Reflection for Monday September 14 Feast of 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:

What does the cross signify to us?

The cross is a sign of suffering for many, but for us Christians, it is essentially a sign of triumph. Without the cross upon which Jesus was nailed, there would have been no salvation for all of us. Where would we be without Jesus giving His life on the cross? His sacrifice reminds us that love is sometimes expressed through suffering, sacrifice, and self-giving.

Let us not be intimidated by the daily crosses that we carry, for we do not carry them alone. Jesus is with us to help us carry them. When our burdens become heavy, He gives us strength. When we feel weak, He gives us courage. When we are tempted to give up, He reminds us that our suffering can have meaning when we unite it with His Cross.

Let us learn to entrust our crosses to Jesus. Let us call upon Him in our moments of pain, uncertainty, and discouragement. We may not always understand why we have to suffer, and Jesus may not immediately take our crosses away, but He assures us that He will walk with us through them. With Jesus beside us, even the heaviest cross becomes bearable.

We should count ourselves blessed if we know Jesus deeply because we have someone whom we can always call upon whenever trials and crosses come our way. We have someone to whom we can turn when life becomes difficult. We have Jesus, who never abandons us and who continually invites us to place our trust in Him.

But what about those who do not know Jesus deeply or who do not know Him at all? They may be at a disadvantage, but all is not lost because we are there. We can introduce Jesus to them through our words, our kindness, our compassion, our forgiveness, and most especially through the way we live our lives. We can become instruments through whom they may encounter His love.

Perhaps some people around us are carrying heavy crosses silently. They may be struggling with problems that we know nothing about. They may be searching for hope, peace, and someone who will simply listen. What if God has placed us in their lives so that, through us, they may discover that Jesus has not forgotten them?

The cross teaches us that suffering is not the end of the story. Beyond the pain of Good Friday comes the joy of the Resurrection. Beyond our tears can come hope. Beyond our struggles can come grace. And beyond the crosses we carry is the promise that Christ walks with us every step of the way.

So, let us embrace our crosses with faith, entrust them to Jesus with confidence, and never forget those who are struggling to carry their own. May our lives become a living testimony that no cross is too heavy when it is carried with Christ, and no person is ever beyond the reach of His love.

When we encounter someone who is silently carrying a heavy cross, will we simply walk past them, or will we allow Jesus to use us as His hands, His heart, and His presence to help them carry it?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Lunes Setyembre 14 Kapistahan ng Pagtatampok sa Krus na Banal: Juan 3:13-17

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:13-17

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus kay Nicodemo, "Walang umakyat sa langit kundi ang bumaba mula sa langit -- ang Anak ng Tao. "At kung paanong itinaas ni Moises ang ahas doon sa ilang gayon din naman, kailangang itaas ang Anak ng Tao, upang ang sinumang sumasampalataya sa kanya ay magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan.  

Gayun na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sanlibutan, kaya ibinigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na Anak, upang ang sumampalataya sa kanya ay hindi mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. Sapagkat sinugo ng Diyos ang kanyang Anak, hindi upang maparusahan ang sanlibutan, kundi upang iligtas ito sa pamamagitan niya.

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Repleksyon:

Ano ang kahulugan ng krus para sa atin?

Ang krus ay tanda ng pagdurusa para sa marami, ngunit para sa ating mga Kristiyano, ito ay higit sa lahat isang tanda ng pagtatagumpay. Kung wala ang krus na kinapakuan kay Hesus, hindi sana nagkaroon ng kaligtasan para sa ating lahat. Nasaan kaya tayo ngayon kung hindi ibinigay ni Hesus ang Kanyang buhay sa krus? Ipinapaalala sa atin ng Kanyang sakripisyo na ang tunay na pag-ibig ay naipapakita rin sa pamamagitan ng pagtitiis, pagsasakripisyo, at buong pusong pagbibigay ng sarili.

Huwag tayong matakot sa mga krus na araw-araw nating pasan, sapagkat hindi natin ito kailangang dalhin nang mag-isa. Kasama natin si Hesus upang tulungan tayong pasanin ang mga ito.

Kapag mabigat ang ating mga pasanin, binibigyan Niya tayo ng lakas. Kapag tayo ay nanghihina, binibigyan Niya tayo ng tapang. At kapag tayo ay natutuksong sumuko, ipinapaalala Niya sa atin na ang ating mga pagdurusa ay maaaring magkaroon ng kahulugan kapag iniaalay at iniuugnay natin ang mga ito sa Kanyang Banal na Krus.

Matuto tayong ipagkatiwala kay Hesus ang ating mga krus. Tumawag tayo sa Kanya sa mga sandali ng ating sakit, pangamba, kawalan ng katiyakan, at panghihina ng loob. Maaaring hindi natin laging nauunawaan kung bakit kailangan nating magdusa, at maaaring hindi Niya agad alisin ang ating mga krus. Ngunit tinitiyak Niya sa atin na sasamahan Niya tayo sa bawat hakbang ng ating paglalakbay. Kapag kasama natin si Hesus, maging ang pinakamabigat na krus ay nagiging kayang pasanin.

Mapalad tayo kung malalim ang ating pagkakilala kay Hesus, sapagkat mayroon tayong laging matatawag at malalapitan sa tuwing dumarating ang mga pagsubok at krus sa ating buhay. Mayroon tayong malalapitan kapag nagiging mahirap ang buhay. Nariyan si Hesus na hindi kailanman nag-iiwan sa atin at patuloy na inaanyayahan tayong magtiwala sa Kanya.

Ngunit paano naman ang mga taong hindi pa malalim ang pagkakakilala kay Hesus o ang mga hindi pa nakakakilala sa Kanya? Maaaring sila ay nasa isang mahirap na kalagayan, ngunit hindi ibig sabihin na wala nang pag-asa.

Narito tayo. Maaari nating ipakilala si Hesus sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng ating mga salita, kabutihan, malasakit, pagpapatawad, at higit sa lahat, sa paraan ng ating pamumuhay. Maaari tayong maging mga instrumento upang maranasan nila ang Kanyang pagmamahal.

Marahil, may mga taong nasa paligid natin na tahimik na nagpapasan ng mabibigat na krus. Maaaring may mga pinagdaraanan silang hindi natin alam. Maaaring naghahanap sila ng pag-asa, kapayapaan, at isang taong handang makinig sa kanila. Paano kung inilagay tayo ng Diyos sa kanilang buhay upang sa pamamagitan natin ay matuklasan nilang hindi sila kinalimutan ni Hesus?

Itinuturo sa atin ng krus na ang pagdurusa ay hindi ang katapusan ng kuwento. Sa likod ng sakit ng Biyernes Santo ay ang kagalakan ng Muling Pagkabuhay. Sa likod ng ating mga luha ay may pag-asa. Sa likod ng ating mga pakikibaka ay may biyaya. At sa likod ng mga krus na ating pinapasan ay ang pangako na lalakad si Kristo kasama natin sa bawat hakbang ng ating buhay.

Kaya't yakapin natin nang may pananampalataya ang ating mga krus, buong tiwalang ipagkatiwala ang mga ito kay Hesus, at huwag nating kalimutan ang mga taong nahihirapang pasanin ang sarili nilang mga krus. Nawa'y maging buhay na patotoo ang ating buhay na walang krus na napakabigat kapag kasama natin si Kristo, at walang taong kailanman ay napakalayo upang hindi marating ng Kanyang pagmamahal.

Kapag nakatagpo tayo ng isang taong tahimik na nagpapasan ng mabigat na krus, lalampasan lamang ba natin siya, o hahayaan nating gamitin tayo ni Hesus bilang Kanyang mga kamay, puso, at presensya upang tulungan natin siyang makabagon at magpatuloy?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 13 Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:21-35

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him,“ Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times? Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.  

When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.  

Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe. 

Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back. But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.  

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant as I had pity on you? Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

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Reflection:

Are we truly forgiving?

In the Gospel, a servant asked his king to forgive the huge amount he owed, and the king granted him forgiveness. Yet, when the servant encountered someone who owed him a much smaller amount, he demanded repayment of the debt. He had received mercy, but he was unwilling to extend that same mercy to another.

Perhaps many of us can relate to this servant who asked forgiveness from his Lord and Master. We ask Jesus to forgive us for all our sins, and many of us even submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We kneel before the Lord with humble hearts, acknowledging our sins and asking for His mercy. And in His great love, Jesus forgives us and gives us another chance to begin anew.

But do we truly live out the forgiveness we have received from Jesus? Do we forgive those who have wronged us just as we have been forgiven by the Lord?

These are difficult questions because forgiving is not always easy. There are wounds that run deep, words that continue to hurt, and painful memories that are difficult to let go of. Yet, when we choose to forgive, we allow God's grace to work within us. We free ourselves from the prison of anger, hatred, and resentment.

Just imagine: when we harbor anger in our hearts, we carry a burden that does us no good. We allow something from the past to continue occupying a place in our hearts and stealing our peace. Why can't we let bygones be bygones, forgive and forget, and move forward without carrying a heavy burden in our hearts?

When we refuse to forgive, we are only punishing ourselves. We remain chained to the pain, even when the person who hurt us may already have moved on. Worse, we can allow anger and resentment to take root in our hearts and draw us farther away from the peace that Jesus wants to give us.

We, therefore, have to be forgiving because forgiveness is not only for those who have wronged us; it is also for us, the ones who have been wronged. Forgiveness heals our whole being. It makes us emotionally and spiritually stronger, and it opens a new path in our lives where we can begin anew without the heavy burden of hatred and resentment.

Forgiving does not mean that what happened to us was acceptable. It does not erase the pain or pretend that the wound never existed. Rather, forgiveness means that we choose to surrender our pain to Jesus and refuse to allow hatred to control our hearts. We entrust justice to God and allow His grace to lead us toward healing and peace.

Let us always learn from Jesus, who is ever-forgiving. Let us learn from Him, who does not keep a record of our wrongs in His heart. Instead, He continually offers us mercy, healing, and another chance to begin again.

As we receive God's forgiveness, let us also become instruments of that same forgiveness in the lives of others. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to soften whatever has become hardened in our hearts and to give us the grace to forgive even when forgiveness is difficult.

Is there someone we still cannot forgive? What anger, hatred, or resentment are we still carrying in our hearts—and are we ready today to surrender it to Jesus?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Setyembre 13 Ika-24 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 18:21-35

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:21-35

Noong panahong iyon, lumapit si Pedro at nagtanong kay Hesus, “Panginoon, makailan kong patatawarin ang aking kapatid na paulit-ulit na nagkakasala sa akin? Makapito po ba?” Sinagot siya ni Hesus, “Hindi ko sinasabing makapito, kundi pitumpung ulit pa nito. 

Sapagkat ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: ipinasiya ng isang hari na pagbayarin ang kanyang mga lingkod na may utang sa kanya. Unang dinala sa kanya ang isang may utang na sampung milyung piso. Dahil sa siya’y walang ibayad, iniutos ng hari na ipagbili siya, ang kanyang asawa, mga anak, at lahat ng ari-arian, upang makabayad. 

Nanikluhod ang taong ito sa harapan ng hari at nagmakaawa: ‘Bigyan pa ninyo ako ng panahon, at babayaran ko sa inyo ang lahat.’ Naawa sa kanya ang hari kaya ipinatawad ang kanyang mga utang at pinayaon siya. “Ngunit pagkaalis niya roon ay nakatagpo niya ang isa sa kanyang kapwa lingkod na may utang na limandaang piso sa kanya. 

Sinunggaban niya ito at sinakal, sabay wika: ‘Magbayad ka ng utang mo!’ Naglumuhod iyon at nagmakaawa sa kanya: ‘Bigyan mo pa ako ng panahon at babayaran kita.’ Ngunit hindi siya pumayag; sa halip ipinabilanggo niya ang kanyang kapwa lingkod hanggang sa ito’y makabayad. Nang makita ng kanyang mga kapwa lingkod ang nangyari, sila’y labis na nagdamdam; pumunta sila sa hari at isinumbong ang nangyari.  

Kaya’t ipinatawag siya ng hari. ‘Ikaw – napakasama mo!’ Sabi niya. ‘Pinatawad kita sa utang mo sapagkat nagmakaawa ka sa akin. Nahabag ako sa iyo; hindi ba dapat ka ring mahabag sa kapwa mo?’ At sa galit ng hari, siya’y ipinabilanggo hanggang sa mabayaran niya ang kanyang utang. Gayun din ang gagawin sa inyo ng aking Amang nasa langit kung hindi ninyo patatawarin ang inyong kapatid.

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Repleksyon:

Tayo ba ay mapagpatawad?

Sa Ebanghelyo, isang alipin ang humingi ng kapatawaran sa kanyang hari dahil sa napakalaking halagang kanyang pagkakautang, at siya ay pinatawad ng hari. Ngunit nang makatagpo niya ang isang taong may mas maliit na pagkakautang sa kanya, hiniling niya na agad itong bayaran. Tumanggap siya ng pagpapatawad, ngunit hindi niya kayang ibigay ang parehong pagpapatawad sa iba.

Marahil, marami sa atin ang makauugnay sa aliping ito na humingi ng kapatawaran sa kanyang Panginoon at Guro. Humihingi tayo kay Jesus ng kapatawaran sa lahat ng ating mga kasalanan, at marami sa atin ang lumalapit sa Sakramento ng Kumpisal o Pakikipagkasundo. Lumalapit tayo sa Panginoon nang may mapagpakumbabang puso, inaamin ang ating mga kasalanan at humihingi ng Kanyang awa. At dahil sa Kanyang dakilang pag-ibig, pinatatawad tayo ni Jesus at binibigyan Niya tayo ng panibagong pagkakataong magsimulang muli.

