Reflection for Tuesday October 15 Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church: Luke 11:37-41

Gospel: Luke 11:37-41

After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. 

The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”

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Reflection:

What do you do when you invite people to dine in your home? 

Many of us discreetly observe them especially if our invited guests are few the more that we observe them. We sometimes pretend to be busy but we observe them quietly: How they behave and so forth. 

However, amidst our being observant Jesus wants to tell us something: Let us not judge them based on their behavior. Because our judgment based on what we see do not really represent who they really are. There’s a whole lot more that we could discover from them if we would not be quick on judging them. 

It feeds our ego when we are noticed based on our external appearance: What we do, the clothes that we wear, our physical appearance etc. The more that we are noticed the more that we would reinforce our external actions. These are all superficial, before God these egocentric actions count for nothing before the eyes of God. 

What counts before God are those that are not seen by our eyes. What counts before the Lord is what is inside us not what is outside of us. Those that are not seen such as: Clean conscience, a caring, forgiving and loving heart and a mind that has no place for ill thoughts. 

Perhaps, the Pharisee in the gospel invited Jesus to his house not out of his goodwill and kindness. He invited Jesus because he wants to see if Jesus would subscribe to the many rituals of their Jewish faith. 

Are many of us not like this Pharisee? When friends come to our house we also observe them as to how they would behave. And based on what we saw we would now conjure our unfavorable conclusion towards them. 

But our judgment is often wrong for we don’t know what’s inside the heart of the person. And besides, it’s hard to judge based solely on the few times that we’ve observed them. Let us not judge quickly and let us not judge based on what we see. 

Are you quick to judge? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Oktubre 15 Paggunita kay Santa Teresa ng Avila, dalaga at pantas ng Simbahan: Lucas 11:37-41

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:37-41

Noong panahong iyon, pagkatapos magsalita ni Hesus, siya’y inanyayahan ng isang Pariseo upang kumain, kaya’t pumunta siya sa bahay nito. Pagdulog sa hapag, nagtaka ang Pariseo nang makita niyang kumain si Hesus nang hindi muna naghugas ng kamay. 

Sinabi sa kanya ng Panginoon, “Kayong mga Pariseo, hinuhugasan ninyo ang labas ng tasa at ng pinggan, ngunit ang loob ninyo’y punong-puno ng kasakiman at kasamaan. Mga hangal! Hindi ba’t ang may likha ng labas ang siya ring may likha ng loob? Ngunit ipamahagi muna ninyo sa mga dukha ang mga laman ng mga sisidlan at magiging malinis ang lahat ng bagay para sa inyo.”   

Reflection for October 14 Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:29-32

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.  

At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.  

At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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Reflection:

How would you react if somebody tells you to mend your ways and repent from all of your sinfulness? Will you not feel insulted and antagonized? Many of us would feel insulted and antagonized because the call for us to mend our ways is prophetic and true.  

We get angry when others tell us to repent and walk away from all of our sinfulness but why get angry when they are telling the truth? Why get angry when those who are telling us to mend our ways are only concerned for our own well-being?   

Many listened to Jesus during His public ministry but a lot more did not listen as well. In fact very few listened to Jesus among the high and mighty because they loved sin more than the wise counsel of Jesus.   Isn’t this happening today? Many of us love sin (disguised as pleasure/s) more than we love Jesus?  

This is the paradox of our social media driven times today. Many of us today give more time to our high-tech gadgets than listen to Jesus by reading His words. Many of us have more time with our earthy undertakings than have our important quite time with Jesus. What will happen to us if we don’t anymore listen to Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 14, Lunes ng Ika-28 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 11:29-32

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:29-32

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang dumaragsa ang mga tao, sinabi ni Hesus, “Napakasama ng lahing ito! Naghahanap sila ng palatandaan mula sa langit, subalit walang ipapakita sa kanila maliban sa palatandaang inilalarawan ng nangyari kay Jonas. 

Kung paanong naging isang palatandaan si Jonas sa mga taga-Ninive, gayun din naman, magiging isang palatandaan sa lahing ito ang Anak ng Tao. Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom, titindig ang Reyna ng Timog laban sa lahing ito at sila’y hahatulan niya ng kaparusahan. Sapagkat nanggaling siya sa dulo ng daigdig upang pakinggan ang karunungan ni Solomon; ngunit higit na di-hamak kay Solomon ang naririto! 

Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay titindig ang mga taga-Ninive laban sa lahing ito at hahatulan ng kaparusahan, sapagkat nagsisi sila dahil sa pangangaral ni Jonas; ngunit higit na di-hamak kay Jonas ang naririto!” 

