Reflection for Thursday November 2, The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day): Matthew 25:31-46

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne,  and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ 

Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’  

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ 

Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

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Reflection:

Imagine the last days of your life. Would they be happy or lonely? We would ideally want our last days to be happy, which would mean that we had done what we needed to do in this world. We followed the commandments, fed and clothed the hungry, and so forth.

If this is what we are doing right now, we need not worry about where we will be after our last days are over. But we are still living, and we are still on this temporal journey, so we have to sustain the momentum by doing good, especially for the poor and unwanted.

We have to take sides, and the side we must choose is the one where we do good. Let us not get tired of doing good because whatever good we do now, we will eventually harvest. Let us not mind if we will not be given credit for the good that we do; what is important is that we continue to do good. God knows everything anyway.  

On this Day of the Souls, we are reminded of our loved ones who have gone ahead of us. This also serves as a reminder that, whether we like it or not, we too will join them sooner or later. What can we do to ensure that we are not forgotten? We must do good, just as Jesus did during His three years of public ministry.

Why do we have to do good? The answer is a no-brainer: We have to do good because it serves as our ticket to God's kingdom someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Nobyembre 2, Paggunita sa Lahat ng mga Pumanaw na Kristiyano: Mateo 25:31-46

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 25:31-46

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Darating ang Anak ng Tao bilang Hari, kasama ang lahat ng anghel, at luluklok sa kanyang maringal na trono. Sa panahong iyon, matitipon sa harapan niya ang lahat ng tao. Sila'y pagbubukud-bukurin niya, tulad ng ginagawa ng pastol sa mga tupa at mga kambing. Ilalagay niya sa kanyang kanan ang mga tupa, at sa kaliwa ng mga kambing. 

At sasabihin ng Hari sa mga nasa kanan, 'Halikayo, mga pinagpala ng aking Ama! Pumasok na kayo at manirahan sa kahariang inihanda para sa inyo mula pa nang likhain ang sanlibutan. Sapagkat ako'y nagutom at inyong pinakain, nauhaw at inyong pinainom. Ako'y isang dayuhan at inyong pinatuloy. ako'y walang maisuot at inyong pinaramtan, nagkasakit at inyong dinalaw; ako'y nabilanggo at ako'y inyong pinuntahan.' 

Sasagot ang mga matuwid, 'Panginoon, kailan po namin kayo nakitang nagutom at aming pinakain, o nauhaw at aming pinainom? Kailan po kayo naging dayuhan at aming pinatuloy, o kaya'y walang maisuot at aming pinaramtan? At kailan po namin kayo nakitang may sakit o nasa bilangguan at aming dinalaw?' Sasagutin ng Hari, 'Sinasabi ko sa inyo: nang gawin ninyo ito sa pinakahamak sa mga kapatid kong ito, ito ay sa akin ninyo ginawa.'

"At sasabihin naman niya sa mga nasa kaliwa, 'Lumayo kayo sa akin, mga sinumpa! kayo'y pasa-apoy na di-mamamatay, na inihanda para sa diyablo at sa kanyang mga kampon. Sapagkat ako'y nagutom at hindi ninyo pinakain, nauhaw at hindi ninyo pinainom. Ako'y naging isang dayuhan at hindi ninyo pinatuloy; ako'y nawalan ng maisuot at hindi ninyo pinaramtan, ako'y may sakit at nasa bilangguan at hindi ninyo dinalaw.' 

At sasagot din sila, 'Panginoon, kailan po namin kayo nakitang nagutom, nauhaw, naging dayuhan, nawalan ng maisuot, may sakit o nasa bilangguan, at hindi namin kayo pinaglingkuran?' At sasabihin sa kanila ng Hari, 'Sinasabi ko sa inyo: nang pinagkaitan ninyo ng tulong ang pinakahamak sa mga ito, ako ang inyong pinagkaitan.' Itataboy ang mga ito sa kaparusahang walang hanggan, ngunit ang mga matuwid ay tatanggap ng buhay na walang hanggan."

Reflection for Wednesday November 1, Solemnity of All Saints: Matthew 5:1-12a

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

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Reflection:

What is the secret to have a full and meaningful life in this world? Is it to accumulate wealth and power? Is it to have a beautiful face and body? None of these actually, the secret is to be blessed by God or to have the blessing of God. 

But how are we going to attract the blessing of God? It’s by living a simple and humble life. A person who is preoccupied with chasing the offerings of this world and a person who is so full of himself will never be blessed and will never find true happiness which only God can give. 

By possessing wealth and power the worldly person will be deluded to believe that he/she is already blessed. But in the long run he/she will eventually realize how much emptiness wealth and power have brought into his/her life. 

Who is the ultimate giver of real blessing and happiness? It’s Jesus, He who always leads us to know God deeply. He who always lead us to have an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. And He who initially opens the doorway of faith for us. 

The eight beatitudes that Jesus gave to His disciples and to us also are a contradiction for those who are so enamored by this world. But truth be told, beneath the eight beatitudes lie true blessedness and happiness.

This we could easily discover and feel if we are humble and simple. Because God always shower His infinite blessings to those who are simple and humble. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Nobyembre 1, Dakilang Kapistahan ng Lahat ng mga Banal: Mateo 5:1-12a

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:1-12a

Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ni Hesus ang napakakapal na tao, umahon siya sa bundok. Pagkaupo niya’y lumapit ang kanyang mga alagad, at sila’y tinuruan niya ng ganito:

“Mapalad ang mga aba na wala nang inaasahan kundi ang Diyos, sapagkat makakasama sila sa kanyang kaharian.”

“Mapalad ang mga nahahapis sapagkat aaliwin sila ng Diyos.”

“Mapalad ang mga mapagkumbaba, sapagkat tatamuhin nila ang ipinangako ng Diyos.”

“Mapalad ang mga nagmimithing makatupad sa kalooban ng Diyos, sapagkat ipagkakaloob sa kanila ang kanilang minimithi.”

“Mapalad ang mga mahabagin, sapagkat kahahabagan sila ng Diyos.”

“Mapalad ang mga may malinis na puso, sapagkat makikita nila ang Diyos.”

“Mapalad ang mga gumagawa ng daan sa ikapagkakasundo, sapagkat sila’y ituturing ng Diyos na mga anak niya.”

“Mapalad ang mga pinag-uusig dahil sa kanilang pagsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos, sapagkat makakasama sila sa kanyang kaharian.”

“Mapalad kayo kapag dahil sa aki’y inaalimura kayo ng mga tao, pinag-uusig at pinagwiwikaan ng lahat ng uri ng kasamaan na pawang kasinungalingan. Magdiwang kayo at magalak, sapagkat malaki ang inyong gantimpala sa Langit.” 

Reflection for October 31, Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:18-21

Gospel: Luke 13:18-21

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches. 

Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

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Reflection:

Do you embrace the great virtue of Humility? 

Humility is a virtue that is disregarded by many of us. Why? Because humility for many of us is a display of our meekness, simplicity and littleness. On the other hand many love arrogance, bravado and egotism for this shows power and might. But come to think of it, many great personalities are revered for their humility. 

Think, for example, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Pope Francis, Nelson Mandela, and of course, Jesus, to name a few. From their humility sprouted greatness and reverence by millions of people. Their words are carefully listened to and serve as a reservoir of wisdom.

On the other side of the fence are arrogance, bravado and egotism. Many dictators and dictatorial presidents became paper tigers by instilling fear in the hearts of their people. They imposed dictatorial rule to manipulate and oppress. And there is no doubt that this is brought about by their arrogance, bravado and egotism. But where are they now? Are they revered? Are they remembered with fondness, respect and love? No! They are forgotten, despised and confined in the dustbin of history. 

Jesus mentions in the gospel the kingdom of God as a little mustard seed that eventually became big whereby birds took comfort in its shade. He also compared the kingdom of God to a little yeast that was mixed with three measures of wheat flour. After it was cooked it grew big and many ate from it. 

Put in your heart the seemingly insignificant virtue of Humility. Don’t bother if you will be belittled and be perceived as nobody. In God’s own perfect time you will be admired, revered and your wisdom will be sought by many. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 31, Martes ng Ika-30 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 13:18-21

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:18-21

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus, "Ano ang katulad ng paghahari ng Diyos? Saan ko ihahambing ito? Katulad ito ng isang butil ng mustasa na itinanim ng isang tao sa kanyang halamanan. Ito'y lumaki hanggang sa maging punongkahoy at namugad ang mga ibon sa mga sanga nito." 

Sinabi pa ni Jesus, "Saan ko itutulad ang paghahari ng Diyos? Katulad ito ng lebadurang inihalo ng isang babae sa tatlong takal na harina, anupa't umalsa ang buong masa." 

Reflection for October 30, Monday of the ThirtiethWeek in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:10-17

Gospel: Luke 13:10-17

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” 

He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites! 

Does not each one of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?” When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.

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Reflection:

What made Jesus notice the woman crippled by a bad spirit considering that the woman did not even ask Jesus to heal her? Why did Jesus healed her on a Sabbath day when it was prohibited to do so?

The woman who never asked for healing from Jesus was in the synagogue to listen to Him. Yes, she did not seek any favor from Jesus, but her desire to listen to Him speaks volumes about her trust and faith in the Lord. Therefore, her trust and faith in Jesus were the channels for her to be noticed and healed.

How can we listen to Jesus in this modern time? We listen to Jesus by reading His very words in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We listen to Jesus when we have an audio file of the same gospels in our hi-tech and touch screen cell phones. How many of us have an audio file or even a video file of these gospels in our cell phones?  

In the process of listening to Jesus we are healed already even if we don’t ask Him to heal us. Jesus is a proactive God, He knows everything about us and He knows every sickness or illness that we have long before we ask Him to heal us.

We need not ask Him anymore for healing or for anything, for that matter, as long as we have this hunger and thirst to listen to Him. Because it’s in listening to Jesus that we are healed; it’s in listening to Him that we acquire the wisdom that only He could give us. It’s in listening to Him that we are strengthened and motivated to face our daily trials, no matter how difficult.

Do you still have time to listen to Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 30, Lunes ng Ika-30 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 13:10-17

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:10-17

Noong panahong iyon, si Hesus ay nagtuturo sa isang sinagoga sa Araw ng Pamamahinga. May isang babae roon na labingwalong taon nang may karamdaman, gawa ng masamang espiritung nasa kanya. Siya’y hukot na hukot at hindi na makaunat. Nang makita ni Hesus ang babae, tinawag niya ito at sinabi, “Magaling ka na sa iyong karamdaman!” 

At ipinatong ni Hesus ang kanyang mga kamay sa babae; noon di’y nakaunat ito at nagpuri sa Diyos. Ngunit nagalit ang tagapamahala ng sinagoga sapagkat nagpagaling si Hesus sa Araw ng Pamamahinga. Kaya’t sinabi niya sa mga tao, “May anim na araw na inilaan upang ipagtrabaho. Pumarito kayo sa mga araw na iyan upang magpagaling, at huwag sa Araw ng Pamamahinga.” 

Sinagot siya ng Panginoon, “Mga mapagpaimbabaw! Hindi ba’t kinakalag ninyo sa sabsaban ang inyong baka o asno at dinadala sa painuman kahit Araw ng Pamamahinga? Ang babaing ito na mula sa lipi ni Abraham ay ginapos ni Satanas sa loob ng labingwalong taon. Hindi ba dapat na siya’y kalagan kahit na Araw ng Pamamahinga?” Napahiya ang lahat ng kalaban ni Hesus sa sagot niyang ito; at nagalak naman ang madla sa mga kahanga-hangang bagay na ginawa niya.

Reflection for Sunday October 29, 30th Sunday 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:

When can you say that you truly love God? It’s when you are able to translate your love for God to love for your neighbor.

The perfection of your love for God reaches its zenith when you unconditionally love your neighbor. Thus, you don't only love those who are lovable to your eyes; you also love even those who are not, even those who do nothing but hurt you.

Love that is based on the notion of reciprocal love is not anchored in the love of God. Why? Because the love of God is unconditional; it does not discriminate and loves everyone.

For example, if your spouse has been continuously hurting you and betraying your love, you will still continue to love him/her, but not based on romantic love anymore. You will continue to love him/her because you love God, and your love for your wayward spouse is no longer defined by any form of romance but rather by God’s unconditional love.

Do you really love God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 29 Linggo, Ika-30 na 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 Saturday October 28, Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles: Luke 6:12-16

Gospel: Luke 6:12-16

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

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Reflection:

What do you usually do before making an important decision in your life? Do you first pray over it and ask the guidance of the Lord? Or you just make important decisions without asking the blessings of the Lord?

Before deciding to choose the twelve apostles Jesus went up first to the mountain to pray. There, He spent the whole night in prayer to God. This is the attitude of Jesus, He withdraws to a solitary place to commune with God and He asks for God’s guidance and blessings.  With the blessing from God the apostles (except for Judas Iscariot) became His partner in advancing the faith.

Let us not make Jesus irrelevant in our lives by not praying to Him let us make time for Him. Let us not allow the many distractions of this world to get our attention from Jesus. For what is this world compared to Jesus? There is no comparison at all for this world is temporary, finite and time bound. While Jesus is everlasting, infinite and He is not confined by the limits of time.

In our secularist world today dominated by high tech gadgets, Facebook, Instagram,  twitter and a lot more social media sites Jesus still matters. For the reason that Jesus gives hope, Jesus gives love and Jesus gives salvation. Therefore, embrace Jesus more than you embrace this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Oktubre 28, San Simon, San Judas, apostol (Kapistahan): Lucas 6:12-16

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:12-16

Noong mga araw na iyon, umahon si Jesus sa isang burol at magdamag doong nanalangin. Kinaumagahan, tinawag niya ang kanyang mga alagad, at pumili siya ng Labindalawa sa kanila, na tinawag niyang mga apostol: Si Simon na pinangalanan niyang Pedro, at si Andres na kanyang kapatid; sina Santiago, Juan, Felipe, Bartolome, Mateo, Tomas, at Santiago na anak ni Alfeo, si Simon, ang Makabayan; si Judas na anak ni Santiago, at si Judas Iscariote na naging taksil. 

Bumaba si Jesus, kasama sila, at tumayo sa isang patag na lugar. Naroon ang marami sa kanyang mga alagad. At ang napakaraming tao buhat sa Judea at Jerusalem, at sa mga bayan sa baybaying-dagat ng Tiro at Sidon. Pumaroon sila upang makinig sa kanya at mapagaling sa kanilang karamdaman. Pinagaling rin niya ang mga pinahihirapan ng masamang espiritu. At sinikap ng lahat ng tao na mahipo siya sapagkat may taglay siyang kapangyarihang makapagpagaling ng lahat.

Reflection for October 27, Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:54-59

Gospel: Luke 12:54-59

(Jesus said to the crowds) “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? 

“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you; you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who had a verbal tussle with his neighbor that eventually resulted in a physical combat. After both of them had been bloodied, they both hurled threats of a lawsuit. The neighbor who started the conflict had a sudden realization that he needed to apologize. So, he knocked on the gate of his neighbor, and when the gate was opened, he humbly apologized. His apology was immediately accepted.

Jesus, in our gospel, is advising us to exert effort to settle whatever conflict we have with anyone: neighbor, spouse, siblings, etc. Why? For the simple reason that it always pays to settle conflicts early. Otherwise, if we wouldn't settle it immediately, that conflict could morph into a much bigger and dangerous conflict.

Take, for example, a conflict between spouses that is left unsettled. Sooner or later, this conflict would result in something that is irreparable, leading to estrangement. Therefore, we have to immediately resolve any conflict we have with anyone by apologizing as soon as possible. Why? Because those who apologize are always rewarded with peace of mind. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 27, Biyernes ng Ika-29 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 12:54-59

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 12:54-59

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao, "Kapag nakita ninyong Makapal ang ulap sa kanluran, sinasabi ninyong uulan, at gayon nga ang nangyayari. At kung umiihip ang hanging timog ay sinasabi ninyong iinit, at nagkakagayon nga. Mga mapagpaimbabaw! Marunong kayong bumasa ng palatandaan sa lupa't sa langit, bakit hindi ninyo mabasa ang mga tanda ng kasalukuyang panahon?  

"Bakit hindi ninyo mapagpasiyahan kung alin ang matuwid? Kapag isinakdal ka sa hukuman, makipag-ayos ka sa nagsakdal habang may panahon; baka kaladkarin ka niya sa hukuman, at ibigay ka ng hukom sa tanod, at ibilanggo ka naman nito. Sinasabi ko sa iyo: hindi ka makalalabas doon hangga't hindi mo nababayaran ang kahuli-hulihang sentimo."