“ANG PANGAKO NG KAPASKUHAN”

GREAT BLESSING

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Gospel Reading for October 03, 2026 – Luke 10: 17-24

GREAT BLESSING

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

”At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

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If we are given special gifts that make the devil subject to us, or the power to remain safe in the midst of extreme danger, it is not something to brag about. This is precisely because these gifts are given to us for the propagation of the Kingdom of God and for the continuing work of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Most of the apostles were simple fisherfolk. They were unlike the scribes and Pharisees. Yet, God revealed to them through Jesus truths that were given only to a few chosen ones. But the greatest blessing they ever received as disciples was discovering who Jesus was and having the opportunity to be with Him for three years.

Three years with the Son of God! Three years of hearing nothing but wisdom! Three years of living a life the way the Giver of Life intended it!

What a GREAT BLESSING indeed!

Lord Jesus, help us recognize the gifts You have given us that are meant to be placed in the service of God’s Kingdom, and subsequently offer them to the Church. Amen.

GREAT TRUST

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Gospel Reading for October 02, 2026 – Matthew 18: 1-5, 10

GREAT TRUST

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

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Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels.

There are several beliefs regarding guardian angels. There is a traditional belief that for each one of us, an angel is assigned to guide, guard, and protect us throughout our lives. There is also a belief that they collectively protect human lives upon God’s initiative and in His time. Whatever our belief may be, what is important is Jesus’ assurance that there are indeed angels who are meant to protect us from harm, especially from the evil one.

A child will always remind us of how simple life truly should be—free from cares and worries, and ever dependent on the adults in whose care they are. Although we may already be adults, if we have GREAT TRUST in God, then we, too, can be free from cares and worries and remain ever dependent on the grace of God.

Parents and guardians, however, have to take their responsibility seriously—to enhance the qualities that their children already have and to help them grow into responsible and caring individuals. A lot of children lose their childlike qualities even before they become adults because they belong to dysfunctional families. What is worse is the great risk that, because of this, they may become juvenile delinquents.

According to the United Nations, children have basic rights: the right to survival, the right to development, the right to protection, and the right to participation. These little ones have all the rights accorded by God to every living person. We have to treat them with the same respect that we give to adults.

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.