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Mabuting Balita l Nobyembre 15, 2022 – Martes

Ika – 33 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Ebanghelyo: Lucas 19:1-10

Pumasok si Hesus sa Jerico at dumaan sa siyudad. At may isang taong nagngangalang Zakeo. Pinuno siya ng mga kolektor ng buwis at napakayaman. Sinikap niyang makita kung sino si Hesus pero pandak siya at hindi niya magawa dahil sa dami ng mga tao. Kaya patakbo siyang umuna at umakyat sa isang punong-malaigos para makita si Hesus pagdaan doon. Pagdating ni Hesus sa lugar na iyon, tumingala siya at sinabi sa kanya: “Zakeo, bumaba ka agad. Sa bahay mo nga ako dapat tumigil ngayon.” Nagmamadali siyang bumaba at tuwang-tuwang tinanggap si Hesus. Inireklamo naman sa isa’t isa ng lahat ng nakakita rito: “Sa bahay ng isang lalaking makasalanan siya nakituloy.” 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.” At sinasabi sa kanya ni Hesus: “Dumating ngayon ang kaligtasan sa sambahayang ito dahil anak nga ni Abraham ang taong ito. At dumating ang Anak ng Tao para hanapin at iligtas ang nawawala.”

Pagninilay:

Ang pagtatagpo nila Hesus at Zakeo ay malayo sa kumbensyonal na sitwasyon. Maaaring umabot sa kaalaman ni Zakeo ang mga pangangaral ni Hesus, mga gawang kababalaghan, mga pagpapagaling sa maysakit, maging ang pagtanggap sa mga tulad niyang maniningil ng buwis na kung hindi kinamumuhia’y kinatatakutan ng mga tao. Ito ang nagbunsod sa kanya upang hangarin na makita si Hesus kahit man lamang sa malayuan, kahit sa maikling saglit lang, kahit alam niyang imposible ito sa dalawang kadahilanan: Una, na maari siyang ipagtabuyan ng mga taong sumusunod kay Hesus dahil kilala nga siyang hepe ng mga maniningil ng buwis, ka-lebel ng mga magnanakaw at traydor sa bayan. Pangalawa, dahil siya ay bansot, malamang na matabunan sya, matapak-tapakan o maitulak paatras. Ngunit hindi dito nagpatinag si Zakeo; sa katunayan, mas hinahangaan natin ang kanyang pagkatao na nagpamalas ng tatlong disposisyon: (1) Conviction. Buo ang kanyang loob at tiyak sa kanyang sarili na nais niyang makita si Hesus, sa kabila ng maaring sabihin o gawin sa kanya ng mga tao. (2) Action. Hindi ang kanyang kakapusan ang magpaparalisa sa kanya, kaya’t agad siyang kumilos upang isakatuparan ang kanyang hangarin, umakyat sa puno na naging daan ng kanilang ‘di karaniwang pagtatagpo. (3) Conversion.Dahil alam niyang natagpuan niya ang totoong kayamanan ng kanyang buhay, nagawa niyang talikuran ang mali at gawin ang tama. Si Zakeo ay larawan ng pagsisisi at pagpapanibago ng buhay alang-alang sa biyaya at pag-ibig ng Diyos na kanyang natagpuan.

- Br. Ariel Vidanes, AA | Augustinians of the Assumption

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Mabuting Balita l Nobyembre 14, 2022 – Lunes

Ika –33 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Nang malapit na si Hesus sa Jerico, may isang bulag doon na nakaupo sa tabi ng daan at nagpapalimos. Nang marinig niya ang maraming taong nagdaraan, itinanong niya kung bakit. At may nagsabi sa kanya: “Sina Hesus na taga-Nazaret ang dumaraan.” Kaya sumigaw siya: “Hesus, Anak ni David, maawa ka sa akin.” Pinagsabihan siya at pinatahimik ng mga nauuna pero lalo naman niyang nilakasan ang sigaw: “Anak ni David, maawa ka sa akin.” Kaya tumigil si Hesus at ipinadala ang bulag sa kanya at nang malapit na ay itinanong: “Anong gusto mong gawin ko sa iyo?” Sinabi nito: “Panginoon, makakita sana ako.” At sinabi ni Hesus: “Manumbalik ang paningin mo, iniligtas ka ng iyong pananalig.” Agad siyang nakakita at niluluwalhati ang Diyos na sumunod kay Hesus. At nagpuri sa Diyos ang lahat ng nakakita rito.

Pagninilay:

Humigit-kumulang 37 miracles ang ginawa ng ating Panginoong Hesus sa kanyang 33 taong nilagi dito sa mundo. Mababasa natin sa Chapter 4 ng Mabuting Balita ayon kay San Lucas: “At nang lumulubog na ang araw, ang lahat na may mga sakit ng sari-saring karamdaman ay dinala sa kanya; at ipinatong niya ang kaniyang mga kamay sa bawa't isa sa kanila, at sila'y pinagaling.” Ang paghihimala o pagpapagaling ay sumasalamin sa higit na kapangyarihan ni Hesus laban sa anumang nagpapahirap o umaalipin sa ating pagkatao—karamdaman, kasamaan, karahasan, at kahit na kamatayan. Sa Mabuting Balita, Nakita natin ang masidhing pananampalatayang ipinahayag ng isang bulag na mula sa bayan ng Jerico. Hindi siya natinag at pinanghinaan ng loob sa pagbuyo ng mga taong nasa paligid niya. Nang maramadamang dumarating na si Hesus mas lalo pa siyang nagsusumigaw: Hesus anak ni David, kaawaan mo ako! Isang aral lamang po ang nais kong bigyang diin: Kung totoong gusto natin gumaling sa ating karamdaman (pisikal man o spiritual) walang ibang paraan kundi ang dumulog at lumapit tayo kay Hesus! Totoong maraming balakid, but may we not lose our sight in Jesus. Nais kong tapusin ang aking pagbabahagi sa isang Antiphon na dinarasal namin tuwing evening prayer: Our eyes are fixed intently on the Lord waiting for his merciful help. Harinawa, wag tayong mawawaglit, kahit bulag na tayo dahil sa ating kayabanga’t kasalanan, gamitin natin ang ating bibig at mga paa upang lumapit at dumulog sa mahabaging Diyos na nagpapatawad at nagpapagaling ng lubos. Amen.

– Cl. Vinz Aurellano, SSP | Society of St. Paul

ST. BERTILLE l Known for her devotion to self denial

Feast day – November 5

Our saint for today was a woman who lived a penitential life throughout her earthly existence. She was born of a very illustrious family but early in life she shunned the vanities and pleasures of the world and preferred to love God and do penance for love of Him. Bertille was born in Soissons, northern France about the year 635. From infancy she preferred the love of God, avoided amusements and comforts, desired to renounce the world and spent most of her time in prayer. She, however, tried to hide her piety from her parents. When the right time came for her to join the nunnery, she talked to Nicholas Owen (later St. Owen), a lay Brother who helped her make her parents understand the desires she had in her heart. Through Brother Owen, Bertille’s parents were not able to oppose her plan. Instead, accompanied by Brother Owen, they brought Bertille to Jouarre, in a great monastery in Brie, which was founded by Ado, the elder brother of Owen, who with other noble men established that nunnery in their neighborhood.

The first abbess of that monastery was named Thelchildes (later a saint), a virgin of noble descent. She received Bertille with great joy and trained her up in the difficult but rewarding monastic life. Bertille desired to follow Christ, not only through the strict rules but in the path of humiliation and self-denial. She was perfectly submissive to all the nuns that she seemed to be everyone’s servant. She was always ready to do any task requested of her. She even volunteered in circumstances wherein she was not asked. She was a model of humility, obedience, regularity and devotion. Her work consisted in caring and entertaining strangers, the sick and needy in the neighborhood, and the children studying in the monastery. Although she was young she performed all her tasks with great charity, prudence and edification that she was chosen prioress to assist the abbess in her administration. In this capacity, she shone forth as a true model for the entire community of nuns.

