Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 18 Huwebes sa Ika-33 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 19:41-44

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 19:41-44

41 Nang malapit na siya at kita na ang lunsod, iniyakan ito ni Jesus: 42 “Kung nalalaman mo lamang sana sa araw na ito ang daan sa kapaya­paan!  

Ngunit ngayo’y hindi mo ito nakikita. 43 Sasapit sa iyo ang mga araw na magka­kampo sa pa­ligid mo ang iyong mga kaaway, ku­kubkubin ka at sisikilin sa lahat ng da­ko. 44 Igu­guho ka nila sa iyong mga anak, at walang iiwang magkapatong na bato sa iyo. Sapagkat hindi mo na­laman ang panahon ni ang pagdalaw ng iyong Diyos.”

Reflection for November 17, Wednesday Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious (M): Luke 19:11-28

Gospel: Luke 19:11-28

While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. 

He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. 

The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ 

Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. 

You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ 

But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’” 

After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

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Reflection:

We are taught by our faith that all blessings that come our way are God given. Thus, we have a responsibility to pay it forward specially to those who are in need. Whatever these blessings are, be it material blessings or intellectual blessings we have to share it. We should not keep it to ourselves only we have to share it. For its only in sharing what we have that we would receive more blessings from the Lord.   

What are you presently doing with the talent/s that the good Lord has given you? Are you using to advance God’s kingdom in this world or you’re only using it to advance your own interest in this world? 

The third servant was not productive like the first and second because he was fearful of the nobleman. Not only that he was fearful; He was also lazy and selfish that’s why he simply stored the gold coin in a handkerchief and left it there until it was taken back by the nobleman. 

The feelings of fear, being lazy and selfish are the qualities that paralyze a person from becoming a useful citizen of this world and a more productive servant of the Lord. If we want to serve and share in the mission of Jesus we need to discard these negative traits. We also need to always have a connection with the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 17 Miyerkules Santa Isabel ng Hungria, relihiyosa (Paggunita): Lucas 19:11-28

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 19:11-28

11 Malapit na ngayon si Jesus sa Jerusalem at akala ng mga taong kasama niya’y agad na ipakikita ang kaharian ng Diyos. Kaya sa kanilang pakikinig ay isa pang talinhaga ang inilahad sa kanila ni Jesus. 12 Sinabi niya: “May isang maharlikang tao na pu­munta sa malayong lupain para mahirang na hari at saka siya babalik. 13  Tinawag niya ang sampu niyang katulong at binigyan sila ng tig-iisang bar­yang ginto at sinabi sa kanila: ‘Ipagnegosyo ninyo ito hanggang sa aking pag­balik.’  

14 Namumuhi sa kanya ang kanyang mga kaba­ba­yan kaya nagsugo sila ng ilang kinatawan para sa­bihin: ‘Ayaw na­ming maghari sa amin ang taong ito.’ 15 Gayon pa ma’y bumalik siya pag­kahirang bilang hari. Ipinatawag niya ang mga katulong na bi­nigyan niya ng bar­yang ginto para malaman kung mag­kano ang tinubo ng bawat isa. 16 Humarap ang una at sinabi: ‘Panginoon, tumubo ng sampu pa ang barya mong ginto.’  

17 Sumagot siya: ‘Magaling, mabu­ting utusan; dahil naging matapat ka sa ma­liit na bagay, mapamamahala kita sa sam­pung lunsod.’ 18 Dumating ang ika­lawa at sinabi: ‘Panginoon, tumubo ng lima pa ang iyong baryang ginto.’ 19 Si­na­bi nito sa kanya: ‘Mamamahala ka sa limang lun­sod.’  

20 Dumating ang isa pa at sinabi: ‘Pangi­noon, narito ang iyong bar­yang ginto. Binalot ko ito sa isang panyo at itinago. 21 Natatakot ako sa iyo dahil mapaghanap kang tao, kinu­kuha mo ang di mo idineposito at inaani ang di mo inihasik.’  

22 Sinabi sa kanya ng panginoon: ‘Masamang utusan, sa sarili mong mga salita kita hahatulan. Alam mo palang mapaghanap ako, na kinu­ku­ha ko ang di ko idineposito at ina­ani ang di ko inihasik, 23 bakit di mo idi­neposito sa bang­ko ang aking bar­yang ginto? At maku­kubra ko sana iyon pati na ang interes pagbabalik ko.’ 24 At sinabi niya sa mga naroon: ‘Kunin sa kanya ang baryang ginto at ibigay sa may sampu.’ 25 Sumagot sila: ‘E, Panginoon, may sampung baryang ginto na siya.’  

26 ‘Sinasabi ko sa inyo: bibigyan ang meron pero aalisan ang wala, kahit na ang meron siya ay kukunin sa kanya. 27 Ngunit dalhin ninyo rito ang aking mga kaaway na ayaw akong maghari sa kanila at pata­yin sa harap ko’.” 28 Pagkasabi nito, umuna si Jesus sa kanila pa-Jerusalem.

Reflection for November 16, Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week 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 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:

Why did Zacchaeus exert so much effort to see Jesus? Because Zacchaeus was already tired of living a sinful life. He wanted to live a new life so to speak, a life free from sin and the guilt of sin!

So, when Zacchaeus a sinner and a wealthy tax collector heard that Jesus would be passing through their town. He immediately planned to see Him and consequently he immediately went to see Jesus. But because of the big crowd and because he was a small man there was no way for him to see Jesus personally.

But the desire to mend his ways was so strong that Zacchaeus even climb a sycamore tree so that he would see Jesus. Surely, Jesus knew that there’s this repentant sinner named Zacchaeus who badly wants to see HIM.

When Jesus was about to pass by the sycamore tree. Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And so he did and brought Jesus to his house and right there in his house Zacchaeus repented. And from his repentance Jesus gave him salvation.  

We all are sinner and being so we are all called to follow the action of Zacchaeus. We are called by Jesus to repent as well. Not tomorrow not next week and certainly not next month but today.

This very minute that you’re reading this. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 16 Martes sa Ika-33 Linggo ng Taon: 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.”  

Reflection for November 15, Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 18:35-43

Gospel: Luke 18:35-43

As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!”  

Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

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Reflection:

What is the most important qualification for those who wants to be healed by Jesus? It’s faith! Our faith in Jesus can make the impossible possible.  

The blind man in our gospel has this exceptional faith. It was his faith in Jesus that drove him to call upon Jesus to heal him. It was his deep faith in Jesus that moved him to continuously shout Son of David even if he was already being admonished to keep quite.  

This man is blind yes, but his faith in Jesus is not blind and his faith is incredibly bigger than his blindness. For sure he knew Jesus beforehand somebody told him who Jesus was and without question he immediately believed.  

And after believing he started thinking more about Jesus, perhaps Jesus was always in his mind. Perhaps the blind man was already imagining what he would do if Jesus would pass by him. Our faith in Jesus is always affirmed and strengthened when we always think of Him. And when we always ask Him to give us the gift of faith.  

The gospel for today used the blind man to show us all what deep faith in Jesus can do for us. The gospel tells us also that nothing is impossible for those who believe and for those who always pray with faith. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday November 14, Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 13:24-32

Gospel: Mark 13:24-32

Jesus said to his disciples: "In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

"And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

"But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

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Reflection:

A rich man in dire straits was contemplating of ending his own life. Yes he had material wealth and could practically buy everything that he wants. But there was still a deep void within him and he was yearning for something that would give meaning to his life.

Have you been through this kind of experience wherein you yearn for something meaningful in your life? You yearn for meaning because you can’t find relevance in your present life in this world anymore? We all go through this period of emptiness in our lives as if this is already our own version of end times experience.   

What should we do when we walk through this experience of spiritual barrenness? When everything before us seems dark and hopeless?  We have to look up to the man on the cross for our salvation and deliverance. We have to ask Jesus to fill our barren and empty lives and we have to ask Him to give our lives substance and meaning.

Many of us think that the meaning of life can be found in the things of this world: Wealth, Power and all the pre-occupations that we have. We think that these are the be-all and end-all of life. But the things of this world are not the be-all and end-all of life these are all meaningless unless our lives are centered on God. Why? Because God is the true be-all and end-all of life. 

If our lives are centered on God we have nothing to fear even the end times we would not fear. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Nobyembre 14 Ika-33 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 13:24-32

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 13:24-32

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Sa mga araw na iyon, pagkatapos ng mga napakalaking kapighatian, magdidilim ang araw, hindi magliliwanag ang buwan, malalaglag mula sa langit ang mga bituin, at mayayanig ang mga kapangyarihan sa kalawakan. At makikita ang Anak ng Tao na nasa alapaap, dumarating na may dakilang kapangyarihan at malaking karangalan. Susuguin niya ang kanyang mga anghel sa apat na panig ng daigdig at titipunin nila ang mga hinirang ng Diyos, mula sa lahat ng dako.

“Unawain ninyo ang aral mula sa puno ng igos: kapag sumisipot na ang mga dahon sa sanga nito, alam ninyong malapit na ang tag-araw. Gayun din naman, kapag nakita ninyong nangyayari na ang mga bagay na ito, malalaman ninyong malapit na ang panahon ng pagparito niya – nagsisimula na. Tandaan ninyo: magaganap ang mga bagay na ito bago mamatay ang mga taong nabubuhay sa ngayon. Mawawala ang langit at ang lupa, ngunit ang mga salita ko’y hindi magkakabula.

“Ngunit walang nakaaalam ng araw o oras ng pagsapit niyon, kahit ang mga anghel sa langit o ang Anak man – ang Ama lamang ang nakakaalam nito.”

Reflection for November 13, Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 18:1-8

Gospel: Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' For a long time, the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.

The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

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Reflection:

Is prayer an essential part of your everyday life? What do you do after you pray? Do you just lie down and wait for the answers to your prayers to fall from heaven?

The gospel for today shows persistent prayers coupled with corresponding actions. In our gospel there is a parable told by Jesus about a persistent widow who ask again and again from a judge for a just decision she never gave up until she got what she wanted from the judge.

When we pray we humble ourselves before God, we humbly open ourselves to the unlimited blessings that God could shower us. When we regularly pray we get to know Jesus more deeply. We become not only friends with Jesus but very close friends with Him, thus Jesus becomes an essential part of our lives.

Make prayer a part of your daily life and you will feel that Jesus is always with you. You will also observe a deepening of your relationship with Him who is always just a prayer away from you. When you are prayerful you also are always assured of the presence of Jesus in your life.  Don’t you want to be with Jesus all the time? You therefore have to be prayerful.

Are you prayerful? - Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 13 Sabado sa Ika-32 Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 18:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 18:1-8

1 Dapat laging manalangin at huwag masiraan ng loob – ito ang sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila sa isang talinhaga. 2 Sinabi niya: “Sa isang lunsod, may isang hukom na walang takot sa Diyos at walang pakialam sa mga tao. 

3 May isa ring biyuda sa lunsod na iyon na madalas pumunta sa kanya at sinasabi: ‘Igawad mo sa akin ang katarungan laban sa aking kalaban.’ 4 Matagal siyang umayaw pero naisip niya pagkatapos: ‘Wala man akong takot sa Diyos at walang pakialam sa tao, 5 igagawad ko pa rin ang katarungan sa biyudang ito na bumubuwisit sa akin at baka masiraan pa ako ng ulo sa pag-punta-punta niya’.”  

6 Kaya idinagdag ng Panginoon: “Pakinggan ninyo ang sinabi ng di-matuwid na hukom. 7 Di ba’t igagawad ng Diyos ang katarungan sa kanyang mga hinirang na araw-gabing tumatawag sa kanya? Pababayaan ba niya sila? 8 Sinasabi ko sa inyo, agad niyang igagawad sa kanila ang katarungan. Ngunit pag dating ng Anak ng Tao, makakakita kaya siya ng pananampalataya sa lupa?”

Reflection for November 12, Friday Saint Josaphat, bishop and martyr (M): Luke 17:26-37

Gospel: Luke 17:26-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. 

So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, someone who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise one in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. 

Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.”  They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.

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Reflection:

Why does the church perpetually call us to leave behind our sinfulness? For example, the church since time immemorial has been tirelessly advising us to live a life worthy in the eyes of the Lord. For what reason is this call of the church? 

This is to prepare us for the coming judgment day which unfortunately we don’t know when it will be. Therefore, the sooner we respond to this call of repentance the better for it would save us from unspeakable punishment. 

The people during the time of Noah and Lot were preoccupied with immoral and worldly things; perhaps this was the reason why without any warning came the catastrophe. Why did it happen? It happened because they were very much preoccupied with the things that would satisfy their lust, their greed and their love to commit sin. 

We never learn from these incidents because up to this very moment some of us continue to crave to commit sin. Thus, we continue to harbor the devil in our midst we better stop these sinful actions while we still have time. Because sin will not do us any good for the reason that the more that we sin the more that our lives become problematic and less peaceful. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 12 Biyernes San Josafat, Obispo at martir (Paggunita): Lucas 17:26-37

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 17:26-37

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 26 Tulad ng nangyari sa panahon ni Noe, gayundin sa mga araw ng Anak ng Tao. 27 Kumakain sila at umiinom, nag-aasawa ang mga lalaki at mga babae, hanggang sa araw na pumasok si Noe sa daong at dumating ang Baha na pumuksa sa lahat. 28 Tulad sa panahon ni Lot: kumakain sila at umiinom, nagtitinda at namimili, nagtatanim at nagtatayo. 29 At nang lumabas si Lot mula sa Sodom, nagpaulan ang Diyos mula sa langit ng apoy at asupre na pumuksa sa lahat. 30 Ganito rin sa araw na ibubunyag ang Anak ng Tao. 

31 Sa araw na iyon, huwag nang bumaba pa sa bahay ang nasa terasa para kunin ang kanyang mga gamit at huwag nang umuwi pa ang nasa bukid. 32 Alalahanin ninyo ang asawa ni Lot. 33 Ang sinumang magsikap na magligtas ng sarili ay mawawalan nito, at ang mawawalan naman ng sarili ang magsisilang nito sa buhay. 

34 Sinasabi ko sa inyo: kung may dalawa sa isang higaan sa gabing iyon, dadalhin ang isa at iiwan ang isa pa; 35 kung may dalawang babaeng magkasamang gumigiling, dadalhin ang isa at iiwan ang isa pa.” 37 At itinanong naman nila: “Saan, Panginoon?” Sumagot siya. “Kung nasaan ang katawan, doon nagtitipon ang mga buwitre.”

Reflection for November 11, Thursday Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop (M): Luke 17:20-25

Gospel: Luke 17:20-25

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” 

Then he said to his disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, ‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’ Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.

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Reflection:

Do you have an awareness of the kingdom of God in your life? 

Everyone of us has different awareness of the kingdom of God; for some it’s already here and now. This is basically attributed to their rock solid faith and close intimacy with God. Their rock solid faith and intimacy with Jesus which is always feed by a healthy prayer life. 

Others have no sensitivity of the kingdom of God in their lives and the sad part here is they think that life ends with death. In these others lies the challenge for us. What must we do so that these others would know that the kingdom of God is real?  

Should we preach about it? Should we teach them about it? We must preach, we must teach and we must live the kingdom of God in our lives.  Otherwise we will have no awareness of it and we would continue to live our lives without fear of sin. 

The kingdom of God is within us already, we who know Jesus and we who have a relationship with Him. The challenge therefore is to share and live the teachings of Jesus so that others would have an awareness of His kingdom. 

Do you live and share the teachings of the Lord? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 11 Huwebes San Martin de Torres, obispo (Paggunita): Lucas 17:20-25

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 17:20-25

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

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

Reflection for November 10, Wednesday Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church (M): Luke 17:11-19

Gospel: Luke 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." 

As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."

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Reflection:

What does God require from us to be healed from our physical and emotional sickness? God requires Faith, Humility and gratefulness.  

In our gospel, while Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem His attention was caught from afar by ten men who were shouting with faith: Jesus master! Have pity on us! It was not their collective shouting that caught the Lord’s attention it was their strong faith that caught Jesus’ attention.  

As a result, the ten of them were healed but not all of them were humble and grateful enough to appreciate the healing that they received from Jesus. Amongst them it was only the Samaritan (a foreigner) who went back to Jesus to express his appreciation.  

Thus Jesus said to the Samaritan: "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Why did Jesus ask for the other nine? Was Jesus expecting them to say thanks to him because He wants to be honored? Of course not! Jesus was looking for the other nine because He wanted to see if they have the virtue of humility and gratefulness. Unfortunately, they did not have it for they did not return. 

We have three important lessons that we can learn from the gospel today: 

First: We must always have faith in Jesus, no matter what storms we encounter in our lives we must always have faith, we must not lose it! 

Second: We must always humble ourselves before God by way of following His will for us and not our own will for ourselves which is always selfish. 

Third: We must always be grateful to God for the countless blessings and miracles that He continuously bestows upon us. We may not notice it but everyday we receive little and big blessings from God. For example: the food on the table that He daily gives us, the health that we have, the new life that He gives us every morning. These to some are trivial but these are blessings from God that we forget to realize. 

Therefore, let us always be cognizant of the fact that we must always have faith no matter our life’s trials. We must always be humble before Him and our fellowmen for the reason that humility is the gateway for having more blessings from God. And lastly we must always be thankful for the little and big miracles that He authors in our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for November 9, Tuesday the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome (Feast): John 2:13-22

Gospel: John 2:13-22

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace." 

His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?" 

But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

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Reflection:

Do you still revere and respect the church as the temple of God?

Sometimes the church is not only used solely for worship and prayer. Some churches sometimes are used for rumor mongering, for business opportunities and sometimes sad to say it’s used as a trysting place. 

And who are they? Some of them are the people who are directly involved in the church. They are not the ordinary Mass goers but those who spend time and do volunteer work for the church.  

Another temple that Jesus wants to speak about is our very own bodies which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. What have we done to our bodies? What are the values that we feed and conjure in our minds? Those who could afford take medicines to change the color of their skin. They also go to the doctor to beautify some noticeable parts of their bodies for them to look attractive. 

Jesus wants to remind us about the real purpose of the church.  It's always a temple of worship and a safe refuge for the poor, for those who are lost and losing hope. We also have to accept our bodies and the color of our skin as God gave it to us. 

Nevermind if you are not attractive outside what is important is you are beautiful and Godly inside. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 9 Martes Pagtatalaga ng Basilika ni San Juan de Letran (Kapistahan): Juan 2:13-22

Mabuting Balita: Juan 2:13-22

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

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

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

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

Reflection for November 8, Monday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

The story is told about a woman who wants her faith to increase she practically did everything to have it. She went to church regularly, read the bible and she did a devotion to the blessed Mother. However, she noticed that her faith did not increase.  

She even shouted, “Increase my faith O Lord” but there was no increase in her faith. In fact she noticed that her faith was actually diminishing because she was more trusting on herself than the Good Lord. Why?  For the simple reason that she remained arrogant towards her relatives and friends. She always wants to have her way in everything that she does: in short there was no change in her egotistical behavior.  

What must we do for us to have an increase in our faith? We must be humble at all times, before God and before our fellowmen. We must trust God more than we trust ourselves. We attract graces (including the grace of faith) if we are humble and if we bow our heads before God.  

When we’re humble and more trusting in God it simply means that we’re opening ourselves for heavenly graces. That God pours to those who are always ready to accept it with humility. What happens if we’re arrogant and we trust more on ourselves? We’re shutting ourselves from God blessings, that’s how plain and simple it is. 

We cannot anymore fill a glass full of water, this is the arrogant and self-trusting person who is always full of himself. But we can certainly pour more water to a half-empty glass, this is the person who trusts and humbles himself before God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 8 Lunes sa Ika-32 Linggo ng Taon: 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.

Reflection for Sunday November 7, Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:38-44

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

In the course of his teaching Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. 

They will receive a very severe condemnation." He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. 

Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

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Reflection:

The story is told of a poor woman who was always ready to give anything that she has for the sake of those who are in need. Because of her generosity there were instances that her children would gently remind her not to overly give and reserve something for them.

But the kindhearted woman would always tell her children that it is  in giving that they would receive unfathomable blessings from God. True enough, there was no instance wherein they were in need of anything.

Even if they were poor, they always have something for themselves. Why? because God takes care of those who are generous. Very much like the poor widow in our first reading. She generously gave water and bread to the prophet Elijah. Thus,  the good Lord provided for her and her son. 

Many of us may not know this, but the poor are the most generous people in the world.  They give from the pureness of their hearts no matter how small.  They don’t give because they are not in need. They give for the simple reason that they are simply generous.

Compare this with many rich people who give from their excess. For example, the billionaires and millionaires who give millions to their favorite charities. Perhaps, most of them give because the money that they will give would never hurt their pockets anymore for the reason that they have already earmarked that money for charity.

True generosity is epitomized by the poor widow in the gospel. For she gave whatever little money that she has and she gave even if she herself needs it. She could have bought food with the two small coins to satisfy her hunger. But it never came to her thought, she simply gave from the goodness of her heart.

What is paramount for the poor widow is to give without any strings attached. Jesus consequently favored the poor widow because He saw the pureness of her intentions and the pureness of her generosity.

How do you give to your church? How do you give to the poor and to those who are need? Do you give generously as well like the poor widow in the gospel? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Nobyembre 7 Ika-32 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:38-44

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:38-44

38 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang pagtuturo: “Mag-ingat kayo sa mga guro ng Batas na gustong lumakad na nakabarong at batiin ng mga tao sa liwasan, 39 at mabigyan ng pangunahing lugar o upuan sa mga handaan at sa sinagoga. 40 Nang-uubos sila ng mga bahay ng mga biyuda, at nagdarasal nang mahaba para may idahilan. Napakatindi ng magiging hatol sa mga ito.”

41 Naupo si Jesus sa tapat ng kabang-yaman at tiningnan ang paghuhulog ng mga tao ng pera para sa Templo. Maraming mayamang nagbigay ng malalaking halaga. 42 At may dumating na isang pobreng biyuda na naghulog ng dalawang barya.

43 Kaya tinawag ni Jesus ang kanyang mga alagad at sinabi sa kanila: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na pinakamahalaga sa lahat ang inihulog ng biyudang ito sa kabang-yaman. 44 Naghulog nga ang lahat mula sa sobra nila, ngunit siya nama’y mula sa kanyang kasalatan. Inihulog nga niya ang lahat ng nasa kanya – ang mismong ikabubuhay niya.”

Reflection for November 6, Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 16:9-15

Gospel: Luke 16:9-15

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

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

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

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Reflection:

Do you allow yourself to be influenced by the love of material things?  

Advertisers continuously bombard us with ads that entice us to love material things for example, these smart phones. Manufacturers would always come up with new models to drive up their sales and profit. So what we do is we buy simply because we allow ourselves to be captured by the very enticing advertising even if there’s actually no need yet for us to buy it.  

This is what we must watch out for because if we are not careful there’s that tendency to serve the God of this world which is mammon or money.  Who is behind this advertisers that induces us to mindlessly spend so that we are always busy to earn more money until we eventually shun God in our lives?  

The one behind is the Devil it deludes us to believe that mammon or materialism is the be all and end all of life. And if we are not careful we may believe it thus we may favor mammon over God.  But we all know that mammon is an instrument of the devil to take us away from God.  

We therefore have to choose God over the God of this world which is mammon or materialism. If we choose God we would have peaceful lives. We may not be able to ward off every problems that may come our way. But we would be able to handle it no matter how difficult it may be. Why? Because we’ve chosen to be with God and not allow ourselves to be captured by this materialistic driven world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 6, Sabado sa Ika-31 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 16:9-15

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 16:9-15

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

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

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

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

Reflection for November 5, Friday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 16:1-8

Gospel: Luke 16:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?  

I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’

He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.

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Reflection:

Mr. X is a man of the world; he was materially successful and could practically buy almost anything that he may want. He satisfied his cravings for the material things of life that he totally forgot that he’s a person with a soul. After enjoying the things of this world; his life came to a halt and he realized that he was still empty deep inside notwithstanding his worldly success.  

This is the big danger that may come to the lives of those who are materially successful there’s that tendency to drown in their worldly success. And totally forget that they’re simply stewards of their material possession.  

What is the secret to a successful and fulfilling life? We must learn how to share not only to share a small portion of what we earn. We must hugely share for we are merely stewards with the things that we have. It’s not ours to own; we have what we have right now for us to share it and not to keep it to ourselves. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 5 Biyernes sa Ika-31 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 16:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 16:1-8

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

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

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

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

Reflection for November 4, Thursday Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop (M): 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:

What is your attitude toward the so-called sinners of our society? For example, if you have a sibling and you perceive him to be a sinner, how would you treat him? Should you simply ignore him? Or you would build bridge to gently seek him out and let him know that the love of Jesus knows no bounds. That the love of Jesus upon him is not diminished by the sins that he has committed.  

There are many of us who give up on the lost or sinners and we cannot blame ourselves for this because this is basic human nature. For example if you have a spouse who is a serial womanizer  and you have forgiven him for so many times and yet he does not change his ways. What is your natural reaction to this kind of attitude? Isn’t that your natural reaction is to raise your hands in surrender and give up on that unrepentant spouse?  

If we give up with sinners, Jesus doesn’t give up He will continuously seek out the lost or sinners until He finds them. And when Jesus finds them, He will do everything (without questions asked!) to let this sinner feel His infinite love, mercy and forgiveness.    

The parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin is a showcase of the infinite love of Jesus for us. We who are all sinners and we who continue to struggle with sin. There’s hope after all for all of us sinners for as long as we immediately walk away from anything that makes us sin. - Marino J. Dasmarinas