1Reflection for July 22 Thursday Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene: John 20: 1-2, 11-18

Gospel: John 20:1-2, 11-18

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”  

Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.”  

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew,“Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her.

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Reflection:

Do you search for Jesus? 

If you search for Jesus you will find Him. If you attend Holy Mass Jesus is there, if you open your bible and read the four gospels you will find Jesus there and if you pray the Rosary Jesus is there as well.  

Mary Magdalene intensely searched for Jesus, she went to the tomb while it was still dark and was so distressed when she did not find the body of the Lord. However she did not stop looking for HIM she went on with her search until Jesus appeared to her.  

The sole secret to find Jesus and to develop closeness with Him is to continuously thirst for HIM like we thirst for water. As water quenches our thirst and invigorates our bodies the Lord also does this to us and more. HE will quench our thirst and HE will invigorate our weary bodies.  

HE will do many more incredible things for us provided we continuously search and thirst for HIM. After finding Jesus we will now have to share Him so that our fellowmen will be blessed as we’ve been blessed by Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Hulyo 22, Santa Maria Magdalena (Kapistahan): Juan 20:1-2, 11-18

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:1-2, 11-18

1 Pagkatapos ng Araw ng Pahinga, habang madilim pa, maagang pumunta sa libingan si Maria Magdalena, nang makita niyang tanggal ang bato mula sa libingan, 2 patakbo siyang pumunta kay Simon Pedro at sa isa pang alagad na mahal ni Jesus. Sinabi niya sa kanila: “May kumuha sa Pangi­noon mula sa libingan, at hindi namin alam kung saan nila siya inilagay.”  

11 Nakatayo namang umiiyak sa labas si Maria sa may libingan. Sa kan­yang pag-iyak, yumuko siyang naka­tanaw sa libingan. 12 At may na­pansin siyang dalawang anghel na nakaputi na naka­upo, isa sa may ulu­nan at isa sa may paanan ng pinag­lagyan sa katawan ni Jesus. 

13 Sinabi sa kanya ng mga iyon: “Ale, bakit ka umiiyak?” Sinabi niya sa ka­nila: “May kumuha sa Panginoon ko, at hindi ko alam kung saan siya inilagay.” 14 Pag­kasabi niya nito, tuma­likod siya at napan­sin niya si Jesus na nakatayo pero hindi niya nakilalang si Jesus iyon. 15 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Ale, bakit ka umiiyak? Sino’ng hinahanap mo?” Sa pag-aakala niyang iyon ang hardinero, sinabi niya sa kanya: “Ginoo, kung kayo ang nagdala sa kanya, sabihin n’yo sa akin kung saan n’yo siya inilagay at ku­kunin ko siya.”  

16 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Maria!” Pagka­harap niya’y sinabi niya sa kanya sa Aramaiko: “Rabbouni!” (na ibig sabihi’y Guro). 17 Si­nabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Huwag kang humawak sa akin sapagkat hindi pa ako nakaaakyat sa Ama. Puntahan mo ang mga kapa­tid ko at sabihin sa kanila: ‘Paakyat ako sa Ama ko at Ama ninyo, sa Diyos ko at Diyos ninyo.’” 18 Pumunta si Maria Magdalena na ibinabalita sa mga alagad: “Nakita ko ang Panginoon.” At sinabi niya ang mga sinabi sa kanya.”

1Reflection for July 21 Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. 

And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. 

Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

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Reflection:

Do we listen to Jesus when He speaks to us? 

Every time Jesus generously sows the seeds of the gospel to us. With the hope that His sown seeds would eventually grow in our hearts  and bear countless fruits through our words and actions. Some of us don’t even care to listen or we listen but after listening we completely forget it. 

But there are also those who listen, imbibe and let the seeds of the gospel bear fruit in their lives by living and sharing it. In that process they allow themselves to be used by God as His seeds to bless other people’s lives.  

We all have this liberty on how we would receive these seeds of the gospel that God generously sows upon us. However let us not abuse this liberty by choosing to ignore it. Let us listen to it, let us allow it to take root in our hearts. 

Let us allow these very same words of God to transform us therefore we would become the seed sown on rich soil.  As such we will share it to as many people as possible and we will also give life to the same words of God by living it. 

Do you want a new perspective in your life? A perspective that is free from worldliness, sinfulness and other forms of worries brought about by this world? If yes, open your bible, read and reflect on the words of Jesus and allow it to sink deep into you. So that it would take root, grow and bear much fruit. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Hulyo 21, Ika-16 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:1-9

1 Nang araw ding iyon, umalis sa bahay si Jesus at naupo sa may dalampasigan. 2 Ngunit maraming tao ang nagtipon sa paligid niya kaya sumakay siya at naupo sa bangka samantalang nakatayo naman sa pam­pang ang mga tao. 3 At ma­rami siyang ipina­hayag sa kanila sa tulong ng mga talinhaga. 

At sinabi ni Jesus: “Lumabas na ang maghahasik para maghasik. 4 Sa kanyang paghahasik, may ilang butong nahulog sa tabi ng daan. Duma­ting ang mga ibon at kinain ang mga iyon. 5 Nahulog naman ang ibang buto sa batuhan at ma­babaw ang lupa roon. Ma­daling tumubo ang mga buto dahil hindi malalim ang lupa. 6 Ngunit pagsikat ng araw, nasunog ito sa init at sapagkat wa­lang ugat, natuyo ito.  7 Na­hulog ang iba pang buto sa mga tinikan. 

At nang luma­go ang mga tinik, sinikil ng mga ito ang halaman. 8 Nahulog naman ang iba sa matabang lupa at namunga: nagbunga ng san­daan ang iba, anim­napu naman ang sa iba, at tatlumpu ang iba pa. 9 Ma­kinig ang may tainga!”

Reflection for July 20 Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:46-50

Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” 

But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

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Reflection:

Are you a member or have you been a member of a church ministry? 

Members of church ministries often address each other as brother and sister. As such they treat each other as relatives through Jesus. They are there because they want to help Christ advance His mission and teachings; this is the sole reason and purpose. 

However, helping Jesus advance His mission and teaching are not limited to those members of church ministries. Even those who are not members can help as well in their own little way. For example, sharing  and living the life of Jesus inside the family and in the environment where we are.  

We become brothers and sisters of Jesus when we live His life and share in His mission. And when we are not ashamed to live His teachings. For example, the Lord’s teachings about Love, Forgiveness and Humility.  Do we love even those who don’t love us? Do we forgive even those who don’t ask for our forgiveness? Do we always live humility? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Hulyo 20, Ika-16 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:46-50

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:46-50

46 Nagsasalita pa si Jesus sa mga tao nang dumating ang kanyang ina at mga kapatid para makipag-usap sa kan¬ya, at naghihintay sila sa labas. 47 Kaya may nagsabi sa kanya: “Nasa labas ang iyong ina at mga kapatid; gusto ka nilang maka¬usap.” 

48 Sumagot si Jesus sa nagsabi sa kanya: “Sino ang aking ina? Sino ang aking mga kapatid?” 49 At itinuro niya ang kan¬yang mga alagad at sinabi: “Narito ang aking ina at mga kapatid. 50 Ang nagsasagawa sa kalo¬oban ng aking Ama sa Langit ang aking kapatid na lalaki at kapatid na babae at ina.”

Reflection for July 19 Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:38-42

Gospel: Matthew 12:38-42

Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." He said to them in reply, "An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 

At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was eyeing a man to be her boyfriend but she was not sure if he was the right one for her. So she said, I need a sign I need to see a white butterfly right now so that I will say yes to him. 

Lo and behold she saw a white butterfly circling by her, consequently she took it as a sign and she said yes to the man. Unfortunately after a few years they separated, what does this mean? Affirmative signs are not manifestation of truth thus we should not rely upon it. 

Some of us may demand a sign from Jesus to confirm something but no sign is needed anymore. No sign is bigger than Jesus, for as long as our faith in Jesus is strong and for as long as we have a deep friendship  with Him. Jesus is more than enough for us to carry us through our life’s journey. 

Let us always trust on Jesus for he will never fail us, we may experience humps and bumps in our lives every now and then. However, let us not make the mistake of using these humps and bumps as an excuse to distance ourselves from the Lord. 

For those who will not separate, those who will continue to have faith and those who will not rely on signs will be richly rewarded someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Hulyo 19, Ika-16 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:38-42

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:38-42

38 Sinabi noon ng ilang guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo: “Guro, gusto naming makakita ng tanda mula sa iyo.” 39 Su­magot si Jesus: “Isang palatandaan ang hinihiling ng masama at di-tapat na lahing ito ngunit walang palatandaang ibibigay sa kanila, maliban sa palatandaan ni Propeta Jonas. 40 Kung paanong tatlong araw at tatlong gabing nasa tiyan ng balyena si Jonas noon, gayundin naman tatlong araw at tatlong gabing mananatili sa ilalim ng lupa ang Anak ng Tao. 

41 Sa paghuhukom, babangon ang mga taga-Ninive kasama ng mga taong ito at hahatulan ang salinlahing ito sapagkat nagpanibagong-buhay sila sa pangangaral ni Jonas, at dito’y may mas dakila pa kay Jonas. 42 Sa paghu­hukom, babangon ang Reyna ng Timog, kasama ng mga taong ito at hahatulan sila. Sapagkat dumating siya mula sa kabilang dulo ng mundo para masak­sihan ang karunungan ni Solomon, at dito’y may mas dakila pa kay Solomon.

Reflection for Sunday July 18, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:30-34

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.  

So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.  

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was very busy with his many businesses that he has no more time for God. One day he felt an unusual pain in his body, so he went to a doctor for medical check up. After going thru a battery of test he found out that he had a severe sickness. 

So he prayed to the Lord for healing and he promised the Lord that if he would heal him he would devote more time for Him than his many worldly concerns. To make a long story short the man got healed so he fulfilled his promise to the Lord.  

Are you always busy with your many worldly concerns? For example, business, politics or anything which is focused to this world.  

Many are always very busy with wordly concerns that they don’t have time for God anymore. They hardly have time to pray, to read the bible or be with Jesus at Holy Mass. This is not a good sign for our wellbeing because what would happen if we are always busy with worldly concern and don’t have time for God anymore?  

After working so hard in doing their mission the apostles returned and told Jesus about their accomplishments. Jesus recognized their effort and said to them: “Go to a quite place and rest a while and they went away in the boat to a secluded area by themselves (Mark 6:30-32).  

What did they do in that quite and secluded area? Perhaps they reflected about their mission, perhaps they reflected about their relationship with their master and teacher that is Jesus. Perhaps as close followers of Jesus they had a short spiritual recollection.   

Despite of the frenetic pace of our gadget driven lives. Wherein many of us spend more time communicating with our smart phones rather than communicating with God.  The need to meditate and reflect on God’s role in our lives is not diminished. In fact, amidst the busyness of our lives we need to be reminded that there’s a God who is longing to introduce himself to us.  

And one of the most effective methods of connecting with God is to find our own quite place so that we can communicate and pray to Him. Even Jesus in His humanity always finds time to go to a quite place to rest and there He connects with God in prayer.  

You therefore have to find time for God no matter how busy you are. For what good will it do you if you have all the riches and power in this world if you have no relationship with God? God is longing for you, are you longing for God also? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 18 Ika – 16 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 6:30-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:30-34

30 Pagbalik ng mga apostol kay Jesus, isinalaysay nila sa kanya ang lahat nilang ginawa at itinuro. 31 Sinabi naman niya sa kanila: “Tayo na sa isang ilang na lugar para mapag-isa tayo at makapag­pa­hinga kayo nang kaunti.” Sapagkat doo’y marami ang paroo’t parito at hindi  man lamang sila makakain. 32 Kaya lumayo sila at namangka na sila-sila lang patungo sa ilang na lugar.  

33 Ngunit nakita silang umalis ng ilan at nabalitaan ito ng marami. Kaya nagtakbuhan sila mula sa kani-kanilang bayan at nauna pang dumating na lakad kaysa kanila. 34 Pagdating ni Jesus sa pampang, nakita niya ang maraming taong nag­kakatipon doon at naawa siya sa kanila sapagkat para silang mga tupang wa­lang pastol. At nagsimula siyang mag­turo sa kanila nang matagal.

Reflection for July 17 Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:14-21

Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: 

Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

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Reflection:

Are we peace loving people? Or we are lovers of conflict and chaos? If we follow Jesus it is a must for us to be peace loving.  Jesus was a peaceful man He abhorred any form of violence for He knew that no one wins with violence.  

When the Pharisees were looking for Jesus to arrest Him and put Him to death He peacefully withdrew out of their sight. Not because He was afraid of them but because Jesus was a peaceful man and besides, it was not yet time for Him to face them.  

Withdrawal from a conflict is not always a sign of cowardice in fact it is a sign of bravery. We are brave enough to withdraw from a conflict because we know that we have a higher purpose in life than those who wants to engage us with violence.    

What will happen if we face violence with violence? We all become losers for nobody wins with violence. Mahatma Gandhi once said: “An eye for an eye makes everyone blind."  

Let us always take the high road when there are provokers of anger by not stooping down to their level. Instead of confronting anger with anger why not offer peace and love? Why not   humbly walk away? If we do so it would surely save us from a troublesome situation.   – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Hulyo 17, Ika-15 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:14-21

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:14-21

14 Pagkalabas ng mga Pariseo, nag-usap-usap sila kung paano nila siya masi­siraan. 15 Nalaman ito ni Jesus kaya luma­yo siya sa lugar na iyon. Mara­ming tao ang sumunod sa kanya. Pina­galing niya ang lahat ng maysakit 16 ngunit inutusan niya sila na huwag siyang ipamamalita.  

17 Kaya natupad ang sinabi ni Isaias, ang propeta: 18 “Narito ang utusan ko na aking pinili, ang mahal ko na siya kong kina­lulugdan. Ilalagay ko sa kanya ang aking Espiritu at siya ang magpapahayag sa mga bansa ng aking mga pasya. 19 Hindi siya makikipagtalo o sisigaw, hindi mari­rinig sa mga liwasan ang kan­yang tinig. 20 Hindi niya babaliin ang sugatang tangkay o papatayin ang aandap-andap na mitsa. Hindi siya titigil hang­gang magwagi ang kata­rungan. 21 Ang kanyang pangalan ang inaasa­han ng lahat ng bansa.”

1Reflection for July 16 Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:1-8

Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath. 

He said to the them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? 

I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”

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Reflection:

What is in the heart of Jesus? It’s mercy and compassion for His people. Mercy and compassion that is ever ready to transgress sacred laws such as the Sabbath law. 

Being God the Son Jesus perfectly knew that what He was doing was right. But the Pharisees did not know the true identity of Jesus. So they questioned the decision of Jesus to allow His disciples to pick and eat the grains on a Sabbath day. 

Do you know Jesus deeply? Do you feel His presence in your life? If you don’t know Jesus deeply and if you don’t feel His presence in your life. You will also question some events or trial/s that occurs in your life. 

For instance when you go through severe trials such as financial difficulty, sickness and the like . You might also question the Lord Jesus and ask Him this question: Why am I going through this trial or why did you allow me to go through this episode in my life? 

But if you know Jesus and if you feel His presence in your life. You will never question Jesus thus you will simply bow to His will and trust Him. Why bow to His will? This is for the reason that you know that something greater is in store for you. That you don’t see and know yet now but you will certainly see and feel in your life in the future.   

Ask Jesus therefore to give you the gift of knowing Him deeply and the gift of His living presence in your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Hulyo 16, Ika-15 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:1-8

1 Naglakad noon si Jesus sa mga taniman ng trigo minsang Araw ng Pahinga. Nagutom ang kanyang mga alagad at sinimulan nilang alisin sa uhay ang mga butil, at kinain iyon. 2 Nang mapansin ito ng mga Pariseo, sinabi nila kay Jesus: “Tingnan mo ang iyong mga alagad, guma­gawa sila ng ipinagba­bawal sa Araw ng Pahinga!” 

3 Ngunit sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi ba ninyo nabasa ang ginawa ni David noong magutom siya at ang kan­yang mga kasama? 4 Pumasok siya sa bahay ng Diyos at kinain ang tinapay na inihain para sa Diyos gayong bawal sa kanya o sa kanyang mga kasama na kainin ito liban sa mga pari. 5 At hindi ba ninyo nabasa sa Ba­tas na sa Araw ng Pahi­nga, walang pahinga ang mga pari sa Templo pero wala silang kasalanan dahil dito? 

6 Sinasabi ko naman sa inyo: Dito’y may mas dakila pa sa Templo. 7 Kung nau­u­nawaan ninyong talaga ang salitang ito, ‘Awa ang gusto ko, hindi handog,’ hindi sana ninyo hinatulan ang walang-sala. 8 At isa pa’y ang Anak ng Tao ang Pangi­­noon ng Araw ng Pahinga.”