Reflection for Monday September 26, 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.”

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Reflection:

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

He is always present in the Eucharistic or Holy Mass celebration humbly giving His Body and Blood to nourish our body and our soul. He is the greatest treasure that we can ever have! But His greatness is a paradox to some of us because we measure greatness by our earthly standards.

Such as greatness thru power and influence this is mostly fueled by political power, position in government and in the private sector and the size of our bank account. But this greatness is passing and temporary; the time will come that this shall pass us and we shall be forgotten.

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

Reflection for Sunday September 25, Twenty-sixth 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.’

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Reflection:

A man who did not believe in God and in the afterlife wantonly wasted his life by living a life of sinful pleasures.   It was always a life of immoral satisfaction for him: drugs, sex, and other sinful things, in other words he had no time for God. This became his life because he did not believe in the existence of the afterlife much less God.

Is there really an afterlife or a life which will immediately replace our present life after our life in this world is over and done with already? The answer is a resounding yes! The gospel shows us that there is an afterlife which is very different from the life that we have today. There in the afterlife exist two kingdoms: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of hell where the devil and his minions dwell.

In the gospel, we see the characters of the unnamed rich and indifferent man and the poor man named Lazarus. The rich man perhaps did not believe in the afterlife or was not aware that there is an afterlife that’s why he did not mind the poor man Lazarus who was in dire need of his help. He nonchalantly ignored Lazarus as if the poor man did not exist.

When both of them died there was a reversal of places: The poor man Lazarus who endured a difficult life when he was still alive was in the kingdom of God and the rich man who savored earthly life was in the dark kingdom of the devil.

Why was there a reversal of places? Because the rich man was indifferent to the crying need of the poor man Lazarus. If he only knew that Lazarus was very close to God. If he only knew that Lazarus could have been God in disguise. The lesson for us is very simple, we should not ignore the crying need of the poor and we should always be sensitive to their plight.      

What do you do when you encounter the poor? – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for Saturday September 24, Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time; Luke 9:43b-45

Gospel: Luke 9:43b-45

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

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Reflection:

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

The disciples were oblivious because they did not fully know His mission. Otherwise, if they kn0w, they would have understood this pronouncements of Jesus.  The moment we decide to follow Jesus we must prepare ourselves for the sufferings that we have to go through.

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

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

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

Gospel: Luke 9:18-22

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

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

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Reflection:

Do you live the teachings of Jesus?

When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” they were unsure, some said that He was 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.”

If Jesus will ask us, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” I don’t know if we will be able to answer at all. Because unlike the disciples who walked and lived with Jesus and who shared and preached the word of God. We may not have preached and shared Him it yet.

What if He will also say to us, “But who do you say that I am?” Would we be able to reply like Peter who said with conviction, “The Christ of God.”

These are two simple questions from Jesus that invites us to examine if we have a personal relationship with Him. If we don’t have it yet let us implore the guidance of the Holy Spirit who is ever ready to bring us closer to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Thursday September 22, 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.

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Reflection:

Are you sometimes being haunted by a wrong which you’ve done in the past?

The wrongs that we’ve done will continue to haunt us for so long as there is no closure to it. It happened to Herod the tetrarch when he ordered his soldiers to kill John at the behest of the woman who lustfully danced in front of them.

We need to be careful of the actions/decisions that we make in our lives. Impulsive or spur of the moment decisions are usually wrong. Like when Herod to impress his friends impulsively decided to kill John.

These thoughtless decisions that we’ve made or we’ll make in the future will bother us, in will constantly pop in our minds until we do something to close it. So what is the cure to this dilemma?

We have to seek closure, if we have to walk an extra mile for us to obtain closure so be it. We obtain closure by making amends with the person concerned. Or a much better avenue to erase our guilt of conscience is to humbly submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Confession.

By the way, when was your last Confession? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Wednesday September 21, 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.”

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Reflection:

Does Jesus have a soft spot for sinners? Yes Jesus has a soft spot for all of us: sinners. For example in our gospel HE called a tax collector and a sinful man named Matthew. After calling Matthew Jesus went to his house to dine with tax collectors and sinners.

All of us are sinners and Jesus is continuously calling upon us to leave behind for good our sinfulness and follow HIM. The gravity of our sins are not anymore important for Jesus what is important for HIM is we respond to HIS call same as how Matthew in our gospel responded.

Perhaps we may ask, why is Jesus calling us to follow HIM? Among many other reasons Jesus wants us to be freed from the bondage of sin; HE wants us to be enlightened by HIS grace. And Jesus wants to save us from going to the kingdom of the devil. These are reasons why HE calls us to follow HIM.

Your life will never be the same again once you accept this offer of Jesus. There will be healing in your family; you will now become averse to commit any form of sin and you will be freed from its bondage.  Are you not tired of sinning? Are you not tired of a life without peace and contentment?

Why not try to respond and see for yourself the miracle and healing that Jesus will bring into your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for 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.”

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Reflection:

Do you consider yourself as a relative of Jesus?

Very clearly Jesus tells us that we could only be called His relatives if we hear His word and act on it. What if we don’t hear His word and don’t act on it? Does this mean that we are not anymore related to Jesus?

 For example, if you have a wayward relative who doesn’t listen to your advices. Would you treat him as not your relative anymore? Will you condemn him to eternal damnation? Of course not!

Jesus said this statement, (My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it). To convey a message to the crowd and to us too that we must at all times abide by His teachings.

But human as we are, we sometimes wander away and we sin thus we distance ourselves from Jesus. However the tie that binds is still there, Jesus still pines for us. He patiently looks for us and eager to bring us closer to Him so that He could embrace us once again. 

If you are a sinner (as we all are) remember that you are still very much loved by Jesus notwithstanding your many sins. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday September 19, 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.”

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes put a facade of who you truly are or do you sometimes live a double life?

We cannot hide our real identity no matter how hard we try to hide it for there will eventually come a time that we shall be unmasked. For example, we pretend that we are good but deep inside we are not.

Our pretension will work to a certain extent we may even fool our fellowmen with our pretensions. However, there shall come a time that we will be unmasked no matter how hard we try to conceal our true identity. 

In the gospel Jesus tells us: There is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Indeed no secret is kept secret forever and every facade that we put forward will eventually be exposed.

No secret last forever most especially dark and hideous secrets, therefore it’s better to be transparent and to show who we really are. If we have dark secrets let us be honest and after that let us move forward to live a new life worthy in the eyes of the Good Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Sunday September 18, Twenty-fifth 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.”

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Reflection:

Do you recognize that what you have right now like money, power, earthly wealth and the like is not actually yours? Many of us are acting like everything that we have we earned by the sweat of our brow. So, we get to selfish with what we have we cling to it as if our life hinges upon it.

We fail to realize that we are simply stewards of what we own in this world. We fail to realize that at God’s appointed time we will be accounting for everything that we’ve owned in this world.

And during that time the dear Lord will ask us:  “What have you done to the things that I’ve entrusted you? Such as your talent, your wealth, your time and even your life.” Did you only use it to advance your own selfish agenda in this world?

The steward in our gospel failed miserably in his assigned task to properly take care of the wealth that was entrusted to him by his master.  Therefore everything that was entrusted to him was taken back by his master, the rich man.

We to are merely stewards of what we have right now, we did not earn it by ourselves. God’s invisible hand helped us to earn what we have right now.  

Yet, many of us are acting as if we earned it all, so many of us become worshipper of the God called greed and we purposely don’t share and we don’t help even if we have the means to do so. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for Saturday September 17, 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.”

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Reflection:

What is the essence of life if it’s not lived within the love of God? A meaningful life is always a life lived within the ambit of the love of God. If we live life outside of the ambit of God’s love life automatically becomes meaningless. Even if we have all the material wealth if we have no God life is still without meaning.

Jesus gives us a parable about the seeds that fell on four different surfaces. The first three surfaces were empty of the presence of God therefore the seeds that fell on these surfaces eventually died.

The fourth surface or soil is the perfect one because it is the good and productive soil. Don’t we also want to be connected with this productive soil? When we are connected with this good soil everyone who will know and come across our life will be enlightened as well and will be a channel of enlightenment for others.

We can only become good and productive citizens of this world if we will always be in touch with Jesus. Which is actually no other than the good soil which everyone of us should strive to be connected.   

For without connection to the giver of the real meaning of life we wouldn’t be able to grow in wisdom. And we certainly will not become productive citizens of this temporal world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Friday September 16, Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs; 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.

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Reflection:

Do you want to follow Jesus?

