1Reflection for September 15, Tuesday; Our Lady of Sorrows (M): John 19:25-27

Gospel: John 19:25-27 

But 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 whom he loved standing near, 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 to his own home.

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Reflection:

How can we put flesh to the command of Jesus to John: “Behold your mother.” It’s to respect and take care of our universal mother and our biological mother. The blessed Mother must be respected and venerated by all of us in what way? By giving her honor the way the church honors her.

We must follow what the church teaches us about the veneration and respect that we must give the Blessed Mother. For example in the praying of the Holy Rosary, the church encourages us to make the rosary as our family prayer because this will keep the family together. And this is true!

How about the love, respect and care that is due to our own mothers? Do we give them love, respect and care? Many mothers are silently suffering because they are not properly taken cared of, they are not respected and loved anymore.

We must always give our mothers what is due them, we must always express our love for them while they’re still here in this world. We all know that they are in the twilight of their years already so we must give to them what they truly deserve.

Let your mother feel that you love her, you respect her and you care for her. Be patient also with her for she is in the twilight of her years. Be forgiving also to her because she commits mistakes every now and then for she is getting old.

When will you give your love, respect and care for your mother? When she’s not anymore able to hear it, feel it and respond to it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 15, Martes; Mahal na Birheng Nagdadalamhati (Paggunita): Juan 19:25-27

Mabuting Balita: Juan 19:25-27

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.

    

Reflection for September 14, Monday; The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Feast): John 3:13-17

Gospel: John 3:13-17

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

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Reflection:

How do we usually love? We love those who love us. For those who do not love us we also have a tendency not to love them in return. This reaction is perhaps influenced by our human frailties and our natural human reaction.

Unlike how we love the love of God is encompassing, it’s for everyone of us. Even if we are sinners God’s love is still ours to claim for it’s always there for us. We are in fact are always within the ambit of God’s love no matter who we are.

When we love we always love with measure, or we calibrate the love that we give to the love that we receive. But in hindsight why don’t we try to love as how God loves? Why can’t we also love even those who don’t love us back and even those who hate us?

One of the important sign of a true and faithful follower of God is when we are able to love even those who don’t love us back. When we are able to forgive even those who don’t ask for our forgiveness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Sunday September 13, Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:21-35

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.

When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’

Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt.

Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about an unforgiving man who would always harbor resentment towards those who have hurt him. Be unforgiving was always his attitude towards those who did him wrong until he had a heart attack. After he recovered from his sickness he decided not to keep any resentment anymore and he subsequently felt like a bird freed from a cage.  

Is it normal for us to harbor resentment/anger? Yes of course for we are humans with emotions. But we must not let our anger/resentment control us by allowing it safe harbor in our hearts for so long. Therefore, after that moment wherein we let our feeling of resentment control us let us quickly allow Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness to take over our selfish and destructive feelings. 

In the gospel Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?"  Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:21-22).

This is a very simple yet very effective teaching about forgiveness for us from Jesus. In other words The Lord is saying to us that we should always be forgiving. It’s normal for us to be hurt but let us not allow these hurtful feelings to control and to wound us permanently. Hence, we can only be freed from the vicious control of anger which by the way comes from the devil, if we forgive those who have hurt us.

What if we don’t forgive? We are only hurting ourselves if we don’t forgive and we only put ourselves in an invisible prison cell called unforgiveness. And then this unforgiveness will sooner or later bring us down until we self-destruct.  

What if we follow Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness, how would we feel?  We feel light and free and we have no burden in our hearts. Don’t we all want to feel light, to feel free and without any burdens and hurtful feelings in our hearts?

There are two options before us: To follow Jesus’ teaching on infinite forgiveness or we continue to punish and burden ourselves by unforgiveness. The wisdom filled choice is to follow Jesus’ teaching. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Setyembre 13, Ika-24 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 18:21-35

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:21-35

21 Nagtanong naman si Pedro: “Pa­nginoon, gaano kadalas ko naman dapat patawarin ang mga pagku­kulang ng aking kapatid? Pitong be­ses ba?” 22 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi, hindi pitong beses kundi pitumpu’t pitong beses.

23 Tungkol sa kaharian ng Langit ang kasaysayang ito. Isang hari ang nag­pasyang pagbayarin ng utang ang kanyang mga utusan. 24 Nang simulan niyang suriin ang kuwenta, ini­harap sa kanya ang isang may utang na sampung libong baretang ginto. 25 Dahil walang ma­ibayad sa kanya ang tao, iniutos ng panginoon na ipagbili at maging alipin siya kasama ng kan­yang asawa, mga anak at mga ari-arian bilang bayad-utang.

26 At nagpatirapa sa paanan ng hari ang opisyal at sinabi: ‘Bigyan mo pa ako ng panahon, at ba­bayaran kong lahat ang utang ko.’ 27 Naawa sa kanya ang hari at hindi lamang siya pinalaya kundi kinansela pa ang kanyang utang. 28 Pagkaalis ng opisyal na ito, nasa­lu­bong ni­ya ang isa sa kanyang mga kasamahan na may utang namang sandaang barya sa kanya. Si­nung­gaban niya ito sa leeg at halos sakalin habang sumisigaw ng ‘Bayaran mo ang utang mo!’

29 Nagpa­tirapa sa paanan niya ang kanyang kasamahan at nag­sabi: ‘Big­yan mo pa ako ng panahon, at baba­yaran kong lahat ang utang ko sa iyo.’ 30 Ngunit tumanggi siya at ipina­kulong ito hanggang maka­bayad ng utang. 31 Labis na nalungkot ang iba nilang kapwa-lingkod nang makita ang nang­yari. Kaya pinuntahan nila ang kani­lang panginoon at ibinalita ang buong pang­yayari. 32 Ipinatawag naman niya ang opisyal at sinabi: ‘Masamang utusan, pinatawad ko ang lahat ng iyong utang nang maki­usap ka sa akin. 33 Di ba dapat ay naawa ka rin sa iyong kasamahan gaya ng pagkaawa ko sa iyo?’ 34 Galit na galit ang panginoon kaya ibinigay niya ang kanyang utusan sa mga tagapag­pa­hirap hang­gang mabaya­ran nito ang lahat ng utang.”

35 Idinagdag ni Jesus: “Ganito rin ang gagawin sa inyo ng aking Ama sa Langit kung hindi pata­tawarin ng bawat isa sa inyo mula sa puso ang kanyang kapatid.”

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.”

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Reflection:

Who is the foundation of your life? If Jesus is the foundation of your life you’re in the hands of the most powerful rock of this world. Nothing can defeat you and nothing can destroy you because your life is strongly anchored upon Jesus.

Should we rest already and feel secure because our lives are anchored now in Jesus? No, because we have a mission and our mission is to share the gentleness and love of Jesus to our fellow men and women. We have to remember that we are the good tree that Jesus mentions in the gospel and out of our goodness we must share our fruit which is no other than Jesus.

Let us not keep our love for Jesus to ourselves let us share this radiant love with others so that they too will feel the love of Jesus. They too will feel the healing and forgiveness of Jesus because Jesus is very much needed today more than any other time in our history.

There are many who live their lives without the guidance of Jesus. If we care share Jesus even to only one of them we have already fulfilled our mission as His fruitful follower. And who knows by our courage of sharing Jesus we may change lives because we cared to share Jesus.  

Will you share Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 12, Sabado; Sa Ika-23 Linggo ng Taon: 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!”

1Reflection 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.”

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Reflection:

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

Many friendships fall apart because of our tunnel vision. We manage it with dominance, we never allow a two-way street or a give and take relationship thrive inside it. And so the friendship eventually falls apart.

Friendship or any kind of relationship is always a democratic and participatory relationship. Never it has become an autocratic and one sided relationship between two or more different and unique individuals. Therefore the best recipe for success in friendship is not to allow a judgmental mindset inside the friendship.

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   

1Reflection 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.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who would always feel pain in his heart whenever he sees her sister who had done him wrong. It was always like that for many years until he had a near fatal heart attack. He reflected deeply about what happened to him until he finally decided to forgive his sister.   

What will liberate us from hatred and negative emotion? Its forgiveness and love. The moment we truly forgive and love every form of hatred and negativity disappears in our hearts. We become free we exude nothing but positive aura. 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 sickness, disgust and negativity. This could even result to the disruption of our day hence 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 and negative emotions, we have to follow what Jesus is telling us.

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

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

Reflection for September 9, Wednesday, Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, priest and religious: 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.

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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 may 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. What benefit would it give us? Would we still embrace it?  We must be discerning at all times because the devil is always actively seeking us to snatch us away from the love of Jesus.

If you are poor in the eyes of this world yet you have Jesus in your heart, then you’re the richest and most blessed person in this world. Why? Because you choose to center your life in Jesus the same Jesus who will bring you to heaven someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 8, Tuesday, The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Feast): 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.”

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Reflection:

We celebrate today the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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 formerly 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 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 8, Martes; Ang Pagsilang ng Mahal na Birheng Maria (Kapistahan): Mateo 1:1-16, 18-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:1-16, 18-23

1 Ito ang libro ng pinagmulan ni Jesu­cristo, anak ni David at anak ni Abraham. 2 Si Abraham ang ama ni Isaac, si Isaac ang ama ni Jacob, si Jacob ang ama ni Juda at ng kanyang mga kapatid. 3 Si Juda ang ama nina Parez at Zerah (si Tamar ang kanilang ina), si Parez ang ama ni Esron, at si Esron ni Aram. 4 Si Aram naman ang ama ni Aminadab, si Ami­­nadab ni Naason, si Naason ni Sal­mon.

