Reflection for October 9 Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:15-26

Gospel: Luke 11:15-26

When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? 

For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 

When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”

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Reflection:

Many years ago, there was a television advertisement with a catchy phrase that went something like this: “Our products are everywhere.” Could we also say the same thing about the devil and his minions—that they are everywhere today? Sadly, evil manifests itself in many attractive and deceptive forms, making it difficult for us to recognize its presence and the dangers it poses.

We may not always be aware of it, but the temptation to do evil can also arise within us. Sometimes, evil thoughts suddenly enter our minds, tempting us to do things that go against the will of God. Should we be worried about this? We should certainly be vigilant, but we must not give in to fear.

The presence of a temptation does not necessarily mean that we have sinned; what matters is how we respond to it. Do we reject the temptation and turn to Jesus, or do we entertain it and allow it to lead us away from Him?

Evil gains a foothold in our lives when we allow ourselves to drift away from Jesus, neglect our relationship with Him, and let our faith grow weak. When we become complacent in our prayer life, neglect the Word of God, and allow worldly desires to take priority over our relationship with Christ, we become more vulnerable to temptation.

Little by little, we may find ourselves making choices that distance us from God. This is why we must constantly examine our hearts and ask ourselves whether our thoughts, words, and actions reflect the presence of Jesus in our lives.

Our Gospel for this Friday reminds us that Jesus is far more powerful than the devil. No matter how cunning evil may be or how attractive its temptations may appear, it can never overcome the power of Christ. Jesus has the power to defeat the devil and free us from the bondage of sin. 

However, He also invites us to cooperate with His grace because He has given us the freedom to choose. We must decide whether we will embrace Him, welcome Him into our lives, and follow His teachings, or allow ourselves to be led astray by the temptations of this world.

The choice is ours to make. Let us choose Jesus over the devil, no matter how attractive or enticing the temptations before us may be. Let us turn away from sin and avoid the habits, situations, and desires that lead us away from God.

Let us strengthen our relationship with Jesus through prayer, the Holy Mass, the Sacraments, and the daily practice of our faith. Whenever we feel weak, let us remember that we do not have to fight our spiritual battles alone. We can always turn to Jesus, ask for His grace, and trust in His power to help us overcome our weaknesses.

Our world may be filled with countless temptations, but we do not have to surrender to them. We may stumble, and we may sometimes fall, but with a humble heart and a sincere desire to return to Jesus, we can rise again through His grace.

The important thing is that we never allow sin to have the final word in our lives. Let us continually open our hearts to Jesus and allow Him to guide our decisions, strengthen our faith, and transform us into the people He calls us to be.

Today, let us look honestly into our hearts: Are we allowing the devil's attractive temptations to draw us away from Jesus, or are we courageously choosing Christ, even when following Him requires us to abandon our favorite sins and change our ways?

The choice is ours—but if we truly love Jesus, are we ready to prove that love by turning away from sin and choosing Him every single day?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Oktubre 9 Biyernes ng Ika-27 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 11:15-26

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:15-26

Noong panahong iyon, matapos palayasin ni Hesus ang isang demonyo, nanggilalas ang mga tao. Ngunit may ilan sa kanila ang nagsabi, “Si Beelzebul na prinsipe ng mga demonyo ang nagbigay sa kanya ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng mga demonyo.” May iba namang nais siyang subukin, kaya’t nagsabi, “Magpakita ka ng kababalaghang magpapakilala na ang Diyos ang sumasaiyo.”

 Ngunit batid ni Hesus ang kanilang iniisip, kaya’t sinabi sa kanila, “Babagsak ang bawat kahariang nahahati sa magkakalabang pangkat at mawawasak ang mga bahay roon. Kung maghimagsik si Satanas laban sa kanyang sarili, paano mananatili ang kanyang kaharian? Sinasabi ninyong nagpapalayas ako ng mga demonyo sapagkat binigyan ako ni Beelzebul ng kapangyarihang ito.

Kung ako’y nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ni Beelzebul, sino naman ang nagbigay ng kapangyarihan sa inyong mga tagasunod na makagawa ng gayun? Sila na rin ang nagpapatunay na maling-mali kayo. Ngayon, kung ako’y nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos, nangangahulugang dumating na sa inyo ang paghahari ng Diyos.

 “Kapag ang isang taong malakas at nasasandatahan ay nagbabantay sa kanyang bahay, malayo sa panganib ang kanyang ari-arian. Ngunit kung salakayin siya at talunin ng isang taong higit na malakas, sasamsamin nito ang mga sandatang kanyang inaasahan at ipamamahagi ang ari-ariang inagaw. “Ang hindi panig sa akin ay laban sa akin, at nagkakalat ang hindi tumutulong sa kaing mag-ipon.

 “Kapag lumabas na mula sa tao ang isang masamang espiritu, ito’y gumagala sa mga tigang na lugar at naghahanap ng mapagpapahingahan. Kung walang matagpuan ay sasabihin nito sa sarili, ‘Babalik ako sa bahay na aking pinanggalingan.’ Pagbabalik ay matatagpuan niyang malinis na ang bahay at maayos. Kaya, lalabas siyang muli at magsasama ng pito pang espiritung masasama kaysa kanya, at papasok sila at maninirahan doon. Kaya’t sumasama kaysa dati ang kalagayan ng taong iyon.” 

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Repleksyon:

Maraming taon na ang nakalilipas, may isang patalastas sa telebisyon na may kaakit-akit na katagang ganito: “Our products are everywhere” o “Ang aming mga produkto ay matatagpuan kahit saan.” Maaari rin ba nating sabihin ang gayon tungkol kay satanas at sa kanyang mga kampon—na para bang nasa lahat sila ng dako sa ating panahon?

Nakalulungkot mang isipin, ang kasamaan ay nagpapakita ng sarili sa maraming kaakit-akit at mapanlinlang na anyo. Dahil dito, nagiging mahirap para sa atin na makilala ang presensiya nito at makita ang mga panganib na maaari nitong idulot sa ating buhay.

Maaaring hindi natin ito palaging namamalayan, ngunit ang tukso na gumawa ng masama ay maaari ring sumulpot sa ating kalooban. Kung minsan, bigla na lamang pumapasok sa ating isip ang masasamang kaisipan na nagtutulak sa atin na gumawa ng mga bagay na salungat sa kalooban ng Diyos.

Dapat ba tayong mabahala sa ganitong kalagayan? Dapat tayong maging mapagbantay, ngunit hindi tayo dapat magpadala sa takot. Ang pagkakaroon ng tukso ay hindi nangangahulugang nagkasala na tayo. Ang mahalaga ay kung paano natin ito haharapin. Tinatanggihan ba natin ang tukso at bumabaling kay Hesus, o pinapayagan natin itong manatili sa ating isip hanggang sa unti-unti tayong mailayo nito sa Kanya?

Nagkakaroon ng puwang ang kasamaan sa ating buhay kapag hinahayaan nating mapalayo tayo kay Hesus, napapabayaan ang ating ugnayan sa Kanya, at nanghihina ang ating pananampalataya. Kapag nagiging kampante tayo sa ating buhay-panalangin, napapabayaan ang Salita ng Diyos, at higit nating pinahahalagahan ang mga makamundong pagnanasa kaysa sa ating ugnayan kay Kristo, mas nagiging madali para sa atin ang mahulog sa tukso.

Unti-unti, maaari tayong makagawa ng mga pasiyang lalo namang maglalayo sa atin sa Diyos. Kaya mahalagang suriin natin palagi ang ating mga puso at itanong sa ating sarili: Naipakikita ba sa ating mga iniisip, sinasabi, at ginagawa ang presensiya ni Hesus sa ating buhay?

Ipinapaalala sa atin ng Ebanghelyo ngayong Biyernes na higit na makapangyarihan si Hesus kaysa kay satanas. Gaano man katuso ang kasamaan at gaano man kaakit-akit ang mga tuksong iniaalok nito, hinding-hindi nito matatalo ang kapangyarihan ni Kristo. May kapangyarihan si Hesus na gapiin si satanas at palayain tayo mula sa pagkaalipin sa kasalanan.

Gayunman, inaanyayahan din Niya tayong makipagtulungan sa Kanyang biyaya, sapagkat pinagkalooban Niya tayo ng kalayaang pumili. Nasa atin ang pagpapasiya kung yayakapin natin Siya, bubuksan ang ating puso sa Kanya, at susunod sa Kanyang mga aral, o hahayaan nating iligaw tayo ng mga tukso ng mundong ito.

Nasa atin ang pagpili. Piliin natin si Hesus sa halip na ang dimonyo, gaano man kaakit-akit ang mga tuksong dumarating sa ating buhay. Talikuran natin ang kasalanan at iwasan ang mga nakagawian, sitwasyon, at pagnanasang naglalayo sa atin sa Diyos. Patatagin natin ang ating ugnayan kay Hesus sa pamamagitan ng panalangin, pakikibahagi sa Banal na Misa, pagtanggap sa mga Sakramento, at araw-araw na pagsasabuhay ng ating pananampalataya.

Sa mga sandaling nanghihina tayo, alalahanin nating hindi natin kailangang harapin nang mag-isa ang ating mga espirituwal na pakikipaglaban. Maaari tayong lumapit kay Hesus anumang oras, humingi ng Kanyang biyaya, at magtiwala sa Kanyang kapangyarihang tulungan tayong mapagtagumpayan ang ating mga kahinaan.

Maaaring napakaraming tukso sa mundong ating ginagalawan, ngunit hindi nangangahulugang kailangan nating magpadaig sa mga ito. Maaaring tayo ay matisod at mahulog paminsan-minsan, ngunit kung buong pagpapakumbaba tayong manunumbalik kay Hesus at taos-pusong nanaising magbago, maaari tayong bumangon muli sa tulong ng Kanyang biyaya. 

Ang mahalaga ay huwag nating hayaang ang kasalanan ang magkaroon ng huling kapangyarihan sa ating buhay. Patuloy nating buksan ang ating mga puso kay Hesus at hayaan Siyang gumabay sa ating mga pasiya, magpatatag sa ating pananampalataya, at humubog sa atin upang maging mga taong nais Niyang maging tayo.

Kaya ngayon, buong katapatan nating suriin ang ating mga puso: Hinahayaan ba nating ilayo tayo kay Hesus ng mga kaakit-akit na tukso ng dimonyo, o buong tapang nating pinipili si Kristo kahit hinihingi Niyang talikuran natin ang mga kasalanang kinagigiliwan natin at baguhin ang ating pamumuhay?

Kung tunay nating minamahal si Hesus, handa ba tayong patunayan ang pagmamahal na iyon sa pamamagitan ng pagtalikod sa kasalanan at pagpili sa Kanya araw-araw—kahit masakit, kahit mahirap, at kahit nangangahulugan ito ng pagsuko sa mga bagay na ayaw nating bitiwan?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 8 Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:5-13

Gospel: Luke 11:5-13

Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him, and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. 

I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. 

And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? 

Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

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Reflection:

How persistent are we in our prayers?

When we bring our prayers and petitions before Jesus, do we continue praying with faith and trust, or do we easily give up when our prayers seem unanswered? Sometimes, we become discouraged because we feel that Jesus does not hear us. We may even wonder whether our prayers are reaching Him.

However, these are the moments when we need to hold on to our faith even more firmly. Instead of giving up, let us persevere in prayer, trusting that Jesus hears us and knows what is best for us. Faith is an essential foundation of our prayer life. When we pray for healing from an illness, let us ask Jesus to help us overcome our difficulties, or bring before Him something we deeply desire, let us continue praying with a humble and trusting heart.

We may not always receive the answers we hope for or in the way we expect, but prayer is never merely about asking Jesus to grant our wishes. It is also about strengthening our relationship with Him, learning to surrender our worries to Him, and allowing His grace to sustain us through life's trials.

In our Gospel, Jesus tells us the story of a man who goes to his friend's house in the middle of the night to ask for bread for a visitor. Despite the inconvenient hour, the man continues asking until his friend responds to his request. His persistence reminds us of the importance of perseverance when we bring our needs before the Lord.

If we can persist in asking others for help when we have an urgent need, how much more should we persevere in prayer as we turn to Jesus, who invites us to approach Him with confidence and trust?Jesus assures us in our Gospel: “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:9–10).

These words remind us that we must never allow discouragement to silence our prayers. When we are sick, let us pray. When our families are facing difficulties, let us pray. When we are burdened by financial problems, uncertainty, loneliness, or trials that seem too heavy to bear, let us continue bringing everything before Jesus. Even when we do not immediately see the answers we desire, we can remain confident in His love and trust in His wisdom and perfect timing.

Let us remember that perseverance in prayer does not mean forcing Jesus to grant our wishes. Rather, it means remaining faithful to Him, even when His answers differ from our expectations. Sometimes, through prayer, our circumstances change; at other times, Jesus strengthens our hearts, deepens our faith, and gives us the grace to endure what we cannot immediately change. Whatever we are going through, let us never forget that we can always turn to Him.

Do we have a prayer that we have been bringing before Jesus for a long time? Have we become tired of waiting, or have we allowed disappointment to weaken our faith? Let us begin again today. Let us approach Jesus with humble hearts, persistent prayers, and unwavering trust.

May our prayers come from the depths of our hearts and souls, and may we learn to remain faithful not only when we receive what we ask for but also when we are called to wait.— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon sa Oktubre 8 Huwebes sa Ika-27 Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 11:5-13

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:5-13

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Ipalagay natin na ang isa sa inyo'y nagpunta sa isang kaibigan isang hatinggabi at nagsabi, 'Kaibigan, bigyan mo muna ako ng tatlong tinapay. Dumating kase ang isa kong kaibigang naglalakbay at wala akong maihain sa kanya!' 

At ganito naman ang sagot ng kanyang kaibigan sa loob ng bahay. 'Huwag mo nga akong gambalain! Nakatrangka na ang pinto at nakahiga na kami ng aking mga anak. Hindi na ako makababangon pa upang bigyan kita ng iyong kailangan.' Sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi man siya bumangon dahil sa kanilang pagkakaibigan, babangon siya upang ibigay ang hinihingi ng kaibigan dahil sa pagpupumilit nito. 

Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: Humingi kayo, at kayo'y bibigyan, humanap kayo at kayo'y makasusumpong; kumatok kayo, at ang pinto'y bubuksan para sa inyo. Sapagkat tumatanggap ang bawat humihingi; nakasusumpong ang bawat humahanap; at binubuksan ang pinto sa bawat kumakatok. 

Kayong mga ama, bibigyan ba ninyo ng ahas ang inyong anak kung humihingi ng isda? Bibigyan ba ninyo siya ng alakdan kung siya'y humihingi ng itlog? Kung kayong masasama ay marunong magbigay ng mabubuting bagay sa inyong mga anak, gaano pa kaya ang inyong Amang nasa langit! Ibibigay niya ang Espiritu Santo sa mga humihingi sa kanya!"

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Repleksyon:

Gaano ba tayo katiyaga sa ating pananalangin?

Kapag inilalapit natin kay Hesus ang ating mga panalangin at kahilingan, patuloy ba tayong nananalangin nang may pananampalataya at pagtitiwala, o madali tayong sumusuko kapag tila hindi sinasagot ang ating mga panalangin? Kung minsan, pinanghihinaan tayo ng loob dahil pakiramdam natin ay hindi tayo naririnig ni Hesus.

May mga pagkakataon pa ngang napapaisip tayo kung nakararating ba sa Kanya ang ating mga panalangin. Ngunit sa mga sandaling ito, higit nating kailangang panghawakan ang ating pananampalataya. Sa halip na sumuko, magpatuloy tayo sa pananalangin at magtiwalang naririnig tayo ni Hesus at alam Niya kung ano ang pinakamabuti para sa atin.

Mahalagang pundasyon ng ating buhay-panalangin ang pananampalataya. Kapag nananalangin tayo para sa kagalingan mula sa karamdaman, humihingi ng tulong upang malampasan ang ating mga suliranin, o inilalapit kay Hesus ang isang bagay na lubos nating ninanais, magpatuloy tayo sa pananalangin nang may mapagpakumbaba at nagtitiwalang puso.

Maaaring hindi natin agad matanggap ang sagot na ating inaasahan, o maaaring iba ang paraan ng pagsagot ni Hesus sa ating mga kahilingan. Ngunit tandaan natin na ang pananalangin ay hindi lamang tungkol sa paghingi ng mga bagay na nais nating makamit.

Ito rin ay tungkol sa pagpapatibay ng ating ugnayan sa Kanya, pag-aaral na ipagkatiwala sa Kanya ang ating mga alalahanin, at pagtanggap sa Kanyang biyayang magbibigay sa atin ng lakas sa gitna ng mga pagsubok sa buhay.

Sa ating Ebanghelyo, isinalaysay ni Hesus ang tungkol sa isang lalaki na pumunta sa bahay ng kanyang kaibigan sa hatinggabi upang humingi ng tinapay para sa isang panauhin. Kahit hindi maginhawa ang oras, patuloy siyang humihingi hanggang sa tumugon ang kanyang kaibigan sa kanyang kahilingan.

Ipinapaalala sa atin ng kuwentong ito ang kahalagahan ng pagtitiyaga sa paglapit sa Panginoon upang ilahad ang ating mga pangangailangan. Kung kaya nating magtiyagang humingi ng tulong sa ating kapwa kapag tayo ay may mahalagang pangangailangan, lalo pa tayong dapat magpatuloy sa pananalangin at magtiwala kay Hesus, na nag-aanyaya sa ating lumapit sa Kanya nang may pananalig at pagtitiwala.

Tinitiyak sa atin ni Hesus sa ating Ebanghelyo: “Humingi kayo at kayo ay bibigyan; humanap kayo at kayo ay makasusumpong; kumatok kayo at ang pinto ay bubuksan para sa inyo. Sapagkat ang bawat humihingi ay tumatanggap; ang bawat humahanap ay nakasusumpong; at ang bawat kumakatok ay pinagbubuksan” (Lucas 11:9–10).

Ipinapaalala sa atin ng mga salitang ito na huwag nating hayaang patahimikin ng panghihina ng loob ang ating mga panalangin. Kapag tayo ay may karamdaman, manalangin tayo. Kapag dumaranas ng mga suliranin ang ating pamilya, manalangin tayo.

Kapag nabibigatan tayo sa mga problemang pinansiyal, kawalan ng katiyakan, kalungkutan, o mga pagsubok na tila napakahirap dalhin, patuloy nating ilapit ang lahat ng ito kay Hesus. Kahit hindi natin agad nakikita ang sagot na ating hinihiling, manatili tayong panatag sa Kanyang pag-ibig at magtiwala sa Kanyang karunungan at sa tamang panahong itinakda Niya.

Tandaan natin na ang pagtitiyaga sa pananalangin ay hindi nangangahulugang pinipilit natin si Hesus na ibigay ang lahat ng ating hinihiling. Sa halip, nangangahulugan itong nananatili tayong tapat sa Kanya kahit iba ang Kanyang sagot sa ating inaasahan. Kung minsan, nagbabago ang ating kalagayan sa pamamagitan ng panalangin.

Sa ibang pagkakataon naman, pinatitibay ni Hesus ang ating kalooban, pinalalalim ang ating pananampalataya, at ipinagkakaloob ang biyayang kailangan natin upang matiis at malampasan ang mga bagay na hindi natin agad mababago. Anuman ang ating pinagdaraanan, huwag nating kalimutang maaari tayong lumapit sa Kanya anumang oras.

May panalangin ba tayong matagal nang inihahandog kay Hesus? Napapagod na ba tayo sa paghihintay, o hinahayaan na nating pahinain ng mga kabiguan ang ating pananampalataya? Magsimula tayong muli sa araw na ito. Lumapit tayo kay Hesus nang may mapagpakumbabang puso, matiyagang pananalangin, at matatag na pagtitiwala.

Nawa'y magmula sa kaibuturan ng ating puso at kaluluwa ang ating mga panalangin. Matuto nawa tayong manatiling tapat sa Kanya, hindi lamang kapag natatanggap natin ang ating mga hinihiling, kundi maging sa mga panahong tinatawag tayong maghintay.— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Wednesday October 7 Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary: Luke 11:1-4

Gospel: Luke 11:1-4

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: 

Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”

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Reflection:

In 1206, according to Dominican tradition, St. Dominic received the Rosary during a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who instructed him to use it as a spiritual weapon against heresy in France.

During the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, Pope Pius V called upon all of Europe to pray the Rosary for protection against the Ottoman navy. Following the unexpected Christian victory, the Pope attributed the triumph to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and instituted an annual feast, originally known as Our Lady of Victory, in thanksgiving for the victory.

In 1913, Pope St. Pius X permanently fixed the celebration of the feast on October 7.

Have we asked Jesus to teach us to pray?

This is one of the most beautiful and powerful petitions we could ever make to Jesus: “Lord, teach us to pray.” But do we truly pray regularly? Do we make time each day to quiet our hearts, turn away from the noise around us, and simply be with Jesus?

When we pray, we connect with Jesus. When we pray, we open our hearts and allow Him to enter more deeply into our lives, strengthen us, comfort us, and renew us. Prayer is not merely about asking God for what we need; it is also about spending time with Him, listening to Him, and allowing His presence to transform us.

Let us pay attention to how we feel before and after we pray. Do we not often feel lighter, more peaceful, and mentally stronger after spending time with the Lord? Something within us changes when we sincerely pray. Why is this so?

It is because prayer brings us into the presence of God. In prayer, Jesus touches the deepest parts of our being. He gives us the grace to accept the things that are difficult for us to accept, the courage to face our struggles, and the strength to continue when we feel weary.

Prayer also opens our hearts and souls to the many blessings that the Lord desires to pour into our lives. Sometimes, the blessing we receive is not the answer we expected. Sometimes, God does not immediately remove our problems. Instead, He gives us the grace to carry them, the wisdom to understand them, and the faith to trust that we are never alone.

Starting today, let us begin our prayer with this humble petition: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Then, let us solemnly recite the Our Father, the prayer that Jesus Himself taught us. After praying the Our Father, let us continue our conversation with Jesus through a personal prayer that comes from our hearts. Let us speak to Him honestly about our joys, fears, struggles, failures, hopes, and dreams. Nothing in our lives is too small or too insignificant to bring before Him.

And before we end our prayer, let us ask the Blessed Mother, Saint Joseph, and our favorite saint or saints to pray for us and intercede for us. Let us entrust to them our families, our loved ones, our struggles, and all those who need God's grace.

If exercise is good for our bodies, prayer is nourishment for our souls. Just as our bodies need regular nourishment and exercise to remain healthy, our souls also need prayer to remain spiritually alive and strong. Prayer helps us develop and maintain an active and loving relationship with Jesus.

Therefore, the more we pray, the more we nourish our souls; the more we pray, the closer we draw to God; and the more we pray, the more we receive the grace and peace to face our worries, struggles, and challenges.

Let us never think that our prayers are wasted. Even when we feel that God is silent, He is listening. Even when we do not immediately see an answer, He is at work in ways we may not yet understand. Every sincere prayer brings us closer to the heart of Jesus.

Do we have a healthy prayer life? And if Jesus were to look into our hearts today and gently ask, “My child, do you make time for Me?”—would our lives honestly show that Jesus is truly at the center of our lives?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Miyerkules Oktubre 7, Paggunita sa Mahal na Birheng Maria ng Rosario: Lucas 11:1-4

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:1-4

Minsan, nananalangin si Hesus. Pagkatapos niya, sinabi ng isa sa kanyang mga alagad, “Panginoon, turuan po ninyo kaming manalangin, katulad ng ginawa ni Juan sa kanyang mga alagad.” 

Sinabi ni Hesus, “Kung kayo’y mananalangin, ganito ang sabihin ninyo: ‘Ama, sambahin nawa ang pangalan mo. 

Magsimula na sana ang iyong paghahari. Bigyan mo kami ng aming makakain sa araw-araw. At patawarin mo kami sa aming mga kasalanan, Sapagkat pinatatawad namin ang bawat nagkasala sa amin. At huwag mo kaming iharap sa mahigpit na pagsubok.’”

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Repleksyon:

Ayon sa tradisyong Dominikano, tinanggap ni Santo Domingo ang Rosaryo sa isang pangitain ng Mahal na Birheng Maria noong 1206 upang gamitin bilang espirituwal na sandata laban sa heresiya (maling pananampalataya) sa France.

Noong panahon ng Labanan sa Lepanto (1571), nanawagan si Papa Pio V sa buong Europa na mag dasal ng Rosaryo bilang proteksyon laban sa hukbong-dagat ng Ottoman. Matapos ang kanilang hindi inaasahang tagumpay, sinabi ng Papa na ang pagkapanalo ay dahil sa pamamagitan ni Maria at itinatag ang taunang kapistahan bilang Ina ng Tagumpay bilang pasasalamat sa naturang pagkakapanalo.

Pagdating ng 1913, permanenteng itinakda ni Santo Papa Pio X ang petsa ng pagdiriwang sa Oktubre 7.

Nasabi na ba natin kay Jesus na turuan Niya tayong manalangin?

Ito marahil ang isa sa pinakamaganda at pinakamakapangyarihang kahilingan na maaari nating sabihin kay Jesus: “Panginoon, turuan Mo kaming manalangin.” Ngunit tunay nga ba tayong palaging nananalangin? Naglalaan ba tayo ng panahon bawat araw upang patahimikin ang ating mga puso, lumayo sandali sa ingay ng mundo, at makapiling lamang si Jesus?

Kapag tayo ay nananalangin, nakikipag-ugnayan tayo kay Jesus. Kapag tayo ay nananalangin, binubuksan natin ang ating mga puso at hinahayaan nating higit Siyang pumasok sa ating buhay upang tayo ay palakasin, aliwin, at baguhin. Ang panalangin ay hindi lamang tungkol sa paghingi sa Diyos ng ating mga kailangan. Ito rin ay tungkol sa paggugol ng panahon kasama Niya, pakikinig sa Kanya, at pagpapahintulot na baguhin tayo ng Kanyang presensya.

Pansinin natin kung ano ang ating nararamdaman bago at pagkatapos nating manalangin. Hindi ba madalas ay mas magaan ang ating kalooban, mas payapa ang ating isip, at mas nagiging matatag tayo pagkatapos nating makapiling ang Panginoon sa panalangin? May nagbabago sa ating kalooban kapag tayo ay taimtim na nananalangin.

Bakit kaya? Sapagkat sa panalangin, inilalapit tayo ng Diyos sa Kanyang presensya. Sa panalangin, hinahaplos ni Jesus ang pinakamalalim na bahagi ng ating pagkatao. Binibigyan Niya tayo ng biyaya upang tanggapin ang mga bagay na mahirap nating tanggapin, ng tapang upang harapin ang ating mga pagsubok, at ng lakas upang magpatuloy kapag tayo ay nanghihina at napapagod.

Binubuksan din ng panalangin ang ating puso at kaluluwa sa maraming biyayang nais ipagkaloob sa atin ng Panginoon. Kung minsan, ang biyayang natatanggap natin ay hindi ang sagot na inaasahan natin. Kung minsan, hindi agad inaalis ng Diyos ang ating mga problema. Sa halip, binibigyan Niya tayo ng biyaya upang dalhin ang mga ito, karunungan upang maunawaan ang mga ito, at pananampalataya upang magtiwala na hindi Niya tayo kailanman iniiwan.

Simula ngayon, simulan natin ang ating panalangin sa isang mapagpakumbabang kahilingan: “Panginoon, turuan Mo kaming manalangin.” Pagkatapos, taimtim nating bigkasin ang Ama Namin, ang panalanging itinuro mismo sa atin ni Jesus. Matapos nating manalangin ng Ama Namin, ipagpatuloy natin ang ating pakikipag-usap kay Jesus sa pamamagitan ng isang personal na panalanging nagmumula sa kaibuturan ng ating puso.

Sabihin natin sa Kanya nang buong katapatan ang ating mga kagalakan, takot, problema, pagkukulang, pag-asa, at mga pangarap. Walang bahagi ng ating buhay na napakaliit o napakawalang-halaga upang hindi natin maiharap sa Kanya.

Bago natin tapusin ang ating panalangin, hilingin din natin sa Mahal na Birheng Maria, kay San Jose, at sa ating mga paboritong santo na ipanalangin at mamagitan para sa atin. Ipagkatiwala natin sa kanila ang ating pamilya, mga mahal sa buhay, mga suliranin, at lahat ng nangangailangan ng biyaya ng Diyos.

Kung ang ehersisyo ay mabuti para sa ating katawan, ang panalangin naman ay pagkain at lakas para sa ating kaluluwa. Kung paanong kailangan ng ating katawan ng regular na pagkain at ehersisyo upang manatiling malusog, kailangan din ng ating kaluluwa ang panalangin upang manatiling buhay at matatag sa pananampalataya. Sa panalangin, napapalalim natin ang ating ugnayan kay Jesus.

Kaya habang lalo tayong nananalangin, lalo nating napapakain at napapalakas ang ating kaluluwa; habang lalo tayong nananalangin, lalo tayong napapalapit sa Diyos; at habang lalo tayong nananalangin, lalo tayong tumatanggap ng biyaya at kapayapaan upang harapin ang ating mga alalahanin, pagsubok, at mga hamon sa buhay.

Huwag nating isipin kailanman na nasasayang ang ating mga panalangin. Kahit tila tahimik ang Diyos, nakikinig Siya. Kahit hindi natin agad nakikita ang sagot sa ating mga panalangin, kumikilos Siya sa mga paraang maaaring hindi pa natin nauunawaan. Bawat taos-pusong panalangin ay naglalapit sa atin sa puso ni Jesus.

May masigla ba tayong buhay-pananalangin? At kung titingnan ni Jesus ang ating puso ngayon at marahan Niyang itanong, “Anak, naglalaan ka ba ng panahon para sa Akin?”—ano kaya ang magiging tapat na sagot ng ating puso? Sa dami ng oras na inilalaan natin sa mundo, mayroon pa ba tayong sapat na oras upang maupo sa katahimikan, hawakan ang kamay ni Jesus sa panalangin, at sabihin sa Kanya: “Panginoon, Ikaw ang kailangan ko”?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 6 Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:38-42

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? 

Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.

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Reflection:

Are we anxious and worried about many things?

The story of Martha is also our story. Are we not sometimes so busy with the daily grind of this temporary life that we no longer have enough time to pray and listen to Jesus? Many of us can be like Martha—busy with the concerns and attractions of this world. But what happens when our busyness becomes so consuming that we no longer have time to listen to the Lord?

When we become too preoccupied with worldly concerns, our relationship with God can slowly weaken. There can also be disintegration in our families, and problems can arise simply because we no longer make time to listen to Jesus. We must always remember that our earthly life is temporary. There is life beyond this present life, and we can best prepare ourselves for it by continually drawing closer to Jesus through prayer, silence, reflection, and the celebration of the Holy Mass.

Many modern parents today are often busy with their own worldly activities. They may hardly have enough time to care for, talk with, and counsel their children. Sometimes, they try to compensate for this lack of personal interaction by giving their children money and the latest gadgets. Yet no amount of money or material possessions can replace the presence, guidance, love, and time that our children need from us.

And what about us? What happens when, upon waking up in the morning, the first thing we reach for is our smartphone? What happens when we rush out of bed, eat our breakfast, and immediately become engrossed in our daily activities without first giving even a brief moment to God? Little by little, we may become so preoccupied with the things of this world that we become distant from Jesus without even realizing it.

But what if we began our day differently?

What if, upon waking up, we first took a moment to thank Jesus for the gift of another day? What if we prayed, became still, and listened to Him, even for just a brief moment? We can always make time for God when we truly desire to do so. And when we make that time, something beautiful happens within us: we become closer to Jesus, we learn from Him, and our hearts become more sensitive to His voice and to what He wants us to do.

When Jesus entered the village and went to the house of Mary and Martha, Mary took the time to sit at His feet and listen to Him. She was not concerned about being busy or accomplishing many things. She simply chose to be present with Jesus. By listening to Him, Mary received His words, learned from Him, and developed a much deeper friendship with Him.

Martha, on the other hand, was very busy preparing food for Jesus. Her desire to serve Him was not wrong. But in the midst of her busyness, she forgot something more important: Jesus

wanted her presence and her attentive heart. He wanted her, like Mary, to pause, listen, and be with Him.

Perhaps this is what Jesus is also gently telling us today: Do not allow our busyness to rob us of our time with Me. Do not allow the noise of the world to drown out My voice. Come to Me. Sit with Me. Listen to Me.

We may have many responsibilities. We may have families to care for, work to accomplish, problems to solve, and countless things to worry about. But none of these should make us forget the One who gives us the strength to face them all.

By listening to Jesus, we learn from Him and develop a much deeper friendship with Him. Prayer is not merely about speaking to God; it is also about becoming quiet enough to hear Him. The Holy Mass is not merely an obligation; it is an opportunity for us to encounter Jesus, receive His grace, and allow His presence to transform our lives.

Let us therefore learn from Mary. In the midst of our busy lives, let us find time to sit at the feet of Jesus. Let us put down our phones, quiet our minds, open our hearts, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. For perhaps what our restless hearts need most is not another distraction, another possession, or another accomplishment, but simply more time with Jesus.

Do we still take time each day, even for just a brief moment, to pray, be still, and listen to our Lord? And when Jesus gently calls us to sit at His feet, are we willing to set aside our busyness and everything that distracts us so that we can hear His voice, receive His love, and allow Him to lead our lives?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Oktubre 6 Martes ng Ika-27 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 10:38-42

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:38-42

Noong panahong iyon, pumasok si Jesus sa isang nayon. Malugod siyang tinanggap ng isang babaing nagngangalang Marta sa tahanan nito. Ang babaing ito'y may isang kapatid na Maria ang pangalan. Naupo ito sa paanan ng Panginoon at nakinig sa kanyang itinuturo. 

Alalang-alala si Marta sapagkat kulang ang kanyang katawan sa paghahanda, kaya't lumapit siya kay Jesus at ang wika, "Panginoon, sabihin nga po ninyo sa kapatid kong tulungan naman ako." 

Ngunit sinagot siya ng Panginoon, "Marta, Marta, naliligalig ka at abalang-abala sa maraming bagay, ngunit isa lamang ang talagang kailangan. Pinili ni Maria ang lalong mabuti, at ito'y hindi aalisin sa kanya."

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Repleksyon:

Tayo ba ay balisa at nag-aalala tungkol sa maraming bagay?

Ang kuwento ni Marta ay kuwento rin ng ating buhay. Hindi ba kung minsan ay labis tayong abala sa araw-araw na gawain ng pansamantalang buhay natin na halos wala na tayong panahon upang manalangin at makinig kay Jesus? Marami sa atin ang maaaring maging katulad ni Marta—abala sa mga alalahanin, gawain, at mga bagay na iniaalok ng mundong ito. Ngunit ano ang nangyayari kapag ang ating pagiging abala ay unti-unting kumakain sa panahong dapat sana ay inilaan natin upang makinig sa Panginoon?

Kapag labis tayong nababaling sa mga bagay ng mundo, maaaring unti-unting lumamig ang ating relasyon sa Diyos. Maaari ring magkaroon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan at pagkakawatak-watak sa ating mga pamilya, at maaaring dumami ang mga problemang tayo rin ang lumilikha dahil hindi na tayo naglalaan ng panahon upang makinig kay Jesus.

Lagi nating tandaan na pansamantala lamang ang ating buhay dito sa mundo. May buhay na naghihintay sa atin pagkatapos ng buhay na ito, at pinakamainam nating maihahanda ang ating sarili para rito sa pamamagitan ng patuloy na paglapit kay Jesus sa panalangin, katahimikan, pagmumuni-muni, at pakikibahagi sa Banal na Misa.

Marami sa mga magulang sa makabagong panahon ang abala rin sa kani-kanilang mga gawain at paghahanapbuhay. Dahil dito, kung minsan ay kapos na sila sa panahon upang alagaan, kausapin, at payuhan ang kanilang mga anak. Bilang kapalit ng kakulangan sa personal na pakikipag-ugnayan, may mga magulang na nagbibigay ng pera at mga makabagong gadget sa kanilang mga anak. Ngunit walang halaga ng pera o materyal na bagay ang makapapalit sa presensya, paggabay, pagmamahal, at panahon na tunay na kailangan ng ating mga anak.

At paano naman tayo? Ano ang mangyayari sa atin kung pagkagising natin sa umaga ay ang ating smartphone agad ang ating unang hinahanap? Paano kung bumangon tayo kaagad, kumain ng almusal, at agad na malunod sa ating mga gawain nang hindi man lamang nagbibigay ng kahit kaunting panahon sa Diyos? Unti-unti, maaari tayong maging labis na abala sa mga bagay ng mundong ito hanggang sa hindi natin namamalayan na lumalayo na pala tayo kay Jesus.

Ngunit paano kung iba ang maging simula ng ating araw?

Paano kung pagkagising natin ay maglaan muna tayo ng sandali upang pasalamatan si Jesus sa regalong panibagong araw? Paano kung manalangin muna tayo, manahimik, at makinig sa Kanya kahit sa maikling sandali lamang? Lagi tayong makagagawa ng panahon para sa Diyos kung tunay nating ninanais na gawin ito.

At kapag naglalaan tayo ng panahon para sa Kanya, may magandang pagbabago na nagaganap sa ating kalooban: lalo tayong napapalapit kay Jesus, higit tayong natututo mula sa Kanya, at nagiging mas sensitibo ang ating puso sa Kanyang tinig at sa nais Niyang gawin natin.

Nang pumasok si Jesus sa isang nayon at nagtungo sa bahay nina Maria at Marta, naglaan si Maria ng panahon upang maupo sa paanan ni Jesus at makinig sa Kanya. Hindi niya inisip na kailangan niyang maging abala o maraming gawin. Pinili lamang niyang makasama si Jesus at maging ganap na naroroon sa Kanyang presensya. Sa pakikinig kay Jesus, tinanggap at pinahalagahan ni Maria ang Kanyang mga salita, natuto mula sa Kanya, at nagkaroon ng mas malalim na pakikipagkaibigan sa Kanya.

Si Marta naman ay abalang-abala sa paghahanda ng pagkain para kay Jesus. Hindi masama ang kanyang pagnanais na maglingkod sa Panginoon. Ngunit sa gitna ng kanyang pagiging abala, nakalimutan niya ang isang bagay na higit na mahalaga: nais ni Jesus ang kanyang presensya at pusong handang makinig. Nais din ni Jesus na matutunan ni Marta ang ginawa ni Maria—ang huminto sandali, makinig, at makasama Siya.

Marahil ito rin ang marahang sinasabi ni Jesus sa bawat isa sa atin ngayon: Huwag ninyong hayaang nakawin ng inyong pagiging abala ang inyong panahon para sa Akin. Huwag ninyong hayaang malunod sa ingay ng mundo ang Aking tinig. Lumapit kayo sa Akin. Maupo kayo sa Aking paanan. Makinig kayo sa Akin.

Marami tayong pananagutan. May pamilya tayong kailangang alagaan, trabaho at mga tungkuling kailangang gampanan, mga problemang kailangang harapin, at napakaraming bagay na maaari nating ikabahala. Ngunit hindi dapat maging dahilan ang mga ito upang makalimutan natin ang Diyos na nagbibigay sa atin ng lakas upang harapin ang lahat ng ito.

Sa pakikinig kay Jesus, natututo tayo mula sa Kanya at nagkakaroon tayo ng mas malalim na pakikipagkaibigan sa Kanya. Ang panalangin ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagsasalita natin sa Diyos; ito rin ay tungkol sa pagiging tahimik upang marinig natin Siya. Ang Banal na Misa ay hindi lamang isang obligasyon; ito ay pagkakataon upang makatagpo natin si Jesus, matanggap ang Kanyang biyaya, at hayaan Siyang baguhin at hubugin ang ating buhay.

Kaya matuto tayo kay Maria. Sa gitna ng ating abalang buhay, maglaan tayo ng panahon upang maupo sa paanan ni Jesus. Ibaba muna natin ang ating mga telepono, patahimikin ang ating isipan, buksan ang ating puso, at hayaang gabayan tayo ng Espiritu Santo. Sapagkat marahil ang higit na kailangan ng ating mga pusong pagod at balisa ay hindi panibagong libangan, panibagong ari-arian, o panibagong tagumpay, kundi mas maraming panahon kasama si Jesus.

Naglalaan pa ba tayo araw-araw, kahit sandali lamang, upang manalangin, manahimik, at makinig sa ating Panginoon? At kapag marahan tayong tinatawag ni Jesus na maupo sa Kanyang paanan, handa ba tayong isantabi ang ating pagiging abala at ang lahat ng bagay na gumagambala sa atin upang marinig natin ang Kanyang tinig, maranasan ang Kanyang pagmamahal, at buong pusong hayaan Siyang maging gabay ng ating buhay?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 5 Monday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:25-37

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”  

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.  

But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him.  

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

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Reflection:

A scholar of the law asked Jesus, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus told him to read what is written in the law. The scholar answered, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus replied, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”

Then the scholar of the law asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” To drive home His teaching about what it means to be a good neighbor, Jesus told him a story about a man who was left dying by the roadside.

The first person who passed by the dying man was a priest. As a priest, he was expected to embody the teaching of love for God and neighbor. But although he served God, he failed to show love to his neighbor because he did nothing to help the dying man. The next person who passed by was a Levite, a servant in the temple of God. Unfortunately, he, too, failed to put his faith into action because he ignored the dying man.

Then came a Samaritan who did not serve in the temple of God. Yet, when he saw the wounded man, his heart was moved with compassion. He did not simply look at him and continue on his way. He stopped. He came closer. He cleaned the man's wounds, brought him to an inn, took care of him, and made sure that he would fully recover.

Among the three, it was the Good Samaritan who gained favor in the eyes of Jesus because he showed mercy to the dying man. What a powerful lesson for all of us! The priest and the Levite had religious roles and served in the temple, yet their faith did not move them to respond to someone who was suffering. The Samaritan, on the other hand, allowed compassion to move him from simply seeing suffering to doing something about it.

This challenges us to look honestly into our own hearts. Are we not also sometimes lacking in the exercise of our faith? Do we not sometimes see people who are hurting, struggling, lonely, poor, or in need, yet choose to pass them by? Perhaps we see their pain but convince ourselves that someone else will help. Perhaps we hear their cries but remain silent because helping them might inconvenience us.

Every now and then, our faith and love for God are challenged through the people He places along our path. Sometimes, the person who needs our help may be the very person through whom Jesus is inviting us to express our love for Him.

Let us therefore ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes so that we may see those who are suffering, open our hearts so that we may feel compassion, and open our hands so that we may be willing to help. Let us never turn a blind eye to those who need us or pretend not to see their suffering. Let us not make excuses for failing to help. Instead, let us be willing to stop, draw near, listen, comfort, and serve.

Our faith is not merely something we profess with our lips or practice within the walls of our churches. Our faith becomes alive when God's love moves us to care for others. Every act of mercy, every helping hand, every word of encouragement, and every compassionate gesture can become a beautiful expression of our love for God.

The Good Samaritan reminds us that holiness is not only about knowing God's commandments; it is about allowing those commandments to transform our hearts and our actions. When we love God with all our heart, we cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of our neighbor.

May we never become so busy praying that we fail to notice someone who needs our help. May we never become so concerned about our own lives that we forget those who are hurting around us. And may we never allow fear, inconvenience, prejudice, or indifference to prevent us from becoming instruments of God's mercy.

Let us remember: whenever we stop to help someone who is suffering, we are not merely helping a stranger—we are allowing the love of Christ to become visible through us.

When Jesus places someone in need along our path today, will we be like the priest and the Levite who passed by, or will we allow the Holy Spirit to move our hearts like the Good Samaritan and turn our faith into an act of love and mercy?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon sa Oktubre 5 Lunes sa Ika-27 Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 10:25-37

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:25-37

Noong panahong iyon, may isang eskribang lumapit kay Hesus upang siya’y subukin. “Guro,” aniya, “ano ang dapat kong gawin upang magkamit ng buhay na walang hanggan?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Ano ang nakasulat sa Kautusan? Ano ang nababasa mo roon?”

Tumugon siya, “‘Ibigin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buong puso, nang buong kaluluwa, nang buong lakas, at nang buong pag-iisip’; at ‘Ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili.’” “Tama ang sagot mo,” wika ni Hesus. “Gawin mo iyan at mabubuhay ka.”

Sa hangad ng eskriba na huwag siyang lumabas na kahiya-hiya, tinanong niya uli si Hesus, “Sino naman ang aking kapwa?” Sumagot si Hesus: “May isang taong naglalakbay buhat sa Jerusalem, patungong Jerico. Hinarang siya ng mga tulisan, kinuha pati damit sa katawan, binugbog at halos patay na nang iwan.

Nagkataong dumaan doon ang isang saserdote at pagkakita sa taong nakahandusay, siya’y lumihis at nagpatuloy ng kanyang lakad. Dumaan din ang isang Levita, ngunit tiningnan lamang niya ito at nagpatuloy ng kanyang lakad. Ngunit may isang Samaritanong naglalakbay na naparaan doon. Nakita niya ang hinarang at siya’y nahabag. Lumapit siya, binusan ng langis at alak ang mga sugat nito at tinalian.

Saka isinakay ang tao sa kanyang sinasakyang hayop, dinala sa bahay-panuluyan, at inalagaan doon. Kinabukasan, dumukot siya ng dalawang denaryo, ibinigay sa may-ari ng bahay-panuluyan at sinabi, ‘Alagaan mo siya, at kung magkano man ang kakulangan niyan, babayaran ko sa aking pagbabalik.’

Sino ngayon sa palagay mo ang nagpakita ng kanyang pakikipagkapwa sa taong hinarang ng mga tulisan?” tanong ni Hesus. “Ang nagpakita ng habag sa kanya,” tugon ng eskriba. Sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Humayo ka’t gayun din ang gawin mo.”

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Repleksyon:

Tinanong si Jesus ng isang dalubhasa sa Kautusan, “Guro, ano po ang dapat kong gawin upang magmana ng buhay na walang hanggan?” Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya na basahin niya kung ano ang nakasulat sa Kautusan. Sumagot ang dalubhasa, “Ibigin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buong puso, buong pagkatao, buong lakas, at buong pag-iisip, at ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili.” Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, “Tama ang iyong sagot. Gawin mo ito at mabubuhay ka.”

Pagkatapos ay tinanong ng dalubhasa sa Kautusan si Jesus, “At sino naman po ang aking kapwa?” Upang higit na maipaliwanag ni Jesus kung ano ang tunay na kahulugan ng pagiging mabuting kapwa, nagkuwento Siya tungkol sa isang lalaking iniwang naghihingalo sa tabi ng daan.

Ang unang taong dumaan sa lalaking naghihingalo ay isang pari. Bilang pari, inaasahan sa kanya na isabuhay ang aral tungkol sa pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa kapwa. Ngunit kahit siya ay naglilingkod sa Diyos, hindi niya naipakita ang pagmamahal sa kanyang kapwa sapagkat wala siyang ginawa upang tulungan ang naghihingalong lalaki. Sumunod na dumaan ang isang Levita, isang lingkod sa templo ng Diyos. Sa kasamaang-palad, nabigo rin siyang isabuhay ang kanyang pananampalataya sapagkat hindi rin niya pinansin ang lalaking nangangailangan ng tulong.

Pagkatapos ay dumating ang isang Samaritano na hindi naglilingkod sa templo ng Diyos. Ngunit nang makita niya ang sugatang lalaki, naantig ang kanyang puso at nahabag siya. Hindi lamang niya ito tiningnan at ipinagpatuloy ang kanyang paglalakbay. Huminto siya. Lumapit siya. Nilinis niya ang mga sugat nito, dinala sa isang tuluyan, inalagaan, at tiniyak na gagaling ito.

Sa tatlong taong dumaan, ang Mabuting Samaritano ang kinalugdan ni Jesus sapagkat nagpakita siya ng awa sa naghihingalong lalaki. Napakalalim ng aral na ito para sa ating lahat. Ang pari at ang Levita ay may mga tungkulin sa paglilingkod sa Diyos at sa templo, ngunit hindi sila naantig upang tumulong sa isang taong naghihirap. Samantala, hinayaan ng Samaritano na ang kanyang habag ang magtulak sa kanya upang kumilos.

Hinahamon tayo nito na tingnan nang tapat ang ating sariling mga puso. Hindi rin ba tayo kung minsan ay nagkukulang sa pagsasabuhay ng ating pananampalataya? Hindi rin ba natin minsan nakikita ang mga taong nasasaktan, nahihirapan, nag-iisa, naghihikahos, o nangangailangan ng tulong, ngunit pinipili nating lampasan sila? Maaaring nakikita natin ang kanilang paghihirap ngunit iniisip natin na may ibang tutulong sa kanila. Maaaring naririnig natin ang kanilang hinaing ngunit nananatili tayong tahimik dahil baka maabala o maabala ang ating mga sariling gawain.

Paminsan-minsan, hinahamon ang ating pananampalataya at pagmamahal sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng mga taong inilalagay Niya sa ating landas. Maaaring ang taong nangangailangan ng ating tulong ang siya ring taong ginagamit ng Diyos upang anyayahan tayong ipakita ang ating pagmamahal sa Kanya.

Kaya hilingin natin sa Espiritu Santo na buksan ang ating mga mata upang makita natin ang mga nagdurusa, buksan ang ating mga puso upang makaramdam tayo ng habag, at buksan ang ating mga kamay upang maging handa tayong tumulong. Huwag nating ipikit ang ating mga mata sa mga nangangailangan o magkunwaring hindi natin nakikita ang kanilang paghihirap. Huwag tayong gumawa ng mga dahilan upang hindi tumulong. Sa halip, maging handa tayong huminto, lumapit, makinig, umaliw, at maglingkod.

Ang ating pananampalataya ay hindi lamang isang bagay na ipinapahayag natin sa ating mga labi o isinasabuhay sa loob ng simbahan. Nagiging buhay ang ating pananampalataya kapag ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ay kumikilos sa atin upang mahalin at pagmalasakitan ang iba. Bawat pagtulong, bawat kamay na inaabot, bawat salitang nagbibigay ng lakas, at bawat munting gawa ng malasakit ay maaaring maging magandang pagpapahayag ng ating pagmamahal sa Diyos.

Itinuturo sa atin ng Mabuting Samaritano na ang kabanalan ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagkilala sa mga utos ng Diyos. Ito ay tungkol sa pagpapahintulot na baguhin ng mga utos na ito ang ating puso at ang paraan ng ating pamumuhay. Kapag tunay nating minamahal ang Diyos nang buong puso, hindi natin kayang manatiling walang malasakit sa paghihirap ng ating kapwa.

Nawa'y hindi tayo maging abala sa ating pagdarasal hanggang sa hindi na natin mapansin ang isang taong nangangailangan ng tulong. Nawa'y hindi tayo maging lubhang abala sa sarili nating buhay upang makalimutan natin ang mga taong nasasaktan sa ating paligid. At nawa'y hindi natin hayaang ang takot, abala, pagkiling, o kawalang-malasakit ang pumigil sa atin upang maging instrumento ng awa ng Diyos.

Tandaan natin: sa tuwing humihinto tayo upang tulungan ang isang taong naghihirap, hindi lamang tayo tumutulong sa isang taong hindi natin kilala—hinahayaan nating makita ng mundo ang pag-ibig ni Kristo sa pamamagitan ng ating buhay.

Kapag may isang taong nangangailangan ng tulong na inilagay ni Jesus sa ating landas ngayon, tayo ba ay magiging tulad ng pari at Levita na nagpatuloy sa kanilang paglalakbay, o hahayaan nating hipuin ng Espiritu Santo ang ating puso upang tayo rin ay huminto, lumapit, umunawa, at kumilos—upang ang ating pananampalataya ay maging tunay na pag-ibig at awa?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 4 Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 21:33-43

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. 

Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" 

They answered him, "He will put those wret-ched men to a wret-ched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times." Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

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Reflection:

In what instances in our lives does Jesus knock at the doors of our hearts?

Jesus knocks when He desires to draw closer to us and when He lovingly calls us back to Himself. He can do this in so many ways. Sometimes, He may speak to us through a friend who shares the words of Jesus with us. At other times, He may speak through a written reflection about life and our faith that awakens something deep within our hearts. He may also speak to us through important events in our lives—through sickness, difficulties, failures, or even problems that remind us that we cannot walk through life by ourselves.

Sometimes, God's voice comes to us quietly. It may not be dramatic or unmistakable. It may come as a gentle stirring in our hearts, an invitation to change, a realization that something in our lives needs to be surrendered, or a longing to return to God.

Some of us may listen to these knocks of Jesus and open our hearts to Him, allowing His grace to change our lives for the better. But there are also times when we do not listen. We may become so busy with our daily concerns that we fail to recognize His presence. We may even choose not to reflect on what is happening in our lives. Thus, we continue with our lives as if nothing significant has happened to us.

We may distance ourselves from Jesus, or we may treat Him like medicine that we take only when we are sick, troubled, or in need. We remember Him when we need something, but we sometimes forget Him when everything seems to be going well. Yet Jesus does not stop knocking. He does not stop calling us. His love remains patient and faithful.

In our Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus gives us the Parable of the Tenants. The tenants were entrusted by the landowner to take care of his vineyard. When harvest time came, the landowner naturally asked for his share because the vineyard belonged to him.

So, the landowner sent two groups of servants, but the tenants refused his demand. They even killed some of the servants he had sent. Finally, the landowner sent his only son, thinking that the tenants would listen to him. But they killed him as well.

The greedy tenants in the Gospel represent the chief priests and the elders, while the landowner represents God. The servants whom God sent represent the prophets, and the only son represents Jesus, whom they also killed. They rejected the prophets and Jesus because they refused their call to renewal and repentance.

This Gospel also invites us to look honestly into our own hearts. In some ways, we can also become like the greedy tenants when we allow our attachment to this world to become greater than our love for Jesus. We may become so attached to wealth, comfort, pleasure, power, recognition, and other temporary things that we slowly forget what truly matters.

Sometimes, we may hear Jesus calling us to change, yet we resist. We may know that there are things in our lives that need to be surrendered, but we hold on to them. We may hear His gentle voice calling us away from sin and worldliness, but we choose to remain where we are because change can be difficult.

And yet, Jesus continues to knock.

What a beautiful and humbling truth this is: even when we repeatedly close the doors of our hearts, Jesus does not stop knocking. He patiently waits for us. He does not force Himself upon us. He waits for that moment when we freely open our hearts and allow Him to enter.

When we open the door, He comes not to condemn us but to renew us. He comes to cleanse us from our sins, heal our wounded hearts, restore what has been broken, and lead us toward a life that is centered on God. He comes to take His rightful place in our lives—not to take away our freedom, but to lead us toward the fullness of life that He desires for us.

Perhaps Jesus is knocking at the door of our hearts right now through a person, an experience, a difficulty, a realization, or even a quiet longing to come closer to Him.

Are we listening?

And when we hear Him knocking, will we continue to keep the door of our hearts closed because we are afraid to change, or will we open it and say, “Jesus, come into my life. Take away whatever keeps me from You, transform my heart, and teach me to live according to Your will”?—Marino J. Dasmarinas