Reflection for December 6, Friday; First Week of Advent: Matthew 9:27-31

Gospel: Matthew 9:27-31

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us! When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith. And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this. But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.

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Reflection:

What are you willing to do to receive healing from God? Are you willing to humble yourself and kneel before God and ask Him to give you the gift of healing? Healing is a gift that Jesus freely gives to those who have faith. Even if you will not ask for it Jesus will give it to you for as long as you humble yourself and have faith in front of Him.

In the gospel for this Friday we have two humble blind men with rock-solid faith who cried to Jesus for healing.  Why did they cry when they could have shouted at Jesus to get His attention? They cried because they saw hope, mercy and healing from Jesus. For the two blind men Jesus was their only hope to have the gift of sight.

Let us also ask Jesus to give us the gift of Healing for nothing is impossible for those who humble themselves before God. Even the impossible is very much possible for as long as we have faith.   

Whatever that you’re going through right now, believe that Jesus will heal you. And believe that He will answer your prayers for nothing is impossible for Jesus. This is best exemplified by the two incredible blind men of deep faith in our gospel.

How’s your faith in Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for December 5, Thursday; First Week of Advent: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Gospel: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

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Reflection:

There is a story about an old man who was always at church, he attends Mass, and he was always present during novena prayers. However, he also had a domineering attitude, he thinks highly of himself and he treats everyone in the church as someone who is not within his level.

After a few years he died, therefore, he was expecting a smooth passage to heaven but Saint Peter did not allow him to enter the pearly gates. So he asked: “Why are you not allowing me to gain entry to heaven, I was always at church leading the novena prayers, I was always at Mass!” Saint Peter replied: “Yes you were always in the church but you did not change your ways, it was all for show.”

Like the old man, there are many who are active in the church but they refuse to let go of their boorish behavior. They think highly of themselves simply because they are active in the church rich and educated. Then they carry these domineering behaviors into their homes and workplace.

Could they gain entry into heaven with this behavior? Can they be compared to the wise man in the gospel who built his house upon a sturdy rock? Not certainly, to be like the wise man who built his house on a solid rock they need to walk their talk, they need to be humble and they need to live what they preach.

In the gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21).” – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for December 4, Wednesday; First Week of Advent: Matthew 15:29-37

Gospel: Matthew 15:29-37  

At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was sick of cancer. Before going to her doctor she would first never forget to pray to the Lord for her healing. It was always like that for many years until she got cured of her cancer.

What do you do when you are sick? Of course you go to the doctor, but have you thought of going to Jesus first? To ask Him to cure you with His mighty healing power. Many of us perhaps have forgotten already that Jesus is the greatest healer who ever walked on this earth. That’s why we sometimes forget to go to Him first in deep prayer before we go to the doctor. 

  

In our gospel, great crowds went to Jesus, with them were the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many more sick people. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them all. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.

Whenever we are sick: Whatever it may be and no matter how grave it may be. Let us not forget to remember to go to Jesus first in deep prayer and let us ask Him to heal us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for December 3, Tuesday; Saint Francis Xavier, Priest: Luke 10:21-24

Gospel: Luke 10:21-24

Jesus 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 do we need to do to fully grasp the grace of the Holy Spirit in our life? We need to be humble, we need to be childlike for such is the life of Jesus: full of humility and full of childlike trust.

The Holy Spirit would reveal itself to us once we become humble and childlike. Thus, the Holy Spirit will give us something that others don’t have and that is the enlightenment to discern the workings of God in our life.

Notice the childlike excitement of those who volunteer their time for church to be present at Mass. Observe their intense longing to submit themselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession. Yet, not everyone has this gift of feeling the profound presence of God in their lives. This is given free without any cost by the Holy Spirit to those who strive to dive deeper into our Catholic faith.

We impede the grace of the Holy Spirit into our lives when we trust more on our wealth instead of God. When we are self-righteous, when we are corrupt, when we curse, when we say profanities and swearwords. When we seek pornography and other forms of sinful actions. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for December 2, Monday; First Week of Advent: Matthew 8:5-11

Gospel: Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.

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Reflection:

How deep is your faith in Jesus?

Aside from learning about the centurion’s deep faith in God what else do we learn from our gospel today? We learn how to deeply care and be concerned for our fellowmen no matter who they may be and regardless of their standing in our society.

The centurion is not an ordinary soldier. He is an officer but he was very concerned of his servant that he went to Jesus with faith and asked for His healing. Considering his stature the centurion could have simply sent some of his underlings to Jesus. But he went personally to Jesus, his action speaks volumes of his goodness.

How many of us are caring enough for those who are lowly and poor; they are both neglected people of our society. How many of us truly care for our servants? Would we still care for our servant even if they cannot serve us anymore?  

On this Advent season perhaps Jesus is inviting our attention thru this gospel reading. To take a closer look on the plight of the less fortunate: the poor, the hungry and those neglected by our society. They’re everywhere and they badly need our help.

Would you help them as well like the centurion? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday December 1, First Sunday of Advent: Matthew 24:37-44

Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44

Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

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Reflection: 

What would you do if there is an occasion in your house and you are expecting visitors? What you do is you thoroughly clean your house for it to be worthy in the eyes of your coming visitors.

The first Sunday of Advent ushers a new year in the in the church’s Liturgical calendar. Advent means Coming and this is the time wherein we prepare for the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The gospel talks about the preparation for the Lord’s coming. On the first part of the Gospel the people during Noah’s time failed to prepare. They were so busy with sin and other worldly things until God’s judgment came and they were wiped out on the face of the earth. (Genesis 7:22) Only Noah and his companions survived because they were the select few who were prepared.

The Lord calls us to “Stay awake” to be prepared so that if the Son of Man will come we are ready. How are we preparing for the coming birth of Jesus? Is it centered towards materials things such as buying of gifts, decorating of the house and the like?

Nothing is wrong with these kinds of preparation. However, The Lord wants us also to undergo a much deeper and meaningful preparation for his forthcoming birth. And what is this? It is a preparation centered within ourselves.

Such as repentance from our many sins thus we worthily prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord and Savior. Repentance from our many sins means that we allow the Sacrament of Confession to clean us from the dirt of sin.

When was your last Confession? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo, Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 24:37-44

Mabuting Balita: Mateo  24:37-44

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 37 Katulad ng nangyari sa panahon ni Noe, gayundin sa pagdating ng Anak ng Tao. 38 Noong mga araw na iyon bago dumating ang Baha, kuma­kain at umi­inom ang mga tao at nag-aasawa, hang­gang sa araw na puma­sok si Noe sa da­ong.

39 Ngunit wala silang alam hanggang dumating ang baha at tina­ngay silang lahat. Ganoon din sa pag­dating ng Anak ng Tao. 40 Sa dalawang lalaking nasa bukid, kukunin ang isa at iiwan ang isa. 41 Sa dalawang babaeng gumigiling ng trigo, kukunin ang isa at iiwan ang isa.

42 Kaya magbantay kayo sapagkat hindi ninyo alam ang araw ng pag­dating ng inyong Panginoon. 43 Isipin ninyo ito: kung alam ng may-ari ng bahay kung anong oras ng gabi dara­ting ang magnanakaw, magbabantay siya at hindi niya pababayaang pasu­kin ang bahay. 44 Kaya maging handa kayo sapagkat sa oras na hindi ninyo inaasahan darating ang Anak ng Tao.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for November 30, Saturday; Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle: Matthew 4:18-22

Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

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Reflection:

Are you ready to respond to Jesus’ call?

Jesus called ordinary fishermen to help Him advance the gospel, ordinary folks just like you and me. What is striking  in the gospel reading is their immediate response to the call of Jesus. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew they immediately left their nets (their livelihood) and they both became a follower of Jesus.

The same occurrence happened when Jesus called the brothers Zebedee and John. Upon hearing the call of Jesus they left their boat and their father to immediately become a follower. 

Let us take a closer look at the gospel for today because this is for us also. The four of them were ordinary fishermen, they were expert with their craft but they have no formal education about the faith. 

What does this mean to us? This simply means that a formal education about the faith is not a requirement to become an effective follower. What is important is the desire and willingness to respond to Jesus. For as long as we are ready to respond we all can have a humble role in the mission of Jesus. 

Let us not worry if we have no formal education about our faith because this is not the requirement of Jesus. What Jesus wants from us first is for us to respond to His call, this is perhaps the first requirement responsiveness to His call. 

Jesus is always calling us to follow Him every second, every minute and hour that pass by. Let us respond to this call of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for November 29, Friday; Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:29-33

Gospel: Luke 21:29-33

Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

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Reflection:

A man was asked, what is your greatest fear? The man replied, I fear death for I don’t know what would happen to me when I die.

We all have our own set of fears, we fear losing somebody we love, and we fear losing our job. And the worst fear perhaps is the same as with the man who was asked about his greatest fear.  However why fear when Jesus is always there to soothe and take away our fear?

Many of us have so many fears for the reason that we don’t have Jesus in our life and we don’t have a personal relationship with Him.  This is basically the reason why we have so many fears. But, why don’t we try to discover more about Jesus through our faithful presence at Holy Mass? Why don’t we try to discover more about Jesus by reading about His life in the bible? Surely, all our fears will disappear if we do so.

Jesus in our gospel tells us that heaven and earth will pass away but His words will not pass away (Luke 21:33). Indeed, everything will pass away or we may pass away first before everything pass away. Nevertheless whatever happens and whomever passes away first we have nothing to fear for as long as we have Jesus in our lives.

Do you already have Jesus in your life? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for November 28, Thursday; Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:20-28

Gospel: Luke 21:20-28

Jesus said to his disciples: “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the Scriptures are fulfilled. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of the end times?

The talk of end times always sends shivers to many most especially to those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. This topic is something that they always want to avoid as much as possible.

However, if God is in your heart; who can be against you? If God is with you nothing can distress you no matter how horrifying the signs of the times are.

For those who are losing hope; for those who continue to live in sin, for those who do not give space for God in their lives the end times is within their reach already. But there still hope for them. And this hope is given to them by Jesus; they simply have to allow Jesus to come into their life.

For those who steadfastly believe in God, who faithfully follow His commands. Who continuously remain hopeful notwithstanding the discouraging signs of the times. Redemption from any fear is upon them already.

Why don’t we change our ways and why don’t we get closer to Jesus and invite Him to come into our lives? So that whatever happens to this world we’ll have neither worries nor fears for we know that we are always in God’s loving embrace.

Let us change our ways, let us listen to the voice of God calling us all to repent through the Sacrament Confession/Reconciliation. Let us always remember that the indifference of the people of Jerusalem to Jesus resulted in their destruction. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for November 27, Wednesday; Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:12-19

Gospel: Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

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Reflection:

Are you ready to be persecuted for your faith?

We would undoubtedly be persecuted if we decide to faithfully follow Jesus and surely we would be losing some friends for it.. But we need not worry about persecution or losing friends for the sake of Jesus.

Therefore it is very important that we don’t make the mistake of betraying Jesus for the sake of this world. We must not make the mistake of betraying Jesus for the sake of vested friendships and interest. We must be faithful until the very end no matter the persecutions and sacrifices.

What would it benefit us if we gain the whole world yet we lose Jesus in our lives? We gain nothing except fleeting happiness which leads us to sin. We gain nothing except temporal power and riches that may fly away from us anytime.

What would we gain if we have powerful friends if these friends bring us nothing but sinfulness which unfortunately we often times enjoy? Nothing except disturbance in our lives! Should we allow ourselves to be deceived by these false friends who only bring us further away from the love of Jesus?  

But the moment we decide to be faithful to Jesus no matter the temptations and persecutions. We’ll have peace that He only can give us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for November 26, Tuesday; Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:5-11

Gospel: Luke 21:5-11

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here–the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of the end of this world?

Jesus mentions destruction of all the beautiful structures that we see. Everything including beautiful places of worship will be destroyed. This scenario is somewhat like the end times already. But He also tells us do not be terrified (Luke 21:9), so what would we do? Should we allow the signs of the end times to terrify us? Or we hold on to Jesus who tells us, “Do not be terrified.” Of course we hold on to what Jesus tells us.

Earthquakes and calamities with massive proportion are happening, wars in different parts of the world are also raging. But let us take this calmly for this is bound to happen and let us not attribute these disastrous events to God as some would do. God doesn’t want this to happen to us otherwise if he wanted us destroyed God would have not sent Jesus to walk on this earth and die for us on the cross.

There are wars in different parts of the world because we humans create it. This is brought about by our greed for power and resources. The same is happening with our abuse of our environment.

There are very destructive typhoons/hurricanes because of human’s unrelenting abuse of its environment also. And what are the results? Massive destruction of lives and properties which is actually preventable if we have compassion for our environment.

In the midst of these bleak signs of the times let us continue to pray and have faith in the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for November 25, Monday; Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21-1-4

Gospel: Luke 21:1-4

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,  she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.

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Reflection:

Do you give without counting the cost of giving?

Jesus in our gospel favored the generosity of the poor widow for the simple reason that it came from her heart. There is no string attached in her giving, it did not came from her excess money, she gave whatever little amount she had.

This gospel invites us also to examine ourselves not only when we give to our church. It invites us also to reflect our motive of giving when we give to the poor or to anyone who is in need for that matter.

The ideal giving is to give from the heart. The amount of what we give is immaterial what is important is it originates from our heart and not from our head. In the gospel, it was not only the poor widow who gave some wealthy people also gave. However, Jesus is more pleased with the giving of the poor widow because her giving is pure and untainted by any form of ulterior motive.    

Whatever we give from the heart comes back to us a hundredfold. In Luke chapter six verse thirty eight (6:38) Jesus tells us this: “Give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack good measure, pressed down, full and running over. For the measure you give will be the measure you receive back. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday November 24, Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King: Luke 23:35-43

Gospel: Luke 23:35-43

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.”The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who ambitioned to be the king of his nation. When asked why he is ambitioning to be a king. He answered: “I want to enjoy the privileges, power and wealth of a king.” Once told that he would not enjoy any of those that he envisioned but instead become the servant of all. He said: “I don’t want to be a king anymore.      

This Sunday we are at the end of the church’s calendar and we are celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King. The Gospel depicts the kingship of Jesus that is at odds with our own idea of worldly kingship. Jesus’ kingship is a kingship of Obedience, of Humility, of Servanthood and of Suffering and Sacrifice. Jesus did not mind the anguish and humiliation for as long as he can fulfill His mission.

On the latter part of the Gospel are the two thieves hanging on the cross beside the Lord. One is unrepentant and the other one is full of remorse and humility. The remorseful asked Jesus to remember him when He comes to his kingdom. And Jesus did not fail him; He brought along the repentant thief to paradise with Him.

It’s not easy to follow the kingship of Jesus because it’s accompanied by sacrifices and trials. But where would we go or who would we follow? We follow this world and the teachings of this world?  It’s better to follow the Kingship of Jesus notwithstanding the sacrifices and trials.  Why? Because at the end of our temporary journey paradise in heaven awaits us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Nobyembre 24, Pahahari ni Kristo sa Sanlibutan, Dakilang Kapistahan: Lucas 23:35-43

Mabuting Balita Lucas 23:35-43

35 Habang nakapako si Jesus Naroon ang mga tao na nakatingin. Pinagtatawanan naman siya ng mga pinuno: “Nailigtas niya ang iba, iligtas din niya ngayon ang kanyang sarili kung siya ang Kristo, ang Hinirang.”

36 Pinagtawanan din siya ng mga sun­dalong lu­mapit para painumin siya ng alak na may halong suka. 37 Sinabi nila: “Kung ikaw ang Hari ng mga Judio, iligtas mo ngayon ang iyong sarili.” 38 May nakasulat nga sa wikang Griyego, Latin at Hebreo sa kanyang ulunan: “Ito ang Hari ng mga Judio.”

• 39 Ininsulto rin siya ng isa sa mga kriminal na nakapako sa krus: “Di ba’t ikaw ang Kristo? Iligtas mo ang iyong sarili pati kami.” 40 Pero pinagsabihan ito ng isa pang kriminal: “Wala ka bang pitagan sa Diyos, ikaw na gayon ding pagdurusa ang dinaranas?

41 At bagay ito sa atin sapagkat tinatanggap la­mang natin ang nararapat sa ating mga ginawa. Ngunit wala naman siyang nagagawang masama.” 42 At sinabi pa niya: “Jesus, alalahanin mo ako pag­dating mo sa iyong kaharian.” 43 Su­magot si Jesus: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa iyo: sa araw ring ito, maka­kasama kita sa Paraiso.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for November 23, Saturday; Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 20:27-40

Gospel: Luke 20:27-40

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. Then the second and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” Some of the scribes said in reply, “Teacher, you have answered well.” And they no longer dared to ask him anything.

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Reflection:

Why are we striving to live a life worthy in the eyes of God? This is for the reason that we believe in the resurrection. We believe that after our life in this world is already over we would have a new life that is very much different from our present life right now.

The Sadducees who do not believe in the resurrection put in front of Jesus a situation about a woman who married one after the other seven brothers. Their question for Jesus was to whom would the woman belong after all of them dies? Would she belong to brother number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7? They’ve asked this question to prove to everyone that there is no resurrection. Otherwise if there is a resurrection then there would be a dilemma for the woman and the seven brothers who married her.

But Jesus incisively answered the Sadducees that life in the resurrection is very much different from their present lives. During the resurrected life there would be no more marriage, no more death for everyone will be like angels according to Jesus.

We must all aspire for this resurrected life that Jesus mentions to us in the gospel. We start by living a life founded in our close relationship with Jesus. A life that is clean and righteous before the eyes of God and men.   

Is your present lifestyle worthy of resurrection in heaven with Jesus someday? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

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

Gospel: Luke 19:45-48

Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

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Reflection:

After cleaning the temple of impurities Jesus taught there daily, Jesus is still teaching us up to this very minute. Teaching us how to properly live our lives, teaching us that life is not so much of material and intellectual accumulation. For Jesus life is service, life is humility, life is sacrifice, life is about simplicity and the like. 

What was Jesus everyday teaching topic during that time?  We could only guess that it was about behavior when inside the temple. And perhaps He was also teaching them about life and how to properly live it. Is there a template on how to properly live our life? Of course there is and it’s no other than the life of Jesus himself. To live according to His life is the perfect life template, but would we dare to live the life of Jesus?

Let us be teachers also like Jesus, let us teach our children about Jesus, let us teach them how to behave at church. Let us teach the life of Jesus by our way of life, if we say the life of Jesus we might be tempted to say that His way of life is not anymore relevant in today’s technology and internet driven times.    

But the life of Jesus is more relevant today more than ever. Think of the corruption of our value system, think of how we devalue life itself by killing it while inside a mother’s womb. Jesus is a man for all season and for all times. He is always relevant and His teachings also are always relevant regardless of time, thus; we have to listen to HIM. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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

Gospel: Luke 19:41-44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.

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Reflection:

What will happen to us if we refuse to hear the wise counsel of our elders? For example, if we are advised to stop doing what is not good or to stop doing something which is immoral or wrong? If we continue to refuse to hear their wise counsel. Eventually these wrongdoings that we continue to do will take us down through sickness, embarrassment and so forth.     

In the gospel for today, Jesus wept over Jerusalem and its people for they refused to hear His call of repentance and reform their lives. Not only that they refused to listen to Jesus they also refused to listen to the prophets who were sent before Jesus. They instead mired themselves in sin similar to a beast miring itself in a pool of dirt.

   

When we refuse to let Jesus come into our life and when we continue to refuse to hear His call of repentance. There would surely be no peace within us no matter how rich we are and how powerful we are. For as long as we refuse to hear His call we will have no peace we would still be living complicated lives that may eventually destroy us.

Jerusalem did not find peace and were destroyed by the Romans during the first revolt in A.D 70, because they refused Jesus, they did not recognized Him as the ultimate peace bearer. They instead continued to stray far from Him.

Jesus is always knocking in our hearts, always begging us to open our life to Him. For the reason that he will not only bring us peace He would also bring us contentment, serenity and other things that this world cannot give us.  

Would you listen to the voice of the Lord who always speak to you thru the many events in your life?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas