Reflection for October 26, Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:49-53

Gospel: Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 

From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

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Reflection:

A sinful man was invited by his friend to attend a parish renewal program. The sinful man was already tired of living a life of sin and he wanted to rid himself of any form of sinfulness. So, he said to his friend, “Ok I will attend.” While in the process of formation he was enlightened about how sin destroys a person and prevents a person from having a personal relationship with Jesus.

After the renewal program was through the sinful man decided to let go of friends who had brought nothing to his life but sin. Thus he was hated by his former friends and was even threatened with physical harm.    

The moment we decide to live a life according to the will of Jesus we have to expect conflict and misunderstanding. We have to be ready to be hated or lose some of our friends and even our family members as well for this is the reality of following Jesus.

When you truly follow Jesus you set aright what is wrong. You will have the fire in your belly to leave those who do nothing to you except to influence you to sin. You will have the fire in your belly to correct those who continue to sin no matter what it may cost you. 

Jesus in the gospel talks about division, He tells us: From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law (Luke 12:52-53).”

Indeed, there are times that division has to occur for good to triumph over evil. Division has to occur so that a wayward behavior can be set aright. We need not worry about the outcome of this kind of division because this division is a division that purifies a person from the impurities of sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 26, Huwebes ng Ika-29 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 12:49-53

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 12:49-53

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Naparito ako upang magdala ng apoy sa lupa -- at sana'y napagningas na ito! May isang binyag pa na dapat kong tanggapin, at nababagabag ako hangga't hindi natutupad ito! Akala ba ninyo'y pumarito ako upang magdala ng kapayapaan sa lupa? 

Sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi kapayapaan kundi pagkabaha-bahagi. Mula ngayon, ang lima katao sa isang sambahayan ay mababahagi: tatlo laban sa dalawa at dalawa laban sa tatlo. Maglalaban-laban ang ama at ang anak na lalaki, ang ina at ang anak na babae, at gayon din ang biyenang babae, at manugang na babae."

Reflection for October 25, Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:39-48

Gospel: Luke 12:39-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” 

Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. 

Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 

That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

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Reflection:

When a typhoon is about to hit a certain area the government would always remind its citizens to be prepared or even relocate to a safer place for a period of time. The reason behind is very basic: To avoid destruction of lives and properties. Those who would hear the call for preparedness would survive and those who will not would surely suffer. 

In today’s gospel Jesus once again calls us to be prepared for He will come to us when we least expect Him to come into our lives. But does Jesus really come to our lives without prior warning? Does He really surprise us with His immediate presence thus we are caught unaware? 

Before Jesus comes to us He would first knock into our hearts so that we could open our hearts to Him and embrace His offer of renewal with open arms.  By doing so we hear His call for us to be prepared. 

But for those who would pretend not to hear even if they hear, those who would continue with their sinful lives even if Jesus is calling him/her for renewal. They would be awakened to the sad reality of life and this sad reality is the sufferings that they will face. For the reason that they did not listen to Jesus.    

Nevertheless, everything is not written in stone. For as long as we breathe there’s always a chance to listen to the voice of Jesus coursed through people around us or even events around us. Who will earnestly call upon us to be prepared by means of walking-away from all of our sinfulness.  

In the book of Revelation, the Lord tells us: “I reprimand and correct all those I love. Be earnest and Change your ways. Look I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my call and opens the door. I will come into him and have supper with him (Revelation 3:19-20).” -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 25, Miyerkules ng Ika-29 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 12:39-48

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 12:39-48

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Tandaan ninyo ito: kung alam lamang ng puno ng sambahayan kung anong oras darating ang magnanakaw, hindi niya pababayaang pasukin ang kanyang bahay. Kayo ma'y dapat humanda, sapagkat darating ang Anak ng Tao sa oras na hindi ninyo inaasahan." 

Itinanong ni Pedro, "Panginoon, sinasabi po ba ninyo ang talinghagang ito para sa amin o para sa lahat?" Tumugon ang Panginoon, "Sino nga ang tapat at matalinong alipin? Hindi ba siya ang pamamahalain ng kanyang panginoon sa sambahayan nito, upang magbigay sa ibang mga alipin ng kanilang pagkain sa karampatang panahon? Mapalad ang aliping iyon, kapag dinatnan siyang gumagawa ng gayon pagbabalik ng kanyang panginoon. 

Sinasabi ko sa inyo: pamamahalain siya ng kanyang panginoon sa lahat ng ari-arian nito. Ngunit kung sabihin sa sarili ng aliping iyon, 'Matatagalan pa bago magbalik ang aking panginoon,' at simulan niyang bugbugin ang ibang aliping lalaki at babae, at kumain, uminom, at maglasing, darating ang panginoon ng aliping yaon sa araw na hindi niya inaasahan at sa oras na hindi niya alam. Buong higpit na parurusahan siya ng panginoon, at isasama sa mga di-tapat. 

"At ang aliping nakaaalam ng kalooban ng kanyang panginoon ngunit hindi naghanda ni sumunod sa kalooban nito ay tatanggap ng mabigat na parusa. Ngunit ang aliping hindi nakaaalam ng kalooban ng kanyang panginoon at gumawa ng mga bagay na nararapat niyang pagdusahan ay tatanggap ng magaang na parusa. Ang binigyan ng maraming bagay ay hahanapan ng maraming bagay; at ang pinagkatiwalaan ng lalong maraming bagay ay pananagutin sa lalong maraming bagay."

Reflection for October 24, Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:35-38

Gospel: Luke 12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. 

Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way blessed are those servants.

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Reflection:

Are you always prepared for anything that may happen to you?

There’s no substitute for being ready or prepared. For example, death; this is the most dreaded occurrence that no one wants to experience among us. But whether we like it or not it will come to us we just don’t know when.

Being ready for what may happen gives us that sense of security. Whatever comes our way we are prepared and we will accept it. For the reason that we have been preparing for it for so long. In whatever aspect of life preparation is essential and this is what the gospel is telling us today.  

We who are all servants of God should always be prepared for any eventualities that may come our way. The best preparation that we could ever do is to always be in touch with Jesus through the Sacraments, prayers and by our attendance at Holy Mass. Do you always submit yourself to the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Are you prayerful? Do you always make yourself available for Holy Mass?  

In the gospel Jesus told the disciples that they must always be prepared; He used the parable of the master’s return from a wedding as an example. Therefore we too should always be prepared for anything in our life. And the best preparation is to have a personal friendship with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 24, Martes ng Ika-29 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 12:35-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 12:35-38

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Maging handa kayo at sindihan ang inyong mga ilawan. Tumulad kayo sa mga taong naghihintay sa pag-uwi ng kanilang panginoon mula sa kasalan, para pagdating niya ay mabuksan agad ang pinto. Mapalad ang mga alipin na abutang nagbabantay pagdating ng kanilang panginoon. 

Sinasabi ko sa inyo, maghahanda siya, padudulugin sila sa hapag, at maglilingkod sa kanila. Mapapalad sila kung maratnan niya silang handa, dumating man siya ng hatinggabi o madaling-araw siya dumating.” 

Reflection for October 23, Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:13-21

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. 

He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ 

But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”

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Reflection:

Which would you prefer to have the treasures of this world or to possess treasures about God? Many of us would certainly prefer to have worldly treasures rather than possess knowledge about God. Why? Because this is what this world is teaching us: to have and accumulate worldly treasures.

How about the choice to possess God? Perhaps only a few would prefer to possess God. This materially centered world would always dictate upon us to have whatever material possession that we can possess so that we can attain worldly success in whatever manner possible.

But earthly success is not in the vocabulary of God, what God wants from us is for us to become His followers. God did not create us for this world He created us for us to be with Him in heaven someday.  

We were created by God to become spiritually fruitful so that others can learn from us about God.  Earthly success will count for nothing at the end, what will count during that time is the relationship that we have built with God and His people.

Life that is built around chasing earthly wealth and power is empty and meaningless. On the other hand life that is centered upon God is full and meaningful. You know what to do if you want to have a purpose driven life in this world.

Are you seeking for a meaningful life?  -  Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 23, Lunes ng Ika-29 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 12:13-21

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 12:13-21

Sinabi kay Jesus ng isa sa mga naroon, "Guro, iutos nga po ninyo sa kapatid ko na ibigay sa akin ang bahagi ko sa aming mana." Sumagot siya, "Ginoo, sino ang naglagay sa akin bilang hukom o tagapaghati ng mana ninyo?" At sinabi niya sa kanilang lahat: "Mag-ingat kayo sa lahat ng uri ng kasakiman; sapagkat ang buhay ng tao ay wala sa laki ng kayamanan.

" At pagkatapos ay isinaysay ni Jesus ang talinghaggang ito: Ang bukirin ng isang mayaman ay umani nang sagana. Kaya't sinabi niya sa sarili, 'Ano ang gagawin ko? Wala na akong paglagyan ng aking ani! A, gigibain ko ang aking mga kamalig, at magtatayo ako ng lalong mas malalaki. Doon ko ilalagay ang aking ani at ari-arian. At sasabihin ko sa aking sarili, Ayan! marami na akong ari-arian! 

Hindi na ako kukulangin habambuhay! Kaya't mamamahinga na lang ako, kakain, iinom, at magsasaya!' Ngunit sinabi sa kanya ng Diyos, 'Hangal! Sa gabing ito'y babawian ka ng buhay. Kanino mapupunta ang mga bagay na inihanda mo?' Ganyan ang sasapitin ng nagtitipon ng kayamanan para sa sarili, ngunit dukha naman sa paningin ng Diyos."

Reflection for Sunday October 22, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 22:15-21

Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. 

Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. 

He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

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Reflection:

Can you think of anything that you have given back to God? Perhaps you will pause and think about what you have given back to God for all the blessings that He has been giving you all these years. After pausing, maybe you still cannot think of anything that you have given God, and the reason for this is perhaps you have not given back to God yet.

Every blessing that we have comes from God, although we may think that what we have now came from our own hard work. But the truth is, every blessing that we have, God has generously given us, including our very life today.

In the gospel for this Sunday, Jesus tells us to give to Caesar what belongs to him and give to God what belongs to God (Matthew 22:21). In modern language, this means that we give what belongs to the government by way of paying the right taxes and other duties that the government has a rightful claim to.

What then can we give God? We give God something special that comes from our hearts. Where is God then, so that we could give back to Him? God is not hard to find; we simply have to look around us, and we will see God. For God is with the poor, the hungry, the sick, the abandoned, and anybody who needs our help; God is with them. Let us give generously to them so that we could give back to God.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25:37-40, somebody asked the king, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food; thirsty and give you drink, or a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to see you?' The king answered, 'Truly I say to you, whenever you did this to one of the least, you did it to me' (Matthew 25:37-40).

Have you already given something to God? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 22 Linggo, Ika-29 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 22:15-21

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 22:15-21

Noong panahong iyon, umalis ang mga Pariseo at pinag-usapan kung paano nila masisilo si Hesus sa kanyang pananalita. Kaya pinapunta nila sa kanya ang ilan sa kanilang mga alagad, kasama ang ilang tauhan ni Herodes. Sinabi nila, “Guro, nalalaman naming kayo’y tapat, at itinuturo ninyo nang buong katotohanan ang ibig ng Diyos na gawin ng mga tao. 

Wala kayong pinangingimian sapagkat pareho ang pagtingin ninyo sa tao. Ano po ang palagay ninyo? Naaayon ba sa Kautusan na bumuwis sa Cesar, o hindi?” Ngunit batid ni Hesus ang kanilang masamang layon kaya’t sinabi niya, “Kayong mapagimbabaw! Bakit ibig ninyo akong siluin? Akin na ang salaping pambuwis.”

 At siya’y binigyan nila ng isang denaryo. “Kaninong larawan at pangalan ang nakaukit dito?” tanong ni Hesus, “Sa Cesar po,” tugon nila. At sinabi niya sa kanila, “Kung gayon, ibigay ninyo sa Cesar ang sa Cesar, at sa Diyos ang sa Diyos.”

Reflection for October 21, Saturday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:8-12

Gospel: Luke 12:8-12

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.

“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

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Reflection:

Do you acknowledge the majesty and goodness of God before others? To acknowledge God is to proclaim His goodness towards us. To acknowledge God is to proclaim and share His blessing with others. For example, when you say God bless you to someone, you are already acknowledging the goodness of God in your life. And by saying God bless you, you want your friends to be blessed by God as well.

To acknowledge God in one’s life is to live and share His teachings. Do we live and share His teachings? We become productive followers of Jesus when we share Him and when we live His teachings. Profession of faith is not good enough we have to humbly show that we are living our faith and in turn we become active and not passive followers of God.

We always acknowledge the presence of God in our lives when we do good and shun whatever forms of evil. When we are always humble and loving even if our others are not humble and loving towards us. This is for the reason that Jesus is a God of love and humility. Do we strive to live the love and humility of Jesus?

 It’s tempting to ego trip most especially when we have the power and means to do so but this is against the will of God. How would Jesus be seen in us and how could we acknowledge the presence of Jesus in our lives if we are egoistic and arrogant?

Love, Mercy, Humility, to name a few are the language and lifestyle of God and when we live these virtues we are acknowledging the presence of God in our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 21, Sabado ng Ika-28 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 12:8-12

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 12:8-12

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Sinasabi ko sa inyo, ang sinumang kumikilala sa akin sa harapan ng mga tao ay kikilanlin din naman ng Anak ng Tao sa harapan ng mga anghel ng Diyos. Ngunit ang magtatwa sa akin sa harapan ng mga tao ay itatatwa ko rin naman sa harapan ng mga anghel ng Diyos. 

"Ang sinumang magsalita laban sa Anak ng Tao ay mapatatawad; ngunit ang lumait sa Espiritu Santo ay hindi mapatatawad. "Kapag kayo'y dinala nila sa sinagoga, o sa harapan ng mga tagapamahala at ng mga maykapangyarihan upang litisin, huwag ninyong isipin kung paano ninyo ipagtatanggol ang sarili o kung ano ang inyong sasabihin. Sapagkat sa oras na iyon, ang Espiritu ang magtuturo sa inyo kung ano ang dapat ninyong sabihin."

Reflection for October 20, Friday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:1-7

Gospel: Luke 12:1-7

(At that time) So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees.

“There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. 

I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

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Reflection:

To whom do you entrust your life in this world?  Do you entrust it to Jesus or you always take control of your life? If you say that you are in control of your life this simply means that you take the driver seat and let Jesus take the passenger seat. However, when you take the driver seat you also open yourself to many worrying circumstances that would continuously disturb you for as long as you live.

In the gospel Jesus tells us that He knows everything about us; our deepest fears and worries. Even the number of our hairs He knows how many, then He assures us not to be afraid for we are worth more than many sparrows (Luke 12:7).

When we let Jesus take the driver seat of our lives we will have no more fear of anything that may befall us. Even death we will not fear anymore. For this is one of the countless blessings that we would receive from Jesus the moment we let the Lord drive our life.

There may come a time that we will hit a wall and everything in our life will come to a halt. And we will begin to ask ourselves: Where am I going and what is the purpose of my life in this world? This would come because we are always in the driver seat in full control of our life in this world.

Why don’t you let Jesus take the driver seat, and let Him take control of your life? - Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 20, Biyernes ng Ika-28 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 12:1-7

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 12:1-7

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang dumaragsa ang libu-libong tao, anupa't nagkakatapakan sila, nagsalita muna si Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Mag-ingat kayo sa lebadura ng mga Pariseo-- ito'y ang pagpapaimbabaw. Walang natatago na di malalantad, at walang nalilihim na di mabubunyag. Anumang sabihin ninyo sa dilim ay maririnig sa liwanag at anumang ibulong ninyo sa mga silid ay ipagsisigawan." 

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo, mga kaibigan, huwag ninyong katakutan ang mga pumapatay ng katawan, at pagkatapos ay wala nang magagawa pa. Sasabihin ko sa inyo kung ano ang dapat ninyong katakutan: katakutan ninyo yaong pagkatapos na pumatay ay may kapangyarihan pang magbulid sa impyerno. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, ang Diyos ang dapat ninyong katakutan! 

"Hindi ba ipinagbibili sa halagang dalawang pera lamang ang limang maya? Gayunman, kahit isa sa kanila'y hindi pinababayaan ng Diyos. Maging ang buhok ninyo'y bilang na lahat. Kaya, huwag kayong matakot; higit kayong mahalaga kaysa mga maya."