Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Setyembre 6, Ika-23 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 18:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:15-20

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 15 Kung nagkasala sa iyo ang iyong kapatid, puntahan mo siya at kausapin nang sarilinan; at kung makinig siya sa iyo, tinubo mo na ang iyong kapatid. 16 Kung hindi naman siya makinig sa iyo, magsama ka ng dalawa o tatlo para luta­sin ang kaso sa pagsaksi ng da­lawa o tatlo. 17 Kung tatanggi siyang makinig sa kanila, sabi­hin ito sa Iglesya; at kung hindi pa rin siya ma­kikinig sa Iglesya, itu­ring siyang pagano o publikano.

18 Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang talian ninyo sa lupa ay matatali rin sa Langit, at ang kalagan ninyo dito sa lupa ay kakalagan din sa Langit. 19 Sinasabi ko rin sa inyo: kung dito sa lupa ay may dalawa sa inyo na nagka­­­kaisang humihingi ng anuman, gagawin ito para sa kanila ng aking Amang nasa Langit. 20 Sapagkat kung saan may dala­wa o tatlong nagkakatipon sa Ngalan ko, kapiling nila ako.” 

Reflection for September 5, Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:1-5

Gospel: Luke 6:1-5

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat,  ate of it, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”

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Reflection:

Do you always do what is right even if it’s unpopular?

There are times that we are hindered of doing something that is noble because we fear the judgment of our fellowmen. For example, a young lady suddenly had an unwanted pregnancy. Since she was still young her family wanted her to abort the life in her womb. But the lady rightfully stood her ground and went through her pregnancy and gave birth.

While the disciples were picking grains some Pharisees admonished them because it was their day of rest or Sabbath day. But Jesus reproved the ever critical Pharisees by citing what David and his companions did: They ate the bread offering which was exclusively for the priest. Then, Jesus topped HIS rebuke of the Pharisees by saying that HE is over and above their Sabbath law.

The rule that Jesus’ follows is this: rightful human need/s such as food takes precedence over any laws even the Sabbath law. Doing acts of mercy is more important than fulfilling a custom or tradition.

Come to think of it, what good would it do us if we follow the law/s but in the process of following it we deprive those who are in need? What good is our presence at church every Sunday for Holy Mass if we don’t live the teachings of Jesus? – 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.

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Reflection:

Could you discover the purity of a person heart by mere observance of tradition or ritual such as fasting? No, because that is only superficial and besides 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 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  and humility is better than fasting.

Mercy and forgiveness are better than fasting. Most of all, a life with Jesus is far better than fasting. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 3, Thursday; Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church (M) Luke 5:1-11

Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them.

They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

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 Reflection:

From ordinary fishermen to extra-ordinary fishers of men, this is how we can best describe the lives of Simon Peter, James and John. Who transformed them to become fishers of men? Jesus! Why were they transformed by Jesus? Because they obeyed, they simply followed the command of the Lord.

When we obey Jesus, extra-ordinary things begin to happen to us; but how could we hear the voice of Jesus? How would we know that Jesus is talking to us when we don’t see and feel His physical presence?

Jesus speaks to us through the readings at Holy Mass, Jesus speaks to us through the priest who prepared for his homily. Jesus speaks to us also when we read His words in the bible and through the words and commentaries of well-meaning people.

Through these we hear Jesus calling us to conversion and to faithfully follow Him. Nothing is impossible for as long as we follow and for as long as we put our faith and trust in Jesus.

Simon Peter, James, John and the other fishermen who were with them during that early morning obeyed the impossible command of Jesus. To once again put their nets (A short distance from them) into the sea because they would be catching the greatest number of fish. And true enough they caught the biggest number of fish.  

The moment you begin to obey Jesus extra-ordinary things would begin to happen to you as well. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 3, Huwebes; San Gregorio Magno, papa at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita): Lucas 5:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:1-11

1 Dinagsa si Jesus ng napakaraming taong nakikinig sa salita ng Diyos at nakatayo naman siya sa baybayin ng Lawa ng Genesaret. 2 Nakita niya noon ang dalawang bangka sa baybay. Kaba­baba pa lamang ng mga mangi­ngisda mula sa mga ito para hugasan ang mga lambat. 3 Kaya suma­kay siya sa isa rito na pag-aari ni Simon at hiniling dito na lumayo nang kaunti mula sa dalampasigan. Umupo siya at mula sa bangka’y sinimulang turuan ang maraming tao.