Reflection for Sunday October 13, Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:17-30

Gospel: Mark 10:17-30

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother." 

He replied and said to him, "Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." 

They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God." Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you." 

Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."

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Reflection:

There were two neighbors: one was rich, and the other was poor. The rich neighbor’s family was always busy, and they hardly had time for God. The poor neighbor’s family always made sure to set aside time to worship Jesus at Holy Mass. They also made time to pray together as a family at home.

After fifteen (15) years, there was a reversal of fortunes for the two neighbors. The rich family became poor, and their children did not achieve success. The poor family, on the other hand, became wealthy, and their children were successful in their chosen careers.

Our obsession and greed for earthly treasures, if not corrected, will always lead us away from loving and following Jesus. It can also result in our downfall and disgrace.

What is the use of earthly treasures if we have no peace of mind? What is the value of a big house and vast property if they only lead to disagreements and arguments within the family? What is the benefit of temporal wealth if it destroys communication among family members?

It’s better to be poor as long as you have God in your family. It’s better to live in a small house with God’s presence than in a mansion without Him. It’s better to own no material wealth as long as you have the greatest treasure of all, which is Jesus.

In our Gospel this Sunday, there is a man who stood on the verge of following Jesus. Yet, he walked away because he couldn’t part with his material treasures—treasures that, by the way, are temporary and often disturb our minds rather than bring us peace.

How about you?  Will you give up your temporal treasures in favor of having Jesus in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Oktubre 13 Ika-28 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10: 17-30

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:17-30

Noong panahong iyon, habang paalis na si Jesus ay may isang lalaking patakbong lumapit, lumuhod sa harapan niya at nagtanong, "Mabuting Guro, ano po ang dapat kong gawin upang magkamit ng buhay na walang hanggan?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Bakit mo ako tinatawag na mabuti? Walang mabuti kundi ang Diyos. 

Alam mo ang mga utos: 'Huwag kang papatay; huwag kang mangangalunya; huwag kang magnanakaw; huwag kang magsisinungaling sa iyong pagsaksi; huwag kang magdadaya; igalang mo ang iyong ama't ina.' " "Guro," sabi ng lalaki, ang lahat po ng iya'y tinutupad ko na mula pa sa aking pagkabata." 

Magiliw siyang tinitigan ni Jesus, at sinabi sa kanya, "Isang bagay pa ang kulang sa iyo. Humayo ka, ipagbili mo ang iyong ari-arian at ibigay sa mga dukha ang pinagbilhan, at magkakaroon ka ng kayamanan sa langit. Pagkatapos, bumalik ka at sumunod sa akin." Namanglaw ang lalaki nang marinig ito, at malungkot na umalis, sapagkat siya'y napakayaman.  

Tiningnan ni Jesus ang mga nasa paligid niya at sinabi sa kanyang mga alagad, "Napakahirap mapabilang ang mayayaman sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos." Nagtaka ang mga alagad sa pananalitang ito. Muling sinabi ni Jesus, "Mga anak, talagang napakahirap mapabilang sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos! 

Madali pang makaraan ang kamelyo sa butas ng karayom kaysa pasakop sa paghahari ng Diyos ang isang mayaman." Lalong nagtaka ang mga alagad, kaya't sila'y nagtanungan, "Kung gayo'y sino ang maliligtas?" Tinitigan sila ni Jesus at sinabi sa kanila, "Hindi ito magagawa ng tao, ngunit hindi ito mahirap sa Diyos. Magagawa ng Diyos ang lahat ng bagay." 

At nagsalita si Pedro, "Tingnan po ninyo, iniwan namin ang lahat at kami'y sumunod sa inyo." Sinabi ni Jesus, "Tandaan ninyo ito: ang sinumang mag-iwan ng bahay, o mga kapatid, ina, ama, mga anak, mga lupa, dahil sa akin at sa Mabuting Balita, ay tatanggap ng makasandaang ibayo sa buhay na ito-- mga bahay, mga kapatid, mga ina, mga anak, at mga lupa--ngunit may kalakip na pag-uusig. At sa kabilang buhay ay magkakaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan."

Reflection for Saturday October 12 Our Lady of the Pillar: Luke 11:27-28

Gospel: Luke 11:27-28

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

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Reflection:

Do you observe and hear the word of God? 

Why is there abortion, terrorism, crime, abuse of the environment, egocentric people and the like? Because we don’t hear and live the word of God. There are those who listen to God’s words but they don’t live it. 

Jesus is not a self-centered God same as with the Blessed Mother they don’t want honor for themselves. Truth be told, honor is the least that they want; let us look at their lives, did they run after honors? They shunned it! They simply listened to the word of God and followed it. 

This is actually the cure for the chaotic world we are in right now: to hear and read the Word of God and follow it. We mustn’t seek personal honor; instead, we should work silently, without any objective to raise ourselves at the altar of prominence. 

We must remember that we only become effective followers of the Lord when we model our lives after the simple and humble lives of Jesus and Mary. Our modern, technology-driven times often push us to chase after honorific titles. 

To love the limelight and be the center of attention is ultimately meaningless before God. What truly matters in the heart of God is our readiness to humbly hear His word and live it. In doing so, we become blessed in His eyes. 

Do you read the word of God and do you live it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Oktubre 12, Mahal na Birheng Maria del Pilar: Lucas 11:27-28

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:27-28

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang nagsasalita si Jesus, sa mga tao, may isang babaing sumigaw mula sa karamihan at nagsabi sa kanya, "Mapalad ang babaing nagdala sa inyo sa kanyang sinapupunan, at nagpasuso sa inyo!" 

Ngunit sumagot siya, "Higit na mapalad ang mga nakikinig sa salita ng Diyos at tumutupad nito!" 

Reflection for October 11 Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:15-26

Gospel: Luke 11:15-26

When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 

And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 

When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”

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Reflection:

What motivates us to accuse falsely or to destroy the good reputation of our fellowmen? It’s greed, anger, envy and other negative and hedious emotions. These emotions are so dangerous that it could even lead us to kill. All of these are devious instruments of Satan. All of these are used by Satan to capture us. 

How could we refuse these enticements of Satan? We must be prayerful, we must always do good. We must at all times be focused on our mission to spread the teachings of Jesus through our words and actions. 

By doing good, Jesus was accused as being with Satan, what a reckless and baseless accusation from the crowd! Is Jesus siding with the demon or the crowd siding with the demon? Of course it was the crowd who was siding with the demon. The demon will never do good it will always seek to create chaos, intrigues and manufacture baseless accusations. 

Come to think of it, by accusing Jesus the crowd allowed themselves to be used by the demon himself. In like manner we also allow ourselves to be an instrument of the demon when we purposely accuse people even without a grain of truth. 

The demon or devil is a clear and present danger to all of us. It’s always by our side looking for the right timing to capture us. However, if we are close to Jesus and we practice and live the teachings of Jesus. We have nothing to worry because the devil can do nothing to us. 

Do you always create time to get closer to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 11, Biyernes ng Ika-27 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 11:15-26

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:15-26

Noong panahong iyon, matapos palayasin ni Hesus ang isang demonyo, nanggilalas ang mga tao. Ngunit may ilan sa kanila ang nagsabi, “Si Beelzebul na prinsipe ng mga demonyo ang nagbigay sa kanya ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng mga demonyo.” May iba namang nais siyang subukin, kaya’t nagsabi, “Magpakita ka ng kababalaghang magpapakilala na ang Diyos ang sumasaiyo.”  

Ngunit batid ni Hesus ang kanilang iniisip, kaya’t sinabi sa kanila, “Babagsak ang bawat kahariang nahahati sa magkakalabang pangkat at mawawasak ang mga bahay roon. Kung maghimagsik si Satanas laban sa kanyang sarili, paano mananatili ang kanyang kaharian? Sinasabi ninyong nagpapalayas ako ng mga demonyo sapagkat binigyan ako ni Beelzebul ng kapangyarihang ito. 

Kung ako’y nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ni Beelzebul, sino naman ang nagbigay ng kapangyarihan sa inyong mga tagasunod na makagawa ng gayun? Sila na rin ang nagpapatunay na maling-mali kayo. Ngayon, kung ako’y nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos, nangangahulugang dumating na sa inyo ang paghahari ng Diyos. 

“Kapag ang isang taong malakas at nasasandatahan ay nagbabantay sa kanyang bahay, malayo sa panganib ang kanyang ari-arian. Ngunit kung salakayin siya at talunin ng isang taong higit na malakas, sasamsamin nito ang mga sandatang kanyang inaasahan at ipamamahagi ang ari-ariang inagaw. “Ang hindi panig sa akin ay laban sa akin, at nagkakalat ang hindi tumutulong sa kaing mag-ipon. 

“Kapag lumabas na mula sa tao ang isang masamang espiritu, ito’y gumagala sa mga tigang na lugar at naghahanap ng mapagpapahingahan. Kung walang matagpuan ay sasabihin nito sa sarili, ‘Babalik ako sa bahay na aking pinanggalingan.’ Pagbabalik ay matatagpuan niyang malinis na ang bahay at maayos. Kaya, lalabas siyang muli at magsasama ng pito pang espiritung masasama kaysa kanya, at papasok sila at maninirahan doon. Kaya’t sumasama kaysa dati ang kalagayan ng taong iyon.” 

Reflection for October 10 Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:5-13

Gospel: Luke 11:5-13

Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed.  

I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.  

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?  

Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

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Reflection:

Isn’t God all-knowing? Doesn’t He read our minds? So, why do we need to badger Him in prayer about our needs? God is all-knowing, and He reads our minds, but we still need to persistently let Him know what we want Him to do for us. Why? For the simple reason that it’s through our persistence that we develop a deep friendship with Him. It’s through our persistent prayer that we obtain the grace to know Jesus much more deeply.

What if we don’t persist? We miss the chance to know Jesus more deeply, and we miss the opportunity to develop a much deeper friendship with Him. Take, for example, our Sunday Mass obligation. What would happen if we stop attending every Sunday? We would miss the chance to know Jesus deeply, be showered by His many blessings, and grow in faith.

Yes, God knows everything about us already but we still need to be persistent before Him. For this is where He would know how deep is our love for Him. When we don’t give up on Jesus and when we continue to let Him know that we always hunger for Him. Surely Jesus will not be deaf and blind to our petitions before Him.    

Jesus will certainly smile at us and tell us: Here it is that you want I’m giving it to you now because you did not give up. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 10, Huwebes ng Ika-27 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 11:5-13

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:5-13

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Ipalagay natin na ang isa sa inyo'y nagpunta sa isang kaibigan isang hatinggabi at nagsabi, 'Kaibigan, bigyan mo muna ako ng tatlong tinapay. Dumating kase ang isa kong kaibigang naglalakbay at wala akong maihain sa kanya!' 

At ganito naman ang sagot ng kanyang kaibigan sa loob ng bahay. 'Huwag mo nga akong gambalain! Nakatrangka na ang pinto at nakahiga na kami ng aking mga anak. Hindi na ako makababangon pa upang bigyan kita ng iyong kailangan.' Sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi man siya bumangon dahil sa kanilang pagkakaibigan, babangon siya upang ibigay ang hinihingi ng kaibigan dahil sa pagpupumilit nito.

Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: Humingi kayo, at kayo'y bibigyan, humanap kayo at kayo'y makasusumpong; kumatok kayo, at ang pinto'y bubuksan para sa inyo. Sapagkat tumatanggap ang bawat humihingi; nakasusumpong ang bawat humahanap; at binubuksan ang pinto sa bawat kumakatok.

Kayong mga ama, bibigyan ba ninyo ng ahas ang inyong anak kung humihingi ng isda? Bibigyan ba ninyo siya ng alakdan kung siya'y humihingi ng itlog? Kung kayong masasama ay marunong magbigay ng mabubuting bagay sa inyong mga anak, gaano pa kaya ang inyong Amang nasa langit! Ibibigay niya ang Espiritu Santo sa mga humihingi sa kanya!"

Reflection for October 9 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 you to teach him/her to pray. Just like the same petition that the disciples of Jesus asked Him. But before you could expect others to ask you to teach them how to pray you must learn to live your prayer first. 

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

What will move others to ask you to teach them how to pray? You should ensure that you live your faith and you 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, you too must see to it that you live what you pray or you walk and live your talk so that others may see in you Jesus. You become like magnet for Jesus if you live your prayers and you live it with humility. 

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

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 9, Miyerkules ng Ika-27 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 11:1-4

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:1-4

Minsan, nananalangin si Hesus. Pagkatapos niya, sinabi ng isa sa kanyang mga alagad, “Panginoon, turuan po ninyo kaming manalangin, katulad ng ginawa ni Juan sa kanyang mga alagad.”  

Sinabi ni Hesus, “Kung kayo’y mananalangin, ganito ang sabihin ninyo: ‘Ama, sambahin nawa ang pangalan mo. Magsimula na sana ang iyong paghahari. Bigyan mo kami ng aming makakain sa araw-araw. At patawarin mo kami sa aming mga kasalanan, Sapagkat pinatatawad namin ang bawat nagkasala sa amin. At huwag mo kaming iharap sa mahigpit na pagsubok.’”