When Bathildes (future saint) refounded the abbey of Chelles, she requested Telchildes, Bertille’s abbess, to furnish the new community with a group of experienced and virtuous nuns to direct the novices in following the rules of monastic perfection. Techildes knew at once whom to choose. Bertille was sent as head of this virtuous group and was appointed the first abbess of Chelles in 646. Due to her reputation of sanctity, prudence and perfect discipline in the house several foreign ladies from the nobility joined them: princesses and wealthy women. There was Hereswith, Queen of East-Angles, daughter of Heric, brother-in-law of Edwin, King of Northumberland and Queen Bathildes. Bertille, saw the two great queens every day as the most humble, obedient, fervent and charitable among them all. There was no competition whatsoever. Each one tried to be as virtuous and fervent as she could be. Bertille governed this monastery for forty-six years with vigor and discretion, always leading with good examples particularly in holiness. In her old age Bertille continued her uphill climb to sanctity. She redoubled her penances and devotions. The holy and penitential life of this holy woman ended when she died in 692.

piety, humility, innocence, penitence, charity, honesty, justice, and fortitude

Prayer: “Glorious St. Bertille, help us to be humble and aspire to be the least and not the greatest in our group.”

Reflection: Am I willing to serve and make sacrifices for others, or do I desire to be served?

You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp

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Mabuting Balita l Nobyembre 13, 2022 – Linggo

Ika – 33 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Ebanghelyo: Lucas 21:5-19

May ilang nag-uusap tungkol sa Templo, at sinasabi nila na may magagandang bato ito at mamahaling palamuti. Sinabi naman ni Hesus: “Darating ang mga araw na walang matitirang magkapatong na bato sa lahat ng inyong nakikita; iguguho ang lahat.” Nagtanong sila sa kanya: “Guro, kailan ito mangyayari at ano ang tanda na sumapit na ito?” Sumagot si Hesus: “Mag-ingat kayo at baka kayo madaya. Maraming aangkin sa aking pangalan na magsasabing ‘Ako ang Mesiyas; ako siya,’ at ‘Palapit na ang panahon.’ Huwag kayong sumunod sa kanila. Sa pagkabalita n’yo sa digmaan at mga kaguluhan, huwag kayong maligalig; mangyayari muna ito pero hindi pa ito ang wakas.” At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Magdidigmaan ang mga bayan at naglalaban-laban ang mga kaharian. Magkakaroon din ng malalakas na lindol sa maraming lugar, magkakaroon ng taggutom, magkakaroon ng mga kakila-kilabot na bagay at ng malalaki ring kababalaghan sa Langit.

Pagninilay:

Kapag pinag-uusapan ang “end of the world” marami sa atin ang natatakot. Ang iba iniiwasan ang ganitong paksa. Bakit ba tayo magbabalisa kung ang araw-araw na pagtawag sa atin bilang mga Kristiyano ay ating sinasabuhay? Ang katapusan ng mundo ay hindi katapusan ng pag-ibig ni Kristo. Siya ay mananatiling tapat at patuloy na magmahal. Maari tayong iwanan ng ating mahal sa buhay at kaibigan ngunit si Kristo, hindi tayo pababayaan. Mananatili siyang tapat sa kanyang pangako – ang iligtas tayo dahil sa kanyang lubos na pagmamahal. - Fr. Samy John Torrefranca, SSP | Society of St. Paul

ST. FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI l PATRON OF IMMIGRANTS AND OF HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS

Feast Day: NOVEMBER 13

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was an Italian, but she became a missionary to the United States, was a naturalized U.S. citizen and was the first U.S. citizen to be canonized a saint. She was conferred the rights and privileges of a U.S. citizen in 1909. Much later, the Church canonized the first U.S. born saint - St. Elizabeth Seton. Today, we will speak about St. Frances Cabrini who was born in Sant’Angelo, Lombardy, Italy on July 15, 1850. She was a bright student and studied at the school of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and graduated cum laude. She wanted to join this congregation of Sisters but her former teachers refused to accept her due to her fragile health.

She applied to teach in an orphanage and became its headmistress. Meeting other women, she invited them to form a community of religious to take care of orphans, prisoners and the poor. She wrote the rules and constitutions of the congregation and named it Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. When they took their vows in 1877, St. Frances added Xavierto her name in honor of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of missionary services. She became superior general of this religious group until her death. During the first five years of this religious order, besides taking care of the orphans, they opened free school and nursery, gave classes in needle work and embroidery and sold their products to earn a little money.

In 1887, Sr. Frances asked permission from the Pope to open a mission in China, but the Pope suggested that they go instead to the United States to help the Italian immigrants there who were in great difficulties. She prepared her group for the mission in the U.S. and with six others, she arrived in New York on March 31, 1889. They were housed temporarily by the Sisters of Charity. Immediately, they began their work, organized catechism and education classes for immigrants and asked permission from the Bishop to open an asylum for orphans and to open other orphanages. She founded small hospitals which served for many years and were recently closed by the government to establish bigger ones.

St. Frances died of complications from malaria on December 22, 1917. She was beautified on November 13, 1938 and was canonized on July 7, 1946. Her beatification miracle was the cure of the sight of a day-old baby, who later became a priest and was present at her beatification. Her canonization miracle was the healing of a terminally ill member of her congregation. Her feast day is celebrated on November 13, the anniversary of her beatification. In 1950, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was named by Pope Pius XII as the patron of immigrants and of hospital administrators. humility, piety, courage, fortitude and patience

You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp

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Mabuting Balita l Nobyembre 12, 2022 – Sabado

Ika – 32 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Ebanghelyo: Lucas 18:1-8

“Dapat laging manalangin at huwag masiraan ng loob”—ito ang sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad sa isang talinhaga. Sinabi niya: “Sa isang lunsod, may isang hukom na walang takot sa Diyos at walang pakialam sa mga tao. May isa ring biyuda sa lunsod na iyon na madalas pumunta sa kanya at sinasabi: ‘Igawad mo sa akin ang katarungan laban sa aking kalaban.’ Matagal siyang umayaw pero naisip niya pagkatapos: ‘Wala man akong takot sa Diyos at walang pakialam sa tao, igagawad ko pa rin ang katarungan sa biyudang ito na bumubuwisit sa akin at baka masiraan pa ako ng ulo sa pagpunta-punta niya.’” Kaya idinagdag ng Panginoon: “Pakinggan ninyo ang sinabi ng di matuwid na hukom. Hindi ba’t igagawad ng Diyos ang katarungan sa kanyang mga hinirang na araw-gabing tumatawag sa kanya? Pababayaan ba niya sila? Sinasabi ko sa inyo, agad niyang igagawad sa kanila ang katarungan. Ngunit pagdating ng Anak ng Tao, makakakita kaya siya ng pananampalataya sa lupa?”

Pagninilay:

May tanong po ako “Hindi ba nalilito ang Diyos, kapag sabay-sabay nagdadasal ang mga tao at paiba-iba yung kanilang kahilingan? Lahat ba tayo ay naririnig nya?” Ito ang pambungad na tanong ng isang bata sa kanyang lola, sa pelikulang Tanging Yaman. At ang sagot ng lola ay malalim: “Kahit ang hindi binibigkas ng ating bibig at ang mga lihim na dinadaing ng ating puso ay nadidinig ng Diyos.” Lahat tayo ay may dinadasal at dinudulog sa Panginoon araw-araw. May iba’t ibang kadahilanan, at may iba’t ibang pamamaraan. Malinaw sa ebanghelyo ang kasagutan ng Diyos. Na katulad ng byuda sa talinhaga, dapat ay huwag tayong tumigil manalangin at huwag tayong mawawalan ng pag-asa. Na ang pagpupursigi ang naging sagot ng kanyang mga ninanais. Sa madaling salita, nakulitan ang hukom sa walang tigil na pagsusumamo ng byuda. Malinaw na ang hukom ay masama. Hindi nya pinagbibigyan ang byuda dahil sa kabutihan, ngunit dahil sa pagpupumilit nito. Kung ang masamang hukom ay mapagbigay, paano pa kaya ang Diyos? Kung ang mga masasama at makasalanan ay kayang gumawa ng mabuti, paano pa kaya ang Diyos? Kilalang-kilala tayo ng Diyos, at alam nya ang ating mga kailangan bago pa natin hingin. Kung tayo lamang ay taos-pusong mananalangin, lahat ay may kasagutan. At kung mahal natin ang Diyos, maiintindihan natin ang kanyang sagot. Hinding hindi nya tayo iiwan, kahit tayo ay naliligaw. Kaya huwag nating naising mawalay sa Panginoon, sapagkat hinding-hindi nya tayo bibitawan kahit tayo pa ang pumilit na bumitaw. - John Ervin S. Valerio