Ang Mabuting Balita para Martes Disyembre 13 Santa Lucia, dalaga at martir (Paggunita): Mateo 21:28-32

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:28-32

Noong panahong iyon, tinanong ni Hesus ang mga punong saserdote at matatanda ng bayan: “Ano ang palagay ninyo rito? May isang tao na may dalawang anak na lalaki. Lumapit siya sa nakatatanda at sinabi, ‘Anak, lumabas ka at magtrabaho sa ubasan ngayon.’ ‘Ayoko po.’ tugon niya. Ngunit nagbago ang kanyang isip at siya’y naparoon.  

Lumapit din ang ama sa ikalawa at gayon din ang kanyang sinabi. ‘Opo’ tugon nito, ngunit hindi naman naparoon. Sino sa dalawa ang sumunod sa kalooban ng kanyang ama?” “Ang nakatatanda po,” sagot nila. Sinabi sa kanila ni Hesus, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang mga publikano at masasamang babae’y nauuna pa sa inyong pasakop sa paghahari ng Diyos. 

Sapagkat naparito sa inyo si Juan at ipinakilala ang matuwid na pamumuhay, at hindi ninyo siya pinaniwalaan. Ngunit pinaniwalaan siya ng mga publikano at ng masasamang babae. Nakita ninyo ito, subalit hindi pa rin kayo nagsisi at naniwala sa kanya.” 

Reflection for Monday December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe Patroness of the Philippines (M): Matthew 21:23-27

Gospel: Matthew 21:23-27

When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?  

Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things.  Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?  

But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know. He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

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Reflection:

Where does Jesus’ authority come from? We know that it comes from God, God gave Jesus the authority to preach, heal, exorcise those who are possessed by the devil and so forth.  

The ruling class at that time (Pharisees, chief priest and elders of the people) were questioning Jesus’ authority because Jesus’ authority was more powerful than theirs. People were starting to flock more to Jesus than to them therefore they have to question the legitimacy of Jesus’ authority.  

Parent’s authority over their children is encompassing this means that for as long as parents live they have authority over their children until mortal death ends this authority. But why is it that many parents are being disrespected by their children?  

This is for the reason that many parents failed to properly role model their authority over their children. They did not discipline their children; they spoiled their children by showering them material things. But they failed to lead by example and they failed to impose discipline upon their children.    

They also failed to introduce God to their children by teaching them about Jesus and by bringing them to church for Holy Mass.  Thus they end up losing their authority over their children and the respect of their children.  

If we want to have authority over our children and with other people under our care we must therefore be like Jesus. For Jesus exercised His authority by being a good role model, Jesus led by example until the end, even at the cost of His very own life. 

How do you exercise your authority? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para Lunes Disyembre 12 Mahal na Birhen ng Guadalupe Makalangit na Patrona ng Pilipinas (Paggunita): Mateo 21:23-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:23-27

Noong panahong iyon, pumasok si Hesus sa templo. Samantalang nagtuturo siya, lumapit sa kanya ang mga punong saserdote at ang matatanda ng bayan at siya’y tinanong, “Ano ang karapatan mong gumawa ng mga bagay na ito? Sino ang nagbigay sa iyo ng karapatang ito?”  

Sumagot si Hesus, “Tatanungin ko rin kayo. Kapag sinagot ninyo ako, saka ko naman sasabihin sa inyo kung ano ang karapatan kong gumawa ng mga bagay na ito. Kanino nagmula ang karapatan ni Juan upang magbinyag – sa Diyos ba o sa tao?” At sila’y nagusap-usap: “Kung sabihin nating mula sa Diyos, sasabihin naman niya sa atin, ‘Bakit hindi ninyo siya pinaniwalaan?’  

Ngunit kung sabihin nating mula sa tao baka naman kung ano ang gawin sa atin ng bayan, sapagkat kinikilala ng lahat na si Juan ay isang propeta.” Kaya’t sumagot sila kay Hesus, “Hindi namin alam!” Sinabi niya, “Hindi ko rin sasabihin sa inyo kung ano ang karapatan kong gumawa ng mga ginagawa ko.”

Reflection for Sunday December 11, Third Sunday of Advent: Matthew 11:2-11

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” 

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

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Reflection:

What do you do when you are in a difficult situation?

There’s a lot of second guessing as to why did John (while in prison) sent his followers to Jesus to ask Him if he is the one. Perhaps, John wanted Jesus to help him to bolt out of prison. Perhaps, John wanted to be assured of Jesus’ support because to begin with he baptized Jesus in the river Jordan (Matthew 3:13). 

Jesus affirmed the question by saying to John’s followers: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. 

Perhaps, the disciples of John were expecting Jesus to say, let us go to John. And reassure him of my support in whatever way possible, but he did not. Jesus then said: “Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” Possibly to say to John’s followers, don’t get disappointed if I will not help John in his most difficult time. 

We may also have this feeling of being abandoned by Jesus. And we may also have questions like: Why is this happening to me and my family considering that I’m following God?  Why am I still poor and in difficult predicament when I am faithfully following God?  We may have countless whys before God; we may have this emotion of being abandoned by Jesus in our most difficult time as well.   

So what must we do if we are in this situation? We must continue to follow Jesus we must continue to be faithful to Him even if He seems to be far and unconcerned with us. We must not veer away from Jesus and not blame Him for whatever difficulties we are in. 

To follow Jesus or to always pray to Jesus is not an assurance that we would be free from trials and persecutions. And John is the best evidence of this for the reason that John humbly and faithfully followed Jesus. Yet he was persecuted, imprisoned and beheaded. 

Will you still follow Jesus amidst your trials and difficulties? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Disyembre 11 Ikatlong Linggo sa Panahon ng Pagdating ng Panginoon : Mateo 11:2-11

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:2-11

Noong panahong iyon: Nabalitaan ni Juan Bautista, na noo’y nasa bilangguan, ang mga ginagawa ni Kristo. Kaya’t nagsugo si Juan ng kanyang mga alagad at ipinatanong sa kanya, “Kayo po ba ang ipinangakong paririto, o maghihintay pa kami ng iba?”

Sumagot si Hesus, “Bumalik kayo kay Juan at sabihin sa kanya ang inyong narinig at nakita: nakakikita ang mga bulag, nakalalakad ang mga pilay, gumagaling ang mga ketongin, nakaririnig ang mga bingi, muling nabubuhay ang mga patay, at ipinangangaral sa mga dukha ang Mabuting Balita. Mapalad ang taong hindi nag-aalinlangan sa akin!”

Pag-alis ng mga alagad ni Juan, nagsalita si Hesus sa mga tao tungkol kay Juan: “Bakit kayo lumabas sa ilang? Ano ang ibig ninyong makita? Isa bang tambo na inuugoy ng hangin? Ano nga ang ibig ninyong makita? Isang taong may maringal na kasuutan? Ang mga nagdaramit ng maringal ay nasa palasyo ng mga hari! Ano nga ba ang ibig ninyong makita? Isang propeta? Oo. At sinasabi ko sa inyo, higit pa sa propeta.

Sapagkat si Juan ang tinutukoy ng Kasulatan: ‘Narito ang sugo ko na aking ipinadadalang mauuna sa iyo; ihahanda niya ang iyong daraanan.’ Sinasabi ko sa inyo: sa mga isinilang, wala pang lumilitaw na higit na dakila kay Juan Bautista; ngunit ang pinakaaba sa mga taong pinaghaharian ng Diyos ay dakila kaysa kanya.”

Reflection for December 10 Saturday of the Second Week of Advent: Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

Gospel: Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

As they were coming down from the mountain the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. 

So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

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Reflection:

Do you have the courage to advice a person to repent? 

The call of Jesus for repentance continuous until this very hour, he speaks to us through people around us and through our conscience. We should not ignore it, we should listen to it because to listen and repent is the right course of action that we must take. 

Like John who prepared the way for Jesus, we too should become the modern day John. Thus we should also gently call for repentance to those within our sphere of environment. This is for the reason that this is a call of duty for us Christians. 

Lest we forget that by virtue of our Baptism we also become a modern-day John. Therefore, we have to call for repentance and conversion as well. For this call to be effective we have to do this with gentleness, with mercy and compassion. 

It is obvious that Jesus was pertaining to John as the second coming of the prophet Elijah. But majority of the people then did not listen to John’s call because they were busy with the things of this world. They had no time to listen to the messenger of God. 

You have nothing to lose if you tread the way of John. Yes, it will not be a walk in the park and there will be challenges as well. But if Christ is with you who will be against you? Nobody for you have Jesus at your back silently supporting you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for December 9 Friday of the Second Week of Advent: Matthew 11:16-19

Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19

(Jesus said to the crowds) 16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmates, 17 `We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.'  