Ngunit tunay ba nating isinasabuhay ang kapatawarang tinanggap natin mula kay Jesus? Napapatawad ba natin ang mga taong nakasakit o nagkasala sa atin, tulad ng pagpapatawad sa atin ng Panginoon?

Mahirap ang mga tanong na ito sapagkat hindi laging madali ang magpatawad. May mga sugat na malalim, mga salitang patuloy na sumasakit, at masasakit na alaala na mahirap pakawalan. Ngunit kapag pinipili nating magpatawad, hinahayaan nating kumilos ang biyaya ng Diyos sa ating puso. Unti-unti Niya tayong pinalalaya mula sa bilangguan ng galit, poot, at sama ng loob.

Kapag kinikimkim natin ang galit sa ating puso, nagdadala tayo ng pasaning wala namang mabuting naidudulot sa atin. Hinahayaan nating manatili sa ating puso ang isang bagay na nangyari na sa nakaraan, hanggang sa nakawin nito ang ating kapayapaan. Bakit hindi natin hayaang manatili sa nakaraan ang mga bagay na dapat nang iwan doon? Bakit hindi tayo magpatawad at magpatuloy sa buhay na walang dinadalang mabigat na pasanin sa ating puso?

Kapag ayaw nating magpatawad, para na rin nating pinarurusahan ang ating sarili. Nanatili tayong alipin ng poot, samantalang maaaring matagal nang nakapagpatuloy sa buhay ang taong nakasakit sa atin. Higit sa lahat, kapag hinahayaan nating mag-ugat sa ating puso ang galit at sama ng loob, unti-unti tayong napapalayo sa kapayapaang nais ibigay sa atin ni Jesus.

Kaya dapat tayong matutong magpatawad sapagkat ang kapatawaran ay hindi lamang para sa mga taong nakasakit sa atin; ito rin ay para sa atin na nasaktan. Pinagagaling ng kapatawaran ang ating buong pagkatao. Tinutulungan tayo nitong maging mas matatag sa emosyonal at espirituwal na aspeto, at binubuksan nito ang isang bagong landas sa ating buhay upang makapagsimula tayong muli nang hindi na pasan ang mabigat na poot at sama ng loob.

Ang pagpapatawad ay hindi nangangahulugang katanggap-tanggap ang ginawa sa atin. Hindi nito binubura ang sakit o ipinagkukunwaring hindi kailanman nangyari ang sugat. Sa halip, ang pagpapatawad ay nangangahulugang pinipili nating isuko kay Jesus ang ating sakit at ayaw nating hayaang kontrolin ng poot ang ating puso. Ipinauubaya natin sa Diyos ang katarungan at hinahayaan nating akayin tayo ng Kanyang biyaya tungo sa kagalingan at kapayapaan.

Lagi nating tularan si Jesus na walang sawang nagpapatawad. Matuto tayong tumingin sa Kanya, sapagkat hindi Niya itinatala sa Kanyang puso ang ating mga pagkakamali. Sa halip, patuloy Niya tayong binibigyan ng awa, kagalingan, at panibagong pagkakataong magsimulang muli.

Habang tinatanggap natin ang kapatawaran ng Diyos, maging mga instrumento rin tayo ng kapatawarang iyon sa buhay ng iba. Hilingin natin sa Banal na Espiritu na palambutin ang anumang bahagi ng ating puso na tumigas dahil sa sakit, galit, o sama ng loob. Hilingin natin sa Kanya ang biyayang makapagpatawad kahit mahirap, sapagkat alam nating ang tunay na kalayaan ay matatagpuan kapag buong puso nating ipinauubaya kay Jesus ang ating mga pasanin.

Mayroon ba tayong taong hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa natin kayang patawarin? Handa na ba nating isuko ito kay Jesus ngayon, upang matuto tayong magpatawad tulad ng pagpapatawad Niya sa atin?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 12 Saturday of 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:

What will happen to a child when they are taught proper values and when those same values are lived out by their parents? We can hope that the child will grow up to become a good, responsible, and God-loving person. This is often the beautiful fruit of parents who patiently teach their children what is right and, more importantly, strive to live out those values themselves.

On the other hand, if children are not taught proper moral values and their parents do not live by those same values, we can expect them to grow up with a distorted sense of right and wrong. This may happen because they were neither taught these values nor given a good example of how to live them. Children learn not only through our words but also through our actions. They watch us, listen to us, and often imitate what they see in us.

In our Gospel reading this Saturday, 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” (Luke 6:43–44). In our reflection, we can see the parents as the tree and their children as its fruit. The quality of the fruit tells us something about the tree from which it came.

Jesus reminds us of the profound responsibility entrusted to us as parents and as adults who influence the lives of children. Whatever good values we teach our children can become part of who they are. But even more powerful than our words is the witness of our lives. When our children see us praying, forgiving, showing compassion, speaking honestly, respecting others, and loving God, we are planting seeds of faith and goodness in their hearts.

Our children may forget some of the words we tell them, but they are less likely to forget the example we have shown them. Our lives can become a living lesson that they carry with them as they grow older.

Many modern parents are always busy. Because of work, responsibilities, and the many demands of daily life, they sometimes have little time to teach their children good moral values, much less to nurture in them a love for God. This should challenge all of us. What kind of spiritual and moral foundation are we building for our children? Are we giving them enough of our time, attention, guidance, and love?

Let us remember that raising children is not merely about providing for their material needs. It is also about helping them discover God, teaching them the difference between right and wrong, and showing them through our own lives what it means to love, forgive, serve, and remain faithful.

Let us therefore strive to become the kind of “good tree” that bears good fruit. Let our homes become places where faith is lived, where forgiveness is practiced, where love is freely given, and where God is not merely spoken about but truly welcomed into our daily lives.

For the fruit that our children bear tomorrow may very well be influenced by the seeds we plant and the example we give them today.

What kind of “tree” are we becoming, and if our children are the fruit of our example, what kind of fruit are they seeing in our lives?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Setyembre 12 Sabado ng Ika-23 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 6:43-49

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:43-49

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Walang mabuting punongkahoy na namumunga ng masama, at walang masamang punongkahoy na namumunga ng mabuti. Nakikilala ang bawat punongkahoy sa pamamagitan ng kanyang bunga.

Sapagkat hindi nakapipitas ng igos sa puno ng aroma, at di rin nakapipitas ng ubas sa puno ng dawag. Ang mabuting tao ay nakapagdudulot ng mabuti sapagkat tigib ng kabutihan ang kanyang puso; ang masamang tao ay nakapagdudulot ng masama, sapagkat puno ng kasamaan ang kanyang puso. Sapagkat kung ano ang bukambibig siyang laman ng dibdib. 

“Tinatawag ninyo ako ‘Panginoon, Panginoon,’ ngunit hindi naman ninyo ginagawa ang sinasabi ko. Ipakikilala ko sa inyo kung kanino natutulad ang bawat lumalapit sa akin, nakikinig ng aking mga salita, at nagsasagawa ng mga ito. 

Katulad siya ng isang taong humukay nang malalim at sa pundasyong bato nagtayo ng bahay. Bumaha, at ang tubig ay bumugso sa bahay na iyon, ngunit hindi natinag, sapagkat matatag ang pagkakatayo. 

Ngunit ang nakikinig ng aking mga salita at hindi nagsasagawa nito ay katulad ng isang taong nagtayo ng bahay na walang pundasyon. Bumaha, nadaanan ng tubig ang bahay na iyon at pagdaka’y bumagsak. Lubusang nawasak ang bahay na iyon!”

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Repleksyon:

Ano ang mangyayari sa isang bata kapag tinuruan siya ng mabubuting paguugali at kapag ang mga paguugaling ito ay nakikita rin niyang isinasabuhay ng kanyang mga magulang? Malaki ang posibilidad na siya ay lumaki na isang mabuti, responsable, at mapagmahal sa Diyos na tao.

Ito ang madalas na magandang bunga ng mga magulang na matiyagang nagtuturo sa kanilang mga anak kung ano ang tama at, higit sa lahat, nagsisikap na isabuhay mismo ang mga paguugali na kanilang itinuturo.

Sa kabilang banda, kung ang mga bata ay hindi naturuan ng wastong paguugali at hindi rin ito isinasabuhay ng kanilang mga magulang, maaari silang lumaki na may magulong pananaw tungkol sa tama at mali. Maaaring mangyari ito sapagkat hindi lamang sila naturuan ng mga mabubuting paguugaling ito, kundi hindi rin nila nakita sa kanilang mga magulang ang mabuting halimbawa kung paano ito isinasabuhay. Ang mga bata ay natututo hindi lamang sa ating mga salita kundi maging sa ating mga kilos at gawa. Pinagmamasdan nila tayo, nakikinig sa atin, at madalas ay ginagaya ang kanilang nakikita sa atin.

Sa ating Ebanghelyo ngayong Sabado, sinabi ni Jesus sa Kanyang mga alagad: “Walang mabuting punongkahoy na namumunga ng masama, at walang masamang punongkahoy na namumunga ng mabuti. Nakikilala ang bawat punongkahoy sa pamamagitan ng kanyang bunga.” (Lucas 6:43–44). Sa ating pagninilay, maaari nating tingnan ang mga magulang bilang puno at ang kanilang mga anak bilang bunga. Sa bunga ay makikita natin ang isang bagay tungkol sa punong pinagmulan nito.

Ipinapaalala sa atin ni Jesus ang napakalaking pananagutang ipinagkatiwala sa atin bilang mga magulang at bilang mga taong may impluwensya sa buhay ng mga bata. Ang mabubuting pagpapahalagang itinuturo natin sa ating mga anak ay maaaring maging bahagi ng kanilang pagkatao.

Ngunit higit na makapangyarihan kaysa sa ating mga salita ang patotoo ng ating buhay. Kapag nakikita ng ating mga anak na tayo ay nananalangin, marunong magpatawad, mahabagin, tapat sa salita, gumagalang sa kapwa, at nagmamahal sa Diyos, nagtatanim tayo ng mga binhi ng pananampalataya at kabutihan sa kanilang mga puso.

Maaaring makalimutan ng ating mga anak ang ilan sa mga salitang sinasabi natin sa kanila, ngunit mas mahirap nilang makalimutan ang halimbawang ipinakita natin sa kanila. Ang ating buhay ay maaaring maging isang buhay na aral na kanilang dadalhin habang sila ay lumalaki at humaharap sa mga pagsubok ng buhay.

Maraming mga magulang sa panahon natin ang abalang-abala. Dahil sa trabaho, mga responsibilidad, at napakaraming hinihingi ng araw-araw na buhay, kung minsan ay kakaunti na lamang ang kanilang panahon upang turuan ang kanilang mga anak ng mabubuting paguugali, lalo na ang paghubog sa kanila na magkaroon ng tunay na pagmamahal sa Diyos. Dapat itong maging hamon sa ating lahat. Anong uri ng espirituwal at moral na pundasyon ang itinatayo natin para sa ating mga anak? Nabibigyan ba natin sila ng sapat na panahon, atensyon, paggabay, at pagmamahal?

Ang pagpapalaki ng mga anak ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagtugon sa kanilang materyal na pangangailangan. Ito rin ay tungkol sa pagtulong sa kanila na makilala ang Diyos, pagtuturo sa kanila ng pagkakaiba ng tama at mali, at pagpapakita sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng ating sariling buhay kung ano ang tunay na kahulugan ng magmahal, magpatawad, maglingkod, at manatiling tapat sa Diyos.

Kaya sikapin nating maging isang “mabuting puno” na namumunga ng mabuting bunga. Nawa’y maging tahanan natin ang isang lugar kung saan isinasabuhay ang pananampalataya, isinasagawa ang pagpapatawad, malayang ibinibigay ang pagmamahal, at ang Diyos ay hindi lamang pinag-uusapan kundi tunay na tinatanggap at binibigyang-puwang sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay.

Sapagkat ang bungang mamumunga sa buhay ng ating mga anak bukas ay maaaring maimpluwensiyahan ng mga binhing itinatanim natin at ng halimbawang ipinakikita natin sa kanila ngayon.

Anong uri ng “puno” ba tayo? at anong mga “bunga” mayroon tayo?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 11 Friday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:39-42

Gospel: Luke 6:39-42

Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?  

How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

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Reflection:

Before a judge gives a verdict or judgment, the judge sees to it that every witness from both opposing sides is heard. This assures us that whatever decision the judge makes is appropriate and based on the facts of the case.

Do we not oftentimes act as judges within our own sphere of influence? For example, as fathers and mothers, we sometimes act as judges when we give orders to our children not to do this or that. We also exercise authority when we admonish them and impose disciplinary actions.

But before we judge or correct others, do we first examine ourselves? Are we worthy of the judgment we give? If we are good role models, then our words will have greater weight, and our children and those entrusted to our care will be more likely to listen to us. But what happens when our actions do not correspond with what we teach?

The Gospel reminds us that before we give judgment to anyone, we must first examine our own lives. We need to ask ourselves: Do we have the moral authority and credibility to correct others? Are we good role models? Do we practice what we tell others to do?

It is easy to tell others what they should do. It is easy to point out their mistakes and shortcomings. But it is much more difficult to look honestly into our own hearts and acknowledge our own weaknesses. Sometimes, we may demand goodness from others while failing to practice the same goodness in our own lives.

This is where the Lord invites us to humility. Before we remove the speck from another person's eye, we must first be willing to look at what is in our own eyes. Our authority becomes meaningful when it is accompanied by humility, integrity, and a life that bears witness to what we teach.

If we want our children, family members, friends, coworkers, and fellow members of our community to listen to us, let us not merely speak about what is right. Let us live it. Let our actions speak together with our words. Let our lives become a quiet but powerful testimony of the values and faith we profess.

True authority does not come merely from the position we hold or from the orders we give. It comes from the credibility of a life lived with integrity. When we lead by example, we do not have to force others to listen because our lives themselves become a source of inspiration.

Let us therefore ask the Lord for the humility to examine ourselves before we judge others, the courage to acknowledge our own shortcomings, and the grace to become better examples to those entrusted to our care.

Before we point our finger at someone else's weakness, are we willing to let God point His finger at the areas of our own lives that still need to be changed? And if our children, family, and those around us followed not what we say but what we do, would our lives truly lead them closer to God?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Setyembre 11 Biyernes sa Ika-23 Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 6:39-42

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:39-42

Noong panahong iyon, tinanong sila ni Jesus ng patalinghaga: "Maaari bang maging tagaakay ng bulag ang isa ring bulag? Kapwa sila mahuhulog sa hukay kapag ginawa ang gayun. Walang alagad na higit sa kanyang guro; ngunit kapag lubusang naturuan, siya'y magiging katulad ng kanyang guro. 

"Ang tinitingnan mo'y ang puwing ng iyong kapatid, ngunit hindi mo pinapansin ang tahilan sa iyong mata. Paano mong masasabi sa iyong kapatid, 'Kapatid, bayaan kong alisin mo ang iyong puwing,' gayong hindi mo nakikita ang tahilan sa iyong mata? Mapagpaimbabaw! Alisin mo muna ang tahilan sa iyong mata, at makakikita kang mabuti; sa gayo'y maaalis mo ang puwing ng iyong kapatid." 

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Repleksyon:

Bago magbigay ng hatol ang isang hukom, sinisiguro muna niyang napakinggan ang bawat saksi mula sa magkabilang panig. Sa ganitong paraan, makatitiyak tayo na ang anumang desisyong kanyang gagawin ay nararapat at nakabatay sa mga katotohanan ng kaso.

Hindi ba’t madalas din tayong nagiging mga hukom sa loob ng ating sariling nasasakupan o sa mga taong bahagi ng ating buhay? Halimbawa, bilang mga ama at ina, nagiging tila mga hukom tayo kapag nagbibigay tayo ng mga utos sa ating mga anak na huwag gawin ito o iyon. Ginagamit din natin ang ating awtoridad kapag sinasaway natin sila at nagbibigay ng kaukulang disiplina.

Ngunit bago natin hatulan o itama ang iba, sinusuri muna ba natin ang ating sarili? Karapat-dapat ba tayo sa mga hatol na ating ibinibigay? Kung tayo ay mabubuting halimbawa, mas magkakaroon ng bigat ang ating mga salita, at mas malamang na pakinggan tayo ng ating mga anak at ng mga taong ipinagkatiwala sa ating pangangalaga. Ngunit ano ang mangyayari kung hindi naman tugma ang ating mga ginagawa sa ating mga itinuturo?

Ipinapaalala sa atin ng Ebanghelyo na bago tayo humatol sa sinuman, kailangan muna nating suriin ang ating sariling buhay. Kailangan nating itanong sa ating sarili: May moral na awtoridad at kredibilidad ba tayo upang itama ang iba? Mabuting halimbawa ba tayo? Isinasabuhay ba natin ang mga bagay na sinasabi nating dapat gawin ng iba?

Madaling sabihin sa iba kung ano ang dapat nilang gawin. Madaling ituro ang kanilang mga pagkakamali at pagkukulang. Ngunit higit na mahirap ang tapat na pagtingin sa ating sariling puso at pagkilala sa ating mga kahinaan. Kung minsan, hinihingi natin sa iba ang kabutihan ngunit tayo mismo ay hindi nagsisikap na isabuhay ang kabutihang hinihingi natin sa kanila.

Dito tayo inaanyayahan ng Panginoon sa kababaang-loob. Bago natin alisin ang puwing sa mata ng iba, kailangan muna nating maging handang tingnan ang anumang puwing na nasa ating sariling mata. Nagiging makabuluhan ang ating awtoridad kapag ito ay sinasamahan ng kababaang-loob, integridad, at isang buhay na tunay na nagpapatotoo sa ating mga itinuturo.

Kung nais nating pakinggan tayo ng ating mga anak, kapamilya, kaibigan, mga katrabaho, at mga kasama sa ating pamayanan, huwag lamang tayong magsalita tungkol sa kung ano ang tama. Isabuhay natin ito. Hayaang magsalita ang ating mga gawa kasabay ng ating mga salita. Hayaang maging tahimik ngunit makapangyarihang patotoo ang ating buhay sa mga pagpapahalaga at pananampalatayang ating ipinapahayag.

Ang tunay na awtoridad ay hindi lamang nagmumula sa posisyong hawak natin o sa mga utos na ibinibigay natin. Nagmumula ito sa kredibilidad ng isang buhay na namumuhay nang may integridad. Kapag tayo ay namumuno sa pamamagitan ng mabuting halimbawa, hindi natin kailangang pilitin ang iba na makinig sa atin, sapagkat ang ating buhay mismo ang maaaring maging inspirasyon para sa kanila.

Kaya hilingin natin sa Panginoon ang biyaya ng kababaang-loob upang suriin muna natin ang ating sarili bago natin hatulan ang iba; ang tapang na kilalanin at aminin ang ating sariling mga pagkukulang; at ang biyaya na maging mas mabuting halimbawa sa mga taong ipinagkatiwala Niya sa ating pangangalaga.

Bago natin ituro ang kahinaan ng iba, handa ba tayong hayaan ang Diyos na ituro sa atin ang mga bahagi ng ating sariling buhay na kailangan pa nating baguhin? At kung ang ating mga anak, pamilya, at mga taong nakapaligid sa atin ay susunod hindi sa ating mga sinasabi kundi sa ating mga ginagawa, tunay nga kaya silang maaakay ng ating buhay palapit sa Diyos?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 10 Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:27-38

Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 

To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. 

Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.

If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful. 

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

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Reflection:

The story is told of a man who would always feel anger whenever he saw his sister, who had wronged him. This went on for many years until he suffered a near-fatal heart attack. He reflected deeply on what had happened to him and finally decided to forgive his sister.

What will liberate us from hatred and negative emotions? It is forgiveness and love. The moment we sincerely forgive and choose to love, hatred and negativity begin to lose their grip on our hearts. We become free. Instead of allowing bitterness to consume us, we begin to experience the peace that comes when we surrender our hurts to God. We learn that forgiveness is not merely something we do for others; it is also a gift we give ourselves.

Yet, as human beings, we sometimes succumb to hatred, anger, and resentment. We allow these emotions to control us instead of taking control of them. When we hold on to our hurts, we carry a burden that God never intended us to carry forever. Bitterness can quietly take root in our hearts, steal our peace, affect our relationships, and even prevent us from fully appreciating the blessings that God continues to give us.

What, then, is the cure for hatred? It is love, forgiveness, and humility. These three powerful virtues can conquer hatred and free us from emotions that bring us nothing but pain, negativity, and inner turmoil. When hatred occupies our hearts, it can disrupt our daily lives and prevent us from living with the peace and joy that God desires for us.

In our Gospel reading, Jesus tells us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us (Luke 6:27–28). Difficult as this teaching may seem, we are called to embrace it if we truly desire to live as followers of Christ. Jesus is inviting us to rise above hatred and retaliation and to respond to evil with goodness, anger with gentleness, and hatred with love.

This does not mean that what others have done to us is acceptable, nor does forgiveness mean that we should allow ourselves to be hurt repeatedly. Rather, forgiveness means surrendering our anger and resentment to God and refusing to remain prisoners of the wounds of our past. Sometimes forgiveness is a process. We may need to ask God repeatedly for the grace to forgive until our hearts are finally healed.

There may be people whom we find difficult to forgive. There may be wounds that remain painful even after many years. But Jesus does not ask us to carry these wounds alone. When we humble ourselves and bring our pain before Him, He can slowly transform our wounded hearts and fill them with His healing love.

It is through forgiveness and humility that we begin to experience freedom from hatred. It is through the way of love that we become true followers of Jesus. There is no other path to genuine Christian freedom than the path of love, humility, and forgiveness.

Let us therefore examine our hearts. Is there someone we continue to resent? Is there a name that still causes pain whenever we hear it? Is there a wound that we have carried for far too long?

Let us place that person, that painful memory, and that wounded part of our hearts into the loving hands of Jesus. We may not be able to erase the past, but with God's grace, we can choose not to remain imprisoned by it.

Are we willing to surrender our hatred, forgive those who have wounded us, and allow the love of Jesus to set our hearts free?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Setyembre 10 Huwebes ng Ika-23 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 6:27-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:27-38

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo, mga nakikinig: Ibigin ninyo ang inyong mga kaaway, gawan ninyo ng mabuti ang mga napopoot sa inyo, pagpalain ninyo ang mga sumusumpa sa inyo, idalangin ninyo ang mga umaapi sa inyo. 

Kapag sinampal ka sa isang pisngi, iharap mo rin ang kabila. Kapag inaagaw ang iyong balabal, ibigay mo pati ang iyong baro. Bigyan mo ang bawat nanghihingi sa iyo: at kung may kumuha sa iyong ari-arian ay huwag mo nang bawiin pa ang mga iyon. Gawin ninyo sa iba ang ibig ninyong gawin nila sa inyo. 

“Kung ang iibigin lamang ninyo ay ang mga umiibig sa inyo, ano pang gantimpala ang inyong hihintayin? Kahit ang mga makasalanan ay umiibig din sa mga umiibig sa kanila. At kung ang gagawan lamang ninyo ng mabuti ang gumagawa sa inyo ng mabuti, ano pang gantimpala ang inyong hihintayin? 

Kahit ang mga makasalanan ay gumagawa rin nito! Kung ang pahihiramin lamang ninyo ay ang mga taong inaasahan ninyong makababayad sa inyo, ano pang gantimpala ang inyong hihintayin? Kahit ang mga makasalanan ay nagpapahiram din sa mga makasalanan sa pag-asang ang mga ito’y makababayad! 

Sa halip, ibigin ninyo ang inyong mga kaaway, at gawan ninyo sila ng mabuti. Magpahiram kayo, na hindi umaasa ng anumang kabayaran. Sa gayun, malaking gantimpala ang tatamuhin ninyo, at kayo’y magiging mga anak ng Kataas-taasan. Sapagkat siya’y mabuti sa masasama at sa mga hindi marunong tumanaw ng utang na loob. Maging mahabagin kayo gaya ng inyong Ama.”  

 “Huwag kayong humatol, at hindi kayo hahatulan ng Diyos. Huwag kayong magparusa at hindi kayo parurusahan ng Diyos. Magpatawad kayo sa inyong kapwa, at patatawarin kayo ng Diyos. Magbigay kayo, at bibigyan kayo ng Diyos: hustong takal, siksik, liglig, at umaapaw pa ang ibibigay sa inyo. Sapagkat ang takalang ginagamit ninyo sa iba ay siya ring gagamitin sa inyo.”

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Repleksyon:

May isang kuwento tungkol sa isang lalaki na palaging nakakaramdam ng hinanakit sa kanyang puso tuwing nakikita niya ang kanyang kapatid na babae na nakagawa sa kanya ng masama. Nagpatuloy ito sa loob ng maraming taon hanggang sa siya ay inatake sa puso at muntik nang mamatay. Malalim niyang pinag-isipan ang mga nangyari sa kanyang buhay at sa huli ay nagpasiya siyang patawarin ang kanyang kapatid.

Ano ang makapagpapalaya sa atin mula sa poot? Ito ay pagpapatawad at pagmamahal. Sa sandaling taos-puso tayong magpatawad at piliing magmahal, unti-unting nawawala ang poot at negatibong pakiramdam sa ating puso. Nakadarama tayo ng kalayaan.

Sa halip na hayaang dominahin tayo ng hinanakit, nararanasan natin ang kapayapaang nagmumula sa pagsuko sa Diyos ng ating mga sama ng loob. Natututuhan natin na ang pagpapatawad ay hindi lamang isang bagay na ginagawa natin para sa iba; ito rin ay isang regalong ibinibigay natin sa ating sarili.

Subalit, bilang mga tao, may mga pagkakataong nadadaig tayo ng galit, poot, at sama ng loob. Hinahayaan nating kontrolin tayo ng mga damdaming ito sa halip na tayo ang kumontrol sa mga ito. Kapag patuloy nating kinikimkim ang ating mga hinanakit, nagdadala tayo ng pasaning hindi nais ng Diyos na ating dalhin.

Dahil dito mag-uugat sa ating puso ang samang loob, mawawalan tayo ng kapayapaan, sisirain ang ating mga relasyon, at hadhadlangan tayong lubos na pahalagahan ang mga biyayang patuloy na ipinagkakaloob sa atin ng Diyos.

Ano, kung gayon, ang lunas sa poot? Ito ay pagmamahal, pagpapatawad, at kababaang-loob. Ang tatlong katangiang ito ay may kapangyarihang talunin ang poot at palayain tayo mula sa mga damdaming nagdudulot lamang sa atin ng sakit, negatibong pag-iisip, at kaguluhan sa kalooban. Kapag ang poot ay naghahari sa ating puso, maaari nitong guluhin ang ating pang-araw-araw na buhay at hadlangan tayong mamuhay nang may kapayapaan at kagalakang ninanais ng Diyos para sa atin.

Sa ating Ebanghelyo, sinasabi ni Jesus Ibigin ninyo ang inyong mga kaaway, gawan ninyo ng mabuti ang mga napopoot sa inyo, pagpalain ninyo ang mga sumusumpa sa inyo, idalangin ninyo ang mga umaapi sa inyo (Lucas 6:27–28).

