Reflection for October 15, Friday Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church: Luke 12:1-7

Gospel: Luke 12:1-7
At that time so many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees.

“There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear.

Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”
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Reflection:
Does God know everything about us?

Yes, God knows everything about us; including those sins that we think are known only to ourselves He knows too! What is the proof that God knows about it? The proof is our conscience which bothers us whenever we sin. These sins would continue to bother us until we ask forgiveness or we make amends to the person whom we have hurt.

God is an all-knowing and all-pervading God. We therefore have to shape up and walk away from sin while we still have the luxury of time. We also have to do away with the sinful thoughts that we keep in our minds.

It would be much better if we always align all our thoughts and actions with God. So that when our time to leave this world comes we would be ready. Thus, from here we go straight to the eternal dwelling of God.

However, we are weak human beings we often times sin but we can overcome this weakness if ask the Lord to help us overcome it and if we would strongly resolve to overcome it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 15 Biyernes Santa Teresa de Jesus, dalaga at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita) Lucas 12:1-7

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 12:1-7

1 Nang magkatipon ang libu-libong tao hanggang magkatapakan na sila, sinimulang sabihin ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Mag-ingat muna kayo sa lebadura ng mga Pariseo, na walang iba kundi ang pag¬ku¬kunwari.

2 Walang tinatakpan na di mabu¬bun¬yag, walang natatago na di malalaman. 3 Kaya naman, ang sinabi ninyo sa dilim, sa liwanag maririnig; at ang ibi¬nulong ninyo sa mga kuwarto, sa bubungan ipahahayag.

4 Sinasabi ko naman ito sa inyo na mga kaibigan ko: huwag ninyong kata¬kutan ang mga nakapapatay sa katawan at wala nang magagawa pa. 5 Ituturo ko sa inyo kung sino ang dapat ninyong katakutan: matakot kayo sa may kapangyarihang pumatay at may ka¬pangyarihan pang mag¬bulid sa impiyerno.

Oo, sinasabi ko sa inyo, ito ang kata¬kutan ninyo. 6 Di ba’t ipinag¬bibili nang dala¬wang pera ang limang maya? Subalit isa man sa kanila’y di nalilimutan ng Diyos. 7 Bilang na pati ang lahat ng buhok sa inyong ulo. Huwag ka¬yong matakot; mas maha¬laga pa kayo kaysa maraming maya. 

Reflection for October 14, Thursday of the Twenty-eight Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:47-54

Gospel: Luke 11:47-54

The Lord 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 Pharisees and scribes angry with Jesus? It was for the reason that Jesus was telling the truth about their hypocrisy and double speak.  The truth hurts but Jesus doesn’t mince words He tells it as He sees it.  So Jesus tells it directly to them without fear because He wants them to open their minds about their pretentions and double standard. 

When somebody corrects us and tells negative things about us; let us accept it as a constructive criticism and let us look at it on a positive way.  Where we can learn and further improve, if we close our minds to criticism it’s like saying that we don’t want to improve. And those who do not want to improve and those who refuse correction would never become better individuals.   

Let us remember that nobody is perfect except God. We all have our own flaws and shortcomings and these are natural for we are imperfect humans. We all are subject to our own frailties and weakness.  What is important is we accept corrections and we make it as our reference point for us to become better and useful citizens of this fleeting world.   

Let us therefore always be humble let us be open to advice, let us always be open to corrections and let us make these as a springboard for us to become better citizens of this world and eventually beyond this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 14 Huwebes sa Ika-28 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 11:47-54

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:47-54

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 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.

  

Reflection for October 13, Wednesday of the Twenty-eight Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:42-46

Gospel: Luke 11:42-46

The Lord 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:

Do you live what you say? For example you will say to your children that they should live simply yet your lifestyle is not simple because you want expensive things. How will your children follow and believe what you say? 

Jesus is angry with the Pharisees because many of them were full of pretension their external actions were very much different from their internal thought. They command the people to do this and that yet they themselves were not willing to do it. 

What Jesus wants for the Pharisees then and for us now is to lead by example; let us mean what we say and live what we say. This is where we are often lacking, yes we go to church and yes we worship God. But do we translate these to living acts of faith? 

Let us not be like the Pharisees and the scholars of the law who are very good only in giving orders. Let us be like Jesus who put into action every word and phrase that He said.

 Jesus lived every word that He preached, for example Jesus preached simplicity of lifestyle, He therefore lived this simple lifestyle. Jesus preached about forgiveness, mercy and love and He lived His preaching of forgiveness, mercy and love as well.

Do you live a simple lifestyle and are you forgiving, merciful and loving? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 13 Miyerkules sa 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.

Reflection for October 12, Tuesday of the Twenty-eight Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:37-41

Gospel: Luke 11:37-41

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

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

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Reflection:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you quick to judge? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 12 Martes sa Ika-28 na Linggo ng Taon: 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.

Reflection for October 11, Monday of the 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:

Do you ask for signs before you decide about an important decision? For example, if you’re a woman, would you ask for a sign if the man courting you is the right one for you? And based on that sign you now would decide to say yes or no to that man? 

Jesus is much bigger than the signs that we ask for from God. If we have Him in our hearts we need not ask anymore for signs. But do we allow Jesus to have a special place in our hearts? Jesus has a simple request for all of us for Him to dwell in our hearts. The simple request is our repentance from all of our sins. This is His simple request for all of us, so that He could dwell in our hearts. 

During the time of Jonah, the people of Nineveh listened to Jonah’s call of repentance. Otherwise there would be destruction upon them. So they listened, they’ve put on sackcloth to show God that they are sorry for the many sins that they’ve committed and they are ready to walk away from it. 

Why do we continue to embrace sin when it will not do us any good? Why do we continue to embrace sin when we know for a fact that sin is evil and it eventually will destroy us? We continue to sin because the devil gives us generous incentives to commit it. But there is always a time of reckoning and we will be destroyed eventually because we decided to embrace the devil. 

If we will love this world more than we love God we certainly will continue to sin. However, God is always there for us no matter how sinful we are, ever ready to embrace us with His infinite love, mercy and forgiveness. 

Prayer:

We are sinful creatures of this world O Lord and we are tired of sinning for it has not brought anything good into our lives. We seek your forgiveness O Lord and we seek your love, this we pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 11 Lunes sa 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.

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

Gospel: Mark 10-17-30

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

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

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

Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God."Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who went to a foreign country to work for a company that was offering him a high paying job. The man was already living a comfortable life with his mother and siblings but he wanted to accquire more material wealth.  

So, he went abroad amid the protestation of his mother. While he was abroad he lived a promiscuous life which resulted in him getting sick of Covid-19. This is a sad story brought about by the man’s greed for material possessions.  

In this Sunday’s gospel there is a man who asked Jesus this question, “Good teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus enumerated what he must do and the man said, "All of these I have observed from my youth." But Jesus told him, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." With that statement his face fell, and he walked away sad, for he had many possessions.  

Eternal life was already within reach for the man in the gospel. And the man in our story was already living a comfortable life. But they both let go of it because they were so enslaved by their greed for material possessions.     

Many of us are also enslaved by our greed for material possessions such as money and the like. We greedily want more of it even if we can live with a little of it. We are very much willing to have it even if we barter our souls to the devil. We may not know it but our greed for material wealth is the foundation of our many troubles in this world. 

For example many siblings and relatives are not in speaking terms because they cannot agree on how to divide their inherited wealth. Many parents are problematic with their grown up children for the reason that they spoiled them with material wealth but they famished them with parental love and guidance. 

It is never too late to let go of our greed for material possession in favor of harmony, peace of mind and love in the family. It is never too late to share our wealth with the poor to have eternal life with God. And it’s never too late to follow God in exchange for all that we have in this world.     

When we are already at the doorway of death our material possessions will not be a factor for our salvation. What will become a factor is the response that we gave God when He invited us to follow HIM in exchange for everything that we have in this world. 

The gospel invites us to think deeply on how we are presently living  our lives in this world: Are we living our lives for this world or we live it for the glory of God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Octobre 10 Ika-28 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:17-30

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:17-30

Noong panahong iyon, habang paalis na si Jesus ay may isang lalaking patakbong lumapit, lumuhod sa harapan niya at nagtanong, "Mabuting Guro, ano po ang dapat kong gawin upang magkamit ng buhay na walang hanggan?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Bakit mo ako tinatawag na mabuti? Walang mabuti kundi ang Diyos. Alam mo ang mga utos: 'Huwag kang papatay; huwag kang mangangalunya; huwag kang magnanakaw; huwag kang magsisinungaling sa iyong pagsaksi; huwag kang magdadaya; igalang mo ang iyong ama't ina.' " "Guro," sabi ng lalaki, ang lahat po ng iya'y tinutupad ko na mula pa sa aking pagkabata." Magiliw siyang tinitigan ni Jesus, at sinabi sa kanya, "Isang bagay pa ang kulang sa iyo. Humayo ka, ipagbili mo ang iyong ari-arian at ibigay sa mga dukha ang pinagbilhan, at magkakaroon ka ng kayamanan sa langit. Pagkatapos, bumalik ka at sumunod sa akin." Namanglaw ang lalaki nang marinig ito, at malungkot na umalis, sapagkat siya'y napakayaman.  

Tiningnan ni Jesus ang mga nasa paligid niya at sinabi sa kanyang mga alagad, "Napakahirap mapabilang ang mayayaman sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos." Nagtaka ang mga alagad sa pananalitang ito. Muling sinabi ni Jesus, "Mga anak, talagang napakahirap mapabilang sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos! Madali pang makaraan ang kamelyo sa butas ng karayom kaysa pasakop sa paghahari ng Diyos ang isang mayaman." Lalong nagtaka ang mga alagad, kaya't sila'y nagtanungan, "Kung gayo'y sino ang maliligtas?" Tinitigan sila ni Jesus at sinabi sa kanila, "Hindi ito magagawa ng tao, ngunit hindi ito mahirap sa Diyos. Magagawa ng Diyos ang lahat ng bagay."

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

Reflection for October 9, Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:27-28

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:

How can we hear the healing voice of God? But does God speak to us in the first place? Yes of course God speaks to us when we pray. God speaks to us when we read the scriptures. God speaks to us also through the poor, hungry and spiritually deprived person.  

What would you do after hearing God speak to you? You should act, you must learn to translate your conversation with God though your concrete acts of faith.  

Many of us sometimes forget to have a daily interaction with Jesus. Sad to say but we often spend more time browsing the internet, tinkering our smart phones or in front of our high definition television rather than listen to God. This is the reality; we lack time for God that’s why we have so many worries.  

But the moment we learn to hear and listen more to God. We would begin to have a more peaceful life. Yes from time to time there would still be problems but we would be able to pull through it. Why? For the reason that we now have that deeper friendship with God. Facilitated by our frequent interaction with Him.  

If we can make time for our many earthly undertakings, why can’t we create time for God? We gain more wisdom when we create time for God. And when we translate our interactions with God to actual acts of faith.  

Have time to listen to God and you will begin to become deaf to the worries of this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Oktubre 9 Sabado sa Ika-27 na 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.”