1Reflection for August 26, Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time: 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.

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Reflection:

Is there a magic word for a successful marriage? Yes, there is and the magic word is preparation. When a couple decides to marry they have to ensure that they plunge into the marriage covenant prepared. 

They have to be prepared spiritually by putting God at the center of their lives. They have to be prepared for the emotional and financial stress that they will be going through. They have to be prepared to swallow their own prides/egos. If there are no preparations their marriage would simply break apart sooner or later. 

In the gospel the five foolish virgins went unprepared to meet the bridegroom. They have no knowledge of the time of the bridegroom’s arrival yet they did not bring extra oil for their lamps. Hence, the five who were unprepared went out for a while to buy oil. But upon coming back nobody was present anymore. Because the bridegroom had arrived already and  everybody were in the wedding feast. Despite knocking on the door and begging to be allowed entry the door was not opened for them.  

Preparation is important in any event of life. For example, a student who prepares for an examination would be able to pass. A soldier who carefully  prepares his battle plan will be able to fight properly.  

A Priest who prepares for his homily will be able to touch and change hearts and minds.  And a person who only has a few months to live and who prepares for his death will be able to die without excess baggage in his heart.  

Should you also prepare as early as now for your ascent to heaven someday? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for August 25, 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.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who decided to permanently stay in her newly built house. In her two years stay in the said house she had it blessed three times already. And her reason was she always had a feeling that something eerie is going to happen to her in that house. When she was asked if she always has time for God she said that she doesn’t have.  

What does it mean to stay awake? It means to always be ready for whatever that may come into our life. We have to be reminded that life is so full of surprises that we cannot predict what may happen to us in the next seconds and minutes.  

Earthly preparation is always prudent but nothing beats being prepared spiritually. For spiritual preparation is the best preparation that we could ever do. Whatever that may come to us we would be able to handle if we are spiritually prepared or the simple reason that we are connected with God and who could bring us down if we have God? Nobody!  

Let us therefore always be prepared by having a special bond with Jesus. We can begin by reading about His life in the bible. And my making ourselves available for Holy Mass most especially during Sundays.     

Are you always prepared? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Agosto 25, Huwebes ng ika-21 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 24:42-51

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 24:42-51

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Kaya magbantay kayo, sapagkat hindi ninyo alam kung anong araw paririto ang inyong Panginoon. Tandaan ninyo ito: kung alam lamang ng puno ng sambahayan kung anong oras ng gabi darating ang magnanakaw, siya'y magbabantay at hindi niya pababayaang pasukin ang kanyang bahay. Kaya maging handa kayong lagi, sapagkat darating ang Anak ng Tao sa oras na di ninyo inaasahan."  

"Ang tapat at matalinong alipin ang siyang pinapamahala ng kanyang panginoon sa ibang mga alipin, upang bigyan sila ng kanilang pagkain sa karampatang panahon. Mapalad ang aliping iyon, kapag dinatnan siyang gumagawa ng gayon sa pagbabalik ng kanyang panginoon! Sinasabi ko sa inyo: pamamahalain siya ng panginoon sa lahat ng kanyang ari-arian. 

Ngunit kung masama ang aliping iyon, sasabihin niya sa sarili, 'Matatagalan pa bago magbalik ang aking panginoon, at sisimulang bugbugin ang kanyang mga kapwa alipin, at makipagkainan at makipag-inuman sa mga lasenggo. Babalik ang panginoon ng aliping iyon sa araw na hindi niya inaasahan at sa oras na hindi niya alam. Buong higpit na parurusahan siya ng panginoon, at isasama sa mga mapagpaimbabaw. Doo'y tatangis siya at magngangalit ang kanyang ngipin.

Reflection for Wednesday August 24, 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.”

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Reflection:

Have you shared your faith and friendship with Jesus?  

If yes, well and good continue sharing Jesus and continue reforming and saving lives through Jesus. You may not see worldly rewards with what you do for Jesus now. But you surely will receive a reward from Jesus that is beyond your comprehension someday.     

Time and again we've heard personal testimonies about how Jesus restored back their wayward lives. From a pointless life to a life of purpose and meaning all because of Jesus. From a life of sin to a life free from any form of sin and the like.  

In our gospel, Philip was on fire for Jesus, he wanted to share the miracle of Jesus to his friend Nathanael. That is why Philip said to Nathanael: “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth (John 1:45).”  

Our faith, love and friendship with Jesus becomes more alive, meaningful and productive when we share it. For example, we become a beacon of light for Jesus once we share our personal relationship with HIM. By doing so we save wayward lives, thus we once again create meaning and purpose in a person’s life.  

You may not have shared Jesus yet, be not afraid to share HIM now. You will bless others when you share Jesus and Jesus will surely bless you as well for doing so.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Mga salita na puno ng aral at karunungan - 1

 

Reflection for Tuesday August 23, St. Rose of Lima virgin, Secondary patroness of the Philippines (M): Matthew 23:23-26

Gospel: Matthew 23:23-26

Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!  

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”

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Reflection:

Why do you follow Jesus? Do you follow Him because you are obliged by your faith or you follow Him because of your deep love for Him? When you follow Jesus because you see it as your obligation; it will not create a deep transformation within you. You simply follow for the reason that it creates a positive self-image for you and it ends with the positive self-image: No interior cleansing and transformation.  

When we follow Jesus because we love Him, we allow the love of Jesus to deeply transform us. For example, if we follow Jesus because we love Him, we would be forgiving, we will not store hatred in our hearts. And we will abhor anything that is bad and evil because we want Jesus to transform us.  

Our discipleship with Jesus must always be rooted in our love for Him and not because this is dictated by our faith. For this is what true discipleship is all about, a discipleship that creates a very deep transformation within our beings.  

Let us therefore examine ourselves and reflect for we may be only following Jesus because we are obliged by our faith or even by our position in the church and community. If this is so, we are simply like the Pharisees and scribes in the gospel whom Jesus scolded for their hypocrisy.  

It’s about time that we should follow Jesus because we love. This would only commence when we forgive those who’ve hurt us. When we are willing to build bridges than walls and when we humble ourselves before those whom we've hurt by asking for their forgiveness. - Marino J. Dasmarinas        

Reflection for Monday August 22, The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (M): Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his Kingdom there will be no end.  

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man? And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative has also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren for nothing will be impossible for God.”  

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

Pope Pius XII, by his encyclical letter Ad Coeli Reginam (To the Queen of Heaven) instituted on October 11, 1954 the Feast of the “Queenship of Mary”. 

How deep is your love for God or how profound is your love for God? Would you be willing to sacrifice something of yourself for God?  

When the Blessed Mother obeyed the will of God for her to be the mother of Jesus she sacrificed her own comfort happiness for the will of God. The Blessed Mother put aside her own safety and honor so that she could honor the will of God for her and so that she could help bring  salvation to all of humanity.     

When the Blessed Mother said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38). There was already profound happiness in her heart for she knew that she would be doing something not for herself but for God and humanity.  

Everyday God is challenging us to always be like Mary who embraced her role in the salvation history of humanity. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday August 21, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 13:22-30

 

Gospel: Luke 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.

After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from. And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.

Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

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Reflection:

Mike and Joseph were best friends, Mike was from a poor family while Joseph was from a rich family. Being rich Joseph had everything that he could ask for and because of it he grew up a spoiled man thus he wasn’t able to finish his studies.  On the other hand Mike the financially disadvantaged boy had to become a working student so that he could finish his college studies.

Ten years had elapsed; there was now a reversal of roles. Mike was already a very successful man brought about by his hard work and determination. While Joseph the former rich and spoiled man became poor and miserable.

The first and ending statement of Jesus in our gospel is so meaningful, HE tells us: Strive to enter through the narrow gate and some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Who are these people who will strive to enter the narrow gate and these last who will become first? These are people who embrace sacrifice and hard work. And the first who will be last are those who love the easy or worldly life. 

Our discipleship with Jesus in this world is never easy and always laden with trials and sacrifices. It may seem that we are going through a narrow gate. But this is the reality of faithfully walking with Christ in this world. In fact, Jesus himself said that anyone who is truly willing to follow HIM must forget himself and be ready to carry his own cross (Matthew 16:24).

We have nothing to worry about if we continue to face a difficult life for the sake of Christ. And if our friends would scorn us because of our discipleship for Christ. So be it, this life is temporary anyway; someday we shall depart this world.  And by that time those who are last and those who are being scorned for their fidelity to the teachings of Jesus  in this world shall now become first in the kingdom of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Saturday August 20 Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 23:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 

All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.

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

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Reflection:

Do you lead by example? 

The principle of leadership by example is one wherein the leader set the standards to be followed and he himself leads the way in following the said standards. In the same manner parents should set the benchmark in their homes as they live to the hilt this benchmark for their children to emulate.   

On the other hand bad or lousy leaders would tell their people to do this and that but they will not do what they command. They preach the standards but they do not practice what they preach. Same as with irresponsible parents; they would tell their children to observe this and that discipline but the irony is they themselves do not do what they tell their children.  

The Pharisees and scribes during the time of Jesus were the religious leaders and they were supposed to lead by example. But they did not; they were only good on giving commands/orders but when it comes to living it they were badly deficient.  

Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why the common people of that time started to gravitate towards Jesus. Because they saw in Jesus someone who leads by example someone who empathized with them. Someone who is approachable and humble, someone who ate and mingled with them; in other words Jesus lived what He preached.  

What is the lesson of our gospel for us?  We must always be true with our words and actions. We must not be like the Pharisees and scribes in our gospel: For they were only good at preaching but very deficient in practicing and living what they preach.   

We must always be like Jesus; for He lived what He preached in other words Jesus is always true to His words and actions. Jesus leads by example and He walked His talk. 

Do you always live what you preach and are you always true to your words? – Marino J. Dasmarinas        

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Sabado Agosto 20, San Bernardo, abad at pantas ng Iglesya (Paggunita): Mateo 23:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 23:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao at sa kanyang mga alagad, "Ang mga eskriba at ang mga Pariseo ang kinikilalang tagapagpaliwanag ng Kautusan ni Moises. Kaya't gawin ninyo ang itinuturo nila at sundin ang kanilang iniuutos. Ngunit huwag ninyong tularan ang kanilang gawa, sapagkat hindi nila isinasagawa ang kanilang ipinangangaral.  

Nagbibigkis sila ng mabibigat na dalahin at ipinapasan sa mga tao; ngunit ni daliri ay ayaw nilang igalaw upang tumulong sa pagdadala ng mga iyon. Pawang pakitang-tao ang kanilang mga gawa, Nilalaparan nila ang kanilang mga pilakterya at hinahabaan ang palawit sa laylayan ng kanilang mga damit. Ang ibig nila'y ang mga upuang pandangal sa mga piging at ang mga tanging luklukan sa mga sinagoga. Ang ibig nila'y pagpugayan sila sa mga liwasang bayan, at tawaging guro.  

Ngunit kayo-- huwag kayong patawag na guro, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Guro, at kayong lahat ay magkakapatid. At huwag ninyong tawaging ama ang sinumang tao sa lupa, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Ama, ang Amang nasa langit. Huwag kayong patawag na tagapagturo, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Tagapagturo, ang Mesias. Ang pinakadakila sa inyo ay dapat maging lingkod ninyo. Ang nagpapakataas ay ibababa, at ang nagpapakababa ay itataas."

Reflection for August 19, Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 22:34-40

Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

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

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

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Reflection:

A wife discovered that her husband had a second family. The very angry wife left her husband however the husband begged for forgiveness and second chance. After deeply pondering about it she eventually forgave her repentant husband.  

When she was asked by her mother why she forgave and restored everything as if nothing happened. She said: “I deeply love God and I would be betraying my love for God if I will not forgive and heal my marriage.  

Conflict is something that happens in marriage every now and then. This conflict usually emanates from the following: Betrayal of trust, behavioral incompatibility and financial disagreements among others. Every married couple goes through these episodes in their married lives.  

But how come that notwithstanding the conflict there are couples who choose to forgive and remain married until the end of their lives? The simple answer is both of them love the Lord God first. And this love for God is the driving force that makes them forgiving and loving.   

Their love for each other is always preceded by the blessing of their love for God. This is the reason why married couples who truly loved God first can forgive, forget and have long term healing. They can start afresh once again as if nothing happened.  

So the greatest commandment is to love God first and after that everything else would follow. We would be capable of loving anyone else even those who’ve deeply hurt us because we first loved God. 

If you don’t forgive and if you continue to harbor hidden sentiments against your spouse or anyone for that matter. And you still say that you love God it’s safe to say that your profession of love for God is superficial.  

Therefore, the challenge that confronts you is to think deeply if your love for God is really authentic. – Marino J. Dasmarinas          

Reflection for August 18, Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 22:1-14

Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”  

Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.  

Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.  

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

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Reflection:

Do you always honor the invitation given to you? 

Jesus compared The Kingdom of heaven to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. When it was the day of the wedding feast none of the invited guest arrived for they all had their preoccupations. How could they refuse the graciousness of the king?  

The kingdom of heaven and the wedding feast that Jesus speaks about is within our midst which is the celebration of the Holy Mass.  And just like the king who invited guest, Jesus is inviting us also to be present at Holy Mass most especially during Sundays. But do we make time for Holy Mass? 

Like going to a wedding banquet where the invited guests prepare their most elegant clothes. Do we prepare ourselves before going to Holy Mass by having prior knowledge of the gospel and the other readings?  

In our gospel, the expected guest refused the invitation of the king so the king was disheartened by their refusal. The king then instructed his servants to go out again and invite anyone (bad and good alike) they could find and many came to the wedding banquet and ate to their hearts content.      

Perhaps, many of us do not also honor this invitation of Jesus to be present at Holy Mass. Why? Is it because we are also busy like the invited guest in the gospel? We are missing heaven on earth when we refuse to honor this invitation of Jesus for us to go to His wedding banquet which is none other than the celebration of Holy Mass. 

Do you always honor this invitation of Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Agosto 18 Huwebes ng Ika-20 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 22:1-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 22:1-14

Muling nagsalita sa kanila si Jesus sa pamamagitan ng talinghaga. Sinabi niya, "Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: naghandog ng isang piging ang isang hari sa kasal ng kanyang anak na lalaki. Sinugo niya ang kanyang mga alipin upang tawagin ang mga inanyayahan ngunit ayaw nilang dumalo. 

Muli siyang nagsugo ng ibang mga alipin at kanyang pinagbilinan, 'Sabihin ninyo sa mga inanyayahan na naihanda ko na ang aking piging: napatay na ang aking mga baka at mga pinatabang guya, at handa na ang lahat ng bagay. Halina kayo sa piging!' Ngunit hindi ito pinansin ng mga inanyayahan. Humayo sila sa kani-kanilang lakad; ang isa'y sa kanyang bukid at sa kanyang pangangalakal naman ang isa.  

Sinunggaban naman ng iba ang mga alipin hinamak at pinatay. Galit na galit ang hari, Pinaparoon niya ang kanyang mga kawal, ipinapuksa ang mga mamamatay-taong iyon at ipinasunog ang kanilang lunsod. Sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alipin, 'Nakahanda na ang piging, ngunit hindi karapat-dapat ang inanyayahan.  

Kaya't pumunta kayo sa mga lansangang matao, at inyong anyayahan sa kasalan ang lahat ng makita ninyo.' Lumabas nga sa mga pangunahing lansangan ang mga alipin at isinama ang lahat ng natagpuan, masasama't mabubuti, anupa't napuno ng mga panauhin ang bulwagang pangkasalan.  

"Pumasok ang hari upang tingnan ang mga panauhin, at nakita niya roon ang isang taong hindi nakadamit pangkasalan. 'Kaibigan, bakit ka pumasok dito nang hindi nakadamit pangkasalan?' tanong niya. Hindi nakaimik ang tao. Kaya't sinabi ng hari sa mga katulong, 'Gapusin ninyo ang kanyang kamay at paa at itapon siya sa kadiliman sa labas. Doo'y mananangis siya at magngangalit ang kanyang ngipin.' Sapagkat marami ang tinatawag, ngunit kakaunti ang nahihirang."

Reflection for August 17, Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 20:1-16

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

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

So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’  

When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’  

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

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Reflection:

Can we measure the breadth and width of God’s love for us? No, because God’s love for us is not bound by any form of measurement. God loves us infinitely no matter who we are and no matter the sins that we have committed. 

The landowner in our gospel which represents God solicitously invited in so many instances workers to work in His vineyard. He did not care about the time that they present themselves for work. What was important for the landowner was they respond to His invitation to work for Him in His vineyard. 

The love of God for us is so immense that He wants us to go to Him irrespective of who we are. He continuously invites us to a new life with Him. We are precious to God we are dearly loved by God that’s why His invitation is always there for us, it’s ours to take anytime! 

Many of us may say that we are not anymore worthy of this immense love of God because of our sinfulness. No, the more sinful we are the more that we become worthy of this great love of God. We must therefore respond to this invitation of God for us to go to His vineyard so that we could renew our lives and walk away from all of our sinfulness. 

Would you respond to this invitation of God? - Marino J. Dasmarinas