1Reflection for August 23, Monday Saint Rose of Lima, virgin Secondary patroness of the Philippines (M): Matthew 23:13-22

Gospel: Matthew 23:13-22

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. 

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. 

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.”

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Reflection:

What is the meaning of the word woe? 

Woe is a word that has a negative meaning and Jesus has three woes addressed to the Pharisees and the Scribes. Why? This is for the reason that many of the Pharisees and scribes are hypocrites. They teach their subjects to practice this and that yet they themselves are not practicing what they are teaching and preaching. 

These woes are not exclusively addressed to the Pharisees and Scribes, this is also for many of us who are hypocrites. We who are not true to our word and we who often are good only with worship for God yet very much wanting in living our faith. 

But it’s not yet late for us to turn things around, to make amends with God. For the simple reason that all of us no matter how sinful have hope before the Lord. For Jesus condemnation is not forever because He can easily erase His condemnation and replace it with mercy, forgiveness  and love.   

Remember the sinner who was crucified with Jesus? He was originally sinful but he repented, thus Jesus brought him along to paradise. (Luke 23:43). Let us therefore repent from our sinfulness while we still have the luxury of time. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

1Reflection for Sunday August 22, Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 6:60-69

Gospel: John 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?  

 It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” 

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who would always attend Sunday Mass then all of a sudden he stopped attending Holy Mass. When he was asked why? He said this:  “I cannot believe that the ordinary bread and wine is the Body and Blood of Jesus.”   After not attending Holy Mass for a long time He felt emptiness even if he was materially wealthy. He therefore decided to attend Holy Mass again and he felt well and good from thereon.    

Do you believe the claim of Jesus that He is the Bread of Life? Many of the followers of Jesus were scandalized about his pronouncements that He is the Bread of Life. That whoever comes to Him will never hunger or thirst (John 6:35). 

After detaching themselves from Jesus they subsequently returned to their former way of life. Possibly it was a life of sin and emptiness, they chose to regress rather than to progress with Jesus. Why did they walk away? It was influenced by their unbelief towards Jesus. 

Those followers who chose to walk away missed the golden opportunity to know more about the Lord. They also missed the chance to witness more miracles from Jesus. What else did they miss? They were deprived of Jesus daily abiding presence, protection and guidance. 

Those who walked away simply did not believe and they saw it fit to just trust on their own understanding. Than have faith in the pronouncement of Jesus. This is what ails many of us: We trust more in ourselves than have faith in the Lord.  

Are you also walking away from the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 21, Saturday Saint Pius X, Pope (M): Matthew 23:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.  

They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation Rabbi.  

As for you, do not be called Rabbi. You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’ you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a father who would always remind his wife and his children to pray the Holy Rosary daily. But the problem is the father does not lead the way. He commands his family to go to pray the Holy Rosary yet he does not join his family in praying it. The father miserably fails in his leadership by not living what he preaches.  

How can we become effective sharers of our faith? It’s by being a living example of our faith. We also have to be sincere by means of doing what we preach. For example, if we want our family to pray the Holy Rosary we first have to lead and show the way.  

What does this mean? We ourselves have to lead the prayer, why? Because it’s through this act of leadership that we would win the respect and cooperation of our family.       

In the gospel Jesus speaks about leadership by example and servanthood. This seems to be a contradiction for how can a leader be a servant at the same time? However, there is no contradiction between these two. They go together like best friends for the simple reason that one cannot exist without the other.   

The Pharisees and Scribes were chastised by Jesus for trumpeting themselves as leaders. However, they were leaders in name only for they did not walk their talk and they did not serve the people that they were supposed to serve. They were only good at giving orders.  

You might be a leader today or you might aspire for a leadership position somewhere along the way. You have to remember that a true leader always shows and leads the way. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 21 Sabado San Pio X, papa (Paggunita): Mateo 23:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 23:1-12

1 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao at sa kanyang mga alagad: 2 “Ang mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo ang umupo sa puwesto ni Moises. 3 Pakinggan at gawin ang lahat nilang sinasabi pero huwag silang pamarisan, sapagkat nagsasalita sila pero hindi naman ginagawa. 4 Naghahanda sila ng mabibigat na pasanin at ipi­napatong sa mga balikat ng mga tao. Ngunit hindi nila ikinikilos ni isang daliri para galawin ang mga iyon.  

5 Pakitang-tao lamang ang lahat nilang ginagawa; dahil dito, mala­lapad na laso ng Kasulatan ang gusto nila para sa kanilang noo, at maha­habang pala­wit sa kanilang bala­bal. 6 Gusto nilang mabigyan ng pangu­nahing lugar o upuan sa mga pi­ging at sa sina­goga. 7 Ikina­tutuwa rin nilang mabati sa mga liwasan at matawag na guro ng mga tao. 

8 Huwag kayong patawag na guro sa­pagkat iisa lamang ang Guro ninyo at magkakapatid kayong lahat. 9 Huwag din ninyong tawaging ama ang sinuman sa mundo sapagkat iisa lamang ang inyong Ama, siya na nasa Langit. 10 Huwag din kayong patawag na gabay sapagkat iisa lamang ang inyong Pat­nubay, si Kristo. 11 Maging alipin ninyo ang pinakadakila sa inyo. 12 Sapagkat ibababa ang nag­papa­ka­taas at itataas ang nagpa­paka­baba. 

Reflection for August 20, Friday Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church (M): Matthew 22:34-40

Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"  

He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a middle-aged rich woman who was always present in the church for worship. It was her way of showing people how she lived the commandment of loving God with all our Heart, Soul and Mind. Near the house where she lived is a community of poor people.  

While the pious lady was passing by the leader of the poor community saw her and he remembered her as the lady who was always at church. So he said: I will ask help from this prayerful woman for I know that she will not fail me.  

He approached her and asked for her help in whatever way possible. But the supposedly pious and prayerful woman said no and she even had the temerity to scold the poor man. Obviously the woman was not true to her self- proclamation that she loves God. And obviously her love for God was a charade for how can she love God when she ignores the poor who ask for her help?  

In the gospel Jesus gives us the two greatest commandments: Our love for God and our love for our neighbor. We cannot separate our love for God with our love for our neighbors. These two greatest commandments are inseparable one cannot exist without the other one.  

If we profess to love God with our worship; God wants this love for Him to cascade to our poor neighbors. This is always the action that God wants us to do: To love Him and our neighbors.  

If we say that we love God yet we don’t love our neighbors because they incessantly disturb us. And if we say that we love God yet we can’t forgive. Then our love for God is empty, without force and baseless. –Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for August 19, Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 22:1-14

Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.  

A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.” Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.  

The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’  

The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.  

He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a father would always wake up early every Sunday to prepare himself to go to church for Holy Mass. He would patiently wait to hear the church bells to toll. And the moment he hears it he would tell his family that the tolling of church bells is the invitation of the lord let us respond and go to church for Mass.  

As we move on with our lives in this world. There would be people who would invite us to attend Holy Mass. However, because of our many preoccupations we don’t give an ear to many of them we just hear them and not take them seriously. If only we would take time to listen, we would be entitled to many blessings including the gateway to heaven.  

For example, what blessing/s does your attendance at Holy Mass gives you? When you attend Holy Mass you have a foretaste of heaven while you’re still in this world. You’re also healed of your emotional, spiritual and physical sickness.  

This is true; observe those who regularly attend daily Mass. They are mostly senior citizens; they are mostly retired yet they are not tired neither sick. In fact, they are physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy to regularly attend daily Mass.  

But we are in the midst of this calamitous covid-19 pandemic many of us are not able to be physically present at Holy Mass. What are we going to do? We have to watch online Mass/TV Mass.   

In our gospel, the king gave a wedding banquet.  So he told his servants to call the invited guests to the feast but because of their many preoccupations they refused to heed the call. And in the process they missed to be in the presence of the king. The king who could have given them something that they would very much treasure for the rest of their lives. The king who could have given them protection and security. And the king who could have been their close friend.  

Let us not refuse God’s call for us to be closer to HIM. We have nothing to lose but everything to gain if we would only listen to HIS invitation to be present at His wedding banquet which is none other than the celebration of the Holy Mass. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 19 Huwebes sa Ika-20 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 22:1-14

 

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 22:1-14

1 Muling nagsalita si Jesus sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhaga: 2 “Tungkol sa nangyayari sa kaharian ng Langit ang kuwentong ito: May isang haring naghanda sa kasal ng kanyang anak na lalaki. 3 Ipinatawag niya sa mga katulong ang mga imbitado sa kasalan ngunit ayaw nilang dumalo.  

4 Muli niyang pinapunta ang iba pang mga katulong para sabihin sa mga inanyayahan sa kasalan: ‘Naghanda ako ng pagkain, nagpatay ng mga toro at mga pinatabang hayop; handa na ang lahat kaya pumarito na kayo sa kasalan.’ 5 Ngunit hindi nila pinansin ang paanyaya, sa halip ay may pumunta sa kanyang taniman, at sa kanyang negosyo naman ang isa pa.  

6 Sinunggaban naman ng iba pa ang mga katulong ng hari, nilibak at  pinatay. 7 Lubhang nagalit ang hari kayat ipinadala niya ang kanyang hukbo para puksain ang mga mamamatay-tao at sunugin ang lunsod. 8 At sinabi niya sa kanyang mga katulong: ‘Handa na ang kasalan ngunit hindi karapat-dapat ang mga inanyayahan.  

9 Pumunta kayo ngayon sa dulo ng lunsod at anyayahan sa kasalan ang bawat makita ninyo.’ 10 Kaya agad na lumabas sa mga daan ang mga katulong at tinipon ang lahat ng makita, masama at mabuti, at napuno ang kasalan ng mga nasa hapag. 11 Pagkatapos ay dumating ang hari para tingnan kung sino ang mga nasa hapag at napansin niya ang isang lalaking hindi nakadamit pampiyesta.  

12 Kaya sinabi niya sa kanya: ‘Kaibigan, paano ka nakapasok nang walang damit pangkasal?’ Ngunit hindi umimik ang tao. 13 Kaya sinabi ng hari sa kanyang mga katulong: ‘Igapos ang kanyang mga kamay at paa, at itapon sa dilim, kung saan may iyakan at pagngangalit ng mga ngipin.’• 14 Marami ngang talaga ang tinawag pero kaunti ang pinili.” 

Reflection for August 18, Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 20:1-16

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise.  

Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’  When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage.  

So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’  

He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

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Reflection:

Do you every once in a while question the decision/s of God in your life?  

God thinks differently from how we think and God decides not based on how we think. It seems that the landowner who represents the Lord is unfair. This is for the reason that He paid the workers the same amount regardless of the time they’ve labored in his vineyard. Was he really unfair to the other workers who worked for longer hours or he was simply generous?  

The landowner was simply generous and fair for he paid everyone based on what they’ve agreed upon.   It did not matter to him which of them worked early in the day and who worked late in the day. What was important for him was he paid everyone based on what they’ve agreed upon.  

We can’t help but compare God’s generosity compared to ours if at all we are generous. If God doesn’t count the cost, we count, and if God is generous we are often times not generous. If we discriminate God doesn’t discriminate whomever we are, what is important for God is we respond to His invitation.  

God doesn’t look at how sinful you are, God doesn’t look at how early and late you respond to His call of repentance. What is important for God is you respond to His call of repentance no matter how late.  

Would you respond to God’s call? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 17, Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 19:23-30

Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” 

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. 

What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

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Reflection:

Can you achieve inner peace and serenity by chasing the offerings of this world? 

Fortune and even fame will not give us inner peace and serenity. We may have all the material wealth of this world but it amounts to nothing if we are without inner peace, serenity and if we don’t have God. We simply have to look at the many rich, famous and powerful people who committed suicide. 

In our gospel Jesus said to the disciples, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. This is in reference to the rich man who couldn’t give up his treasures in favor of the poor and his discipleship with Jesus. That rich man was actually invited by Jesus to become his follower but he declined the glorious offer because he held on to his wealth.

It’s not actually bad to be rich, but it becomes a hazard to our wellbeing when we make riches our God. That we are not willing to let it go for anything even for the sake of the kingdom of God. Therefore, when we are so in love with our fleeting wealth we become capable of doing anything that Jesus abhors.   

For example, allowing ourselves to be captured by wealth that we make it our God. Allowing our greed for wealth to engage in corruption just to have it and so forth.   

Jesus said in our gospel that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God. This statement of Jesus is simply a hyperbole that carries so much weight and meaning. 

Come to thinks of it, is it bad to get rich? Of course not for as long as we don’t make our earthly wealth our God.   Instead, why not use wealth to help advance the kingdom of God? For the simple reason that the more that we give away our riches  the more that we become fit for the kingdom of God. 

God created us to freely aspire for His kingdom in heaven and not to be permanently imprisoned by our riches in this world. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 17 Martes sa Ika-20 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 19:23-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:23-30

23 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: mahirap makapasok ang mayaman sa kaharian ng Langit. 24 Oo, mani­wala kayo, mas madali pa para sa kamelyo ang lumusot sa butas ng karayom kaysa puma­sok ang isang mayaman sa kaha­rian ng Langit.” 

25 Nang marinig ito ng mga alagad, namangha sila at sinabing “Kung gayon, sino ang maliligtas?” 26 Tini­tigan sila ni Jesus at sumagot: “Impo­sible ito para sa tao; pero para sa Diyos, lahat ay posible.” 27 Nagsalita si Pedro at sinabi: “Iniwan namin ang lahat para sumunod sa iyo: ano naman ang para sa amin?” 

28 Sumagot si Jesus: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa in­yong mga sumunod sa akin:  sa Araw ng Pagbabago, pag upo ng Anak ng Tao sa kanyang trono nang buong luwalhati, uupo rin kayo sa labin­dalawang trono para maghari sa labin­dalawang tribu ng Israel. 29 At ang mag-iwan ng mga tahanan, mga kapatid, ama at ina, mga anak o mga bukid alang-alang sa ngalan ko, ta­tang­gap siya ng sandaang beses at maka­kamit ang buhay na wa­lang hanggan. 30 May mga una ngayon na mahuhuli at may mga huli na­man na mauuna.

Reflection for August 16, Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 19:16-22

Gospel: Matthew 19:16-22

A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  

The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

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Reflection:

Would you give up everything to follow Jesus?  

So near and yet so far, perhaps this was the predicament of the man who asked Jesus on what must he do to have eternal life. He already did everything that was asked of him until Jesus told him to sell everything in his possession and give the proceeds to the poor then follow Him. The man quietly walked away for the reason that he can’t let go of his many earthly possessions.  

Somehow this man represents many if not all of us we who find it very hard to let go of our earthly possession in favor of following the Lord. What is with wealth that we cannot let go? We cannot bring it to our graves we cannot even possess it anymore when we are already old for someone will possess it for us or even hide it from us.  

Saint Francis of Asisi was from a noble and rich family he gave everything to the poor so that he could respond to God’s call.  God’s will for us also is to give up our riches so that others may live from it. This is very hard to do that requires radical change of mindset and lifestyle for us to fully embrace it.  

Perhaps if we are not willing to give up everything because we also have our own family to feed and take care of. We can give to the poor the amount does matter what matter is it comes from our hearts. Because it’s only through giving up of something that we treasure in this world that we could follow Jesus.     

Are you like the young man in our gospel who walked away from Jesus because he had many possessions? Or you are like Saint Francis of Asisi who gave up everything to the poor so that he could respond to the call of the Lord? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 16 Lunes sa Ika-20 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 19:16-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:16-22

16 Lumapit kay Jesus ang isang binata at nagtanong: “Guro, anong mabuti ang dapat kong gawin para makamit ang buhay na wa­lang hanggan?” 17 Sumagot si Jesus: “Bakit tungkol sa mabuti ang tanong mo? 

Iisa lang ang Mabuti. Kung gusto mong pumasok sa buhay na walang hanggan, sundin mo ang mga utos.” 18 At sinabi naman ng binata: “Anong mga utos?” Sumagot si Jesus: “Huwag papatay, huwag makiapid, huwag mag­­nakaw, huwag manirang-puri ng kapwa, 19 iga­lang ang iyong ama at ina, at mahalin ang iyong kapwa gaya ng pagmamahal mo sa iyong sarili.” 

20 At sinabi sa kanya ng binata: “Sinu­nod ko ang lahat ng ito, ano pa ang kulang ko?” 21 At sinabi ni Jesus: “Kung gusto mong maging ganap, umuwi ka’t ipagbili ang mga ari-arian mo at ibigay ang pera sa mga dukha, at magka­karoon ka ng kayamanan sa Langit. At saka ka bumalik para sumunod sa akin.” 

22 Pagkarinig ng binata sa pahayag na ito, umalis siyang malungkot sapagkat napakayaman niya. 

1Reflection for Sunday August 15, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:39-56

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”  

And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.  

He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”  

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a rich and generous woman who would always give to anyone who is need regardless if she would be asked for help or not. A close friend who was so amazed by her generosity asked her: “Why are you so generous and don’t you keep something for yourself?” The generous woman replied: “I am not a permanent dweller in this present world sooner or later I would be leaving this world and my acts of generosity is my way of preparation for my journey going to heaven where I will permanently dwell with my God.  

Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This dogma was defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1 1950. It states that the immaculate Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, after completing her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.”  

The solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin reminds all of us of what awaits us when our time to depart this world comes. We are also destined for heaven someday but we are still presently in a journey.  

Therefore we are called to do good and to touch lives. We are presently in the midst of this destructive covid-19 pandemic and obviously many are in need of help. Hence we have to help if we have the necessary means to help.     

In the gospel, the Blessed Mother went to visit her cousin Elizabeth for she knew that her cousin was in need of her help. It was an unexpected visit from the Blessed Mother which her cousin Elizabeth deeply appreciated. They shared lots of stories about themselves. They strengthened each other’s morale, love and bond. Thus, the Blessed Mother stayed with her cousin until she gave birth.  

Today because of fear of being infected with covid-19 we are being discouraged to visit anyone. As much as possible we only stay inside our homes but we still can help if we would desire to help. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Agosto 15 Ang Pag aakyat sa Langit ng Mahal na Birheng Maria: Lucas 1:39-56

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-56

39 Nang mga araw ring iyo’y nag­mamadaling naglakbay si Maria pa­punta sa isang bayan sa mataas na lupain ng Juda. 40 Pumasok siya roon sa bahay ni Zacarias at binati si Eli­zabeth. 41 Nang marinig ni Elizabeth ang bati ni Maria, sumikad ang sanggol sa si­na­pupunan niya, at napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elizabeth 42 at mala­kas siyang sumigaw at sinabi: “Lubos kang pi­nagpala sa mga kababaihan. Pinag­pala rin ang bunga ng iyong sina­pu­punan! 

43 Sino nga ba naman ako’t na­parito sa akin ang ina ng aking Pa­ngi­noon? 44 Nang umabot sa aking pan­dinig ang iyong pagbati, sumikad sa tuwa ang sanggol sa aking sina­pu­punan. 45 Pinagpapala ang naniniwa­lang magaganap ang mga sinabi sa kanya ng Pa­nginoon.” 46 At sinabi ni Maria: “Dinadakila ng aking kaluluwa ang Panginoon 47 at nagagalak ang aking espiritu sa Diyos na aking Tagapagligtas 48 dahil isinaalang-alang niya ang abang utu­san niya, at mula ngayon, ituturing akong mapalad ng lahat ng salinlahi. 49 Dakila nga ang ginawa sa akin ng Ma­kapangya­rihan, banal ang kanyang Pangalan. 

50 Patuloy ang kanyang awa sa mga sali’t salinlahi para sa mga may pitagan sa kanya. 51 Ipinakita niya ang lakas ng kanyang bisig, ipinagtabuyan ang mga taong may ma­pagma­taas na balak. 52 Pinatalsik niya sa luklukan ang mga makapang­yarihan, itinampok naman ang mga bale-wala. 53 Binusog niya ng mabubuting bagay ang mga na­gugutom at itinaboy namang walang-wala ang maya­yaman. 54 Nilingap niya ang Israel na kanyang lingkod, inalaala ang kanyang awa 55ayon sa ipinangako niya sa ating mga ninuno, kay Abraham at sa kanyang angkan mag­paka­ilanman.” 56 Mga tatlong buwang nanatili si Ma­riang ka­sa­ma ni Elizabeth at saka nagbalik sa kanyang bahay.