Wisdom from the Bible - 3

 

Reflection for Sunday September 4, 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:25-33

Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’

Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was being prodded by his friend to follow Jesus. So, the man asked his friend: “What would I get if I decide to follow Jesus?” The friend told the man: “All the crosses that you carry would evaporate the moment you decide to follow Jesus.” With the promise of a problem free life the man followed Jesus. However, the man noticed that as he followed Jesus the cross that he carried on his shoulders started to pile up as well.

Why do you follow Jesus?

When Jesus noticed that great crowds were travelling with him he knew that they were there because of the many miracles and healings that he does. Jesus knew that the moment He stops doing miracles for them they would eventually abandon him. Jesus knew it like seeing through a crystal clear water!

So he addressed them, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:27).” What is this cross that Jesus is speaking about? The cross are the many life challenges, burdens and trials that we would encounter the moment we decide to follow the Lord.

Other Christian denominations project Jesus as a God who can immediately lighten our burdens the moment we accept Him as our Lord and savior. A miracle worker or a cure all God so to speak! And many are immediately hypnotized by this promise so they leave the church for the Christian denomination.

However there would be instances wherein Jesus would not help us carry our burdens; would not cure us of our sickness. It may even seem that Jesus is an absentee God, a God who doesn’t care. Yes, it’s not all the time that we would get what we want from Jesus. He cares nevertheless and He is always with us even in the most difficult episodes of our life.

What Jesus is telling us in the Gospel is this: if you want to follow me be prepared to persevere. Be prepared to carry your own cross and be prepared to sacrifice and leave your own comfort zone. But don’t you worry about anything because I will take care of everything for you.

Truth be told, to follow the Lord amidst your burdens, trials and challenges is the best decision that you can ever make in your life. Would you follow the Lord despite the many crosses that you carry? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Saturday September 3, Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church (M): Luke 6:1-5

Gospel: Luke 6:1-5

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”  

Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat,  ate of it, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you always do what is right even if it’s unpopular?  

There are times that we are hindered of doing something that is noble because we fear the judgment of our fellowmen. For example, a young  who suddenly had an unwanted pregnancy. Since she was still young her family wanted her to abort the life in her womb. But the lady rightfully stood her ground and went through her pregnancy and gave birth.  

While the disciples were picking grains some Pharisees admonished them because it was their day of rest or Sabbath day. But Jesus reproved the ever critical Pharisees by citing what David and his companions did: They ate the bread offering which was exclusively for the priest. Then, Jesus topped HIS rebuke of the Pharisees by saying that HE is over and above their Sabbath law.  

The rule that Jesus’ follows is this: Rightful human need/s such as our need for food takes precedence over any laws even the Sabbath law. Doing acts of mercy is more important than fulfilling a custom or tradition.  

Come to think of it, what good would it do us if we follow the law/s but in the process of following it we deprive those who are in need? What good is our presence at church every Sunday for Holy Mass if we don’t live the teachings of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for September 2, Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 5:33-39

Gospel: Luke 5:33-39

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.”  

And he also told them a parable. “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Could you discover the purity of a person heart by mere observance of tradition or ritual such as fasting? No, because that is only superficial and besides what is external does not totally represent the inner being of an individual.  

For example, if a person is always at church can we now say that he/she is holy? Of course not! We still need to know more about the person so that we could discover more about his/her character.  

Jesus was questioned by the scribes and Pharisees, why His disciples were not fasting like them and the followers of John the Baptist. The simple answer of Jesus was they can’t fast yet because He is still with them.  

Fasting is actually good because it cleans and purifies our bodies but what is the use of fasting if we continue to sin? What is the use of fasting if we just use it as our standard to judge others who are not fasting? What is the use of fasting if there’s no inner transformation and conversion?  

There is more to life than mere observance of self-serving laws and traditions such as fasting. Inner conversion is better than fasting, not having a self-righteous mindset is better than fasting  and humility is better than fasting. 

Mercy and forgiveness are better than fasting. Most of all, a life with Jesus is far better than fasting. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 1, Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 5:1-11

Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.  

Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.  

They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A married couple was being convinced by their neighbor to join them in their weekly bible sharing. The couple said that they are not worthy to be with them because they are sinners. However, the persistent neighbor told them that, nobody is perfect. He further said that all are sinners. For we have offended God for so many times yet God in His infinite love and mercy is persistently calling us to follow Him and eventually serve Him.  

In our gospel Simon was told by Jesus to go into deep water and lower their nets. Then Simon said, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”  

Soon after they’ve caught hundreds of fish that their nets were breaking already, Simon felt that he was unworthy of the Lord and the bountiful fish that they’ve caught. So he said to Jesus: “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”  

Who is worthy before the Lord? Who is qualified to follow Jesus? None of us are worthy; none of us are qualified for we are all sinners. But our sinfulness should never be an excuse for us not to follow the Lord and leave behind our life of sin.  

Jesus always qualifies the unqualified, He always purify the unpurified and He makes the unworthy worthy before His eyes. The infinite love and mercy of Jesus is always there for us ever ready to purify us no matter who we are, no matter how sinful we are. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting para sa Setyembre 1, Huwebes ng Ika-22 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 5:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:1-11

Noong panahong iyon, nakatayo si Hesus sa baybayin ng Lawa ng Generaset. Pinagkalipumpunan siya ng napakaraming tao na ibig makarinig ng salita ng Diyos. May nakita siyang dalawang bangka sa baybayin; nakalunsad na ang mga mangingisda at naghuhugas ng kanilang mga lambat. Lumulan siya sa isa sa mga bangka at hiniling kay Simong may-ari nito, na ilayo nang kaunti sa tabi. Naupo siya sa bangka at nangaral sa mga tao.  

Pagkatapos niyang magsalita ay sinabi niya kay Simon, “Pumalaot kayo at ihulog ang mga lambat upang manghuli.” Sumagot si Simon, “Guro, magdamag po kaming nagpagod at wala kaming nahuli! Ngunit dahil sa sinabi ninyo, ihuhulog ko ang mga lambat.” Gayun nga ang ginawa nila at sa dami ng kanilang huli ay halos magkansisira ang kanilang mga lambat.  

Kaya’t kinawayan nila ang kanilang mga kasamahang nasa ibang bangka upang patulong, at lumapit naman ang mga ito. Napuno ang dalawang bangka na halos lumubog. Nang makita iyon ni Simon Pedro, siya’y nagpatirapa sa paanan ni Hesus at nagsabi, “Lumayo po kayo sa akin, Panginoon, sapagkat ako’y makasalanan.”  

Nanggilalas siya at ang kanyang mga kasama dahil sa dami ng kanilang huli; gayun din sina Santiago at Juan, mga anak ni Zebedeo, na mga kasosyo ni Simon. At sinabi ni Hesus kay Simon, “Huwag kang matakot. Mula ngayo’y mamamalakaya ka ng mga tao.” Nang maitabi na nila ang kanilang mga bangka, iniwan nila ang lahat at sumunod kay Hesus. 

1Reflection for August 31, Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 4:38-44

Gospel: Luke 4:38-44

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. 

At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.  

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Have you asked Jesus to heal somebody close to you? Have you brought to Jesus a relative or a friend? Your faith and relationship with Jesus becomes more meaningful when you are able to bring/introduce someone to Him. For the reason that this means that your faith has already matured and is bearing fruit already.  

In the gospel for today, Simon’s humbly asked Jesus to heal his mother in-law who is sick with fever. And immediately Jesus went to her and healed her. What if Simon did not ask Jesus to heal his mother in-law? Of course his mother in-law would have not been healed but she was healed courtesy of Simon’s prayerful and humble intercession.  

This act of Simon of asking Jesus to heal her mother in-law is a very good reminder for us. That we too must see to it that we also pray to Jesus to heal and enlighten others most especially those who are close to us. Many are very much in need of enlightenment and healing from Jesus. Let us not take for granted the power of our prayerful intercession for others most especially for the sick and for those who are not enlightened yet about the love of Jesus.  

This is for the reason that our prayerful intercession for them can heal and change them. For example, Saint Monica (the mother of Saint Augustine) she was forced to marry a non-believer but through her unceasing prayer she was able to convert her husband to the catholic faith.  

Saint Monica also unceasingly prayed for 17 long years for the conversion of her son Augustine who was living a life of sin at that time. And through her humble and persevering prayers she was eventually heard by God.   

Have you already brought somebody closer to Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 30, Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 4:31-37

Gospel: Luke 4:31-37

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?  

I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you recognize the authority of Jesus over you? 

When Jesus speaks He speaks with authority and being so we have to listen to Him. For example, His teachings about love, forgiveness and humility. Do we love and forgive the way Jesus loves and forgives? Do we live the virtue of humility? For example if there’s misunderstanding in the family, are we humble enough to extend our hand of forgiveness even if we are not the culprit?  

In our gospel even the demon recognized the power and authority of Jesus. If the demon listens to Jesus we must listen to Jesus as well. However, many of us don’t listen because we prefer to listen to our own ego-driven selves.  

The aspect of forgiveness, sin and humility is where we are usually weak. We usually find it hard to forgive, to avoid sin and we find it very hard to humble ourselves. Why? Because we override the teaching of Jesus with our ego-driven selves.  

We must listen to Jesus if we want peace and quiet in our lives. Otherwise there would always be an absence of peace within us and absence of harmony within our own homes. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Wisdom from Mother Teresa also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Part - 2

 

Reflection for Monday August 29, the Passion of Saint John the Baptist (M): Mark 6:17-29

Gospel: Mark 6:17-29

Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. 

Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.  

Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you. He even swore many things to her “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom. She went out and said to her mother “What shall I ask for? She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.  

The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist. The king was deeply distressed but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head.  

He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Where does John the Baptist’s courage comes from? John’s courage emanates from God, he draws strength from God. It’s God who fuels John’s motivation to denounce the adulterous relationship of Herod and Herodias. Faced with a very powerful man, John never thought of backing down. He stood his ground and simply followed the dictate of the Holy Spirit.  

When faced with the same dilemma would we be able to stand our ground and look straight in the eye those who are corrupt and immoral? Or those who are straying from the right path? For example, if you sense that your spouse is having an adulterous relationship, would you pretend to see nothing and hear nothing? Of course not! You have to denounce it no matter what happens. 

Many martyrs and saints of the church took the difficult path of John and like John they paid dearly for it. This is how it is when we are true to our discipleship with Jesus. We have to be ready to sacrifice a big part of our life or even our very life so that evil will not triumph over good.  

To do nothing, to pretend to hear and see nothing in spite of the obvious stench of immorality and other wrongdoings is consenting to evil. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Words of Wisdom - 1

 

Wisdom from the Bible - 2

 

Karunungan mula sa Biblia - 2

 

Reflection for Sunday August 28, 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:1, 7-14

Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. 

A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.

Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you always love to be at the forefront so that others would notice you? Do you hunger for honor, attention and accolades? Or you’re the type who prefers to do things quietly without any desire to be noticed with what you’re doing? 

In our gospel, Jesus talks about our need to always be humble and not to love the spotlight. However, it’s so tempting for many of us to love to be exalted, to love praise and honor.

 But come to think of it, when we love the spotlight; when we love honorific titles and ego-booster accolades. We are actually giving more importance to this world more than we give importance to God. We love to become creatures of this world than love to become sons and daughters of God.

But why is it that many of us crave for prominence, for honor and self-exaltation? As time passes by, prominence, honor and anything that is self-serving will be forgotten. Thus, anything that we do for the love of ourselves, for our own exaltation will not be remembered with affection.

But our acts of humility, simplicity and goodness? It will outlive us; it will permanently be carved in the heart of God and in the hearts of those who know us. Therefore, we have to be humble,  simple and Godly at all times. We have to permanently delete from our mindset the selfish desire to be known and prominent. Because God favors the humble and he always showers unfathomable blessings upon them.

Do you love to be honored, to be noticed and to be prominent?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas