Short, Simple and Personal reflections on the daily Holy Mass Gospel. I provide talks.
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Sunday, April 27, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
My Reflection for Saturday February 22, Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle; Mark 16:13-19
Gospel: Mark 16:13-19
When
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do
people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist,
others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them,
“But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God.”Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon
son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly
Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon
this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not
prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever
you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven.”
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Reflection:
When
Jesus asked the disciples, Who do the people say that the son of Man is? No one
was able to correctly answer except Simon Peter, who told Jesus: “You are the
Christ the son of the living God. But Jesus immediately told Peter, it’s not by
your own intelligence that you know me; it’s through the grace of my heavenly
Father that you know who I am.
Why did
Jesus told Simon Peter that it was not through his effort that he knows Him? Perhaps
Jesus wanted to temper the behavior of Peter. Perhaps Jesus doesn’t want Simon
Peter to boast about what he knew about Him.
In our
continuing journey with Jesus there may be times also that we might be tempted
to brag or boast concerning what we know about Him. This we must not do because
everything is a gift, everything is a grace. What we know about Him is from Him
alone, not from us; not from our own effort.
How many
times have we boasted about our knowledge regarding Jesus and our faith? How
many times have we acted as if we knew everything about God? Have many times
have we acted as if we are the masters of the universe?
Let us
pause and reflect about this. …
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Sunday, January 05, 2014
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
I will be back again soon... please find time to visit me once again. GOD BLESS YOU!
I will be back again soon... please find time to visit me once again. GOD BLESS YOU!
Saturday, November 23, 2013
My Reflection for November 24, Solemnity of Christ the King, Luke 23:35-43
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My
Reflection:
Who among
us would want to follow the kingship of Jesus?
He is an image of human weakness, He hangs on the cross blooded ang
dying. The rulers sneered at Him even the soldiers taunted Him. Jesus on the
cross was seemingly helpless and it seems that God has forsaken Him already.
If we
were present during that time of His crucifixion we would not dare also touch
Him with a ten foot pole. We would have also
silently walked away like the others who were disappointed with Jesus show of
human weakness.
What if
Jesus projected the image of king David in our first reading (warrior,
conqueror and leader) of course everyone would have flocked to His side. But
Jesus did not show any warrior like demeanor, instead He showed a defeated
behavior that His followers did not want to see from Him. That’s why in His
most trying times everyone who followed Him eventually deserted Him.
But during His moment of human weakness
someone recognized His kingship. It was the criminal hanging on the cross
beside Him. What made the criminal recognize His power and kingship? That he
even asked Jesus to remember him when He is in His kingdom. It was the criminal’s
humility and unwavering faith in Jesus. We may ask, is it possible for a
criminal to be humble and is it possible for a criminal to have an unwavering
faith in Jesus? Yes it is very possible!
How could
this gospel help us to have a firmer grasp of the kingship of Jesus? We must
always humble ourselves before Him. For example, we always go to Mass and we
humbly submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as
possible. We must not forget also to always ask Jesus to increase our faith.
But sad
to say, many of us are situational followers of Jesus only. …
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Friday, November 08, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
As we see now the devastation brought about by the 7.2 quake which hit Bohol, Cebu and nearby towns yesterday October 15, is beyond human comprehension. Let us continue to include them in our PRAYERS AND MASS INTENTIONS. Let us also extend whatever HELP we can give them.
As we see now the devastation
brought about by the 7.2 quake which hit Bohol, Cebu and nearby towns yesterday
October 15, is beyond human comprehension. Let us continue to include them in
our PRAYERS AND MASS INTENTIONS. Let us also extend whatever HELP we can give
them.
Monday, October 07, 2013
I conduct and facilitate Recollections and Retreats.
I conduct talks and facilitate Recollections. For more details please get in touch at: mjdasma@yahoo.com or mjdasma@gmail.com.
Tel no. 046-4303668
Tel no. 046-4303668
Sunday, August 11, 2013
My Reflection for August 11, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Luke 12:35-40
My
Reflection:
There is
a story of a holy man who would always find time for God and his fellowmen.
When he was asked why he was like that he would always tell them that this is
his way of preparing for the coming of the Lord. He would compare the coming of
the lord with death which comes to us without warning at all.
Jesus in
our gospel for this Sunday tells us to always be prepared and vigilant servant
of the Lord. To be like the Israelites in our first reading who patiently
waited with faith and courage for God to liberate them from the bondage of the Egyptians.
How could
we become vigilant and prepared servant of the Lord? By serving and obeying the
Lord without any reservation. By having faith in HIM faith that is alive and
working. This is the only way wherein we could be prepared and vigilant servant
of the Lord.
If death
will come to us which will certainly happen on God’s appointed time. Then, we
are prepared we have nothing to fear for we will be in heaven with God.
What if
we are not prepared and not vigilant servants? Where will we end up?
Saturday, June 15, 2013
My Reflection for June 16, Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:36-8:3
My
Reflection:
A young
lady who had five children from five different men was already labeled as an
immoral sinner by her siblings and parents.
Her family has already given-up on her even if deep in her heart she was
telling herself that she was ready to live a renewed life which is very
different from her sinful past.
In our
first reading for this Sunday we have King David who committed sin against God
by coveting the wife of his soldier Uraih. He purposely feed Uriah to their
enemies. So that he would be killed and hence possess his wife without any
complications. The action of King David was sinful but notwithstanding his sin
he was forgiven by God because he humbly admitted his sinfulness before God
almighty.
Similarly,
we have in our gospel a sinful woman who humbly went to Jesus to honor Him by
kissing His feet and anointing it with ointment. She cried before Jesus as if
begging Jesus for forgiveness and second chance. Jesus saw her humility and her
honest desire to start a new life. That’s why despite of her grave sins she was
forgiven by Jesus.
There is
always hope and forgiveness for us sinners no matter how grave the sins that we
have committed against Jesus. …
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Why do we shout in anger at each other... ? Author Unknown
A saint
who was visiting river Ganges to take a bath found a couple on the banks,
shouting in anger at each other. He turned to his disciples smiled and asked.
'Why do
people shout in anger shout at each other?'
The disciples
thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our temper, we shout.'
'But, why
should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can as well
tell him what you have to say in a soft manner.' asked the saint.
The disciples
gave some other answers but none satisfied the other disciples.
Finally
the saint explained.
'When two
people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that
distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are,
the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other to cover that great
distance.
What
happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk
softly, because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is either
nonexistent or very small.
The saint
continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not
speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love.
Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's
all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'
He looked
at his disciples and said.
'So when
you argue do not let your hearts get distant, Do not say words that distance
each other more, Or else there will come a day when the distance is so great
that you will not find the path to return. …
Sunday, June 02, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Saturday, May 04, 2013
Friday, May 03, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
My Reflections for March 19, Tuesday Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Mathew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Gospel: Mathew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Jacob was the father of
Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Now this is how the birth
of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but
before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph
her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to
shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the
angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do
not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy
Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you
are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When
Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his
wife into his home.
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My
Reflections:
When
Saint Joseph discovered that Mary was already pregnant he decided to quietly divorce
the Blessed Mother. Why quietly divorce? Why not broadcast it to their whole
community so that Mary will be embarrassed and severely punished by stoning to death.
Joseph decided
to quietly divorce Mary because deep in his heart he already loved the Blessed
Mother. Deep in his humble and righteous heart Joseph already loved the baby in
the womb of Mary. That is why Joseph wanted to quietly divorce Mary so that
Mary and the baby Jesus would avoid the punishment of death by stoning. But his
plan did not push through for the simple reason that Joseph listened to the
angel of the Lord. Who told him that the Blessed Mother conceived by the grace
of the Holy Spirit.
The love
that Saint Joseph exercised towards the Blessed Mother and the baby Jesus must
also be the love that we must always give to our family. We must at all times first
take into consideration the welfare of our family more than our own selfish
interest.
In his
heart Saint Joseph was always quietly praying for guidance and enlightenment. This may be
the reason why he never said a single word. He was always waiting for
the voice of God to tell him what to do during that critical moment of his
life. Humility,
selfless love, obedience and prayerful silence these are the values of Saint
Joseph.
Are we like Saint Joseph? Or do we have some of these values of Saint Joseph?
Are we like Saint Joseph? Or do we have some of these values of Saint Joseph?
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
My Reflections for March 8, Friday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 12:28-34
Gospel: Luke 12:28-34
One of the
scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the
commandments?” Jesus
replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all
your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your
neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The
scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and
there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your
understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is
worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he
answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom
of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
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My
Reflections:
A homeless
man was basically alien to the word love of God and neighbor until someone pitied
him. The good Samaritan helped the homeless man by means of teaching him how to
love God and neighbor through his selfless actions.
Many are
like the homeless man but only a few of us are like the Good Samaritan. We are
averse to be in contact with the homeless and those who stray in the streets. Thus
they don’t know how to love God and neighbor.
If only
we would listen to Jesus two greatest commandments about love. …
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Gospel:
The
crowds asked John the Baptist, "What should we do?" He said to them
in reply, "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has
none. And whoever has food should do likewise." Even tax collectors came
to be baptized and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He
answered them, "Stop collecting more than what is prescribed."
Soldiers also asked him, "And what is it that we should do?" He told
them, "Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be
satisfied with your wages."
Now the
people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, "I am
baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to
loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and
fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to
gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable
fire." Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the
people.
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My Reflections
My Reflections
A boy was
taught by his father that there was only one way to be happy and it was none
other than to accumulate wealth. He imbibed his father’s teachings so he
studied very hard and he eventually became one of the very rich in their town.
On his quest to acquire worldly treasures he stepped on the toes of many
people, he created many enemies on his way up and upon reaching the pinnacle of
his ambition he became greedy and he subsequently discovered that it was very
lonely at the top.
He was on
his quest once again to find the magic formula to happiness so he went to a
wise old man in the mountain to seek his advice. The wise old man gave him only
one advice: Learn to share whatever you have for it is in sharing that you will
find happiness. He followed the wise advice and he felt happiness as he had
never felt it before.
In our
gospel the crowds asked John the Baptist, "What should we do?" (This
was in response to John’s call for them to repent) John said to them in reply,
"Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And
whoever has food should do likewise." Perhaps the crowds were becoming
self-centered already. They only cared for their own needs and never on the
needs of their fellowmen.
The
season of Christmas is not about what we will receive. It is about what we can
freely share. The real essence of Christmas is in sharing not in receiving. Let
us try to wholeheartedly share and we will feel the highest degree of happiness
that we would not be able to feel when we accept gifts.
On this
third Sunday of advent John the Baptist message is loud and clear it is about
learning to share no matter how little so long as it comes from the bottom of
our hearts. Let us share to the poor, to those who are badly in need, let us
share to those who cannot pay back our generosity. There are many of them in
poor communities and in places affected by disasters and calamities. Like our
brothers and sisters who were badly affected by the devastating typhoon named Bopha or Pablo in Mindanao.
Let us
bring Jesus to them by generously sharing whatever we can give. …
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Milagros Mila O. Dasmarinas November 28 1948 - November 27, 2012)
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
Please offer Mass for her intentions and please remember her in your prayers.
Please offer Mass for her intentions and please remember her in your prayers.
Thank you for everything and Farewell to you my Dear auntie Mila. . . .
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Cardinal-designate Luis Tagle, 55, of Manila, Philippines. A future Pope?
Excerpt:
The second youngest of six cardinals announced Oct. 24 is widely lauded for his theological gifts and his humility. Cardinal-designate Luis Tagle, 55, of Manila, Philippines, “really takes care of people … he’s so simple and generous and there’s no class structure when he deals with people; everyone is equal in his eyes,” said Nemie Anciado, a longtime custodian at the cathedral in Imus, Philippines, where the cardinal-designate was bishop from 2001 to 2011.
Please click on this link for the whole article:
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
No to Reproductive Health (RH) Bill: By Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas
Excerpts:
A recent report
from Bloomberg (one of the leading business news agencies) was just headlined
“Philippines Leads in Demographic Dividend of Supply of Young Workers.” The
very bullish article about the Philippines—just echoing many others that have
come out since the beginning of the current year—pointed out that the so-called
demographic dividend from a rising supply of young workers is one reason
Japan’s second-largest shipbuilder expanded in the Philippines, where workers
are on average half the age of its Japanese employees. Passing the RH Bill would literally be killing
the goose that lays the golden eggs. Already China and Thailand—still with
relatively large populations—are suffering from labor shortages because of the
rapid aging of their populations
over the last decade or so. According to Nobel prize winner George Akerlof, who
combines the study of economics and psychology, contraceptives tend to degrade
marriage and lead to more extramarital sex, more fatherless children, more
single mothers and more psychologically troubled adolescents. Harvard Director
of AIDS Prevention, Edward C. Green, once wrote that according to the best
evidence available, condoms give a false sense of security and prompt people to
be more reckless in assuming sexual risks, thus worsening the spread of the
sexually transmitted diseases. Thailand, which has the highest incidence of
AIDS-HIV in East Asia, could be cited as a testimony to this.
Please click this link to read the full article:
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Jesse M. Robredo, (May 27, 1958-Aug. 18, 2012)
Farewell to a great Filipino, an honest, simple and humble public servant. A model family man, a true man of God and of faith, a true man of the poor (Jessie M. Robredo, May 27, 1958-Aug. 18, 2012).
Eternal rest grant unto him o Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Eternal rest grant unto him o Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Friday, March 02, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
What is LENT?
Aggie Catholics: LENT 2012: Once again, it is time for our Aggie Catholics annual Lenten mega-post . Links, videos, and resources will be added and updated thro...
Friday, February 17, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
My Reflections for Saturday February 4; 1st reading 1st Kings 3:4-13
My Reflections:
In our first reading the Lord appeared to
Solomon in a dream and said: "Ask something of me and I will give it to
you." Solomon did not ask for any material things; he instead asked for an
understanding heart to judge the people and to distinguish right from wrong. Why
did Solomon ask for this wisdom instead of temporary things?
Because the most important things in this
world are not those that are seen or perceive by our worldly senses. The most
important things are those that are felt by our hearts and minds. It doesn’t
matter anymore if we are not rich if we don’t have power. It’s enough that we
are able to guide, nurture and mentor those who are in our sphere of influence.
The legacy that lasts is not the structures
that we’ve built but the hearts that we've touched and converted.
If the Lord will give us the same opportunity
what will we ask from Him?
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