Reflection for October 6, Wednesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:1-4

Gospel: Luke 11:1-4

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

Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”

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Reflection:

Has anyone asked you to teach him/her to pray or have you taught somebody to pray? 

It’s a humbling experience if somebody would ask us to teach him/her to pray. Just like the same petition that the disciples of Jesus told Him. But before we could expect people to ask us to teach them how to pray we must learn to live our prayer first. 

For example, if we pray for humility it is incumbent upon us to live humility as well. If we pray for forgiveness we should be forgiving as well. If we pray for peace in our lives we should live a peaceful life. In other words, we should always learn to live our prayers before Jesus.   

What will move our fellowmen to ask us to teach them how to pray? We should ensure that we live our faith and we are humble at all times. This is how Jesus lived His life; He always ensured that His prayers are always accompanied by humble acts of faith. 

Just like Jesus, we too must see to it that we live what we pray or we walk and live our talk so that others may see in us Jesus. We become like magnets for Jesus if we live our prayers and we live it with humility. 

Has anyone asked you to teach him/her to pray or have you taught somebody to pray? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 6 Miyerkules sa Ika-27 Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 11:1-4

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:1-4

1 Isang araw, nananalangin si Jesus sa isang lugar at pagka­tapos niya’y sinabi sa kanya ng isa sa kanyang mga alagad: “Panginoon, turu­an mo kaming manalangin kung pa­anong tinu­ruan ni Juan ang kanyang mga alagad.”  

2 At sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Kung mana­nalangin kayo, sa­bihin nin­yo: Ama, sambahin ang ngalan mo, dumating ang kaharian mo, 3 bigyan mo kami araw-araw ng pagkaing kailangang-kailangan namin, 4 patawarin mo kami sa aming mga sala; tingnan mo’t pinatatawad din namin ang lahat ng may utang sa amin, at huwag mo kaming dalhin sa tukso.”  

Reflection for October 5, Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:38-42

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

In the course of their journey Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.  

She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha, who was distracted with all the serving, came to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me. But the Lord answered, 'Martha, Martha,' he said, 'you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part, and it is not to be taken from her.'

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Reflection:

What are you going to do if you visit a house of a friend and you get the same treatment that Jesus received from Martha and Mary? Who are you going to favor Martha or Mary? It actually depends upon you who are you going to favor. But Jesus obviously preferred the action of Mary who sat down at His feet and faithfully listened to Him.  

What did Martha do that it did not get the merit of Jesus? Martha was busy preparing food for Jesus. Why did Jesus not favor Martha when what she was doing was for His honor also? Jesus is a preacher and perhaps being a preacher he wants people to listen to Him so that He could impart His wisdom. This was may be the reason why Jesus preferred the reverent act of Mary.  

What happens to us when we listen to Jesus and when we meditate on His words? We gain wisdom from Jesus himself and we are enlightened by Him no less. But do we still have time to listen to Jesus? Are we not very busy with our many worldly undertakings?  

 Some of us may say that we have to move and be busy because we have to earn and eat otherwise we’ll get hungry. Yes, this is true, but what would happen to us if we are all work? If we have no more time to listen to Jesus or if Jesus is just a minuscule entity in our lives? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 5 Martes sa Ika-27 Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 10:38-42

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:38-42

Sa kanilang paglalakbay, pumasok si Jesus sa isang nayon at pinatuloy siya ng isang babaeng nagnga­ngalang Marta. 39 May kapatid siyang babae na tina­tawag na Maria. Naupo ito sa may paa­nan ng Panginoon at nakikinig sa kanyang salita. 40 Abalang-abala naman si Marta sa mga pagsisilbi kaya lumapit siya at sinabi: “Panginoon, hindi mo ba napapansing pinabayaan ako ng aking kapatid na babae na magsilbing mag-isa? Pakisabi mo naman sa kanya na tulungan ako.”  

41 Sumagot sa kanya ang Panginoon: “Marta, Marta, abala ka’t balisa sa ma­raming bagay; 42 isa lang naman ang ka­ilangan. Pinili nga ni Maria ang ma­inam na bahagi na hindi kukunin sa kanya.” 

Reflection for October 4, Monday Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi: Luke 10:25-37

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

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

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. 

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

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Reflection:

How do we express our love for God and neighbor? 

 It is by caring for those who are in need no matter who they may be, for as long as they’re in need we should help them. But there are those who are so withdrawn that even if they’re in need they find it hard to ask for help or they will not ask for help. There are people who are like them they’re in need but they don’t ask for help because of low self-esteem and shyness. 

 What should we do? We have be sensitive to their plight, we must not be stonehearted we should help without being asked for help. 

The question of the scholar of the law is perhaps also our question before Jesus: How can we inherit eternal life? And Jesus referred them to what was written in the law; Love of God and love of our neighbor; these are the two keys to have eternal life. 

Jesus further reinforced these two teachings with a story of a man who was victimized by robbers. As he lay wounded a priest followed by a Levite both prominent people simply passed by and did not lift a finger to help him. Afterwards a Samaritan came and he surprisingly helped the wounded man. Not content with helping him the Samaritan brought the man to an inn to be properly nursed there. 

It’s not enough to say, we love God and our neighbors for these are mere words that are empty. We put life and meaning to these two greatest commandments when we become like the compassionate Samaritan in the gospel. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Oktubre 4 San Francisco de Asis, relihiyoso (Paggunita): Lucas 10:25-37

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:25-37

May tumindig na isang guro ng Batas para subukin si Jesus. Sinabi niya: “Guro, ano ang gagawin ko para makamit ang buhay na walang hang­gan?” 26 Suma­got sa kanya si Jesus: “Ano ba ang nasu­sulat sa Batas, at pa­ano mo ito naiin­tin­dihan?” 27 Suma­got ang guro ng Batas: “Mamahalin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buo mong puso at nang buo mong kaluluwa at nang buo mong lakas at nang buo mong pag-iisip. At nasusulat din naman: Mamahalin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili.” 

28 Noo’y sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya: “Tama ang sagot mo. Gawin mo ito at mabubuhay ka.” 29 Pero gustong ma­ngat­wiran ng guro ng Batas kaya sinabi niya kay Jesus: “At sino naman ang aking kapwa?” 30 Sinagot siya ni Jesus: “May isang taong bumaba mula sa Jerusalem papunta sa Jerico at nahu­log siya sa kamay ng mga tulisan. Hinubaran siya ng mga ito at binugbog at saka iniwang ha­los patay na. 31 Nag­ka­taon namang may isang paring pababa rin sa daang iyon. Pag­ka­kita sa kanya, lumihis ito ng daan. 32 Ga­yun­din naman, may isang Levitang napadaan sa lugar na iyon; nang makita siya’y lumihis din ito ng daan. 

33 Pero may isang Samaritano namang naglalakbay na napadaan sa kina­roro­o­nan niya; pagkakita nito sa kanya, naawa ito sa kanya. 34 Kayat lumapit ito, binu­husan ng langis at alak ang kanyang mga sugat at binendahan. Isinakay nito ang tao sa sarili niyang hayop at dinala sa isang bahay-panuluyan at inalagaan. 35 Kinabu­kasan, du­mukot ang Samaritano ng dalawang denaryo, ibinigay sa may-ari ng bahay-panuluyan at sinabi: ‘Alagaan mo siya; sasagutin ko ang anu­mang karag­da­gang gastos pagbalik ko’.” 

36 At sinabi ni Jesus: “Sa palagay mo, sino sa tatlong ito ang naging kapwa sa taong nahulog sa kamay ng mga tuli­-san?” 37 Sagot ng guro: “Ang nagda­lang-habag sa kanya.” Kaya sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya: “Humayo ka’t ganoon din ang gawin.” 

Reflection for Sunday October 3, Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:2-16

Gospel: Mark 10:2-16

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. 

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." 

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

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Reflections:

How’s your married life?

Here are examples of marriages in crises: 1.) A man betrays his wife by having an illicit affair. 2.) A wife stays in the same house with her husband but they seldom speak to each other and she only stays with him for the sake of their children. 3.) A wife filed for nullity of her marriage in the church tribunal citing irreconcilable differences as one of her grounds. There are countless more marriages that are breaking apart, why is this happening? To whom could we attribute this debasing of the Sacrament of Matrimony or Marriage?

Perhaps this is caused by the lack of strong foundation on the couple’s faith and understanding about the Sacrament of Marriage. Perhaps this is caused by their moral arrogance and their lack of humility, forgiveness and perseverance to make their marriage work.  Perhaps this is influenced by their own family background for example, when they were young they saw that their own parents were not also faithful to their marriage.

The breakup of the Sacrament of Marriage is not the desire of God because from the beginning  God envisioned the Sacrament of Matrimony to be until eternity. This is the reason why Jesus tells us in the gospel: “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate (Mark 10:7-9)."

What then is the secret to a long and lasting marriage? We need to have childlike humility,we need to have Jesus in our lives, we need to be forgiving, we need to be persevering and we need to have a daily prayer time as a family. As father Patrick Peyton famously said, “The family that prays together stays together.” 

But sad to say, humility, forbearance, forgiveness and prayerfulness are the virtues that are lacking amongst married couples nowadays. It is so easy for them to separate now without considering the welfare of their family. Why is it hard for us to become humble, forbearing, prayerful and forgiving?

The answer is very simple: Because we are not faithful followers of Jesus. Yes we attend Holy Mass, we pray and we read the bible but we don’t take to heart the teachings of Jesus. Hence, may of us are captured by the temptation of Satan.

Let us not forget that to destroy the marriage covenant Satan always sugarcoats his temptation with everything that is attractive, good and rosy. Why? For us to be deceived and for our minds and hearts to override the very serious consequences that will come after we succumb to the temptation.  Hence, we have to be very discerning because Satan’s temptation is a reality of married life.

No marriage is perfect because we are not perfect as well. Therefore, we have to adjust to the many imperfections of married life for it to last a lifetime. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Linggo Octobre 3 Ika-27 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:2-16

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:2-16

2 Noong panahong iyon lumapit ang ilang Pariseo na gusto siyang su­bukan at tinanong nila siya: “Pinahihintulutan bang diborsiyuhin ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa sa anumang dahilan?” 3 Itina­­nong naman niya: “Ano ang ini­utos sa inyo ni Moises?” At sinabi nila: 4 “Ipinahintulot ni Moises na paalisin ang babae pagkabigay sa kanya ng kasulatan ng diborsiyo.”

5 Sinabi naman ni Jesus sa kanila: “Alam ni Moises na matigas ang inyong puso kaya sinulat niya ang kautusang ito. 6 Ngunit sa simula’y ginawa sila ng Maykapal na lalaki at babae, 7 at dahil dito, iiwan ng lalaki ang kanyang ama at ina at magiging iisang katawan ang dalawa. 8 Kung gayo’y hindi na sila da­lawa kundi iisang katawan lamang 9 kaya huwag paghi­walayin ng tao ang pinagbuklod ng Diyos.”

10 Nang nasa bahay na sila, tinanong siyang muli ng mga alagad. 11 At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Kung may lalaking mag­­paalis sa kanyang asawa at saka magpa­kasal sa iba, nakiapid na siya. 12 At kung ang babae naman ang mag­paalis sa lalaki at magpakasal sa iba, nakikiapid din siya.”

• 13 May nagdala naman kay Jesus ng mga bata para hipuin niya sila. Ngunit pinagalitan ng mga alagad ang mga taong may dala sa kanila.

14 At pagkakita ni Jesus, nagalit siya at sinabi sa kanila: “Pabayaan ninyong lu­ma­pit sa akin ang mga bata. Huwag ninyo silang pigilan. Sa mga tulad nga nila ang kaharian ng Diyos. 15 Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi papasok sa kaharian ng Diyos ang di tumatanggap dito gaya ng isang maliit na bata.” 16 At pagka­kalong sa kanila ni Jesus, ipinatong niya sa ka­nila ang kanyang mga kamay para basbasan sila.  

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Repleksyon:

Kumusta ang iyong buhay bilang may asawa?

Ito ay mga halimbawa ng isang buhay may asawa na nasa krisis: 1.) Ang lalaki ay may bawal na relasyon liban sa kanyang asawa. 2.) Ang babae ay nakatira pa rin sa iisang bahay kasama ng kanyang asawa ngunit bihira na silang mag usap at siya na tumitira parin sa bahay para nalang sa kanyang mga anak. 3.) Ang babae ay nag sampa ng kaso para ipawalang bias ang kanilang kasal.  Bakit po ba nangyayari ang ganito sa buhay ng mga mag asawa?  

Marahil ito po ay dahil sa kakulangan ng matibay na pundasyon at pagtitiwala sa sakramento ng kasal.  Marahil ito po ay dahil din sa kanilang pagmamataas, kakulagan ng pagpapakumbaba at kakulangan ng pagtitiis para maging matagumpay ang kanila buhay mag-asawa. Marahil ay nakita rin ng mag-asawa noong sila ay mga bata pa kung paano hindi rin pinahalagahan ng kanilang magulang ang kanilang sariling buhay may may asawa. 

Ang pagkawasak ng Sakramento ng Kasal ay hinding hindi gusto ng Panginoon dahil mula sa simula ay ang gusto ng Panginoon ay Sakramento ng Kasal ay hangang sa dulo ng walang hangang. Ito ang dahilan kaya sinabi ni Jesus: “Iiwan ng lalaki ang kanyang ama at ina at magiging iisang katawan ang dalawa. 8 Kung gayo’y hindi na sila da¬lawa kundi iisang katawan lamang 9 kaya huwag paghi¬walayin ng tao ang pinagbuklod ng Diyos.” (Marcos 10:7-9)

 

Ano nga po ba ang sekreto para sa panghabang buhay na buhay may asawa? Kailagan po tayo ay magkaroong ng kababaang loob ng parang sa isang bata. Kailagan natin palaging kasama si Jesus sa ating buhay may asawa. Kailagan tayo ay mapagpatawad matiisin at kailagan palaging may oras sa pananalangin bilang isang pamilya. 

Pero ang nakakalungkot ay ang kababaan ng loob, pagtitiis, pagpapatawad at ang pagiging madasalin ay ang mga katagiang  na parang wala na sa mga mag asawa sa ngayon. Napaladali sa kanila na  na magtaksil o maghiwalay na hindi man lang iniisip ang kapakanan ng kanilang pamilya. Bakit nga ba napakahirap sa marami sa atin ang mag pakumbaba, ang magtiis, ang magpatawad at maging madasalin?

Simple lang ang kasagutan, ito po ay dahil hindi na tayo tapat na sumussunod kay Jesus. Oo, tayo ay nag sisimba, nag dadasal, nag babasa ng biblia pero hangang diyan lang. Hindi natin ito isinasapuso kaya karamihan sa atin ay nahuhulog sa patibong ni Satanas.

Si satanas na palaging itinatago ang kanyang mga temptasyon sa mga bagay na kaakit-akit para mawasak nya ang buhay ng mag asawa. At para malinlang nya ang ating puso at isipan na kalimutan ang naghihintay na kaparusahan na siguradong darating pag tayo ay kumagat sa kanyang mga temptasyon na sirain ang Sakramento ng Kasal at buhay mag-asawa.

Wala pong perpektong buhay mag asawa dahil hindi naman po tayo perpekto. Kaya importante po na ang mag-asawa ay palaging may ugnayan sa Panginoon para mapagtagumpayan ng mag asawa ang mga hamon na susubok sa kanila. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 2, Saturday Memorial of 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:

Have you tried looking at the face of a child and have you tried looking at the face of an adult? Which of them give you more joy? Of course, it’s the face of the child. 

Jesus in the gospel gives us the secret on how we can enter the kingdom of heaven. Which is none other than to become like children or to be childlike, why? It’s for the reason of the pureness of their thoughts and their innocence.  No wonder being childlike is the key for us to enter God’s kingdom in heaven.  

But are we childlike in terms of the pureness of our thoughts and absence of sin? Of course we are not! Who among us could say that our thoughts are as pure as a child?  Who among us could say that we are without sin? Of course, nobody because we are all sinners we sin through our words, actions and thoughts.  

Nevertheless, it’s not yet late for us to go back to Jesus and be childlike before Him. Jesus through the Sacrament of Reconciliation is always inviting us to humble ourselves before Him. To be like a child who humbly runs to his parents with reckless abandon once he sees them coming home.  

Are you humble like a child? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Oktubre 2 Mga Banal na Anghel na Taga-tanod (Paggunita): Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:1-5, 10

1 Lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad at tina­nong nila siya: “Sino ang mas una sa kaharian ng Langit?” 2 Tinawag ni Jesus ang isang maliit na bata at ipinagitna sa kanila, 3 at sinabi: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo na hang­gang hindi kayo nagbabago at nagi­ging katulad ng maliliit na bata hindi kayo makapapasok sa kaharian ng Langit. 4 Ang nag­papaka­baba gaya ng maliit na batang ito, siya ang pinaka­malaki sa kaharian ng Langit. 5 At ang sinumang tumanggap sa batang ito dahil sa aking pangalan ay tumatang­gap sa akin. 

10 Huwag sana ninyong hamakin ang isa sa maliliit na ito; talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na laging nasa harap ng aking Ama sa Langit ang kanilang mga anghel sa Langit.

Reflection for October 1, Friday Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church: 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. 

Amid our humanness and sinfulness God wants us to know that we need to repent that is why He created the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 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 the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. 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 not 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 Reconciliation. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Oktubre 1 Santa Teresita de Jesus, dalaga at pantas ng Iglesya (Paggunita): Lucas 10:13-16

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:13-16

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Hesus, “Kawawa ka, Corazon! Kawawa ka, Betsaida! Sapagkat kung sa Tiro at Sidon ginawa ang mga kababalaghang ginawa rito sa inyo, disin sana’y malaon na silang nagdaramit ng sako at nauupo sa abo upang ipakilalang sila’y nagsisisi. 

Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom, higit na mabigat ang kaparusahan ninyo kaysa kaparusahan ng mga taga-Tiro at taga-Sidon. At ikaw, Capernaum, ibig mong mataas hanggang sa langit? Ibabagsak ka sa Hades! “Ang nakikinig sa inyo’y nakikinig sa akin, ang nagtatakwil sa inyo’y nagtatakwil sa akin, at ang nagtatakwil sa akin ay nagtatakwil sa nagsugo sa akin.”   

Reflection for September 30, Thursday Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church: 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 pursue and follow the Lord. 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 thru your words or thru your lifestyle for they are your abundant harvest. Don’t worry about anything for Jesus is with you, He will protect you and He will provide for you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Setyembre 30 San Miguel, San Geronimo, pari at pantas ng Iglesya (Paggunita): Lucas 10:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:1-12

1Noong panahong iyon humirang ang Panginoon ng iba pang pitumpu’t dalawa at isinugo silang dala-dalawa na mauna sa kanya sa bawat ba­yan at lugar na takda niyang pun­tahan. 2 Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Marami nga ang aanihin at kakaunti naman ang mga mang­gagawa; idalangin ninyo sa panginoon ng ani na magpadala siya ng mga manggagawa sa kanyang ani. 3 Lumakad na kayo. Isinusugo ko ka­yong parang mga tupa sa gitna ng mga asong-gubat. 4 Huwag kayong magdala ng pitaka, bag o mga sandalyas. At huwag ninyong ba­tiin ang sinuman sa daan.

5 Saanmang bahay kayo pumasok, sa­bihin muna ninyo: ‘Mapasatahanang ito ang kapayapaan!’ 6 Kung mapaya­pang tao ang naroon, sasakanya ang inyong kapayapaan. Kung hindi’y mag­babalik sa inyo ang inyong dasal. 7 At sa bahay na iyon kayo manatili; kumain kayo at umi­nom na kasalo nila sapag­kat may karapatan ang manggagawa sa kanyang sa­hod. Huwag kayong magpapapalit-palit ng bahay. 

8 Saanmang bayan kayo pumasok at tanggapin nila kayo, kanin ninyo anu­mang ihain sa inyo. 9 Pagalingin din ninyo ang mga maysakit doon at sabihin ninyo sa kanila: ‘Palapit na sa inyo ang kaha­rian ng Diyos.’ 10 Saanmang bayan kayo pumasok at di nila kayo tanggapin, lumabas kayo sa mga liwasan nito at inyong sabihin: 11 ‘Pati na alikabok mula sa inyong ba­yan na ku­mapit sa aming mga paa ay ipinapagpag namin sa inyo. 

Gayunman, alamin nin­yong palapit na ang kaharian ng Diyos.’ 12 Sina­sabi ko sa inyo na magaan pa ang sasapitin ng mga taga-Sodom kaysa bayang iyon sa dakilang Araw.