Reflection for July 3 Saturday Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle: John 20:24-29

Gospel: John 20:24-29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."  

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."

Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

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Reflection:

Do you need to see an explicit evidence before you believe in Jesus?  

Thomas did not believe that Jesus had appeared to the other disciples unless he see and experience it for himself. His wish was granted by Jesus when He appeared to them for the second time. During His second appearance Jesus invited Thomas to put his fingers into his side and to see His wounded hands. Having that experience Thomas finally believed.  

Many of us are like Thomas, full of unbelief and doubts that Jesus will make a difference in our lives unless we see and experience His miracles. Jesus is challenging us to always walk by our faith and not by our sight. That’s why at the end of the gospel reading Jesus said: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.  

Doubting Thomas is how we normally call the apostle Thomas who doubted unless he sees the risen Jesus in the flesh. But did he really doubt or Thomas simply wants to have a confirmation about the news that Jesus had risen?  

There’s absolutely no wrong when we simply want to confirm what we believe. For the reason that when we want to confirm what we believe it simply means that we are thirsting for something that will further reinforce our faith and belief. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 3, Sabado Santo Tomas, apostol (Kapistahan): Juan 20:24-29

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:24-29

24 Hindi nila kasama si Tomas na tina¬guriang Kambal, na isa sa Labin¬dalawa, nang du¬mating si Jesus. 25 Kaya sinabi sa kanya ng iba pang mga alagad: “Nakita namin ang Pangi¬noon!” Sinabi naman niya: “Maliban lamang na ma¬kita sa kanyang mga kamay ang tatak ng mga pako at maipasok ang aking daliri sa pinag¬lagusan ng mga pako at maipasok ang aking kamay sa tagiliran niya, hinding-hindi ako mani¬niwala!” 

26 Makaraan ang walong araw, mu¬ling nasa loob ang kanyang mga ala¬gad at kasa¬ma nila si Tomas. Dumating si Jesus ha¬bang nakasara ang mga pinto at puma¬gitna. At sinabi niya: “Kapa-yapaan sa inyo!” 27 At sinabi niya kay Tomas: “Ilapit mo rito ang daliri mo at tingnan ang aking mga kamay. At ilapit ang kamay mo at ipasok sa aking tagiliran at huwag tumangging maniwala kundi ma¬niwala!” 

28 Sumagot si Tomas sa kanya: “Pangi¬noon ko at Diyos ko – ikaw!” 29 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Dahil ba sa nakita mo ako kaya ka naniniwala? Mapapalad ang mga hindi nakakita at naniniwala.”

Reflection for July 2 Friday the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:9-13

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. 

The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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Reflection:

Do you feel that Jesus is calling you to live a new life, a new life free  of sinfulness? 

Aside from Matthew whom Jesus called to follow Him we too are being called by the Lord. We may say that we are not worthy to follow Jesus but who amongst us are worthy? No one for we are all sinful creatures of this world. 

Matthew was called by Jesus to follow Him for the precise reason that he was a sinner. This is the character and mission of Jesus to call every sinner to follow Him. But why is it that even if we know that we are called to repentance we still continue to sin? We refuse to leave behind us our sinful ways. 

This is indeed very puzzling, why is it that many of us ignore Jesus call for us to follow Him? Does this mean that we love this world more than we love Jesus? Does this mean that Jesus is losing influence over us and the devil is slowly but surely gaining control of our lives that is why we refuse to heed Jesus’ call to a life of renewal and repentance? 

Why did Matthew follow Jesus call? Perhaps somebody had shared to him the love and unfathomable mercy of Jesus. Somebody had lived his faith in Jesus and Matthew heard and saw it, that’s why it was not anymore difficult for Matthew to recognize and follow Jesus. 

The challenge before us is to share and live our faith in Jesus to the many Matthews (Sinners) of our time. They may not have heard yet anything about Jesus that is why they keep on sinning until this very day. Why not share the mercy and love of Jesus? 

Would you share Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

1Reflection for July 1 Thursday the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:1-8

Gospel: Matthew  9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, :Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men. 

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Reflection:

What does this story of the paralytic who was brought to Jesus tells us? It tells us that we too need to go to Jesus for Him to heal us and to forgive us of all our sins. This tells us as well that we also need to bring others to Jesus to be healed and forgiven by Him too. 

We all have a need for Jesus in our lives. We may not need Him now because we are in the pink of health and financially capable. But time will certainly come that we will go to Jesus even beg Jesus so that He could heal us also. 

Let us not anymore wait for that time to come when we are already sick before we go to Jesus. Let us go to Him now while we are still healthy, let us not delay for tomorrow may be late already.    

In like manner we too are encouraged by the gospel to bring others to Jesus. This we could do best through our acts of love, mercy and compassion. The reason behind is we can’t bring others to Jesus without loving them, without showing them our mercy and compassion. 

The Lord is always expecting us to bring our fellowmen to Him so that they too can experience the healing and forgiveness that we’ve received from Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 1, Huwebes Ika-13 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 9:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:1-8

1 Muling sumakay sa bangka si Jesus, tumawid sa lawa at bu­malik sa sariling bayan. 2 Dinala sa kanya roon ang isang paralitikong nakahiga sa papag. Nang makita ni Jesus ang kanilang pananalig, sinabi niya sa paralitiko: “Lakasan mo ang iyong loob, anak! Pinatawad na ang iyong mga kasalanan.” 

3 Noo’y inisip ng ilang guro ng Batas: “Iniinsulto ng taong ito ang Diyos.” 4 Alam ni Jesus ang kanilang mga niloloob, at sinabi niya: “Bakit kayo nag-iisip ng masama? 5 Ano ba ang mas madaling sabihin: ‘Pinatawad na ang iyong mga kasalanan’ o ‘Tumayo ka at lumakad’? 6 Dapat n’yong mala­man na may kapang­yarihan sa lupa ang Anak ng Tao na mag­pa­tawad ng kasalanan.” At sinabi niya sa parali­tiko: “Buma­ngon ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan at umuwi.” 7 At buma­ngon ang tao at umuwi. 8 Nang makita naman ito ng mga tao, napuno sila ng pagkamangha at nagpuri sa Diyos sa pagbibigay ng gayong kapangyarihan sa mga tao.

Reflection for June 30 Wednesday the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:28-34

Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34

When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” 

Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. 

The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.

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Reflection:

Are demons for real? 

Demons are for real it’s just around us waiting to pounce upon us the moment they see that our faith in Jesus is weak. But it’s not anymore the typical frightening figure for it has also evolved with time. It disguises itself now in so many ways that we can hardly recognize it until it captures us and eventually destroy us. 

It could disguise itself within us through our evil thoughts that comes to many us every once in a while. For example the feeling of lusting after someone even if it’s immoral or the strong desire to commit wrong.  We would not be able to recognize it until it’s too late already. 

In the secular world that we’re in the devil uses a lot of worldly things to keep our attention away from God.  This is the reason why many of us become sinners for the simple reason that we’ve allowed the devil to capture us.  

But let us not be fearful because there’s somebody who can easily defeat these demons and it’s no other that Jesus. So we must always be connected with Jesus by means of having an active prayer life and we must always ask His help and guidance. For the simple reason that Jesus is more powerful than all of the devils that exists in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 30, Miyerkules Ika-13 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 8:28-34

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:28-34

Pagdating ni Jesus sa lupain ng Gadara sa kabilang ibayo, sinalubong siya ng dalawang lalaking inaalihan ng demonyo, na galing sa mga libingan. Napakabangis nila kayat walang maka­­­­daan doon. 29 Bigla silang sumi­gaw: “Ano ang kailangan mo sa amin, ikaw na Anak ng Diyos! Puma­rito ka ba para pahirapan kami bago sumapit ang panahon?”  

30 Sa may di-kalayua’y maraming baboy na nanginginain. 31 Kaya hiniling sa kanya ng mga demonyo: “Kung palala­yasin mo kami, ipadala mo kami sa mga baboy.” 32 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Umalis kayo.” Kaya pagka­layas ng mga demonyo’y pumasok ang mga ito sa mga baboy – at hayun! nahulog sa bangin ang lahat ng baboy papuntang dagat, at nalunod na lahat.  

33 Tumakas naman ang mga nagba­bantay sa mga baboy. Pagdating nila sa bayan, ipinamalita nila ang lahat at kung ano ang nangyari sa mga ina­alihan ng mga demonyo. 34 Kaya luma­bas ang buong bayan para salubungin si Jesus; at pagkakita nila sa kanya, hiniling nilang umalis siya sa kanilang lugar.

Reflection for June 29 Tuesday Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (Solemnity): Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

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Reflection:

Who is Saint Peter? He is the first Pope, Jesus founded the church through him. Who is Saint Paul? Saint Paul was initially the number one persecutor of the early church. However God intervened and Paul became the first missionary of the church to the pagan nations. 

In our own little way we can be like Peter who waivered on his faith yet Jesus did not give up on him. We may once in a while fail on our faith on Jesus but we can trust that Jesus will not condemn us.  He will rather pick us up again and strengthen us. So we must not give up on our selves no matter how sinful we are so long as we desire to live a new life Jesus will always be there for us. 

Saint Paul gave it all he got to help Jesus advance the Christian faith, his courage to further the teachings of Jesus is something that we must emulate. But if we are not willing to follow his method of evangelization which involved preaching and going into pagan territories. The advance technology at our disposal such as internet/social media is available for us. 

Let us use it to our advantage to spread our faith and its good news. Let us share the words of God using the internet/social media by sharing bible readings, passages and verses or anything that would help advance our faith. We can do this by using our facebook and other social media accounts by doing so we are able to live and share our faith just like Saints Peter and Paul whose solemnity we remember today. The Good Lord would surely be happy if we do so. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 29, Martes San Pedro at San Pablo, mga apostol (Dakilang Kapistahan) : Mateo 16:13-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:13-19

13 Pumunta si Jesus sa may dakong Cesarea ni Filipo. Tinanong niya ang kanyang mga ala­gad: “Ano ang Anak ng Tao para sa mga tao? Sino ako para sa kanila?” 14 Sumagot sila: “May nagsasa­bing si Juan Bautista ka; may iba pang nagsasabing si Elias ka o si Jeremias o isa sa mga propeta kaya.”  

15 Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ngunit sino ako para sa inyo?” 16 At sumagot si Simon Pedro: “Ikaw ang Mesiyas, ang Anak ng Diyos na Buhay.” 17 Sumagot naman si Jesus: “Mapalad ka, Simon Bar-Yona, hindi nga laman at dugo ang nagbunyag nito sa iyo kundi ang aking Amang nasa Langit. 

18 At ngayon sinasabi ko sa iyo: Ikaw si Pedro (o Bato) at sa batong ito ko itatayo ang aking Iglesya; at hinding-hindi ito madadaig ng kapangyarihan ng kama­tayan. 19 Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng kaharian ng Langit: ang itali mo dito sa lupa ay itatali rin sa Langit, at ang ka­lagan mo dito sa lupa ay kakalagan din sa Langit.”

Reflection for June 28 Monday Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (M): Matthew 8:18-22

Gospel: Matthew 8:18-22

When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”  

Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

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Reflection:

What will it cost us if we decide to follow Jesus? It will cost us everything that we love from this world. For example, if we decide to follow Jesus it simply means that we have to leave behind anything that makes us sin. But would we be willing to give it up for the Lord?  

It’s actually hard to follow or serve Jesus for we have to go through many sacrifices. But nothing to worry about because what we lose from this world for following Jesus is nothing compared to the blessings that Jesus will give us.  

For example, if we decide to follow Jesus the first blessing that we would receive from HIM is peace of mind that this world can’t give us. For the reason that we now trust in Jesus and not on this world anymore. What we have in this world such as power and riches will not give us peace of mind.  It will only disturb our peace and create multitude of worries for us.  

We are always winners if we decide to faithfully follow Jesus and if we decide to discard anything that makes us sin. Let us not be afraid therefore to follow the Lord for HE will make our life’s burdens bearable no matter how unbearable it may seem. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 28, Lunes San Ireneo, obispo at martir (Paggunita) : Mateo 8:18-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:18-22

Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ni Hesus ang makapal na tao sa kanyang paligid, iniutos niya sa mga kasama na maghandang tumawid sa ibayo. Nilapitan siya ng isang eskriba at sinabi sa kanya, “Guro, susunod po ako sa inyo saan man kayo pumaroon?” Sumagot si Hesus: “May mga lungga ang mga asong-gubat, at may mga pugad ang mga ibon, ngunit ang Anak ng Tao’y wala man lamang matulugan o mapagpahingahan.”  

Isa naman sa mga alagad ang nagsabi sa kanya, “Panginoon, maaari po bang umuwi muna ako upang ipalibing ang aking ama?” Ngunit sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Sumunod ka sa akin, at ipaubaya mo na sa mga patay ang paglilibing ng kanilang mga patay.”

Reflection for Sunday June 20, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 5:21-43

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live. He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.  

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 

Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to Jesus, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’ And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”  

 While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer? Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 

So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

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Reflection:   

What does an encounter with Jesus do to us? It gives us hope and it cures us. There’s a story of a woman who had a terminal sickness. She was told by her doctor that she only had two months to live. But this woman was a woman of faith. She attends Holy Mass every day and does other things to strengthen her faith in Jesus. 

When she was told that she had two months to live, she told her doctors, I will prove all of you wrong I’m going to beat this severe sickness with my faith in Jesus. True enough, after two months the woman of faith was still alive and totally free from her severe sickness. 

We have in our gospel two stories of faith, hope and healing coursed through an encounter with Jesus. The first one is the story  of Jairus a synagogue official whose daughter was in death throes. Jairus went to Jesus to plead Him to cure his young daughter. Seeing the faith of Jairus Jesus went to his house to cure and bring back to life Jairus’ daughter.  

The second story of faith hope and healing is an unnamed woman who for twelve long years had been suffering severe hemorrhages. She heard that Jesus would be passing by her way. It gave her hope and it further strengthened her faith. So she did her best to touch even the cloak of Jesus for she believed that by simply touching it she would be healed. And she was able to touch Jesus cloak and was indeed immediately healed.     

There could be a third story of faith, hope and healing by Jesus. And this third story could be your own story. What is your testimony of faith, hope and healing by Jesus? Share it so that others faith and hope in Jesus could be strengthened!  

All of us one way or the other have our own story of encounter with Jesus let us not keep this story within us. Let us share it so that others may know Jesus and hopefully have also an encounter with Him.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 27 Ika – 13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 5:21-43

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 5:21-43

21 Pagkatawid ni Jesus sa lawa na sakay sa bangka, pinagkalipumpunan siya ng maraming tao sa tabing-dagat. 22 At may dumating na isang pinuno ng sinagoga na nagngangalang Jairo. Nag¬patirapa ito sa kanyang paanan 23 at pilit na ipinakiusap sa kanya: “Nag¬¬hihingalo ang aking dalagita kaya ha¬lika para ma¬ligtas siya at mabuhay sa pagpapatong ng iyong mga kamay.”  

24 Kaya umalis si Jesus kasama niya at sumunod din sa kanya ang mga tao na gumigitgit sa kanya. 25 May isa namang babae na labin¬da¬lawang taon nang dinudugo. 26 Marami na ang tiniis niya sa kamay ng mga dok¬tor at nagastos na niya ang lahat ng meron siya pero hindi pa rin siya umigi kundi lumala pa ang lagay niya. 27 At nang mabalitaan niya ang tungkol kay Jesus, nilapitan niya ito sa likuran sa gitna ng mga tao at hinipo ang damit nito, 28 sapagkat naisip niya: “Kung mahi¬hipo ko lamang ang kanyang mga damit, ga¬galing na ako.”  

29 At agad na naampat ang pag-agos ng kanyang dugo at naramdaman ni¬yang gumaling na ang kanyang sakit. 30 Ngunit agad din namang nadama ni ¬Jesus na may lakas na lumabas sa kanya kaya lumingon siya sa gitna ng mga tao at nagtanong: “Sino ang hu¬mipo sa mga damit ko?” 31 Sumagot ang kanyang mga alagad: “Nakikita mo nang ginigitgit ka ng napakaraming tao. Bakit mo pa itata¬nong: Sino ang humipo sa akin?” 32 At patuloy siyang tumingin sa paligid para makita kung sino ang gu¬mawa nito. 33 Kaya lumapit na nangi¬ngi¬nig sa takot ang babae. Namamalayan nga nito ang nangyari kaya lumapit ito at nagpa¬tirapa sa harap niya at inamin sa kanya ang buong katotohanan.  

• 34 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Anak, iniligtas ka ng iyong pana¬nalig. Humayo kang mapayapa at ma¬ga¬ling ka na sa iyong sakit.” 35 Nagsasalita pa si Jesus nang may dumating galing sa bahay ng pinu¬no ng sinagoga, at sinabi nila: “Patay na ang iyong anak na babae. Bakit mo pa iniistorbo ngayon ang Guro?” 36 Ngu¬nit hindi sila inintindi ni Jesus at sinabi sa pinuno: “Huwag kang matakot, ma¬nam¬¬palataya ka lamang.” 37 At wala siyang pinayagang sumama sa kanya liban kina Pedro, Jaime at Juang kapa¬tid ni Jaime.  

• 38 Pagdating nila sa bahay, nakita niya ang kaguluhan: may mga nag-iiya¬kan at labis na nagtataghuyan. 39 Pu¬masok si Jesus at sinabi: “Bakit nag¬¬ka¬kagulo at nag-iiyakan? Hindi pa¬tay ang bata kundi natutulog lang.” 40 At pinagtawanan nila siya. Ngunit pinalabas ni Jesus ang lahat, at ang ama at ina lamang nito ang isinama at ang kanyang mga kasamahan. 41 Pag¬pasok niya sa kinaroroonan ng bata, hinawakan niya ito sa kamay at sinabi: “Talita kum”, na ibig sabihi’y “Nene, sinasabi ko sa iyo, bumangon ka.”  

42 At noon di’y bumangon ang bata at nagsimulang maglakad. (Labindalawang taon na nga siya.) At nagkaroon ng pag¬ka¬mangha, malaking pagka¬mangha. 43 Ma¬hig¬pit na iniutos ni Jesus sa kanila na huwag itong sabihin ka¬ninuman, at sinabi sa kanila na bigyan ng makakain ang bata.

Reflection for June 26 Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:5-17

Gospel: Matthew 8:5-17

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.  

For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it. When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.  

I say to you, many will come from the east and the west and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven but the children of the Kingdom will be driven out into the outer darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion, “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you. And at that very hour his servant was healed. 

Jesus entered the house of Peter, and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, the fever left her, and she rose and waited on him. When it was evening, they brought him many who were possessed by demons, and he drove out the spirits by a word and cured all the sick, to fulfill what had been said by Isaiah the prophet: He took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.

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Reflection:

Are you always available to those who are in need of your help?  

Why is Jesus a magnet to people most especially to those who are in need? This is for the reason that Jesus never refused anyone who asked for His help most especially those who are persistent. Jesus was always available, Jesus would always have time for them regardless of who they are and where they came from.  

The centurion/soldier in our gospel came from a faraway place and certainly not a follower of Jesus. But he knew Jesus and he heard of His miracles so he ventured to see Him. And when he saw Jesus he asked him to cure his servant. Jesus never had any second thought of helping the centurion; he even offered to go his house to personally cure the centurion’s servant.  

This gospel episode invites us to reflect if we also make ourselves available to those who are in need of our help. Often times we are not willing to help because it will disturb us. It will affect our personal finances and schedules but it’s not every day that we are asked for help.  

The best way to share our faith and to share Jesus is not through eloquent or bombastic preaching. The best way to share our faith and to share Jesus is when we make ourselves available most especially to those who are in need. And to those who can’t give back the help that we will give them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas