Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 24, Pagsilang ni San Juan Bautista (Dakilang Kapistahan): Lucas 1:57-66, 80

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:57-66, 80

56 Mga tatlong buwang nanatili si Ma­riang ka­sa­ma ni Elizabeth at saka nagbalik sa kanyang bahay.  57 Nang sumapit na ang panga­­nga­nak ni Elizabeth, isang anak na lalaki ang isinilang niya. 58 Na­rinig ng mga kapit­bahay at mga ka­mag-anakan niya kung gaano nagdalang-awa sa kanya ang Pa­nginoon kayat nakigalak sila sa kanya.  

59 Nang ikawalong araw na, duma­­ting sila pa­ra tuliin ang sanggol at pa­nga­­­nga­lanan sana nila itong Zacarias gaya ng kanyang ama. 60 Su­magot naman ang kanyang ina: “Hindi, tatawagin siyang Juan.” 61 Pero sinabi nila sa kanya: “Wala ka na­mang ka­mag-anak na may ganyang pangalan.” 62 Kaya sumenyas sila sa ama ng sang­­gol kung ano ang gusto niyang itawag dito. 63 Humingi siya ng isang sulatan, at sa pagtataka ng lahat ay kanyang isinulat: “Juan ang pangalan niya.” 64 Noon di’y nabuksan ang kanyang bibig at nakalag ang kanyang dila. Na­ka­pagsa­lita siya at nagpuri sa Diyos.  

65 Kaya namayani ang banal na pag­katakot sa kanilang mga kapitbahay. At naging usap-usapan ang lahat ng pang­ya­­yaring ito sa buong mataas na lupain ng Juda. 66 Nag-isip-isip ang mga nakarinig at nagtanungan: “Ano na kaya ang mang­yayari sa sanggol na ito?” Dahil suma­sa­kanya ngang talaga ang kamay ng Panginoon.  

80 Habang lumalaki ang bata, pinatatag siya ng espiritu. Nanirahan siya sa dis¬yerto hanggang sa araw ng kanyang pagkakahayag sa Israel. 

Reflection for June 23 Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 7:15-20

(Jesus said to his disciples) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  

Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.”

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Reflection:

What is the culture of our world today? It’s the culture of materialism, we tend to have a bias for those who have material wealth. For example, if we are made to choose between a rich and a poor person. We many of us would surely choose the rich because their wealth is their advantage. The poor one will not be chosen even if he is virtues because of his appearance.  

Jesus warns us in the gospel that we must not allow ourselves to be swayed by mere appearance for its often fake and it doesn’t truly represent a person’s true color. Whether we admit it or not, many of us fall into this trap of judging or favoring by mere impression by what is outside and by what we see.  

Let us be discernful and let us not judge by mere appearance for appearance is always deceiving. Let us rather try to be observant even to those who are poor for they are like diamonds in the rough. Their glowing wisdom is not immediately obvious in fact it’s always hidden unless we take time to personally know them.   

Lest we forget that the true worth or character of a person is not measured by his/her material wealth. It’s rather measured by his/her little acts of kindness and love which are always done with the purest of intention. And anybody could do this including the poor ones; they who are always close to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 23, Miyerkules sa Ika-12 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 7:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:15-20

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 15 Mag-ingat sa mga bulaang propeta na lumalapit sa inyo na parang mga tupa pero mababagsik na mga asong-gubat naman sa loob. 16 Maki­kilala ninyo sila sa kanilang mga bunga. Makapi­pitas ba ng ubas sa tini­kan o ng igos sa dawagan?  

17 Namumunga ng mabuti ang mabu­­ting puno, at namumunga naman ng ma­sa­ma ang masamang puno. 18 Hindi maka­pa­mumunga ng masama ang ma­bu­­ting puno, at ang masamang puno naman ay hindi makapamu­munga ng mabuti. 19 Pinuputol ang anumang puno na hindi namumunga ng mabuting bunga at itinatapon sa apoy. 20 Kaya makikilala ninyo sila sa kanilang bunga.

1Reflection for June 22 Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Gospel: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.  

This is the Law and the Prophets. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”

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Reflection:

What is the difference between the narrow gate and the wide gate? It’s hard to enter the narrow gate, you may have to twist your body so that you could pass through it. How about the wide gate? You simply can walk through it no twisting and no discomfort whatsoever.  

You may ask, what is the relationship of the narrow gate with Jesus? The narrow gate is the gateway to knowing Jesus. The narrow gate is the gateway toward having a personal encounter with Jesus. In what way would this narrow gate lead you to Jesus? This narrow gate will entail for you to make some sacrifices. It will entail for you to do things that you are not normally used of doing.  

For example, in fulfilling your Sunday Holy Mass obligation, in abhorring sin or in reading the Holy Bible. You may not be comfortable  of doing this because this requires effort and time. Yet if you dare do this it will lead you to Jesus and it will lead you to know more about the many truths concerning the Catholic church.  

If you want to find the true meaning and purpose of your life and if you want to know Jesus more deeply. You have to pass thru this narrow gate for this is the way that would lead you to a life of purpose with Jesus. Forget the wide gate which consist of the many sinful worldly enjoyment, it will lead you nowhere it will even lead you to shame and self-destruction.  

Will you dare enter this narrow gate that leads to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 22, Martes sa Ika-12 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 7:6, 12-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:6, 12-14

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: Huwag ibigay ang banal sa mga aso o itapon ang inyong perlas sa mga baboy, at baka yapakan nila ito at balikan kayo at lapain. 

12 Kaya gawin ninyo sa iba ang gusto ninyong gawin sa inyo, ito ang nasa Batas at Mga Propeta.13 Pumasok sa makipot na pinto sapagkat malapad ang pintuan at malawak ang daan papunta sa kapariwaraan, at marami ang pumapasok doon. 14 Napa­­kakipot naman ang pintong papunta sa buhay at mabalakid ang daan at kakaunti ang mga naka­ka­tagpo rito.

1Reflection for June 21 Monday, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious (M): 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:

Why is it easy for others to judge? This is for the reason that they feel superior than the person that they are judging or they have this attitude of dominance or even arrogance. Otherwise if they don’t feel superior they would not dare judge anyone. 

Very clearly in our gospel for today we hear Jesus telling us to stop judging. This is difficult to follow for those who have superiority complex but easy to follow for those who are docile, and humble. 

It’s always very tempting to be judgmental most especially if the person whom we are judging is at fault. However, what would we get from judging others? Nothing except to increase the value of our arrogance and to increase the worth of our egos. Instead of judging, why not simply advice and impart words that heals rather than words that condemn?   

When we perceive that someone is a sinner let us always think that we are sinners too! So that we would not be tempted to judge them. The reality of life is we are all sinners that is why we have no right to condemn or to judge our fellowmen. 

We can only bring others to Jesus when we are not judgmental, when we are compassionate, loving and forgiving. For who are we to judge? Even Jesus doesn’t judge, therefore; we have no right to judge as well.  

There are sinners that find it hard to get over their sinfulness because many of us do not dare impart and live Jesus’ compassion, forgiveness and love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 21, Lunes San Luis Gonzaga, relihiyoso (Paggunita): Mateo 7:1-5

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:1-5

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 1 Huwag humatol at hindi kayo hahatulan. 2 Kung paano kayo humatol sa inyong kapwa, gayon din kayo hahatulan, at susukatin kayo sa sukatang ginamit ninyo. 3 Bakit mo tini­tingnan ang puwing sa mata ng iyong kapatid? At di mo pansin ang troso sa iyong mata. 

4 Paano mo masasabi sa iyong kapatid: ‘Halika, at aalisin ko ang puwing sa iyong mata,’ kung may troso naman sa iyong mata? 5 Mapag­kunwari! alisin mo muna ang troso sa iyong mata, at saka mo makikita kung paano aalisin ang puwing sa mata ng iyong kapatid.

 

 

Reflection for Sunday June 20, Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 4:35-41

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.  

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still! The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

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Reflection:

Was Jesus only testing the faith of His disciples when He allowed them to go through severe storm? If He was, then Jesus found out that His disciples were terribly wanting in faith. Jesus calmed the violent storm to assure His disciples that He was in control of everything.  

We too will encounter storms in our life. How would we handle these life storms? Would we allow these storms to defeat us and prevent us from living our normal life? For example, the present covid-19 pandemic that we are going through right now or the sickness that we may have how are we handling these life storms? Do we allow it to disturb our normal way of life? Or we continue to become calm under duress?  

The obvious answer is we will continue to be calm no matter how difficult the storm/s that we will be encountering. For the reason that we have Jesus in our life, we know that Jesus will take care of every life storm that we have right now and the future life storms that we will be encountering.  

We are often times easily rattled by our life storms because many of us are lacking in faith. If only we would learn to trust the Lord more than we trust on ourselves. If only we would not lean on our own finite understanding but learn to trust in the infinite wisdom of the Lord.  

We would then be able to discover how mightily powerful Jesus is. That the Good Lord is more than enough to defeat any kind of life storms that we would be encountering in our lives. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 20 Ika – 12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 4:35-41

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 4:35-41

35 Kinahapunan ng araw na iyon, sina­bi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Tumawid tayo sa kabilang ibayo.” 36 Kaya iniwan nila ang mga tao at namangka silang kasama ni Jesus sa bangkang inu­upuan niya. At may iba pang mga bangka na kasabay nila. 37 At nagkaroon ng malakas na ipu­­ipo. Hinampas ng mga alon ang bang­­ka at halos  lumubog na 38 samantalang tulog siya sa kutson sa hulihan. 

Kaya ginising nila siya at sinabi: “Guro, halos mamamatay na tayo at bale-wala sa iyo!”39 Pagbangon niya, inutusan niya ang hangin at sinabi sa dagat: “Tahi­mik, huwag kumibo.” Nabawasan ang hangin at nag­karoon ng ganap na kapa­yapaan. 40 At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Napakatatakot ninyo! Bakit? Wala pa ba kayong pani­wala?” 

41 Ngunit lalo silang nasindak at nag-usap-usap: “Sino ito na pati hangin at dagat ay sumusunod sa kanya?”

Reflection for June 19 Saturday the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:24-34

Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34

Jesus said to his disciples: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.  

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they?  

Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek.  

Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was able to read the gospel of Matthew today. He thought carefully about this and said to himself. “Why don’t I test Jesus? If He really means what he says in the gospel He will provide for me no matter what.”  

So He went camping in a secluded mountain without bringing anything.  While already there he prayed to Jesus to give him food for he was going hungry already. As he turned his head he saw an edible fruit so he ate it. When he was full already he became thirsty and he prayed again to Jesus for water, soon after he heard a sound of flowing stream so he stood up and walked a few steps and saw a very clean creek so he  went there and drank water there.       

Radical dependence in Him is what Jesus is offering us today. Jesus tells us not to worry about our life, what we will eat or drink, or about our body, what we will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing (Matthew 6:25).   

Then on the latter part of the gospel Jesus tells us: “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all (Matthew 6:30-32).  

We often times worry about so many things in our lives that we forget that Jesus is there for us always offering Himself to us. Why is this so? Why are we lacking in faith and trust in our Lord?  This is for the reason that we are slowly allowing the devil to take us away from Jesus. We may not know this but the devil through his worldly enticements is slowly but surely is snatching us away from the love of Jesus.  

For example, in the observance of Sunday Holy Mass. Many of us are not anymore able to go to Holy Mass or piously watch online Mass because we have our many worldly preoccupations. Therefore instead of making ourselves present at Holy  Mass we do our many worldly activities. Which most of the time bring us away from Jesus and even influence us to commit sin.  And the end result is our faith is diminished then we gradually begin to trust not anymore in Jesus but on ourselves and in this world.

What would happen to us if we lose our faith and trust in Jesus? If we love this world than Jesus?  - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 19, Sabado sa Ika-11 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 6:24-34

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:24-34

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad • 24 Walang makakapagsilbi sa dalawang amo; siguradong kamu­muhian ang isa at mamahalin naman ang isa pa, o magiging matapat sa una at mapa­ba­bayaan ang pangalawa. Hindi kayo maka­­­paglilingkod sa Diyos at sa pera. 

25 Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: huwag mag-alala sa kakanin at iinumin para sa inyong buhay, o sa idadamit para sa inyong katawan. Di ba’t mas mahalaga ang buhay kaysa pagkain, at ang katawan kaysa damit? 26 Tingnan ninyo ang mga ibon sa langit: hindi sila naghahasik ni nag-aani, ni nag-iipon sa mga bodega, gayunma’y pina­ka­kain sila ng inyong Amang nasa Langit. Di ba’t mas mahalaga kayo kaysa mga ibon? 

27 Sino sa inyo ang makapagdadagdag sa kanyang taas sa pagkabahala niya? 28 At bakit kayo mababahala tungkol sa pananamit? Tingnan ninyo ang mga bulaklak sa bukid, sa pagtubo ng mga ito. Hindi sila nagtatrabaho o humahabi. 29 Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo na kahit na si Solomon sa kan­yang kayamanan ay hindi nakapag­bihis gaya ng isa sa kanila. 30 Kung ganito ang damit na ibinibigay ng Diyos sa mga damo – mga damong nasa bukid ngayon at susunugin bukas sa kalan, higit pa ang gagawin niya para sa inyo, mga taong maliit ang panini­wala! 

31 Huwag na kayong mag-alala at mag­sabi: Ano ang ating kakanin? Ano ang ating iinumin? O, ano ang ating isusuot? 32 Ang mga pagano ang nababahala sa mga bagay na ito; ngunit alam ng inyong Amang nasa Langit na kailangan ninyo ang mga ito. 33 Kaya hanapin muna ninyo ang kaharian at katarungan ng Diyos, at ibibigay rin sa inyo ang lahat ng ito. 34 At huwag alalahanin ang bukas sapagkat bahala ang bukas na mag-alala sa kanyang sarili. Sapat na sa bawat araw ang sariling hirap nito.

Reflection for June 18 Friday the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:19-23

Gospel: Matthew 6:19-23

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. 

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a mother who pampered her children with material things. They had money they could almost buy anything that they wanted they could also travel to any place in this world.  Her children grew up embracing this mindset of good life and materialism.

What is the problem with this kind of lifestyle? This is temporary sooner or later this would come to an end and we end with nothing. There are even instances that this kind of worldly lifestyle may have tragic ending. For example every now and then there would be news of people committing suicide because they have no more material wealth that could comfort them. Or people who live wayward lives because they made their material wealth their god. 

In our gospel episode today Jesus talks about storing treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. What is this all about? This is all about sharing and living the faith that we have in our God which is our true and lasting treasure. 

For example, have we taught our children about the supremacy of God above all things in this world? Have we taught our children that everything in this world is temporary and passing? Have we brought our children to the church for Holy Mass or to watch online Holy Mass? Have we reflected on the words of God in the bible? 

All of these are pious acts of storing eternal treasures in heaven where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. ( Matthew 6:20) – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 18, Biyernes sa Ika-11 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 6:19-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:19-23

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 19 Huwag dito sa lupa kayo mag-ipon ng inyong mga iniipon sapagkat dito’y masisira ang mga iyon ng mga kulisap at kalawang, at mananakaw ng magna¬nakaw. 20 Sa piling ng Diyos kayo mag-ipon ng inyong iniipon; wala nga roong kulisap o kalawang na sisira, at walang magna¬nakaw. 21 Mala¬man mo nawa na kung nasaan ang iyong kaya¬manan, naroon din ang iyong puso.

• 22 Ang iyong mata ang lampara ng iyong katawan; kung malinaw ang iyong mata, nasa liwanag ang buo mong katawan. 23 Kung malabo naman ang iyong mata, nasa kadiliman ang buo mong katawan. At kung dumilim ang  liwanag na nasa iyo, gaano pa kaya ang madilim!

Reflection for June 17 Thursday the 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:

How important is prayer to your life? If you have five things to do everyday, is prayer included in that five? 

When we pray with all our heart, we allow the good Lord to nourish our parched spirits. Through our prayers we also invite the good Lord to come into our lives. And it’s also through our humble prayers that we slowly but surely develop our profound friendship with Jesus. 

In our gospel Jesus teaches us how to pray: It’s simple, short and direct and it does not beat around the bush. We must be frank, persevering and honest to Jesus for He knows what we need beforehand. We must also be sincere and always humble in prayer before our God. 

For example, do we close our eyes when we pray the Our Father? Does this prayer make us sometimes cry when we pray it? Do we still kneel when we pray this prayer? These are all acts of faith that would help us have a more personal connection with Jesus.   

Jesus is also reminding us to re-examine our life of prayer. For we may be just praying for the sake of praying thus it’s without spirit and fire. 

How do you pray the Lord’s Prayer? – Marino J. Dasmarinas