As an itinerant preacher and healer Jesus was always with a group of people: they were His followers and perhaps as His logistical support system as well. They were always there for Jesus ever ready to help and support Him in whatever way possible.

Who does Jesus represents today? It’s anybody who proclaims and lives the teachings of Jesus. He could be your friend, he could be your father, mother, brother, priest, pastor and anyone who faithfully follows Jesus.  

Anyone of us can follow Jesus nobody in fact is being prevented to follow Him. Why? Because when you decide to follow Jesus your life will begin to have a direction. Your perspective about life will change as well! This is the miracle that occurs when someone decides to follow Him.

You will also be cured of anything that ails your most especially ailments about our mind and emotion. This is the miracle that occurs when a person decides to faithfully follow Jesus.

Are you not yet tired of living your life for this world alone? Why not reinvigorate your life with the presence of Jesus by deciding to follow Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

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

Gospel: John 19:25-27 

But 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 whom he loved standing near, 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 to his own home.

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Reflection:

How can we put flesh to the command of Jesus to John: “Behold your mother.” It’s to respect and take care of our universal mother and our biological mother. The blessed Mother must be respected and venerated by all of us in what way? By giving her honor the way the church honors her.

We must follow what the church teaches us about the veneration that we must give the Blessed Mother. For example in the praying of the Holy Rosary, the church encourages us to make the rosary as our family prayer because this will keep the family together. And this is true!

How about the love, respect and care that is due to our own biological mother? Do we give them love, respect and care? Many mothers are silently suffering because they are not properly taken care of, they are not respected and loved anymore.

We must always give our mothers what is due them, we must always express our love for them while they’re still here in this world. We all know that they are in the twilight of their years already so we must give to them what they truly deserve.

Let your mother feel that you love her, you respect her and you care for her. Be patient also with her for she is in the twilight of her years. Be forgiving also to her because she commits mistakes every now and then for she is getting old.

When will you give your love, respect and care for your mother? When she’s not anymore able to hear it, feel it and respond to it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Wednesday September 14, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; 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.

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Reflection:

After the death of Jesus there was an intense persecution of Christians. But during the year 312 AD the church entered a new era and that was when Constantine I, adopted the christian faith and became the first Christian Emperor of Rome. One of his first edict was to stop the persecution of Christians.

It was said that Constantine I, deputized his mother Helena to gather Christian relics. So she travelled to the Holy Land, while there she discovered three different crosses used during the crucifixion of Jesus and the two thieves (Dismas and Gestas).

Since there were three crosses her dilemma was to find the real cross of Jesus. So she called on the sick people of the community and let them touch each of the three crosses. Among the three there was one that stood out, since it instantly healed those who touched it. Helena declared it to be the true cross of Jesus.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, unlike other Christians whose cross is without Jesus. Our cross is never complete without Jesus on it.

Often times, our cross symbolizes the burdens that we carry. A young mother who was asked, who is your cross and she instantaneously replied it’s my irresponsible husband because he is always with his friends indulging in drinking sprees and whenever he arrives he subjects me to physical and emotional abuse.

Each and everyone of us has our own cross that makes life difficult for us. Sometimes we may even say: why is it that the more that I go near Jesus the heavier the cross that I carry? The cross that we carry is a test of our faith, we would not be able to fully comprehend the presence of Jesus in our life without silently carrying and enduring our own cross.

What is important is whenever we carry our cross we invite Jesus to help us carry it and implore Him to journey with us with our cross. Let us not question why we have our cross because the cross that burdens us right now is nothing compared to the cross of Jesus.

The paradox of it all is this: the cross that has given Jesus tons of sufferings became the catalyst in the completion of His mission. This cross is also the symbol of our salvation so long as we believe and look up to Jesus who died for us on the cross. There is no exaltation of the cross without the salvific sacrifice of Jesus,

Are you carrying your own cross or do you have a cross right now, a cross that makes life so difficult for you? Look up to Jesus then close your eyes and humbly ask Him to help you carry it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

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

Gospel: Luke 7:11-17

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. 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. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

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Reflection:

 What does Jesus do to our life?

He makes miracles for us everyday some of us notice these miracles that’s why we always thank HIM everyday through prayers. Many of us also do not notice this, so we live our lives without being aware of the goodness of Jesus.

While on their way to Nain Jesus saw a funeral march with a grieving widow. Jesus saw her approached her and told her, “Do not weep.” And thereafter HE approached the coffin of her son and HE said, Young man I tell you arise! The grieving widow suddenly became joyous and thankful for the reason that Jesus brought to life again her only son.

This is Jesus for you and me, a God who heals, a God who create miracles. And a God that is always by our side ever ready to help us in whatever way. Therefore, in everyday of our life we must strive to walk with Jesus. We must discard any actions and thoughts which would only make us sin.

Do you make a conscious effort to avoid sin or distance yourself away from people who influence you to sin? Have you recently thought of submitting yourself to the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday September 12, 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.

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Reflection:

Do you always prioritize the poor over the rich?

The concern of the centurion/military officer to his slave is very admirable; just imagine he went to Jesus for healing for his very sick slave. The centurion/military officer’s love for his slave was very pleasing for Jesus that’s why Jesus granted his desire for healing for his slave.

By the way, who’s the slave in our modern times? The slaves of our time are the poor people that we know, whose status in life is way way below us. Oftentimes our concern for the poor is very different from those who are rich.

To be brutally honest, we actually have two sets of standards of concern for our friends who are poor and rich. Many of us have biases towards our rich friends for this is what is normal for us: go for the rich friends first before we go for the poor friends.

Let us always remember that Jesus always wants us to help and pray for those who are in need specially the poor for they are closest to His heart. This doesn’t mean that we neglect the rich but if there would be a choice to whom would we extend help first.

 It’s no brainer that we go to  the poor first, we have to prioritize them over the rich. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday September11, Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Luke 15:1-32

Gospel: Luke 15:1-32

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 to them he addressed this parable. “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.”

Then he said, “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.  When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.  And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.

The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns, who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.

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Reflection:

A newly-elected president from a faraway country had the shock of his life. When he discovered that almost fifthly percent of his country’s population was hooked on heroine and other illegal drugs.   So he called for an emergency meeting of all of his government department heads. And the president told them, “Let us create a comprehensive program the will take care and rehabilitate these drug addicts.”

After five years the government of this president was successful in eliminating the drug menace of his country. The former drug addicts that his government rehabilitated were back on their feet; some were productively working. Some were volunteers in their respective communities and many became very successful in their field of interest.

When the term of this president was about to end, these former drug addicts pooled whatever meager resources that they have to sponsor a nationwide paid advertisement to thank him for nurturing them and for not giving-up on them.  Because according to them they were once upon a time were lost but this humble and caring president did not give-up on them.

Through parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son Jesus in the gospel for this Sunday speaks about the not giving-up with the lost ones. Jesus teaches us not to give up on them no matter how sinful they are.

How many times have we given-up on the lost ones? We think about them as discards and scourges of society that they are not useful anymore. We therefore give up on them, this is who many of us are: We give up on the lost and we treat them as good for nothing!

But that is not what Jesus is teaching us in this gospel, What Jesus is teaching us is not to give up on the lost ones. Jesus is telling us that instead of giving up on those who are lost we should instead patiently look for them. For they still can be found, they still can be rehabilitated and they still are very much capable of straightening their ways if we will not give up on them.

Do you easily give up on those who are lost? Those who are unproductive and wayward members of your family? Are you forgiving and patient enough to help them get back on their feet again? -  Marino  J. Dasmarinas   

Repleksyon para sa Linggo Setyembre 11, Ika-24 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon; Lucas 15:1-32

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 15:1-32

Isang araw, ang mga maniningil ng buwis at ang mga makasalanan ay lumapit kay Jesus upang makinig. 2  Nagbulung-bulungan naman ang mga Pariseo at mga tagapagturo ng Kautusan. Sabi nila, "Ang taong ito'y nakikisama sa mga makasalanan at nakikisalo sa mga ito." 3 Dahil dito, sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus ang talinhagang ito. 4 "Kung ang sinuman sa inyo ay may isandaang tupa at mawalan ng isa, ano ang gagawin niya? Hindi ba't iiwan niya ang siyamnapu't siyam sa pastulan at hahanapin ang nawawala hanggang sa ito'y matagpuan? 5  Kapag nakita na niya ang tupa ay masaya niya itong papasanin. 6  Pagdating sa bahay, aanyayahan niya ang kanyang mga kaibigan at mga kapitbahay at sasabihin sa kanila, 'Makipagsaya kayo sa akin dahil nakita ko na ang tupa kong nawawala!' 7 Sinasabi ko sa inyo, magkakaroon ng higit na kagalakan sa langit dahil sa isang makasalanang tumatalikod sa kasalanan kaysa siyamnapu't siyam na matuwid na di nangangailangang magsisi."

"O kaya, kung ang isang babae ay may sampung salaping pilak at mawala ang isa, ano ang gagawin niya? Hindi ba't magsisindi siya ng ilawan, wawalisan ang buong bahay at hahanaping mabuti ang nawawalang salapi hanggang sa ito'y kanyang makita? 9 Kapag nakita na niya ito, aanyayahan niya ang kanyang mga kaibigan at mga kapitbahay at sasabihin sa kanila, 'Makipagsaya kayo sa akin, sapagkat nakita ko na ang nawawala kong salaping pilak!' 10 Sinasabi ko sa inyo, gayundin ang kagalakan ng mga anghel ng Diyos dahil sa isang makasalanang tumatalikod sa kasalanan."

Sinabi pa ni Jesus, "May isang tao na may dalawang anak na lalaki. 12 Sinabi sa kanya ng bunso, 'Ama, ibigay na po ninyo sa akin ang mamanahin ko.' At hinati nga ng ama ang kanyang ari-arian. 13    Pagkalipas ng ilang araw, ipinagbili ng bunso ang kanyang kaparte at nagpunta siya sa malayong lupain. Nilustay niya roon sa pamamagitan ng mga bisyo ang lahat niyang kayamanan. 14 Nang maubos na ito, nagkaroon ng matinding taggutom sa lupaing iyon, kaya't siya'y nagsimulang maghirap. 15 Namasukan siya sa isang tagaroon, at siya'y pinagtrabaho nito sa isang babuyan. 16       Sa tindi ng kanyang gutom, at dahil sa wala namang nagbibigay sa kanya ng pagkain, halos kainin na niya ang mga bungangkahoy na kinakain ng mga baboy. 17  Ngunit napag-isip-isip niya ang kanyang ginawa at nasabi niya sa sarili, 'Labis-labis ang pagkain ng mga alila ng aking ama, samantalang ako'y namamatay dito sa gutom! 18 Babalik ako sa aking ama at sasabihin ko sa kanya, "Ama, nagkasala po ako sa Diyos at sa inyo. 19        Hindi na po ako karapat-dapat na tawaging anak ninyo; ibilang na lamang ninyo akong isa sa inyong mga alila."' 20 At siya'y nagpasyang umuwi sa kanila.

"Malayo pa'y natanaw na siya ng kanyang ama, at dahil sa matinding awa ay patakbo siyang sinalubong, niyakap, at hinalikan. 21 Sinabi ng anak, 'Ama, nagkasala po ako sa Diyos at sa inyo. Hindi na po ako karapat-dapat na tawaging anak ninyo.' 22        Ngunit tinawag ng ama ang kanyang mga alila, 'Madali! Kunin ninyo ang pinakamagandang damit at bihisan ninyo siya. Suotan ninyo siya ng singsing at bigyan ninyo siya ng sandalyas. 23 Katayin ninyo ang pinatabang guya at tayo'y magdiwang. 24  Sapagkat ang anak kong ito ay namatay na, ngunit siya ay nabuhay; nawala, ngunit muling natagpuan.' At sila nga'y nagdiwang."

 25 "Nasa bukid noon ang anak na panganay. Nang umuwi ito at malapit na sa bahay, narinig nito ang tugtugan at sayawan. 26 Tinawag niya ang isang utusan at tinanong, 'Bakit? Ano'ng mayroon sa atin?' 27      'Dumating po ang inyong kapatid!' sagot ng alila. 'Ipinapatay po ng inyong ama ang pinatabang guya dahil ang inyong kapatid ay nakabalik nang buhay at walang sakit.' 28Nagalit ang panganay at ayaw niyang pumasok sa bahay. Pinuntahan siya ng kanyang ama at pinakiusapan. 29 Ngunit sumagot siya, 'Pinaglilingkuran ko kayo sa loob ng maraming taon at kailanma'y hindi ko kayo sinuway. Ngunit ni minsa'y hindi ninyo ako binigyan ng kahit isang maliit na kambing para magkatuwaan kami ng aking mga kaibigan. 30 Subalit nang dumating ang anak ninyong ito, na lumustay ng inyong kayamanan sa masasamang babae, ipinagpatay pa ninyo siya ng pinatabang guya!' 31 Sumagot ang ama, 'Anak, lagi kitang kapiling at ang lahat ng aking ari-arian ay sa iyo. 32 Nararapat lang na tayo'y magsaya at magdiwang, sapagkat patay na ang kapatid mo, ngunit nabuhay; nawala, ngunit muling natagpuan.

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Repleksyon:

Sa isang malayong lugar ay may isang bagong halal na presidente na nagulat ng matuklasan niya na halos kalahati ng popolasyon ng kanyan bansa ay alipin ng ipinagbabawal na gamot. Kaya ang ginawa niya ay tumawag siya ng pagpupulong ng iba’t-ibang namumuno ng mga departamento ng  kanyang bansa at sinabi niya sa kanila: Gumawa tayo ng programa na mangangalaga, magtuturo at maggagamot sa mga taong ito para maayos nila ang kanilang buhay.  

Pagkatapos ng limang taon ang gobyerno ng presidenteng ito ay naging matagumpay sa kanilang pangarap na alisin na ang pagkagumon ng mga taong ito sa ipinagbabawal na gamot. Ang dating mga adik na tinulungan ng kaniyang gobyerno ay nakabalik sa kanilang normal na buhay. Ang iba ay nagkaroon ng trabaho at kabuhayan at ang iba ay naging volunteer na tagatulong  sa kanilang kumunidad.

Nang matatapos na ang panunungkulan ng presidenteng ito ang mga dating adik ay nag ambag-ambag ng anuman na kanilang makakaya. Para mag pagawa ng kanilang mga tarpaulin na nagpapasalamat sa presidente nila. Dahil para sa kanila sila ay minsan na nawala sa tamang landas ng buhay ngunit hindi niya sila pinabayaan.

Sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhaga ng nawawala at natagpuang tupa, ang nawawala at natagpuang salaping pilak at ang alibughang anak. Si Jesus sa pamamagitan ng ating mga talinhaga sa ating mabuting balita ay nakiki-usap sa atin na huwag na huwag nating pababayaan ang mga nawawala kahit na gaano man kabigat ang kanilang mga kasalanan.    

Ilang beses na po ba nating pinabayaan yung mga taong nawawala sa ating mga buhay. Minsan ang ating turing sa kanila ay wala na silang halaga dahil sa kanilang mga nagawang pagkakamali sa atin. Kaya pinababayaan nalang natin sila na para bagang wala na silang halaga sa ating buhay at sa ating lipunan.

Pero hindi ito ang itinuturo sa atin ni Jesus sa ating mabuting balita bagkus ang itinuturo sa atin ni Jesus ay huwag pababayaan ang mga nawawala sa tamang landas.  Patuloy silang hanapin dahil kaya parin nilang mag bagong buhay sa pamamagitan ng ating pagmamahal, pagpapatawad at pagtulong sa kanila.

Pinababayaan mo nalang ba yung mga nawawala sa tamang landas ng buhay? Kaya mo pa bang hanapin sila, mahaling muli at tulungan na magbago? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Saturday September 10, The Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time; Luke 6:43-49

Gospel: Luke 6:43-49

Jesus said to his disciples: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”

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Reflection:

Are you easily affected by the worries of life? For example, a severe sickness or a family issue, do you allow these episodes in your life to blow you away? Or you remain calm because you believe that ultimately God is in charge and He will take care of everything.

What is the advantage of having a deep friendship with Jesus? We remain strong even during the lowest point in our life. Yes being human we will be affected by the trials that we may encounter. But at the end of the day we will remain strong and we will certainly survive amidst these trials because we hold on to Jesus.

Life is never permanent, there would be episodes of loneliness and happiness there may even be times that the loneliness are far more than the happiness. But we survive because we have Christ in our lives. For if we have Christ nobody could bring us down not even the hardest problem that we may encounter.    

Let us therefore pray for a deeper encounter with Jesus, let us invite Him to come into our lives. So that we would always remain serene and calm amidst the trials and turbulence in our lives.

Would you want a deeper encounter with Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas