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

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:47-51

Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ni Jesus si Natanael, ay kanyang sinabi, "Masdan ninyo ang isang tunay na Israelita; siya'y hindi magdaraya!" Tinanong siya ni Natanael, "Paano ninyo ako nakilala?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Bago ka pa tawagin ni Felipe, nakita na kita nang ikaw ay nasa ilalim ng puno ng igos,"  

"Rabi, kayo po ang Anak ng Diyos! Kayo ang Hari ng Israel!" wika ni Natanael. Sinabi ni Jesus, "Nananampalataya ka ba dahil sa sinabi ko sa iyong nakita kita sa ilalim ng puno ng igos? Makakikita ka ng mga bagay na higit kaysa rito!" At sinabi niya sa lahat, "Tandaan ninyo: makikita ninyong bukas ang langit, at ang mga anghel ng Diyos ay manhik-manaog sa kinaroroonan ng Anak ng Tao!"

Reflection for Wednesday September 28, Memorial of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions, martyrs: Luke 9:57-62

Gospel: Luke 9:57-62

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” 

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

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

What does it require to follow Jesus? It requires us to leave everything behind that could hamper our faithful and enduring discipleship. Is it not possible to follow Jesus and then remain attached to the things that we have? No, it’s never possible to follow and remain attached with what we have. 

Can we follow and at the same time continue to sin? Can we follow and at the same time be attached with material things? Can we follow yet still love the hedonistic lifestyle of this world? No we can’t, when we decide to follow Jesus this simply means that we are ready to leave everything behind us most especially our own sinfulness for the sake of our discipleship. 

To follow Jesus is initially difficult no question about it for it requires a radical change of our lifestyles! But fear not to follow because as we decide we would learn also to depend not on ourselves but on Jesus alone.  We will have the enlightenment to bring and trust our everything  including our very lives to Jesus. It’s like you have somebody who is always there for you when you decide to follow Him. 

What if we are very sinful? Would Jesus still call us to follow Him? Yes absolutely, the more sinful we are the more that Jesus calls us to follow Him. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Miyerkules Setyembre 28, San Lorenzo Ruiz at mga kasama, mga martir (Paggunita): Lucas 9:57-62

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:57-62

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang naglalakad sina Hesus at ang kanyang mga alagad, may taong nagsabi kay Hesus, “Susunod po ako sa inyo kahit saan.” Sumagot si Hesus, “May lungga ang asong-gubat at may pugad ang ibon, ngunit ang Anak ng Tao’y wala man lamang matulugan o mapagpahingahan.” Sinabi ni Hesus sa isa, “Sumunod ka sa akin.” Ngunit sumagot ang tao, “Panginoon, hayaan po muna ninyo akong umuwi upang ipalibing ang akin ama.” 

Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanya, “Ipaubaya mo na sa mga patay ang paglilibing ng kanilang mga patay. Ngunit ikaw, humayo ka at ipahayag mo ang tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos.” Sinabi naman ng isa, “Susunod po ako sa inyo, Panginoon, ngunit magpapaalam muna ako sa aking mga kasambahay.” Sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Ang sinumang nag-aararo at palaging lumilingon ay hindi karapat-dapat sa paghahari ng Diyos.”

 

Reflection for Tuesday September 27, Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest: Luke 9:51-56

Gospel: Luke 9:51-56

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 

When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

What is your attitude when somebody rejects you? Do you feel bad and offended or you simply shrug it off, move on and treat rejection as simply part of life. 

Jesus was refused entry into the Samaritan village but instead of sulking and harboring resentment towards the Samaritan people. Jesus simply walked away without harboring any ill will against them. 

Perhaps Jesus was silently saying: “You refused me entry into your village so I move on without any ill feelings against you people of Samaria. In that negative reception Jesus had a positive reaction: Let’s move on and go forth with our mission.   

Every now and then there would also be people who will try to offend us or bait us to stoop to their level of arrogance. So what are we going to do? We must not bite their bait, we instead should keep calm and not allow ourselves to be offended.   

We simply have to take the higher road and squeeze whatever positive lessons that we could take amidst the negative situation.  We have to remember that nobody is in charge of how we would react in any situation that is thrown to us except us. 

Being so, we should not forget to look at the positive in every negative situation that is thrown our way. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 26, Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:46-50

Gospel: Luke 9:46-50

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

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What does a child represent? It represents humility and obedience. 

The disciples were arguing who among them is the greatest. Therefore Jesus brought in a child to impart to them lessons about humility and obedience to the will of God. When a person is humble he doesn’t care about who is the greatest. What he only cares for is to serve never mind if there is no recognition for as long as he is able to serve.  

In the vineyard of the Lord to be the greatest must not be an objective of anyone. The objective that a person should rather have is to be the servant of everyone. When a person aims to be a star in his discipleship for the Lord he also strips himself of the right to serve the Lord. Because how can he be authentic in his discipleship if his motives are not? How can he truly serve the Lord if his objective is to be the star of his group/ministry?  

It’s not for anyone to seek greatness when he is serving in the vineyard of the Lord. It’s for God to bestow greatness and God always bestows greatness generously to those who are humble. Never He bestows it to those who seek it to serve their selfish agendas. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Sunday September 25, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 16:19-31

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.

When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’

Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’

He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Imagine that you are the rich man in the gospel and the poor man Lazarus is also at your door. How would you react? Will you do the same as the rich man did in the gospel? Or you will give food to the poor man Lazarus? 

You would surely answer that you will give food because this is the right action to do. And your decision to give food would also be influenced by the misfortune of the rich man after he died for he end up in hell. 

But is this who we really are? Do we really help the poor most especially when nobody is watching us? Often times we do good because we are influenced by the circumstances that surrounds us. For example, in the gospel we read the rich man ended up in hell. Of course this is the circumstance that will influence us to do good for we don’t want to be in hell after we die. 

What if the rich man knew that he would be in hell if he mistreats the poor Lazarus? He surely would have treated Lazarus favorably because he would not want to be in hell after he dies. But the rich man did not know that his apathy towards Lazarus will result in his confinement to hell. 

The gospel is an invitation for all of us to reflect on our attitude towards the poor most especially when no one is watching us. For example, we may have a poor relative or a poor neighbor. How do we treat them when no one is watching us? Do we always treat them with respect and love even if they are poor? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Ika 25 ng Setyembre, Ika - 26 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon : Lucas 16:19-31

Mabuting Balita: 

Lucas 16:19-31Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Pariseo: "May isang mayamang nagdaramit ng mamahalin at saganang-sagana sa pagkain araw-araw. At may isa namang pulubing nagngangalang Lazaro, tadtad ng sugat, na nakalupasay sa may pintuan ng mayaman upang mamulot kahit mumong nahuhulog mula sa hapag ng mayaman. At doo'y nilalapitan siya ng aso at dinidilaan ang kanyang mga sugat. 

Namatay ang pulubi, at dinala ng mga anghel sa piling ni Abraham. Namatay rin ang mayaman, at inilibing. Sa gitna ng kanyang pagdurusa sa Hades, tumingala ang mayaman at kanyang natanaw sa malayo si Abraham, kapiling si Lazaro. At sumigaw siya: 'Amang Abraham, mahabag po kayo sa akin. Utusan ninyo si Lazaro na isawsaw sa tubig ang dulo ng kanyang daliri at palamigin ang aking dila, sapagkat naghihirap ako sa apoy na ito.' 

Ngunit sinabi sa kanya ni Abraham, 'Anak, alalahanin mong nagpasasa ka sa buhay sa ibabaw ng lupa, at si Lazaro'y nagtiis ng kahirapan. Ngunit ngayo'y inaaliw siya rito, samantalang ikaw'y nama'y nagdurusa. Higit sa lahat, inilagay sa pagitan natin ang isang malaking bangin upang ang mga narini ay hindi makapariyan at ang mga nariyan ay hindi makaparini.' At sinabi ng mayaman, 'Kung gayon po, Amang Abraham, ipinamamanhik ko sa inyong papuntahin si Lazaro sa bahay ng aking ama, sapagkat ako'y may limang kapatid na lalaki. Paparoonin nga ninyo siya upang balaan sila at nang hindi sila humantong sa dakong ito ng pagdurusa.' 

Ngunit sinabi sa kanya ni Abraham, 'Nasa kanila ang mga sinulat ni Moises at ng mga propeta; pakinggan nila ang mga iyon.' 'Hindi po sapat ang mga iyon,' tugon niya, 'Ngunit kung pumunta sa kanila ang isang patay na muling nabuhay, tatalikdan nila ang kanilang mga kasalanan.' Sinabi sa kanya ni Abraham, 'Kung ayaw nilang pakinggan ang mga sinulat ni Moises at ng mga propeta, hindi rin nila paniniwalaan ang isang patay na muling nabuhay.'"

Reflection for September 24, Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:43b-45

Gospel: Luke 9:43b-45

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you sometimes find it difficult to understand the ways of the Lord in your life? Everyone of us perhaps experience this kind of dilemma. For example, when you pass through severe testing in your life that may lead you to question God. Some may even say this question before Jesus: “Why do I have to go through this difficulty in my life when I follow you?”  

When we pass through these kinds of trials in our life. We simply have to remember that we are created beings of God with finite minds. As such our intellect is limited no matter how intelligent some of us may be. Thus, we really won’t be able to comprehend the ways of God. We simply have to submit to the will of God and we simply have to firmly hold on to our faith in our infinite God.  

Therefore when we go through some episodes in life that may seem difficult for us to understand. Let us never be afraid to question God, “Why do we have to go through this trial.” Yet after questioning God let us firmly hold on to our faith in Him and continue to believe that He has a purpose why we’re going through this kind of trial/s. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Friday September 23, Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest (M): Luke 9:18-22

Gospel: Luke 9:18-22

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

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is the secret to deeper friendship with Jesus? It is through prayer with our full attention directed towards Jesus. Just try allocating about five to ten (5 to 10) minutes of your time everyday in prayer. 

Just try reading the Bible and feel every word that is written there most especially the pronouncements of Jesus. Just try attending Mass with your attention focused on the entire celebration. Just try having a regular weekly visit to the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel and spend time there.  

These are all methods for us to grow in friendship with Jesus. And it follows that when we’re already friends with the Lord we shall know that He is the Christ of God. Many of us (including me) have not yet reached that deeper level of friendship with Jesus.  

In the gospel, Jesus posed this question to the disciples “Who do the crowds say that I am?” Among them it was only Peter who answered correctly. Why? This is for the reason that among the apostles it was Peter who was always with Jesus. And it is safe to say that when we are always with Him we would develop a much deeper friendship with Him.   

Do you also want to be friends with Jesus? You therefore have to discover more about Jesus through your prayer, presence at Holy Mass, presence at the Adoration Chapel and by reading more about His life and ministry in the bible. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 22, Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:7-9

Gospel: Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

How would you feel when you do something wrong, adulterous and immoral? You are perpetually bothered by our conscience. This disturbance in your mind would continue to bother you until such time that you reach a closure (Whatever that closure would be) on the wrong that you have done. 

Herod the tetrarch was very much bothered when news came to him about Jesus. Why? Because Herod thought that Jesus was John whom he ordered killed. King Herod was already being tortured by his conscience about the wrong that he did to John. This is perhaps the reason why Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" (Luke 9:9) 

What is the cure so that we would not be bothered by our conscience and so that we would not lose sleep over something? Let us avoid wrongdoings in whatever forms and shapes let us strive to be clean before God and our fellowmen. This is the only cure available for us so that we could avoid being tortured by our conscience. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Wednesday September 21, Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist: Matthew 9:9-13

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.  

The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

+ + + +  + + +

Reflection:

Do you feel that Jesus is calling you to live a new life, a new life free of sinfulness? 

Aside from Matthew whom Jesus called to follow Him we too are being called by the Lord. We may say that we are not worthy to follow Jesus but who amongst us are worthy? No one for we are all sinful creatures of this world.  

Matthew was called by Jesus to follow Him for the precise reason that he was a sinner. This is the character and mission of Jesus to call every sinner to follow Him. But why is it that even if we know that we are called to repentance we still continue to sin? We refuse to leave behind us our sinful ways.  

This is indeed very puzzling, why is it that many of us ignore Jesus’ call for us to follow Him and to leave behind whatever that makes us sin? Does this mean that we love this world more than we love Jesus? Does this mean that Jesus is losing influence over us and the devil is slowly but surely gaining control of our lives that is why we refuse to heed Jesus’ call to a life of renewal and repentance?  

Why did Matthew follow Jesus call? Perhaps somebody had shared to him the love and unfathomable mercy of Jesus. Somebody had lived his faith in Jesus and Matthew heard and saw it, that’s why it was not anymore difficult for Matthew to recognize and follow Jesus. 

The challenge before us is to share and live our faith in Jesus to the many Matthews (Sinners) of our time. They may not have heard yet anything about Jesus that is why they keep on sinning until this very day. Why not share the mercy and love of Jesus? Or if we cannot share Jesus let us live his teachings. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection Tuesday September 20, Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs: Luke 8:19-21

Gospel: Luke 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How could we become relatives of Jesus? We have to hear and live His words, it’s not enough to hear only we have to act and live it as well. Many of us forget that we effectively preach the words of Jesus by the way we live and we put more substance to our faith by living it. 

In a family setting, children learn about their faith when their parents teach them about it. They further learn more when what are taught them is lived by their parents. Thus, the family becomes stronger and united and is able to face whatever trials that it may encounter.  

What if parents are simply content with teaching without living their faith? There would be failure of effective transmission of the faith. And the children will not fully imbibe what was taught them for the simple reason that their parents did not walk their talk.  

In the same breath; we become effective teachers of the faith when we practice what we preach. We gain entrance to the family of God for the same reason as well. Let us therefore not be content by simply hearing the words of Jesus let us live it also no matter how tempting the offer of the devil not to live it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection September 19 Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:16-18

Gospel: Luke 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowd: No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. 

Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

What is your mission as baptized followers of Jesus? It’s to share in the ministry of evangelization of Jesus, this means that whatever you know about the catholic faith you should learn to share. So that your faith would continue to grow and prosper in the process, you save more lives and you give spiritual direction and substance to others lives.  

In the midst of this world darkened by sin we should be like the lighted lamp that is placed on a lampstand that Jesus mentions in our gospel for today. We light this darkened world with the teaching of Jesus we light this darkened world by living our lives the way Jesus wants us to live it.  

Just imagine a family that does not talk about Jesus. This means that they do not know Jesus and it’s safe to assume that the same family does not go to church or seldom goes to church for Holy Mass. What would happen to this kind of family? This is where the critical role of parents comes in as bearers of the light of Jesus.  

As much as possible parents must take advantage of the docility of their children by giving and teaching them Jesus. Just imagine the life a child being lighted by Jesus as he/she grows. This means that this child is brought to Holy Mass by his/her parents. This means that the same child is introduce to Jesus by His life in the bible. And this means that this child is being lighted by the teachings of Jesus and the church.  

This kind of child will never go wrong as he/she grows up.  This kind of family will have no fear as it journeys through life because the light of Jesus is with them.  

Do you still share the light of Jesus to the social media savvy children of today? Is the lamp of Jesus always aflame in your family? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday September 18, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 16:1-13

Gospel: Luke 16:1-13

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 the steward said, ‘And you, how much do you owe? He replied, ‘One hundred kors of wheat. The steward 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 are the children of light. 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 both God and mammon.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a man who dreamt that he was asked by the Lord if he was able to share his faith and if he was able to bring others closer to Him. The man said, I’m sorry I wasn’t able. Afterwards Jesus told the man, since you failed to share the faith and was not able to bring others closer to me I will take away everything that I’ve given you. The man bargained with Jesus to give him one more month before He is given his punishment and Jesus said yes.

In that one month he gave food to his poor neighbors, he brought to the hospital those who were sick and he built modest houses for his homeless neighbors. He told everyone that they’ve received from him was a gift from Jesus and in return Jesus wanted them to go to Mass, to read the bible and do good to their fellowmen.

We have in our gospel for this Sunday an unproductive steward who was told by his master that he would be loosing his job. The steward was obviously worried about his survival that’s why he arranged a meeting with his master’s two debtors. So he discounted all their debts, to the first one he said, pay only fifthly measures of olive oil instead of one hundred and to the second one he said, pay only eighty kors of wheat instead of one hundred kors of wheat. 

The steward did this crafty move for the reason that he was hopeful that they would help him also when he is already out of job which was soon forthcoming. The master in our gospel commended the dishonest steward for doing this scheme. 

All of us are mere stewards of everything that we have such as wealth, possession, intelligence and the like. All these years we may have been using all of these to serve our selfish ends only. We may have not thought yet of using these for the greater glory of God. For example, have we already harnessed our wealth and intelligence to bring others closer to Jesus? Have we already used the vast potential of cyberspace to spread our Christian faith?

Let us discard the me and me alone mentality for this is not our sole purpose in life. We must also be concerned with the welfare especially spiritual welfare of our fellowmen. If there’s a need for us to use our money and intelligence so that others may know Christ then by all means let us use it.

Let us not forget that we are mere stewards of what we have as such we must not allow ourselves to be controlled by it. Let us learn to share generously because it is in sharing what we have that we become productive and worthy stewards of the Lord. 

Are you a productive and worthy steward of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Ika 18 ng Setyembre, Ika - 25 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon : Lucas 16:1-13

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 16:1-13

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “May isang mayaman na may isang katiwala. Isinumbong sa kanya na nilulustay nito ang kanyang ari-arian. Kaya’t ipinatawag niya at tinatanong: ‘Ano ba itong naririnig ko tungkol sa inyo? Isulit mo sa akin ng buo ang pangangasiwa mo sa aking ari-arian pagkat mula ngayon ay hindi na ikaw ang katiwala ko.’

Nawika ng katiwala sa sarili, ‘Aalisin na ako ng aking panginoon sa pangangasiwa. Ano ang gagawin ko? Hindi ko kayang magbungkal ng lupa; nahihiya naman akong magpalimos. A, alam ko na ang aking gagawin! Maalis man ako sa pangangasiwa, may tatanggap din sa akin sa kanilang tahanan.’ Isa-isa niya ngayong tinawag ang mga may utang sa kanyang panginoon.

Tinanong niya ang una, ‘Gaano ang utang mo sa aking panginoon?’ Sumagot ito, ‘Sandaang tapayang langis po.’ ‘Heto ang kasulatan ng iyong pagkakautang. Dali! Maupo ka’t gawin mong limampu,’ sabi ng katiwala. At tinanong naman niya ang isa, ‘Ikaw, gaano ang utang mo?’ Sumagot ito, ‘Sandaang kabang trigo po.’ ‘Heto ang kasulatan ng iyong pagkakautang,’ wika niya. ‘Isulat mo, walumpu.’ Pinuri ng panginoon ang magdarayang katiwala dahil sa katalinuhang ipinamalas nito. Sapagkat ang mga makasanlibutan ay mas mahusay gumawa ng paraan kaysa mga maka-Diyos.”

At nagpatuloy si Hesus ng pagsasalita, “Kaya’t sinasabi ko sa inyo: gamitin ninyo sa pakikipagkaibigan ang kayamanan ng sanlibutang ito. Maubos man ito’y may tatanggap naman sa inyo sa tahanang walang hanggan. Ang mapagkakatiwalaan sa maliit na bagay ay mapagkakatiwalaan din sa malaking bagay; ang magdaraya sa maliit na bagay ay magdaraya rin sa malaking bagay. Kung hindi kayo mapagkatiwalaan sa mga kayamanan ng sanlibutang ito, sino ang magtitiwala sa inyo ng tunay na kayamanan? At kung hindi kayo mapagkatiwalaan sa kayamanan ng iba, sino ang magbibigay sa inyo ng talagang para sa inyo?

“Walang makapaglilingkod nang sabay sa dalawang panginoon. Sapagkat kapopootan niya ang isa at iibigin ang ikalawa, paglilingkuran nang tapat ang isa at hahamakin ang ikalawa. Hindi ninyo mapaglilingkuran nang sabay ang Diyos at ang kayamanan.”

Reflection September 17 Saturday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:4-15

Gospel: Luke 8:4-15

When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” 

Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand. 

“This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation. 

As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What do you usually do when you encounter the words of God? For example, when you go to Holy Mass do you carefully listen to the readings most especially the gospel? Do you allow it to disturb your conscience? Do you allow it to carve a space in your heart that you think about it even if you’re already in your home? 

Do you read your bible regularly and when you read it do you allow it transform you?  The bible is the words of God, He created it to transform us. God created it also for us know Him more, so that the God who is distant would now become the God who is with us and the God who walks with us. 

The seeds that was sowed that Jesus mentions in the gospel are the very words of God. These words are very powerful it could transform our lives if we would allow it. It could create calmness and serenity within us if we would reflect on it.  

But many of us are so busy that we hardly have time for these seeds that God so generously showers us. Many of us do not mind it anymore until we hit a roadblock in our lives. Thus we are reminded of God and we instantly hurry to go to Him simply because we hit rock bottom.  

But why wait for that roadblock to hit us before we allow the words of God to flourish and bear much fruit in our hearts? – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para Setyembre 17, Sabado ng Ika-24 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 8:4-15

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 8:4-15

Noong panahong iyon, dating an dating ang mga taong naggagaling sa mga bayan-bayan at lumalapit kay Jesus. Nang natitipon na ang napakaraming tao, isinalaysay niya ang talinghaggang ito:

"May isang taong lumabas para maghasik ng binhi. Sa kanyang paghahasik, may binhing nalaglag sa daan at nayapakan, at ang mga ito'y tinuka ng mga ibon. May nalaglag sa kabatuhan, at pagtubo ay natuyo dahil sa kawalan ng halumigmig. May nalaglag naman sa dawagan. Lumago ang dawag at ininis ang mga binhing tumubo. Ang iba'y nalaglag sa matabang lupa, tumubo at namunga ng tig-iisangdaang butil." At malakas niyang idinugtong, "Makinig ang may pandinig!"  

Itinanong ng mga alagad kung ano ang kahulugan ng talinghagang ito. Sumagot si Jesus, "Sa inyo'y ipinagkaloob na malaman ang mga lihim tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos, ngunit sa iba'y sa pamamagitan ng talinghaga, upang: 'Tumingin man sila'y hindi makakita; At makinig man sila'y di makaunawa.'"  

"Ito ang kahulugan ng talinghaga: ang binhi ng salita ng Diyos. Ang mga binhing nalaglag sa tabi ng daan ay ang mga nakinig, ngunit dumating ang diyablo at inalis sa kanilang puso ang salita upang hindi sila manalig at maligtas. Ang mga nalaglag sa kabatuhan ay ang mga nakinig ng salita at tumanggap nito nang may galak, ngunit hindi ito tumimo sa kanilang puso.  

Naniwala silang sandali, subalit sa panahon ng pagsubok ay tumitiwalag agad. Ang mga nahasik naman sa dawagan ay ang mga nakinig ngunit nang malaon ay nadaig ng mga alalahanin sa buhay at ng pagkahumaling sa kayamanan at kalayawan, kaya't hindi nahinog ang kanilang mga bunga. Ang mga nahasik naman sa matabang lupa'y ang mga nakinig ng salita. Iniingatan nila ito sa kanilang pusong tapat at malinis at sila'y nagtitiyaga hanggang sa mamunga."

Reflection for Friday September 16, Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs (Memorial): Luke 8:1-3

Gospel: Luke 8:1-3

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How would you discern an authentic preacher from a fake preacher? 

The best guide is to look at his lifestyle. Does he conform to the life of Jesus? Is he not a lover of money and affluence? Does he live a simple life?  If he conforms with the life of Jesus, if he is not a lover of money and if he lives simply it is safe to say that he is a true preacher. 

Jesus is not only the Son of God; He is also the preacher of all preachers. He lived simply and he is not a lover of money. What is important for Jesus is to impart the salvific message of God. This He did through His preaching, healings and through His sacrificial death on the cross.  

On His last preaching mission Jesus hardly spoke. It was through His actions going to the cross and on the cross itself that He preached. Preaching therefore is not only about verbosity. Preaching is also living your life in harmony with the life of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Thursday September 15, Our Lady of Sorrows (Memorial): John 19:25-27

Gospel: John 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How does it feel to see a son dying on the cross?  

It was heart-wrenching for Mary to see her son Jesus dying on the cross. It was doubly heart-wrenching also for Mary to hear her son Jesus entrusting her to the care of by His beloved disciple John.  

Separation like that of the separation of Jesus and His mother Mary is always painful and sorrowful. But such is life, all of us have to go through some pains and sorrows in our lives. Nobody is exempted from this process, whether we are rich or poor we have to go through the process of separation from our loved ones.  

In the midst of her sorrowful separation from her dying son. Mary was entrusted by her son Jesus to His beloved disciple John. In this gospel episode we see the great love of Jesus for her mother. We also see the great love of Mary for her son Jesus for Mary did not leave Jesus until His last gasp of breath on the cross.  

This gospel invites us to reflect on, how are we as a son/daughter to our mothers and how are we as mothers to our children. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para Huwebes Setyembre 15, Ang Mahal na Birheng Nagdadalamhati (Paggunita): Juan19:25-27

Mabuting Balita: Juan 19:25-27

Nakatayo sa tabi ng krus ni Jesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae nitong si Maria, na asawa ni Cleopas. Naroon din si Maria Magdalena. Nang makita ni Jesus ang kanyang ina, at ang minamahal niyang alagad sa tabi nito, kanyang sinabi, "Ginang, narito ang iyong anak!" At sinabi sa alagad, "Narito ang iyong ina!" Mula noon, siya'y pinatira ng alagad na ito sa kanyang bahay.

Reflection for Wednesday September 14, Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Feast): John 3:13-17

Gospel: John 3:13-17

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:
What does the cross signify to you?

The cross is a sign of suffering for many but it is essentially a sign of triumph for without the cross where Jesus was nailed there would have been no salvation for all of us. Where would we be without Jesus giving His life on the cross?  

Let us not be intimidated by the daily cross that we carry for we have Jesus with us to help us carry it. We have Jesus to make this cross light. Let us always learn to entrust our cross to Jesus. Let us call on HIM and ask HIM to help us carry it.  

Count yourself fortunate if you know Jesus deeply because you have someone at your beck and call every time you have trials and crosses in your life. You have someone whom you can always look up whenever life’s trials come your way.  

How about those who do not know Jesus deeply or who do not know Jesus at all? Of course they are in a disadvantageous situation but all is not lost because you are there. And your role is to introduce and give Jesus to them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday September 13, John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (M): Luke 7:11-17

Gospel: Luke 7:11-17

11 (Jesus) journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.”  

14 He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” 17 This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Imagine the sorrow, loneliness and perhaps the feeling of hopelessness of the widow whose son was to be buried. She had nothing more to rely on, her husband has died and her only son is to be buried. Thus the feeling of loneliness pervades all over her.  

Then came the unexpected encounter with Jesus who was going to a place called Nain. Jesus saw her, the Lord went to her and told her, Do not weep (Luke 7:13); after which Jesus raised back to life her dead son. Surely her feelings of loneliness was suddenly replaced by feelings of hope, optimism and gladness. For the reason that her only son was brought to life again by Jesus.  

We all go through this feeling of loneliness, emptiness and feeling of being alone as if nobody cares anymore with our plight. But make no mistake about it because somebody still cares and that somebody is no other than Jesus. Let us continue to have Faith and Hope in Him for He will always be there for us.  

Do you know how to avoid the feeling of being alone, the feeling of without hope and the feeling of emptiness?  Always have an encounter with Jesus through the Holy Mass through your personal prayer and by finding time to read the Holy Bible.  

Do you always seek an encounter with Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 12, Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:1-10

Gospel: Luke 7:1-10

When Jesus had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.  

Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come here, and he comes; and to my slave, Do this, and he does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you concerned of the welfare of the less fortunate? 

When the centurion/soldier heard that Jesus was nearby he asked one of his people to ask Jesus to pass by his house so that the Lord can heal his slave.  

The concern of the centurion to his slave was very commendable. I wish that we are all like him: very concerned with the welfare of the less fortunate. But the reality of it all is many of us do not care for the slaves or the less fortunate.  

We just have to look around and we’ll see that poverty is all over the place. What are we doing about this? Are we doing something to help them in whatever way possible? Or we don’t mind them for the reason that they are poor and they can’t pay us back.  

Many are poor nowadays because many of us are indifferent to their plight. And many of these indifferent people are politicians who shamelessly steal money from the coffers of the government  which is supposed to be given to the poor. Let us become modern day centurions by being helpful to the slaves of our times none other than the poor people of our society.  

Jesus will surely be happy if we would help them and the Lord will surely give us back a hundred times the help that we would give the.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas