Reflection for September 25, Saturday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:43b-45

Gospel: Luke 9:43b-45

While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

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Reflection:

Why were the disciples afraid to ask Jesus to elaborate His meaningful statement that He is going to be handed over to men? Did they sense that something dangerous is going to happen to Jesus soon? Were they afraid to hear something that would deal with suffering and the cross? Or the disciples were simply used to the image of Jesus as a powerful miracle worker and healer?   

Is it only for His miracles and healings that we follow Jesus? Perhaps yes, many of us are only after Jesus the miracle worker and Jesus the healer. But if we are only after His miracles and healings then this is not true discipleship.  

True discipleship happens to us when we are also ready to suffer for Jesus and when we are also ready to carry our own cross for Jesus. We cannot separate Jesus from suffering because He himself brutally suffered. Thus we cannot also separate ourselves from suffering/s if we truly follow Jesus.  

Nevertheless, let us not be afraid to suffer for our discipleship for Jesus because our suffering for Jesus will not be in vain. There is always something glorious after suffering and carrying our own cross for Jesus. We may not know it immediately but there surely will be glory after we endure our cross and sufferings. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Setyembre 25 Sabado sa Ika-25 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 9:43b-45

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:43b-45

Nang lubos na nagtataka ang lahat dahil sa mga ginagawa ni Jesus, sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 

44 “Itanim ninyong mabuti sa inyong pandinig ang mga kataga kong ito: ibibigay ang Anak ng Tao sa kamay ng mga tao.” 45 Hindi nila naintindihan ang pahayag na ito at nalingid ito sa kanila upang hindi nila maunawaan. At takot naman silang magtanong sa kanya tungkol sa pahayag na ito.

Reflection for September 24, Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:18-22

Gospel: Luke 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.  

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

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Reflection:

Do you live the teachings of Jesus? 

When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” they were unsure, some said that He was John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen. Then He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”  

If Jesus would ask us, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” I don’t know if we would be able to answer at all. Because unlike the disciples who walked and lived with Jesus and who shared and preached the word of God. We may not have preached and shared what we know about the  yet.  

What if He will also say to us, “But who do you say that I am?” Would we be able to reply like Peter who said with conviction, “The Christ of God.”  

These are two simple questions from Jesus that invites us to examine if we have a personal relationship with Him. If we don’t have it yet let us do our part by having that thirst and hunger for the Lord. And surely the Holy Spirit will do its part to bring us closer to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Setyembre 24 Biyernes sa Ika-25 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 9:18-22

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:18-22

18 Minsan, mag-isang nagdarasal si Jesus at naroon din ang mga alagad. Tinanong niya sila: “Sino raw ako ayon sa sabi ng mga tao?” 19 Sumagot sila: “Si Juan Bautista raw; may iba namang nagsa­sabing ikaw si Elias at may iba pang nagsasabi na isang propeta noong una ang nabuhay.”  

20 At sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Ano naman ang sinasabi ninyo kung sino ako?” Sumagot si Pedro: “Ang Mesiyas ng Diyos.” 21 At inutusan sila ni Jesus na huwag sabihin ito kaninuman.  22 Sinabi nga ni Jesus: “Kaila­ngang magtiis ng marami ang Anak ng Tao. Itatakwil nga siya ng mga Matatanda ng bayan, ng mga punong-pari at ng mga guro ng Batas. Papatayin siya at muling babangon sa ikatlong araw.”

Reflection for September 23, Thursday of the Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest: Luke 9:7-9

Gospel: Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a lady who was always being bothered by her conscience every time she sees a baby.  For it always reminds her of her baby which she aborted. She had no closure with the mortal sin that she did.  

Perhaps the same scenario was occurring in the mind of Herod. He was deeply disturbed by the news about Jesus. And it came to a point that he thought that John whom he ordered killed has been raised from the dead.  

Why is Herod curious about the true identity of Jesus and why have that burning desire to see Jesus? This is for the reason that Herod wants to see if John whom he ordered killed had risen.  

We too should have that curiosity about Jesus not because we want to know if He is John. We have to be curious about Jesus for the reason that we want to have a deeper intimacy with Him. And this desire to know more about the Lord should lead us to a deeper faith and love for the Lord.  

To whom does Jesus always manifest Himself to us during this covid-19 pandemic? He manifest through the poor, the deprived, the hungry and the oppressed. If we want to know Jesus deeply we must exert every possible effort to help and love them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Setyembre 23 San Pio de Pietrecina, pari (Paggunita): Lucas 9:7-9

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:7-9

7 Nabalitaan naman ng tetrarkang si Herodes ang lahat ng pangyaya­ring ito at litung-lito siya dahil may nagsasa­bing nabuhay mula sa mga patay si Juan.  

8 Si­nabi naman ng iba na nagpa­kita si Elias, at ng iba pa na isa sa mga propeta noon ang buma­ngon. 9 At sinabi ni Herodes: “Pina­pugutan ko si Juan; sino nga kaya itong nababalitaan kong gumagawa ng mga iyon?” Kaya sini­kap niyang makita si Jesus. 

Reflection for September 22, Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:1-6

Gospel: Luke 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. 

Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

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Reflection:

How do you live in this world? Do you live with your trust and confidence in Jesus or you are living with your trust and confidence on yourself and in this world?  

When Jesus sent the twelve apostles to their mission of evangelization He told them this: “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic (Luke 9:3). What does this very important statement of Jesus imply to the apostles? Jesus in essence was telling the apostles, rely on no one but me for I will provide for all of your needs!  

Did they rely on Jesus? Yes of course except for Judas Iscariot who betrayed Him. The eleven of them relied on Jesus that’s why they were very successful in their mission of evangelization. Majority of them even gave their lives for their mission, faaithfulness and reliance to Jesus.  

This is a good point of reflection for all of us as we continue our journey in this fleeting world. To whom do we rest our lives in this world? Do we rest it on Jesus or we rest it on this world and ourselves? We are in the era of covid-19 in which it tells us about how fragile life is. That we can go out of this world anytime what if we die without a personal friendship with the Lord because of our busyness with the affairs of this world?  

Many of us continue to work so hard to accumulate temporal things. There are even some of us or many of us who even work during Sundays so that we could have what we want. So, we sacrifice our worship for God at Holy Mass in exchange for our accumulation of worldly things. 

Reliance on material things of this world will bring us nothing but emptiness. Even if we accumulate all of the material things of this world we would still not be happy we would still have this very deep feeling of void and emptiness. 

What if we rely on Jesus and we have a personal friendship with the Lord? Then, we are already complete and we are the happiest and most contented person in this world even if we have no material riches.  For the simple reason that Jesus is more than enough than any of the material thing/s of this world.     

We cannot bring to the next life the worldly things that we rely on this world. But if we rely on Jesus and if we rest our lives in Him this would assure us of eternal life in heaven with the Lord someday.  

To whom do you rely? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 22 Miyerkules sa Ika-25 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 9:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:1-6

1 Tinawag ni Jesus ang Labindalawa at binigyan sila ng lakas at kapangyarihan para supilin ang lahat ng demonyo at magpagaling ng mga sakit. 2 Sinugo niya sila para ipa­hayag ang kaharian ng Diyos at mag­bigay-lunas.  

3 Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Huwag ka­yong magdala ng anuman sa inyong paglakad, ni tungkod, ni supot, ni ti­na­pay, ni salapi; huwag kayong mag­ka­roon ng tigalwang bihisan. 4 Sa alin­mang bahay kayo naki­tuloy, doon kayo tumigil hanggang sa pag-alis ninyo. 5 Kung may hindi tatang­gap sa inyo, umalis kayo sa bayang iyon at ipagpag ang alikabok sa inyong mga paa bilang sakdal laban sa kanila.”  

6 Kaya nga lumabas sila at dumaan sa lahat ng bayan na nangangaral at nagpapagaling saanman.

Reflection for September 21, Tuesday Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist: Matthew 9:9-13

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.  

The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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Reflection:

Does Jesus have a soft spot for sinners? Yes Jesus has a soft spot for all of us sinners. For example in our gospel HE called a tax collector and a sinful man named Matthew. After calling Matthew Jesus went to Matthew’s house to dine with tax collectors and sinners.  

All of us are sinners and Jesus is continuously calling upon us to leave for good our sinful lives and follow HIM. The gravity of our sins are not anymore important for Jesus what is important for HIM is we respond to HIS call same as how Matthew in our gospel responded.  

Perhaps you may ask, why is Jesus calling me to follow HIM? Among many other reasons Jesus wants you to be freed from the bondage of sin; HE wants us to be enlightened by HIS grace. And Jesus wants to save you from hell where Satan holds court. These are the reasons why Jesus is calling you to follow HIM.  

Your life will never be the same again once you accept this call of Jesus. There will be healing in your family; you will now become averse to commit any form of sin and you will be freed from its bondage.  

Would you respond to the Lord’s call? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes San Mateo, apostol at ebanghelista (Kapistahan): Mateo 9:9-13

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:9-13

9 Sa paglalakad ni Jesus, nakita niya ang isang lalaking nagngangalang Mateo na nakaupo sa singilan ng buwis at sinabi niya rito: “Sumunod ka sa akin.” At tumayo si Mateo at sinundan siya. 10 At habang nasa hapag si Jesus sa bahay ni Mateo, maraming taga­singil ng buwis at iba pang makasa­la­nan ang lumapit at nakisalo kay Jesus at sa kanyang mga alagad. 11 Nang makita ito ng mga Pariseo, tinanong nila ang kanyang mga alagad: “Bakit kumakaing kasama ng mga makasa­lanan at maniningil ng buwis ang inyong guro?”  

12 Nang marinig ito ni Jesus, sinabi niya: “Hindi ang malulusog ang nanga­ngailangan ng doktor kundi ang mga maysakit! 13 Sige, matutuhan sana ninyo ang kahulugan ng ‘Awa ang gusto ko, hindi handog.’  Hindi ako pumarito para tawagin ang mabubuti kundi ang mga ma­kasalanan.”

Reflection for September 20, Monday Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs (M): Luke 8:16-18

Gospel: Luke 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.  

For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a long dormant lighthouse that was revived and brightly lighted by the community around it.  The voyagers and fishermen were very happy to see its light once again. For it gave them direction and it made their life easier at sea.  

By virtue of our faith and what we know about Jesus we also have the potential to become a bright lighthouse. That gives direction, inspiration and hope to our fellowmen. This could happen provided we have the courage to live and share Jesus through our words and actions.  

But how many of us have become the living light of Jesus to our fellowmen? How many of us have dared to live and share the teachings of Jesus? If we don’t dare live and share Jesus we simply become an unlighted lighthouse. A lighthouse that is overcome by darkness it doesn’t give hope, inspiration and direction.  

Let us never forget to remember that we can always become a lighted lamp that is placed on a lampstand that Jesus mentions in the gospel. In that way we can bless others by sharing and living our faith. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes San Andres Kim Taegon, Pari at Martir, San Pablo Chong Hasang, at mga kasama, mga Martir (Paggunita): Lucas 8:16-18

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 8:16-18

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao, “Walang taong nagsisindi ng ilaw at pagkatapos ay tatakluban ng banga o ilalagay kaya sa ilalim ng higaan. Sa halip, inilalagay ito sa talagang patungan upang makita ng mga pumapasok ang liwanag. Walang natatago na di malalantad, at walang lihim na di malalaman at mabubunyag.  

Kaya pagbutihin ninyo ang inyong pakikinig; sapagkat ang mayroon ay bibigyan pa, ngunit ang wala ay aalisan pati ng inaakala niya nasa kanya.”

Reflection for Sunday September 19, Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:30-37

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. 

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” 

Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who heard an announcement in their parish church about its need for those who would be interested to volunteer as an extra-ordinary minister of the Holy Communion. Thus, he volunteered and he went through the formation process.  

However, he had this thought in his mind that this church ministry is an opportunity for him to be popular in their community. He was already imagining that his being popular would result to him entering politics.   

In the gospel, while journeying through Galilee Jesus heard His disciples arguing, so Jesus’ asked them when they were in a house in Capernaum. “What were you arguing about on the way?” (Mark 9:33) They were not able to answer because they were arguing who is the greatest among them. 

Who is the greatest in the eyes of the Lord? The greatest for Jesus is the one who is willing and ready to serve and not to be served. The greatest is the one who is willing and ready to humble himself amidst the temptation to boast and be arrogant. The greatest are those who silently do their vocation for the Lord without expecting anything in return. 

Many of us love to project power.  We feel that we are above all because we occupy an exalted position in our work, church or community. However, this is without importance in the eyes of the Lord what is important for Jesus is our childlike humility and our willingness to follow Him without expecting anything in return. 

Are you ready to humbly follow the Lord with expecting anything in return? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Linggo September 19 Ika-25 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9:30-37

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:30-37

30 Noong panahong iyon si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad ay nagsimulang dumaan sa Galilea. Gusto niya na walang sinumang makaalam 31 sapagkat tinuturuan niya ang kanyang mga alagad. At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ibibigay ang Anak ng Tao sa kamay ng mga tao. Papatayin nila siya ngunit pagka¬patay nila sa kanya, babangon siya sa ikatlong araw.” Kaya lubha silang nalungkot. 32 Hindi nila ito naintindihan at hindi rin sila nangahas magtanong sa kanya. 33 Pagdating nila sa Capernaum, nang nasa bahay na siya, tinanong niya sila: “Ano ang pinag-uusapan ninyo sa daan?” 34 At hindi sila umimik; pinagtatalunan nga nila sa daan kung sino ang mas una.  

 35 Kaya naupo siya at pagkatawag sa Labindalawa ay sinabi sa kanila: “Kung may gustong mauna, maging huli siya sa lahat at lingkod ng lahat.” 36 At pagkakuha niya sa isang maliit na bata, pinatayo ito sa gitna nila at inakbayan at saka sinabi sa kanila: 37 “Ang sinumang tumanggap sa isa sa mga batang ito nang dahil sa aking pangalan ay tumatanggap sa akin. At ang tumatanggap sa akin ay hindi ako ang tinatanggap kundi ang nagsugo sa akin.” 

Repleksyon:

May isang kuwento tungkol sa isang lalaki na nakarinig ng anunsyo sa kanilang simbahan. Na  nangangailagan ng mga volunteer na maging Layko ministro ng banal na kumunyon. Kaya siya ay tumugon at sumailalim sa processo ng paghuhubog.  

Pero sabi nya sa isip nya na itong pagsali nya sa ministring ito ng simbahan ay isang magandang pagkakataon para sa kanya na maging popular at kilala. At sabi pa niya ito ay gagawin nyang tungtungan para pasukin ang politika sa kanilang lugar.  

Sa ating pong mabuting balita, habang si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad ay dumaraan sa Galilea ay narinig ni Jesus na sila ay may pinagtatalunan. Kaya ng sila ay nasa isang bahay na sa Capernaum sila ay tinanong ni Jesus kung ano ang kanilang pinagtatalunan habang sila ay dumadaan sa Galilea. (Marcos 9:33) Pero walang nakasagot ni isa man sa kanila dahil ang kanilang pinagtatalunan ay kung sino ang una o dakila sa kanila.  

Sino nga po ba ang una o dakila sa pananaw ng Panginoon? Ang dakila para kay Jesus ay yung handang mag silbi. Ang dakila para kay Jesus ay yung mapagpakumbaba yung hindi mayabang at hindi arrogante. Ang dakila at una para kay Jesus ay yung tahimik na gumagawa ng kanyang bokasyon para sa Diyos na walang hinahangad na anumang kapalit.  

Marami po sa atin ang gusto ng kapangyarihan o katanyagan. At ang pakiramdam natin ay dakila na tayo at una na sa lahat. Pero ito po ay balewala para sa Panginoon dahil mas mahalaga para kay Jesus na tayo ay magkaroon ng kababaan ng loob na tulad ng isang bata. Mas mahalaga para kay Jesus na tayo ay palaging handang sumunod sa kanya na walang anumang hinihingi na kapalit. 

Handa ka bang sumunod kay Jesus ng may pagpapakumbaba at walang hinahangad na anumang kapalit?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas