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?
Monday, January 02, 2012
My Reflections for January 6 Friday Luke 3:23-38
My
Reflections:
Death
is a unifying factor in the family for example during wake. We will be introduced to relatives whom we have never seen in our
entire lives. Then we normally talk with them; through this we will be able to
trace how we are intricately connected.
As
we talk with our relatives let us take this opportunity to get to know them
better. Let us be nice and helpful towards them and let us humble ourselves
before them.
Who
knows with these behaviors we might be the instruments for them to get closer to Jesus. …
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
My Reflections for The Feast of the Holy Family; December 30 Friday Luke 2:22, 39-40
My
Reflections:
What
is the best gift that a husband/wife can give to God and to their spouses? It’s
faithfulness to their marriage vows; this is the best offering that we can bequeath
God and our spouses. What is the best gift that we can give our children? The
best gift is not the latest gadget/s but to implant In their hearts the love of
God for them. Children must know that there’s a God that is in control of everything
in this world.
Today
we celebrate the Feast of the Holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph both
spouses were faithful to each other. Both spouses presented the young Jesus
to the Lord.
Are
we still faithful to our marriage vows? Do we still bring our children to the
church for Mass? Do we still teach them about our faith?
Let
us preserve the values of the Holy Family in our own respective families. …
Sunday, December 11, 2011
My Reflections for December 14 Wednesday Luke 18b-23
My
Reflections:
Many
are looking for happiness and fulfillment; they try to look for it within their
wealth but they failed. We also look for our happiness and fulfillment in the many facets
of our lives and we end up holding an empty bag.
The
disciples of John were sent by him to Jesus to ask this question: 'Are you the
one who is to come, or should we look for another?' Jesus answered them by
citing His many miracles and healings.
We
know that Jesus is the one who can cure us with everything that is bothering
us. Let us not look elsewhere; let us focus our sights on Him.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for Monday November 21, Luke 2:1-4
My Reflections:
Pureness of intentions is always first with Jesus, He doesn’t care who you are, even your social status in life it doesn’t count on Him. What is important with Him is our desire to help regardless of the amount that we give.
This is what we must follow when we treat people; because we are easily awed by the rich and we oftentimes look down on the poor. We must not judge based on their life’s status we rather judge them based on how sincere they are. But how can we decipher that an individual is sincere and true with his intention to help when we don’t have power to read a person’s mind?
This is very simple: We must always be true and sincere with whatever we say and do. ...
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The fragility of our lives...
The Fragility of our lives...
by: Marino J. Dasmarinas
Last night our parish secretary informed me that I have a scheduled funeral blessing; I said OK I’ll go.
So I went there, upon finding the place I introduced myself to the relatively young wife then I said: “I will now bless him please gather all the relatives.” As I was saying the blessings and prayers I noticed that the wife was crying profusely.
After I was through, I asked her: “what was the cause of death of your husband and how old is he?” She said: “His fifthly (50) years old and his death is totally unexpected.” He just arrived from work then after a few minutes of rest in the sofa he suddenly died. ... After our short conversation I told her: “I have to go now” and she said: “Thank you very much” I said in return: “You’re welcome and pray for his soul’s eternal repose.”
As I was walking away from their house, I can’t help but reflect on the fragility of our lives, that it can be taken away from us any time and any place. As I glance back at their house, I told myself maybe she was seriously crying because, there were loving words left unsaid, there were loving embraces left undone and there were loving moments left to pass them by. ...
As an afterthought: Express your love to your relatives and don’t hold back on doing good to everyone.
Remember the fragility of our lives…
The Dash...
THE DASH
by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
know what that little line is worth.
For it matter not, how much we own,
the cars...the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard;
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for Saturday September 24: Luke 9:43-45
My Reflections:
The disciples did not understand what Jesus meant when He said that He was to be handed over to men. I think they did not understand it because they were all used to Jesus the miracle worker and Jesus the healer. Even us if we were with the disciples at that time we will not also understand these utterance of Jesus.
But now we know what Jesus meant when He said that He was to be handed over to men.
What does this mean to you and me? It simply means that as we follow Jesus there shall be moments of seamless life, glory and triumph. But let us not get drunk with these for there shall come a time that our discipleship shall be tested by the fire of trials and sacrifices.
Will we be able to steadfastly hold on to our discipleship when that time comes?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Window from which we look ... by: Anonymous
A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast,
The young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry,
The young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a
Nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:
"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this."
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and
Cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others
Depends on the purity of the window through which we look!
A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast,
The young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry,
The young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a
Nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:
"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this."
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and
Cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others
Depends on the purity of the window through which we look!
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry,
The young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a
Nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:
"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this."
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and
Cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others
Depends on the purity of the window through which we look!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for Friday July 29 Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:34-42
My Reflections:
What was the better part that Mary did according to Jesus? Mary gave her time to Jesus by listening to Him. How about Martha? She was preoccupied with worldly things that she had no time to sit down and listen to Jesus.
Martha is essentially very much like all of us very busy with worldly things such as to earn a living, to do our house chores, to take care of our family, to go on vacation and many more worldly activities. There’s nothing wrong with these activities because we are presently citizens of this world.
But let us not give our everything to this fleeting and temporary world let us allocate precious time with Jesus let us allow Him to speak to us. There are some of us who complain that Jesus is deaf to our pleadings perhaps this is so because we very seldom sit-down and listen to Jesus. …
Monday, July 11, 2011
Friday, July 08, 2011
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