Opo.’ Pero hindi siya pumunta.” 31 At itinanong ni Jesus: “Sino sa dalawang anak ang tumupad sa gusto ng ama?” Sumagot sila: “Ang una.” At sinabi ni Jesus: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: mas nauuna sa inyo patungo sa kaharian ng Langit ang mga publi-kano at mga babaeng bayaran. 

32 Dumating nga si Juan para ipakita sa inyo ang daan ng kabutihan pero hindi kayo naniwala sa kanya, samantalang naniwala naman ang mga publikano at mga babaeng bayaran. Nakita ninyo ito at hindi kayo nagsisi o naniwala sa kanya.

Reflection for September 26, Saturday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:43b-45

Gospel: Luke 9:43b-45

While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

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Reflection:

When Jesus told His disciples that he was to be handed over to men they were not able to comprehend it. Why? Because at that time Jesus was doing miracles left and right. And perhaps they were asking themselves, how could this be possible that this miracle man will be handed over to authorities and afterwards suffer? 

The disciples were oblivious because they did not fully know His mission. Otherwise, if they knew, they would have understood this pronouncement of Jesus.  The moment we decide to follow Jesus we must prepare ourselves for the sufferings that we have to go through. 

Because we cannot separate our discipleship with the Lord  with sufferings. To follow Jesus is to embrace suffering also. However, there are people who would say, simply follow Jesus and you will have a problem free life. This is farthest from the truth because everyone of us who truly follow Jesus will have our own share of sufferings and tribulations. 

But let us not bedevil ourselves with the thought of these sufferings because Jesus will not give us trials that we can’t handle. We simply have to have faith in Jesus and that is more than enough to conquer our sufferings.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 25, Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:18-22

Gospel: Luke 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

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Reflection:

Why does Jesus always remind his disciples about his impending sufferings? Why not keep His coming sufferings only to Himself? Come to think of it, if Jesus had concealed His suffering from His disciples He could have attracted more disciples. But Jesus did not lie to them, He did not sugar coat His words to attract them.  He was brutally honest and He laid down everything to them.  

Many of us don’t want to talk of sufferings when following Jesus. However the moment we take away sufferings then there’s no more authentic discipleship for Jesus. This is for the reason that discipleship without going through suffering is fake discipleship.

How could we have a clearer picture of Jesus if we wouldn’t go through pains and sufferings? How could we know Jesus more deeply if we are not willing to suffer for Him? If we say that we follow Jesus and we are afraid of sufferings then we are not really a follower. We are simply bystanders who don’t care much about the mission of Jesus.

As they say, No Pain No Gain if we relate this with our discipleship with Jesus. This now becomes, No Pain No Date in Heaven with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas