1Reflection for October 18, Monday 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:

Why did Jesus send the seventy-two disciples in pairs? Jesus could have sent them one by one so that they could cover more ground thus the spread of the gospel would be much faster. But Jesus chose them to go in pairs. 

In pairs for the reason that He wanted them to help each other in doing their mission for Him.   Jesus had it already in His mind that to do His mission is realistically not that easy. So, He deemed it right and wise to send them in pairs for them to help each other as they face the many challenges of their mission. 

Why do we exist in this world? Do we exist for ourselves only? Of course not! We exist in this world for a reason. And that reason is to help our fellowmen; we need to extend to them the good news about Jesus. We need to feed the hungry; we need to clothe those who do not have clothes. And we need to give hope to those who are losing hope.   

This is our vocation and mission as followers and missioners of Christ Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday October 17, Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:35-45

Gospel: Mark 10:35-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.  

Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.  

Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.  

For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
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 Reflection:

The story is told about a young man who saw the arrival of their bishop in their parish church. The young man was so overwhelmed by the respect that was being given by the parishioners to the bishop. Many were bowing to him; some were holding his right hand so that they could put it on their forehead for them to be blessed.  Others were lining up to kiss the bishop’s ring. The young man was so impressed by what he saw that he said to his parents, I want to become a bishop someday so that I will also be admired and respected. 

James and John were also after respect and admiration this is the reason why they asked Jesus if they could sit beside Him in His kingdom. They wanted those who would see them to be  in awe by the influence that they have. Imagine sitting beside the Lord, it is a badge of honor; it is something that will make any believer proud. But Jesus rebuked them by saying, “You do not know what you are asking.” 

Why do we aspire for respect and admiration? Do we want it because it enhances our self-worth and ego? Do we want it for the reason that we want others to look up to us and perceive us as someone who is influential? It is all of the above and more, whether we admit it or not many of us are craving for self-centered honor to be bestowed upon us for we hunger and love it.       

But in Jesus’ viewpoint self-centered honor, egotism, and every kind of action for us to be adored and exalted amounts to nothing. Because Jesus himself shunned all of these exaltation, Jesus avoided it like a plague. What is important for Jesus is to follow the will of God and that is none other than humble service to His people. This eventually led Him to suffer and eventually sacrifice His very own life on the cross.   

We ask ourselves now: Why do we aspire to be great, to be popular and to be admired. The answer is no brainer: Many of us simply want to increase our temporal human value, we want to feed our hungry egos. But all of these are self-promotion which does not count in the eyes of the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for October 16, Saturday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time: 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 proud with your relationship with Jesus? Do you own it like a badge of honor? Of course you will say that you are proud. However, this not always true because there are instances that you betray Jesus for the fleeting things of this world.

The sad truth is our profession of love for Jesus is often times lip service only. When we are faced with temptation we oftentimes give up Jesus in favor of the fleeting temptation. When we are put on the spot to make a stand for Jesus we betray Him easily just like how Judas betrayed Jesus.

If we say that we love Jesus we must be proud of it and we must live it, we must not betray Jesus for the things of this world. For what is this world compared to having a relationship with our Lord and Savior?

What would it do us if we acquire all the things and cravings of this temporary world but in the process we lose our relationship with the Lord? Nothing except misery and problems! We always have to remember that what we presently own and have we will leave or it will leave us.

How about Jesus? He will never leave us, in good times and in bad, in our sorrows and triumphs and in life in this world and beyond this world. He will always be there for us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 15, Friday Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church: Luke 12:1-7

Gospel: Luke 12:1-7
At that time 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:
Does God know everything about us?

Yes, God knows everything about us; including those sins that we think are known only to ourselves He knows too! What is the proof that God knows about it? The proof is our conscience which bothers us whenever we sin. These sins would continue to bother us until we ask forgiveness or we make amends to the person whom we have hurt.

God is an all-knowing and all-pervading God. We therefore have to shape up and walk away from sin while we still have the luxury of time. We also have to do away with the sinful thoughts that we keep in our minds.

It would be much better if we always align all our thoughts and actions with God. So that when our time to leave this world comes we would be ready. Thus, from here we go straight to the eternal dwelling of God.

However, we are weak human beings we often times sin but we can overcome this weakness if ask the Lord to help us overcome it and if we would strongly resolve to overcome it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 15 Biyernes Santa Teresa de Jesus, dalaga at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita) Lucas 12:1-7

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 12:1-7

1 Nang magkatipon ang libu-libong tao hanggang magkatapakan na sila, sinimulang sabihin ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Mag-ingat muna kayo sa lebadura ng mga Pariseo, na walang iba kundi ang pag¬ku¬kunwari.

2 Walang tinatakpan na di mabu¬bun¬yag, walang natatago na di malalaman. 3 Kaya naman, ang sinabi ninyo sa dilim, sa liwanag maririnig; at ang ibi¬nulong ninyo sa mga kuwarto, sa bubungan ipahahayag.

4 Sinasabi ko naman ito sa inyo na mga kaibigan ko: huwag ninyong kata¬kutan ang mga nakapapatay sa katawan at wala nang magagawa pa. 5 Ituturo ko sa inyo kung sino ang dapat ninyong katakutan: matakot kayo sa may kapangyarihang pumatay at may ka¬pangyarihan pang mag¬bulid sa impiyerno.

Oo, sinasabi ko sa inyo, ito ang kata¬kutan ninyo. 6 Di ba’t ipinag¬bibili nang dala¬wang pera ang limang maya? Subalit isa man sa kanila’y di nalilimutan ng Diyos. 7 Bilang na pati ang lahat ng buhok sa inyong ulo. Huwag ka¬yong matakot; mas maha¬laga pa kayo kaysa maraming maya. 

Reflection for October 14, Thursday of the Twenty-eight 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:

Why were the Pharisees and scribes angry with Jesus? It was for the reason that Jesus was telling the truth about their hypocrisy and double speak.  The truth hurts but Jesus doesn’t mince words He tells it as He sees it.  So Jesus tells it directly to them without fear because He wants them to open their minds about their pretentions and double standard. 

When somebody corrects us and tells negative things about us; let us accept it as a constructive criticism and let us look at it on a positive way.  Where we can learn and further improve, if we close our minds to criticism it’s like saying that we don’t want to improve. And those who do not want to improve and those who refuse correction would never become better individuals.   

Let us remember that nobody is perfect except God. We all have our own flaws and shortcomings and these are natural for we are imperfect humans. We all are subject to our own frailties and weakness.  What is important is we accept corrections and we make it as our reference point for us to become better and useful citizens of this fleeting world.   

Let us therefore always be humble let us be open to advice, let us always be open to corrections and let us make these as a springboard for us to become better citizens of this world and eventually beyond this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 13, Wednesday of the Twenty-eight Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:42-46

Gospel: Luke 11:42-46

The Lord said: “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:

Do you live what you say? For example you will say to your children that they should live simply yet your lifestyle is not simple because you want expensive things. How will your children follow and believe what you say? 

Jesus is angry with the Pharisees because many of them were full of pretension their external actions were very much different from their internal thought. They command the people to do this and that yet they themselves were not willing to do it. 

What Jesus wants for the Pharisees then and for us now is to lead by example; let us mean what we say and live what we say. This is where we are often lacking, yes we go to church and yes we worship God. But do we translate these to living acts of faith? 

Let us not be like the Pharisees and the scholars of the law who are very good only in giving orders. Let us be like Jesus who put into action every word and phrase that He said.

 Jesus lived every word that He preached, for example Jesus preached simplicity of lifestyle, He therefore lived this simple lifestyle. Jesus preached about forgiveness, mercy and love and He lived His preaching of forgiveness, mercy and love as well.

Do you live a simple lifestyle and are you forgiving, merciful and loving? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for October 12, Tuesday of the Twenty-eight Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:37-41

Gospel: Luke 11:37-41

After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. 

The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”

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Reflection:

What do you do when you invite people to dine in your home? 

Many of us discreetly observe them especially if our invited guests are few the more that we observe them. We sometimes pretend to be busy but we observe them quietly: How they behave and so forth. 

However, amidst our being observant Jesus wants to tell us something: Let us not judge them based on their external behavior. Because our judgment based on what we see do not really represent who they really are. There’s a whole lot more that we could discover from them if we would not be quick on judging them. 

It feeds our ego when we are noticed based on our external appearance: What we do, the clothes that we wear, our physical appearance etc. The more that we are noticed the more that we would reinforce our external actions. These are all superficial, before God these egocentric actions count for nothing before the eyes of God. 

What counts before God are those that are not seen by our eyes. What counts before the Lord is what is inside us not what is outside of us. Those that are not seen such as: Clean conscience, a caring, forgiving and loving heart and a mind that has no place for ill thoughts. 

Perhaps, the Pharisee in our gospel invited Jesus to his house not out of his goodwill and kindness. He invited Jesus because he wants to see if Jesus would subscribe to the many rituals of their Jewish faith. 

Are many of us not like this Pharisee? When friends come to our house we also observe them as to how they would behave. And based on what we saw we would now conjure our unfavorable conclusion towards them. 

But our judgment is often wrong for we don’t know what’s inside the heart of the person. And besides, it’s hard to judge based solely on the few times that we’ve observed them. Let us not judge quickly and let us not judge based on what we see. 

Are you quick to judge? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 11, Monday of the Twenty-eight Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:29-32

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 

At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. 

At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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Reflection:

Do you ask for signs before you decide about an important decision? For example, if you’re a woman, would you ask for a sign if the man courting you is the right one for you? And based on that sign you now would decide to say yes or no to that man? 

Jesus is much bigger than the signs that we ask for from God. If we have Him in our hearts we need not ask anymore for signs. But do we allow Jesus to have a special place in our hearts? Jesus has a simple request for all of us for Him to dwell in our hearts. The simple request is our repentance from all of our sins. This is His simple request for all of us, so that He could dwell in our hearts. 

During the time of Jonah, the people of Nineveh listened to Jonah’s call of repentance. Otherwise there would be destruction upon them. So they listened, they’ve put on sackcloth to show God that they are sorry for the many sins that they’ve committed and they are ready to walk away from it. 

Why do we continue to embrace sin when it will not do us any good? Why do we continue to embrace sin when we know for a fact that sin is evil and it eventually will destroy us? We continue to sin because the devil gives us generous incentives to commit it. But there is always a time of reckoning and we will be destroyed eventually because we decided to embrace the devil. 

If we will love this world more than we love God we certainly will continue to sin. However, God is always there for us no matter how sinful we are, ever ready to embrace us with His infinite love, mercy and forgiveness. 

Prayer:

We are sinful creatures of this world O Lord and we are tired of sinning for it has not brought anything good into our lives. We seek your forgiveness O Lord and we seek your love, this we pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday October 10, Twenty-eight Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:17-30

Gospel: Mark 10-17-30

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother." 

He replied and said to him, "Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.  

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, "Then who can be saved?"  

Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God."Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who went to a foreign country to work for a company that was offering him a high paying job. The man was already living a comfortable life with his mother and siblings but he wanted to accquire more material wealth.  

So, he went abroad amid the protestation of his mother. While he was abroad he lived a promiscuous life which resulted in him getting sick of Covid-19. This is a sad story brought about by the man’s greed for material possessions.  

In this Sunday’s gospel there is a man who asked Jesus this question, “Good teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus enumerated what he must do and the man said, "All of these I have observed from my youth." But Jesus told him, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." With that statement his face fell, and he walked away sad, for he had many possessions.  

Eternal life was already within reach for the man in the gospel. And the man in our story was already living a comfortable life. But they both let go of it because they were so enslaved by their greed for material possessions.     

Many of us are also enslaved by our greed for material possessions such as money and the like. We greedily want more of it even if we can live with a little of it. We are very much willing to have it even if we barter our souls to the devil. We may not know it but our greed for material wealth is the foundation of our many troubles in this world. 

For example many siblings and relatives are not in speaking terms because they cannot agree on how to divide their inherited wealth. Many parents are problematic with their grown up children for the reason that they spoiled them with material wealth but they famished them with parental love and guidance. 

It is never too late to let go of our greed for material possession in favor of harmony, peace of mind and love in the family. It is never too late to share our wealth with the poor to have eternal life with God. And it’s never too late to follow God in exchange for all that we have in this world.     

When we are already at the doorway of death our material possessions will not be a factor for our salvation. What will become a factor is the response that we gave God when He invited us to follow HIM in exchange for everything that we have in this world. 

The gospel invites us to think deeply on how we are presently living  our lives in this world: Are we living our lives for this world or we live it for the glory of God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 9, Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:27-28

Luke 11:27-28

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

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Reflection:

How can we hear the healing voice of God? But does God speak to us in the first place? Yes of course God speaks to us when we pray. God speaks to us when we read the scriptures. God speaks to us also through the poor, hungry and spiritually deprived person.  

What would you do after hearing God speak to you? You should act, you must learn to translate your conversation with God though your concrete acts of faith.  

Many of us sometimes forget to have a daily interaction with Jesus. Sad to say but we often spend more time browsing the internet, tinkering our smart phones or in front of our high definition television rather than listen to God. This is the reality; we lack time for God that’s why we have so many worries.  

But the moment we learn to hear and listen more to God. We would begin to have a more peaceful life. Yes from time to time there would still be problems but we would be able to pull through it. Why? For the reason that we now have that deeper friendship with God. Facilitated by our frequent interaction with Him.  

If we can make time for our many earthly undertakings, why can’t we create time for God? We gain more wisdom when we create time for God. And when we translate our interactions with God to actual acts of faith.  

Have time to listen to God and you will begin to become deaf to the worries of this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for October 8, Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:15-26

Gospel: Luke 11:15-26

When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 

And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”

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Reflection:

What motivates us to accuse falsely or to destroy the good reputation of our fellowmen? It’s greed, anger, envy and other negative emotions. These emotions are so dangerous that it could even lead us to kill. All of these are devious instruments of Satan. All of these are used by Satan to capture us. 

How could we refuse these enticements of Satan? We must be prayerful, we must always do good. We must at all times be focused on our mission to spread the teachings of Jesus through our words and actions. 

By doing good, Jesus was accused as being with Satan, what a reckless accusation emanating from the crowd! Is it Jesus siding with the demon or the crowd siding with the demon? The demon will never do good it will always seek to create chaos and manufacture baseless accusations. 

Come to think of it, by accusing Jesus the crowd allowed themselves to be used by the demon himself. In like manner we also allow ourselves to be an instrument of the demon when we purposely accuse people even without a grain of truth. 

The demon or devil is a clear and present danger to all of us. It’s always there looking for the right timing to capture us. However, if we are close to Jesus and we practice and live the teachings of Jesus. We have nothing to worry because the devil can do nothing to us. 

Do you always create time to get closer to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

1Reflection for October 7, Thursday Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary: 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 loaves 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:

Isn’t God all knowing? Doesn’t He read our minds? So why do we need to badger Him in prayer about our needs? God is all knowing and God reads our minds but we still need to persistently let Him know what we want Him to do for us. Why? For the simple reason that it’s through our persistence that we develop deep friendship with Him. It’s through our persistent prayer that we obtain the grace to get to know Jesus much deeper.  

What if we would not persist? We miss the chance to know Jesus more deeply and we miss the opportunity to develop a much deeper friendship with Him.  Take for example our Sunday Mass obligation or the Online Sunday Mass (For those who are not able to go to church because of the Covid-19 restrictions) what would happen to us if we wouldn’t keep on attending it every Sunday? We miss the chance to know Jesus deeply, we miss the chance to be showered by His many blessing and we miss the opportunity to grow in faith.  

Yes, God knows everything about us already but we still need to be persistent before Him. For this is where He would know how deep is our love for Him. When we don’t give up on Jesus and when we continue to let Him know that we always hunger for Him. Surely Jesus will not be deaf and blind to our petitions before Him.    

Jesus will certainly smile at us and tell us: Here it is that you want I’m giving it to you now because you did not give up. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

1Reflection for October 6, Wednesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

Has anyone asked you to teach him/her to pray or have you taught somebody to pray? 

It’s a humbling experience if somebody would ask us to teach him/her to pray. Just like the same petition that the disciples of Jesus told Him. But before we could expect people to ask us to teach them how to pray we must learn to live our prayer first. 

For example, if we pray for humility it is incumbent upon us to live humility as well. If we pray for forgiveness we should be forgiving as well. If we pray for peace in our lives we should live a peaceful life. In other words, we should always learn to live our prayers before Jesus.   

What will move our fellowmen to ask us to teach them how to pray? We should ensure that we live our faith and we are humble at all times. This is how Jesus lived His life; He always ensured that His prayers are always accompanied by humble acts of faith. 

Just like Jesus, we too must see to it that we live what we pray or we walk and live our talk so that others may see in us Jesus. We become like magnets for Jesus if we live our prayers and we live it with humility. 

Has anyone asked you to teach him/her to pray or have you taught somebody to pray? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for October 5, Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:38-42

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

In the course of their journey Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.  

She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha, who was distracted with all the serving, came to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me. But the Lord answered, 'Martha, Martha,' he said, 'you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part, and it is not to be taken from her.'

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Reflection:

What are you going to do if you visit a house of a friend and you get the same treatment that Jesus received from Martha and Mary? Who are you going to favor Martha or Mary? It actually depends upon you who are you going to favor. But Jesus obviously preferred the action of Mary who sat down at His feet and faithfully listened to Him.  

What did Martha do that it did not get the merit of Jesus? Martha was busy preparing food for Jesus. Why did Jesus not favor Martha when what she was doing was for His honor also? Jesus is a preacher and perhaps being a preacher he wants people to listen to Him so that He could impart His wisdom. This was may be the reason why Jesus preferred the reverent act of Mary.  

What happens to us when we listen to Jesus and when we meditate on His words? We gain wisdom from Jesus himself and we are enlightened by Him no less. But do we still have time to listen to Jesus? Are we not very busy with our many worldly undertakings?  

 Some of us may say that we have to move and be busy because we have to earn and eat otherwise we’ll get hungry. Yes, this is true, but what would happen to us if we are all work? If we have no more time to listen to Jesus or if Jesus is just a minuscule entity in our lives? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 4, Monday Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi: Luke 10:25-37

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus 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 do we express our love for God and neighbor? 

 It is by caring for those who are in need no matter who they may be, for as long as they’re in need we should help them. But there are those who are so withdrawn that even if they’re in need they find it hard to ask for help or they will not ask for help. There are people who are like them they’re in need but they don’t ask for help because of low self-esteem and shyness. 

 What should we do? We have be sensitive to their plight, we must not be stonehearted we should help without being asked for help. 

The question of the scholar of the law is perhaps also our question before Jesus: How can we inherit eternal life? And Jesus referred them to what was written in the law; Love of God and love of our neighbor; these are the two keys to have eternal life. 

Jesus further reinforced these two teachings with a story of a man who was victimized by robbers. As he lay wounded a priest followed by a Levite both prominent people simply passed by and did not lift a finger to help him. Afterwards a Samaritan came and he surprisingly helped the wounded man. Not content with helping him the Samaritan brought the man to an inn to be properly nursed there. 

It’s not enough to say, we love God and our neighbors for these are mere words that are empty. We put life and meaning to these two greatest commandments when we become like the compassionate Samaritan in the gospel. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday October 3, Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:2-16

Gospel: Mark 10:2-16

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. 

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." 

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

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Reflections:

How’s your married life?

Here are examples of marriages in crises: 1.) A man betrays his wife by having an illicit affair. 2.) A wife stays in the same house with her husband but they seldom speak to each other and she only stays with him for the sake of their children. 3.) A wife filed for nullity of her marriage in the church tribunal citing irreconcilable differences as one of her grounds. There are countless more marriages that are breaking apart, why is this happening? To whom could we attribute this debasing of the Sacrament of Matrimony or Marriage?

Perhaps this is caused by the lack of strong foundation on the couple’s faith and understanding about the Sacrament of Marriage. Perhaps this is caused by their moral arrogance and their lack of humility, forgiveness and perseverance to make their marriage work.  Perhaps this is influenced by their own family background for example, when they were young they saw that their own parents were not also faithful to their marriage.

The breakup of the Sacrament of Marriage is not the desire of God because from the beginning  God envisioned the Sacrament of Matrimony to be until eternity. This is the reason why Jesus tells us in the gospel: “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate (Mark 10:7-9)."

What then is the secret to a long and lasting marriage? We need to have childlike humility,we need to have Jesus in our lives, we need to be forgiving, we need to be persevering and we need to have a daily prayer time as a family. As father Patrick Peyton famously said, “The family that prays together stays together.” 

But sad to say, humility, forbearance, forgiveness and prayerfulness are the virtues that are lacking amongst married couples nowadays. It is so easy for them to separate now without considering the welfare of their family. Why is it hard for us to become humble, forbearing, prayerful and forgiving?

The answer is very simple: Because we are not faithful followers of Jesus. Yes we attend Holy Mass, we pray and we read the bible but we don’t take to heart the teachings of Jesus. Hence, may of us are captured by the temptation of Satan.

Let us not forget that to destroy the marriage covenant Satan always sugarcoats his temptation with everything that is attractive, good and rosy. Why? For us to be deceived and for our minds and hearts to override the very serious consequences that will come after we succumb to the temptation.  Hence, we have to be very discerning because Satan’s temptation is a reality of married life.

No marriage is perfect because we are not perfect as well. Therefore, we have to adjust to the many imperfections of married life for it to last a lifetime. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for October 2, Saturday Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels: 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:

Have you tried looking at the face of a child and have you tried looking at the face of an adult? Which of them give you more joy? Of course, it’s the face of the child. 

Jesus in the gospel gives us the secret on how we can enter the kingdom of heaven. Which is none other than to become like children or to be childlike, why? It’s for the reason of the pureness of their thoughts and their innocence.  No wonder being childlike is the key for us to enter God’s kingdom in heaven.  

But are we childlike in terms of the pureness of our thoughts and absence of sin? Of course we are not! Who among us could say that our thoughts are as pure as a child?  Who among us could say that we are without sin? Of course, nobody because we are all sinners we sin through our words, actions and thoughts.  

Nevertheless, it’s not yet late for us to go back to Jesus and be childlike before Him. Jesus through the Sacrament of Reconciliation is always inviting us to humble ourselves before Him. To be like a child who humbly runs to his parents with reckless abandon once he sees them coming home.  

Are you humble like a child? – Marino J. Dasmarinas