5 Si Salmon ang ama ni Boaz, at si Rahab naman ang kanyang ina. Si Boaz ang ama ni Obed, si Ruth ang kanyang ina. Si Obed naman ang ama ni Jese. 6 Si Jese ang ama ni David na hari. Si David ang ama ni Solomon, at ang na­ging maybahay ni Urias ang kanyang ina.

7 Si Solomon ang ama ni Rehoboam na ama ni Abias, at sumunod naman ang mga haring sina Asa, 8 Yosafat, Yoram, Ocias, 9 Yoatan, Ahaz, Ezekias, 10 Mana­ses, Amon at Yosias. 11 Si Yosias ang ama ni Yekonias at ng kanyang mga kapatid, sa panahon ng pagkatapon sa Babilonia. 12 Pagkatapos naman ng pagkatapon sa Babilonia – si Yekonias ang ama ni Salatiel na ama ni Zorobabel.

13 Si Zorobabel ang ama ni Abiud, si Abiud ni Eliakim, at si Eliakim ni Azor. 14 Si Azor ang ama ni Sadok, si Sadok ni Akim, at si Akim ni Eliud. 15 Si Eliud ang ama ni Eleazar, si Eleazar ni Matan at si Matan ni Jacob. 16 Si Jacob ang ama ni Jose – ang asawa ni Maria na siyang pinagmulan ni Jesus na tinawag na Kristo.

18 Ganito ipinanganak si Jesucristo. Ipinag­kasundo na kay Jose ang kanyang inang si Maria pero bago sila nagsama bilang mag-asawa, nagdadalantao na siya gawa ng Espiritu Santo. 19 Kaya binalak ni Jose na hiwalayan nang lihim ang kanyang asawa. Matuwid nga siya at ayaw niya itong mapahiya.

20 Habang iniisip-isip niya ito, napa­kita sa kanya sa panaginip ang Anghel ng Panginoon at sinabi: “Jose, anak ni David, huwag kang matakot na tang­ga­pin si Maria bilang iyong asawa. Gawa ng Espi­ritu Santo kaya siya naglihi, 21 at ma­nga­nganak siya ng isang sanggol na lalaki, na panga­ngalanan mong Jesus sapagkat siya ang magliligtas sa kanyang samba­yanan mula sa kanilang mga kasa­lanan.”

22 Nangyari ang lahat ng ito para matu­pad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamama­gitan ng Propeta: 23 “Maglilihi ang birhen at magsisilang ng isang sanggol na lalaki at tatawagin nila siyang Emmanuel na ibig sabihi’y Nasa-atin-ang-Diyos.”

1Reflection 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.

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Reflection:

Do you have the guts to defy someone so that you could do something positive to your fellow  men and women?

Jesus cured the man with a withered hand notwithstanding the presence of the Pharisees and the scribes. They were keenly watching the Lord if He would heal the man on a Sabbath day: A day of rest and a holy day for them. But Jesus defied the Pharisees and scribes so He healed the man even if it was a Sabbath day.

Jesus put more importance on the need to help the sick man rather than observed the Sabbath day. What an unquestionable courage. Let us say that there shall come a time that we will also be in the same situation of Jesus. What shall we do then? Should we heal on that prohibited day of not?

Would we simply forgo helping those who are in need because it is a sacred day? Or we will be like Jesus who put more weight on extending help to someone in need.

The best path to take is to be like Jesus who helped the man with a withered hand notwithstanding the presence of the Pharisees and scribes. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

1Reflection for Sunday September 6, Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.

Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about Mr. A and Mr. B who have been friends for more than thirty years. Like other friendships they also have their own share of disagreements. Ninety-five percent of it emanates from their high sense of self or ego. Whenever they have disagreements it normally takes them almost a month before they talk again all because of ego.

In the gospel reading it says: “If your brother sins against you go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” This is not easy to do, if someone sins against us would we still be willing to go to the individual at fault just to tell him about it? Isn’t our mindset the other way around?

To reach out to someone who did us wrong is hard to do, unless we have the virtue of Humility. The normal scenario here would be like this: You sinned against me or you did me wrong, you therefore have to apologize to me and not me going to you to tell you that you sinned against me.

It takes great humility to say: I’m sorry or to apologize. However, this is what we are called to do as followers of Jesus for the simple reason that Jesus is the number one model of humility.

We may not know this but truth be told, if we are humble we silently earn the respect and admiration of everyone.  If we are humble we are always peaceful and the more that Jesus is seen in our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas