Reflection for September 17, Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:36-50

Gospel: Luke Luke 7:36-50

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you believe that Jesus would forgive you of your many sins? The woman in the gospel who is a big time sinner and presumably a prostitute believe in her heart that Jesus would forgive her. Uninvited she went to the house of the Pharisee where Jesus was. And there she humbled herself before Jesus by kissing his feet, washing the same feet with her own tears, anointing it with an ointment and wiping it with her own hair.

What the woman did is a humble gesture of repentance and submission. It was her way of telling Jesus that she now wants to lead a new life. A life free from any form of sin, her gesture is also a gesture of love and repentance. Thus, she was forgiven by Jesus and thereafter renewed by the power of forgiveness by Jesus.

All of us commit sin and through this sin that we commit we also offend Jesus. But we have nothing to fear for all of our sins can be forgiven and thereafter wiped-out by Jesus. All we have to do is to humble ourselves before Him, tell Jesus our sins and ask for His forgiveness.   

Perhaps you’re asking yourself this question: How would I be forgiven by Jesus of my many sins? Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation/ Confession we are also forgiven by Jesus with our many sins.

Do you want to lead a new life? A life free from the enslavement of the devil a life free from sin and guilt? If your answer is yes, humbly submit yourself to this Healing and liberating sacrament. The moment you do you would feel that something heavy and burdensome has been taken-off from your back. 

Would you have the humility to submit yourself to this process of healing and renewal? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 16, Wednesday Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs: Luke 7:31-35

Gospel: Luke 7:31-35

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Are there people within your sphere of environment whom you find difficult to understand? For example, a friend who has nothing good to say about you. He always finds fault and is very quick to judge you. Yet he purposely closes her/his eyes on the good things that you do.

During Jesus time there were also many who found fault with Jesus and John the Baptist. John because of his life of ascetism and life spent more in the wilderness. John was labelled as possessed by the devil. Yet they choose to ignore the call of John for repentance and renewal of their lives.

They also did the same with Jesus, they labelled Him as friend of tax collectors and sinners. For the simple reason that Jesus once in a while mingles with them with the objective of converting them. Yet they also purposely closed their eyes to the countless healings and miracles that Jesus did.

In spite of all of these people who makes it their mission to make life difficult for us. Let us focus on Jesus and His teachings, let us simply do what is right regardless of what others may say and think about us. For if God is with us who then can be against us? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 15, Tuesday Our Lady of Sorrows: John 19:25-27

Gospel: John 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

It was heartwrenching for Mary to see her son Jesus dying on the cross. It was doubly heartwrenching also for Mary to hear her son Jesus entrusting her to the care of by His beloved disciple John.

Separation like that of the separation of Jesus and His mother Mary is always painful even sorrowful. But such is life, all of us have to go through some pains and sorrows in our lives. Nobody is exempted from this process, whether we are rich or poor we have to go through the process of separation from our loved ones.

In the midst of her sorrowful separation from her dying son. Mary was entrusted by her son Jesus to His beloved disciple John. In this gospel episode we see the great love of Jesus for her mother. We also see the great love of Mary to her son Jesus for Mary did not leave Jesus until His last gasp of breath on the cross.

This gospel invites us to reflect on, how are we as a son/daughter to our mothers? And how are we as mothers to our children? – Marino J. Dasmarinas         

Repleksyon para sa Setyembre 15, Martes Mahal na Birheng Nagdadalamhati; Juan 19:25-27

Mabuting Balita: Juan 19:25-27

25 Nangakatayo naman sa tabi ng krus ni Jesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae ng kanyang ina, si Maria ni Cleofas at si Maria Magdalena. 26 Kaya pagkakita ni Jesus sa ina at sa alagad na mahal niya na nakatayo sa tabi, sinabi niya sa Ina: “Babae, hayan ang anak mo!” 27 pagkatapos ay sinabi naman niya sa alagad: “Hayan ang iyong ina.” At mula sa oras na iyon, tinanggap siya ng alagad sa kanyang tahanan.

+ + + + + + +

Repleksyon:

Nakakaantig ng puso para kay Maria na makita na ang kanyang minamahal na anak ay  unti-unti ng nawawalan ng buhay habang naka bayubay sa krus. Napakasakit din para kay Maria na marinig mula sa kanyang anak na siya ay ipinakakatiwala na sa pangangalaga ng kanyang alagad na si Juan.

Ang paghihiwalay natin sa ating mahal sa buhay  ay palaging masakit. Pero ganito talaga ang buhay. Lahat tayo ay dadaan sa ganitong pasakit sa ating buhay hindi lang natin alam kung kalian. Walang hindi makakaranas sa ganitong proceso ng kalungkutan sa buhay.

Sa gitna ng kanyang madalamhating pagkakahiwalay  sa kanyang minamahal na anak. Si Maria inihabilin at ipinagkatiwa ni Jesus sa kanyang tapat at minamahal na alagad na si Juan. Dito po natin makikita kung gaano  kamahal ni Jesus ang kanyang inang si Maria. At ganon din ang pagmamahal ni Maria sa kanyang anak na si Jesus dahil hindi iniwan ni Maria si Jesus hangang sa huling hininga ng kanyang buhay.

Iniimbitahan din po tayo ng mabuting balita na mag reflect din. Kumusta ba tayo bilang mga anak sa ating magulang? At kumusta rin ba tayo bilang mga magulang sa ating mga anak? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday September 13, Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Mark 8:27-35

Gospel: Mark 8:27-35

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.”  Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A man was given a choice to be with his mother or to continue to work in a foreign country. Without much thought this man chose to continue working abroad, he chose money rather than sacrifice his selfish ambition. He chose money rather than be with his mother.  

Are you ready to sacrifice your personal ambition so that Jesus teachings could continue to spread? For example would you resign from your job to do something for the greater glory of God?

Perhaps you will not give up your worldly life for a life of sacrifice with Jesus. Who would give-up a life of ease and comfort in this world in favor of a life with Jesus? Maybe only a few because in truth and in fact to truly follow Jesus is not easy.

But we were not brought into this world by God to become creatures of this world. God brought us into this world so that we could do something to partake with the mission of His son Jesus. This is the desire of God for each and every one of us: to help Jesus spread His mission.

Thus we have to be ready to carry our own cross for Christ no matter how heavy it may be. We have to be ready to lose our life in this world so that we could find its real purpose and meaning with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for September 12, Saturday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:43-49

Gospel: Luke 6:43-49

Jesus said to his disciples: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What will happen to a child when he/she is taught with proper values and when this very values and lived by his/her parents?  The child will grow-up to become a good and God loving person. This is always the result whenever a child is properly taught by his/her parents.

On the other hand, if a child is not taught with proper moral values and the parents do not live the same moral values. We could be assured that this child will grow-up with a distorted sense of values. For the simple reason that he/she was not taught about it or saw it being lived by his/her parents.         

In our gospel reading this Saturday Jesus said to his disciples: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit (Luke 6:43-44). The good tree is the parents and the good fruit is their child.

Jesus tells us that whatever good that we teach our children will be imbibed by them. And the good that we do and teach our children will form a great part of their rock solid moral foundation.

Many of the modern parents of today are always busy with work. They hardly have time to teach their children about good moral values much less love of God. So what children are they rearing? Children that are lacking in values and love of God and nobody are to blame for this but the parents.

Do you still teach your children about good values and love of God? Do you live it also? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Repleksyon para sa Setyembre 12, Sabado sa Ika-23 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon; Lucas 6:43-49

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:43-49

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga alagad, 43 Hindi makapamumunga ng masama ang mabuting puno, at ang masamang puno nama’y hindi maka¬pa¬mumu¬nga ng mabuti. 44 Nakikilala ang bawat puno sa bunga nito. Hindi makapi-pitas ng igos mula sa tinikan ni maka¬aani ng ubas mula sa dawagan. 45 Naglalabas ang taong mabuti ng mabuting bagay mula sa yaman ng kabutihan sa kanyang puso; ang masama nama’y naglalabas ng masamang bagay mula sa kanyang kasamaan. At sinasabi nga ng bibig ang uma¬apaw mula sa puso.

 46 Bakit pa ninyo ako tinatawag na ‘Panginoon, Panginoon,’ gayong hindi naman ninyo tinutupad ang sinasabi ko? 47 Ilalarawan ko sa inyo ang lumalapit sa akin at nakikinig sa aking mga salita at tumutupad nito. 48 May isang taong nagtatayo ng bahay, na humukay nang malalim at sa batuhan inilagay ang mga pun¬dasyon. Pagdating ng baha, hinampas ng agos ang bahay na iyon pero wala itong lakas para yanigin iyon sapagkat mabuti ang pagkakatatag niyon. 49 At kung may nakaririnig ngunit di naman nagsasagawa, matutulad siya sa nagtatayo ng bahay sa ibabaw ng lupa na wala namang pundasyon. Hinam¬pas ito ng agos at kaagad bu-magsak. Anong laki ng pagkawasak ng bahay na iyon!”

+ + + + + + +

Repleksyon:

Ano po ang mangyayari pag ang isang bata ay tinutuan ng mabuting paguugali at kung itong mabuting pag uugali ay isinabuhay rin ng mga magulang? Ang bata ay lumalaking mabuti at may pagmamahal sa Diyos. Ito po ang palagiang resulta pag ang bata ay hindi pinababayaan ng kanyang mga magulang.

Pag ang bata naman ay hindi tinuruan ng mabuting asal ang at kanyang mga magulang ay hindi nagsasabuhay nito. Maasahan natin na ang bata ay lalaking hindi mabuti ang paguugali. Ito po ay sa dahilan na siya ay hindi tinuruan tungkol dito at lalong hindi  rin niya ito nakita sa kanyang mga magulang.

Sa atin pong mabuting balita ay sinabi ni Jesus sa mga alagad, 43 Hindi makapamumunga ng masama ang mabuting puno, at ang masamang puno nama’y hindi makapamumunga ng mabuti. 44 Nakikilala ang bawat puno sa bunga nito (Lucas 6:43-44). Ang mabuting puno ay ang mabuting magulang at ang mabuti at mabait na mga anak ang siya nilang bunga.

Sinasabi po sa atin ni Jesus na anumang kabutihan ang itinuturo at ituturo pa sa ating mga anak ay kanilang isasabuhay. At itong mga kabutihang ito ay siyang magiging matatag at matibay pundasyon ng kanilang mga buhay habang sila ay lumalaki

Marami po sa makabagong magulang ngayon ay palaging abala sa kanilang mga trabaho. Wala na silang panahon na turuan ang kanilang mga anak tungkol sa mabuting pag-uugali at magmamahal sa Diyos. At ang dahilan nito ay ang kanilang mga pabayang mga magulang.

Tinuturuan mo parin ba ang iyong mga anak tungkol sa mabuting pag-uugali at pagmamahal sa Diyos? Isinasabuhay mo rin ba ito? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 11, Friday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:39-42

Gospel: Luke 6:39-42

Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is the sure-fire recipe for failure in marriage? It’s the judgmental and self-righteous attitudes of both spouses. When a spouse is quick to draw judgment and if he/she only listens to himself/herself. We can be assured that somewhere down the road the marriage vehicle will stop and will eventually permanently break apart.

Many marriages fall apart because of the tunnel vision of many spouses. They run their respective marriages with dominance, they never allow democracy to grow and eventually thrive within the marriage covenant.

Marriage is always a democratic and participatory union. Never it has become an autocratic and one sided union between two different and unique individuals. Therefore the best recipe for success in marriage is not to allow judgmental mindset to rule the marriage. To allow democracy to carve its own space in the marriage.

In the gospel for this Friday, Jesus warns about being judgmental. Wherein we only choose to see the fault of the other person yet we purposely don’t notice our own shortcomings. We are quick to point an accusing finger yet we don’t have the courage and humility to point the same accusing finger to ourselves. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for September 10, Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:27-38

Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What will liberate us from hatred? Its forgiveness, when we truly forgive every form of hatred disappears in our hearts. We become free we exude nothing but positive aura to our fellowmen. But human as we are we from time to time succumb to hatred thus we allow it to control us instead of us controlling it.

What is the cure for hatred? Its love, forgiveness and humility; these three can conquer hatred. And it can free us from emotions that bring nothing to us but disgust. This could even result to the disruption of our day and we will not be able to function properly.

In our gospel reading Jesus tells us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, to bless those who curse us, to pray for those who mistreat us (Luke 6:27-28). Difficult as it may seem; nonetheless if we want to be free from the enslavement of hatred we have to follow what Jesus is telling us.

It’s only through forgiveness that we would be free from hatred. It’s only through the way of forgiveness and love that we could become true followers of Jesus. There’s no other way but love and forgiveness.

Would you be willing to forgive those who’ve hurt you? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 9, Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:20-26

Gospel: Luke 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.

But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Imagine Jesus reading to you the gospel for today. How would you feel? Would you feel blessed?

The poor, hungry, weeping, hated and insulted are blessed by Jesus. No matter what others would say about them they are blessed by Jesus. But human as we are we hunger for the luxuries of life, who would not want worldly luxuries?

But if these luxuries would bring us away from Jesus and would bring us to embrace this world and eventually sin. Should we still embrace it?  We must be discerning at all times because the devil is always actively seeking and following us through enticements of these worldly luxuries.

He (Devil) is like a heat seeking guided missile that is often at our backs waiting for the most opportune time to destroy us with sinful and immoral offerings of luxuries . Let us therefore be careful and discerning, for we can live even without this worldly riches from the devil.

If you are poor in the eyes of this world yet you have Jesus in your heart, then you’re the most blessed person in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 8, Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

Gospel: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob 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. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

We celebrate today the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, incidentally today is also the birthday of my Mother she is now seventy three years old.

Who brought us here in this world? It’s our Mothers. Who formed us during our younger years? It’s our mothers as well. To whom do we largely attribute who we are today? We attribute it to our mothers.

Jesus throughout His lifetime was guided by the Blessed Mother. From His birth up to His death on the cross the Blessed Mother was there for Him. She is the ever present and patient mother who nurtured Jesus, who guided Jesus and who never left the side of Jesus until His last gasp for breath.

This is primarily the reason why we give so much honor to the Blessed Mother; this is the reason why we ask her to bring our prayers before Jesus. Because we firmly believe that the Blessed Mother can influence Jesus to grant us our prayers.

Any righteous son will listen to his mother's request this is what we believe that’s why until now our devotion to the Blessed Mother is as strong as ever. On this birthday of the Blessed Mother let us continue to honor Her, let us continue to spread our devotion for Her.

Let us also take a closer look at our own mothers. They are getting old, their nimble bodies are getting slower and weaker by the day. Let us take care of them and let us honor and love them for they’re the mirror image of the Blessed Mother.

How's your devotion to the Blessed Mother? How’s your Mother? Are you properly taking care of her? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 7, Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:6-11

Gospel: Luke 6:6-11

On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up and stand before us.” And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is Sabbath day? It is a sacred day for the Jews, it’s their day for the Lord. We can compare the Sabbath day to our observance of Sunday our own day of rest and day for the Lord also.

The question that arose from the minds of the scribes and Pharisees was this: Would Jesus cure on a Sabbath day? Which was prohibited by their Jewish religion? When Jesus cured the hand of the man with a withered hand it did not mean that He was disrespecting the Sabbath day.

Jesus simply saw an opportunity to show His infinite compassion and love for the sick man. Thus Jesus healed the man with a withered hand even if it was prohibited by their religion. Jesus is showing us that if we want our faith to be effective we have to humbly show compassion and love too!

Jesus attracts people for the simple reason that He is always ever ready to show His compassion  and love to anyone who seeks it. His love and compassion does not choose what time or day. He would always be there for so long as there’s someone in need.

How about us? Are we always ready to show our compassion and love? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday September 6, Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time; Mark 7:31-37

Gospel: Mark  7:31-37

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

There’s a story of a man who was diagnosed to have a terminal sickness, of course he was bothered, who would not be? But this man has great faith in Jesus so he earnestly prayed.  He went to Mass everyday, he prayed the rosary regularly and he read his bible fervently. 

As the days, weeks and months passed by there was observable decline on his physical appearance. But those around him noticed also the increase in his faith and confidence in Jesus. They’ve noticed the peacefulness and calmness that he exudes so unlikely of a dying man.

We are presented in the gospel a story of physical healing, a deaf man was able to speak again through the healing power of Jesus.  With the help of those around him the deaf man was brought closer to Jesus. After which he begged Jesus to lay His hand on him.

Jesus took the man away from the crowd. And in the stillness of the environment Jesus groaned and said, “Ephphatha!” which means be opened. The man was immediately healed, he was able to hear and speak once again.

Eventually, everyone of us will get sick and everyone of us will also pray for physical healing from Jesus. But not all of us would experience physical healing like what the deaf man experienced in the gospel. Some of us would experience deep spiritual healing, the same spiritual healing that the terminally sick man in our story received from Jesus.

We must therefore take steps also to get closer and build a relationship with Jesus. Let us take the initiative and do it by ourselves now. Because sooner or later we will be in need also of His physical and spiritual healing.

Let us not wait for the time to come that we will go to Him because we are already in dire need of Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 4, Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 5:33-39

Gospel: Luke 5:33-39

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” And he also told them a parable. “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Can we discover the purity of a person heart by mere observance of tradition or ritual such as fasting? No because that is only an external show of one’s faith and what is external does not totally represent the inner being of an individual. For example if a person is always at church could we now say that he/she is holy? Of course not! We still need to know more about the person so that we could discover more about his/her character.

Jesus was questioned by the scribes and Pharisees, why His disciples were not fasting like them and the followers of John the Baptist. The simple answer of Jesus was they can’t fast yet because He is still with them.

Fasting is actually good because it cleans and purifies our bodies but what is the use of fasting if we continue to sin? What is the use of fasting if we just use it as our standard to judge others who are not fasting? What is the use the of fasting if there’s no inner transformation and conversion?

There is more to life than mere observance of self-serving laws and traditions such as fasting. Inner conversion is better than fasting, not having a self-righteous mindset is better than fasting. 

Understanding those who commit mistakes is better than fasting. Forgiving those who ask for our forgiveness is better than fasting. And most of all, a life spent together with Jesus is far better than fasting.- Marino J. Dasmarinas