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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 31 Sabado San Ignacio de Loyola, pari (Paggunita): Mateo 14:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:1-12

1 Umabot kay Haring Herodes ang katanyagan ni Jesus. 2 At sinabi niya sa kanyang mga kasambahay: “Si Juan Bautista siya. Nabuhay si Juan mula sa mga patay kaya nagkakabisa sa kanya ang maka­langit na kapangyarihan.”  

3 Si Herodes nga ang nagpahuli kay Juan, at nag-utos na ikadena ito at iku­long dahil kay Herodias na asawa ng kanyang kapatid na si Felipe. 4 Sapagkat sinabi ni Juan kay Herodes: “Hindi mo siya puwe­deng ma­ging asawa.” 5 Talaga ngang gusto ni Herodes na patayin siya, pero takot siya sa mga tao na kumi­­kilala kay Juan bilang isang propeta.  

6 Kaarawan ni Herodes at nagsayaw ang anak na babae ni Herodias, at nasiyahan si Herodes sa kanya. 7 Kaya si­numpaan niya ang isang pangako na ibi­bigay sa kanya ang anumang hingin niya. 8 At sinabi ng babae ayon sa turo ng kan­yang ina: “Ibigay mo rito sa akin ang ulo ni Juan Bautista sa isang bandeha.”  

9 Nasaktan ang hari ngunit napanum­paan na niya ang pangako sa harap ng mga bisita kaya iniutos niya na ibigay iyon sa kanya. 10 At  pinapugutan niya ng ulo si Juan sa kulu­ngan; 11 inilagay sa isang plato ang kanyang ulo at ibinigay sa babae, at dinala ito ng babae sa kanyang ina. 12 At pagkatapos ay dumating naman ang mga alagad ni Juan at kinuha ang kanyang katawan at inilibing. At pagka­tapos ay ibinalita ito kay Jesus.

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 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 30 Biyernes sa Ika-17 na Linggo ng taon: Mateo 13:54-58

 

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:54-58

54 Pumunta si Jesus sa kanyang bayan at nagturo sa mga tao sa kanilang sinagoga. Namangha silang lahat at nag­sabi: “Saan kaya galing ang kanyang karunu­ngan at natatanging kapang­yarihan? 55 Di ba’t siya ang anak ng karpintero? Di ba’t si Maria ang kanyang ina at sina Jaime, Jose, Simon at Judas ang kanyang mga kapatid? 56 Hindi ba’t narito sa piling natin ang lahat niyang kapatid na babae? Ano’t nangyari sa kanya ang lahat ng ito?” 57 At bulag sila tungkol sa kanya.  

Sinabi naman sa kanila ni Jesus: “Sa kanyang sariling bayan lamang at sambahayan hinahamak ang isang propeta.” 58At kaunti lamang ang ginawa niyang himala roon sapagkat kulang sila sa pana­nampalataya.

Reflection 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:

What compelled Martha to met Jesus while HE was on HIS way to their house? It was her faith. 

Martha was in grief because of the death of her brother Lazarus. But when she heard that Jesus was going to their house to comfort them Martha’s grief was immediately replaced by hope. Because Martha had deep faith in Jesus and being their close friend Martha also knew Jesus very well. 

What do we do when we are sorrowful and in distress? Don’t we also run to Jesus? Of course we also run to Jesus, the energy that compels us to go to the Lord is fueled by our deep faith, hope and friendship with Jesus. We are very blessed because we have this deep relationship with Jesus for we know where to go when we are in beset by the many trials of this world. 

But how about those who do not know Jesus deeply or those who do not know Jesus? Where would they go when they encounter trials? They may never go to Jesus, instead they may look for temporal alleviation of their distress in this world. 

This is where we must come in and illuminate those who do not know Jesus. We must have the courage to share Jesus and our faith so that those who are in distress will now go to Jesus for hope and salvation. 

Our faith in Jesus must not be an exclusive faith that is only limited to ourselves. It must always be an inclusive faith so that others too may feel the love, healing, hope and friendship of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 29 Huwebes Santa Marta (Paggunita): Juan 11:19-27

Mabuting Balita: Juan 11:19-27

Noong panahong iyon 19 Marami sa mga Judio ang pumunta kina Marta at Maria para maki­ramay sa kanila sa kanilang kapatid.  20 Kaya pagkarinig ni Marta na duma­rating si Jesus, sinalubong niya ito. 

Si Maria naman ay nakaupo sa bahay. 21 At sinabi ni Marta kay Jesus: “Pangi­noon, kung naririto ka, hindi sana namatay ang kapatid ko. 22 Ngunit kahit na ngayon, alam kong anuman ang hingin mo sa Diyos ay ibibigay sa iyo ng Diyos.” 23 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Baba­ngon ang kapatid mo.” 24 Sinabi naman sa kanya si Marta: “Alam ko na baba­ngon siya sa pagkabuhay sa huling araw.”  

25 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Ako siyang pagkabuhay (at ang buhay.) Mabu­­buhay ang nananalig sa akin kahit na mamatay siya. 26 Hinding-hindi mama­matay kailanman ang bawat nabubuhay at nananalig sa akin. Pinani­niwa­laan mo ba ito?” 27 Sinabi niya sa kanya: “Opo, Pangi­noon. Nananalig nga ako na ikaw ang Kristo, ang Anak ng Diyos, na dumarating sa mundo.”

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 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 28 Miyerkules sa ika-17 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:44-46

 

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:44-46

 "Ang kaharian ng langit ay katulad ng kayamanang nakabaon sa isang bukid. Nahukay ito ng isang tao ngunit agad itong tinabunan. Tuwang-tuwa siyang umalis at ibinenta ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian upang bilhin ang bukid na iyon."  

Ang kaharian ng langit ay katulad din ng isang negosyante na naghahanap ng mga mamahaling perlas. Nang makakita siya ng isang perlas na napakahalaga, umuwi siya't ipinagbili ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian at binili ang perlas na iyon."

Reflection 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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 26 Lunes San Joaquin at Santa Ana mga magulang ni Maria: Mateo 13:31-35

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:31-35

31 Binigyan sila ni Jesus ng isa pang talinhaga: “Naikukumpara ang kaharian ng Langit sa isang buto ng mustasa na kinuha ng isang lalaki at inihasik sa kan­yang bukid.   

32 Pinakamaliit ito sa mga buto ngunit paglaki’y mas malaki ito sa mga gulay, at parang isang puno – duma­rating ang mga ibon ng langit at dumadapo sa mga sanga nito.” 33 At sinabi ni Jesus ang iba pang talin­haga: “Naikukumpara ang kaha­rian ng Langit sa lebadurang kinuha ng isang ba­bae at ibinaon sa tatlong takal ng harina hanggang umalsa ang buong masa.” 

• 34 Itinuro ni Jesus ang lahat ng ito sa mga tao sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhaga; hindi siya nagturo sa kanila na hin­di gumagamit ng mga talinhaga. 35 Kaya natupad ang sinabi ng Propeta: “Magsa­salita ako sa talinhaga. Magpapahayag ako ng mga bagay na natago mula pa sa simula ng daigdig.”

Reflection 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 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 25 Ika – 17 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Juan 6:1-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:1-15

1 Nagpunta si Jesus sa kabilang ibayo ng dagat ng Galilea sa may Tiberias. 2 Sinusun­dan siya ng makapal na tao dahil napansin nila ang mga tandang ginagawa niya sa mga maysakit. 3 Uma­hon si Jesus sa bundok at naupo siya roon kasama ang kanyang mga alagad. 4 Malapit na ang Paskuwa na piyesta ng mga Judio. 

5 Kaya pagkatunghay ni Jesus at pag­ka­kita niyang marami ang taong pumu­punta sa kanya, sinabi niya kay Felipe: “Saan kayo makabi­bili ng tinapay para makakain ang mga ito?” 6 Sinabi niya ito bilang pagsubok sa kanya dahil alam na niya kung ano ang napipinto niyang ga­win. 7 Sumagot sa kanya si Felipe: “Dala­wandaang denar­yong tinapay ay hindi sapat sa kanila para makakuha ng tigka­kaunti ang bawat isa.” 

8 At sinabi naman sa kanya ng isa sa kanyang mga alagad na si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro: 9 "May maliit na bata rito na may limang tinapay na sebada at dalawang isda. Ano ito para sa pagkarami-raming tao?” 10 Madamo sa lugar na iyon kaya sinabi ni Jesus: “Paupuin n’yo ang mga tao.” Kaya nag-upuan sila, halos liman­libo ang mga lalaki. 

11 Kaya kinuha ni Jesus ang mga tina­pay at pagkapagpasalamat, at ipi­na­bigay sa mga nakaupo. Gayundin naman sa mga isda – ga­ano man ang gustuhin nila. 12 Nang busog na sila, sinabi niya sa kanyang mga ala­gad: “Tipunin ninyo ang natirang mga piraso para walang masa­yang.” 13 Kaya tini­pon nila ang mga tira ng mga pinakain, at labindalawang bakol ang napuno ng mga pira-piraso mula sa limang tinapay na sebada. 

14 Pagkakita sa tandang ginawa ni Jesus, sinabi ng mga tao: “Ito ngang talaga ang Propeta parating sa mundo.” 15 At alam ni Jesus na parating sila upang agawin siya para gawing hari kaya lumigpit siyang muli na siya lamang mag-isa sa bulubundukin.

Reflection 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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 24 Sabado sa Ika-16 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:24-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:24-30

Nagsalaysay muli si Jesus sa kanila ng isa pang talinhaga. Sinabi niya, "Ang kaharian ng langit ay katulad ng isang taong naghasik ng mabuting binhi sa kanyang bukid. Isang gabi, habang natutulog ang mga tao, dumating ang kanyang kaaway, naghasik ng mapanirang damo sa triguhan at saka umalis. 

Nang tumubo at magbunga ang trigo, lumitaw din ang mapanirang damo. Kaya't pumunta ang mga utusan sa may-ari ng bukid at nagtanong, 'Hindi po ba mabuting binhi lamang ang inihasik ninyo sa inyong bukid? Bakit po may damo ngayon?' 

Sumagot siya, 'Isang kaaway ang may kagagawan nito.' Tinanong siya ng mga utusan, 'Bubunutin po ba namin ang mga damo?'  'Huwag, baka mabunot pati ang mga trigo,' sagot niya. 'Hayaan na lamang ninyong lumago kapwa ang damo at ang trigo hanggang sa anihan.

Pag-aani'y sasabihin ko sa mga tagapag-ani, ipunin muna ninyo ang mga damo at inyong pagbigkis-bigkisin at saka sunugin. Pagkatapos, ipunin naman ninyo ang trigo sa aking kamalig. "

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 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Hulyo 22, Santa Maria Magdalena (Kapistahan): Juan 20:1-2, 11-18

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:1-2, 11-18

1 Pagkatapos ng Araw ng Pahinga, habang madilim pa, maagang pumunta sa libingan si Maria Magdalena, nang makita niyang tanggal ang bato mula sa libingan, 2 patakbo siyang pumunta kay Simon Pedro at sa isa pang alagad na mahal ni Jesus. Sinabi niya sa kanila: “May kumuha sa Pangi­noon mula sa libingan, at hindi namin alam kung saan nila siya inilagay.”  

11 Nakatayo namang umiiyak sa labas si Maria sa may libingan. Sa kan­yang pag-iyak, yumuko siyang naka­tanaw sa libingan. 12 At may na­pansin siyang dalawang anghel na nakaputi na naka­upo, isa sa may ulu­nan at isa sa may paanan ng pinag­lagyan sa katawan ni Jesus. 

13 Sinabi sa kanya ng mga iyon: “Ale, bakit ka umiiyak?” Sinabi niya sa ka­nila: “May kumuha sa Panginoon ko, at hindi ko alam kung saan siya inilagay.” 14 Pag­kasabi niya nito, tuma­likod siya at napan­sin niya si Jesus na nakatayo pero hindi niya nakilalang si Jesus iyon. 15 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Ale, bakit ka umiiyak? Sino’ng hinahanap mo?” Sa pag-aakala niyang iyon ang hardinero, sinabi niya sa kanya: “Ginoo, kung kayo ang nagdala sa kanya, sabihin n’yo sa akin kung saan n’yo siya inilagay at ku­kunin ko siya.”  

16 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Maria!” Pagka­harap niya’y sinabi niya sa kanya sa Aramaiko: “Rabbouni!” (na ibig sabihi’y Guro). 17 Si­nabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Huwag kang humawak sa akin sapagkat hindi pa ako nakaaakyat sa Ama. Puntahan mo ang mga kapa­tid ko at sabihin sa kanila: ‘Paakyat ako sa Ama ko at Ama ninyo, sa Diyos ko at Diyos ninyo.’” 18 Pumunta si Maria Magdalena na ibinabalita sa mga alagad: “Nakita ko ang Panginoon.” At sinabi niya ang mga sinabi sa kanya.”

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   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Hulyo 21, Ika-16 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:1-9

1 Nang araw ding iyon, umalis sa bahay si Jesus at naupo sa may dalampasigan. 2 Ngunit maraming tao ang nagtipon sa paligid niya kaya sumakay siya at naupo sa bangka samantalang nakatayo naman sa pam­pang ang mga tao. 3 At ma­rami siyang ipina­hayag sa kanila sa tulong ng mga talinhaga. 

At sinabi ni Jesus: “Lumabas na ang maghahasik para maghasik. 4 Sa kanyang paghahasik, may ilang butong nahulog sa tabi ng daan. Duma­ting ang mga ibon at kinain ang mga iyon. 5 Nahulog naman ang ibang buto sa batuhan at ma­babaw ang lupa roon. Ma­daling tumubo ang mga buto dahil hindi malalim ang lupa. 6 Ngunit pagsikat ng araw, nasunog ito sa init at sapagkat wa­lang ugat, natuyo ito.  7 Na­hulog ang iba pang buto sa mga tinikan. 

At nang luma­go ang mga tinik, sinikil ng mga ito ang halaman. 8 Nahulog naman ang iba sa matabang lupa at namunga: nagbunga ng san­daan ang iba, anim­napu naman ang sa iba, at tatlumpu ang iba pa. 9 Ma­kinig ang may tainga!”