Reflection for June 8 Tuesday of the 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 hardworking single mother who was able to brought up her children and sent them to college by herself.  The same single mother was the bond behind a closely knit siblings. 

Every now and then she would also provide help for her poor siblings and being the eldest she would also patiently counsel them and whenever they need help she would always be there to provide without string attached on it. This extra-ordinary woman is the personification of what Jesus had said to His disciple: “You are the salt of the earth and light of the world. 

What does salt gives? It gives flavor to food, it defines its taste, it also acts as preservative to prevent meat from decaying. That’s what the lady in the story did, she put flavor and defined the lives of her children and siblings.  Through her heroic effort she preserved them all from going astray.  

What did Jesus mean when He said to his disciples that they would be the light of the world?  Jesus simply means that they should illuminate the people that they would be serving. Their acts of goodwill must be done with utmost humility and they must serve without expecting anything. 

Therefore the challenge for us is to become salt and light in the lives of the people around us. To our respective families, friends and to those who know us although we may not know them. 

With the love and humility of Jesus deeply rooted in our lives we now become Salt and Light for them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 8, Martes sa Ikasampung Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 5:13-16

 

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:13-16

13 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, kayo ang asin ng mundo. Ngunit kung mawalan ng lasa ang asin, paano pa ito mapaaalat na muli? Wala na itong silbi. Itatapon na lamang at tatapakan ng mga tao. 

14 Kayo ang ilaw ng mundo. Hindi maitatago ang lunsod na itinayo sa tuktok ng bundok. 15 Hindi rin sinisindihan ang ilaw para takpan ng kahon,  sa halip ay ini­lalagay ito sa isang lampara at tu­matanglaw sa lahat ng nasa bahay. 16 Ga­yundin naman ang inyong liwanag sa paningin ng mga tao; at makikita nila ang inyong mabubuting gawain at pupurihin nila ang inyong Amang nasa langit.

Reflection for June 7 Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who wanted to be happy; he chased the cravings of the world: riches, popularity, power, lust, recognition and other worldly things. He achieved all of those things but in spite of it all he came out empty and broken. He was still yearning for something. 

While in deep thought in their house he chanced upon a dusty Bible he opened it and accidentally read on this Gospel reading (Matthew 5:1-12). He read and re-read the Gospel until it dawned on him that it was the answer to the happiness that he’s been searching for.  

He practiced and lived the beatitudes and he finally experienced the fountain of happiness that he has been longing for so long.  

The Gospel about the Beatitudes is a paradox if we compare it with the standards of this world. For example: how can we be blessed and how can the kingdom of heaven be ours if we are materially and spiritually poor. Isn’t more appropriate to say: Blessed are the rich in spirit for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Isn’t  more appropriate to say: Blessed are those who are joyful instead of blessed are those who mourn. 

There’s a contradiction for each Beatitudes based on the standards of this world. But Jesus is challenging us to follow His teachings of the Beatitudes for it is here where we would find true happiness and peace.  

On John 14:27 Jesus tells us: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."  

Would you be willing to embrace Jesus’ teachings of the Beatitudes? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 7, Lunes sa Ikasampung Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 5:1-12

 

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:1-12

1 Nang makita ni Jesus ang makapal na tao, umahon siya sa bundok. Naupo siya roon at lumapit sa kanya ang kanyang mga alagad.

2 At nag­simula siyang magturo sa kanila:

3 “Mapapalad ang mga may diwa ng dukha sapagkat sa kanila ang Kaha­rian ng Langit.

4 Mapapalad ang mga nagluluksa sapagkat pagiginhawahin sila.

5 Mapapalad ang mga di-marahas sa­pagkat mapapasakanila ang lupain.

6 Mapapalad ang mga nagugutom at nauuhaw sa katarungan sapagkat bubu­sugin sila.

7 Mapapalad ang mga maawain sapagkat kaaawaan sila.

8 Mapapalad ang mga may busilak na puso sapagkat makikita nila ang Diyos.

9 Mapapalad ang mga nagpupun­yagi para sa kapayapaan sapagkat tatawagin silang mga anak ng Diyos.

10 Mapapalad ang mga pinag-uusig dahil sa katarungan sapagkat kanila ang Kaharian ng Langit.

11 Mapapalad kayo kung iniinsulto kayo at pinag-uusig at sinisiraang-puri dahil sa akin. 12 Magsaya kayo at maga­lak sa­pagkat malaki ang gantim­palang nasa Diyos para sa inyo. Ganito rin pinag-usig ang mga propetang nauna sa inyo.

Reflection for Sunday June 6, The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi): Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Gospel: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water 

Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there. The disciples then went off, entered the city and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.  

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 

Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

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Reflection:    

The story is told about a husband who went to a faraway place to buy medicine that would save his wife’s life. When he was about to return home with the medicine there was no more available vehicle that he could ride for it was already midnight. So he made the decision to sacrifice and walk back home so he could save his wife’s life. He arrived dead tired but through his sacrifice he was able to save his wife’s life. 

Sacrifice is an essential part of life, particularly in married life. There would be times that we would be called to sacrifice so that we could save our spouse life or even the marriage covenant itself. 

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). The sacrifice and offering of Jesus Body and Blood through bread and wine at Holy Mass. This sacrifice of the Lord served as the disciples nourishment as they did their mission without anymore the physical presence of the Lord. Through Jesus offering and sacrifice of His Body and Blood the disciples would also learn to sacrifice and offer their very own lives for the advancement of the mission of Jesus.  

Until this very moment we receive the same Body and Blood of Jesus whenever we partake of it during Holy Communion. It serves as our nourishment as we continue to exist in this world. It motivates us to be like Jesus who gave His very life for our sake.  

The breaking and sharing of the Body and Blood of Jesus. Communicates to us that we too must learn to share and sacrifice. To become selfless for the good and welfare of others most especially the poor, unwanted and those who are suffering because of the covid-19 pandemic.  

Have you offered or sacrificed your time, your treasure or even a part of your life to advance the mission of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas          

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 6 Katawan at Dugo ni Kristo (Dakilang Kapistahan): Marcos 14:12-16, 22-26

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 14:12-16, 22-26

Unang araw ng Pista ng Tinapay na Walang Lebadura, araw ng pagpatay sa kordero para sa Paskuwa. Tinanong si Jesus ng kanyang mga alagad, "Saan po ninyo ibig na ipaghanda namin kayo ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa?" Inutusan niya ang dalawa sa kanyang mga alagad, "Pumunta kayo sa bayan. May masasalubong kayo na isang lalaki na may dalang isang bangang tubig.  

Sundan ninyo siya sa bahay na kanyang napasukan sabihin ninyo sa may-ari, 'Ipinatatanong po ng Guro kung saang silid siya maaaring kumain ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa, kasalo ang kanyang mga alagad.' At ituturo niya sa inyo ang isang malaking silid sa itaas na mayroon nang kagamitan. Doon kayo maghanda para sa atin." Nagtungo sa bayan ang mga alagad at natagpuan nga nila roon ang lahat, gaya ng sinabi niya sa kanila. At inihanda nia ang Hapunang Pampaskuwa.  

Samantalang sila'y kumakain, dumampot ng tinapay si Jesus, at matapos magpasalamat sa Diyos ay kanyang pinagpira-piraso at ibinigay sa mga alagad. "Kunin ninyo; ito ang aking katawan," wika niya. Hinawakan niya ang saro, at matapos magpasalamat ay ibinigay sa kanila; at uminom silang lahat. Sinabi niya, "Ito ang aking dugo ng tipan, ang dugong mabubuhos para sa marami. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi na ako iinom ng alak na mula sa ubas hanggang sa araw na inumin ko ang bagong alak sa kaharian ng Diyos." Umawit sila ng isang imno, at pagkatapos nagtungo sa Bundok ng mga Olibo.

1Reflection for June 5 Saturday Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr: Mark 12:38-44

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

In the course of his teaching Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation." 

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a poor woman who saw Jesus. Having nothing she went to Jesus to beg for alms. But to her surprise Jesus asked him this question: What can you give me instead? The poor woman said to Jesus: “I’m poor I have nothing to give you.” But the poor woman lied because she had some penny in her pocket that he could have given to Jesus. 

The poor widow in the gospel is the opposite of the poor woman in our story. For the reason that she gave everything she had she did not lie and she gave from the wellspring of her heart. The rule in giving is always give from the heart the amount or the quantity doesn’t count. What is important is we give from the heart. What is the use of giving if what we give is out of our surplus? 

When we give to God let us give from the wellspring of our hearts no matter how small so long as it is from our hearts. Let us do the same also when we give to our fellowmen especially the poor. Let us not give from our surplus for this act of giving is pleasing to God. And whatever we give will surely come back to us not only a hundredfold but a thousandfold. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for June 4 Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:35-37

Gospel: Mark 12:35-37

As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, “How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said: The Lord said to my lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet. David himself calls him ‘lord’ so how is he his son? The great crowd heard this with delight.

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Reflection:

Who is the savior of your life? For many of us our savior is money, there are even those who cannot function properly without money. This is so because they bet their lives already on money. Yet money is not the savior, money may even become our passport to hell. 

The real savior is Jesus Christ He is the one referred to as the son of David. Jesus family line connects backward to King David, through Joseph’s acceptance of his responsibility as the foster father of Jesus and by flesh and blood through the Blessed Mother. 

The word Son of David means savior, this is the reason why many times in the New Testament Jesus was addressed as the Son of David. For example, the woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon (Matthew 15:22), the two blind men (Matthew 20:30). The poor blind man Bartimaeus (Mark 10:47), all of them called Jesus Son of David. They did this for they knew beforehand that Jesus was the promised Messiah or Savior. 

How about us? Do we know something about Jesus? Do we know that Jesus can help us in every aspect of our lives? Do we know that Jesus can also make miracles in our lives? 

 Let us strive to discover and know more about the Lord and. Let us invite Him to come into our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 4, Biyernes sa Ikasiyam na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 12:35-37

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:35-37

35 Sa pagtuturo ni Jesus sa Templo, sinabi niya: “Ano’t sinasabi ng mga guro ng Batas na anak ni David ang Mesiyas? 36 Sinabi nga ni David nang kasihan siya ng Espiritu Santo: ‘Ang sabi ng Pa­ngi­noon sa aking Pangi­noon: Umupo sa aking kanan hang­gang ilagay ko ang iyong mga kaaway sa ilalim ng iyong mga paa.’ 

37 Kung tinatawag siya ni David mismo na Panginoon, puwede bang anak siya ni David?” Nasisiyahan ang bayan sa pakikinig sa kanya.

Reflection for June 3 Thursday Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs: Mark 12:28-34

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 

The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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Reflection:

How do we manifest our love for God? 

To love God is to discover more about Him, thus we need to thirst and hunger for Him. We need to always be present at Holy Mass and feel His presence there.  We need to read the bible and be faithful to its teachings. 

If we would read the first four gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) we would have a better appreciation of the true to life story of Jesus.  To love God is to live His teachings as well. 

After we have fully expressed our love for God the next commandment will automatically set in (We shall love our neighbor as ourselves). What is this love for our neighbor? Is this a selective kind of love or an encompassing love? 

The love for our neighbor should always be an encompassing love and not a selective love. This means that we have to love our neighbor whoever that neighbor might be and whatever sin/s that neighbor has committed against us. Sometimes this is where we are deficient because we only choose the neighbor that we love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 3, Huwebes San Carlos Lwanga at mga Kasama, mga martir (Paggunita): Marcos 12:28-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:28-34

28 May isang guro ng Batas na na­ka­­rinig sa pagtatalo ni Jesus at ng mga Sadduseo. Nang mapansin niyang tama ang sagot ni Jesus sa mga Sadduseo, lumapit siya at nagta­nong kay Jesus: “Ano ang una sa lahat ng utos?”  

29 Sumagot si Jesus na “Ito ang una: Makinig nawa, O Israel! Iisa lang ang Panginoong ating Diyos. 30 At mamahalin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buo mong puso, nang buo mong kalu­luwa, nang buo mong pag-iisip at nang buo mong lakas. 31At pangalawa naman ito: Mamahalin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili. Wala nang utos na mas mahalaga pa kaysa mga ito.”   

32 Kaya sinabi ng guro ng Batas: “Mabuti, Guro, totoo ang sinabi mong isa Siya at wala na maliban sa kanya. 33 At ang mahalin siya nang buong puso at nang buong kaluluwa at nang buong lakas, at mahalin din ang kapwa gaya ng sarili ay mas mahalaga kaysa mga sinu­nog na handog at mga alay.”  

34 Nakita ni Jesus na tama ang sinabi nito kaya sinabi niya: “Hindi ka malayo sa kaharian ng Diyos.” At wala nang nanga­has magtanong sa kanya.

Reflection for June 2 Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:18-27

Gospel: Mark 12:18-27

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants.  

So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants, and the third likewise. And the seven left no descendants. Last of all the woman also died. At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?  

When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a sick man who was given by his doctor two months to live. After hearing the pronouncement of his doctor the man kneeled before God and beg Him to indefinitely extend his life. Why are we afraid to die? We are afraid because we have strong attachment to this world and we don’t know also what awaits us after we die.  

When Jesus was asked by the Sadducees whose wife would the woman be in the afterlife. Jesus told them that she will not belong to anyone of them because life in heaven is totally different from our present life.  

There is an afterlife and there is heaven as Jesus tells us in the gospel.  So while we are still alive we must always see to it that we live our lives according to the will of God. Not according to our own sinful will but according to the will of God.  

Why? This is for the reason that we want to go to heaven when our time in this world is over and done with already. Let us not be blinded by the glitters of this world for all that we have here no matter how expensive we will leave behind at some point in our lives.  

Let us look forward to heaven for this is where all of us are destined to be someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 2, Miyerkules sa Ikasiyam na Linggo ng Taon : Marcos 12:18-27

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:18-27

18 Lumapit naman kay Jesus ang mga Sadduseo. Sinasabi ng mga ito na walang pagkabuhay na muli, kaya nag­tanong sila: 19 “Guro, isinulat ni Moises para sa amin: ‘Kung may mga magka­kapatid na lalaki at mamatay na wa­lang anak ang isa sa kanila, kaila­ngang kunin ng kanyang kapatid ang kanyang asawa upang magpasibol ng sup­ling sa kanyang kapatid.’  

20 Nga­yon, may pitong magka­kapatid. Nag-asawa ang panganay at namatay na walang anak. 21Kaya kinuha ng ika­lawa ang kanyang asawa, at namatay ring wa­lang anak. Ganito rin ang nangyari sa pangatlo. 22 Silang pito nga ay na­ma­tay nang hindi nagkaanak. At sa huli’y na­matay din ang babae. 23 Nga­yon, sa muling pagkabuhay, kung mabu­buhay silang muli, kanino sa pito siya magiging asawa? Ang pito nga ang umangkin sa kanya.”  

24 Sumagot si Jesus: “Di kaya bunga ng di ninyo pagkaunawa sa Kasulatan at sa kapangyarihan ng Diyos ang inyong pag­kakamali? 25 Sa muling pagkabuhay nga nila, hindi na mag-aasawa ang lalaki o babae kundi para na silang mga anghel sa Langit.  

26 At tungkol naman sa mga patay at sa muling pagkabuhay, hindi ba ninyo inu­nawa ang sinabi sa inyo ng Diyos sa aklat ni Moises, sa kabanata ng palum­pong: Ako ang Diyos ni Abraham, ang Diyos ni Isaac at ang Diyos ni Jacob? 27 Hindi siya Diyos ng mga patay kundi ng mga buhay. Maling-mali kayo.”

1Reflection for June 1 Tuesday Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr: Mark 12:13-17

Gospel: Mark 12:13-17

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.  

Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at. They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this? They replied to him, “Caesar’s. So Jesus said to them “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. They were utterly amazed at him.

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Reflection:

What is your obligation to Jesus? Your obligation is to follow His teachings. And as stated by Jesus in the gospel paying the rightful tax to the government is one of them. We disobey Jesus when we don’t pay the taxes due to the government. 

The question of paying the census tax had a deeper meaning for it was created to trap Jesus. However, Jesus was able to wiggle out of this complicated situation. This is the reason why at the end of the gospel the emissaries of Jesus’ opponents were utterly amazed at Him (Mark 12:17). 

As shown in our gospel, Jesus always makes a way out when there seems to be no way. Thus, He will always make things possible for us as well. Because He is always there to help us solve our problems no matter how complicated it may seem. 

Where are you in your life right now? Are you in a predicament where you think that you’re about to surrender to your problems? Call on Jesus and pray to Him. He is there just a prayer away, ever ready to help you extricate yourself out of your problem. – Marino J. Dasmarinas