Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 18, Biyernes: San Lucas Ebanghelista: Lucas 10:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:1-9

1 Pagkatapos nito, 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.’

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for October 17, Thursday; Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr: Luke 11:47-54

Gospel: Luke 11:47-54

(Jesus said) “Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

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Reflection:

Why were the prophets killed? For example John the Baptist, why was he killed? Because he courageously spoke about the truth no matter who gets hurt! During that time John was enjoying a respectable status until he denounced the immorality of King Herod.

Therefore from respectability John was scorned, imprisoned and eventually beheaded. What a frightening end for a prophet of God but this is the role of the prophet: To speak about the truth no matter who gets hurt! Because in speaking about the truth we change lives, we correct errant behaviors. And we create awareness that evil deeds will not get away unnoticed.   

We too could become a prophet when we are not afraid to speak about the truth no matter who gets hurt. But there is a price to pay for our discipleship for Jesus and that is to face our respective trials.

It’s so tempting to always package Jesus as a God of miracles, abundance and prosperity. But this is not the totality of Jesus because Jesus also went through sacrifices and trials without which there would have been no triumph over the cross and there would have been no salvation.

 What would happen to a follower when he/she encounters trials if he/she only know Jesus as a God of prosperity?  He may not know how to deal with his trials and the worst case scenario is he/she may even blame Jesus for his/her trials.

We should therefore not forget to also present Jesus as someone who will bring us trials. This is for the reason that it is only through our trials that we get to have a deeper friendship with Him.  

Are you going through hardship and trials right now? It has a purpose, none other than for you to be aware of the abiding presence of Jesus in your life. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 17, Huwebes: San Ignacio de Antioquia, Obispo at martir: Lucas 11:47-52

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:47-52

Sinabi ni Jesus, 47 Sawimpalad kayong nagtatayo ng mga puntod sa mga prope­tang pinatay ng inyong mga ama. 48 Sa gayon ninyo inaamin at sinasang-ayunan ang mga ginawa ng inyong mga ama; iniligpit nila ang mga propeta, at maka­pagta­tayo na kayo ngayon.

• 49 (Sinabi rin ng Karunungan ng Diyos:) Nagsusugo ako sa kanila ng mga propeta at mga apostol ngunit uusigin nila at papatayin ang ilan sa ka­nila. 50 Ka­yat papapanagutin ang salin­lahing ito sa dugo ng lahat ng propeta, sa dugong na­buhos mula pa sa pagka­tatag ng mundo, 51 mula sa dugo ni Abel hanggang sa dugo ni Zacarias na nasawi sa pagitan ng altar at ng san­tuwaryo. Oo, sinasabi ko sa inyo, pa­pa­pa­nagutin ang salinlahing ito.

52 Sawimpalad kayong mga guro ng Batas na umagaw sa susi ng kaalaman. Hindi na kayo pumasok at hinadlangan pa ninyo ang mga ma­kapapasok.” 53 Pagkatapos ay umalis si Jesus at sinimulan naman ng mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo na mahigpit na maki­pagtalo sa kanya. Pinapagsa­lita nila siya tungkol sa maraming bagay 54 at pilit na sinisilo sa anumang sinasabi niya.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for October 16, Wednesday; Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:42-46

Gospel: Luke 11:42-46

(Jesus said) “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”

Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”

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Reflection:

Where does this anger of Jesus toward the Pharisees and the scholars of the law comes from? It originates from their hypocrisy! The Pharisees and the scholars of the law are only good on creating laws for their people to follow yet they don’t follow it themselves.

They make their self-created laws as an instrument to beguile and eventually enslave their people. Therefore, instead of introducing God to their people they eventually introduce themselves as Gods to their people.

Their style of leadership is leadership by deception and many of our Politicians has this kind of leadership. They pretend and project themselves to be leaders. But they have the stomach to corrupt the money that is for the poor, how could they do this to the masses that they are supposed to truthfully serve?    

Politicians are not alone in this kind of pharisaic mentality we too are often times guilty of this mentality. We tell others or even our children not to do this and that yet when nobody is watching anymore we are the main violators of the rules that we create.

The truth hurts but this is the truth we have to accept this. And hopefully make this as our springboard to live our lives according to the teachings of Jesus and not according to the false and self-serving teachings of the Pharisees and the scholars of the law. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 16, Miyerkules: Ika-28 na Linggo ng taon: Lucas 11:42-46

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:42-46

Sinabi ni Jesus, Sawimpalad kayong mga Pariseo! Nagba­bayad nga kayo ng ikapu ng yerbabuena at ng ruda at ng lahat ng gulay, at pinababayaan naman ninyo ang kataru­ngan at ang pag-ibig sa Diyos. Ito nga ang dapat gawin nang di kinaliligtaan ang mga iyon. 43 Sawimpalad kayong mga Pa­riseo! Gusto ninyong mabigyan ng pa­nguna­hing upuan sa mga sinagoga at mabati sa mga liwa­san. 44 Sawimpalad kayo, na parang mga naka­tagong libi­ngan, na inaapakan ng mga tao at di man lang nila namamalayan.”

45 Nagsalita ang isang guro ng Batas: “Guro, iniinsulto mo rin kami sa pagsa­sabi mo ng mga ito.” 46 At sinabi ni Jesus: “Sawimpalad din ka­yong mga guro ng Batas! Ipinapapasan ninyo sa mga tao ang mga napakabibigat na pasanin, ngunit ni isang daliri ay ayaw ninyong igalaw para tulungan sila.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

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

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:

Maria is very particular with external appearance she would always dress well. The exterior of her house was always refreshing to the eyes. Her neighbor was wondering how come she’s able to afford such luxuries considering that she had no job to speak of?

 One morning a rich woman was shouting in front of her house telling her to leave her husband alone otherwise she would be forced to bring her to court for having a relationship with a married man.

Many of us are very particular with what others will see from us. As much as possible we would always try to paint a good picture of ourselves. This is who many of us are, very much driven with the exterior, fleeting and those that do not last for a lifetime.

Jesus is not taken with this show of misleading exterior appearance. What counts for Jesus is  our inner selves and the things that we do especially when nobody sees us. For example, how do we react when we see the poor begging for alms? Do we do something to help them? Or we simply don’t care; anyway no one is looking at us, so might as well not mind the poor.

Jesus knows everything about us, we cannot keep anything from Him. He knows our hidden secrets, our double talk and the façade that we try so very hard to display so that we could create an impression of righteousness, wealth and extravagance. - Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 15, Martes: Santa Teresa de Jesus, dalaga at pantas ng iglesia: Lucas 11:37-41

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:37-41

37 Matapos magsalita si Jesus, inan­yaya­han siya ng isang Pariseo na kumain sa bahay nito. Pumasok siya at dumulog sa hapag. 38 At nagtaka ang Pariseo nang makitang hindi muna siya naghugas ng kamay bago kumain. 39 Ngu­nit sinabi sa kanya ng Panginoon: “Kayong mga Pariseo, ugali ninyong linisin ang labas ng mga baso’t pinggan pero nag-uumapaw naman sa kasa­kiman at kasamaan ang inyong loob! 40 Mga hangal! Di ba’t ang maygawa ng labas ang siya ring maygawa ng loob? 41 Pero naglilimos lamang kayo at sa akala ninyo’y malinis na ang lahat.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for October 14, Monday; Twenty-eight 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 wellbeing? 

Many listened to Jesus during His public ministry but many 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 technology 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 are like this?

Let us listen more to Jesus and let us listen to His call of repentance. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 14, Lunes: Ika-28 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 11:29-32

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:29-32

29 Nang dumadagsa na ang mga tao, nag­simulang magsalita si Jesus: “Masamang lahi ang lahing ito; humi­hi­ngi ito ng palatandaan pero walang ibang palatandaang ibibigay rito kundi ang palatandaan ni Jonas. 30 At kung paanong na­ging palatandaan si Jonas para sa mga taga-Ninive, gayundin naman ang Anak ng Tao para sa mga tao sa kasalukuyan. 31 Sa paghuhukom, ba­bangon ang Reyna ng Timog kasama ng mga lalaki ng la­hing ito at hahatulan sila. Sapagkat duma­ting siya mula sa kabilang dulo ng mundo para masak­sihan ang karunu­ngan ni Solomon at dito’y may mas dakila pa kay Solomon. 32 Sa paghuhukom, babangon ang mga lalaking taga-Ninive kasama ng salinla­hing ito at hahatulan nila ito dahil nagbalik-loob sila sa pangangaral ni Jonas; at dito’y may mas dakila pa kay Jonas.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Sunday October 13, Twenty-eight Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 17:11-19

Gospel: Luke 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

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Reflection:

A young man who was sent through college by a rich old man went to the old man’s house after he got his degree. He did it to express his gratitude towards his benefactor. When they met the old man said, “I have helped a lot of people but you are the only one who came back to express appreciation. Since, you have a grateful attitude I will give you one of my business take care of it for it’s yours already.”

Are you grateful to those who have helped you become who you are today? In our gospel we read about the gratefulness of the Samaritan leper who is healed by the Lord. They were actually ten but the nine did not show up to Jesus to express their gratefulness.

What happens to us when we are grateful? The blessings of God keep coming to us. When we are grateful the more that the giver is motivated to give more to us. Therefore, the stream of blessings continues.

How can we prove this? For example if we are the giver of the blessing. Would we not unceasingly give to those who express their appreciation? As opposed to those who do not know how to appreciate the things that we do for them?

Why was Jesus looking for the other nine whom He healed? Perhaps it was not anymore for Him to hear their words of gratitude. But in a deeper sense Jesus was looking for the nine so that He could have an up close and personal encounter with them. And in the process of their encounter He could subsequently bless them again and again and again.

Jesus is also always looking for you not anymore to hear words of gratitude from you. He looks for you so that He could continuously bless you. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo October 13, ika-28 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 17:11-19

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 17:11-19

11 Habang papunta si Jesus sa Jerusalem, dumaan siya sa hangganan ng Samaria sa Galilea. 12 At pagpasok niya sa isang nayon, may sampung lala­king may ketong ang luma­bas para salubungin siya. 13 Tumayo ang mga ito sa malayo at tumawag nang malakas: “Jesus, Guro, maawa ka sa amin.” 14 At sinabi naman sa kanila ni Jesus: “Uma­lis kayo at humarap sa mga pari.” At nang­yari na guma­ling sila habang nag­la­­lakad. 15 Isa sa kanila ang agad na nag­balik nang makita niyang guma­ling siya, at pasigaw niyang pinuri ang Diyos. 16 Nagpatirapa siya sa paanan ni Jesus, sa pag­papasa­lamat sa kanya. Isa siyang Samaritano.

17 Kaya sinabi ni Jesus: “Di ba’t sampu ang gumaling? Nasaan ang siyam? 18 Wala bang bumalik para magpuri sa Diyos kundi ang dayuhang ito?” 19 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Tumayo ka, iniligtas ka ng iyong pana­nampalataya.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for October 12, Saturday; Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

Are you taking care of your mother? Many of us today pamper our mother with material things. But when a mother is old and already a member of the senior citizen's club she is not anymore concerned with material things. She is more concerned with the love and care that she will receive from her children.

A mother will never say to her children to give her love and care rather than material things. Yet she will greatly appreciate it if she would be given love and care by her children love and care that she richly deserves. Let us not forget that our mothers carried us in their wombs for nine long months and we gained nourishment from them as well.

In the gospel, a woman who perhaps knows the Blessed Virgin Mary told Jesus: “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed (Luke 11:27).” She possibly said this to honor Mary for properly rearing Jesus.

Yet Jesus gave the more profound honor to His Mother Mary by saying: “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it (Luke 11:27).” For the Blessed Mother heard the word of God, she treasured it in her heart and followed it.

How is your relationship with your mother? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 12, Sabado: Ika-27 Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 11:27-28

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:27-28

27 Habang nagsasalita pa si Jesus, isang babae mula sa dami ng tao ang malakas na nagsabi sa kanya: “Mapa­lad ang nag­dala sa iyo sa kanyang sina­­­pupunan at nagpasuso sa iyo.” 28 Ngu­nit sumagot si Jesus: “Kaya talagang ma­pa­lad ang mga nakikinig sa salita ng Diyos at tumu­tupad nito.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

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

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:

Does Jesus deserve the accusation that He is a demon? Has he done any demonic actions to earn the accusation? No Jesus doesn’t deserve the accusation and He surely has not done any actions contrary to His mission. None at all!

The crowd’s accusation originates from the deceit and envy in their hearts. And who planted that deceit and envy? It’s Beelzebul the prince of demons himself! So it was actually the accusers who were in fact possessed by the demon.

We must be careful not to allow deceitful/envious and other negative emotions to takes root in our hearts for these are temptations that originate from the devil. We should instead fill our hearts and minds with thoughts that are Godly.  Of course we must choose to be with Jesus for this is always the correct choice.  If we are not for Jesus, then we are against Jesus there’s no middle ground.

Why should we choose to be in the company of the devil when it will not do any good to our lives? The devil will bring us nothing but problems and perdition.  Though he often times disguises his diabolical intentions and himself through the many attractive things of this world.  

We should therefore be discerning because the devil may already be enticing  us without us knowing it. How would we able to discern if the devil is already laying his enticement upon us? We have to be close to Jesus and should not walk away from Jesus. For this is the only way that we could discern the presence of the devil.  The same devil who always seeks to destroy us by trying his very best to snatch us away from the love of Jesus.

Let us therefore always align ourselves with Jesus. And let us never compromise with anything that is wrong and evil no matter how tempting it may appear. Why? Because it will only bring us unfathomable trouble. – Marino J. Dasmarinas