Reflection for Friday November 22 Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr: Luke 19:45-48

Gospel: Luke 19:45-48

Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”  

And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

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Reflection:

Do you cling to the words of Jesus as if your very life depends on it? Is your day not complete without reading and reflecting on His words? In the gospel the chief priest, the scribes and the leaders of the people wanted to kill Jesus. But they couldn’t execute it because they were afraid of the people most especially the ordinary people. For the reason that they treasure every word and pronouncement of Jesus.  

The chief priest, the scribes and the leaders of the people are considered as intellectual or learned yet they did not believe Jesus. But the common folks, they believe Jesus and they cling to His every word.

Many of the people of today don’t anymore treasure the words of Jesus they instead value more this world than Jesus. They let the hedonistic language of this world dictate upon them. And the words of Jesus? It has no more use for them, no wonder many live misguided and misdirected lives.    

Let us revisit once again the words of Jesus which we can easily find in the bible and let us read it everyday. Let us allow it to direct our lives instead of this world shaping our lives. 

Someday when we are already old and sickly we will find out that the passion that we’ve devoted for this world amounts to nothing. For the simple reason that whatever we’ve earned and done in this world we will leave behind. And the things that we’ve done in this world may also be our ticket to hell or sickness.

The only treasure that we can bring with us onto the afterlife going to heaven is our faith and love for Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Nobyembre 22, Paggunita kay Santa Cecilia, dalaga at martir: Lucas 19:45-48

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 19:45-48

Noong panahong iyon, pumasok si Jesus sa templo at kanyang ipinagtabuyan ang mga nagtitinda. Sinabi niya sa mga ito, "Nasusulat: 'Ang aking bahay ay tatawaging bahay-dalanginan.' Ngunit ginawa ninyong 'pugad ng mga magnanakaw'."  

Araw-araw, si Jesus ay nagtuturo sa loob ng templo. Pinagsikapan ng mga punong saserdote, ng mga eskriba, at ng mga pangunahin ng bayan na siya'y ipapatay. Subalit wala silang makitang paraan upang maisagawa ito, sapagkat taimtim na nakikinig sa kanya ang buong bayan.

Reflection for Thursday November 21 Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 19:41-44

Gospel: Luke 19:41-44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes. 

For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a husband who was a drug pusher and addict. He was counseled by his wife to stop his self-destructing vices. But the husband ignored his wife’s advice after a few months the husband  was caught by the police and was imprisoned for life. 

What would happen to us if we would not listen to meaningful advice? 

When we ignore meaningful advice, something that we don’t like will come upon us. We will not know when will it come to us but it will certainly come to us. So what are we going to do if someone is giving us meaningful advice? We have to listen and reform so that nothing untoward would happen to us.  

Why did Jesus weep over the people Jerusalem? Because they did not listen to the messengers of God who wanted nothing but their welfare. They shut their eyes and ears to God as if God did not exist.  

As we continue with our journey in this world there would be people who will give us meaningful advice. People who will tell us to disengage from a friend or people who will tell us to stop doing wrong. 

We have to listen to them not because they know better than us. We have to listen for the reason that God sent them to us so that we could straighten our crooked and sinful lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Nobyembre 21, Pagdadala sa Mahal na Birhen sa Templo (Paggunita): Lucas 19:41-44

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 19:41-44

Noong panahong iyon, nang malapit na siya sa Jerusalem at matanaw niya ang lunsod, ito'y kanyang tinangisan. Sinabi niya, "Kung nalalaman mo lamang sa araw na ito kung ano ang makapagdudulot sa iyo ng kapayapaan! Ngunit lingid ito ngayon sa iyong paningin. 

Sapagkat darating ang araw na paliligiran ka ng kuta ng iyong mga kaaway, kukubkubin at gigipitin sa magkabi-kabila. Wawasakin ka nila, at lilipulin ang mga anak mo sa loob ng iyong muog. At ni isang bato'y wala silang iiwan sa ibabaw ng kapwa bato, sapagkat hindi mo pinansin ang pagdating ng Diyos upang iligtas ka."        

Reflection for November 20 Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 19:11-28

Gospel: Luke 19:11-28

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Reflection:

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

What are you presently doing with the talents the good Lord has given you? Are you using them to advance God’s kingdom in this world, or are you using them solely to advance your own interests?

The third servant was not as productive as the first and second because he was fearful of the nobleman. Not only was he fearful, but he was also lazy and selfish. That is why he simply stored the gold coin in a handkerchief and left it there until it was taken back by the nobleman.

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

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 20, Miyerkules ng Ika-33 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 19:11-28

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 19:11-28

Noong panahong iyon, isinaysay ni Hesus ang isa pang talinghaga sa mga nakarinig ng una niyang pangungusap. Ginawa niya ito sapagkat malapit na siya sa Jerusalem, at ang akala ng mga tao ay itatatag na ang kaharian ng Diyos. Sabi niya: "May isang mahal na taong nagtungo sa malayong lupain upang gawing hari at magbalik pagkatapos niyon. 

Bago siya umalis, tinawag niya ang sampu sa kanyang mga alipin. Binigyan niya ang mga ito ng tig-iisang salaping ginto at sinabihan sila. 'Ipangalakal ninyo iyan hanggang sa pagbabalik ko.' Poot na poot naman sa kanya ang kanyang mga kababayan, kaya't pagkaalis niya, nagsugo sila ng mga kinatawan upang sabihin sa kinauukulan: 'Ayaw naming maging hari ang taong ito!' 

"Ngunit ginawa ring hari ang taong iyon. Umuwi siya pagkatapos, at ipinatawag ang mga aliping binigyan niya ng salaping ginto, upang malaman kung gaano ang tinubo ng bawat isa. Lumapit sa kanya ang una at ang sabi, 'Panginoon, ang salapi ninyong ginto ay nagtubo ng sampu.' 'Magaling,' sagot niya. 'Mabuting alipin!

Yamang naging matapat ka sa kakaunting bagay, pamamahalain kita sa sampung bayan.' Lumapit ang ikalawa at ang sinabi, 'Panginoon, ang salapi ninyong ginto ay nagtubo ng lima.' At sinabi niya sa kanya, 'Mamahala ka sa limang bayan.' 

Lumapit ang isa pang alipin at nagsabi, 'Panginoon, heto po ang inyong salaping ginto. Binalot ko sa panyo at itinago. Natatakot po ako sa inyo, sapagkat napakahigpit ninyo; kinukuha ninyo ang hindi sa inyo, at inaani ang hindi ninyo inihasik.' Sinagot siya ng kanyang panginoon, 'Masamang alipin! Sa salita mong iyan kita hahatulan. Alam mo palang ako'y mahigpit. Sinabi mo, kinukuha ko ang hindi sa akin at inani ko ang hindi inihasik. 

Bakit hindi mo inilagay sa bangko ang aking salapi? Pagbabalik ko, sana'y may tinubo ang puhunang ito.' At sinabi niya sa mga naroroon , 'Kunin ninyo sa kanya ang salaping ginto, at ibigay sa may sampu.' 'Panginoon, siya po'y mayroon nang sampung salaping ginto!' wika nila.

'Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang bawat mayroon ay bibigyan pa, ngunit ang wala, kahit ang kakaunting nasa kanya ay kukunin pa. Tungkol naman sa mga kaaway kong aayaw na ako'y maghari sa kanila-- dalhin ninyo rito at patayin sa harapan ko!'" Pagkasabi nito, nagpauna si Jesus patungong Jerusalem. 

Reflection for November 19 Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 19:1-10

Gospel: Luke 19:1-10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature.

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” 

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

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Reflection:

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

When Zacchaeus, a sinner and a wealthy tax collector, heard that Jesus would be passing through their town, he immediately planned to see Him. Consequently, he wasted no time and went to see Jesus. However, because of the large crowd and his short stature, there was no way for him to see Jesus personally. 

But Zacchaeus’ desire to mend his ways was so strong that he climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Surely, Jesus knew that this repentant sinner named Zacchaeus desperately wanted to see Him.  

As Jesus was about to pass by the sycamore tree, He looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." Zacchaeus immediately came down and brought Jesus to his house. Right there, Zacchaeus repented, and through his repentance, Jesus granted him salvation. 

We are all sinners, and as such, we are called to follow Zacchaeus’ example. Jesus calls us to repent as well—not tomorrow, not next week, and certainly not next month, but today. This very minute, as you are reading this. —Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 19, Martes ng Ika-33 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 19:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 19:1-10

Noong panahong iyon, pumasok si Jesus sa Jerico, at naglakad sa kabayanan. Doo'y may isang mayamang puno ng mga publikano na nagngangalang Zaqueo, at pinagsikapan niyang makita si Jesus upang makilala niya kung sino ito. Ngunit siya ay napakapandak, at dahil sa dami ng tao, hindi niya makita si Jesus. 

Kaya't patakbo siyang nagpauna at umakyat sa isang puno ng sikomoro upang makita si Jesus na magdaraan doon. Pagdating ni Jesus sa dakong iyon, siya'y tumingala at sinabi sa kanya, "Zaqueo, bumaba ka agad, sapagkat kailangan kong tumuloy sa bahay mo." Nagmamadali siyang bumaba, at tuwang-tuwang tinanggap si Jesus. 

Lahat ng nakakita nito ay nagbulung-bulungan. "Nakikituloy siya sa isang makasalanan," wika nila. Tumayo si Zaqueo at sinabi, "Panginoon, ibibigay ko po sa mga dukha ang kalahati ng aking ari-arian. At kung ako'y may nadayang sinuman, apat na ibayo ang isasauli ko sa kanya."

At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Ang kaligtasa'y dumating ngayon sa sambahayang ito; lipi rin ni Abraham ang taong ito. Sapagkat naparito ang Anak ng Tao upang hanapin at iligtas ang naligaw."

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

Gospel: Luke 18:35-43

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

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

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Reflection:

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

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

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

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

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

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 18, Lunes ng Ika-33 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 18:35-43

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 18:35-43

Malapit na si Hesus sa Jerico, at doo’y may isang lalaking bulag na nakaupo sa tabi ng daan at nagpapalimos. Nang marinig nitong nagdaraan ang maraming tao, itinanong niya kung ano ang nangyayari. “Nagdaraan si Hesus na taga Nazaret,” sabi nila. At siya’y sumigaw, “Hesus, Anak ni David! Mahabag po kayo sa akin!” 

Sinaway siya ng mga nasa unahan, ngunit lalo pa niyang nilakasan ang sigaw: “Anak ni David, mahabag po kayo sa akin!” Kaya’t tumigil si Hesus, at iniutos na dalhin sa kanya ang bulag. Inilapit nga ito at tinanong ni Hesus, “Ano ang ibig mong gawin ko sa iyo?” 

“Panginoon, ibig ko po sana’y manumbalik ang aking paningin,” sagot niya. At sinabi ni Hesus, “Mangyari ang ibig mo! Pinagaling ka dahil sa iyong pananalig.” Noon din, nakakita siya at sumunod kay Hesus, at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Nang makita ito ng mga tao, silang lahat ay nagpuri sa Diyos.

Reflection for Sunday November 17, Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 13:24-32

Gospel: Mark 13:24-32

Jesus said to his disciples: "In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. "And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. 

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

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Reflection:

Every now and then there are movies with end times' story lines such as extensive flooding, hunger, tsunamis, disasters, wars and the like. This is not only happening in movie themes, this is in fact already part of our life’s reality. Just watch the news and you will see many depressing situations. What if these frightening events that we see are really signs of the end times? Are we ready for it? 

Perhaps none of us are ready for these end-times scenarios, nor are we prepared for Jesus pronouncements made in the gospel. He tells us: 'In those days after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken' (Mark 13:24-25). This is unimaginable and terrifying, but what if it suddenly comes like a thief in the night? What will happen to us? Where will we end up? 

We may not all be ready for these horrific events, we may lose sleep thinking about these dreadful scenarios. But for so long as we have God in our hearts and for so long as we live within the ambit of His teachings. We need not worry for God will give us faith to endure all of these tribulations. He will give us peace in the midst of the absence of peace in our hearts. 

But oftentimes, we forget God's power over everything that happens and exists in this world. We often forget that God is above all these tribulations. Yes, all of this may happen when we least expect it, but if we have faith, we have nothing to worry about. If we love and believe in Jesus, we have nothing to fear.

Let us always learn to give all our worries to God. Let us always learn to invite Him to dwell in our hearts. By doing so, we will not dread anything; even the horrific end times, we will not fear.

Do you always pray and ask the Lord to come into your life? Do you always pray to make you strong in the midst of the tribulations and problems in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Nobyembre 17 Ika-33 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 13:24-32

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 13:24-32

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Sa mga araw na iyon, pagkatapos ng mga napakalaking kapighatian, magdidilim ang araw, hindi magliliwanag ang buwan, malalaglag mula sa langit ang mga bituin, at mayayanig ang mga kapangyarihan sa kalawakan.

 At makikita ang Anak ng Tao na nasa alapaap, dumarating na may dakilang kapangyarihan at malaking karangalan. Susuguin niya ang kanyang mga anghel sa apat na panig ng daigdig at titipunin nila ang mga hinirang ng Diyos, mula sa lahat ng dako.

“Unawain ninyo ang aral mula sa puno ng igos: kapag sumisipot na ang mga dahon sa sanga nito, alam ninyong malapit na ang tag-araw. Gayun din naman, kapag nakita ninyong nangyayari na ang mga bagay na ito, malalaman ninyong malapit na ang panahon ng pagparito niya – nagsisimula na. 

Tandaan ninyo: magaganap ang mga bagay na ito bago mamatay ang mga taong nabubuhay sa ngayon. Mawawala ang langit at ang lupa, ngunit ang mga salita ko’y hindi magkakabula.

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

Reflection for November 16 Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 18:1-8

Gospel: Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’  

For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’ The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.  

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

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Reflection:

How persistent are we when we have prayer petitions before God? If God seems silent; do we easily give up that He will hear our prayer petitions? Do we lose our faith when we don’t hear/feel any signs from God about our pleadings?  

In the gospel Jesus gave the disciples a parable about a Judge who neither feared God nor respected any human being and a widow who was very persistent with her petition before the judge to grant her a just decision against her enemy. 

Initially it would seem that the judge would not grant her request but the widow was very persistent and she never gave up thus she continued on badgering the judge. Eventually the judge granted her petition for a just decision.  

We all have our own silent prayers before God, we may have been praying for weeks, months, even years and it may seem that God is absent and quite. Let us not lose hope let us continue to whisper to God our prayers.  For in His own time of choosing and when we least expect it He definitely will respond to our prayers. 

Are you always persistent when you pray to the Lord?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 16, Sabado ng Ika-32 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 18:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 18:1-8

Noong panahong iyon, isinaysay ni Jesus ang isang talinghaga upang ituro sa kanila na dapat silang manalanging lagi at huwag manghinawa.

"Sa isang lunsod," wika niya, "may isang hukom na hindi natatakot sa Diyos at walang taong iginagalang. Sa lunsod ding yaon ay may isang babaing balo na punta nang punta sa hukom at humihingi ng katarungan. Tinanggihan siya ng hukom sa loob ng ilang panahon.  

Ngunit ng malaunan ay nasabi nito sa sarili: 'Bagamat hindi ako natatakot sa Diyos ni gumagalang kaninuman, igagawad ko na ang katarungang hinihingi ng babaing ito sapagkat lagi niya akong ginagambala-- baka pa ako mainis sa kapaparito niya.'" 

At sinabi ng Panginoon, "Narinig ninyo ang sinabi ng masamang hukom. Hindi ipagkakait ng Diyos ang katarungan sa kanyang mga hinirang na dumaraing sa kanya araw-gabi, bagama't tila nagtatagal iyon. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, agad niyang igagawad sa kanila ang katarungan. Ngunit pagdating ng Anak ng Tao sa daigdig na ito, may makikita kaya siyang mga taong nananalig sa kanya?"