Reflection for Sunday August 1, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 6:24-35

Gospel: John 6:24-35

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal. So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.  

So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat. So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”  

So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:   

Why do you seek the Lord?  

After the crowd was fed by Jesus in the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves (John 6:9-13) Jesus and His disciples went to Capernaum. After a day the crowd was hungry again and what happened in the multiplication of the loaves was still vivid in their minds. So they looked for Jesus hoping that He will feed them again and they found Him in Capernaum.  

They said: “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you (John 6:25-27).  

It was very clear that the crowd was looking for Jesus because He feed them. They did not look for Him because they wanted to follow Him and be one of His disciples. The action of the crowd invites us also to look at ourselves and reflect on our desire to be with Him. Do we go to Jesus because of His miracles? Or do we go to Jesus because we love Him and we want to be His partner in His mission of evangelization? Often times we go to Jesus because we need something from Him and that’s OK but the ideal desire is we go to Jesus out of our love for Him.  

In the latter part of the gospel Jesus told the crowd: “My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Here, Jesus was already talking about himself to the crowd for they were still not aware of His true identity.  

Sad to say that some of us are not fully aware of the Divinity of Jesus. Some are not fully aware of what transpires during the liturgy of the Eucharist especially in the Consecration. Some are not fully aware that they receive Jesus during Communion that they don’t even care to observe Eucharistic fasting.  

Talking from experience, I noticed that during communion there are those who receive Jesus as if they are receiving ordinary bread. If only they know that what they’re about to received is the Bread of Life which is Jesus Himself!  

There is a great need for us to go to Jesus: not because we desire His miracles. We go to the Lord because of our love for Him and out of our desire to be His partner in His mission of evangelization. Let us not worry for the Lord will sustain us in this noble mission.  

Would you respond? Of course you will respond notwithstanding the distraction of the Covid-19 pandemic. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Agosto 1 Ika – 18 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Juan 6:24-35

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:24-35

Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ng mga tao na wala na roon si Jesus, ni ang kanyang mga alagad, sila'y sumakay sa mga bangka at pumunta rin sa Capernaum upang hanapin si Jesus.  

Nakita nila si Jesus sa ibayo ng lawa, at kanilang tinanong, "Rabi, kailan pa kayo rito?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Sinasabi ko sa inyo: hinahanap ninyo ako, hindi dahil sa mga kababalaghang nakita ninyo, kundi dahil sa nakakain kayo ng tinapay at nabusog. Gumawa kayo, hindi upang magkaroon ng pagkaing nasisira, kundi upang magkaroon ng pagkaing hindi nasisira at nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan.  

Ibibigay ito sa inyo ng Anak ng Tao, sapagkat siya ang binigyan ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos Ama." Kaya't siya'y tinanong nila, "Ano po ang dapat naming gawin upang aming maganap ang kalooban ng Diyos?" Ito ang ipinagagawa sa inyo ng Diyos: manalig kayo sa sinugo niya," tugon ni Jesus.  

Ano pong kababalaghan ang maipakikita ninyo upang manalig kami sa inyo? Ano po ang gagawin ninyo?" tanong nila. Ang aming mga magulang ay kumain ng manna sa ilang, ayon sa nasusulat, 'Sila'y binigyan niya ng pagkaing mula sa langit,' " dugtong pa nila. Sumagot si Jesus, "Dapat ninyong malamang hindi si Moises ang nagbigay sa sa inyo ng pagkaing mula sa langit, kundi ang aking Ama. 

Siya ang nagbibigay sa inyo ng tunay na pagkaing mula sa langit. Sapagkat ang pagkaing bigay ng Diyos ay yaong mula sa langit at nagbibigay-buhay sa sanlibutan." "Ginoo," wika nila, "bigyan po ninyo kaming lagi ng pagkaing iyon." "Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay," sabi ni Jesus. "Ang lumalapit sa akin ay hindi na magugutom, at ang nananalig sa akin ay hindi na mauuhaw kailanman." 

Reflection for July 31 Saturday Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest (M): Matthew 14:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him. Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him “It is not lawful for you to have her.  

Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.  

Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist. The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Who is King Herod?  

King Herod is a tyrant, a leader who will never think twice to suppress anyone who dares cross his path. He will not only suppress, Herod could even order the killing of anyone he wants so that he could remain in power.  

Respect for human rights is not part of the vocabulary of Herod, abuse of human rights and dignity are. This is the reason why John the Baptist was imprisoned John did nothing wrong he simply said what was to be truthfully said yet John suffered for it.  

Many leaders are like King Herod, they would bully themselves by the use of strong words and autocratic power to achieve what they want. We should be very careful and watchful of these kinds of leaders for they will not do us any good. They will only use and manipulate us and bring us to perdition.  

Many Herods are roaming around in this world today we therefore have to be watchful so that we can immediately distance ourselves from them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 30 Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:54-58

Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son' Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas' Are not his sisters all with us' Where did this man get all this?"  

And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you sometimes allow unbelief and envy to to rule over you? For example, you saw a post of your friend on facebook about his rich and expensive lifestyle. Are you once in a while taken over by envy because of that fb post?    

Unbelief and envy ruled the feelings of Jesus’ town mates towards Him because they were familiar with Him. To them He was just a carpenter’s son; they know Him so well that they were full of skepticism about His miraculous actions and moving teachings.  

But looking deeper into their motives we can also see that they were envious of the adulation that Jesus gets from the people. This is the reality of life there really are people who are envious of the success of their fellowmen. It happened to Jesus and it’s still happening right now.  

Envy and scorn are unhealthy emotions that muddle one’s mind and heart and it prevents a person from achieving a positive outlook in his own life. 

Jesus knew of their envy, scorn and lack of faith that’s why He did not perform much miracle in His native place. If only they were not envious and scornful of Jesus, if only they were not lacking in faith they could have witnessed and even received many miracles from the Lord.  

We must always have faith in Jesus and we must discard any envious feelings toward anyone from our hearts. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for July 29 Thursday Saint Martha (M): John 11:19-27

Gospel: John 11:19-27

Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died]. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 

But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.”  Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. 

Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a young man who was living his life without a clear direction It was all boozing for him. His mother told the young man, “If you will not change you will depart this world early.” The young man said to his mother, “help me live a new life mama.” His mother told him:  “Be with me as I go to Holy Mass daily.” The man did so and slowly but surely he lived a renewed life.    

When Lazarus died both Martha and Mary were forlorn as if their world had ended with the death of their brother Lazarus. Until Jesus came to pay them a visit and from there on the sister’s hopeless life suddenly had hope and life once again.  

This is for the reason that Jesus went to visit them, that visit culminated with the raising of their brother Lazarus. Do you feel that you are without hope for the reason of the many problems that you’ve been going through?  

There is hope and you can find it in Jesus, in the midst of this problem filled world. Jesus is offering you not only hope but a new lease on life.  Believe, have hope and faith in Him and you’ll have a new life with the Lord. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 28 Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:44-46

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  

Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What are you willing to give up so that you’ll find God? 

A lady in her late 20’ was working in a high paying job in a bank. Her parents thought that she was already settled in her job until she’ll have a family of her own and eventually retire.  

They suddenly had the shock of their lives when she told them that she would resign from her job and enter a convent to be a nun. After a few months she resigned and entered the convent. Years passed by until she became a full pledge member of a congregation of nuns. Amidst the secular life that she was in, the lady left everything to follow Jesus in her vocation.  

In the gospel, Jesus gave the disciples two parables about the kingdom of heaven. The first one was the parable of the treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. The second one was the parable of the merchant who was searching for fine pearls. When he found the pearl of great price, he sold everything that he has and buys it.”  

In both instances the individuals involved left everything they have and sought  the kingdom of heaven. It was an easy decision for them to make because they saw the hidden splendor of God’s kingdom.  

The trappings of this material world often times present itself as the doorway to our happiness. We chase it even at the cost of our honor and dignity and after we catch up with it we find out that happiness does not reside there. We end up still looking for that elusive happiness and contentment in life. The big mistake of most of us is that we equate our happiness and contentment with the material things of this world.  

True happiness, contentment and peace of mind can only be found in God. For He is our hidden treasure; He is our pearl of exceptional quality. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for July 27 Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:36-43

Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom.  

The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.  

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How are you living your life today? Are you living it in accord with what Jesus wants you to live it? 

 Many of us live life as if there is no tomorrow, we live life to enjoy whatever this world could offer us, including sin. But life lived for this world alone is not the real life; there is something more profound than the life that we enjoy in this fleeting world.    

The profound life is a life lived in the company of Jesus. But how could we discover the movement of Jesus in our lives? There are so many ways to discern this movement of Jesus in our lives.  

For example, we will discover that Jesus wants to have a deep friendship with us through a relative or a good friend. Through a written commentary that we just read out of nowhere and this written commentary made us think about how we are living our lives today.  

The good friend and the written commentary that we’ve read are part of the many seeds that Jesus sows in our hearts. And Jesus expects nothing less from us than to listen to Him so that He could guide us as we journey in this fleeting world.  

At the end of the gospel Jesus speaks about harvest time or judgment day. When would this be? This will be at the end of our lives, when we die to be more specific. We will be judged according to what we’ve done in this world. If we listened to Jesus we will have a place in His kingdom. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 27 Martes sa ika-17 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:36-43

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:36-43

36 At pinaalis ni Jesus ang mga tao at saka pumasok sa bahay. Lumapit noon sa kanya ang kanyang mga alagad at nagtanong: “Ipaliwanag mo sa amin ang talinhaga ng mga trigo sa bukid.” 37 Su­magot si Jesus: “Ang nagtanim ng ma­buting buto ay ang Anak ng Tao.  

38 Ang bukid naman, ang daigdig; ang mabuting buto, ang mga tao ng Kaha­rian; at ang masasamang damo, ang mga tauhan ng demonyo. 39 Ang kaaway na naghasik sa kanila ay ang demonyo; ang pag-aani ay ang kata­pusan ng mundo, at ang mga mang­gagawa ay ang mga anghel.  

40 Kung paanong tinitipon ang masa­samang damo at sinusunog sa apoy, ga­nito rin ang mangyayari sa katapusan ng mundo. 41 Ipadadala ng Anak ng Tao ang kanyang mga anghel at titipunin nila sa kanyang kaharian ang mga eskandalo at ang mga guma­gawa ng masama.  

42 At itatapon ang mga ito sa nagliliyab na pugon kung saan may iyakan at pagnga­ngalit ng ngipin. 43 At pagkatapos nito, magni­ningning ang mga makatarungan tulad ng araw sa Kaharian ng kanilang Ama. Makinig ang may tainga!

Reflection for July 26 Monday Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (M): Matthew 13:31-35

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds.  "The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the 'birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.'" He spoke to them another parable. "The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened." 

All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you want to grow your faith? 

The tiny mustard seed became the largest of plants, the yeast was little until it was mixed with three measures of wheat flour after which it grew bigger. There’s that transition in the gospel for both parables from being small both grew big. 

By virtue of the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Confirmation God planted that small seed of faith within us. God has no other desire but for us to nurture it and let it grow and bloom so other could benefit from it. 

God’s desire is for us to nurture our faith, it’s His perpetual yearning for us: to grow our faith. Let us therefore ask Jesus to grant us the grace to increase our faith. And of course let us also do our part by faithfully adhering to the teachings of the church, by our pious presence at Holy Mass if this is not possible caused by the Covid-19 pandemic thru online Holy Mass and by reading the bible. 

Thus our faith would grow, just like the tiny mustard seed which grew big and the yeast which livened the three measures of wheat flour. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Sunday July 25, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:1-15

Gospel: John 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" 

He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people recline." 

Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted. 

"So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a young woman who was doubting if she would be able to fulfill her childhood ambition to become a doctor. So, she asked her mother to pray that she would be able to realize her childhood dream. Then, her mother said to her, “Daughter the Lord will help you achieve your childhood dream for as long you don’t doublt.  

Do you sometimes doubt when you have a prayer before Jesus?   

Our doubts will always be a stumbling block for the realization of what we pray for. But why doubt? Perhaps our faith is lacking or perhaps we have not yet developed a close friendship with Jesus that is why we doubt. Doubt by itself is a negative word and as such is not good and helpful to us. We therefore have to eliminate doubt in our system of thinking so that we would be able to achieve whatever we want. 

In our gospel for this Sunday, Philip and Andrew were already doubting if Jesus would be able to feed the large crowd that have been following Him. Philip said to Jesus, "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." (John 6:7) Andrew said to Jesus "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" (John 6:8-9) 

Jesus simply told them: “Have the people recline." (John 6:10) And after which the multiplication of the loaves and fish happened. They therefore were able to feed the five thousand men and they had plenty to spare. 

What is the lesson that the Lord is trying to communicate with us in this miracle of the loaves and fish? There is no impossible with Jesus. Everything is possible for those who never doubt, for those who always believe and for those who have faith in Jesus. 

Do you want something from the Lord? Trust, believe, have faith and you will have it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for July 24 Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:24-30

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.  

The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from? He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’  

He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”

+ + + +  + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a married man and woman who chose to engage in an adulterous relationship. It's no-brainer that the will of God for both of them is not to engage in that sinful relationship. But, they disregarded God’s will to satisfy their lustful, shameless, wicked and bestial will.  

Perhaps we wonder, why there are people who choose to go against the will of God. Instead of living life attuned to the desire of God they live it according to what they want even if what they want is sinful. Therefore, in pursuing what they want they immerse themselves into sin. Thus, they become the sales representatives or the walking advertisements of the devil in this world.  

However, why does God allow sin? Why does He allow it to exist and in the process temp or even destroy us? When He can easily eliminate it from our environment? Lest we forget that our God is not a dictatorial God our God is a God of love and part of that love of God is to give us the freewill to choose for ourselves what we want to do in this world.  

God has a purpose for allowing sin to exist which is for us to avoid, confront and eliminate it. We have to remember that by virtue of our baptism we became Jesus’ extension in this world. Hence, Jesus expects us not only to avoid, not only to confront but to neutralize sin immediately the moment it rears its devious head.    

What if they would not or we would not stop sinning? We must prepare for its many consequences including death. In the Bible Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). And Jesus alludes to this severe punishment in the gospel by saying: “Collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning.” (Matthew 13:30)  

Nevertheless, why go to the extent of experiencing the very painful wages of sin when we can confront and eliminate it immediately? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 23 Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:18-23

Gospel: Matthew 13:18-23

Jesus said to his disciples: "Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.  

But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.  

But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."

+ + + + + + +

 Reflection:

How do you respond to the words of God when you encounter it? Do you take time to ponder and reflect upon it even for a short time?  

We understand that we are always busy, but we must not let this busyness take us out completely away from God. We must allocate some of our precious time for God no matter how busy we are.  

Otherwise we might become walking beings that is totally enslaved by this world. Walking being that is entirely at the mercy of power, riches, flesh and other worldly undertakings that are attractively sugar coated so that it could completely veer us away from God.  

Jesus’ wants us to be the rich soil at all times: to hear the word, understand it and live it. This is the reason why He gives us people that will introduce and guide us to God. But some do not even care to listen, some do care to listen but after a while they forget it, some listen and they remember but they forget to practice it in their daily life.  

What Jesus wants from us is to hear the world of God, to reflect upon it and to apply it in our daily lives.  By doing so we now become the seed that was sown on the rich soil which bore fruit and yielded a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 23 Biyernes sa Ika-16 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:18-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:18-23

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 18 Makinig kayo ngayon sa talinha­ga ng maghahasik. 19 Pag may nakakarinig sa salita ng Kaharian ngunit hindi naman niya inu­unawa, dumarating ang Masama at ina­agaw ang nahasik sa kanyang puso. Ito ang butong nahulog sa tabi ng daan. 

20 Ang buto namang nahulog sa batu­han ay para sa taong nakarinig sa salita at ka­agad itong tinanggap nang buong kasiyahan. 21 Ngunit hindi ito nag-ugat sa kanyang kalooban at panandalian lamang. Kapag nag­karoon ng pagsubok at pag-uusig dahil sa salita, agad-agad siyang natitisod. 

22Ang butong nahulog sa mga tini­kan ang nakarinig sa salita ngunit sini­kil ito ng mga makamundong kabalisahan at ng pandaraya ng kayamanan, at hindi naka­pagbunga ang salita. 23 Ang buto namang nahasik sa matabang lupa ang nakakarinig sa salita at umuunawa rito; nagbubunga siya at nag­bibigay ng sandaan, animnapu o tatlum­pu.”

Reflection for July 22 Thursday Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene: John 20: 1-2, 11-18

Gospel: John 20:1-2, 11-18

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”  

Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.”  

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew,“Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her.

+ + + +  + +

Reflection:

Do you search for Jesus? 

If you search for Jesus you will find Him. If you attend Holy Mass Jesus is there, if you open your bible and read the four gospels you will find Jesus there and if you pray the Rosary Jesus is there as well.  

Mary Magdalene intensely searched for Jesus, she went to the tomb while it was still dark and was so distressed when she did not find the body of the Lord. However she did not stop looking for HIM she went on with her search until Jesus appeared to her.  

The sole secret to find Jesus and to develop closeness with Him is to continuously thirst for HIM like we thirst for water. As water quenches our thirst and invigorates our bodies the Lord also does this to us and more. HE will quench our thirst and HE will invigorate our weary bodies.  

HE will do many more incredible things for us provided we continuously search and thirst for HIM. After finding Jesus we will now have to share Him so that our fellowmen will be blessed as we’ve been blessed by Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for July 21 Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. 

And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. 

Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do we listen to Jesus when He speaks to us? 

Every time Jesus generously sows the seeds of the gospel to us. With the hope that His sown seeds would eventually grow in our hearts  and bear countless fruits through our words and actions. Some of us don’t even care to listen or we listen but after listening we completely forget it. 

But there are also those who listen, imbibe and let the seeds of the gospel bear fruit in their lives by living and sharing it. In that process they allow themselves to be used by God as His seeds to bless other people’s lives.  

We all have this liberty on how we would receive these seeds of the gospel that God generously sows upon us. However let us not abuse this liberty by choosing to ignore it. Let us listen to it, let us allow it to take root in our hearts. 

Let us allow these very same words of God to transform us therefore we would become the seed sown on rich soil.  As such we will share it to as many people as possible and we will also give life to the same words of God by living it. 

Do you want a new perspective in your life? A perspective that is free from worldliness, sinfulness and other forms of worries brought about by this world? If yes, open your bible, read and reflect on the words of Jesus and allow it to sink deep into you. So that it would take root, grow and bear much fruit. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for July 20 Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:46-50

Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” 

But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

+ + + +  + + +

Reflection:

Are you a member or have you been a member of a church ministry? 

Members of church ministries often address each other as brother and sister. As such they treat each other as relatives through Jesus. They are there because they want to help Christ advance His mission and teachings; this is the sole reason and purpose. 

However, helping Jesus advance His mission and teaching are not limited to those members of church ministries. Even those who are not members can help as well in their own little way. For example, sharing  and living the life of Jesus inside the family and in the environment where we are.  

We become brothers and sisters of Jesus when we live His life and share in His mission. And when we are not ashamed to live His teachings. For example, the Lord’s teachings about Love, Forgiveness and Humility.  Do we love even those who don’t love us? Do we forgive even those who don’t ask for our forgiveness? Do we always live humility? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Hulyo 20, Ika-16 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:46-50

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:46-50

46 Nagsasalita pa si Jesus sa mga tao nang dumating ang kanyang ina at mga kapatid para makipag-usap sa kan¬ya, at naghihintay sila sa labas. 47 Kaya may nagsabi sa kanya: “Nasa labas ang iyong ina at mga kapatid; gusto ka nilang maka¬usap.” 

48 Sumagot si Jesus sa nagsabi sa kanya: “Sino ang aking ina? Sino ang aking mga kapatid?” 49 At itinuro niya ang kan¬yang mga alagad at sinabi: “Narito ang aking ina at mga kapatid. 50 Ang nagsasagawa sa kalo¬oban ng aking Ama sa Langit ang aking kapatid na lalaki at kapatid na babae at ina.”

1Reflection for July 19 Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:38-42

Gospel: Matthew 12:38-42

Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." He said to them in reply, "An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 

At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was eyeing a man to be her boyfriend but she was not sure if he was the right one for her. So she said, I need a sign I need to see a white butterfly right now so that I will say yes to him. 

Lo and behold she saw a white butterfly circling by her, consequently she took it as a sign and she said yes to the man. Unfortunately after a few years they separated, what does this mean? Affirmative signs are not manifestation of truth thus we should not rely upon it. 

Some of us may demand a sign from Jesus to confirm something but no sign is needed anymore. No sign is bigger than Jesus, for as long as our faith in Jesus is strong and for as long as we have a deep friendship  with Him. Jesus is more than enough for us to carry us through our life’s journey. 

Let us always trust on Jesus for he will never fail us, we may experience humps and bumps in our lives every now and then. However, let us not make the mistake of using these humps and bumps as an excuse to distance ourselves from the Lord. 

For those who will not separate, those who will continue to have faith and those who will not rely on signs will be richly rewarded someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday July 18, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:30-34

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.  

So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.  

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was very busy with his many businesses that he has no more time for God. One day he felt an unusual pain in his body, so he went to a doctor for medical check up. After going thru a battery of test he found out that he had a severe sickness. 

So he prayed to the Lord for healing and he promised the Lord that if he would heal him he would devote more time for Him than his many worldly concerns. To make a long story short the man got healed so he fulfilled his promise to the Lord.  

Are you always busy with your many worldly concerns? For example, business, politics or anything which is focused to this world.  

Many are always very busy with wordly concerns that they don’t have time for God anymore. They hardly have time to pray, to read the bible or be with Jesus at Holy Mass. This is not a good sign for our wellbeing because what would happen if we are always busy with worldly concern and don’t have time for God anymore?  

After working so hard in doing their mission the apostles returned and told Jesus about their accomplishments. Jesus recognized their effort and said to them: “Go to a quite place and rest a while and they went away in the boat to a secluded area by themselves (Mark 6:30-32).  

What did they do in that quite and secluded area? Perhaps they reflected about their mission, perhaps they reflected about their relationship with their master and teacher that is Jesus. Perhaps as close followers of Jesus they had a short spiritual recollection.   

Despite of the frenetic pace of our gadget driven lives. Wherein many of us spend more time communicating with our smart phones rather than communicating with God.  The need to meditate and reflect on God’s role in our lives is not diminished. In fact, amidst the busyness of our lives we need to be reminded that there’s a God who is longing to introduce himself to us.  

And one of the most effective methods of connecting with God is to find our own quite place so that we can communicate and pray to Him. Even Jesus in His humanity always finds time to go to a quite place to rest and there He connects with God in prayer.  

You therefore have to find time for God no matter how busy you are. For what good will it do you if you have all the riches and power in this world if you have no relationship with God? God is longing for you, are you longing for God also? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for July 17 Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:14-21

Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: 

Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

+ + + +  + + +

Reflection:

Are we peace loving people? Or we are lovers of conflict and chaos? If we follow Jesus it is a must for us to be peace loving.  Jesus was a peaceful man He abhorred any form of violence for He knew that no one wins with violence.  

When the Pharisees were looking for Jesus to arrest Him and put Him to death He peacefully withdrew out of their sight. Not because He was afraid of them but because Jesus was a peaceful man and besides, it was not yet time for Him to face them.  

Withdrawal from a conflict is not always a sign of cowardice in fact it is a sign of bravery. We are brave enough to withdraw from a conflict because we know that we have a higher purpose in life than those who wants to engage us with violence.    

What will happen if we face violence with violence? We all become losers for nobody wins with violence. Mahatma Gandhi once said: “An eye for an eye makes everyone blind."  

Let us always take the high road when there are provokers of anger by not stooping down to their level. Instead of confronting anger with anger why not offer peace and love? Why not   humbly walk away? If we do so it would surely save us from a troublesome situation.   – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for July 16 Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:1-8

Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath. 

He said to the them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? 

I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is in the heart of Jesus? It’s mercy and compassion for His people. Mercy and compassion that is ever ready to transgress sacred laws such as the Sabbath law. 

Being God the Son Jesus perfectly knew that what He was doing was right. But the Pharisees did not know the true identity of Jesus. So they questioned the decision of Jesus to allow His disciples to pick and eat the grains on a Sabbath day. 

Do you know Jesus deeply? Do you feel His presence in your life? If you don’t know Jesus deeply and if you don’t feel His presence in your life. You will also question some events or trial/s that occurs in your life. 

For instance when you go through severe trials such as financial difficulty, sickness and the like . You might also question the Lord Jesus and ask Him this question: Why am I going through this trial or why did you allow me to go through this episode in my life? 

But if you know Jesus and if you feel His presence in your life. You will never question Jesus thus you will simply bow to His will and trust Him. Why bow to His will? This is for the reason that you know that something greater is in store for you. That you don’t see and know yet now but you will certainly see and feel in your life in the future.   

Ask Jesus therefore to give you the gift of knowing Him deeply and the gift of His living presence in your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas