Reflection Thursday June 23, The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist: Luke 1:57-66, 80

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.”  

But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 

Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

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Reflection:

Are you faithful to the Lord?  

To continuously propagate the name of a certain clan it is customary to name a newly born child after his father’s name. This was in the mind of the relatives who proposed that the newly born child of Elizabeth be named after his father Zechariah. 

 But Zechariah had previously had an agreement with the Angel Gabriel when it appeared to him in the sanctuary that the baby would be named John (Luke 1:13). True to their word both Elizabeth and Zechariah did not renege on their agreement with the Lord through the angel Gabriel. 

 Their faithfulness to God’s covenant was further rewarded when Zechariah was able to speak again. What is the implication of this for us? This tells us that the good Lord has a reward for those who are faithful to Him. Are we always faithful to the Lord? 

 We too are being reminded by this gospel to be faithful to our own covenants with the Lord. You may be asking yourself: What is my covenant with the Lord? There are many, I will just mention a few. If you’re married your covenant with the Lord is to be faithful to your spouse until the very end. 

Our Baptismal covenant with the Lord is faithfulness to the teachings of the church. Have we been faithful to the teachings of the church and have we already shared and lived its teachings?  

God through the angel Gabriel has rewarded the faithfulness of Elizabeth and Zechariah. There’s also a reward in store for us all for so long as we would be faithful to the Lord. 

Are you faithful to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Hunyo 23 Pagsilang ni San Juan Bautista: Lucas 1:57-66, 80

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:57-66, 80

Dumating ang araw ng panganganak ni Elisabet, at nagluwal siya ng isang sanggol na lalaki. Nabalitaan ng kanyang mga kapitbahay at mga kamag-anak na siya'y pinagpala ng Panginoon, at nakigalak sila sa kanya. 

Nang ikawalong araw, dumalo sila sa pagtutuli ng sanggol. Zacarias sana ang ipangangalan sa kanya -- gaya ng kanyang ama -- ngunit sinabi ng kanyang ina, "Hindi! Juan ang ipapangalan sa kanya." "Subalit wala isa man sa iyong mga kamag-anak ang may ganyang pangalan," wika nila. Kaya't hinudyatan nila ang kanyang ama at itinanong kung ano ang ibig niyang itawag sa sanggol. Humingi siya ng masusulatan at sumulat ng ganito: "Juan ang kanyang Pangalan." At namangha silang lahat. 

Pagdaka'y nakapagsalita siya, at nagpuri sa Diyos. Natakot ang kanilang kapitbahay, anupat naging usap-usapan sa buong kaburulan ng Judea ang mga bagay na ito. Pinakaisip-isip ito ng lahat ng nakaalam at ang kanilang tanong: "Magiging ano nga kaya ang batang ito?" Sapagkat maliwanag na sumasakanya ang Panginoon. 

Lumaki ang bata at naging malakas ang kanyang espiritu. Siya'y tumira sa ilang hanggang sa araw na magpakilala siya sa Israel. 

Reflection June 22, Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 7:15-20

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

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

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Reflection:

Is initial impression a good gauge for us to say that we already know someone? Of course not, we still need to know the person for a certain period of time before we know who he/she really is.  

The early stage of courtship between a man and a woman is where both of them try to put their best foot forward. They show all the positive attributes that they have. Thinking that the positive exterior is also the same with the inner being of their soon to be spouse they end up as married couple. The sole basis of their marriage was the positive exterior appearance, decorum and utterance.  

After a few months of being married here comes the real identity of the spouse: grouchy, self-centered, extravagant, has no manners, lazy, immature and so forth. Seeing this negative interior they end up alienated from each other.  

Initially the spouse shows his/her sheep’s clothing after they marry the real self: a ravenous wolf is unmasked. This case is no different with “Men of God” who try to get the trust of their prospective victims and after they’ve gained their trust their real evil selves comes to fore and that’s when they do their bestial intentions.  

We must always be wary of these individuals; let us carefully discern for they may be in sheep’s clothing but underneath are ravenous wolves. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 22 Miyerkules Ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 7:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:15-20

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Mag-ingat kayo sa mga bulaang propeta; nagsisilapit sila sa inyo na animo'y tupa, ngunit ang totoo'y mababangis na asong-gubat. Makikilala ninyo sila sa kanilang mga gawa. Napipitas ba ang ubas sa puno ng dawag, o ang igos sa puno ng aroma?  

Nagbubunga ng mabuti ang bawat mabuting punongkahoy, subalit nagbubunga ng masama ang masamang punongkahoy. Hindi maaaring magbunga ng masama ang mabuting punongkahoy, ni ng mabuti ang masamang punongkahoy. Ang bawat puno na di nagbubunga ng mabuti ay pinuputol at itinatapon sa apoy. Kaya nga, makikilala ninyo sa kanilang mga gawa ang mga bulaang propeta."

Reflection Tuesday June 21, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious (M): Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Gospel: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

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

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

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Reflection:

The story is told about a boy who was neglected by his irresponsible parents. A kind-hearted relative saw something from this boy who was always at the church to do volunteer work and attend Holy Mass. So he offered to take care of this boy and without any hesitation the negligent parents immediately agreed. 

To make a long story short the boy stayed with his relatives who took care of his education and other needs. To compensate for his free board, education and lodging he worked for them by helping with the household chores and other house work. Years quickly passed by and this good and hardworking boy became very successful. 

What is the narrow gate that Jesus wants us all to enter? This is the narrow gate of hardwork, the narrow gate of life with Jesus and the church that He founded. 

Not many of us now are truly hard-working we want shortcuts, for example to become rich many engage in corruption and other illegal acts. Not many of us now do volunteer work for the church because we are very selfish with our time and treasure. Many of us now are not making ourselves available for Holy Mass; we just attend Holy Mass if we want to. 

Indeed, those who enter or pass thru the narrow gate are still few but these few will always be rewarded someday. Let us therefore not be afraid to go through that narrow gate because by going through it we would find God and the real purpose and meaning of life.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Hunyo 21 San Luis Gonzaga, namanata sa Diyos (Paggunita): Mateo 7:6, 12-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:6, 12-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Huwag ninyong ibigay sa aso ang bagay na banal, sapagkat kayo'y babalingan at lalapain nila pagkatapos. Huwag ninyong ihagis sa baboy ang inyong mga perlas sapagkat yuyurakan lamang nila ang mga iyon."  

"Kaya gawin ninyo sa inyong kapwa ang ibig ninyong gawin nila sa inyo. Ito ang kahulugan ng Kautusan ni Moises at ng turo ng mga propeta." "Pumasok kayo sa makipot na pintuan; sapagkat maluwag ang pintuan at malapad ang daang patungo sa kapahamakan, at ito ang dinaraanan ng marami. Ngunit makipot ang pintuan at makitid ang daang patungo sa buhay, at kakaunti lang ang nakasusumpong niyon."

Reflection June 20, Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:1-5

Gospel: Matthew 7:1-5

Jesus said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?  

How can you say to your brother ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye, while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.

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Reflection:

What can we get by judging others? Nothing except the accumulation of hatred in our hearts which if not corrected could even cause us sickness even death. What if we would not judge or if we are not quick to judge? There would be no hatred within us! As such we are free, we would look younger and sickness will not be our best friend.  

We may not know this but we are quick to judge others for the simple reason that we have a very high regard of ourselves. And this is brought about by our feeling of superiority towards others. But why do we feel superior towards others when we are all created by God as equals?  Where does this superiority feeling emanates? We have this feeling of superiority because God is not a permanent dweller in our hearts.  

There’s a story of a woman who was a regular fixture in their parish church organization. But she was not well liked because she was so judgmental, has a high regard of herself and self-righteous. Are we not sometimes also judgmental, has a high regard of ourselves and self-righteous?  

In our gospel for this Monday we hear Jesus telling us to stop judging. Why? This is for the reason that when we judge we already distance ourselves from the person that we judge. We already create a wall that may permanently separate us from that person. If this is so, how can we convert them? How can can they feel the love of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 20, Lunes ng Ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 7:1-5

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:1-5

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Huwag ninyong hatulan ang inyong kapwa, upang hindi kayo hatulan ng Diyos. Sapagkat hahatulan kayo ng Diyos ayon sa hatol na inihahatol ninyo sa iba. Ang panukat ninyo sa iba ay siya ring ipanunukat sa inyo. Bakit mo nakikita ang puwing sa mata ng iyong kapatid, ngunit hindi mo pinapansin ang puwing mong gatahilan sa iyong mata?  

Paano mong masasabi sa iyong kapatid, 'Halika't aalisin ko ang puwing mo,' gayong gatahilan ang nasa mata mo? Mapagpaimbabaw! Alisin mo muna ang puwing na gatahilan at sa gayo'y makakikita kang mabuti at maaalis mo ang puwing ng iyong kapatid."

Reflection for Sunday June 19, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ: Luke 9: 11b-17

Gospel: Luke 9:11b-17

Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, "Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here." He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves." 

They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people." Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty." They did so and made them all sit down.

Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

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Reflection:

On Christmas day of 2013 in Legnica Poland a Consecrated Host fell to the floor.  It was subsequently picked up and placed in a container with water. Immediately after immersing it in water red stains appeared on the Consecrated Host. 

Then Bishop of Legnica, Bishop Stefan created a group to monitor the host. In February of 2014, a small fragment was placed on a corporal and it underwent testing by various research institutes.

The fragments were found containing the fragmented parts of a muscle. Likely similar to the heart muscle.” Tests also determined the tissue to be of human origin, and found that it bore signs of distress.

During January of 2016, saying that the Host has the manifestation of a Eucharistic miracle. The bishop presented the matter to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.  April of 2016 the Vatican/Holy See recommended that it should be venerated by the people.

Today is the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, the same Body and Blood of Christ in the appearance of the Holy Host that fell to the floor on Christmas day of 2013 in Legnica Poland.

The same Body and Blood of Christ that we partake during Holy Communion at Holy Mass. The same Body and Blood of Christ that the sick and the homebound receive in their home.  When it is brought to them by a priest or by an authorized minister of the church.  

Do we give the Body and Blood of Christ the proper respect and veneration when we partake of it? Do we see to it that we are worthy to receive it by humbly submitting ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year?

In the gospel, the crowd of about five thousand were hungry but there was no food to fill their empty stomachs. Except for the five loaves and two fish no other food was available and the disciples knew that it would not be enough to feed the hungry crowd.

However, Jesus asked for the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the crowd. And all of them were able to eat with many more to spare.

The miracle of the feeding of the crowd happened because Jesus desired it. Every time we make ourselves available for Holy Mass and we partake of His Body and Blood during Holy Communion, Jesus desires a miracle for all of us as well. Why? This is for the reason of the infinite love, compassion and mercy of Jesus for all of us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 19, Kabanal-banalang Katawan at Dugo ng Panginoon (Dakilang Kapistahan): Lucas 9:11b-17

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:11b-17

Noong panahong iyon, nagsalita si Jesus sa mga tao tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos; pinagaling niya ang mga may karamdaman. 

Nang dumidilim na’y nilapitan siya ng labindalawa at sinabi sa kanya, “Paalisin na po ninyo ang mga tao nang makaparoon sila sa mga nayon sa kabukiran sa paligid upang humanap ng makakain at matutuluyan.

Nasa isang ilang na lugar po tayo. Ngunit sinabi nya, “Kayo ang magbibigay sa kanila ng makakain. Sumagot sila, wala po tayo kundi limang tinapay at dalawang isda, kaya  kailagang bumili kami ng pagkain para sa mga taong ito. May limang libong lalaki ang naroon.

Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad, “Paupuin ninyo sila ng pulu-pulutong na tiglilimampu.” Gayun nga ang ginawa nila pinaupo ang lahat.

Kinuha ni Jesus ang limang tinapay at dalawang isda, tumingala sa langit at nag pasalamat sa Diyos. Pinaghati-hati niya ang mga ito at ibinigay sa kanyang mga alagad upang ipamahagi sa mga tao.

Nakakain ang lahat at nabusog. Tinipon ng mga alagad ang lumabis at nakapuno sila ng labindalawang bakol.  

Reflection June 18, Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:24-34

Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34

(Jesus said to his disciples) “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear.  

Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin.  

But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

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Reflection:

Is it possible not to worry about our life? Very possible if we have a rock solid faith in Jesus for when we have Jesus we already have everything. But many of us still worry about life, we still worry about how we could once again put food on the table for the next day. All of these are normal things that we worry about.  

However, there are many who do not worry about life.  They let life worry about them and not them worrying about life and they miraculously are able to get through and survive.  Where do they get their rock solid confidence?  

They get their confidence and trust on nobody else but Jesus. It’s true indeed that when we choose to be with Jesus we already have everything. We live simply, we have peace of mind and contentment; therefore we are always ready for whatever life may bring us.  

The secret to a complete and fulfilling life in this world is a life with Jesus. A life with Jesus is a well lived life and it is a life that prepares us for heaven the moment our earthly journey in this world is over and done with already. Let us therefore not make a mockery of our life by choosing the sinful enticements of this world over Jesus.    

Surrender your life to Jesus, embrace HIM and open your heart to HIM alone. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 18, Sabado ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 6:24-34

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:24-34

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Walang makapaglilingkod nang sabay sa dalawang panginoon sapagkat kapopootan niya ang isa at iibigin ang ikalawa, paglilingkuran nang tapat ang isa at hahamakin ang ikalawa. Hindi kayo makapaglilingkod nang sabay sa Diyos at sa kayamanan.  

“Kaya’t sinasabi ko sa inyo: huwag kayong mabagabag tungkol sa pagkain at inumin na kailangan ninyo upang mabuhay, o tungkol sa damit na kailangan ng inyong katawan. Hindi ba’t ang buhay ay higit na mahalaga kaysa pagkain, at ang katawan kaysa pananamit? Masdan ninyo ang mga ibon: hindi sila naghahasik ni nag-aani o kaya’y nagtitipon sa bangan. Gayunman, pinakakain sila ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Hindi ba’t higit kayong mahalaga kaysa mga ibon? Sino sa inyo ang makapagpapahaba ng kanyang buhay nang kahit isang oras sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pagkabalisa?  

“At bakit kayo nababagabag tungkol sa pananamit? Isipin ninyo kung paano sumisibol ang mga bulaklak sa parang; hindi sila nagpapagal ni humahabi man. Ngunit ito ang sasabihin ko sa inyo: maging si Solomon ay hindi nakapagsuot ng kasingganda ng isa sa mga bulaklak na ito, bagamat napakariringal ang mga damit niya. Kung ang mga damo sa kabukiran, na buhay ngayon at kinabukasa’y iginagatong sa kalan, ay dinaramtan ng Diyos, kayo pa kaya? Kay liit ng pananalig ninyo sa kanya! Kaya’t huwag kayong mabalisa tungkol sa inyong kakanin, iinumin, o daramtin.  

Sapagkat ang mga bagay na ito ang kinahuhumalingan ng mga taong wala pang pananalig sa Diyos. Alam ng inyong Amang nasa langit na kailangan ninyo ang lahat ng ito. Ngunit pagsumakitan ninyo nang higit sa lahat ang pagharian kayo ng Diyos at mamuhay nang ayon sa kanyang kalooban, at ipagkakaloob niya ang lahat ng kailangan ninyo. Kaya, huwag ninyong ikababahala ang para sa araw ng bukas; saka na ninyo harapin kapag ito’y dumating. Sapat na sa bawat araw ang kanyang mga suliranin.” 

Reflection June 17, Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:19-23

Gospel: Matthew 6:19-23

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

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

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Reflection:

A man had a dream that he would die soon, he took this seriously. So, he sold all his properties and gave the proceeds to the poor. When he was asked why he was selling everything he had. He simply said that he wants to travel light and without any excess baggage going to heaven.  

Many of us have this penchant of accumulating material things and wealth. We can’t let go of it much less give it away and this is influenced by our attachment to worldly things. But what good will it do us if we store for ourselves these material things? Nothing! It may even lead us to commit sin or it might make our lives more miserable and complicated.  

It’s useless to accumulate worldly treasures if we would only keep it to ourselves.  For the simple reason that we cannot bring it to our graves and it will also prevent our ascent to heaven someday.  

We must give away whatever wealth that we have while we still have time. If we can’t give it away let us share it because many right now are in need of it. This is brought about by the harsh economic situation right now influenced by Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine and by  the Covid-19 pandemic.  

When we give it away or share what we have we are already investing for our real treasure in the kingdom of God someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 17, Biyernes ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 6:19-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:19-23

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Huwag kayong mag-impok ng kayamanan dito sa lupa; dito’y may naninirang tanga at kalawang, at may nakapapasok na magnanakaw. Sa halip, impukin ninyo ay mga kayamanan sa langit; doo’y walang naninirang tanga at kalawang, at walang nakapapasok na magnanakaw. Sapagkat kung saan naroon ang inyong kayamanan, naroon din naman ang inyong puso.  

“Ang mata ang pinakailaw ng katawan. Kaya’t kung malinaw ang iyong mata, maliliwanagan ang buo mong katawan. Ngunit kung malabo ang iyong mata, madirimlan ang buo mong katawan. Kaya’t kung ang liwanag na nasa iyo ay kadiliman pala, napakadilim niyan!”