Kumain ka pagkakain ko.' Pinasasalamatan ba ang alipin dahil sa ginawa niya ang iniutos sa kanya? Gayon din naman kayo; kapag nagawa na ninyo ang lahat ng iniuutos sa inyo, sabihin ninyo, 'Kami'y mga aliping walang kabuluhan; tumupad lamang kami sa aming tungkulin.'"
Short, Simple and Personal reflections on the daily Holy Mass Gospel. I provide talks.
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Sunday, November 12, 2023
Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 14, Martes ng Ika-32 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 17:7-10
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Reflection for November 13, Monday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 17:1-6
Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.”
And the Apostles said to the Lord,
“Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a
mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in
the sea,’ and it would obey you.
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Reflection:
Jesus has a lot of things to say to us in this gospel reading about Sin, Forgiveness and Faith.
First: We must always be careful not to be a conduit for our brothers and sisters to sin. And if we see somebody committing sin in whatever manner we must always have the courage to advice them to avoid sin. Sometimes we think twice if we would advice a sinner simply because we are afraid of the consequence of our actions. We should not allow these factors to deter us because it is our moral obligation to correct those who go astray.
Second: We must always forgive those who have done us wrong no matter how deep the wound that they have caused us. If God can forgive who are we not to forgive? Let us always remember that the more we keep deep-seated resentment and anger in our hearts the more that we allow them to hurt us. When we forgive we would feel that a big burden has been taken off our backs.
Third: No matter how hard the times are right now, we must continue to have faith for it is in having faith that we manifest how deep our love and hope for God. The apostles said to Jesus: "Increase our faith."
Isn’t this what we also want to have in our life an increase in our faith on Jesus? If this is so, we should not only ask, we should do something about it by thirsting for Jesus. In other words we have to walk our talk. If we will not work for it, our increase of faith will not drop like manna from heaven.
God smiles to those who exert effort to know Him and He surely showers His wisdom upon them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 13, Lunes ng Ika-32 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 17:1-6
“Kung magkasala ang kapatid mo, pagsabihan mo, at kung siya’y
magsisi, patawarin mo. Kung makapito siyang magkasala sa iyo sa maghapon, at
makapito ring lumapit sa iyo at magsabing, ‘Nagsisisi ako,’ patawarin
mo.”
Sinabi
ng mga apostol sa Panginoon, “Dagdagan po ninyo ang aming pananalig sa Diyos!”
Tumugon ang Panginoon, “Kung maging sinlaki man lamang ng butil ng mustasa ang
inyong pananalig sa Diyos, masasabi ninyo sa puno ng sikomorong ito, ‘Mabunot
ka, at matanim sa dagat!’ at tatalima ito sa inyo.”
Friday, November 10, 2023
Reflection for Sunday November 12, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 25:1-13
Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
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Reflection:
Are you always prepared for the arrival of the Lord?
In the gospel, there are two sets of virgins, each composed of five women who waited for the bridegroom. One set belongs to the five who were foolish, and the other set belongs to the wise ones.
We would always want to be identified with the five wise virgins who brought more than enough oil. The oil that they brought kept their lamps burning until the arrival of the bridegroom. By doing so, they gained entry to the wedding reception, which is the kingdom of heaven.
The other five were not as fortunate, for they were refused entry. They have nothing to blame but themselves; if only they were like the five wise virgins, they could have also been present at the wedding feast.
One of the realities of life is its fragility; it could end at any time. We don’t control our lives; it's God who knows when our call to the great beyond will be. This is the mystery of our existence; it’s temporary and uncertain.
Hence, while we are still alive, let us always be prepared by doing good, by confronting and avoiding sin, so that we will have no worries when our time comes.– Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 12 Linggo, Ika-32 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 25:1-13
Ang lima sa kanila'y hangal at ang lima'y matalino. Ang mga hangal ay nagdala ng ilawan ngunit hindi nagbaon ng langis. Subalit ang matatalino'y nagdala ng langis bukod pa sa kanilang ilawan. Nabalam ang dating ng lalaking ikakasal, kaya't inantok silang lahat at nakatulog.
