Reflection for Sunday November 3, Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 19:1-10

Gospel: Luke 19:1-10 

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

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Reflection:

A man ambitioned to become wealthy by hook or by crook because he thought that if he becomes wealthy he would eventually be happy and fulfilled. He did everything to achieve his ambition including dirtying his hands with dishonest wealth. He eventually became wealthy but he was still not happy neither fulfilled. Until he found Jesus and from thereupon he had peace and fulfillment.

Is Zacchaeus an ambitious man?

Yes, Zacchaeus is an ambitious man, he ambitioned to become wealthy no matter what it takes. And with the help of his job as a tax collector his ambition eventually became a reality. He did not mind dirtying his hands with corrupted money just to become rich.  

Considering that he was wealthy and almost had every worldly things that he could ask for, what moved Zacchaeus to seek Jesus? Perhaps, after enjoying all the trappings of dirty wealth and influence. Zacchaeus was still empty deep inside him, he was still yearning for that something that would fill his inner longing for peace and fulfillment.  

Many of us are like Zacchaeus, we chase wealth and power. We don’t even mind if we would be stepping on others toes just to achieve what we want.  This is for the reason that we think that we would become happy and satisfied once we are already wealthy.

 But the more that we become wealthy and powerful the more that we are not able to sleep. The more that we would not have peace of mind and this is principally caused by our greed for wealth and power.

On the external Zacchaeus is a picture of wealth and power. But deep inside he is crumbling primarily brought by his lack of peace of mind. Until he heard about Jesus and from thereupon he promised himself to look for Him no matter what it takes.

And when he heard that Jesus would be passing by his place, he chased him with all of his might. He did not mind if he would wade through a sea of humanity and he did not mind either if he would climb a sycamore tree to get Jesus’ attention. Why? Because he knew that it is only Jesus who can give him peace and fulfillment.

How about you who gives you peace and fulfillment? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Nobyembre 3, ika-31 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 19:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 19:1-10

1 Pumasok si Jesus sa Jerico at dumaan sa siyudad. 2 At may isang taong nagnga­ngalang Zakeo. Pinu­no siya ng mga kolektor ng buwis at napaka­yaman. 3 Sinikap niyang ma­kita kung sino si Jesus pero pandak siya at hindi niya magawa dahil sa dami ng mga tao. 4 Kaya patakbo siyang umuna at umakyat sa isang punong-ma­laigos para makita si Jesus pagdaan doon. 5 Pagdating ni Jesus sa lugar na iyon, tumingala siya at sinabi sa kanya: “Zakeo, bumaba ka agad. Sa bahay mo nga ako dapat tumigil ngayon.”

6 Nagmamadali siyang bumaba at tuwang-tuwang tinanggap si Jesus. 7 Inireklamo naman sa isa’t isa ng lahat ng nakakita rito: “Sa bahay ng isang lala­king makasalanan siya nakituloy.” 8 Ngu­nit tumayo si Zakeo at sinabi sa Panginoon: “Pa­nginoon, ibibigay ko sa mga dukha ang kalahati ng aking mga ari-arian; at kung may nadaya ako, apat na beses ko siyang babayaran.” 9 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Dumating ngayon ang kaligtasan sa sambaha­­yang ito dahil anak nga ni Abraham ang taong ito. 10 At dumating ang Anak ng Tao para hanapin at iligtas ang nawa­wala.” 

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for November 2, Saturday; Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls): John 14:1-6

Gospel: John 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

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Reflection:

There were two octogenarians who were near death one was a believer the other was not. The non-believer was deeply troubled on what would happen to his soul when he dies. The believer was very calm and was not afraid to die.

Today is All Souls Day, we remember our departed loved ones. Our attention is understandably more highlighted for them today. But is it only for them today? How about us who are still in this journey called life? Can’t we also reflect about our own mortality? That someday we will be the ones who will be visited, remembered and prayed for? What legacy are we etching in this world? Would it be worth remembering by our loved ones and friends someday?

There are those who dread the mere mention of death as if it’s a plague that needs to be avoided. But no matter how hard we avoid death using our wealth, power and even our faith. We cannot escape it because it’s a certain fact of life and it’s the rite of passage to the next life.

In the gospel Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places (John 14:1-2).” Therefore, Jesus is assuring us that we already have a place reserved for us there someday.

But we are still here in this world and the big question is can we be there someday to be with our Lord? Nobody knows about it except the Lord what we have to do is to simply follow His teachings.

We do it not to buy our way to His Father’s house; we follow His teachings because that’s what the Lord wants us to do. Then, when our time comes we simply submit our fate to Him.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

When I'm Gone: A Poem for All Souls Day

When I'm Gone
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 November 1, Friday; 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 are these beatitudes all about? The beatitudes are guidelines for living that Jesus gave to His disciples. The beatitudes deal also with humility and utter dependence upon the goodness of God. Do you live humility and do you always depend on the goodness of God?  

   

As we remember the saints today, we are being invited to take a closer look at their lives for they lived it with humility and dependence on the Lord. They did what they had to do but at the end of the day they humbly submitted everything to the will of God.

The saints did not do it their way, they went through the way of God thus they embraced the beatitudes. For example, why is the poor in spirit blessed? They are blessed because they know that their knowledge about God is something that they should not be proud of. They acknowledge their nothingness before God thus God continuously fills them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 1, Biyernes: Lahat ng mga Banal (Dakilang Kapistahan): Mateo 5:1-12a

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:1-12a

1 Nang makita ni Jesus ang makapal na tao, umahon siya sa bundok. Naupo siya roon at lumapit sa kanya ang kanyang mga alagad.

2 At nag­simula siyang magturo sa kanila:

3 “Mapapalad ang mga may diwa ng dukha sapagkat sa kanila ang Kaha­rian ng Langit.

4 Mapapalad ang mga nagluluksa sapagkat pagiginhawahin sila.

5 Mapapalad ang mga di-marahas sa­pagkat mapapasakanila ang lupain.

6 Mapapalad ang mga nagugutom at nauuhaw sa katarungan sapagkat bubu­sugin sila.

7 Mapapalad ang mga maawain sapagkat kaaawaan sila.

8 Mapapalad ang mga may busilak na puso sapagkat makikita nila ang Diyos.

9 Mapapalad ang mga nagpupun­yagi para sa kapayapaan sapagkat tatawagin silang mga anak ng Diyos.

10 Mapapalad ang mga pinag-uusig dahil sa katarungan sapagkat kanila ang Kaharian ng Langit.

11 Mapapalad kayo kung iniinsulto kayo at pinag-uusig at sinisiraang-puri dahil sa akin. 12 Magsaya kayo at maga­lak sa­pagkat malaki ang gantim­palang nasa Diyos para sa inyo.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for October 31, Thursday; Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:31-35

Gospel: Luke 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

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Reflection:

Would you be willing to die for your faith? Perhaps you will say yes with an exclamation point! But when the actual time comes that you will be killed for defending  your faith you might renounce your faith to save your life. Many of our saints died for our faith they could have renounced it to save themselves but they chose to be faithful until the very end.

When Jesus was told by the Pharisees to go away because King Herod wants to kill Him. Jesus did not budge a bit He courageously stared the challenge in the eye and faced it notwithstanding the threat to His life.

Do we recognize that to be a follower of Jesus is no joke? This is for the reason that like Jesus, the prophets before Him and the saints we are also called to stand up for what is right. To face anyone and courageously stare them eyeball to eyeball so that we could advance the teachings of Jesus.

To be a follower in name only is easy but to be a committed follower until the very last gasp of our breath is never easy. For it will require us to get out of our own comfort zones or to even sacrifice our very own lives so as to preserve and advance the teachings of Jesus.   

What kind of follower are you? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 31, Huwebes: Ika-30 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 13:31-35

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:31-35

31 Nang sandaling iyo’y dumating ang ilang Pariseo at binalaan siya: “Umalis ka rito at pumunta sa ibang lugar. Gusto kang ipapa­tay ni Herodes.” 32 Sinabi naman ni Jesus: “Puntahan ninyo ang musang na ’yon at sabihin sa kanya: ‘Ngayon at bukas ay nagpapalayas ako ng mga demonyo at nag­pa­pagaling at nasa ikatlong araw ang katapusan ko.’ 33 Subalit dapat akong maglakad nga­yon, bukas at sa susunod na araw sa­pagkat hindi bagay na mamatay sa labas ng Jerusalem ang isang propeta.

34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Pinapatay mo ang mga propeta at binabato ang mga sinugo sa iyo. Gaano kadalas kong ginustong tipu­nin ang iyong mga anak gaya ng pagyupyop ng inahin sa kanyang mga sisiw pero tumanggi ka nga. 35 Ngayon, iiwanan ang inyong Bahay. Sinasabi ko nga sa inyo na hindi na ninyo ako maki­kita hanggang di su­ma­sapit ang panahon na sabihin ninyo: Ma­palad ang duma­rating sa nga­lan ng Pa­ngi­noon.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for October 30, Wednesday; Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:22-30

Gospel: Luke 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from. And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

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Reflection:

A lady who was very obedient to her catholic faith was asking herself this question: “What should I do to be in heaven someday”? She herself answered her question by saying, I need to be at the Eucharistic celebration every Sunday, I need to pray the rosary everyday and I need to humbly submit myself to the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year.

She did all of these acts of piety for she believed that this would be her passage to heaven. When she died she was confident of having a hassle free passage towards the door of heaven. However when she was about to enter an angel prevented her from passing through the door. Therefore her acts of piety were not enough to enter heaven. What is the secret ingredient that is lacking in her recipe to enter heaven?

In the gospel for this Sunday someone asked Jesus, "Lord will only a few people be saved?" Jesus said strive to enter the narrow gate, for many I tell you will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough (Luke 13:23-24).

Our acts of piety and worship for God are good for it will lead us to know more about God and it will surely deepen our relationship with Him. But we still need to take that extra step to complete the recipe to enter the narrow gate that leads to heaven.

  

We need to put flesh to our acts of piety. In other words we need to translate our worship for God to living acts of mercy, love, compassion, humility and the like.

What is the use of going to Holy Mass every Sunday if we don’t allow it to transform us? What is the use of reading the bible if we don’t live the teachings of Jesus in the bible? What is the use of praying the Holy Rosary if we don’t live the humility of the Blessed Mother? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 30, Miyerkules: Ika-30 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 13:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:22-30

22 Dumaan si Jesus sa mga lunsod at mga nayon, na nagangaral habang papunta siya sa Jerusalem. 23 May nagtanong sa kanya: “Panginoon, kakaunti nga ba ang maliligtas?” At sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao: 24 “Mag­pumilit ka­yong pumasok sa makipot na pintuan sapagkat sinasabi ko sa inyo: marami ang gustong pumasok at di maka­pa­pasok. 25 Kapag tumindig na ang may-ari ng bahay at naisara na ang pinto, tatayo kayo sa labas na kumakatok at magsasabing ‘Pangi­noon, buksan mo kami.’ Sasagot naman siya sa inyo: ‘Hindi ko alam kung taga­saan kayo.’

26 Kaya sasabihin ninyo: ‘Kami ang kumain at uminom na kasalo mo, at sa aming mga lansangan ka nangaral.’ 27 Pero sasagutin niya kayo: ‘Hindi ko alam kung tagasaan kayo. Lumayo sa akin, kayong mga gumagawa ng ma­sama.’  28 Naroon ang iyakan at pag­­-nga­ngalit ng mga ngipin pagkakita ninyo kina Abraham, Isaac, Jacob at sa lahat ng pro­peta sa kaharian ng Diyos, at ipagtatabuyan naman kayo sa labas. 29 At maki­kisalo naman sa Kaharian ng Diyos ang mga darating mula sa sila­ngan, kanluran, timog at hilaga. 30 Oo, may mga huli ngayon na mauuna at may mga una na mahu­huli.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for October 29, Tuesday; Thirtieth 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:

Can you suppress the growth of the kingdom of God in your life? Yes, you can suppress it that’s why many do not grow in faith. But as far as Jesus is concerned He surely wants you to allow the kingdom of God to grow and blossom within you so that through you others would benefit from it.

How wonderful it is if we only take time to share whatever knowledge that we have about Jesus. If we do so we surely can make a big impact in our fellowmen lives. By sharing Jesus we can give hope to the hopeless and we can give life to the lifeless in spirit.  

Through our baptism God plants the seed of our faith. As we grow up we start to have an awareness of our spiritual identity. Some of us nurture this spiritual identity by continuously thirsting for Jesus, so it would grow. Others would simply ignore this tiny seed of faith that Jesus had planted; this is the reason why some of us do not grow in faith.

If you will not nurture this seed of faith, how would it grow and how would others know through you that there’s a God who saves, a God who forgives a God who loves them so dearly?  - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 29, Martes: Ika-30 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 13:18-21

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:18-21

18 Sinabi pa ni Jesus: “Ano ang katulad ng kaharian ng Diyos? Sa ano ito maiku­kumpara? 19 Tulad ito sa buto ng mustasa na kinuha ng isang tao at itinanim sa kanyang hardin: lumaki, naging parang puno at sumi­silong sa kanyang mga sanga ang mga ibon ng langit.”

20 At sinabi niya uli: “Sa ano ko iku­kumpara ang kaharian ng Diyos? 21 Ka­tulad ito ng lebadura na kinuha ng isang babae at ibinaon sa tatlong takal ng harina hanggang umalsa ang buong masa.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for October 28, Monday; 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:

Do you have the habit of prayer?

Before making the crucial decision to appoint the twelve apostles Jesus prayed first for guidance from God. Perhaps Jesus also asked the guidance of the Holy Spirit, this is how it should always be for us also. Whenever we will make a crucial decision or any decision in our life we must pray first and ask guidance from God.

After praying Jesus went on to choose the twelve apostles. They were ordinary people like us, some were fishermen who became fishers of men and they were sinners like us. What does this gospel tells us? It tells us that everyone of us can be a partner of Jesus in His mission of evangelization.  

We are now in the era of social media thus evangelization is not anymore limited to face to face evangelization. We can evangelize using the cyberspace:  write about Jesus, post on your facebook anything about Jesus and your Christian faith. 

 We all can now be a cyber missionary. The avenues for effective evangelization in cyberspace is unlimited. Let us therefore take advantage of the technology that is available in the palms of our hands.

Be not afraid to respond to this call of Jesus. Because He will empower you, He will guide you and He will be there for you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 28, Lunes: San Simon at San Judas Tadeo, mga apostol (Kapistahan): Lucas 6:12-16

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:12-16

12 Nang panahong iyon, umakyat si Jesus sa bundok para manalangin at mag­palipas ng magdamag sa pagdarasal sa Diyos. 13 Nang nag-umaga na, tinawag niya ang kanyang mga alagad at pumili siya ng labindalawa sa kanila na tinawag niyang apostol: 14 si Simon na pinanga­lanan niyang Pedro, si An­dres na kapatid nito; si Jaime, si Juan, si Felipe, si Bartolome, 15 si Mateo, si To­mas, si Jaimeng anak ni Alfeo, si Simon na tinataguriang Zelota, 16 si Judas na kamag-anak ni Jaime, at si Judas Iska­riote na naging tagapagka­nulo.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.