Mga Salita na Puno ng Aral at Karunungan - 19

 

Reflection for June 2, Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 11:11-26

Gospel: Mark 11:11-26

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve. 

The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it.  

They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area.  

Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples? But you have made it a den of thieves.” The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city. 

Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. 

Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Why did Jesus cursed the powerless and innocent fig tree? Because it was not bearing fruit. What is our responsibility as followers of Jesus? We should not become barren followers. We should instead become fruit bearing followers of Jesus. 

This means that we have to share our faith thus we don’t become a fig tree that does not bear fruit. Have you already shared your faith in Jesus? If yes you are already a fruitful follower of the Lord.   

The cursing of the fig tree was a symbolic show of Jesus’ power that was unfortunately not properly discerned by His followers. It was a silent message for them that they have to be productive followers and not followers in name only. 

To become a productive or fruit bearing follower of Jesus is to be engaged in the ministry of evangelization of Jesus. Have you already evangelized by the way you live your life? And have you already evangelized anyone? Say for example a member of your immediate family, friend or neighbor? 

Are you a productive follower of Jesus or a follower in name only? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Thursday June 1, St. Justin, martyr (M): Mark 10:46-52

Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” 

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.  So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you. 

He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you? The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see. Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you. Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is persistence and faith? It’s the act of not giving up no matter the great odds against us. We will continue to pursue what we want because we believe deep in our hearts that God will be with us and God will help and hear us. 

The blind and poor man Bartimaeus had this very mindset. All the odds were stacked against him in his desire to have an encounter with Jesus. He was blind and poor, had no power and influence yet when he heard that Jesus was passing by he mightily shouted, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me (Mark 10:48).” 

 Bartimaeus was rebuked and told to keep silent but the more that he persisted on calling Jesus. What made bartimaeus persist? What made him believe that Jesus would hear him as He passed by? Bartimaeus has great faith in Jesus, he believed deep in his heart that Jesus would hear and heal him.     

Ironically, Bartimaeus was blind, therefore he did not see Jesus performing miracles. But Bartimaeus believed even if he did not see Jesus doing miracles! It was enough for Bartimaeus to hear the powerful name of Jesus to believe that he would be healed. 

By his deep faith and persistence Bartimaeus gained the attention of Jesus. And during that very moment Bartimaeus was healed thus he regained his sight. This is what faith in Jesus can do for us. 

For as long as we will not give up on Jesus no matter the difficulties and the odds against us miracles would happen to us. Perhaps its healing from our sickness, perhaps it’s the granting of our persistent and faith filled prayers and the like.    

How persistent are you in your desire to have an encounter with Jesus? How persistence are you in your desire to get closer and to be healed by Jesus?  Do you always pray? Do you always attend Holy Mass? Do you have daily time to read His words in the bible? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Wednesday May 31, Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:39-56

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” 

And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. 

He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.” 

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Is selfless love still relevant today?

Selfless love is a rare virtue nowadays. What we often see is a me-first or self-centered attitude—love that is framed as self-care or self-love, as they say. Before we give ourselves to others, we make sure that we are first taken care of. Our needs come first before the needs of others. We seldom become a person for others anymore.

In doing so, we overlook the fact that when we are selfless, we give life, joy, and happiness to others. We bless them when we offer something of ourselves. And often, we fail to realize that the blessings we give silently return to us in many forms.

The Blessed Mother is not like many of us; she is deeply concerned with the welfare of others more than her own well-being. Notice how, even though she was pregnant at the time, she went to her cousin Elizabeth and stayed with her until she gave birth. She made sure her cousin would get through her delicate pregnancy before leaving her.

In this time when many of us are overly concerned with our own happiness, social media exposure, and personal fulfillment, the Blessed Mother gives us a valuable lesson to live by.

She teaches us not to be overly concerned with our own welfare. We must look after those who are in need of our love—even if we ourselves long to be loved. Who are those who badly need our love and care? The Blessed Mother and Elizabeth were both mothers, so for obvious reasons, first and foremost, it’s our mothers.

They are slowly growing old, and we may not notice it—but one day, they may quietly leave this world. Let us give our mothers our love while they can still appreciate it. What would it cost us to express our love for them? Nothing, except a small fraction of our money, our voice, and our time. And what will be the effect on them? Oh, immeasurable! It will energize and reinvigorate them, to say the least.

There are many who are in need of our love today. They may not say it, but they need it. We must look after them, even if we gain nothing material in return. Truth be told, life is never measured by the things we own. Life is measured by our selfless acts of love, care, and kindness.

On this Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us reflect on her very real and selfless expression of Agape love. And let us ask ourselves this question: Do I love as the Blessed Mother loves? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Inspirational Quotes and Words of Wisdom -16

 

1Reflection for May 30, Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:28-31

Gospel: Mark 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” 

Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a worldly man who had a dream. In that dream he saw Jesus calling him to leave behind his life of sin and follow Him. The morning after the man pondered about this dream and he was in a dilemma as to how he will survive once he decides to follow Jesus. Night time came and he had a dream once again and he heard Jesus told him not to worry for He will provide for Him. 

With these encounters with Jesus, he decided to leave behind his sinful life and he decided to follow Jesus. After which he was never in want of anything he was very well provided by Jesus. 

It is hard for many of us to decide to follow Jesus for the reason that it is not financially rewarding to follow Him. But life is not about storing up treasures in this world there’s more to life than accumulation of earthly wealth. Life is more about following the footsteps and life of Jesus and about making a positive impact in the lives of others. 

Never would we find the real meaning of life by following the dictates of this world. It's only in following Jesus that we would discover life and its true meaning. 

Why not slowly shift the orientation of your life from a life of worldliness to a life in the company of Jesus? If you would do so you will also begin to live a more meaningful life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Mga Salita na Puno ng Aral at Karunungan - 18

 

1Reflection for Monday May 29, Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church: John 19:25-34

Gospel: John 19:25-34

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” 

And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.”  There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. 

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first     and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Can we comprehend the pain of Mary looking up to her son dying on the cross? Mary went through this painful episode of her motherhood with dignity. Whatever sorrow that she was feeling around that time she kept it as much as possible within her. 

She suffered in silence and in her suffering she surrendered everything to God. Mary knew deep in her heart that this was the plan of God for her son and for her as well. Mary trusted the will of God and surrendered everything to God. 

Jesus' suffering and death on the cross of Calvary was not in vain it was with a purpose and that is for the salvation of humanity. As we live in this world we too will go through suffering and there would be instances that it will be very hard for us to accept this suffering/s. 

But if Jesus suffered and if Mary was pained seeing her son die a brutal death who are we not to experience sufferings and pains? Life is never complete without sufferings and pains. We have to go through these experiences for us to live a complete and meaningful life in this world.

We have to go through these episodes so that we would have an awareness of the presence of God in our life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday May 28, Solemnity of Pentecost: John 20:19-23

Gospel: John 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. 

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was walking with the Lord on the seashore. When things were OK he noticed two sets of footprints one was his and the other was the Lord. However, when he encountered problems he noticed that it was only his footprints that were present on the seashore.

So, he asked the Lord: Why is it when I was in dire need of you, you were not there for me? The Lord said to him I was there all along with you through the Holy Spirit. I never left you. When you saw only your footprints it was the Holy Spirit who was with you.

Awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our life is something personal that God gives us. It’s actually a gift that God has given us when we were Baptized and strengthened during Confirmation. And since then it has been with us walking with us side by side. But sometimes we don’t feel the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit; the reason behind is our sinfulness, inconsistent prayer life and lack of faith.

When we sin we obstruct the Holy Spirit’s presence within us, when we are not prayerful we close ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s many gifts. And when we are lacking in faith we prevent the Holy Spirit to make a positive impact in our life. Thus, it’s actually us who disallow the Holy Spirit to freely move within us and make a positive impact in our life.  

In the gospel passage for this Sunday, the disciples were in the upper room. The doors were locked because they were praying and at the same time hiding from the Jewish authorities who were running after them. Then suddenly out of nowhere Jesus appeared to them and said: “Peace be with you (John 20:21).” Jesus said this twice and after a while he said these very profound words to them, Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22).”

This is the same Holy Spirit that Jesus wants you to receive today.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Inspirational Quotes and Words of Wisdom - 15

 

Mga Salita na Puno ng Aral at Karunungan - 17

 

1Reflection for May 27, Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 21:20-25

Gospel: John 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, "Master, who is the one who will betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" 

Jesus said to him, "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me." So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?" 

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Does Jesus have a favorite disciple? It seems so as the gospel states: “Peter turned and saw that the disciple Jesus loved, was following as well the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” (John 21:20) 

In his humanity Jesus is also like us, he has a sense of feeling on who among his disciples were most humble and always there for him. This disciple is John whom Jesus loved so dearly. He was also the same John who remained with Jesus until his last gasp of breath on the cross. (John 19:26-27) 

Like Jesus, we may also have our own beloved friends, and relatives. Why are they our chosen ones? We prefer them because they’ve shown their loyalty and love for us. John loved Jesus thru his words and deeds and he stayed with Jesus until the very end. 

Are you like John? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Friday May 26, Saint Philip Neri, Priest (M): John 21:15-19

Gospel: John 21:15-19

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs. 

He then said to Simon Peter a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep. He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time “Do you love me?” and he said to him “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. 

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, Follow me.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you love me? Jesus asked Simon Peter three times this question. How deep is your love for the Lord? Would you be willing to handle the responsibility that He will be giving you? Love is not love unless you’re willing to sacrifice something, unless you’re willing to handle a responsibility to prove that love. 

Simon Peter failed in His test of love for Jesus when he denied Jesus three times. He could have stood for Jesus but Peter was afraid to lose his life, Peter was afraid to sacrifice his very life for Jesus. That’s why he denied Jesus three times. At that moment when Simon Peter denied Jesus Peter gave more importance to his own survival than his love for his Lord and Master. 

However, even if Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus still profoundly loved him. Jesus knew of the human frailties of Peter, Jesus knew that when the going gets tough Peter would deny Him. Yet He still loved Peter, Peter's denial of Jesus did not diminish Jesus love for him. This is the reason why at the end of the gospel Jesus called Peter to follow Him. 

We too should remember that Jesus loves us very much notwithstanding our shortcomings and sinfulness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 25, Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 17:20-26

Gospel: John 17:20-26

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.   

And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one that the world may know that you sent me and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me.  

I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you but I know you, and they know that you sent me I made known to them your name and I will make it known that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

There is a story told about a woman who lovingly devoted herself to caring for the poor in her community. She served not out of abundance, but out of deep compassion and unwavering faith. There were times when resources were scarce—yet, somehow, she was always able to feed and care for those in need. She believed with all her heart that Jesus would never fail her. And He didn’t. 

This quiet faith reminds us of a powerful truth: We can always lean on Jesus. 

He is constant—always present, always ready to help us. His love for us is beyond measure. He proved this love when He gave His life for us on the cross. Through that act of self-giving, Jesus fulfilled the mission entrusted to Him by the Father. For our sake, God gave us His only begotten Son. 

God is never distant from us. No matter who we are. No matter what burdens we carry. No matter the sins we’ve committed. He is near. He listens. And He longs for us to come to Him. 

But faith is not meant to be kept hidden. There is a calling—a sacred responsibility—that rests on our shoulders: to share this love, to pay it forward. Because our faith in God doesn’t grow in isolation. It matures when we offer it to others, when we become channels of His grace and love in this world. 

So ask yourself today: Have I shared my faith with someone? Have I become an instrument of God’s love? Jesus gave everything for us. Let us not hold back in living for Him—and in loving others as He has loved us. — Marino J. Dasmarinas