Reflection for November 7, Tuesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:15-24

Gospel: Luke 14:15-24

One of those at table with Jesus said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.” He replied to him, “A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.’ But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. 

The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’ 

The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’ The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.’

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Reflection:

What occurs in a dinner? There’s breaking of the bread, there’s sharing, interaction, exchange of ideas and the like. We are not invited to a dinner to simply eat and go. We are invited because the host wants to know more about us. The host wants to bless us with the food that he prepared.  And he wants to exchange even for a brief moment small talk that could further enhance and strengthen the relationship between the invited guest and the host. 

When we honor the Holy Mass with our presence we respond to the invitation of Jesus to be present at this Sacred and Holy celebration. We break bread with Jesus, we interact with Jesus and we open ourselves to the innumerable blessings that Jesus alone could bestow upon us. 

But like in the gospel many of us would refuse to go to Holy Mass because we have our other preoccupations. We miss a lot when we decline to be present at Holy Mass foremost of this is we miss the great privilege to know Jesus deeply. 

It’s sad to think that many Catholics leave the church for other Christian churches. Because as they would say: “They want to develop a personal relationship with Jesus through His written words in the bible.” 

But if only they would take time to religiously be present at Holy Mass. Jesus Himself will give them the grace to know Him deeply. Jesus Himself would prod them to open their bible so that He could reveal more about Himself to them. 

The deepening of our friendship with Jesus emanates from our presence at His dinner banquet which is none other than the Holy Mass. Let us therefore attend this sacred celebration and build a deeper relationship with Jesus.    

Do you always honor this invitation of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 7, Martes ng Ika-31 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 14:15-24

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:15-24

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi kay Hesus ng isa sa mga kasalo niya sa hapag, "Mapalad ang makakasalo sa hapag sa kaharian ng Diyos!" Sumagot si Jesus, "May isang lalaking naghanda ng isang malaking piging, at marami siyang inanyayahan. Nang dumating ang oras ng piging, inutusan niya ang kanyang mga alipin at ipinasabi sa mga inanyayahan. 'Halina kayo, handa na ang lahat!' 

Ngunit nagdahilan silang lahat. Ang sabi ng una, 'Nakabili ako ng bukid at kailangan kong puntahan. Kayo na sana ang bahalang magpaumanhin sa akin.' At sinabi ng isa, 'Nakabili ako ng limang pares na baka, at kailangan kong isingkaw para masubok. Kayo na sana ang bahalang magpaumanhin sa akin.' Sinabi naman ng isa pa, 'Bagong kasal ako kaya hindi ako makakadalo.' Bumalik ang alipin at ibinalita sa kanyang panginoon. 

Nagalit ito at sinabi sa alipin, 'Lumabas kang madali sa mga lansangan at makikipot na daan ng lunsod, at isama mo rito ang mga pulubi, mga pingkaw, mga bulag, at mga pilay.' Pagbabalik ng alipin ay sinabi niya, 'Panginoon, nagawa ko na po ang iniuutos ninyo, ngunit maluwag pa.' Kaya'y sinabi ng panginoon sa alipin, 'Lumabas ka sa mga lansangan at sa mga landas; at pilitin mong pumarito ang mga tao, upang mapuno ang aking bahay. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: isa man sa mga unang inanyayahan ay hindi makatitikim ng aking handa!'

Reflection for November 6, Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:12-14

Gospel: Luke 14:12-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. 

Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

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Reflection:

Who are those that we normally invite to dine in our home? Of course, our friends and relatives, for this is our normal human nature, and there’s nothing wrong with this. But Jesus points us to something that we often neglect, something that we often times purposely forget. And they’re the poor and unwanted; Jesus is pointing us to them for that is where He dwells.

Jesus’ contradicts us on how we normally invite people to dine in our home. Isn’t that we have not yet invited a poor stranger to dine for lunch or dinner? Yes, we have given food to the poor but we haven’t invited someone who is poor to dine in our house.

Why is it important to invite somebody who is poor to come and dine in our house? Because we are not only inviting the poor, we are also opening our house to God. Hard to believe? Let us try inviting someone who is poor and not known to us to come and dine in our house. And let us feel afterwards the unfathomable joy that it will give us.

