Reflection for June 27, Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:18-22

Gospel: Matthew 8:18-22

When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”  

Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

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Reflection:

There’s an old adage that says: “To follow Christ is always right but it is not always easy.”  

In the gospel passage a scribe approached Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”  

In truth, Jesus is telling the scribe who signified his intention to follow Him that it’s never easy to follow me. You have to think a hundred times before you decide to follow me.  

Indeed, it’s not always a bed of roses when we decide to follow Jesus. Oftentimes Jesus would tell us that if you really want to follow me, you need to forget yourself and you need to be selfless. But amidst the hardship that we may encounter in following Him, we can also rest assure that Jesus will always be there for us to guide and inspire us. 

Be not afraid therefore to follow Jesus no matter how hard it is. For the reason that every second that you invest in following Him will give you great reward someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 27 Lunes sa Ika-13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 8:18-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:18-22

Nang makita ni Jesus ang makapal na tao sa kanyang paligid, iniutos niya sa mga kasama na maghandang tumawid sa ibayo.  

Nilapitan siya ng isang eskriba at sinabi sa kanya, "Guro, susunod po ako sa inyo saanman kayo pumaroon." Sumagot si Jesus: "May mga lungga ang mga asong-gubat, at may mga pugad ang mga ibon, ngunit ang anak ng Tao'y wala man lamang matulugan o mapagpahingahan." 

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

Reflection for Sunday June 26, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 9:51-62

Gospel: Luke 9:51-62

When the days for Jesus' being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.  

When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village. As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."

 And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father." But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home." To him Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was newly transplanted in his new community. While at church for Sunday Mass he heard the announcement of the church’s need for Catechists so he went to the parish office to signify his intention. 

The parish priest asked him: Why do you want to become a Catechist?   The man replied: I want to have new friends in the parish community. The priest said to him: is it the sole reason why you want to become a Catechist? The man replied: no, I also want to serve the church based on my own convenience.  

While going to Jerusalem Jesus met three men who want to follow Him. The two men signified their intention to follow and the other one He personally called. Jesus emphasized to each of them that it’s not easy to follow Him going to Jerusalem because they have to sacrifice and persevere. Since he himself will persevere, sacrifice and eventually die on the cross. 

Many of us have this mistaken notion that to follow Jesus is easy but it’s not. Many of us think that the moment we follow Jesus our life will now become a bed of roses, but it will not.  To follow Jesus is to carry our cross and others cross too! To follow Jesus is to be ready to embrace suffering and even humiliation for this is really how it is when we decide to become Jesus’ faithful followers. 

Will you still follow Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas         

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 26 Ikalabintatlong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon : Lucas 9:51-62

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:61-62

Nang nalalapit na ang panahong iaakyat si Jesus sa langit, ipinasiya niyang pumunta sa Jerusalem. Sinugo niya ang ilan upang mauna sa kanya. Humayo sila at pumasok sa isang nayon sa Samaria upang ipaghanda siya ng matutuluyan. Ngunit ayaw siyang tanggapin ng mga Samaritano sapagkat siya'y patungo sa Jerusalem.

Nang makita ito nina Santiago at Juan ay kanilang sinabi, "Panginoon, payag ba kayong magpababa kami ng apoy mula sa langit upang pugnawin sila?" Ngunit bumaling siya at pinagsabihan sila. "Hindi ninyo alam kung anung uri ng espiritu ang sumasainyo," sabi niya, "sapagkat naparito ang Anak ng Tao hindi upang ipahamak ang mga tao kundi upang iligtas sila." At nagtungo sila sa ibang nayon.

Samantalang naglalakad sila, may taong nagsabi kay Jesus, "Susunod po ako sa inyo kahit saan." Sumagot si Jesus, "May lungga ang asong-gubat at may pugad ang ibon, ngunit ang Anak ng Tao'y wala man lamang matuluyan o mapagpahingahan.

" Sinabi ni Jesus sa isa, "Sumunod ka sa akin." Ngunit sumagot ang tao, "Panginoon, hayaan po muna ninyo akong umuwi upang ipalibing ko ang aking ama." Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya, "Ipaubaya mo na sa mga patay ang paglilibing ng kanilang mga patay.

Ngunit ikaw, humayo ka't ipahayag mo ang sa tungkol paghahari ng Diyos." Sinabi naman ng isa, "Susunod po ako sa inyo, Panginoon, ngunit magpapaalam muna ako sa aking mga kasambahay." Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Ang sinumang nag-aararo at palaging lumilingon ay hindi karapat-dapat sa paghahari ng Diyos."

Reflection Saturday June 25, The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Memorial): Luke 2:41-51

Gospel: Luke 2:41-51

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.  

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” 

And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

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Reflection:

When a family is hit with misfortune, say for example sickness of a child. It’s always the mother who suffers first. It’s not the father but the mother. Why is this so? This is for the reason that both mother and child have deeper emotional connection between themselves.  

Before a child is born to this world it stays first in his mother’s womb. For nine long months both mother and child develops a bond that only death can break.       

How did the Blessed Mother and her husband Joseph feel when she noticed that Jesus was not with them? It must have been very difficult for both of them but more difficult perhaps for the Blessed Mother. Jesus was her only child, she took care of Jesus and before she gave birth to Jesus. Jesus was inside her immaculate womb for nine months. 

Just imagine the anxiety that the Blessed Mother felt during that time when they discovered that the boy Jesus was not in their company. But she remained calm as they went back to Jerusalem to look for Jesus. And when they found Jesus the Blessed Mother said this to Jesus, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety (Luke 2:48).” 

The Blessed Mother is not only concerned with Jesus’ welfare. She also is very much concerned with our own well-being. Inside her Immaculate heart dwells the deep desire to look after us too so that she could bring us back closer to Jesus. 

Let us therefore not forget to implore the intercession of the Blessed Mother. Let us beseech her to watch over us. Let us beseech her to pray for us and let us pray to her to bring us closer to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas          

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Hunyo 25 Kalinis-linisang Puso ni Maria (Dakilang Kapistahan): Lucas 2:41-51

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:41-51

Taun-taon tuwing pista ng Paskuwa, ang mga magulang ni Jesus ay pumupunta sa Jerusalem. At nang labindalawang taon na siya, pumaroon sila gaya ng dati nilang ginagawa. Pagkatapos ng pista, sila'y umuwi na. Nagpaiwan si Jesus sa Jerusalem ngunit hindi ito napansin ng kanyang mga magulang.  

Sa pag-aakala ng isa na si Jesus ay kasama ng isa, nagpatuloy sila sa maghapong paglalakbay. Nang malaman nilang hindi siya kasama, siya'y hinanap nila sa kanilang mga kamag-anak at kakilala. Hindi nila siya matagpuan, kaya't bumalik sila sa Jerusalem upang doon hanapin. At nang ikatlong araw, natagpuan nila si Jesus sa loob ng templo, nakaupong kasama ng mga guro.  

Nakikinig siya sa kanila at nagtatanong, at ang lahat ng nakarinig sa kanya ay namangha sa kanyang katalinuhan. Nagtaka rin ang kanyang mga magulang nang siya'y makita. Sinabi ng kanyang ina, "Anak, bakit naman ganyan ang ginawa mo sa amin? Balisang-balisa na kami ng iyong ama sa paghahanap sa iyo."  

Sumagot siya, "Bakit po ninyo ako hinahanap? Hindi ba ninyo alam na ako'y dapat na nasa bahay ng aking Ama?" Ngunit hindi nila nauunawaan ang pananalitang ito. Siya'y umuwing kasama nila sa Nazaret, at naging isang masunuring anak. Ang lahat ng bagay na ito ay iningatan ng kanyang ina sa kanyang puso. Patuloy na lumaki si Jesus. Umunlad ang kanyang karunungan at lalong kinalugdan ng Diyos at ng mga tao. 

Reflection Friday June 24, The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Solemnity): Luke 15:3-7

Gospel: Luke 15:3-7

Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes: "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?  

And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'  

I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance."

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Reflection:

Do you know that Jesus loves you whomever you may be and no matter how severe the sins that you have committed? 

God’s love for us is immense and infinite He will do everything to find us and bring us back to His loving embrace. Perhaps many have this notion that because of their sinfulness God has already forgotten them. But no, the more sinful we are the more that God seeks us, the more that we are lost in the jungle of sinfulness the more that He never tires to find us.   

In the gospel God left the ninety nine sheep in favor of the one who got lost. He never stopped looking for the lost sheep until He found it. And upon finding it He placed it on His shoulder with great joy. This is the love of God for us, love that is always there for us and love that is ever ready to forget and forgive all of our sinfulness. 

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus’ sacred heart is so loving and forgiving. Jesus wants us to radiate the same love and forgiveness also. He wants us to seek those who are lost whomever they may be and whatever sins that they have committed. 

So that they too will know that there is a God who is very eager to forgive and love them notwithstanding their sinfulness. A  God who is ever willing to embrace us again and completely delete our record of sins. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Hunyo 24 Kamahal-mahalang Puso ni Jesus (Dakilang Kapistahan): Lucas 15:3-7

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 15:3-7

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga Pariseo at mga eskriba ang talinghagang ito: “Kung ang sinuman sa inyo ay may sandaang tupa, at mawala ang isa, ano ang gagawin niya? Iiwan ang siyamnapu’t siyam sa ilang at hahanapin ang nawawala hanggang sa matagpuan, hindi ba? Kapag nasumpungan na’y masaya niyang papasanin ito.  

Pagdating ng bahay, aanyayahan niya ang kanyang mga kaibigan at mga kapitbahay. Sasabihin niya, ‘Makipagsaya kayo sa akin, sapagkat nasumpungan ko sa wakas ang tupa kong nawawala!’ Sinasabi ko sa inyo, magkakaroon ng higit na kagalakan sa langit dahil sa isang makasalanang nagsisisi’t tumatalikod sa kanyang kasalanan kaysa siyamnapu’t siyam na matuwid na hindi nangangailangang magsisi.  

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."