Reflection for September 29, Wednesday Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels (Feast): John 1:47-51

Gospel: John 1:47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.”Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” 

Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

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Reflection:

Do you believe that Jesus knows you very well? Many will not believe but the truth of the matter is Jesus knows each and everyone of us very well. What we are thinking right now Jesus knows about it also! 

 If Jesus knows everything about us why is it that he doesn’t intervene whenever we are in the verge of committing sin?  This is for the reason that God gave us the freewill or the freedom of choice to do what we want to do. 

However the moment we strive to get closer to Jesus. For example we religiously attend Holy Mass. We spend time to read the Holy Bible and live His teachings, we surely would feel the movement of Jesus in our lives. We therefore invite Jesus to take an active part in our lives when we strive to get close to Him. 

In the gospel Nathanael was surprised that Jesus knew him in advance. But looking at the life of Nathanael it comes without surprise that Jesus knew him beforehand. Because Nathanael was also quietly seeking and thinking about God. 

Do you want to feel the movement of Jesus in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Setyembre 29 San Miguel, San Gabriel at San Rafael, mga arkangel (Kapistahan): Juan 1:47-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:47-51

47 Nakita ni Jesus si Natanael na palapit sa kanya at sinabi niya tungkol sa kanya: “Hayan, isang totoong Israelitang walang pagkukunwari.” 48 Sinabi sa kanya ni Natanael: “Paano mo ako nakilala?” Su­ma­got sa kanya si Jesus: “Bago ka pa man tawagin ni Felipe, habang nasa ilalim ka ng punong-igos, nakita na kita.”  

49 Sumagot si Natanael: “Rabbi, ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos, ikaw ang Hari ng Israel.” 50 Sumagot si Jesus: Sinabi ko lang sa iyong nakita kita sa ilalim ng punong-igos, at naniniwala ka na? Higit pa sa mga ito ang makikita mo.” 

51 At idinugtong ni Jesus: “Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, makikita ninyong bukas na ang langit at panhik-panaog sa Anak ng Tao ang mga anghel ng Diyos.”

1Reflection for September 28, Tuesday St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions, martyrs (M): Luke 9:51-56

Gospel: Luke 9:51-56

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him.  

On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

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Reflection:
Would you open the door of your house for Jesus? 

The Samaritans did not welcome Jesus because they did not know Him well. If only they knew Him they would have welcomed Him even if He was going to Jerusalem. But they did not know Him that’s why they refused to be hospitable to Him.  

There are some problematic individuals who decide to end their life by way of committing suicide. Why? Because they do not know Jesus, if only they know Jesus they would have not committed that grievous sin.  

We miss so many blessings when we do not fully know the Lord. For example, the blessing of hope, the blessing of love, the blessing of understanding, humility, peacefulness and a lot more. These are but a few of the many blessings that we miss when we do not know Jesus that well.  

But how would we know Jesus? We must read the bible most especially the first four books of the New Testament. We must often be present in the celebration of the Eucharist or Holy Mass  most especially during Sundays. If we do these acts of faith, slowly but surely our eyes of faith would be opened to the friendship of Jesus.  

But how about those who do not Jesus? How would they know Jesus? We have to share Jesus and we have to live His teachings so that through us they will know Jesus. To know Jesus is still not enough we have to share Him and we have to live what we know about Him.     

Do you want to live a more meaningful life? If your answer is yes, you therefore have to share and live Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for September 27, Monday Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest: Luke 9:46-50

Gospel: Luke 9:46-50

An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” 

Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company. Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel that you are above all for the reason of the things that you do or for the reason of your achievements and status in life? 

We can’t help but ask, why did the disciples argue as to who among them is the greatest? Perhaps they got carried away with the sudden fame of being with Jesus. That’s why they were arguing as to who was the greatest among them. By being mindful of their egos they forgot that they were with their Lord and Master. 

Jesus knew of their selfish desire for fame thus He took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” 

Least in what aspect? Least in promoting oneself as the greatest and least in filling up ones ego. It’s indeed very tempting to use Jesus to enhance our self-image. But reality check first, this is not what Jesus wants for us to become. Jesus desire for all of us is to embrace humility at all times. 

No one is greatest for Jesus but those who are humble. And those who silently give their time to help him advance His teachings. They are the greates in the eyes of Jesus. 

If you give your time for Jesus no matter how little so long as you give it with all your heart. If you give your time for Jesus without the objective to boast and the selfish desire to be popular. You’re already the greatest in Jesus eyes. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday September 26, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

 

Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

At that time, John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. 

There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. 

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. 

And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. 

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 Reflection:

The Story is told about two pastors who were trying to convince the people in their place to join their respective religions. Pastor number one said, nobody can bring you closer to God except me  because others who are preaching about God are fake preachers so don’t listen to them listen only to me. 

Pastor number two said: Aside from listening to me you can also listen to others who are preaching the words of God. One of the members of his religion asked the pastor: Why should I listen to them also? The pastor said: Because I don’t have the monopoly of the words of God.     

In the gospel, a man who doesn’t belong to the group of Jesus was casting out demons using His name. John saw this man, thus he tried to prevent the man from using the name of the Lord (Mark 9:38). However, Jesus told John: Do not prevent him, let him continue using my name for no one who is using my name will speak ill of me (Mark 9:39).       

Was John feeling superior when he prevented the man from using the name of the Lord? Why did John has that mindset of superiority? Because he was with Jesus and he felt that he has the sole possession of the name Jesus? But Jesus did not like John’s display of arrogance. So Jesus contradicted John to send a strong message to His apostles that they don’t have the monopoly of his name.     

Jesus did not want to become an exclusive property of anyone even by those who are very close to Him. As far as Jesus is concerned, He is for everybody.  And for as long as it is for a noble purpose anyone can use His name anytime. 

We must avoid the mindset of superiority over anybody because nobody will like or join us. Instead, we must at all times be humble since its only thru our humility that we can bring our fellowmen  closer to the Lord and to our church. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for September 25, Saturday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:43b-45

Gospel: Luke 9:43b-45

While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

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Reflection:

Why were the disciples afraid to ask Jesus to elaborate His meaningful statement that He is going to be handed over to men? Did they sense that something dangerous is going to happen to Jesus soon? Were they afraid to hear something that would deal with suffering and the cross? Or the disciples were simply used to the image of Jesus as a powerful miracle worker and healer?   

Is it only for His miracles and healings that we follow Jesus? Perhaps yes, many of us are only after Jesus the miracle worker and Jesus the healer. But if we are only after His miracles and healings then this is not true discipleship.  

True discipleship happens to us when we are also ready to suffer for Jesus and when we are also ready to carry our own cross for Jesus. We cannot separate Jesus from suffering because He himself brutally suffered. Thus we cannot also separate ourselves from suffering/s if we truly follow Jesus.  

Nevertheless, let us not be afraid to suffer for our discipleship for Jesus because our suffering for Jesus will not be in vain. There is always something glorious after suffering and carrying our own cross for Jesus. We may not know it immediately but there surely will be glory after we endure our cross and sufferings. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 24, Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:18-22

Gospel: Luke 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.  

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

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Reflection:

Do you live the teachings of Jesus? 

When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” they were unsure, some said that He was John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen. Then He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”  

If Jesus would ask us, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” I don’t know if we would be able to answer at all. Because unlike the disciples who walked and lived with Jesus and who shared and preached the word of God. We may not have preached and shared what we know about the  yet.  

What if He will also say to us, “But who do you say that I am?” Would we be able to reply like Peter who said with conviction, “The Christ of God.”  

These are two simple questions from Jesus that invites us to examine if we have a personal relationship with Him. If we don’t have it yet let us do our part by having that thirst and hunger for the Lord. And surely the Holy Spirit will do its part to bring us closer to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 23, Thursday of the Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest: Luke 9:7-9

Gospel: Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a lady who was always being bothered by her conscience every time she sees a baby.  For it always reminds her of her baby which she aborted. She had no closure with the mortal sin that she did.  

Perhaps the same scenario was occurring in the mind of Herod. He was deeply disturbed by the news about Jesus. And it came to a point that he thought that John whom he ordered killed has been raised from the dead.  

Why is Herod curious about the true identity of Jesus and why have that burning desire to see Jesus? This is for the reason that Herod wants to see if John whom he ordered killed had risen.  

We too should have that curiosity about Jesus not because we want to know if He is John. We have to be curious about Jesus for the reason that we want to have a deeper intimacy with Him. And this desire to know more about the Lord should lead us to a deeper faith and love for the Lord.  

To whom does Jesus always manifest Himself to us during this covid-19 pandemic? He manifest through the poor, the deprived, the hungry and the oppressed. If we want to know Jesus deeply we must exert every possible effort to help and love them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 22, Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:1-6

Gospel: Luke 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. 

Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

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Reflection:

How do you live in this world? Do you live with your trust and confidence in Jesus or you are living with your trust and confidence on yourself and in this world?  

When Jesus sent the twelve apostles to their mission of evangelization He told them this: “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic (Luke 9:3). What does this very important statement of Jesus imply to the apostles? Jesus in essence was telling the apostles, rely on no one but me for I will provide for all of your needs!  

Did they rely on Jesus? Yes of course except for Judas Iscariot who betrayed Him. The eleven of them relied on Jesus that’s why they were very successful in their mission of evangelization. Majority of them even gave their lives for their mission, faaithfulness and reliance to Jesus.  

This is a good point of reflection for all of us as we continue our journey in this fleeting world. To whom do we rest our lives in this world? Do we rest it on Jesus or we rest it on this world and ourselves? We are in the era of covid-19 in which it tells us about how fragile life is. That we can go out of this world anytime what if we die without a personal friendship with the Lord because of our busyness with the affairs of this world?  

Many of us continue to work so hard to accumulate temporal things. There are even some of us or many of us who even work during Sundays so that we could have what we want. So, we sacrifice our worship for God at Holy Mass in exchange for our accumulation of worldly things. 

Reliance on material things of this world will bring us nothing but emptiness. Even if we accumulate all of the material things of this world we would still not be happy we would still have this very deep feeling of void and emptiness. 

What if we rely on Jesus and we have a personal friendship with the Lord? Then, we are already complete and we are the happiest and most contented person in this world even if we have no material riches.  For the simple reason that Jesus is more than enough than any of the material thing/s of this world.     

We cannot bring to the next life the worldly things that we rely on this world. But if we rely on Jesus and if we rest our lives in Him this would assure us of eternal life in heaven with the Lord someday.  

To whom do you rely? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 21, Tuesday Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist: Matthew 9:9-13

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.  

The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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Reflection:

Does Jesus have a soft spot for sinners? Yes Jesus has a soft spot for all of us sinners. For example in our gospel HE called a tax collector and a sinful man named Matthew. After calling Matthew Jesus went to Matthew’s house to dine with tax collectors and sinners.  

All of us are sinners and Jesus is continuously calling upon us to leave for good our sinful lives and follow HIM. The gravity of our sins are not anymore important for Jesus what is important for HIM is we respond to HIS call same as how Matthew in our gospel responded.  

Perhaps you may ask, why is Jesus calling me to follow HIM? Among many other reasons Jesus wants you to be freed from the bondage of sin; HE wants us to be enlightened by HIS grace. And Jesus wants to save you from hell where Satan holds court. These are the reasons why Jesus is calling you to follow HIM.  

Your life will never be the same again once you accept this call of Jesus. There will be healing in your family; you will now become averse to commit any form of sin and you will be freed from its bondage.  

Would you respond to the Lord’s call? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for September 20, Monday Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs (M): Luke 8:16-18

Gospel: Luke 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.  

For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a long dormant lighthouse that was revived and brightly lighted by the community around it.  The voyagers and fishermen were very happy to see its light once again. For it gave them direction and it made their life easier at sea.  

By virtue of our faith and what we know about Jesus we also have the potential to become a bright lighthouse. That gives direction, inspiration and hope to our fellowmen. This could happen provided we have the courage to live and share Jesus through our words and actions.  

But how many of us have become the living light of Jesus to our fellowmen? How many of us have dared to live and share the teachings of Jesus? If we don’t dare live and share Jesus we simply become an unlighted lighthouse. A lighthouse that is overcome by darkness it doesn’t give hope, inspiration and direction.  

Let us never forget to remember that we can always become a lighted lamp that is placed on a lampstand that Jesus mentions in the gospel. In that way we can bless others by sharing and living our faith. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

1Reflection for Sunday September 19, Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:30-37

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. 

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” 

Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who heard an announcement in their parish church about its need for those who would be interested to volunteer as an extra-ordinary minister of the Holy Communion. Thus, he volunteered and he went through the formation process.  

However, he had this thought in his mind that this church ministry is an opportunity for him to be popular in their community. He was already imagining that his being popular would result to him entering politics.   

In the gospel, while journeying through Galilee Jesus heard His disciples arguing, so Jesus’ asked them when they were in a house in Capernaum. “What were you arguing about on the way?” (Mark 9:33) They were not able to answer because they were arguing who is the greatest among them. 

Who is the greatest in the eyes of the Lord? The greatest for Jesus is the one who is willing and ready to serve and not to be served. The greatest is the one who is willing and ready to humble himself amidst the temptation to boast and be arrogant. The greatest are those who silently do their vocation for the Lord without expecting anything in return. 

Many of us love to project power.  We feel that we are above all because we occupy an exalted position in our work, church or community. However, this is without importance in the eyes of the Lord what is important for Jesus is our childlike humility and our willingness to follow Him without expecting anything in return. 

Are you ready to humbly follow the Lord with expecting anything in return? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for September 18, Saturday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:4-15

Gospel: Luke 8:4-15

4 When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to him, he spoke in a parable. 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. 6 Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear. 

9 Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. 10 He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that ‘they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.’ 

11 “This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. 12 Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of trial. 

14 As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. 15 But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.

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Reflection:

How do you receive the word of God? For example when you read the words of Jesus in  the bible, do you reflect upon it, discern it and then share it? Or you just read it and then it ends there nothing eventful happened with your reading of the words of God. 

How do you react when you hear the words of God proclaimed during Holy Mass? Do you allow yourself to be moved by it? That it immediately stirs you to do good and live your faith so that you can make a positive Impact on the lives of your fellowmen? 

Jesus words is the seeds that He plants in our hearts and Jesus expectation is always for us to be fruit bearing followers. Where others can learn about Jesus and our faith from us. We must not allow ourselves to become followers in name only who simply absorb the words of God and do nothing.

Therefore, we have to share the words of Jesus. Never mind the time and money that we would be using for doing it. For Jesus will give back to us a hundredfold whatever time and treasure that we invest for the propagation of His teachings. - Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado sa Ika-24 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 8:4-15

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 8:4-15

4 Napakakapal na tao ang nagkakati­pon dahil pinupuntahan si Jesus ng mga tao mula sa kani-kanilang mga ba­yan. Kaya nagsalita siya sa talinhaga: 5 “Lumabas ang manghahasik para maghasik ng kanyang binhi. Sa kanyang paghahasik, may ilang butong nahulog sa tabi ng daan at tinapak-­tapakan at kinain ng mga ibon sa langit. 

6 Nahulog ang iba sa batuhan, at nang sumibol ay nalanta dahil sa kawalan ng halumigmig. 7 Nahulog ang iba pang buto sa gitna ng tinikan, at sa sabay nilang paglaki, sinikil ito ng mga tinik. 8 Nahulog naman ang iba pa sa matabang lupa at nang sumibol ay nagbunga nang tig-iisang daan.” Pag­kasabi nito’y sumigaw siya: “Makinig ang may tainga.”  

9 At tinanong siya ng kanyang mga alagad kung ano ang kahulugan ng talin­­hagang ito. 10 Kayat sinabi niya: “Sa inyo ipinagkaloob na malaman ang mga lihim ng kaharian ng Diyos, at sa iba nama’y sa mga talinhaga lamang para tumingin sila at hindi makakita, makinig at hindi makaunawa.  

11 Ito ang kahulugan ng talinhaga. Ang binhi ay ang salita ng Diyos. 12 Ang mga nasa tabi ng daan ay ang mga naka­karinig nito pero agad namang dumarating ang diyablo; inaagaw niya ang salita mula sa kanilang isipan upang huwag silang ma­nalig at malig­tas. 13 Ang mga nasa batu­han ay ang mga nakaka­rinig na masayang tinatanggap ang salita. Ngunit wala silang ugat kaya sandali silang nananalig at tumitiwalag naman sa panahon ng tukso. 

14 Ang na­hulog naman sa mga tini­kan ay ang mga nakakarinig ngunit sa pagpapatuloy nila’y sinikil ng mga kabalisahan, ng kayamanan at ng mga kasiyahan sa buhay kaya hindi sila nakapagbunga. 15 Ang nahulog naman sa matabang lupa ay ang mga naka­karinig sa salita at iniingatan ito nang may dakila’t mabuting loob at nagbubunga sila sa kanilang pagti­tiyaga.