"Ngunit nang hatinggabi na'y may sumigaw: 'Narito na ang lalaking ikakasal! Salubungin ninyo!' Agad nagbangon ang sampung dalaga at inayos ang kanilang ilawan. Sinabi ng mga hangal sa matatalino, 'Bigyan naman ninyo kami ng kaunting langis. Aandap-andap na ang aming mga ilawan, e!' 'Baka hindi magkasya ito sa ating lahat,' tugon ng matatalino.
Mabuti pa'y pumunta muna kayo sa nagtitinda at bumili ng para sa inyo.' Kaya't lumakad ang limang hangal na dalaga. Samantalang bumibili sila, dumating ang lalaking ikakasal. Ang limang nakahanda ay kasama niyang pumasok sa kasalan, at ipininid ang pinto.
"Pagkatapos, dumating naman ang limang hangal na dalaga. 'Panginoon, papasukin po ninyo kami!' sigaw nila. Ngunit tumugon siya, 'Sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi ko kayo nakikilala.' Kaya, magbantay kayo, sapagkat hindi ninyo alam ang araw ni ang oras."
Reflection for Saturday November 11, Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop: Luke 16:9-15
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all
these things and sneered at him. And he said to them, “You justify yourselves
in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem
is an abomination in the sight of God.”
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Reflection:
What is dishonest wealth and true wealth that Jesus speaks about in our gospel? Dishonest wealth is any material wealth that you presently possess true wealth is no other than Jesus Himself. Material wealth is dishonest wealth in the sense that it will not give you peace, serenity and contentment no matter how big.
Has anyone of us found peace and contentment with the money that we have? No, we have not found the serenity that we have been looking for. In fact, the more money, power and wealth we have the more that we have no peace of mind. This is the paradox of earthly wealth and power: it will not give us the peace of mind that we have been longing for. This is the reason why this is called dishonest wealth.
What is true wealth then? When you have Jesus in your life you already have this true wealth no matter if you are materially poor and no matter if you are sick. Because when you have Jesus in your life you lack nothing and you will not anymore desire for anything.
What is the worth of your life if you have
all the wealth and power in this world yet you don’t have Jesus? - Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Nobyembre 11, San Martin ng Tours, obispo (Paggunita): Lucas 16:9-15
Kung hindi kayo mapagkatiwalaan sa mga kayamanan ng
sanlibutang ito, sino ang magtitiwala sa inyo ng tunay na kayamanan? At kung
hindi kayo mapagkatiwalaan sa kayamanan ng iba, sino ang magbibigay sa inyo ng
talagang para sa inyo? "Walang makapaglilingkod nang sabay sa dalawang
panginoon. Sapagkat kapopootan niya ang isa at iibigin ang ikalawa,
paglilingkuran nang tapat ang isa at hahamakin ang ikalawa.
Hindi ninyo mapaglilingkuran nang sabay ang Diyos at ang kayamanan." Narinig ito ng mga Pariseo at nilibak nila si Jesus, sapagkat sakim sila sa salapi. Kaya't sinabi niya sa kanila, "Kayo ang nagpapanggap na mga matuwid sa harapan ng mga tao, ngunit nasasaliksik ng Diyos ang inyong mga puso. Sapagkat ang itinuturing na mahalaga ng mga tao ay kasuklam-suklam sa paningin ng Diyos."
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Reflection for Friday November 10, Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church: Luke 16:1-8
I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master? He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil. He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.
Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe? He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat. He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note write one for eighty. And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.”
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Reflection:
Why was the steward removed from his position as the fund manager of his master? Because he became complacent and negligent in his job. Otherwise if he did his job well he would have not been removed but he became complacent.
On the surface it may seem that the only issue here is the incompetence of the steward. But in a deeper sense there is a lesson that we could all learn from the steward. When he learned that he was to be removed fear suddenly set in on him. He was worried about his future for the reason that he would be without a job.
Therefore to ingrain a debt of gratitude from his debtors and to assure his survival he collected their debts with a discount. With the fervent hope that they would take care of him when he is finally dismissed from his job. On the first debtor he discounted fifthly and on the second he discounted twenty. Suddenly this complacent steward became very creative because what was at stake was his very survival.
We are also being reminded to be creative but not in assuring our survival in this world. For the simple reason that all that we have in this world are all temporary and passing. We are reminded to be creative in sharing our faith in Jesus most specially during this time wherein technology is very advance and available.
Let us therefore creatively harness the many social media platforms that are available at our disposal to continuously share Jesus. For this will assure us of survival not in this world anymore but our survival after our lives in this world is over. - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Nobyembre 10, Dakilang Papa San Leon, Pantas ng Simbahan (Paggunita): Lucas 16:1-8
Nawika ng katiwala sa sarili, 'Aalisin na ako ng aking panginoon sa pangangasiwa. Ano ang gagawin ko? Hindi ko kayang magbungkal ng lupa, nahihiya naman akong magpalimos. A, alam ko na ang aking gagawin! Maalis man ako sa pangangasiwa, may tatanggap din sa akin sa kanilang tahanan.'
Isa-isa niya ngayong tinawag ang mga may utang sa kanyang panginoon. Tinanong niya ang una. 'Gaano ang utang mo sa aking panginoon?' Sumagot ito, 'Sandaang tapayang langis po.' 'Heto ang kasulatan ng iyong pagkakautang. Dali! Maupo ka't gawin mong limampu.' sabi ng katiwala.
At tinanong naman niya ang isa, 'Ikaw gaano ang utang mo?'
Sumagot ito, 'Sandaang kabang trigo po.' 'Heto ang kasulatan ng iyong pagkakautang,' wika niya. 'Isulat mo, walumpo.' Pinuri ng panginoon ang magdarayang katiwala dahil sa katalinuhang ipinamalas nito. Sapagkat ang mga makasanlibutan ay mas mahusay gumawa ng paraan kaysa mga maka-Diyos."
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Reflection for Thursday November 9, Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome: John 2:13-22
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”
But he was speaking about the temple of
his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered
that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word
Jesus had spoken.
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Reflection:
Why is Jesus so angry? Because they have desecrated the holiest place of worship: the temple. They’ve turned it into a marketplace to say the least and they were not simply selling and dealing goods there.
There were other things that were evolving: greed, deceit and many more that made Jesus really mad. Jesus told them: “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace (John 2:16).” Don’t we hear Jesus speaking to us too? Telling us the same words born out of His anger from what He saw in the temple area or from what some of us do when we are at church.
How do we behave when we are at church most specifically when we are inside the church? The church is our sacred place of worship a place where we encounter God. Thus, we must observe proper discipline when we are inside or within its vicinity.
Do we still deep our finger into the Holy water font, make the sign of the cross and genuflect before entering the church? Do we still sit quietly and pray to Jesus while our eyes are fixed on the tabernacle?
Our church is our safe refuge when we are
troubled by our many worries. This is where we encounter and receive Jesus
during Holy Mass. Therefore we must observe proper discipline when we are in
this Sacred and Holy place of worship. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Nobyembre 9, Pagtatalaga sa Simbahan sa Laterano, Roma (Kapistahan): Juan 2:13-22
Isinabog niya ang salapi ng mga namamalit at pinagtataob ang
kanilang mga hapag. Sinabi niya sa mga nagbibili ng kalapati, “Alisin ninyo
rito ang mga iyan! Huwag ninyong gawing palengke ang bahay ng aking Ama!”
Naalala ng kanyang mga alagad na sinasabi sa Kasulatan, “Ang aking malasakit sa
iyong bahay ay parang apoy na nag-aalab sa puso ko.”
Dahil dito’y tinanong siya ng mga Judio, “Anong tanda ang
maibibigay mo upang patunayang may karapatan kang gawin ito?” Tumugon si Hesus,
“Gibain ninyo ang templong ito at muli kong itatayo sa loob ng tatlong araw.”
Sinabi ng mga Judio, “Apatnapu’t anim na taon na ginawa ang templong ito, at
itatayo mo sa loob lamang ng tatlong araw?”
Ngunit
ang templong tinutukoy ni Hesus ay ang kanyang katawan. Kaya’t nang siya’y
muling mabuhay, naalaala ng kanyang mga alagad na sinabi niya ito; at naniwala
sila sa Kasulatan at sa mga sinabi ni Hesus.
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Reflection for November 8, Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:25-33
Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’
Or what king marching into battle would
not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can
successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand
troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to
ask for peace terms. In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all
his possessions cannot be my disciple.”
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Reflection:
A dying man was given two choices by the angel of God. One choice was to be well again and live a worldly life and the other one was to die immediately and enter the pearly gates to be with Jesus. The dying man chose to die and be with Jesus, baffling as it may seem for many of us yet the dying man made the right choice.
What is the essence of life if it’s only lived for this world? What is the reason for living if it’s empty of Jesus’ presence? To choose to follow Jesus over this world is to discover the real meaning of life in this world. To fill your life with Jesus is to finally discover the real reason why you’re existing and breathing in this world.
The core of life is a life lived in union with Jesus. Surely, Jesus will forgive us if we contradict Him by immediately jumping into discipleship without careful thinking—Jesus is a God of love and forgiveness anyway.Because if we carefully think first we may be overwhelmed by the daunting task of discipleship. And we immediately back out without even trying and experiencing how it feels to be a follower or a disciple.
Whereas, if we immediately decide to follow Jesus we will right away have an experience about how to be His follower. If we find it hard or difficult let us never hesitate to call on Jesus. For He is always there for us, by our side walking with us as we wade through the many challenges of being His follower. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 8, Miyerkules ng Ika-31 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 14:25-33
Ang sinumang hindi magpasan ng sariling krus at sumunod sa akin ay hindi maaaring maging alagad ko. Kung ang isa sa inyo'y nagbabalak magtayo ng tore, hindi ba uupo muna siya at tatayahin ang magugugol para malaman kung may sapat siyang salaping maipagpapatapos niyon?
O sinong hari na makikipagdigma sa kapwa hari ang hindi muna uupo at pag-aaralang mabuti kung ang sampunlibo niyang kawal ay maisasagupa sa kalaban na may dalawampunlibong tauhan?
At kung hindi niya kaya, malayo pa ang kalaban ay magsusugo na siya ng kinatawan upang makipagkasundo. Gayun din naman, hindi maaaring maging alagad ko ang sinuman, kung hindi niya tatalikdan ang lahat sa kanyang buhay."
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Reflection for November 7, Tuesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:15-24
The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’
The servant went and reported this to his
master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out
quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and
the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders
have been carried out and still there is room.’ The master then ordered the
servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my
home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will
taste my dinner.’
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When we honor the Holy Mass with our presence we respond to the invitation of Jesus to be present at this Sacred and Holy celebration. We break bread with Jesus, we interact with Jesus and we open ourselves to the innumerable blessings that Jesus alone could bestow upon us.
But like in the gospel many of us would refuse to go to Holy Mass because we have our other preoccupations. We miss a lot when we decline to be present at Holy Mass foremost of this is we miss the great privilege to know Jesus deeply.
It’s sad to think that many Catholics leave the church for other Christian churches. Because as they would say: “They want to develop a personal relationship with Jesus through His written words in the bible.”
But if only they would take time to religiously be present at Holy Mass. Jesus Himself will give them the grace to know Him deeply. Jesus Himself would prod them to open their bible so that He could reveal more about Himself to them.
The deepening of our friendship with Jesus emanates from our presence at His dinner banquet which is none other than the Holy Mass. Let us therefore attend this sacred celebration and build a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Do you always honor this invitation of
Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas