Ang Mabuting Balita sa Miyerkules Agosto 24 San Bartolome, apostol (Kapistahan): Juan 1:45-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:45-51

Noong panahong iyon, hinanap ni Felipe si Natanael, at sinabi rito, "Natagpuan namin si Jesus na taga-Nazaret, ang anak ni Jose. Siya ang tinutukoy ni Moises sa kanyang Kautusan, at gayon din ng mga propeta." "May magmumula bang mabuti sa Nazaret?" tanong ni Natanael. Sumagot si Falipe, "Halika tingnan mo."  

Nang malapit na si Natanael ay sinabi ni Jesus, "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 sinabi kong nasa ilalim ka ng puno ng igos? Makakakita ka ng mga bagay na higit kaysa rito!" At sinabi niya sa lahat, "Tandaan ninyo: makikita ninyong bukas ang langit, at ang anghel ng Diyos ay manhik-manaog sa kinaroroonan ng Anak ng Tao!"

Mga salita na puno ng aral at karunungan - 1

 

Reflection for Tuesday August 23, St. Rose of Lima virgin, Secondary patroness of the Philippines (M): Matthew 23:23-26

Gospel: Matthew 23:23-26

Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!  

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”

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Reflection:

Why do you follow Jesus? Do you follow Him because you are obliged by your faith or you follow Him because of your deep love for Him? When you follow Jesus because you see it as your obligation; it will not create a deep transformation within you. You simply follow for the reason that it creates a positive self-image for you and it ends with the positive self-image: No interior cleansing and transformation.  

When we follow Jesus because we love Him, we allow the love of Jesus to deeply transform us. For example, if we follow Jesus because we love Him, we would be forgiving, we will not store hatred in our hearts. And we will abhor anything that is bad and evil because we want Jesus to transform us.  

Our discipleship with Jesus must always be rooted in our love for Him and not because this is dictated by our faith. For this is what true discipleship is all about, a discipleship that creates a very deep transformation within our beings.  

Let us therefore examine ourselves and reflect for we may be only following Jesus because we are obliged by our faith or even by our position in the church and community. If this is so, we are simply like the Pharisees and scribes in the gospel whom Jesus scolded for their hypocrisy.  

It’s about time that we should follow Jesus because we love. This would only commence when we forgive those who’ve hurt us. When we are willing to build bridges than walls and when we humble ourselves before those whom we've hurt by asking for their forgiveness. - Marino J. Dasmarinas        

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Martes Agosto 23 Santa Rosa de Lima, dalaga Pangalawang Patrona ng Pilipinas (Paggunita): Mateo 23:23-26

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 23:23-26

Sa aba ninyo, mga eskriba at mga Pariseo! Mga mapagpaimbabaw! Ibinibigay ninyo ang ikapu ng gulaying walang halaga ngunit kinaliligtaan ninyong isagawa ang lalong mahahalagang aral sa Kautusan: ang katarungan, ang pagkahabag, at ang katapatan. Tamang gawin ninyo ang mga ito, ngunit huwag naman ninyong kaliligtaang gawin ang iba. Mga bulag na tagaakay! Sinasala ninyo ang niknik sa inyong inumin, ngunit nilulunok ninyo ang kamelyo!  

"Sa aba ninyo, mga eskriba at mga Pariseo! Mga mapagpaimbabaw! Nililinis ninyo ang tasa at ng pinggan, ngunit ang loob nito'y puno ng nahuthot ninyo dahil sa kasakiman at pagsasamantala. Bulag na Pariseo! Linisin mo muna ang mga nasa loob ng tasa at ng pinggan, at magiging malinis din ang labas nito!

Reflection for Monday August 22, The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (M): Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his Kingdom there will be no end.  

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man? And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative has also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren for nothing will be impossible for God.”  

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

Pope Pius XII, by his encyclical letter Ad Coeli Reginam (To the Queen of Heaven) instituted on October 11, 1954 the Feast of the “Queenship of Mary”. 

How deep is your love for God or how profound is your love for God? Would you be willing to sacrifice something of yourself for God?  

When the Blessed Mother obeyed the will of God for her to be the mother of Jesus she sacrificed her own comfort happiness for the will of God. The Blessed Mother put aside her own safety and honor so that she could honor the will of God for her and so that she could help bring  salvation to all of humanity.     

When the Blessed Mother said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38). There was already profound happiness in her heart for she knew that she would be doing something not for herself but for God and humanity.  

Everyday God is challenging us to always be like Mary who embraced her role in the salvation history of humanity. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Lunes Agosto 22 Ang Paka-Reyna ng Mahal na Birheng Maria (Paggunita): Lucas 1:26-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:26-38

Nang ikaanim na buwan na ng pagdadalantao ni Elisabet, ang anghel Gabriel ay sinugo ng Diyos sa Nazaret, Galilea, sa isang dalaga na ang pangala'y Maria. Siya'y nakatakdang ikasal kay Jose, isang lalaki buhat sa lipi ni Haring David. Paglapit ng anghel sa kinaroroonan ng dalaga, binati niya ito.  

"Matuwa ka! Ikaw ay kalugud-lugod sa Diyos," wika niya. "Sumasaiyo ang Panginoon!" Nagulumihanan si Maria sa gayong pangungusap, at inisip niyang mabuti kung ano ang kahulugan niyon. Kaya't sinabi sa kanya ng anghel, "Huwag kang matakot, Maria, sapagkat kinalulugdan ka ng Diyos. Makinig ka! Ikaw ay maglilihi at manganganak ng isang lalaki, at siya'y tatawagin mong Jesus. 

Magiging dakila siya, at tatawaging Anak ng Kataas-taasan. Ibibigay sa kanya ng Panginoong Diyos ang trono ng kanyang amang si David. Maghahari siya sa angkan ni Jacob magpakailanman, at ang kanyang paghahari ay walang hanggan." "Paanong mangyayari ito, gayong ako'y dalaga?" tanong ni Maria. Sumagot ang anghel, "Bababa sa iyo ang Espiritu Santo, at lililiman ka ng kanyang kapangyarihan ng Kataas-taasan.  

Kaya't banal ang ipanganganak mo at tatawaging Anak ng Diyos. Natatandaan mo ang iyong kamag-anak na si Elisabet? Alam ng lahat na siya'y baog, ngunit naglihi siya sa kabila ng kanyang katandaan. At ngayo'y ikaanim na buwan na ng kanyang pagdadalantao -- sapagkat walang hindi mapangyayari ang Diyos." Sumagot si Maria, "Ako'y alipin ng Panginoon. Mangyari sa akin ang iyong sinabi." At nilisan siya ng anghel.

Reflection for Sunday August 21, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:22-30

 

Gospel: Luke 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.

After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from. And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.

Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

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Reflection:

Mike and Joseph were best friends, Mike was from a poor family while Joseph was from a rich family. Being rich Joseph had everything that he could ask for and because of it he grew up a spoiled man thus he wasn’t able to finish his studies.  On the other hand Mike the financially disadvantaged boy had to become a working student so that he could finish his college studies.

Ten years had elapsed; there was now a reversal of roles. Mike was already a very successful man brought about by his hard work and determination. While Joseph the former rich and spoiled man became poor and miserable.

The first and ending statement of Jesus in our gospel is so meaningful, HE tells us: Strive to enter through the narrow gate and some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Who are these people who will strive to enter the narrow gate and these last who will become first? These are people who embrace sacrifice and hard work. And the first who will be last are those who love the easy or worldly life. 

Our discipleship with Jesus in this world is never easy and always laden with trials and sacrifices. It may seem that we are going through a narrow gate. But this is the reality of faithfully walking with Christ in this world. In fact, Jesus himself said that anyone who is truly willing to follow HIM must forget himself and be ready to carry his own cross (Matthew 16:24).

We have nothing to worry about if we continue to face a difficult life for the sake of Christ. And if our friends would scorn us because of our discipleship for Christ. So be it, this life is temporary anyway; someday we shall depart this world.  And by that time those who are last and those who are being scorned for their fidelity to the teachings of Jesus  in this world shall now become first in the kingdom of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Agosto 21, Ika - 21 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon : Lucas 13:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:22-30

Noong panahong iyon, nagpatuloy si Hesus sa kanyang paglalakbay. Siya’y nagtuturo sa bawat bayan at nayon na kanyang dinaraanan patungong Jerusalem. May isang nagtanong sa kanya, “Ginoo, kakaunti po ba ang maliligtas?” Sinabi niya, “Pagsikapan ninyong pumasok sa makipot na pintuan. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, marami ang magpipilit na pumasok ngunit hindi makapapasok.

“Kapag ang pinto’y isinara na ng puno ng sambahayan, magtitiis kayong nakatayo sa labas, at katok nang katok. Sasabihin ninyo, ‘Panginoon, papasukin po ninyo kami.’ Sasagutin niya kayo, ‘Hindi ko alam kung tagasaan kayo!’ At sasabihin ninyo, ‘Kumain po kami at uminom na kasalo ninyo, at nagturo pa kayo sa mga lansangan namin.’ Sasabihin naman ng Panginoon, ‘Hindi ko alam kung tagasaan kayo!

 Lumayo kayo sa akin, kayong lahat na nagsisigawa ng masama!’ Tatangis kayo at magngangalit ang inyong ngipin kapag nakita ninyong nasa kaharian ng Diyos sina Abraham, Isaac at Jacob, at ang lahat ng propeta, at kayo nama’y ipinagtabuyan sa labas! At darating ang mga tao buhat sa silangan at kanluran, sa hilaga at timog, at dudulog sa hapag sa kaharian ng Diyos. Tunay ngang may nahuhuling mauuna, at may nauunang mahuhuli.”

Reflection for Saturday August 20 Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 23:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 

All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.

Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

Do you lead by example? 

The principle of leadership by example is one wherein the leader set the standards to be followed and he himself leads the way in following the said standards. In the same manner parents should set the benchmark in their homes as they live to the hilt this benchmark for their children to emulate.   

On the other hand bad or lousy leaders would tell their people to do this and that but they will not do what they command. They preach the standards but they do not practice what they preach. Same as with irresponsible parents; they would tell their children to observe this and that discipline but the irony is they themselves do not do what they tell their children.  

The Pharisees and scribes during the time of Jesus were the religious leaders and they were supposed to lead by example. But they did not; they were only good on giving commands/orders but when it comes to living it they were badly deficient.  

Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why the common people of that time started to gravitate towards Jesus. Because they saw in Jesus someone who leads by example someone who empathized with them. Someone who is approachable and humble, someone who ate and mingled with them; in other words Jesus lived what He preached.  

What is the lesson of our gospel for us?  We must always be true with our words and actions. We must not be like the Pharisees and scribes in our gospel: For they were only good at preaching but very deficient in practicing and living what they preach.   

We must always be like Jesus; for He lived what He preached in other words Jesus is always true to His words and actions. Jesus leads by example and He walked His talk. 

Do you always live what you preach and are you always true to your words? – Marino J. Dasmarinas        

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Sabado Agosto 20, San Bernardo, abad at pantas ng Iglesya (Paggunita): Mateo 23:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 23:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao at sa kanyang mga alagad, "Ang mga eskriba at ang mga Pariseo ang kinikilalang tagapagpaliwanag ng Kautusan ni Moises. Kaya't gawin ninyo ang itinuturo nila at sundin ang kanilang iniuutos. Ngunit huwag ninyong tularan ang kanilang gawa, sapagkat hindi nila isinasagawa ang kanilang ipinangangaral.  

Nagbibigkis sila ng mabibigat na dalahin at ipinapasan sa mga tao; ngunit ni daliri ay ayaw nilang igalaw upang tumulong sa pagdadala ng mga iyon. Pawang pakitang-tao ang kanilang mga gawa, Nilalaparan nila ang kanilang mga pilakterya at hinahabaan ang palawit sa laylayan ng kanilang mga damit. Ang ibig nila'y ang mga upuang pandangal sa mga piging at ang mga tanging luklukan sa mga sinagoga. Ang ibig nila'y pagpugayan sila sa mga liwasang bayan, at tawaging guro.  

Ngunit kayo-- huwag kayong patawag na guro, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Guro, at kayong lahat ay magkakapatid. At huwag ninyong tawaging ama ang sinumang tao sa lupa, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Ama, ang Amang nasa langit. Huwag kayong patawag na tagapagturo, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Tagapagturo, ang Mesias. Ang pinakadakila sa inyo ay dapat maging lingkod ninyo. Ang nagpapakataas ay ibababa, at ang nagpapakababa ay itataas."

Reflection for August 19, Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 22:34-40

Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  

He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

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Reflection:

A wife discovered that her husband had a second family. The very angry wife left her husband however the husband begged for forgiveness and second chance. After deeply pondering about it she eventually forgave her repentant husband.  

When she was asked by her mother why she forgave and restored everything as if nothing happened. She said: “I deeply love God and I would be betraying my love for God if I will not forgive and heal my marriage.  

Conflict is something that happens in marriage every now and then. This conflict usually emanates from the following: Betrayal of trust, behavioral incompatibility and financial disagreements among others. Every married couple goes through these episodes in their married lives.  

But how come that notwithstanding the conflict there are couples who choose to forgive and remain married until the end of their lives? The simple answer is both of them love the Lord God first. And this love for God is the driving force that makes them forgiving and loving.   

Their love for each other is always preceded by the blessing of their love for God. This is the reason why married couples who truly loved God first can forgive, forget and have long term healing. They can start afresh once again as if nothing happened.  

So the greatest commandment is to love God first and after that everything else would follow. We would be capable of loving anyone else even those who’ve deeply hurt us because we first loved God. 

If you don’t forgive and if you continue to harbor hidden sentiments against your spouse or anyone for that matter. And you still say that you love God it’s safe to say that your profession of love for God is superficial.  

Therefore, the challenge that confronts you is to think deeply if your love for God is really authentic. – Marino J. Dasmarinas          

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Agosto 19 Biyernes ng Ika-20 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 22:34-40

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 22:34-40

Noong panahong iyon, nagtipun-tipon ang mga Pariseo nang mabalitaan nilang napatahimik ni Hesus ang mga Saduseo. At isa sa kanila, isang dalubhasa sa Kautusan, ang nagtanong kay Hesus upang subukin ito: “Guro, alin po ang pinakamahalagang utos sa Kautusan?”  

Sumagot si Hesus, “Ibigin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buong puso, nang buong kaluluwa, at nang buong pag-iisip. Ito ang pinakamahalagang utos. Ito naman ang pangalawa: “Ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili. Sa dalawang utos na ito nakasalalay ang buong Kautusan ni Moises at ang turo ng mga propeta.”

Reflection for August 18, Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 22:1-14

Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”  

Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.  

Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.  

He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

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Reflection:

Do you always honor the invitation given to you? 

Jesus compared The Kingdom of heaven to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. When it was the day of the wedding feast none of the invited guest arrived for they all had their preoccupations. How could they refuse the graciousness of the king?  

The kingdom of heaven and the wedding feast that Jesus speaks about is within our midst which is the celebration of the Holy Mass.  And just like the king who invited guest, Jesus is inviting us also to be present at Holy Mass most especially during Sundays. But do we make time for Holy Mass? 

Like going to a wedding banquet where the invited guests prepare their most elegant clothes. Do we prepare ourselves before going to Holy Mass by having prior knowledge of the gospel and the other readings?  

In our gospel, the expected guest refused the invitation of the king so the king was disheartened by their refusal. The king then instructed his servants to go out again and invite anyone (bad and good alike) they could find and many came to the wedding banquet and ate to their hearts content.      

Perhaps, many of us do not also honor this invitation of Jesus to be present at Holy Mass. Why? Is it because we are also busy like the invited guest in the gospel? We are missing heaven on earth when we refuse to honor this invitation of Jesus for us to go to His wedding banquet which is none other than the celebration of Holy Mass. 

Do you always honor this invitation of Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Agosto 18 Huwebes ng Ika-20 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 22:1-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 22:1-14

Muling nagsalita sa kanila si Jesus sa pamamagitan ng talinghaga. Sinabi niya, "Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: naghandog ng isang piging ang isang hari sa kasal ng kanyang anak na lalaki. Sinugo niya ang kanyang mga alipin upang tawagin ang mga inanyayahan ngunit ayaw nilang dumalo. 

Muli siyang nagsugo ng ibang mga alipin at kanyang pinagbilinan, 'Sabihin ninyo sa mga inanyayahan na naihanda ko na ang aking piging: napatay na ang aking mga baka at mga pinatabang guya, at handa na ang lahat ng bagay. Halina kayo sa piging!' Ngunit hindi ito pinansin ng mga inanyayahan. Humayo sila sa kani-kanilang lakad; ang isa'y sa kanyang bukid at sa kanyang pangangalakal naman ang isa.  

Sinunggaban naman ng iba ang mga alipin hinamak at pinatay. Galit na galit ang hari, Pinaparoon niya ang kanyang mga kawal, ipinapuksa ang mga mamamatay-taong iyon at ipinasunog ang kanilang lunsod. Sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alipin, 'Nakahanda na ang piging, ngunit hindi karapat-dapat ang inanyayahan.  

Kaya't pumunta kayo sa mga lansangang matao, at inyong anyayahan sa kasalan ang lahat ng makita ninyo.' Lumabas nga sa mga pangunahing lansangan ang mga alipin at isinama ang lahat ng natagpuan, masasama't mabubuti, anupa't napuno ng mga panauhin ang bulwagang pangkasalan.  

"Pumasok ang hari upang tingnan ang mga panauhin, at nakita niya roon ang isang taong hindi nakadamit pangkasalan. 'Kaibigan, bakit ka pumasok dito nang hindi nakadamit pangkasalan?' tanong niya. Hindi nakaimik ang tao. Kaya't sinabi ng hari sa mga katulong, 'Gapusin ninyo ang kanyang kamay at paa at itapon siya sa kadiliman sa labas. Doo'y mananangis siya at magngangalit ang kanyang ngipin.' Sapagkat marami ang tinatawag, ngunit kakaunti ang nahihirang."