Reflection for Thursday September 8, The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Feast): Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

Gospel: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 

Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.  

David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.  

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan,Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.  

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

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Reflection:

Today Sept. 8 is the Nativity/Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Nativity of the Blessed Mother is celebrated as a liturgical feast in the Roman Catholic calendar nine months after the solemnity of her Immaculate Conception, celebrated on 8 December.  

We Catholics have this very deep devotion to the Blessed Mother for the reason that she is our universal mother. The respect and devotion that we give her should be the same respect and devotion that we gave our own mothers. How can we not venerate Mama Mary when she is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ?  

In the gospel, Joseph was about to quietly divorce Mary whom he found to be pregnant already through the Holy Spirit. But the Lord intervened through an angel and it told Joseph not to leave Mary. For the reason that the child that she carries in her womb was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  

Joseph humbly listened to the Lord, he did not leave Mary and the salvific plan of God was realized in the birth of Jesus. We too have to listen to the voice of God who always whispers to us to do good, to avoid anything that is sinful and to always remain humble  no matter what status we have achieved in our respective lives.  

Do you always listen to the voice of the Lord? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Huwebes Setyembre 8, Ang Pagsilang ng Mahal na Birheng Maria (Kapistahan): Mateo 1:1-16, 18-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:1-16, 18-23

Ito ang lahi ni Jesu-Cristo na mula sa angkan ni David na mula naman sa lahi ni Abraham. Si Abraham ang ama ni Isaac ang ama ni Jacob na ama ni Juda at ng kanyang mga kapatid. Naging anak naman ni Juda kay Tamar sina Fares at Zara. Si Fares ang ama ni Esrom at si Esrom ang ama ni Aram. Si Esrom ang ama ni Aminadab; si Aminadab ang ama ni Naason na ama naman ni Salmon. Naging anak ni Salmon kay Rahab si Booz, at naging anak naman ni Booz kay Ruth si Obed. Si Obed ang anak ni Jesse na ama ni Haring David.  

Naging anak ni David si Solomon sa dating asawa ni Urias. Si Solomon naman ang ama ni Roboam, si Roboam ang ama ni Abias, at si Abias ang ama ni Asa. Si Asa ang ama ni Josafat, at si Josafat ang ama ni Joram na siya naman ama ni Ozias. Itong si Ozias ay ama ni Jotam na ama ni Acaz, at si Acaz ang ama ni Ezequias. Si Ezequias ang ama ni Manases, at si Manases ang ama ni Amos na ama ni Josias. Si Josias ang ama ni Jeconias at ng kanyang mga kapatid. Panahon noon nang pagkakatapon ng mga Israelita sa Babilonia.  

Matapos ang pagkakatapon sa Babilonia, naging anak ni Jeconias si Salatiel na ama ni Zorobabel. Si Zorobabel ang ama ni Abiud na ama ni Eliaquim, at si Eliaquim ang ama ni Azor. Si Azor ang ama ni Sadoc na ama ni Aquim; itong si Aquim ang ama ni Eliud. Si Eliud ang ama ni Eleazar; si Eleazar ang ama ni Matan na ama ni Jacob. At si Jacob ang ama ni Jose na asawa ni Maria. Si Maria naman ang ina ni Jesus na tinatawag na Cristo.  

Ganito ang pagkapanganak kay Jesu-Cristo. Si Maria na kanyang ina at si Jose ay nakatakda ng pakasal. Ngunit bago sila nakasal, si Maria'y natagpuang nagdadalang-tao. Ito'y sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo. Isang taong matuwid itong si Jose na kanyang magiging asawa, ngunit ayaw niyang mapahiya si Maria, kaya ipinasya niyang hiwalayan ito ng lihim. Samantalang iniisip ni Jose ito, napakita sa kanya sa panaginip ang isang anghel ng Panginoon. Sabi nito sa kanya, "Jose, anak ni David, huwag kang matakot na tuluyang pakasalan si Maria, sapagkat siya'y naglihi sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo.  

Manganganak siya ng isang lalaki at ito'y pangangalanan mong Jesus, sapagkat siya ang magliligtas sa kanyang bayan sa kanilang mga kasalanan." Nangyari ang lahat ng ito upang matupad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng propeta: "Maglilihi ang isang dalaga at manganganak ng isang lalaki, At tatawagin itong Emmanuel" Ang kahuluga'y "Kasama natin ang Diyos" 

1Reflection for September 7, Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:20-26

Gospel: Luke 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.  

But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

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Reflection:

Would you be willing to be poor, to be hungry, to weep and to be insulted for your steadfast faith in Jesus? Surely, these questions will drive you to think hard because it’s not easy to be poor to be insulted, to weep and be hungry for the sake of your steadfast discipleship.  

But if this is the means for us to gain intimacy with Jesus we have no other way but to embrace these hard choices. But how many of us are willing to embrace this kind of life? Come to think of it, are these choices really hard? Is it really hard to be poor, hungry, to weep and to be insulted?  

It is hard if Jesus is not with us but if Jesus is with us and if He walks with us. To be poor, hungry, to weep and be persecuted becomes a blessing for us. For the simple reason that this assures us of a life with Jesus in heaven after our life in this world is over and done with already.  

What would it benefit us if we are rich, powerful and if everyone is praising us to high heavens if it drives us to sin? If Jesus is not in our life or if Jesus is just a miniscule particle in our life? The best choice is to have a life with Jesus even if it would entail sacrifices and hardship.  

What is your choice? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for September 6, Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:12-19

Gospel: Luke 6:12-19

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.  

And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people  from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.

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Reflection:

Is prayer part of your daily life? Before making the very important decision of choosing His twelve apostles Jesus went first to a mountain to pray. There, He spent the night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12). 

Prayer is our hotline to God this is our means to connect with Him. Through our prayer we invite God to come into our lives. With our regular habit of prayer the God that is distant now becomes the God that is with us and the God that walks with us. 

What does prayer brings us? Through our prayer we connect with God, thru prayer God calms us, God comforts us, God guides us and He gives us wisdom to make the right decisions in life, to name a few. 

Who amongst us wouldn’t want God to be with us and to walk with us? Of course we all want the presence of God in our lives this is the reason why we must always have time for God through our prayer. Our prayer life must not take a backseat over our worldly undertakings; it must be prayer first before our many worldly activities.  

 What would our worldly riches mean to us if we don’t pray?  What is the use of wealth and power if God is just a superficial entity in our lives or if we are without God?  

Someday we will die and everything that we have accumulated in this world will not anymore matter to us. What will only matter during that time is our relationship with God built through our active and fervent prayer life.     

Do you always give first priority to your prayer life? - Marino J. Dasmarinas           

Reflection for September 5, Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:6-11

Gospel: Luke 6:6-11

On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up and stand before us.”  

And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

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Reflection:

Are you selective when it comes to making a positive difference in the life of your fellowmen? For example, if you see someone who is in dire need of your help, do you immediately help? Or you’re sometimes constrained by the events around you.   

To make a positive impact in the life of others is always in season there’s no exception in doing good even if it’s a sabbath day. Jesus proves this point by healing a man’s withered hand amidst the protestation of HIS usual critics, the Pharisees.     

Jesus was not afraid to defy the powers that be during His time. The powers that be who were only good at commanding and implementing their laws and traditions. But sorely lacking in living their faith and helping their people. The powers that be who only want to be served and to be treated with respect even if they don’t deserve it.  

In the three years public life of Jesus, He would always heal without discrimination. He was not afraid even if there was threat of physical and verbal abuse against him. His main priority was to impart help to everyone in need and we must follow this priority of the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Wisdom from the Bible - 4

 

Karunungan mula sa Biblia - 3

 

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.”

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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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Ika 4 ng Setyembre, Ika - 23 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon : Lucas 14:25-33

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 14:25-33

Noong panahong iyon, sumama kay Jesus ang napakaraming tao; humarap siya sa kanila at kanyang sinabi, "Hindi maaaring maging alagad ko ang sinumang umiibig sa kanyang ama at ina, asawa at mga anak, mga kapatid, at maging sa sarili niyang buhay nang higit sa akin. 

Ang sinumang hindi magpasan ng sariling krus at sumunod sa akin ay hindi maaaring maging alagad ko. Kung ang isa sa inyo'y nagbabalak magtayo ng tore, hindi ba uupo muna siya at tatayahin ang magugugol para malaman kung may sapat siyang salaping maipagpapatapos niyon? 

O sinong hari na makikipagdigma sa kapwa hari ang hindi muna uupo at pag-aaralang mabuti kung ang sampunlibo niyang kawal ay maisasagupa sa kalaban na may dalawampunlibong tauhan? 

At kung hindi niya kaya, malayo pa ang kalaban ay magsusugo na siya ng kinatawan upang makipagkasundo. Gayun din naman, hindi maaaring maging alagad ko ang sinuman, kung hindi niya tatalikdan ang lahat sa kanyang buhay."

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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.