4 Matapos siyang magsalita, sinabi niya kay Simon: “Pumalaot ka at ihulog ninyo ang inyong mga lambat para hu­muli.” 5 Ngunit sumagot si Simon: “Guro, buong magdamag kaming nagpagod at wala kaming nakuha pero dahil sinabi mo, ihuhulog ko ang mga lambat.” 6 At nang gawin nila ito, naka­huli sila ng napaka­raming isda kaya halos mag­kandasira ang kani­lang mga lambat. 7 Kaya kinawayan nila ang kanilang mga kasamahang nasa kabilang bang­ka para lumapit at tulungan sila. Du­mating nga ang mga ito at pinu­no nila ang dalawang bangka hang­gang halos lumu­bog ang mga iyon.

8 Nang makita ito ni Simon Pedro, nag­pa­tirapa siya sa harap ni Jesus at sinabi: “Lumayo ka sa akin, Panginoon, sapagkat taong makasalanan lamang ako.” 9 Tala­ga ngang nasindak siya at ang lahat niyang kasama dahil sa huli ng mga isda na nakuha nila. 10 Gayundin naman ang mga anak ni Zebedeo na sina Jaime at Juan na mga kasama ni Simon.

Ngunit sinabi ni Jesus kay Simon: “Huwag kang matakot; mula ngayo’y mga tao ang huhulihin mo.” 11 Kayat nang ma­dala na nila ang mga bangka sa lupa, iniwan nila ang lahat at sumu­nod sa kanya.

Reflection for September 2, Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 4:38-44

Gospel: Luke 4:38-44

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them.

At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

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Reflection:

Have you asked Jesus to heal somebody close to you? Have you brought to Jesus a relative or a friend? Your faith and relationship with Jesus becomes more meaningful when you are able to bring/introduce someone to Him. For the reason that this means that your faith has already matured and is bearing fruit already.

In the gospel for today, Simon’s humbly asked Jesus to heal his mother in-law who was sick with fever. And immediately Jesus went to her and healed her. What if Simon did not asked Jesus to heal his mother in-law? Of course his mother in-law would have not been healed but she was healed courtesy of Simon’s prayerful and humble intercession.

This act of Simon of asking Jesus to heal her mother in-law is a very good reminder for us. That we too must see to it that we also pray to Jesus to heal and enlighten others most especially those who are close to us. Many are very much in need of enlightenment and healing from Jesus. Let us not take for granted the power of our prayerful intercession for others most especially for the sick and for those who are not enlightened yet about the love of Jesus.

This is for the reason that our prayerful intercession for them can heal and change them. For example, Saint Monica (the mother of Saint Augustine) she was forced to marry a non-believer but through her unceasing prayer she was able to convert her husband to the catholic faith.

Saint Monica also unceasingly prayed for 17 long years for the conversion of her son Augustine who was living a life of sin at that time. And through her humble and persevering prayers she was eventually heard by God.  

Have you already brought somebody closer to Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 1, Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 4:31-37

Gospel: Luke 4:31-37

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?

Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.

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Reflection:

During 1982, while walking to our house. I saw a group of people and I also heard a very loud groaning voice within their group. Out of curiosity I walked going to them to simply see what they were looking at and to find out where that groaning was coming from.

There I saw a man with devilish eyes being held on by a number of men, when the man was asked who was he answered with a frightening voice that he was the devil. Afterwards somebody came (I don’t know if it was priest of a pastor) who said a very powerful prayer and afterwards he sprinkled holy water upon the possessed man while invoking the name of Jesus. As this was being administered the man was violently resisting and shouting until he calmed down and he passed out soon after.

In our gospel we read about Jesus exorcising a demon from a possessed man. After Jesus exorcised the possessed man the crowd said, what is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out (Luke 4:36).”

The crowd did not know Jesus that’s why they marvelled about the power and authority of His word. Unlike the crowd in the gospel who did not know, we know Jesus; we know where His power and authority is coming from. Let us therefore take advantage of our knowledge of Jesus. Let us dive deeper into it by regularly reflecting upon His powerful words in the bible, by our prayerful life and by our regular presence at Holy Mass.

By doing these acts of faith we permanently immunize ourselves from the possession of the devil. The devil who tries to possess us in manifold ways up to this very moment.  The devil is very real! 

He is just hovering around the moment we sense that the devil is near us through the many kinds of temptations and sins. We have to immediately invoke the mighty and powerful name of Jesus and walk away immediately! Otherwise it would possess us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for August 31, Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 4:16-30

Gospel: Luke 4:16-30

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?”

He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’ And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land.

 It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian. When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

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Reflection:

Do you always want to be respected? A person who thinks highly of himself would always want to be respected.

Respect and acceptance is something that we all want we desire it deep in our hearts. However, there would be times that we will not be respected and accepted. If this happens to us let us be calm, take it in stride and humbly accept the humiliation. Then, let us charge everything to experience and let us quietly walk away from them. 

When Jesus returned to Nazareth (the place where He had grown up) He got an unpleasant welcome.  He was disrespected and was not accepted by his town mates. But instead of hating them back Jesus calmly heard their insulting remarks. Instead of getting back at His town mates Jesus chose to take the road less travelled which is the great virtue of humility.  

They even drove Him out of their town with the intent of killing Him. But instead of getting back at them He walked away from them to avoid a troublesome situation. This is Jesus for us, calm under duress, always humble and peaceful.

Let us therefore learn from Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday August 30, Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 16:21-27

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.  You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “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 will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?

Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”

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Reflection:

Are you aware of the prosperity theology or gospel? The center of this teaching is this: You follow and serve Jesus and you will prosper materially. You give to your church without measure because you will receive what you gave a hundredfold.

The proponent of this idea focuses on God as a giver of wealth and prosperity. Many Christian groups are using this teaching to attract more followers and they are successful with this; who wouldn’t want prosperity and a blissful life?

But is this always true? That once we choose to follow Jesus and generously give to the church we will have a prosperous and blissful life?

Jesus in the gospel said to the disciples: "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  In effect Jesus is contradicting this teaching of prosperity theology. Many of us have this mistaken notion that the moment we choose to follow the Lord  life would be OK already for us.  This is not always true, often times the more that we faithfully follow Jesus the more that we are persecuted. And the more that we create enemies for ourselves there are even those who were martyred for their faithful discipleship.

Would this discourage us already? The person with a faint heart would be easily discouraged by this paradox of true discipleship. But if we really desire to faithfully follow the Lord we must be prepared for persecution, for hardship and we must even be prepared to die for the sake of our true discipleship.

Full blooded followers will never be afraid with whatever sufferings and crosses that may come their way. Because they know that in the middle of their hardships and persecutions Jesus will always be there for them to strengthen and guide them in every step of their way.

So why be afraid of sufferings, of persecution or even death? Life is temporary anyway and aside from that we don’t own our life, God owns it. If we suffer because of our faithful adherence to Jesus then we expect a reward someday.

It may not come our way during our lifetime in this world but there will eventually be a reward when we have already crossed the line that divides this present life and the everlasting life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Agosto 30, Ika-22 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 16:21-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:21-27

Mula noon ay ipinaalam na ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad ang mangyayari sa kanya. Sinabi niya, "Dapat akong magtungo sa Jerusalem at magdanas ng maraming hirap sa kamay ng mga pinuno ng bayan, mga punong pari at mga tagapagturo ng Kautusan. Ako'y papatayin, ngunit sa ikatlong araw ako'y muling mabubuhay."

Dinala siya ni Pedro sa isang tabi at sinimulang pagalitan, "Panginoon, huwag nawang itulot ng Diyos! Kailanma'y hindi iyan mangyayari sa inyo." Ngunit hinarap siya ni Jesus at sinabihan, "Umalis ka sa harapan ko, Satanas! Hadlang ka sa aking landas. Ang iniisip mo'y hindi sa Diyos kundi sa tao."

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Ang sinumang nagnanais sumunod sa akin ay kinakailangang itakwil niya ang kanyang sarili, pasanin ang kanyang krus, at sumunod sa akin. Ang naghahangad na magligtas ng kanyang buhay ay mawawalan nito; ngunit ang mawalan ng kanyang buhay alang-alang sa akin ay magkakamit nito.

Sapagkat ano ba ang mapapala ng isang tao makamtan man niya ang buong daigdig, ngunit mapapahamak naman ang kanyang sarili? Ano ba ang maibabayad ng isang tao para mabawi niya ang kanyang buhay? Sapagkat darating ang Anak ng Tao na kasama ang kanyang mga anghel, at taglay ang dakilang kapangyarihan ng kanyang Ama. Sa panahong iyo'y gagantimpalaan niya ang bawat tao ayon sa ginawa nito.

1Reflection for August 29, Saturday;The Passion of Saint John the Baptist (M): Mark 6:17-29

Gospel: Mark 6:17-29

Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.

Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.

Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her.

So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

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Reflection:

Would you have the courage to denounce an adulterous relationship? You surely will think and ponder very hard about the consequence of your action. Or perhaps you will not have the courage to speak against it for fear of being rebuked or even killed.

John the Baptist was a man of courage for he did not fear speaking against the adulterous relationship of King Herod and Herodias. John told them that it was wrong for them to be in that relationship because Herodias was married to his brother Philip. Yet, by speaking about what was moral and true John was imprisoned and eventually beheaded.

There comes a time in our lives that we need to make a stand or speak out against what is wrong and immoral. To remain silent against wrongdoing is never an option because how could we correct a wrong if we would just be silent? How would others know that what they are doing is wrong if we would remain silent? It’s like we are consenting to what is wrong if we will pretend to hear no evil and see no evil.

We therefore have to speak out but this does not necessarily mean that we will be angry and there would be shouting and cursing. We can speak out in a civil manner to those whom we perceive to be at fault. What is important is we speak out and we let others know that we are not consenting to their actions.

Like John the Baptist, let us also have the courage to denounce anything that is wrong. We can do this by speaking to the concerned individual/s with civility and without implying that we are more holy, powerful and superior than them. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 28, Friday; Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 25:1-13

Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.

Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

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Reflection:

Is there a magic word for a successful marriage? Yes, there is and the magic word is preparation. When a couple decides to marry they have to ensure that they plunge into the marriage covenant prepared.

They have to be prepared spiritually by putting God at the center of their lives. They have to be prepared for the emotional and financial stress that they will be going through. They have to be prepared to swallow their own prides/egos. If there are no preparations their marriage would simply break apart sooner or later.

In the gospel the five foolish virgins went unprepared to meet the bridegroom. They have no knowledge of the time of the bridegroom’s arrival yet they did not bring extra oil for their lamps.

So, when news came that the bridegroom had arrived.  The five who were unprepared went out for a while to buy oil. But upon coming back nobody was present anymore. For the bridegroom and the five wise virgins were already at the wedding feast. Despite knocking at the door and begging to be allowed entry the door was not opened for them.

Preparation is important in any event of life. For example, a student who prepares for an examination would be able to pass. A soldier who carefully  prepares his battle plan will be able to fight properly.

A Priest who prepares for his homily will be able to touch and change hearts and minds.  And a person who only has a few months to live and who prepares for his death will be able to die without excess baggage in his heart.

Should we also prepare as early as now for our ascent to heaven someday? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

1Reflection for August 27, Thursday; Memorial of Saint Monica: Matthew 24:42-51

Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51

Jesus said to his disciples: “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so. Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is long delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with drunkards, the servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid to die?

Death is like a thief in the night it comes when we least expect it. There are even people who are healthy who suddenly die without any apparent reason. That’s life it can be taken from us anytime for we don’t own it we simply are stewards of this life that we have.

 In the gospel Jesus oddly compared the Lord to a thief who comes unexpectedly. Maybe He did this to inculcate into the stubborn minds of some of His followers the value of always doing good so that if they unexpectedly die they can still be with Him in heaven.

This is a wake up call to all of us to change our ways for the better. Let us always remember that we too are walking on this earth on borrowed time. Our life can be taken from us anytime thus it is a must that we are always ready by doing good and by detesting sin.

God has given us this temporary life and eventually at His appointed time He will take it away from us. We therefore have to always be prepared for we really do not know our time of departure from this world. Only God knows, God gives and God takes.

What are you doing with your life right now? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for August 26, Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 23:27-32

Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32

Jesus said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets' blood.' Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; now fill up what your ancestors measured out!"

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Reflection:

 The story is told about a politician who had an exceptional ability to feel the pulse of the people. The politician spoke the language of the common people and he promised them help if they would elect him into office.  To make a long story short he was voted into office because of his glib tongue and the image that he projected. However, he did not fulfill whatever promises that he made.  

Jesus is criticizing the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees because they were only good at what others see on them. They neglect the most important requirement: none other than interior purity and transformation.

Jesus would not have minded if the scribes and Pharisees were not able to measure up to their self-created external standards. For as long as they go through interior cleansing and do away with whatever that would make them sin. But they refused to acknowledge the constructive criticism of Jesus, they even had the temerity to take it against Jesus that’s why they plotted to kill Him.

Somehow many of us are not alien to this self-righteous behavior of the scribes and Pharisees. Be presentable outside but neglect the more important aspect of life which is interior cleansing, renewal and transformation.

But we still have time to rid ourselves of all the fakery, self-promotion and manipulation. And become like Jesus who served the people with utmost sincerity. - Marino J. Dasmarinas