In the story of the last judgment the King said: Whenever you did this to one of the least, you did this to me (Matthew 25:40). – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 6, Lunes ng Ika-31 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 14:12-14

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:12-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa pinuno ng mga Pariseo na nag-anyaya sa kanya: “Kapag naghahanda ka, huwag ang mga kaibigan mo, mga kapatid, mga kamag-anak o mayayamang kapitbahay ang aanyayahan mo, sapagkat aanyayahan ka rin nila, at sa gayo’y nagantihan ka na.  

Kaya kung ikaw ay maghahanda ng isang malaking salu-salo, ang mga pulubi, mga pingkaw, mga pilay, at mga bulag ang anyayahan mo. Hindi sila makagaganti sa iyo at sa gayo’y magiging mapalad ka. Gagantihin ka ng Diyos na muling pagkabuhay ng mga banal.”

Reflection for Sunday November 5, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 23:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.  

They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation Rabbi.  

As for you, do not be called Rabbi. You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’ you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a father who would always remind his wife and his children to pray the Holy Rosary daily, but the problem is, the father does not lead the way. He commands his family to pray the Holy Rosary, yet he does not join his family in praying it. The father miserably fails in his leadership by not living what he preaches.

How can we become effective sharers of our faith? It's by being a living example of our faith. We also have to be sincere by doing what we preach. For example, if we want our family to pray the Holy Rosary, we first have to lead and show the way. What does this mean? We ourselves have to lead the prayer. Why? Because it's through this act of leadership that we would win the respect and cooperation of our family.

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about leadership by example and servanthood. This seems to be a contradiction: how can a leader be a servant at the same time? However, there is no contradiction between these two. They go together like best friends for the simple reason that one cannot exist without the other.

The Pharisees and Scribes were chastised by Jesus for trumpeting themselves as leaders. However, they were leaders in name only, for they did not walk their talk or serve the people they were supposed to serve. They were only good at giving orders. 

How about you, how do you exercise your authority and leadership? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 5 Linggo, Ika-31 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 23:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 23:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao at sa kanyang mga alagad, "Ang mga eskriba at ang mga Pariseo ang kinikilalang tagapagpaliwanag ng Kautusan ni Moises. Kaya't gawin ninyo ang itinuturo nila at sundin ang kanilang iniuutos. Ngunit huwag ninyong tularan ang kanilang gawa, sapagkat hindi nila isinasagawa ang kanilang ipinangangaral.  

Nagbibigkis sila ng mabibigat na dalahin at ipinapasan sa mga tao; ngunit ni daliri ay ayaw nilang igalaw upang tumulong sa pagdadala ng mga iyon. Pawang pakitang-tao ang kanilang mga gawa, Nilalaparan nila ang kanilang mga pilakterya at hinahabaan ang palawit sa laylayan ng kanilang mga damit. Ang ibig nila'y ang mga upuang pandangal sa mga piging at ang mga tanging luklukan sa mga sinagoga. Ang ibig nila'y pagpugayan sila sa mga liwasang bayan, at tawaging guro.  

Ngunit kayo-- huwag kayong patawag na guro, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Guro, at kayong lahat ay magkakapatid. At huwag ninyong tawaging ama ang sinumang tao sa lupa, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Ama, ang Amang nasa langit. Huwag kayong patawag na tagapagturo, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Tagapagturo, ang Mesias. Ang pinakadakila sa inyo ay dapat maging lingkod ninyo. Ang nagpapakataas ay ibababa, at ang nagpapakababa ay itataas."

Reflection for Saturday November 4, Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop: Luke 14:1, 7-11

Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-11

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. 

He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor.  

A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.  

Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." 

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Reflection:

The story is told about a wise man who shunned publicity. He would speak every once in a while and when he speaks everyone would listens to him. After speaking he would immediately hide away into his own private place. There would be rare times that he grants interviews and when he does he would always point to God as the giver of whatever wisdom that he possesses.  

Many of us may be tempted to own to ourselves the wisdom or material wealth that we presently have. But we should not allow ourselves to be possessed by that temptation, for who are we to own to ourselves what we have? We have to always remember that we are mere vessels of God, whatever we have comes from God.     

In the gospel, Jesus highlights the great virtue of humility. Jesus tells us to always be humble and not to crave for attention and adulation. Why? For the simple reason that the humbler we are the more that Jesus is seen within us. The humbler we are the more the we become His effective vessels in this world. 

The humbler we are the more that we allow Jesus’ light to shine upon us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Nobyembre 4, San Carlos Borromeo, obispo (Paggunita): Lucas 14:1, 7-11

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:1, 7-11

Isang Araw ng Pamamahinga, si Hesus ay inanyayahang kumain sa bahay ng isang pinuno ng mga Pariseo; at binabantayan nilang mabuti ang kanyang mga kilos.  

Napansin ni Hesus na ang pinipili ng mga inanyayahan ay ang mga upuang nakalaan sa mga piling panauhin. Kaya’t sinabi niya ang talinghagang ito: “Kapag inanyayahan ka ninuman sa isang kasalan, huwag mong pipiliin ang tanging upuan. Baka may inanyayahang lalong tanyag kaysa iyo.  

At lalapit ang nag-anyaya sa inyong dalawa at sasabihin sa iyo, ‘Maaari bang ibigay ninyo ang upuang iyan sa taong ito?’ Sa gayo’y mapapahiya ka at doon malalagay sa pinakaabang upuan. Ang mabuti, kapag naanyayahan ka, doon ka maupo sa pinakaabang upuan, sapagkat paglapit ng nag-anyaya sa iyo ay kanyang sasabihin, ‘Kaibigan, dini ka sa kabisera.’ Sa gayun, nabigyan ka ng malaking karangalan sa harapan ng mga panauhin. 

Sapagkat ang nagpapakataas ay ibababa, at ang nagpapakababa ay itataas.”

Reflection for November 3, Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:1-6

Gospel: Luke 14:1-6

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?”

But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer his question.

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Reflection:

Is the observance of the Sabbath day wrong? No, nothing’s wrong with the observance of the Sabbath day. It’s ok for the simple reason that it shows a person’s faithfulness to his faith. The Sabbath observance becomes wrong when we prioritize it more than our acts of mercy. 

This is the point that Jesus is driving at in the gospel towards the scholars of the law and Pharisees. They are very strict in the observance of the Sabbath law and are very much willing to sacrifice almost everything so that they could strictly observe it. 

It’s not wrong to violate sacred religious traditions for a greater need. For what is the use of strictly observing religious tradition if we forego doing acts of mercy and love? It doesn’t in anyway serve its intended purpose.

We therefore have to be careful not to be overly legalistic in our observance of our religious traditions. We should be more tolerant and understanding when it’s violated for a valid reason so that we could bring more people closer to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 3, Biyernes sa Ika-30 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 14:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:1-6

Isang Araw ng Pamamahinga, si Jesus ay inanyayahang kumain sa bahay ng isang pinuno ng mga Pariseo, at binabantayan nilang mabuti ang kanyang mga kilos. Lumapit kay Jesus ang isang taong namamanas. 

Kaya't tinanong niya ang mga Pariseo at ang mga dalubhasa sa Kautusan, "Naaayon ba sa Kautusan ang magpagaling sa Araw ng Pamamahinga o hindi?" Ngunit hindi sila umimik, kaya't hinawakan ni Jesus ang maysakit, pinagaling saka pinayaon. Pagkatapos, sinabi niya sa kanila, "Kung kayo'y may anak o bakang mahulog sa balon, hindi ba ninyo iaahon kahit Araw ng Pamamahinga?" At hindi sila nakasagot sa tanong na ito.  

When I'm Gone ( A Poem for All Souls Day ) By: Lyman Hancock

 

When I’ve come to the end of my journey

and I have traveled my very last mile

Forget if you can that I’ve frowned

Remember only my smile...

Forgive unkind words I have spoken

Remember some good I have done

Forget I ever had heartache

And remember only our fun...

Forget that I've stumbled and fumbled

And sometimes fell by the way

Remember: I fought some hard battles

But had you at the close of my day...

Do not grieve for my going

I would not have you sad this day

But in time gather some flowers

And remember the place where I lay...

Perhaps in the shade of evening

When the sun paints the sky in the West

Come stand a few moments above me

Remembering only the best...

Reflection for Thursday November 2, The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day): Matthew 25:31-46

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne,  and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ 

Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’  

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ 

Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

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Reflection:

Imagine the last days of your life. Would they be happy or lonely? We would ideally want our last days to be happy, which would mean that we had done what we needed to do in this world. We followed the commandments, fed and clothed the hungry, and so forth.

If this is what we are doing right now, we need not worry about where we will be after our last days are over. But we are still living, and we are still on this temporal journey, so we have to sustain the momentum by doing good, especially for the poor and unwanted.

We have to take sides, and the side we must choose is the one where we do good. Let us not get tired of doing good because whatever good we do now, we will eventually harvest. Let us not mind if we will not be given credit for the good that we do; what is important is that we continue to do good. God knows everything anyway.  

On this Day of the Souls, we are reminded of our loved ones who have gone ahead of us. This also serves as a reminder that, whether we like it or not, we too will join them sooner or later. What can we do to ensure that we are not forgotten? We must do good, just as Jesus did during His three years of public ministry.

Why do we have to do good? The answer is a no-brainer: We have to do good because it serves as our ticket to God's kingdom someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Nobyembre 2, Paggunita sa Lahat ng mga Pumanaw na Kristiyano: Mateo 25:31-46

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 25:31-46

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Darating ang Anak ng Tao bilang Hari, kasama ang lahat ng anghel, at luluklok sa kanyang maringal na trono. Sa panahong iyon, matitipon sa harapan niya ang lahat ng tao. Sila'y pagbubukud-bukurin niya, tulad ng ginagawa ng pastol sa mga tupa at mga kambing. Ilalagay niya sa kanyang kanan ang mga tupa, at sa kaliwa ng mga kambing. 

At sasabihin ng Hari sa mga nasa kanan, 'Halikayo, mga pinagpala ng aking Ama! Pumasok na kayo at manirahan sa kahariang inihanda para sa inyo mula pa nang likhain ang sanlibutan. Sapagkat ako'y nagutom at inyong pinakain, nauhaw at inyong pinainom. Ako'y isang dayuhan at inyong pinatuloy. ako'y walang maisuot at inyong pinaramtan, nagkasakit at inyong dinalaw; ako'y nabilanggo at ako'y inyong pinuntahan.' 

Sasagot ang mga matuwid, 'Panginoon, kailan po namin kayo nakitang nagutom at aming pinakain, o nauhaw at aming pinainom? Kailan po kayo naging dayuhan at aming pinatuloy, o kaya'y walang maisuot at aming pinaramtan? At kailan po namin kayo nakitang may sakit o nasa bilangguan at aming dinalaw?' Sasagutin ng Hari, 'Sinasabi ko sa inyo: nang gawin ninyo ito sa pinakahamak sa mga kapatid kong ito, ito ay sa akin ninyo ginawa.'

"At sasabihin naman niya sa mga nasa kaliwa, 'Lumayo kayo sa akin, mga sinumpa! kayo'y pasa-apoy na di-mamamatay, na inihanda para sa diyablo at sa kanyang mga kampon. Sapagkat ako'y nagutom at hindi ninyo pinakain, nauhaw at hindi ninyo pinainom. Ako'y naging isang dayuhan at hindi ninyo pinatuloy; ako'y nawalan ng maisuot at hindi ninyo pinaramtan, ako'y may sakit at nasa bilangguan at hindi ninyo dinalaw.' 

At sasagot din sila, 'Panginoon, kailan po namin kayo nakitang nagutom, nauhaw, naging dayuhan, nawalan ng maisuot, may sakit o nasa bilangguan, at hindi namin kayo pinaglingkuran?' At sasabihin sa kanila ng Hari, 'Sinasabi ko sa inyo: nang pinagkaitan ninyo ng tulong ang pinakahamak sa mga ito, ako ang inyong pinagkaitan.' Itataboy ang mga ito sa kaparusahang walang hanggan, ngunit ang mga matuwid ay tatanggap ng buhay na walang hanggan."

Reflection for Wednesday November 1, Solemnity of All Saints: Matthew 5:1-12a

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

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Reflection:

What is the secret to have a full and meaningful life in this world? Is it to accumulate wealth and power? Is it to have a beautiful face and body? None of these actually, the secret is to be blessed by God or to have the blessing of God. 

But how are we going to attract the blessing of God? It’s by living a simple and humble life. A person who is preoccupied with chasing the offerings of this world and a person who is so full of himself will never be blessed and will never find true happiness which only God can give. 

By possessing wealth and power the worldly person will be deluded to believe that he/she is already blessed. But in the long run he/she will eventually realize how much emptiness wealth and power have brought into his/her life. 

Who is the ultimate giver of real blessing and happiness? It’s Jesus, He who always leads us to know God deeply. He who always lead us to have an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. And He who initially opens the doorway of faith for us. 

The eight beatitudes that Jesus gave to His disciples and to us also are a contradiction for those who are so enamored by this world. But truth be told, beneath the eight beatitudes lie true blessedness and happiness.

This we could easily discover and feel if we are humble and simple. Because God always shower His infinite blessings to those who are simple and humble. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for October 31, Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:18-21

Gospel: Luke 13:18-21

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches. 

Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

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Reflection:

Do you embrace the great virtue of Humility? 

Humility is a virtue that is disregarded by many of us. Why? Because humility for many of us is a display of our meekness, simplicity and littleness. On the other hand many love arrogance, bravado and egotism for this shows power and might. But come to think of it, many great personalities are revered for their humility. 

Think, for example, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Pope Francis, Nelson Mandela, and of course, Jesus, to name a few. From their humility sprouted greatness and reverence by millions of people. Their words are carefully listened to and serve as a reservoir of wisdom.

On the other side of the fence are arrogance, bravado and egotism. Many dictators and dictatorial presidents became paper tigers by instilling fear in the hearts of their people. They imposed dictatorial rule to manipulate and oppress. And there is no doubt that this is brought about by their arrogance, bravado and egotism. But where are they now? Are they revered? Are they remembered with fondness, respect and love? No! They are forgotten, despised and confined in the dustbin of history. 

Jesus mentions in the gospel the kingdom of God as a little mustard seed that eventually became big whereby birds took comfort in its shade. He also compared the kingdom of God to a little yeast that was mixed with three measures of wheat flour. After it was cooked it grew big and many ate from it. 

Put in your heart the seemingly insignificant virtue of Humility. Don’t bother if you will be belittled and be perceived as nobody. In God’s own perfect time you will be admired, revered and your wisdom will be sought by many. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for October 30, Monday of the ThirtiethWeek in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:10-17

Gospel: Luke 13:10-17

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” 

He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites! 

Does not each one of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?” When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.

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Reflection:

What made Jesus notice the woman crippled by a bad spirit considering that the woman did not even ask Jesus to heal her? Why did Jesus healed her on a Sabbath day when it was prohibited to do so?

The woman who never asked for healing from Jesus was in the synagogue to listen to Him. Yes, she did not seek any favor from Jesus, but her desire to listen to Him speaks volumes about her trust and faith in the Lord. Therefore, her trust and faith in Jesus were the channels for her to be noticed and healed.

How can we listen to Jesus in this modern time? We listen to Jesus by reading His very words in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We listen to Jesus when we have an audio file of the same gospels in our hi-tech and touch screen cell phones. How many of us have an audio file or even a video file of these gospels in our cell phones?  

In the process of listening to Jesus we are healed already even if we don’t ask Him to heal us. Jesus is a proactive God, He knows everything about us and He knows every sickness or illness that we have long before we ask Him to heal us.

We need not ask Him anymore for healing or for anything, for that matter, as long as we have this hunger and thirst to listen to Him. Because it’s in listening to Jesus that we are healed; it’s in listening to Him that we acquire the wisdom that only He could give us. It’s in listening to Him that we are strengthened and motivated to face our daily trials, no matter how difficult.

Do you still have time to listen to Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Oktubre 30, Lunes ng Ika-30 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 13:10-17

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:10-17

Noong panahong iyon, si Hesus ay nagtuturo sa isang sinagoga sa Araw ng Pamamahinga. May isang babae roon na labingwalong taon nang may karamdaman, gawa ng masamang espiritung nasa kanya. Siya’y hukot na hukot at hindi na makaunat. Nang makita ni Hesus ang babae, tinawag niya ito at sinabi, “Magaling ka na sa iyong karamdaman!” 

At ipinatong ni Hesus ang kanyang mga kamay sa babae; noon di’y nakaunat ito at nagpuri sa Diyos. Ngunit nagalit ang tagapamahala ng sinagoga sapagkat nagpagaling si Hesus sa Araw ng Pamamahinga. Kaya’t sinabi niya sa mga tao, “May anim na araw na inilaan upang ipagtrabaho. Pumarito kayo sa mga araw na iyan upang magpagaling, at huwag sa Araw ng Pamamahinga.” 

Sinagot siya ng Panginoon, “Mga mapagpaimbabaw! Hindi ba’t kinakalag ninyo sa sabsaban ang inyong baka o asno at dinadala sa painuman kahit Araw ng Pamamahinga? Ang babaing ito na mula sa lipi ni Abraham ay ginapos ni Satanas sa loob ng labingwalong taon. Hindi ba dapat na siya’y kalagan kahit na Araw ng Pamamahinga?” Napahiya ang lahat ng kalaban ni Hesus sa sagot niyang ito; at nagalak naman ang madla sa mga kahanga-hangang bagay na ginawa niya.

Reflection for Sunday October 29, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 22:34-40

Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.

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Reflection:

When can you say that you truly love God? It’s when you are able to translate your love for God to love for your neighbor.

The perfection of your love for God reaches its zenith when you unconditionally love your neighbor. Thus, you don't only love those who are lovable to your eyes; you also love even those who are not, even those who do nothing but hurt you.

Love that is based on the notion of reciprocal love is not anchored in the love of God. Why? Because the love of God is unconditional; it does not discriminate and loves everyone.

For example, if your spouse has been continuously hurting you and betraying your love, you will still continue to love him/her, but not based on romantic love anymore. You will continue to love him/her because you love God, and your love for your wayward spouse is no longer defined by any form of romance but rather by God’s unconditional love.

Do you really love God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Saturday October 28, Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles: Luke 6:12-16

Gospel: Luke 6:12-16

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

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Reflection:

What do you usually do before making an important decision in your life? Do you first pray over it and ask the guidance of the Lord? Or you just make important decisions without asking the blessings of the Lord?

Before deciding to choose the twelve apostles Jesus went up first to the mountain to pray. There, He spent the whole night in prayer to God. This is the attitude of Jesus, He withdraws to a solitary place to commune with God and He asks for God’s guidance and blessings.  With the blessing from God the apostles (except for Judas Iscariot) became His partner in advancing the faith.

Let us not make Jesus irrelevant in our lives by not praying to Him let us make time for Him. Let us not allow the many distractions of this world to get our attention from Jesus. For what is this world compared to Jesus? There is no comparison at all for this world is temporary, finite and time bound. While Jesus is everlasting, infinite and He is not confined by the limits of time.

In our secularist world today dominated by high tech gadgets, Facebook, Instagram,  twitter and a lot more social media sites Jesus still matters. For the reason that Jesus gives hope, Jesus gives love and Jesus gives salvation. Therefore, embrace Jesus more than you embrace this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for October 27, Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:54-59

Gospel: Luke 12:54-59

(Jesus said to the crowds) “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? 

“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you; you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who had a verbal tussle with his neighbor that eventually resulted in a physical combat. After both of them had been bloodied, they both hurled threats of a lawsuit. The neighbor who started the conflict had a sudden realization that he needed to apologize. So, he knocked on the gate of his neighbor, and when the gate was opened, he humbly apologized. His apology was immediately accepted.

Jesus, in our gospel, is advising us to exert effort to settle whatever conflict we have with anyone: neighbor, spouse, siblings, etc. Why? For the simple reason that it always pays to settle conflicts early. Otherwise, if we wouldn't settle it immediately, that conflict could morph into a much bigger and dangerous conflict.

Take, for example, a conflict between spouses that is left unsettled. Sooner or later, this conflict would result in something that is irreparable, leading to estrangement. Therefore, we have to immediately resolve any conflict we have with anyone by apologizing as soon as possible. Why? Because those who apologize are always rewarded with peace of mind. – Marino J. Dasmarinas