Maaaring napakahirap sundin ng turong ito, ngunit tinatawag tayong isabuhay ito kung tunay nating nais mamuhay bilang mga tagasunod ni Kristo. Inaanyayahan tayo ni Jesus na talunin ang poot at paghihiganti—na tumbasan ang kasamaan ng kabutihan, ang galit ng kahinahunan, at ang poot ng pagmamahal.

Hindi nangangahulugan na kapag nagpatawad taayo ay tama o katanggap-tanggap ang ginawa ng iba sa atin. Hindi rin nangangahulugan na hahayaan nating paulit-ulit tayong saktan. Sa halip, ang pagpapatawad ay ang pagsuko sa Diyos ng ating galit at sama ng loob at ang pagtangging manatiling bilanggo ng mga sugat ng ating nakaraan.

Kung minsan, ang pagpapatawad ay isang proseso. Maaaring kailanganin nating paulit-ulit na humingi sa Diyos ng biyaya upang makapagpatawad hanggang sa tuluyan nang gumaling ang ating puso.

Maaaring may mga taong napakahirap nating patawarin. Maaaring may mga sugat na nananatiling masakit kahit lumipas na ang maraming taon. Ngunit hindi hinihiling ni Jesus na dalhin natin ang mga sugat na ito nang mag-isa. Kapag buong kababaang-loob nating inilalapit sa Kanya ang ating sakit, unti-unti Niyang gagamutin ang ating sugatang puso at pupunuin Niya ito ng Kanyang pagpapatawad at kababaang-loob.

Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatawad at kababaang-loob, unti-unti nating nararanasan ang kalayaan mula sa poot. Sa pamamagitan ng daan ng pagmamahal, nagiging tunay tayong mga tagasunod ni Jesus. Walang ibang landas tungo sa tunay na kalayaang Kristiyano kundi ang landas ng pagmamahal, kababaang-loob, at pagpapatawad.

Kaya naman, suriin natin ang ating mga puso. Mayroon ba tayong taong patuloy nating kinamumuhian o kinikimkiman ng sama ng loob? Mayroon bang pangalan na hanggang ngayon ay nagdudulot pa rin sa atin ng sakit kapag naririnig natin? Mayroon bang sugat na napakatagal na nating dinadala?

Ilagay natin sa mapagmahal na mga kamay ni Jesus ang taong iyon, ang masakit na alaala, at ang sugatang bahagi ng ating puso. Maaaring hindi na natin mabura ang nakaraan, ngunit sa tulong ng biyaya ng Diyos, maaari nating piliing huwag nang manatiling bilanggo nito.

Handa ba tayong isuko kay Jesus ang ating poot at hinanakit, patawarin ang mga nakasakit sa atin, at hayaan ang Kanyang pagmamahal na tuluyang magpalaya at magpagaling sa ating puso?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 9 Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:20-26

Gospel: Luke 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. 

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. 

But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

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Reflection:

Would we be willing to be poor, to be hungry, to weep, and even to be insulted because of our steadfast faith in Jesus?

These are difficult questions that invite us to look deeply into our hearts. It is not easy to embrace poverty, hunger, tears, rejection, or persecution for the sake of our faith and discipleship. Yet Jesus reminds us that the path of discipleship is not always a path of comfort; sometimes, it is a path of sacrifice, surrender, and unwavering trust in God.

If these difficult experiences can bring us closer to Jesus, then perhaps we have no other choice but to embrace them with faith and courage. But how many of us are truly willing to embrace such a life? Are we willing to follow Jesus even when doing so becomes painful, inconvenient, or costly? When our faith is tested, will we continue to hold on to Him even when the world offers us easier and more comfortable choices?

The truth is, these things are difficult when we try to face them on our own. But when Jesus is with us, when He walks beside us through every trial, and when we allow Him to strengthen our hearts, even our suffering can take on a deeper meaning. Our tears can become prayers, our sacrifices can become offerings, and our hardships can become opportunities to grow closer to Him. What appears to be a burden in the eyes of the world can become a blessing when carried with Jesus.

What would it benefit us to be rich and powerful, to have everything we desire, and to receive the praise and admiration of others if these things eventually lead us away from God? What good would worldly success be if Jesus were no longer at the center of our lives? What would it profit us if we gained the whole world but slowly lost our relationship with Him?

Let us therefore choose Jesus above everything else. Let us choose a life with Him even when it demands sacrifice, patience, humility, courage, and perseverance. For whatever hardships we may encounter, we do not walk alone. Jesus walks with us, strengthens us, and reminds us that our earthly struggles are not the end of our story. If we remain faithful to Him, our sacrifices and sufferings can lead us toward the fullness of life He has promised.

May we never allow comfort, wealth, power, success, or the praise of others to become more important than our relationship with Jesus. May we always have the courage to choose Him—not only when following Him is easy, but especially when following Him requires us to carry our crosses. 

When the choice is between the comfort of this world and the costly path of following Jesus, what will we choose—and are we truly ready to choose Jesus, whatever the cost?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Setyembre 9, Miyerkules ng Ika-23 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 6:20-26

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:20-26

Noong panahong iyon, tumingin si Jesus sa mga alagad, at kanyang sinabi, "Mapalad kayong mga dukha, sapagkat ang Diyos ang maghahari sa inyo!" "Mapalad kayong mga nagugutom ngayon, sapagkat kayo'y bubusugin!"  

"Mapalad kayong tumatangis ngayon, sapagkat kayo'y magagalak!" "Mapalad kayo kung dahil sa Anak ng Tao kayo'y kinapopootan, ipinagtatabuyan at inaalimura ng mga tao, at pati ang inyong pangalan ay kinasusuklaman. Magalak kayo at lumukso sa tuwa kung ito'y mangyari, sapagkat malaki ang inyong gantimpala sa langit-- gayon din ang ginawa ng kanilang mga ninuno sa mga propeta.   

"Ngunit sa aba ninyong mayayaman ngayon, sapagkat nagtamasa na kayo ng kaginhawahan!" "Sa aba ninyong mga busog ngayon, sapagkat kayo'y magugutom!" "Sa aba ninyong nagsisitawa ngayon, sapagkat kayo'y magdadalamhati at magsisitangis!" "Sa aba, ninyo kung kayo'y pinupuri ng lahat ng tao, sapagkat gayon din ang ginawa ng kanilang mga ninuno sa mga bulaang propeta."

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Repleksyon:

Handa ba tayong maging mahirap, magutom, lumuha, at maging alipusta dahil sa ating matibay na pananampalataya kay Jesus?

Mahihirap itong mga tanong na nag-aanyaya sa atin na taimtim na tingnan at suriin ang ating mga puso. Hindi madaling yakapin ang kahirapan, gutom, mga luha, pagtanggi, at pag-uusig alang-alang sa ating pananampalataya at pagiging tunay na alagad ni Jesus.

Ngunit ipinapaalala sa atin ng Panginoon na ang landas ng pagiging Kanyang alagad ay hindi laging landas ng kaginhawahan; kung minsan, ito ay landas ng sakripisyo, pagsuko ng sarili, at matatag na pagtitiwala sa Diyos.

Kung ang mga mahihirap na karanasang ito ang maaaring maglapit sa atin kay Jesus, marahil ay wala tayong ibang pagpipilian kundi ang yakapin ang mga ito nang may pananampalataya at tapang. Ngunit ilan nga ba sa atin ang tunay na handang mamuhay nang ganito?

Handa ba tayong sumunod kay Jesus kahit maging masakit, mahirap, o mabigat ang kapalit? Kapag sinusubok ang ating pananampalataya, mananatili ba tayong kumakapit sa Kanya kahit nag-aalok ang mundo ng mas madali at mas komportableng mga pagpipilian?

Ang totoo, mahirap harapin ang mga pagsubok na ito kung sarili lamang nating lakas ang ating aasahan. Ngunit kapag kasama natin si Jesus, kapag kasama natin Siya sa bawat hakbang ng ating paglalakbay, at kapag hinahayaan nating palakasin Niya ang ating mga puso, maging ang ating mga pagdurusa ay maaaring magkaroon ng mas malalim na kahulugan.

Ang ating mga luha ay maaaring maging panalangin, ang ating mga sakripisyo ay maaaring maging handog, at ang ating mga paghihirap ay maaaring maging daan upang higit tayong mapalapit sa Kanya. Ang maaaring tingnan ng mundo bilang isang mabigat na pasanin ay maaaring maging isang pagpapala kapag ito ay ating pinapasan kasama si Jesus.

Ano ang pakinabang sa atin kung tayo ay maging mayaman at makapangyarihan, makamtan ang lahat ng ating ninanais, at tumanggap ng papuri at paghanga ng mga tao kung ang mga bagay na ito naman ay unti-unti tayong ilalayo sa Diyos? Ano ang halaga ng tagumpay sa mundo kung si Jesus ay hindi na nasa sentro ng ating buhay? Ano ang ating mapapala kung makamtan man natin ang buong mundo ngunit unti-unti naman mawala ang ating malalim na ugnayan sa Kanya?

Kaya't piliin natin si Jesus higit sa lahat. Piliin natin ang buhay na kasama Siya kahit nangangailangan ito ng sakripisyo, pagtitiis, kababaang-loob, tapang, at pagtitiyaga. Anuman ang mga pagsubok na ating pagdaanan, hindi tayo nag-iisa. Kasama natin si Jesus.

Siya ang lumalakad kasama natin, nagpapalakas sa atin, at nagpapaalala na ang ating mga paghihirap sa mundong ito ay hindi ang katapusan ng ating kuwento. Kung mananatili tayong tapat sa Kanya, ang ating mga sakripisyo at pagdurusa ay maaaring maging daan patungo sa kaganapan ng buhay na Kanyang ipinangako.

Huwag nating hayaang maging higit na mahalaga sa atin ang kaginhawahan, kayamanan, kapangyarihan, tagumpay, o papuri ng mga tao kaysa sa ating relasyon kay Jesus. Hilingin natin sa Diyos ang biyaya na piliin Siya—hindi lamang kapag madali ang pagsunod sa Kanya, kundi lalo na kapag hinihingi Niyang pasanin natin ang ating krus.

Kapag kailangan nating pumili sa pagitan ng kaginhawahan ng mundong ito at ng mahirap ngunit makabuluhang landas ng pagsunod kay Jesus, ano ang pipiliin natin? At kung tunay nating sinasabing mahal natin Siya, handa ba tayong piliin si Jesus at manatiling tapat sa Kanya, anuman ang maging kapalit?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday September 8 Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

Gospel: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.  

Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.  

David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.  

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan,Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.  

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

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Reflection:

Why is Mary’s birthday celebrated on September 8?

The simple answer is that we do not know her actual date of birth. Sacred Scripture does not record when Mary was born, nor does it provide many details about her early life. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated as a liturgical feast in the Roman Catholic calendar nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, which is celebrated on December 8.

But this feast is more than simply commemorating a date. It invites us to reflect on what Mary’s birth signifies. Her arrival into the world marked the beginning of God’s visible preparation for the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ. Before the Savior would be born in Bethlehem, God prepared the woman who would become His Mother.

This reminds us that God often begins His greatest works in ways that appear small and ordinary. A child is born, a family welcomes new life, and a future that only God can see begins to unfold. Mary’s birth reminds us that every life has a purpose in God’s plan and that our families can become sacred places where faith, love, humility, and obedience to God are nurtured.

Do we believe that parents play a critical role in shaping the lives and character of their children?

As we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may also ask: Why was Mary so humble and docile to the will of God? Was this simply an inherent characteristic of Mary?

Her humility and docility were certainly gifts from God. But these virtues were also nurtured by the example and influence of her parents, Joachim and Anna. According to tradition, they were childless until an angel appeared to Anna and told her that she would conceive. Their story gives us a glimpse of the kind of people they were—people who loved God deeply, trusted Him, and remained prayerful and faithful even when their hopes seemed unanswered.

God blessed them with a child, and that child was Mary. In the loving environment of her family, Mary grew in faith and openness to God. She would eventually become an epitome of prayerfulness, humility, and docility. When God called her to participate in His plan of salvation, she responded with a humble and courageous “yes.”

Mary’s life reminds us that God's grace works powerfully through people who are willing to trust Him. Her “yes” was not merely a personal response; it became a blessing for the whole world. Through her willing cooperation with God’s plan, she became the Mother of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate Mary’s birth, let us not forget the important role played by her parents. Their example reminds us that the spiritual formation of our children begins not only in churches, schools, or catechism classes but also within our homes. Our words matter, but our example matters even more. Our children learn how to pray when they see us praying. They learn humility when they see us admitting our mistakes and forgiving others. They learn trust in God when they see us turning to Him in times of difficulty.

Let us therefore strive to make our homes places where God is welcomed, where prayer is cherished, where humility is practiced, and where love is freely given. Let us teach our children the importance of prayerfulness, humility, and docility to God’s will—not merely by telling them what they should do, but by allowing them to see these virtues alive in us.

We may sometimes wonder whether our small efforts as parents, grandparents, relatives, guardians, or mentors truly matter. But Mary’s story reminds us that God can use what seems small and ordinary to accomplish something extraordinary. The prayers we offer, the values we teach, the forgiveness we extend, and the good example we give may quietly shape a life in ways we may never fully see.

Today, as we celebrate the birth of the Blessed Mother, let us thank God for the gift of Mary and for the people who helped form her faith. And let us also look at our own families and ask how we are helping one another grow closer to God.

May Mary, our Blessed Mother, teach us to say “yes” to God with humility and trust. May she inspire us to become people of prayer, people of faith, and people who willingly follow God’s will even when we do not fully understand where He is leading us.

Are we truly becoming the kind of parents, grandparents, relatives, guardians, mentors, and members of our families whose lives can lead the next generation closer to God—and if our children were to learn about faith simply by watching the way we live, what would our lives teach them today?—Marino J. Dasmarinas