Reflection for July 18, Monday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:38-42

Gospel: Matthew 12:38-42

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

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

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 Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was fond of asking signs from God. Instead of God responding to his call for a sign. It was instead the devil who responded to his call for a sign. This became a habit of this man: he would always ask for a sign and without him knowing it the devil would always gladly grant his request. Eventually the man became the slave of the devil.  

We have to be careful in asking for signs because somebody other than God might respond to our call.  And pretend that he is God this somebody is none other than the devil who always tries to seduce us with his own brand of signs and miracles. Yes the devil is also capable of creating his own brand of signs and miracles. This he does to entice his victims to follow him instead of God.  

Instead of asking for signs from Jesus, why not ask Jesus to increase our faith? Why not always be present in the Eucharistic celebration (Holy Mass). Why not humbly submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as possible?  

Why not have time to reflect about the words of Jesus in the bible? Why not always do good and desire the good of our fellowmen? If we do all these, this would result in our increase of faith. Thus we would not be asking for signs anymore for the reason that we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Are you fond of asking for signs? Be careful somebody other than God might respond to you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hulyo 18 Lunes sa Ika-16 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 12:38-42

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:38-42

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ng ilang eskriba at Pariseo kay Jesus, "Guro, maaari po bang pagpakitaan ninyo kami ng tanda mula sa langit?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Lahing masasama at di-tapat sa Diyos! Naghahanap kayo ng tanda ngunit walang ipakikita sa inyo maliban sa palatandaang inilalarawan ng nangyari kay Propeta Jonas.  

Kung paanong si Jonas ay tatlong araw at tatlong gabing nasa tiyan ng dambuhalang isda, gayon din ang Anak ng Tao ay tatlong araw at tatlong gabing nasa ilalim ng lupa. Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom, titindig ang mga taga-Ninive laban sa lahing ito at ito'y hahatulan ng kaparusahan, sapagkat nagsisi sila dahil sa pangangaral ni Jonas; ngunit higit na di-hamak kay Jonas ang naririto!

Reflection for Sunday July 17, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:38-42

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”  

The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

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Reflection:

What does habitual prayer do to you? What does daily bible reading do to you? What does consistent presence at the Celebration of the Holy Mass do to you? These actions if done with piety would bring you closer to Jesus. 

In today’s gospel our attention is brought on the two actions of sisters Mary and Martha with Jesus at the center of it all. 

When Mary recognized her Lord and Savior she didn’t do anything except to sit and listen to His wisdom filled and life changing words. This is what we do when we pray, this is what we do when we read the bible  and this is what we do when we reverently worship Jesus when we attend the celebration of the Holy Mass. 

Jesus obviously favored the reverential action of Mary for it is through this that she can grow in closeness with Jesus. This is what Jesus wants for all of us too: To be close to Him. 

What would our closeness to Jesus do to us? It creates awareness within us that life in this world is temporary and fleeting. We are made aware that accumulation of worldly wealth is nothing compared to our closeness with Jesus.  

It opens our minds to the immense blessings that we can have the moment we spend time with Jesus. It teaches us that we must always live and share our lives with others especially with those who are in need. 

How about Martha? She did no wrong to Jesus in fact what she was doing was for the benefit of Jesus. However, it would have not cost her much time if she first listened to the life changing words of Jesus before preparing food for Him. 

As we continue our temporary journey; we will be compelled by the demands of this world to get busy and to work for our survival. This world will continue to deceitfully compel us to embrace the rat race lifestyle until it completely separate us from the Lord. 

This we must now allow for what good will it bring us if we gain this world yet we are separated from the love of God? Therefore we have to listen first to Jesus before plunging into this busy world. Because it is in listening to Him first that we would gain true wisdom which this world cannot give us no matter how hard we work.   

Do you always take time to listen first to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 16, Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:14-21

Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known.  

This was to fulfil what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 

A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

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Reflection:

Do you make ways to avoid a troublesome situation whenever it presents itself to you?  

The Pharisees were planning to put Jesus to death however Jesus knew about this evil plan of action of his persecutors. In the midst of threats and pressure on His life Jesus chose to avoid them. He could have confronted them because He also had His own followers at that time.  

But he calmly walked away from trouble He instead chose to serve His people by healing them. What do you do when you are faced with the same situation? Do you mindlessly confront or you think of ways to avoid it so that you could serve a higher purpose?  

For example, somebody is challenging you to a fight would you meet that mindless challenge or you will decline? The wisdom filled action is to decline the mindless challenge. You do this because you have a higher purpose in life and you simply choose not to stoop to his/her level.   

Jesus chose to take the higher road by not meeting those who were running after Him and this is always the right action to do. Let us therefore emulate the example of Jesus. He is never arrogant, never violent and He always takes the high but right road. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hulyo 16 Sabado sa Ika-15 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 12:14-21

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:14-21

Noong panahong iyon, umalis ang mga Pariseo at nag-usap-usap kung paano ipapapatay si Jesus. Alam ito ni Jesus kaya't umalis siya roon. Maraming sumunod sa kanya at pinagaling niya ang lahat ng maysakit, ngunit mahigpit nilang ipinagbilin sa kanila na huwag ipamamalita ang tungkol sa kanya.  

Nangyari ito upang matupad ang sinabi ni propeta Isaias: "Narito ang lingkod ko na ako rin ang humirang, minamahal ko nang labis, lubos kong kinalulugdan; ang banal kong Espiritu sa kanya ay ibibigay, sa lahat ng mga bansa ibabadha'y katarungan.  

Hindi siya makikipagtalo, mahinahon kung mangusap, ang tinig niya sa lansanga'y tinig lamang na paanas; Hindi niya puputulin yaong tambong nakahapay, ni hindi rin papatayin ang umaandap na ilawan, hanggang itong katarunga'y mapagtagumpay niyang ganap; At ang pag-asa ng tao sa kanya ay ilalagak."

Reflection for Friday July 15, Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (M): Matthew 12:1-8

Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

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

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

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

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Reflection:

The story is told about a disciplinarian father who suddenly realized that his strictness with his children was slowly creating an invisible wall between them. He carefully thought on how he could banish the wall that he himself created. So he said, “From now on I will not be strict anymore I would be more compassionate, approachable and merciful.” 

After a week the wall that created a gap between the father and his children had completely banished. From then on his children became more open to him and it created an ideal father and children relationship. 

Mercy, understanding and openness are always higher than rigidity and strictness. Rigidity and strictness tears people apart it creates walls of communication and it foments strangeness and separation. On the other hand mercy, understanding and openness bring us closer, it breaks walls and it heals wounds.  

Let go therefore of your hatred, let go therefore of your pent-up emotions, let go and let the mercy of Jesus rule your heart. Let us always desire to be merciful because Jesus himself is merciful. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Biyernes Hulyo 15 San Buenaventura, Obispo at pantas ng Simbahan: Mateo 12:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:1-8

Noong panahong iyon, isang Araw ng Pamamahinga, naparaan si Jesus sa triguhan. Nagutom ang kasama niyang mga alagad kaya't nangitil sila ng uhay at kinain ang mga butil. Nang makita ito ng mga Pariseo, sinabi nila sa kanya, "Tingnan mo ang ginagawa ng iyong mga alagad. Bawal iyan kung Araw ng Pamamahinga."  

Sumagot si Jesus, "Hindi ba ninyo nabasa ang ginawa ni David nang magutom siya at ang kanyang mga kasama? Pumasok siya sa bahay ng Diyos at kumain ng tinapay na handog sa Diyos at pinakain din niya ang kanyang mga kasama. Labag sa Kautusan na kanin nila ang tinapay na iyon sapagkat ang mga saserdote lamang ang may karapatang kumain niyon.  

Hindi pa ba ninyo nababasa sa Kautusan ni Moises na tuwing Araw ng Pamamahinga, lumalabag sa batas tungkol sa araw na ito ang mga saserdote sa templo, gayunmay hindi nila ipinagkakasala iyon? Sinasabi ko sa inyo, naririto ang higit na dakila kaysa templo. Hindi sana ninyo hinatulan ang mga walang sala kung alam ninyo ang kahulugan ng mga salitang ito, 'Habag ang ibig ko, hindi hain.' Sapagkat ang Araw ng Pamamahinga ay nasa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ng Anak ng Tao."

Reflection for July 14, Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 11:28-30

Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.

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Reflection:

The story is told about  a man who would always drink to kingdom come whenever he had problems. When he is drunk already he would disturb the peace of his family, he would verbally abuse his wife and his children and blame them for all their miseries.  Many fathers are like this! But what can they get from this temporal escape? They only further mire themselves with more problems until their problems takes control of them.  

In our gospel for today Jesus gives us a foolproof invitation, HE tells us: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light (Matthew 11:28-30).”  

What are we going to do with this invitation? Of course we have to accept and open our life to Jesus. If we would not accept and continue to keep out Jesus in our life we would continue to be enslaved by this world. And when a person is a slave of this world he/she has no peace of mind and will be forever be burdened by the worries of this world.  

Will you go to Jesus and allow Him to help you carry your life’s burdens? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 14 Huwebes ng Ika-15 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 11:28-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:28-30

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus, "Lumapit kayo sa akin, kayong lahat na napapagal at; nabibigatan sa inyong pasanin, at kayo'y pagpapahingahin ko.  

Pasanin ninyo ang aking pamatok, at mag-aral kayo sa akin; ako'y maamo at mababang-loob, at makasusumpong kayo ng kapahingahan para sa inyong kaluluwa. Sapagkat maginhawang dalhin ang aking pamatok, at magaan ang pasaning ibibigay ko sa inyo."

Reflection for July 13, Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 11:25-27

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-27

At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

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Reflection:

What is the life of Jesus? It’s a life of simplicity, prayer and humility. 

Simplicity is synonymous with humility and this is the life of Jesus, this ought to be our life too. Jesus even if He is equal with God always found time to pray regularly to the Father. To communicate with Him, unburden to Him and praise Him. This we ought to do also. 

To grow in wisdom, we need to be simple and humble. God doesn’t want self-righteous, self-centered and ego tripper personalities. Unknown to us, if we are simple and humble we are also creating a fertile environment for God to come and dwell in our hearts. Unknown to us our simplicity and humility radiates through our persona and this is felt by those whom we encounter. 

As what Jesus did, it is very important that we reserve time for God to talk to Him and feel His presence in the stillness of our hearts and minds. This will strengthen our bond with God. A good point to start is to have a prayer time every morning upon waking up and before retiring at night.  

It’s here where our minds are still fresh and not yet cluttered by the daily worries of life. The same thing at night when we are about to sleep, let us also pray and talk to God. We thank HIM for the day that HE gave us and we humbly ask HIM to be with us as we take our temporary rest at night.  

If we think we don’t have yet the virtue of humility let us be patient and continue to ask the good Lord to bless us with the grace of humility. For it’s only through our humility that we will know God and HIS great plan for us. 

Do you live humility and do you always find time for Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 13 Miyerkules ng Ika-15 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 11:25-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:25-27

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus, "Pinasasalamatan kita, Ama, Panginoon ng langit at lupa, sapagkat inilihim mo ang mga bagay na ito sa marurunong at matatalino at inihayag sa mga may kaloobang tulad ng sa bata.  

Oo, Ama, sapagkat gayon ang ikinalulugod mo. "Ibinigay sa akin ng aking Ama ang lahat ng bagay. Walang nakakikilala sa Anak kundi ang Ama, at walang nakakikilala sa Ama kundi ang Anak at yaong marapating pagpahayagan ng Anak."

Reflection for July 12, Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 11:20-24

Gospel: Matthew 11:20-24

Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum:  

Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the nether world. For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

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Reflection:

Why do we sin? 

We sin because we allow the devil to take control of our lives. Once the devil is in control already sinning becomes an ordinary routine. We don’t anymore have guilt of conscience, we become numb already from the criticism and from the consequences of sinning. We even have the temerity to be angry to those who are criticizing us.  

So we enjoy sin since it brings us endless earthly gratification. Until we get caught and so we receive our due punishment. But why keep on sinning and why wait until we get caught? Why don’t we stop sinning, permanently walk away from it and embrace the unconditional love of Jesus?  

In our gospel reading for today we notice Jesus reproaching the towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida. For they refused to hear God’s call for them to permanently walk away from their sinfulness.  

Every now and then God will gently nudge us to remind us that there’s no good with sin. That sinning will bring us nothing but problems and misfortunes. We may enjoy the fruits of our sinfulness but this kind of enjoyment is short-lived. Eventually we will be caught and be punished.  

Why not walk away from sin and embrace the forgiveness, mercy and love of God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 12 Martes ng Ika-15 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 11:20-24

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:20-24

Noong panahong iyon, sinumbatan ni Jesus ang mga bayang ginawan niya ng maraming kababalaghan sapagkat hindi sila nagsisi't tumalikod sa kanilang mga kasalanan. "Kawawa ka, Corazin! Kawawa ka Betsaida! Sapagkat kung sa Tiro at Sidon ginawa ang mga kababalaghang ginawa sa inyo, malaon na sanang nagdaramit ng sako at nauupo sa abo ang mga tagaroon upang ipakilalang sila'y nagsisisi.  

Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay higit na mabigat ang sasapitin ninyo kaysa sasapitin ng mga taga-Tiro at taga-Sidon. At ikaw, Capernaum, ibig mong maging mataas kaysa langit? Ibabagsak ka sa Hades! Sapagkat kung sa Sodoma ginawa ang kababalaghang ginawa rito sa inyo, sana'y nananatili pa ito hanggang ngayon. Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo, sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay higit na mabigat ang ipaparusa sa inyo kaysa dinanas ng Sodoma."

Reflection for Monday July 11, Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot: Matthew 10:34-11:1

Gospel: Matthew 10:34-11:1

(Jesus said to the Apostles) Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household.  

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 

“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple–amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”  

When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples, he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was pondering on how he could bring peace to his fractured family. One night he had a dream and on that dream Jesus said to him, you need to become a priest for you to have healing in your family. But the young man was very worldly he loved the hedonistic lifestyle of this world. Yet he also loved dearly his family.  

So, he headed the voice of Jesus, he studied for the priesthood and whenever he had a vacation he would always gather his family for a recollection inside their house. To make a long story short, the once factional and fractured family slowly became unified. After a few years he eventually became a priest and true enough his becoming a priest ushered healing in his family.  

Jesus tells us in the gospel that HE is a cause of division and disunity inside a family. On the other hand Jesus is also a healing instrument inside a family. How would this happen? If you fight for the teachings of Jesus inside your family naturally there would be initial resistance and division.  

Members of the family would initially resist it but for as long as you will not give up. And for as long as you offer to Jesus whatever you do inside your family even if it causes initial division sooner or later there would be healing and reconciliation. Many of us already discount the healing power of Jesus but it has already been proven time and again that Jesus heals families.  

Have you tried introducing Jesus to your family through HIS life story in the bible?  Perhaps not yet, now is the most opportune time, do it slowly and patiently. – Marino J. Dasmarinas