Reflection for June 22, Monday; Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:1-5

Gospel: Matthew 7:1-5

Jesus said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye, while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.

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Reflection:

What can we get by judging others? Nothing except the accumulation of hatred in our heart which if not corrected could even cause us sickness even death. What if we will not judge or if we are not quick to judge? There would be no hatred within us! As such we are free, we would look younger and sickness will not be our best friend.

We may not know this but we are quick to judge others for the simple reason that we have a very high regard of ourselves. And this is brought about by our feeling of superiority towards others. But why do we feel superior towards others when we are all created by God as equals,  where does this superiority feeling emanates? We have this feeling of superiority because God is not a permanent dweller in our hearts.

There’s a story of a woman who was a regular fixture in church organization. But she was not well liked because she was so judgmental, has a high regard of herself and self-righteous. Are we not sometimes also judgmental, has a high regard of ourselves and self-righteous?

In our gospel for this Monday we hear Jesus telling us to stop judging. Why? This is for the reason that when we judge we already distance ourselves from the person that we judge. We already create a wall that may permanently separate us from that person. If this is so, how can we convert them? How can could they feel the love of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Sunday June 21, Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 10:26-33

Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33

Jesus said to the Twelve: "Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."

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Reflection:

Jesus told the apostles as He sends them off to spread the gospel: ““Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna” (Matthew 10:26-28)

This call of Jesus to not be afraid is very timely for us today because many of us are so afraid of getting sick of Covid-19. But why be afraid if Jesus is with us? We have nothing to fear if the Lord is with us we simply have to be careful and we leave everything to Jesus.

It’s so easy to say that we are followers of Jesus but it’s another story when we are called to witness for the Lord no matter what it may cost us. Why? Because our witness for the Lord often times have limitations. We witness for the Lord when it’s comfortable for us to do so. Or when it favors us but when it’s not comfortable and it doesn’t favor us we hide to secure ourselves.  

True followers would find courage to conquer their fears. And this courage they would only find if they have a strong and personal relationship with the Lord. We are therefore called to continue our witness for the Lord in the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic. Not to continue carelessly but to continue in a calculated and careful manner.

The enemy is unseen, powerful and can kill us anytime. Believe it not,  this Covid-19 pandemic is obviously an instrument of satan to sow fear within us and to make us afraid to live and share the gospel. But we will forge on because the Lord is telling us not to be afraid.    

Majority of the apostles were the perfect witness for Christ, they feared no one they followed Him championing His teachings until their very last gasp of breath. The Martyrs of the church did the same they shed their blood for the mission of Jesus. They spoke the truth, they were not afraid to die for their love of Jesus and His mission.

This is also the clarion call for us let us not be afraid to continue creatively sharing the gospel of the Lord using social media. Let us conquer our fear of this Covid-19 pandemic and continue to live our faith for the Lord is always with us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for June 20, Saturday; Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 2:41-51

Gospel: Luke 2:41-51

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

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Reflection:

Have we experienced the feeling of fear and uncertainty?

Everyone of us perhaps has already experienced the feeling of fear and uncertainty. For example when a love one is brought to the hospital for an emergency; we feel fear and uncertainty of what may happen next. Amidst the anxiety and fear who gives us the confidence to calm down? it’s none other than God, we go to HIM in deep prayer.

When Saint Joseph and the Blessed Mother discovered that the child Jesus was not with them they must have felt fear and anxiety also. But in the middle of their feeling of fear and anxiety they remained peaceful for both of them were faithful worshippers of God. They knew perhaps that somehow they would soon find Jesus safe and sound. And so they went back to look for Jesus and they found HIM in the temple interacting with the Judaic teachers.      

Today is the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We remember her heart that is overflowing with love for her child and her spouse. Her Immaculate Heart that is overflowing with Humility and surrender to the will of God.

Let us pray that our hearts may be like the heart of the Blessed Mother. A heart that is overflowing with humility and trust in God. A heart that is ever willing to embrace suffering a heart that is deeply rooted in faith and love for God. And a heart that is immaculately clean for it doesn't keep a record of wrong and hatred.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for June 19, Friday; Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Matthew 11:25-30

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30  

At that time Jesus exclaimed: "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

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Reflection:

Do we want to grow in faith? God requires us only one thing; none other than to have the virtue of humility. Humility means that we trust God like how a little child trust his parents. Humility means that we don’t question the ways of God in our life even if HIS ways are sometimes not we would want it to be.

 We simply bow in submission and follow HIS own will for our lives. But, how would we know the will of God? We must at all times be humble for it’s though our humility that we are able to discerns God’s will for us. A person who is not humble would never discern God’s will; he will only know his own will for himself.

Who are those who go to Jesus to be relieve of the burdens of this world? Who are those who sincerely ask Jesus to help them carry their heavy loads in this world? Who are those who find their rest in Jesus alone? They all are the humble ones; they go to Jesus in humility and by doing so they find true rest they find someone who will help them find relief from the burdens of this world.

During this Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus let us reflect on Jesus' humble heart. Let us pray that the good Lord will also transform our hearts to become like the humble Sacred Heart of Jesus. For Humility is the gateway to know Jesus deeply and humility is the only means for Jesus to come into our life. 

Are we humble? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for June 18, Thursday; Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

What is the prayer that reaches God? Its prayer that comes from the heart and a prayer made in the silence of our heart. It could be a long or short prayer that comes straight from our heart.

Jesus gives us the perfect prayer called the Our Father. This is called the perfect prayer because it comes from Him and Jesus gave it to us. Jesus Himself taught us to pray it.  Do we pray this with our hearts or we simply pray it with our minds wandering elsewhere?

Recall when we are at Holy Mass, how do we pray the Our Father or the Lord’s Prayer? Do we pray it with closed eyes or with open eyes? The best way to pray this perfect prayer is with closed eyes.  Because when we close our eyes we shut ourselves from any form of distraction.    

Deep in our heart we seek to connect with God and we hunger and thirst for our God. Most especially when we pass through moments of loneliness, trial and disillusionment.  Why? Because God alone gives meaning to our life.  

How do we pray the Our Father? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for June 17, Wednesday; Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

(Jesus said to his disciples) “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

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Reflection:

What does Jesus teach us today? It’s about humility and modesty, keep your every acts of piety in secret and don’t trumpet it to the whole wide world including the world of social meadia for HE knows everything. But the world that we are in now is influencing us to discard this teaching of Jesus and embrace publicity and self-proclamation.

Just look at the many vehicles of publicity in the internet such as facebook, instagram, twitter and the like. What are they dictating to us? It dictates us to publicize almost everything that we do, including our acts of piety.

Nothing’s wrong to embrace these social media platforms if we use it to advance our advocacies with other motives but to help. Yet it becomes wrong when we use it to proudly show to the whole wide world the good that we do. Perhaps Jesus is telling us not to worry if nobody would notice our acts of kindness and piety for HE knows it already.

What is important is we do everything for Jesus and for the greater good of HIS people. It doesn’t matter anymore if we would be noticed or not if people would compliment us or not. What is important is we know that we have a God who knows everything including our unpublicized acts of love, charity and goodness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for June 16, Tuesday; Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:43-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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Reflection:

Would we obey the command of Jesus to love and pray for our enemy?

Who are we to not obey the command of Jesus to love even our enemy? We are mere mortals and sinful beings of God. If God loves us unconditionally, why can’t we do the same to our fellowmen and women?

Our problem is we give so much importance on our high sense of ourselves, on our egos. That’s why we often times say, “If you don’t love me I will not love you also.”, “If you’re angry with me, then I would be angry with you also.” These kinds of reasoning are reasoning of a person who is so full of himself. 

The call of Jesus for us it to do away with our very high regard of ourselves and this would only be possible if we would become humble. Humility therefore is the key factor for us to be able to follow this command of Jesus: To love even to our enemies.

Let be humility an integral part of our way of life. Let us always learn to reach out, let us always be forgiving and let us not harbor ill feelings to those who’ve wronged us. If we’re able to do these, we can now say that we would be able to love and pray for everyone… even our enemies.

Can we love our enemy? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for June 15, Monday; Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:38-42

Gospel: Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus said to his disciples: You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

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Reflection:

Do you know that exacting revenge against someone who did you wrong will not do you any good? For example you discovered that your spouse is unfaithful to you and you get back at her/him by being unfaithful as well. Do you know that you’re only enveloping yourself with sin if you do so?

There’s a psychological study that says that when a person is at the height of his anger that person momentarily loses his rationality. This is the reason why a person commits sin that is unthinkable for that person to do.

In the gospel passage this Monday Jesus told the disciples: “offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles (Matthew 5:39-41).

Jesus did not retaliate for all the punishments and insults that His persecutors did to Him, He was always meek and humble. May we always be meek and humble also to those who sin against us most especially sins inside the marriage covenant.

May we learn to turn the other cheek, hand our cloak and learn to walk some more miles for the sake of peace and eventual harmony inside the marriage covenant.

Instead of retaliating with the betrayal of the marriage covenant which will only make us sin. Why not engage in dialogue, prayer and forgiveness? Or why not simply walk-away and live a quiet and solitary life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Sunday June 14, Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ: John 6:51-58

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

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Reflection:

How can we live forever? We have to eat what Jesus offers us today none other than HIS Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Where do we receive this selfless offering of Jesus? We receive HIM at Holy Mass during Holy Communion. Hard to believe that we would be sustained by the Body and Blood of Jesus yet this is true! If we always receive HIM with utmost reverence we will notice something different and life changing within us.

Our faith will increase, we will be lead by Jesus to people who will help us grow in faith. And our eyes of faith will be opened to the rich resources available for us to grow in faith. However, before all of these life changing moments change us. We must receive HIM first at Holy Mass with deep reverence.   

But in this era of Covid-19 pandemic majority of us can’t still attend Holy Mass. So, what would we do? We have to reverently attend online Holy Mass and we have to say with reverence the prayer of Spiritual Communion. 

We become what we eat and we are transformed by what we eat, for example if we regularly eat food that makes us fat such as sweet and sugary food we will surely be fat. If we regularly eat salty and processed food this will also make us fat.  And the side effect of eating sugary, processed and fatty foods is it will eventually bring us sickness.

In the same manner if we will regularly partake reverently of the Body and Blood of Jesus it will not only transform and sustain us it will also cleanse us of anything that makes us sinful. This is the miracle of the Body and Blood of Christ that we reverently receive during Holy Communion/Spiritual Communion.

However, do we receive the Body of Christ with reverence and do we pray to Jesus to Heal, Renew and Change us as we fall in line/queue with social distancing for Holy Communion? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for June 13, Saturday; Tenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:33-37

Gospel: Matthew 5:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One.”

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Reflection:

Do we stand by our word? 

Our words are more than just sounds—they are a reflection of who we are before God and others. As the Bible says, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37). When we speak, we reveal the state of our hearts. 

If we constantly make promises that we do not fulfill, we eventually lose our credibility—not only in the eyes of others but also in the eyes of God. People begin to doubt our sincerity because they have come to expect that we do not stand by what we say. 

But the moment we begin to value the virtue of word of honor, and the moment we choose to speak only what is true, our integrity becomes clear. We honor God by honoring our word. Our moral credibility becomes our silent testimony. 

Sadly, many today no longer value their word. Lying has become common—even casual—for some. It no longer disturbs our conscience. We forget that every lie not only damages our own reputation but also brings harm to others and distances us from God. 

We must remember that truth is not just a moral value—it is a person. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). To speak the truth is to walk in the light of Christ. To lie is to reject Him and follow the deceiver. 

As followers of God, we are called to live in truth and integrity. Word of honor is not optional—it is a fruit of a life grounded in God. We must reject all forms of lying and manipulation. Why? 

Because the one who makes a habit of lying, even in secret, aligns himself with Satan—the father of lies and the master manipulator. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for June 12, Friday; Tenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:27-32

Gospel: Matthew 5:27-32

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

“It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a husband who got involved in an adulterous relationship. Eventually the husband was caught. So, the wife asked him why did  he do it? The husband simply, “I don’t know.” This is the culture nowadays; the sacredness of marriage is not anymore being respected by married couples. Adultery and divorce are always a tempting despicable avenue for them.

Why do couples succumb to the temptation of satan? For the simple reason that they don’t value their faith in Jesus anymore. Yes, they worship Jesus at church for Holy Mass but they purposely leave Jesus inside the four walls of the church after Holy Mass. 

They don’t bring Jesus along with them and they don’t allow Jesus to live in their hearts.  If they live the teachings of Jesus they would be afraid to even think of doing such evil. Much less commit and plunge their very selves into it.

But all is not lost yet, there is still hope and He is no other than Jesus. Let us bring Jesus with us, let us live His teachings and let us make Him our armor. So that we can easily protect ourselves from the scheming of the devil who always seeks to destroy the sanctity of the Marriage Covenant. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for June 11, Thursday; Memorial of Saint Barnabas, apostle and martyr: Matthew 10:7-13

Gospel: Matthew 10:7-13

(Jesus said to the twelve disciples) As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. 

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who can’t seem to dispose the old things in her house. According to her she will not dispose anything because each one has a sentimental value. After two years her house was already full of clutter and dirt brought about by the many unnecessary things that she owned. Don’t we also love to own unnecessary things that only complicate and add clutter to our life?

Simple life equals simple problems, complicated life equals complicated problems. Do we live simple lives?

Jesus is an advocate of simple living no doubt about it. This is proven in our gospel today when He told the twelve apostles as they were to be commissioned: “Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick.” (Matthew 10:9-10)

The best way to live our life is to live it simply. And as we go ahead with our simple living we would also notice that there’s less pressure and stress on us there are also less human created problems. 

Yet not all of us are aware that many of the problems that we face now are created by our complicated lifestyles. The life that we have right now is our personal choice if we are living a problematic life it is certainly brought about by our complicated lifestyle.

Let us be like Jesus who lived the simple and uncomplicated life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for June 10, Wednesday; Tenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:17-19

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

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Reflection:

Do we obey, teach and live the laws of the Lord?

Jesus in our gospel for today speaks about Himself as the fulfillment of the law. In effect Jesus was telling the disciples I am now the fulfilment of those commandments from the Old Testament.

For example, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) which God gave to Moses in the mountain of Sinai. Jesus summarized these ten to become the two greatest commandments which states: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments (Matthew 22:37-40).”

Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments thus it became the two greatest commandments of love. Indeed, if we really have Jesus in our lives there would be no room for hatred, condemnation, self-righteousness, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.

What would remain in our hearts is love for love is the advocacy and language of Jesus. Jesus love for us is so unlike the love that we have. This is for the reason that Jesus’ love is not a selective kind of love but love for everyone of us no matter who we are. 

This is therefore the exercise of love that we have to emulate: To love everyone no matter how they loved us and no matter the sins that they’ve committed against us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for June 9, Tuesday; Tenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:13-16

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a young doctor who topped the medical board exam. Being a board topnotcher, she received an offer from a multinational pharmaceutical company. She was presented with a generous signing bonus, offered a high salary, and—to top it all—given the opportunity to pursue further studies abroad. The offer was indeed tempting, a dream come true for many.

Yet, to everyone’s surprise, she graciously declined the attractive financial windfall and benefits. When asked why, her humble yet profound response was this: "I intend to go back to my home province and make a big positive difference in the lives of my poor province mates, where I also belonged once upon a time."

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “You are the salt of the earth, and you are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13–14). These are not just beautiful words—they are a divine calling. What does it mean to be salt and light in this world? It means living a life that is purposeful, selfless, and rooted in love. A life not centered on personal success alone, but one that radiates goodness, especially to the poor and those in need.

Oftentimes, we become too focused on ourselves. We adopt a me first mentality—pursuing goals for personal gain, believing that we will give back only after we've secured our own comfort. But Jesus didn’t say, “Fulfill your dreams first. Become rich and successful. Then go and serve others.” No. His message is clear and immediate: Be salt. Be light. Now.

We are called to be a blessing to others not tomorrow, not when it's convenient, but today—in this very moment. Wherever we are, whatever our circumstances, we are invited to shine Christ’s light and preserve goodness in the world like salt that seasons and heals.

Let us then ask ourselves: Am I being salt and light where God has placed me? Am I living only for myself, or am I allowing God to use my life to bless others?

May the Lord give us the grace to say “yes” to this calling each day—to be His salt and His light in a world so hungry for both.— Marino J. Dasmarinas