1Reflection for Sunday, October 8; 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:

A corrupt leader stole millions from the people whom he was serving. When he was not in power anymore a righteous leader replaced him and this new leader initiated investigations to unearth the many corruptions of the former greedy leader. Eventually the long arm of the law caught up with this corrupt leader and he was imprisoned.

Every now and then we also see arrogant and dictatorial leaders who manipulate their people with false promises and deception.  They do this for the reason that they want to perpetuate themselves in power.  They cannot give up power because of their greed for it; they cannot let go until they’re forced out by the supreme power of God coursed thru the people. 

In the gospel we see the greed of the tenants; they were given everything that they would need as they grow the plants in the vineyard. When it was harvest time they did not give the share of the landowner they instead killed the emissaries sent to them.  Even the son of the landowner they killed; what a display of extreme greed! What eventually happened to the greedy tenants? They died, the vineyard was taken from them and it was given to those who were not greedy.

Our insatiable appetite for the things of this world like money, power, sex, possessions and the like will bring us nothing but damnation. Anything that we possess thru our greed will eventually be taken from us.

Just look at the countless dictators that were violently forced out of their power because of their greed for it. Just look at the many corrupt government officials who are being chased by so many cases filed against them.

We must learn how to share, we must become generous and we must not be corrupt or greedy for we are mere tenants of this world. When we die God will ask us to account of the things that He entrusted to us.

He will ask us: Were you able to share? Were you generous? And were you not corrupt or greedy? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Repleksyon para sa Linggo Oktubre 8, Ika dalawamput pitong linggo sa karaniwang panahon; Mateo 21:33-43

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:33-43

33 Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa mga saserdote at matatanda ng bayan: May isang may-ari ng bahay na nagtanim ng ubasan; binakuran ang paligid nito, humukay para sa pisaan ng ubas, at nagtayo ng toreng bantayan. Pinaupahan niya ang ubasan sa mga magsa-saka at naglakbay sa malayo. 34 Nang malapit na ang panahon ng anihan, pinapunta ng may-ari ang kanyang mga katulong sa mga magsasaka para kubrahin ang kanyang bahagi sa ani. 35 Ngunit sinunggaban ng mga magsasaka ang kanyang mga katulong, binugbog ang isa, pinatay ang iba at binato ang ilan. 36 Nagpadala uli ang may-ari ng marami pang katulong pero ganoon din ang ginawa ng mga magsasaka sa kanila. 37 Sa bandang huli, ipinadala na rin niya ang kanyang anak sa pag-aakalang ‘Igagalang nila ang aking anak.’ 38 Ngunit nang makita ng mga magsasaka ang anak, inisip nilang ‘Ito ang tagapagmana. Patayin natin siya at mapapasaatin ang kanyang mana.’ 39 Kaya sinunggaban nila siya, at pinalayas sa ubasan at pinatay. 40 Ngayon, pagdating ng may-ari ng ubasan, ano ang gagawin niya sa mga magsasaka?” 41 Sinabi nila sa kanya: “Hindi niya kaaawaan ang masasamang taong iyon; pupuksain niya ang mga iyon at pauupahan ang ubasan sa ibang magsasakang magbibigay ng kanyang kaparte sa anihan.” 42 At sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi ba ninyo nabasa sa Kasulatan? ‘Naging panulukang bato ang tinanggihan ng mga taga¬pagtayo. Gawa ito ng Panginoon; at kahangahanga ang ating nakita.’ 43 Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: aagawin sa inyo ang kaharian ng Diyos at ibibigay sa isang bayang makapagpapalago nito.

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Repleksyon:

May isang corrupt ma lider na nagnakaw ng milyon milyon sa mga taong kanya dapat pinagsisilbihan ng tapat. Nang siya ay wala na sa kapangyarihan ang pumalit sa kanya ay isang maayos na lider at siya ay pina imbestigahan. Di nag laon ay nadiskubre ang kanyang kasakiman at siya ay nakulong.

May mga pagkakataon sa ating kasaysayan na may mga hinahalal tayong mga lider na arrogante at diktador. Na binobola ang mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng matatamis na pananalita. Ginagawa nila ito para sila ay tumagal at ito ay dahil sa kanilang pagiging sakim sa kapangyarihan.

Sa atin pong mabuting balita ay makikita natin ang kasakiman ng mga magsasaka. Ibinigay na sa kanila ang lahat ng kanilang kailagan sa kanilang pagsasaka. Ngunit ng dumating ang anihan ay hindi nila ibinigay ang nararapat na para sa may ari ng ubasan. Bagkus ay pinatay nilang lahat ang mga isinugo niya kahit na ang kanyang anak ay kanila ring pinatay. Ano ba ang nangyari sa mga sakim na mga magsasaka? Sila ay namatay at ang lupaing na kanilang sinasaka ay ibinigay sa mga magsasaka na hindi sakim. 

Ang atin pong pagiging sakim sa mga bagay ng mundong ito. Katulad ng pera, kapangyarihan, sex, material na bagay at marami pang iba ay mag papahamak lamang sa atin.

  

Tingnan nalang po natin ang kasaysayan ng ating mundo kung saan ay maraming diktador na mga lider. Ang pinatalsik sa kapangyarihan ng taong bayan dahil sa kanilang kasakiman sa kapangyarihan.

Dapat po ay matuto tayong magbahagi, dapat hindi tayo corrupt at hindi tayo sakim sa mga bagay ng mundo. Ito ay sa dahilan na tayo ay pawang mga magsasaka lamang dito sa mundo.

Pag dating po ng panahon na tayo lumisan na dito sa mundo tayo po ay tatanugin ng Panginoong Diyos: Ikaw ba ay nagbahagi ng iyong yaman? Hindi kaba naging corrupt at sakim sa mga pansamantalang bagay ng mundong ito? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Saturday October 7, Our Lady of the Rosary: Luke 10:17-24

Gospel: Luke 10:17-24

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

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Reflection:

What does Jesus require from us so that we could know Him deeply? Childlike trust and confidence in Him. We will not know Jesus deeply if we only rely on ourselves no matter how educated we are. No matter the volumes of books that we read about Jesus and our faith. No matter how many degrees we have earned. It would still not be enough because we have no childlike trust in Him.

If we have childlike trust before Jesus this simply means that we rely on Him and not on ourselves. And we entrust our lives to Him and not entrust it in our hands. The moment we begin to trust Jesus, He also begins to open and equip our minds with knowledge that is not available to those who do not trust Him no matter how intelligent they may be.

The seventy-two disciples came back from their very fruitful mission of spreading the good news because they had childlike trust. And therefore the power of Jesus reigned upon them.

Let us take the risk of having childlike trust in Jesus for this is a risk worth taking. - Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Friday October 6, Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:13-16

Gospel:Luke 10:13-16

Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven?

You will go down to the netherworld.’ Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.

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Reflection:

Is it possible for us not to sin anymore?

No, as we live here in this world we will continue to sin for we are mere mortals with frailties. We sin through our thoughts, words and actions. However, as we keep on sinning God calls us always to repentance until the time comes that our sins will be diminished to a minimum.

Amid our humanness and sinfulness God wants us to know that we need to repent that is why He created the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession. For us to humbly submit ourselves and for us to be aware of God’s goodness and forgiveness. 

Obviously the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were stone hearted. They did not listen to the call of Jesus for them to repent. There really are people who are like them. No matter how we try to help them and no matter how hard we gently speak to them. They will not walk away from their sinfulness they will really not hear us.

This is perhaps the mystery of human psychology; God comes to us yet we refuse Him. Or we are given advice by those who are concerned for our welfare yet we refuse to hear them.   

So for those who refuse to hear the wisdom of God and the wise counsel of the people around them. Be prepared for the consequences for there are really consequences for those who refuse to hear. But why wait for the price of our stubbornness to befall us?  Why don’t we listen and walk away from our sinfulness?

Let us repent while we still have time and let us humbly ask Jesus to forgive us of all our sins. The best vehicle for us to do this is to humbly submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Thursday October 5, Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:1-12

Gospel: Luke 10:1-12

Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”

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Reflection:

Would you be willing to be an ambassador of Jesus?

It’s hard to respond to this call of Jesus to follow Him most especially when you see nothing but challenges. For example, provisions are very scarce, nobody wants to be with you for the simple reason that they don’t love God as much as you do.

What would you do then? You must carry on! The harder the challenges in front of you the firmer your resolve to follow. The enemy of God which is no other than the devil will continue to badger you to give up. It will continue to paint a picture of hopelessness with what you do for Christ so as to discourage you. But you must not give up. You must continue to hold on with your desire to partake with the mission of Jesus.

The statement of Jesus that the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few is as true as the sunshine today. Each day we see the decline of the morality and values of many people. Each day we see the debasement of the sanctity of marriage. Each day we see the disintegration of families most especially in the so called first world countries. This is the abundant harvest that Jesus pertains today.

Don’t say that you don’t see any abundant harvest. Look in your own sphere of environment and you’ll see them. Focus on them; share Jesus with them by your words or your lifestyle for they are your abundant harvest. Don’t worry about anything for Jesus is with you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Wednesday October 4, Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi: Luke 9:57-62

Gospel: Luke 9:57-62

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”

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Reflection:

What does it require to follow Jesus? It requires us to leave everything behind that could hamper our faithful and enduring discipleship. Is it not possible to follow Jesus and then remain attached to the things that we have? No, it’s never possible to follow and remain attached with what we have.

Could we follow and at the same time continue to sin? Can we follow and at the same time be attached with material things? Can we follow yet still love the lifestyle of this world? No we can’t, when we decide to follow Jesus this simply means that we are ready to leave everything behind us most especially our own sinfulness for the sake of our discipleship.

To follow Jesus is initially difficult no question about it for it requires a radical change of our lifestyles! But fear not to follow because as we decide we would learn also to depend not on ourselves but on Jesus alone.  We will have the enlightenment to bring and trust our everything  including our very lives to Jesus. It’s like you have somebody who is always there for you when you decide to follow Him.

What if we are very much sinful? Would Jesus still call us to follow Him? Yes absolutely, the more sinful we are the more that Jesus calls us to follow Him. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday October 3, The Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:51-56

Gospel: Luke 9:51-56

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

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Reflection:

What is your attitude when somebody rejects you? Do you feel bad and offended or you simply shrug it off, move on and treat rejection as simply part of life.

Jesus was refused entry into the Samaritan village but instead of sulking and harboring resentment towards the Samaritan people. Jesus simply walked away without harboring any ill will against them.

Perhaps Jesus was silently saying: “You refused me entry into your village so I move on without any ill feelings against you people of Samaria. In that negative reception Jesus had a positive reaction: Let’s move on and go forth with our mission.  

Every now and then there would also be people who will try to offend us or bait us to stoop to their level of arrogance. So what are we going to do? We must not bite their bait, we instead should keep calm and not allow ourselves to be offended.    

We simply have to take the higher road and squeeze whatever positive things that we could take amidst the negative situation.  We have to remember that nobody is in charge of how we would react in any situation that is thrown to us except us.

Being so, we should not forget to look at the positive in every negative situation that is thrown our way. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday October 2, The Holy Guardian Angels: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

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Reflection:

Why did the disciples ask Jesus about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Were they expecting that Jesus would tell them that they would be one of the greatest in the kingdom of heaven because they are close to Him? From all indications this question of the disciples were asked to serve their selfish agendas  and Jesus knew about this.

 Therefore, to straighten out things and to tell the disciples that self-seeking individuals will not be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus told them; “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-4).

The Kingdom of Heaven is reserved for the humble only for we cannot ascend heaven by our own effort. And we cannot ascend heaven without the mercy of the good Lord. Therefore, children are not only perfect models of humility they are also perfect examples for their reliance on their parents.  Could children exist by themselves? No they can't exist by themselves they need their parents to be with them to survive.

In like manner the disciples did not rely on themselves they humbly relied on God rather than on themselves. This was perhaps one of the salient point of Jesus when He called the child to their midst (Matthew 18:2).

This also applies to all of us, we cannot rely on our riches (If ever we have riches) no matter how presently rich we are. We cannot rely on our power as well no matter how presently powerful we are for all of these are creation of this world that could evaporate from our hands anytime. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Repleksyon para sa Linggo Oktubre 1, Ika dalawamput anim na lingo sa karaniwang panahon; Mateo 21:28-32

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:28-32

28 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga saserdote at matatanda ng bayan: “Ano sa palagay ninyo? May dalawang anak ang isang tao. Lumapit siya sa isa at sinabi: ‘Anak, pumunta ka ngayon at magtrabaho sa aking ubasan.’ 29 Sumagot ang anak: ‘Ayoko.’ Ngunit pagkatapos ay nagbagong-isip siya at pumunta. 30 Pinuntahan din ng ama ang pangalawang anak at gayundin ang sinabi. Sumagot naman ang anak: ‘Opo.’ Pero hindi siya pumunta.” 31 At itinanong ni Jesus: “Sino sa dalawang anak ang tumupad sa gusto ng ama?” Sumagot sila: “Ang una.” At sinabi ni Jesus: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: mas nauuna sa inyo patungo sa kaharian ng Langit ang mga publi-kano at mga babaeng bayaran. 32 Dumating nga si Juan para ipakita sa inyo ang daan ng kabutihan pero hindi kayo naniwala sa kanya, samantalang naniwala naman ang mga publikano at mga babaeng bayaran. Nakita ninyo ito at hindi kayo nagsisi o naniwala sa kanya.

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Repleksyon:

Ano po ang gagawin mo pag narinig mo ang boses ng Diyos na nagsasabi na tumalikod kana  sa kasalanan?

Papakinggan mo lang ba ito? O papakingan at tatalikod kana sa mga kasalanan para mamuhay na ng naaayon sa kagustuhan ng Diyos. Marahil ay marami sa atin ang babaliwalain lang itong pagtawag sa atin ng Panginoon na magbagong buhay na. At patuloy lang tayong mamumuhay sa kasalanan.

Pero hindi tayo ginawa ng Diyos para mabuhay para sa mundong ito lamang. Dahil mayroong kasunod o susunod pa sa ating buhay sa mundong ito. At ito ay walang iba kundi ang langit o ang impiyerno.

Sa ating pong mabuting balita ay may isang anak na sinabihan ng kanyang ama na mag trabaho sa kanilang ubasan. Ang agarang sagot ng kanyang anak ay hindi siya pupunta sa ubasan. Pero pagkatapos na sabihin na  siya ay hindi pupunta ay nag bago ang kanyang isip at pumunta na siya sa ubasan ng kanyang ama para doon ay mag trabaho.

Ang ating Panginoong Diyos sa ating mga pagbasa at mabuting balita ngayong lingo ay nag sasabi sa atin na tumalikod na tayo sa ating mga kasalanan. Sinasabi ng Diyos sa atin na katulad ng anak nag bago ng kanyang isip. Tayo rin po ay kailagan ng mag desisyon na baguhin na ang ating pag iisip at tuluyan ng tumalikod sa anumang kasalanan.

Hindi na po importante sa Diyos ang mga nakaraan na hindi natin pinansin ang kanyang panawagan na tayo ay mag bagong buhay na. Ang mahalaga sa Diyos ay ang ngayon, ang ating pagtalima sa kanyang panawagan na talikdan na ang ating mga pagkakasala. At mag bagong buhay na hindi bukas, hindi sa susunod na lingo kundi ngayon na. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday, October 1; Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Matthew 21:28-32

Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not, ' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, ‘but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him."

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Reflection:

What would you do when you hear the voice of God calling you to walk away from sin?

Do you simply hear it? Or you hear and then act and live your life once again worthy in the eyes of God. Many of us might be dismissive of this call of God to repentance, we might simply brush it aside and dismiss it as nothing or insignificant to our lives in this world.

But God did not only create us for this world alone there is something higher that exist beyond this world. There is something that follows after our existence in this world is over and this is none other than heaven or hell.

In our gospel for this Sunday there is this son who was asked by his father to work in his vineyard (Matthew 21:28). The son initially said that he will not go to his father’s vineyard but upon pondering about the order of his father. The son had a change of heart and went to the vineyard to work there (Matthew 21:29).  

God in our readings and our gospel for this Sunday is inviting us to conversion. We who are all sinners are being encouraged by God to have a change of heart so that we could walk away from our sinfulness.

Let us not worry if for so many times we said no to His offer of conversion. For He will not count the many times that we refused Him what is important for the Lord is the here and now and our yes to Him now.

Are we all not yet tired of committing sin? Are we not tired yet of a noisy life, life without peace and serenity? The reality is sin has not brought us anything good except more problems and disturbance in our lives. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Saturday September 30, Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church: Luke 9:43b-45

Gospel: Luke 9:43b-45

While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

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Reflection:

I can’t help but wonder why the disciples were afraid to ask Jesus to elaborate His meaningful statement that He is going to be handed over to men. Did they sense that something disturbing is going to happen to Jesus soon? Were they afraid to hear something that would deal with suffering and the cross? Or the disciples were simply used to the image of Jesus as a miracle worker and healer.

Is it only for His miracles and healings that we follow Jesus? Perhaps yes, many of us are only after Jesus the miracle worker and Jesus the healer. But if we are only after His miracles and healings then this is not true discipleship.

True discipleship happens to us when we are also ready to suffer for Jesus and when we are also ready to carry our own cross for Jesus. We cannot separate Jesus from suffering because He himself brutally suffered. Thus we cannot also separate ourselves from suffering/s if we truly follow Jesus.

Nevertheless, let us not be afraid to suffer for our discipleship for Jesus because our suffering for Jesus will not be in vain. There is always something glorious after suffering and  carrying our own cross for Jesus. We may not know it immediately but there surely will be glory after we endure our cross for the sake of Jesus. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Friday September 29, Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels: John 1:47-51

Gospel: John 1:47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

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Reflection:

Do you believe in angels? In the bible there are many passages that tell us of the reality of angels. For example Hebrews 1:13-14 tells us; 13 God never said to any of his angels: Sit here at my right side until I put your enemies as a footstool under your feet. 14 For all these spirits are only servants, and God sends them to help those who shall be saved. Psalm 91:11 tells us this as well; 11 For he will command his angels to guard you in all your ways.

 Angels are real and it’s not necessarily a winged messenger of God. Angel can be a friend, a relative or a complete stranger who would bring us closer to God.   God sends them to us to direct our ways toward Him.

But many of us refuse to listen to the voice of angels we instead listen to what this world dictates upon us. Notice for example the aggressive advertising being employed by companies to announce their new product/s. These advertisers dictate upon us to buy their new hi-tech gadget/s and so forth. But come to think about it, do we really need it? Often times we don’t actually need it we simply listen to the aggressive advertisement.

We must be careful because this is the reality of our world right now. This world uses many devious methods for us to be enslaved by it. Let us not be discouraged nonetheless because God sends us His angels to point our ways to Him. And to let us know that the infinite love of God is always there for us.

In hindsight, is it also possible for us to become an angel to somebody in need of spiritual direction? To somebody in need of encouragement, motivation or even material help? Yes it is very much possible that we could become God’s living and walking angel in this world today.

Do you want to become an angel of God? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Thursday September 28, Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:7-9

Gospel: Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him.

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Reflection:

A young lady was always being bothered by her conscience every time she sees a baby.  For it always reminds her of her baby which she aborted. She had no closure with the mortal sin that she did.

Perhaps the same scenario was occurring in the mind of Herod. He was deeply disturb by the news about Jesus. And it came to a point that he thought that John whom he ordered killed has been raised from the dead. So Herod kept trying to verify Jesus identity.

Why is Herod curious about the true identity of Jesus and why have that burning desire to see Jesus? This is for the reason that Herod wants to see if John whom he ordered killed had risen.

We too should have that curiosity about Jesus not because we want to know if He is John. We have to be curious about Jesus for the reason that we want to have a deeper intimacy with Him. And this desire to know more about Him must lead us to a deeper faith and love for Him.

To whom does Jesus always manifest Himself now? He manifest through the poor, the deprived, the hungry and the oppressed. If you want to know Jesus deeply you must exert every possible effort to help and love them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Wednesday September 27, Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest: Luke 9:1-6

Gospel: Luke 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

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Reflection:

When Jesus said to the twelve, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.” He was espousing absolute detachment from any kind of worldly things. He was telling them to rely on no one except on Himself for He would provide for them.

This is how Jesus also lived His ministry, He relied on no one except on the providence of God. God provided for Him for He trusted His life on Him.

In our present materially driven world it’s so difficult to solely trust on God. For example, how could we advance His teachings without any material provisions? How could we keep going without financial help? These are valid questions that are so difficult to ignore.

Nevertheless, if we really have rock solid faith, we would let go of our worldly worries and rely on no one but God alone. This is the challenge for all of us believers, to rely on no one except God. Often times we do not recognize how Jesus is moving in our lives because we don’t totally rely on Him. We rely more on ourselves rather than Jesus.

We would not be able to feel the majesty of Jesus in our lives if we continue to rely on ourselves. Let us continue to have faith for God has not forsaken anyone who followed Him. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday September 26, Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:19-21

Gospel: Luke 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

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Reflection:

Who would not want to become a relative of Jesus? Of course we all want to become His relatives. But Jesus has one important requirement for all of us so that we could become His relatives: Hear His word/s and act on it (Luke 8:21).

Do we hear the word of God and act upon it? For example the commandment of Jesus to love our enemies and to do good to those who hurt us (Matthew 5:44). Do we love our enemies and do good to them?  Or we immediately follow our natural instinct not to love those who don’t love us and hurt those who hurt us.

But what would happen if we follow our selfish human instinct? There would be more hatred and hurt, more walls than bridges. Mahatma Gandhi once said: An Eye for an eye would only make the whole world blind.

It’s not easy to become a relative of Jesus if we put so much value to ourselves. If we look at ourselves so highly and we immediately despise those who’ve hurt and disrespected us. But Jesus himself has forgiven those who’ve hurt, persecuted and killed Him.  

Though it’s difficult to become a relative of Jesus for it requires humility and forgetting of ourselves. Nevertheless, we must aspire to become a relative of Jesus and not aspire to become a lover of our ego and pride. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Monday September 25, Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:16-18

Gospel: Luke 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.

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Reflection:

A long dormant lighthouse was revived and brightly lighted by the community around it.  The voyagers and fishermen were very happy to see its light once again. For it gave them direction and it made their life easier at sea.

By virtue of our faith and what we know about Jesus we also have the potential to become a bright lighthouse. That gives direction, inspiration and hope to our fellowmen. This could happen provided we have the courage to live and share Jesus through our words and actions.

But how many of us have become the living light of Jesus to our fellowmen? How many of us have dared to live and share the teachings of Jesus? If we don’t dare live and share Jesus we simply become a useless unlighted lighthouse. A lighthouse that is eaten by the darkness of night it doesn’t give hope, inspiration and direction.

Never forget to remember that you could always become the lighted lamp that is placed on a lampstand that Jesus mentions in the gospel. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for Sunday, September 24; Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Matthew 20:1-16

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16a

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise.

Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’  When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage.

So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

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Reflection:

Do you every once in a while question the decision/s of God in your life?

God thinks differently from how we think and God decides not based on how we think. It seems that the landowner which represents the Lord is unfair. This is for the reason that He paid the workers the same amount regardless of the time they’ve labored in his vineyard. Was he really unfair to the other workers who worked for longer hours or he was simply generous?

The landowner was simply generous and fair for he paid everyone based on what they’ve agreed upon.   It did not matter to him who worked early in the day and who worked late in the day. What was important for him was he paid everyone based on what they’ve agreed upon.

We can’t help but compare God’s generosity compared to ours if at all we are generous. If God doesn’t count the cost, we count, and if God is generous we are often times not generous. If we discriminate God doesn’t discriminate whomever we are, what is important for God is we respond to His invitation. 

God doesn’t look at how sinful you are, God doesn’t look at how early and late you respond to His call of repentance. What is important for God is you respond to His call of repentance no matter how late.

Would you respond to God’s call? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Saturday September 23, Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest: Luke 8:4-15

Gospel: Luke 8:4-15

4 When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to him, he spoke in a parable. 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. 6 Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.

9 Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. 10 He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that ‘they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.’ 11 “This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. 12 Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of trial. 14 As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. 15 But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.

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Reflection:

How do you receive the word of God? For example when you read the words of Jesus in  the bible, do you reflect upon it, discern it and then share it? Or you just read it and then it ends there nothing eventful happened with your reading of the words of God.

How do you react when you hear the words of God proclaimed during Holy Mass? Do you allow yourself to be moved by it? That it immediately stirs you to do good and live your faith so that you could make a positive Impact on the lives of your fellowmen?

Jesus words is the seeds that He plants in our hearts and Jesus expectation is always for us to be fruit bearing followers. Where others could learn about Jesus and our faith from us. We must not allow ourselves to become followers in name only who simply absorb the words of God and do nothing.

Therefore, we have to share the words of Jesus. Never mind the time and money that we would be using for doing it. For Jesus will give back to us a hundredfold whatever time and treasure that we invest for the propagation of His teachings. - Marino J. Dasmarinas