Reflection for August 30, Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 4:16-30

Gospel: Luke 4:16-30

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. 

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. 

It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

 + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Have you experience going back to the place of your childhood? 

Homecoming is always an event that we look forward to because of the warmth of the reception that we receive from our relatives and friends. Take for example if you’ve not been to the place of your childhood for a number of years. Just imagine the warm welcome that you’ll receive from your relatives and childhood friends. However, not all homecoming are filled with warmth and welcoming people there are sad homecomings also. 

Jesus was initially admired and was warmly received by His town mates for He spoke with brilliance. But when He spoke of something that His town mates did not like to hear the admiration turned to derision and the warm reception became cold as ice.  This led His town mates to push Him away towards a hill so that He would fall and be killed. What a sad ending of His coming home, Jesus certainly did not expect this kind of sad homecoming. 

But this is the reality of life, people will like us for as long as they like what we say even if what we say is already false for as long as its music to their ears. But when we talk about the truth they will not like us anymore. They will also drive us away as if we are carrying a contagious disease.  And the worst part is they may attempt to harm us.   

Nevertheless, we should not be cowed from speaking the truth even if it will hurt those who would hear it. This is for the reason that by speaking the truth we correct what is wrong. And by speaking the truth expose what is evil, immoral and sinful.  - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday August 29, Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Gospel: Mark  7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. —For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders.  

And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?”  

He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”  

He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. 

“From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about an arrogant leader who would always tell his people to obey his every command. Thus, the fearful people would follow every pronouncement that the arrogant leader would say. But as the years passed by they noticed the leader’s incompetence and manipulative behavior. So the people decided to fight him until they defeated him.  

Many of the Pharisees during Jesus time had the same manipulative behavior also. They were very strict in observing their many traditions and rituals. For example the washing of hands before meal, purifying oneself after going to the marketplace and they have countless more: They wanted these all to be strictly observed.

In the gospel the Pharisees saw the followers of Jesus eating their meals without washing their hands. They therefore questioned Him: "Why did they not wash their hands first?" But as always Jesus knew about their motives, Jesus knew that they were only good with the external observance of their traditions. But deep inside them they were still the same arrogant and overbearing group of people who always push their weight around.  

The problem with being strict is it creates a division that  may produce a permanent wedge amongst individuals.  Jesus knew about this problem that's why he often times disregards the rules in favor of the welfare of the people. For Jesus it is first and foremost the welfare of His people before the observance of the traditions. For Jesus it is first the interior cleansing before the exterior observance of the rituals.     

Strictness always results to alienation, division and permanent separation. While compassion and understanding always results to love, healing and unity. Jesus would want us to always be compassionate, to always be merciful and to always be loving.  

Because it's only through these acts of love, mercy and compassion that we can become effective vessels of His teachings. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for August 28, Saturday Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 25:14-30

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability. 

Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. 

After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 

Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? 

Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you know that the Good Lord has given you talent/s that you can use to help Him advance His kingdom in this world? 

There were three servants who were entrusted with talents by the Master who went on a journey. The first servant was given five talents, the second two and third one. The talents were given to them according to their abilities. 

After a period of time the Master came back and settled accounts with them. There was no problem with the first two for both of them were productive, they were able to exactly follow what the Master wanted them. However, the third servant was not productive with the talent that was given to him. 

The Master was so angry with him that He lectured him that it was much better if he had put the money in the bank so that it could have earned interest. Then, he was punished. The talent was taken from him and he was banished into the darkness where there was wailing and grinding of teeth. 

What a frightening punishment for the unproductive servant, if only he risked using what was given him. He could have avoided the embarrassment and the chilling punishment. 

What does this gospel say about us? About our talents that we choose to keep to ourselves rather than share it with the church and our fellowmen. Some of us are just content to just come and go to the church every Sunday for Mass and give money during collection. We think that this is already enough. But if we are sensitive to the needs of the church we would notice that from time to time it announces its need for parishioners to share whatever talents that they can share. 

You may have the talent for singing, why not join the choir? You may have the charism for service; why not join the Mother Butler or any other community oriented organization in the church? You may have the talent for teaching, why not become a catechist? And so on and so forth. 

Let us learn to share the talent that we have to our church and to our fellowmen. So that it would grow and bear much fruit in the hearts and minds of our fellowmen. Let us share it not because we are afraid of the punishment that may befall us if we would not. Let us share our talents out of our great love for Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for August 27, Friday Memorial of Saint Monica: Matthew 25:1-13

Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 

Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you.  

Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you always prepared for the arrival of the Lord? 

In the gospel there are two sets of virgins composed of five women who waited for the bridegroom. The one set belongs to the five who were foolish and the other set belongs to the wise ones. 

 We would always want to be identified with the five wise virgins who brought more than enough oil. The oil that they brought keep their lamps burning until the arrival of the bridegroom. By doing so they gained entry to the wedding reception which is the kingdom of heaven.  

The other five were not as fortunate for they were refused entry. They have nothing to blame but themselves, if only they were like the five wise virgins they could have also been present in the wedding feast.  

One of the realities of life is its fragility it could end anytime. We don’t hold our life its God who knows when would our call time to the great beyond will be. This is the mystery of our life, it’s temporary and uncertain. So while we are still alive let us always be prepared so that we will have no worries when our time comes. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for August 26, Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 24:42-51

Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51

(Jesus said to his disciples) “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.  

“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so.  

Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is long delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with drunkards, the servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

 + + + +  + +

Reflection:

What are you going to do if you’re assigned a responsibility? 

You surely will do whatever it takes to properly accomplish the responsibility immediately.  There will be no dilly-dally you will immediately do with what you have to do because this is the responsibility given to you.  

In our gospel for today Jesus tells the disciples: Be prepared for the son of man will come at an hour you do not expect. What kind of preparation does Jesus wants from His disciples? Of course it is to live their lives the way Jesus lived His life, this they could achieve through their humility, their concern for the poor and by living their lives in the service of others.  

How should we prepare for Jesus? Should we prepare by making ourselves busy on how to increase our material wealth? Of course not! The preparation that Jesus speaks about is the same preparation that He required from His disciples. So that when He knocks we would be able to let Him enter our lives. 

Therefore, we must not always busy ourselves on how to increase our wealth and how to satisfy our earthly desires. For these are not the be all and end all of life.  The best preparation for the coming of Jesus into our lives is to create time for Him no matter how busy we are for this is the only way we could prepare for His coming.    

How are you preparing for Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 26 Huwebes sa Ika-21 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 24:42-51

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 24:42-51

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 42 Magbantay kayo sapagkat hindi ninyo alam ang araw ng pag­dating ng inyong Panginoon. 43 Isipin ninyo ito: kung alam ng may-ari ng bahay kung anong oras ng gabi dara­ting ang magnanakaw, magbabantay siya at hindi niya pababayaang pasu­kin ang bahay. 44 Kaya maging handa kayo sapagkat sa oras na hindi ninyo inaasahan darating ang Anak ng Tao.  

45 Isipin ninyo ito: may tapat at matalinong katulong at sa kanya ipinagkatiwala ng kanyang amo ang sambahayan nito para bigyan sila ng pagkain sa tamang oras. 46 Kung sa pag­­dating ng kan­yang amo ay matagpuan siya nitong tu­mu­tupad sa kanyang tung­kulin, mapalad ang katulong na ito. 47 Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na ipagkakatiwala sa kanya ng amo ang lahat nitong pag-aari.  

48 Sa halip ay nag-iisip naman ang ma­samang ka­tulong: ‘Magtatagal ang aking panginoon.’ 49 Kayat sinimulan niyang pagmalupitan ang mga katulong na kasama niya samantalang nakikipagkainan at nakiki­pag-inu­mang kasama ng mga lasing. 50 Ngunit dara­ting ang panginoon ng katulong na iyon sa oras na di niya inaasahan at sa panahong di niya alam. 51 Paaalisin  niya ang katulong na ito at pakikitu­nguhang gaya ng mga mapag­kunwari. Doon nga may iyakan at pag­ngangalit ng ngipin.

1Reflection for August 25, Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 23:27-32

Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32

Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. 

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; now fill up what your ancestors measured out!

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Why is Jesus so aghast with the scribes and the Pharisees? Because they don’t walk their talk, what they say is contrary to what they do. They tell their people to do this and that yet they don’t do it themselves. They are only good at giving command and it ends with the giving of command.  

They also are very much conscious with their outside appearance. They always put their best foot forward so to speak yet they don’t care about their manipulative behaviors.  

They are very much like many powerful people who project clean public image but lacking in integrity. They manipulate people for them to be looked up to as if they are more powerful than God. But nothing last forever in this world; eventually the powerful will become without power and the arrogant will crushed and shamed.  

We therefore have to become transparent and sincere toward our fellowmen. No manipulation, no arrogance and superficiality because Jesus’ abhors these kinds of pharisaic attitudes and behaviors. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for August 24, Tuesday Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle: John 1:45-51

Gospel: John 1:45-51

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth. But Nathanael said to him “Can anything good come from Nazareth? Philip said to him, “Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel.  

There is no duplicity in him. Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me? Jesus answered and said to him “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree. Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.  

Jesus answered and said to him “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this. And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How do you encounter Jesus in your life? The best encounter with Jesus that you could ever have is through the Holy Mass, prayer and reflections of His words in the bible. Because it’s through these sacred acts that you always unite with Jesus.  

Nathanael in the gospel had an encounter with Jesus. And he was never the same again after that encounter for he was profoundly blessed by Jesus.  

Our spiritual development hinges on our hunger and thirst for Jesus. The more that we hunger for it the more that Jesus becomes more real to us. And the more that we feel His abiding presence in our lives.  

The more also that we are freed from our fears, worries and vulnerabilities from the scheming of the devil. Let us therefore create time for the Lord because this is the key for us to have an encounter and friendship with Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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.”

+ + + + + + +

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.”

+ + + + +  + +

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.”

+ + + + + + +

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."

+ + + + + + +

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.”

+ + + + + + +

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