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, `He has a demon'; 19 the Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, `Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."

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Reflection:

Are you quick to judge based on what you see? The people during Jesus and John’s time most especially the Pharisees and scribes were like that as well. They judge both John and Jesus; John they judged as having a demon and Jesus as a glutton and a drunkard. They based their judgment on the external actuations that they saw on both of them. 

However, their judgment was misplaced and farthest from the truth. Those who judged Jesus and John should have first tried to know them first by becoming their followers but they never cared to follow, they instead quickly judged. Thus, they missed the opportunity of a lifetime to know John and Jesus. 

Those who are quick to judge allow themselves to be controlled by their biased emotions. Those who judge usually end up missing something worthy and beautiful from the person that they judge.     

There are times that I see married couples the husband is handsome but the wife is not beautiful and vice versa. I usually tell myself, how come they ended up together? The reason behind is simple, they never cared to judge based on what they saw on their future spouse. They instead delve deeper, thus they discovered how beautiful the character of the person they chose to be with for the rest of their lives.   

Are you quick to judge? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Thursday December 8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Principal Patroness of the Philippines: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”  

But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.  

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 

And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”  

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

Do you always accept the will of the Lord for your life or you sometimes contradict it? 

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This was defined by Pope Pius IX in Ineffabilis Deus and was promulgated on December 8, 1854, it states that Mary, through God's grace, was conceived free from the stain of original sin through her role as the Mother of God.  

The Gospel tells us that God thru the Angel Gabriel had chosen the Blessed Mother to be the Mother of Jesus, of all women why the Blessed Mother? We don’t know the answer but the Blessed Mother’s humility, docility and abandonment to the will of God speaks volumes about her.  

The Blessed Mother humbly followed God’s desire and will when she said: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38)." Like the Blessed Mother, are you willing to humble yourself before the Lord? Are you willing to abandon your life to the will of God? And do you always discern the desire of the Holy Spirit in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Wednesday December 7 Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 11:28-30

Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

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Reflection:

Are you sometimes feeling weary and burdened by the daily challenges/problems of life? You‘re not alone for all of us are burdened by our challenges and problems. However these burdens the we carry are miraculously made light the moment we learn to submit it to Jesus and when we invite Jesus to help us carry it. 

Why do you endure to carry the burden of someone you love or to suffer for someone you love? This is for the reason that you are already yoked or made one with this person that you love. For example, in married life if your spouse is sick you would sacrifice to take care of your spouse until he/she gets well. Or you may even wish that you’re the one that is sick and not your spouse. 

Why is this so? This is for the reason that Jesus bonded the two of you to become one through the Sacrament of Matrimony.  Remember the words of your marriage vows that says: “I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life." If marriage made you one with your spouse, through your Baptism you became one with Jesus or you are already yoked with Jesus. 

Let us therefore always respond to this invitation of Jesus; we who are often times burdened by the difficulties of life for we will always find healing and strength in HIM. Are you burdened by your problems right now? Bring it to Jesus and humbly ask him to help you carry it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for December 6 Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent: Matthew 18:12-14

Gospel: Matthew 18:12-14

Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? 

And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

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Reflection:

Can we measure God’s love for us? No for God’s love is not bound by any kind of measurement or limited by time and space. God will continue to love us even if we are the most sinful person in this world. 

The Parable of the lost sheep in our gospel is a showcase of this infinite love of God. Who is the man who looked for the lost sheep? He is our loving and merciful God! Who is the lost sheep that went astray?  It’s us we who are sinful and we who oftentimes love sin more than God.  

Nevertheless, even if we love to sin and even if we run away from the love of God. He is always there looking for us. Ever ready to forgive and forget all the sins that we have committed. Let us all be cognizant of this infinite love of God and let us also not be quick to judge our brothers and sisters who sin. 

Instead of judging those who sin let us rather emulate God who looked for and reached out to the lost sheep. Instead of judging let us help them get up on their feet so that they could free themselves from the bondage of sin. There are sinners because no one is willing to reach out to them, no one is willing to pay forward the infinite love of God. 

Are you quick to judge those who sin? Would you care to reach out to them so that they could feel the infinite love of God? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for December 5 Monday of the Second Week of Advent: Luke 5:17-26

Gospel: Luke 5:17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence.

But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” 

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 

He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.”

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Reflection:

How far are you willing to go to help a person in need? We have in our gospel a paralytic who was brought to Jesus by selfless men. Men who did not think of their own safety so that they could help. Men who did everything so that they could bring somebody to Jesus. 

What if there were no selfless men who dared to help the paralytic? The paralytic would have remained paralytic for the rest of his life. But he was very blessed that he encountered these men who help him go near Jesus. 

When we help someone in need we are opening ourselves to enormous blessings from God. This is what happened to the men who brought the paralytic to Jesus. They were blessed by Jesus and was forgiven of their many sins (Luke 5:20). 

As we continue our journey in this world we will continue to encounter those who are in need. Let us never let go of these opportunities to help be it material or spiritual help. If it would require us to momentarily forget our own selves so that we could extend a helping hand, let us help by all means. 

Every effort that we do for others is always rewarded by Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Disyembre 5 Lunes sa Ika-2 Linggo sa Panahon ng Pagdating ng Panginoon: Lucas 5:17-26

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:17-26

Minsan nang nagtuturo si Hesus, naroon din ang mga Pariseo at mga tagapagturo ng Kautusan na mula sa mga bayan ng Galilea at Judea, at sa Jerusalem. At sumasakanya ang kapangyarihan ng Panginoon upaang magpagaling ng mga maysakit. May dumating na ilang tao, dala ang isang paralitikong nasa higaan.  

Nagpipilit silang makapasok sa bahay upang mailagay sa harapan ni Hesus ang maysakit, subalit wala silang maraanan dahil sa dami ng tao. Kaya’t umakyat sila sa bubungan at binutas iyon, saka inihugos sa harapan ni Hesus ang paralitikong nasa higaan. Nang makita ni hesus kung gaano kalaki ang kanilang pananalig, sinabi niya sa paralitiko, “Kaibigan, pinatatawad ka na sa iyong mga kasalanan.”  

Sa loob-loob ng mga eskriba’t Pariseo: “Sino itong nagsasalita ng kalapastanganan sa Diyos? Hindi ba’t Diyos lamang ang makapagpapatawad ng mga kasalanan?” Ngunit batid ni Hesus ang kanilang iniisip, kaya’t sinagot niya sila, “Bakit kayo nag-iisip ng ganyan? Alin ba ang lalong madali: ang sabihin sa paralitiko ‘Pinatatawad ka na sa iyong mga kasalanan’ o ang sabihing ‘Tumindig ka at lumakad’? Patutunayan ko sa inyo ang Anak ng Tao ay may kapangyarihan dito sa lupa na magpatawad ng mga kasalanan.”  

At sinabi niya sa paralitiko, “Iniuutos ko: tumindig ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan at umuwi ka!” Pagdaka’y tumindig ang tao sa harapan ng lahat, binuhat ang kanyang higaan at umuwing nagpupuri sa Diyos. Nanggilalas sila at tigib ng takot na nagpuri sa Diyos. “Nakakita kami ngayon ng mga kahanga-hangang bagay!” wika nila.

Mga salita na puno ng Aral at Karunungan - 6

 

Reflection for Sunday December 4, Second Sunday of Advent: Matthew 3:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 

At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. 

Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a mother who had a wayward son. The mother would always plead to her son to change his ways and repent. However, the son would always turn a deaf ear to her mother’s pleadings.  The mother eventually died without seeing her son’s repentance.  After a few years the son also died brought about by his living a life of sin. 

During the time of John the Baptist he called also for repentance because the people of Judea were living in sin. John was a Prophet who lived his life in utter simplicity and humility. He wore clothing made of camel’s hair his food was locust and wild honey. 

Many listened to his call because he was worthy of his advocacy, he showed the people of his time that he was walking his talk; he lived according to what he was preaching. 

We can endlessly preach repentance to our fellowmen but if we do not live what we preach. And if we do not walk what we talk nobody would listen to us. That’s what separate’s John the Baptist from us, he was a worthy herald for Jesus simply because he walked his talk. He supported his call of repentance by living it and by shunning the trappings and comforts of his environment. 

This second week of Advent let us ask ourselves these two questions: have I called for repentance to people who are within my circle of influence? And am I currently living John the Baptist’s life of simplicity and humility? – Marino J. Dasmarinas