Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 7, Miyerkules ng Ikasiyam na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:18-27

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:18-27

Noong panahong iyon, may ilang Saduceo na lumapit kay Jesus. Ang Saduceo ay naninindigan na hindi na muling bubuhayin ang mga patay. "Guro," anila, "naglagda po si Moises ng ganitong batas para sa amin: 'Kung mamatay ang isang lalaki at maiwang walang anak ang kanyang asawa, ang kapatid ng lalaki'y dapat pakasal sa balo upang magkaanak sila para sa namatay.' 

May pitong magkakapatid na lalaki. Nag-asawa ang panganay, at namatay na walang anak. Napakasal sa balo ang pangalawa, at namatay na wala ring anak. Gayun din ang nangyari sa pangatlo at sa mga sumunod pa" isa-isang napangasawa ng babae ang pitong magkakapatid, at sila'y namatay na walang anak. 

Sa kahuli-huliha'y namatay rin ang babae. Ngayon, sino po sa pito ang kikilalanin niyang asawa sa muling pagkabuhay, yamang napangasawa silang lahat?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Maling-mali kayo. alam ninyo kung bakit? Hindi ninyo nababatid ang mga Kasulatan ni ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos. Sapagkat sa muling pagkabuhay, ang mga tao'y hindi na mag-aasawa; sila'y magiging tulad ng mga anghel sa langit. 

Tungkol naman sa muling pagkabuhay -- hindi pa ba ninyo nababasa sa aklat ni Moises ang tungkol sa nagliliyab na mababang punongkahoy? Ganito ang nasusulat na sinabi ng Diyos kay Moises. 'Ako ang Diyos ni Abraham, ang Diyos ni Isaac at ang Diyos ni Jacob.' Ngunit ang Diyos ay hindi Diyos ng mga patay, kundi ng mga buhay. Maling-mali kayo!"

Reflection for June 6, Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:13-17

Gospel: Mark 12:13-17

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at. They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this? They replied to him, “Caesar’s. So Jesus said to them “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. They were utterly amazed at him.

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Reflection:

Do you always do what is right and just? The Pharisees and the Herodians were testing Jesus about the just payment of tax to Caesar. Jesus knew about their evil scheming so He simply told them, “Whose image is in the coin?” And they told Jesus that it was Caesar’s image that is imprinted on the coin. 

Thus, Jesus told them that they should pay to Caesar for the simple reason that he is the governing authority. And then Jesus told them to give to God what belongs to God (Mark 12:17). 

The million-dollar question now is, what belongs to God or what is for God? What belongs to God that we must give Him is the time that we have to freely give Him. Such as our daily time for prayer: upon waking up in the morning and before retiring at night. 

The weekly time that we have to freely give Him during Sundays at Holy Mass. And other forms of worship and service to our church and its people these we have to give to God as well. 

Then we may ask, what then would we receive in giving God what is due to God? We will receive peace of mind and we will be in heaven when our journey in this world comes to end. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 6, Martes ng Ikasiyam na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:13-17

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:13-17

Noong panahong iyon, ilang Pariseo at ilang kampon ni Herodes ang pinapunta kay Jesus upang siluin siya sa kanyang pananalita. Lumapit sila sa kanya at ang sabi, "Guro nalalaman po naming kayo'y tapat at walang pinangingimian, sapagkat pareho ang pagtingin ninyo sa lahat ng tao. At itinuturo ninyo kung ano ang kalooban ng Diyos sa mga tao. 

Naaayon po ba sa Kautusan ang pagbabayad ng buwis sa Cesar? Dapat ba kaming bumuwis o hindi?" Ngunit batid ni Jesus na sila'y nagkukunwari, kaya't sinabi niya sa kanila, "Bakit ba ibig ninyo akong siluin? Bigyan ninyo ako ng isang denaryo. Titingnan ko." At kanilang binigyan siya. 

 "Kaninong larawan at pangalan ang nakaukit dito?" tanong ni Jesus. "Sa Cesar po," tugon nila. Sinabi ni Jesus, "Ibigay ninyo sa Cesar ang sa Cesar, at sa Diyos ang sa Diyos." At sila'y namangha sa kanya.

Reflection for Monday June 5, Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr (M): Mark 12:1-12

Gospel: Mark 12:1-12

Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard. 

But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant. And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed. He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’  

But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, put the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture passage: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?” 

They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.

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Reflection:

The story told of a high and mighty government official who was asked by the people to resign from his post. For the reason that he engaged in high stakes corruption and abuse of authority. Instead of voluntarily resigning he clung to his post because according to him there is still much more money to be stolen in the coffers of his government office. 

Since he was not willing to resign he was investigated and was found guilty it resulted in the forfeiture of all his government benefits. This high government official was so greedy that it became the instrument for his disgrace. 

In our gospel the tenant farmers are the greedy characters, they were the religious leaders of Israel, they were not willing to give what was due to God which was represented by the owner of the vineyard. They killed all of the messengers (prophets) even the only begotten son of the owner they killed as well. At the end, because of their greed the tenant farmers were severely punished by the owner.   

It doesn’t pay to greedily amass immoral wealth and power. For whatever we have now that is born out of our greed will eventually be taken away from us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Lunes Hunyo 5, San Bonifacio Obispo at martir (Paggunita): Marcos 12:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, nagsimulang magsalita si Hesus sa mga punong saserdote, mga eskriba, at matatanda ng bayan sa pamamagitan ng mga talinghaga. Sinabi niya, “May isang taong nagtanim ng ubas sa kanyang bukid, at binakuran niya ito. Humukay siya ng pisaan ng ubas, at nagtayo ng isang mataas na bantayan. Pagkatapos, iniwan niya ang ubasan sa mga kasama, at siya’y nagtungo sa ibang lupain. 

Nang dumating ang panahon ng pitasan, pinapunta niya ang isa niyang utusan upang kunin sa mga kasama ang kanyang kaparte. Ngunit sinunggaban ng mga kasama ang utusan, binugbog, at pinauwing walang dala. Ang may-ari’y nagpapunta uli ng ibang utusan, ngunit kanilang pinukpok ito sa ulo, at dinusta. Nag-utos na naman siya sa isa pa, ngunit pinatay nila ang utusang iyon. 

Gayun din ang ginawa nila sa marami pang iba: may binugbog at may pinatay. Iisa na lang ang natitira na maaaring papuntahin sa kanila – ang kanyang minamahal na anak. Ito ang kahuli-hulihang pinapunta niya. ‘Igagalang nila ang aking anak,’ wika niya sa sarili. Ngunit ang mga kasama’y nag-usap-usap, ‘Ito ang tagapagmana. Halikayo, patayin natin at nang mapasaatin ang kanyang mamanahin.’’ Kanilang sinunggaban siya, pinatay at itinapon sa labas ng ubasan. 

“Ano ngayon ang gagawin ng may-ari ng ubasan? Paroroon siya at papatayin ang mga kasamang iyon, at ang ubasa’y ibibigay sa iba. Hindi pa ba ninyo nababasa ang nasasaad sa Kasulatan? ‘Ang batong itinakwil ng mga tagapagtayo ng bahay ang siyang naging batong panulukan. 

Ginawa ito ng Panginoon, At ito’y kahanga-hanga!’” Tinangka ng mga pinuno ng mga Judio na dakpin si Hesus, sapagkat nahalata nilang sila ang pinatatamaan sa talinghagang iyon. Ngunit takot naman sila sa mga tao; kaya’t hindi nila siya inano at sila’y umalis.

Reflection for Sunday June 4, Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity: John 3:16-18

Gospel: John 3:16-18

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

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Reflection:

How do you exercise your love to your spouse? There are times that this love is with condition, you love when you receive love in return. But when the love that you give is unrequited this love wanes until it finally evaporates from our hearts and this is how we normally love.

In our readings for this Sunday most especially the gospel, God opens our hearts to a much deeper kind of love. A love that cannot be measured by anything,  love that has no limits and a  love that is coupled with humility and sacrifice.

God’s love is not like how we express our love. For we are always conscious about what we could get back in return for the love that we give. This is the complete opposite of God’s love. Love in the eyes of God is when we are willing to sacrifice even at the cost of our very own life. 

 

Today is the solemnity of the Holy Trinity, the three persons in one God. How are they able to co-exist without any conflict? How can they be one yet three? They harmoniously co-exist because they have the love of God.

The Holy Trinity for many of us is a mystery but not anymore for some of us. Why? Because they already have in their hearts the love of God, let us therefore ask the Holy Trinity to covert our hearts according to His love.

If God gave HIS very own son for his love for you, what can you give God in return? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 4, Dakilang Kapistahan ng Tatlong Persona sa Isang Diyos: Juan 3:16-18

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:16-18

Gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sanlibutan, kaya ibinigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na Anak, upang ang sumampalataya sa kanya ay hindi mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. Sapagkat sinugo ng Diyos ang kanyang Anak, hindi upang maparusahan ang sanlibutan, kundi upang iligtas ito sa pamamagitan niya.

"Hindi hinahatulang maparusahan ang nananampalataya sa bugtong na Anak ng Diyos; ngunit hinatulan nang parusahan ang hindi nananampalataya sa kanya. 

Reflection for Saturday June 3, Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs (M): Mark 11:27-33

Gospel: Mark 11:27-33

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?

Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me. They discussed this among themselves and said “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 

But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’? they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know. Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.

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Reflection:

Do you know where the authority of Jesus is coming from? The ruling power during Jesus time wanted to know the origin of His authority. Why were they interested to know? Was it for the reason that their own power base was being threatened by Jesus popularity among the ordinary people? 

When our own survival is threatened we normally would do everything within our capacity to   defeat the incoming power. Even if the incoming power is doing what is right and noble. We would still do something to defeat it by any means possible. 

Such is our flawed self-serving behavior; we don’t want to be upstaged by anyone. We always want to be in front and have the starring role, perhaps this is part of our human insecurity. 

Jesus never had any insecurity for He simply did His mission without questioning anyone’s authority. The priority for Jesus was not authority or power it was first and foremost the well- being and interest of the people.     

How about you? Do you put so much weight on authority? Or you just keep on doing what is good without being conscious with any authority? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Inspirational Quotes and Words of Wisdom -17

 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Sabado Hunyo 3, San Carlos Luwanga at mga kasama, mga martir (Paggunita): Marcos 11:27-33

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 11:27-33

Noong panahong iyon, pumunta na naman si Hesus at ang mga alagad sa Jerusalem. Samantalang si Hesus ay naglalakad sa templo, nilapitan siya ng mga punong saserdote, ng mga eskriba, at ng matatanda ng bayan. Tinanong siya, “Ano ang karapatan mong gumawa ng mga bagay na ito? Sino ang nagbigay sa iyo ng karapatang ito?” 

Sumagot si Hesus, “Tatanungin ko rin kayo. Pag sinagot ninyo ako, saka ko naman sasabihin sa inyo kung ano ang karapatan kong gumawa ng mga bagay na ito. Kanino nagmula ang karapatan ni Juan upang magbinyag – sa Diyos ba o sa mga tao?” At sila’y nag-usap-usap: “Kung sabihin nating mula sa Diyos, itatanong naman niya sa atin, ‘Bakit hindi ninyo siya pinaniwalaan?’ 

Ngunit kung sabihin nating mula sa tao,” natatakot naman sila at baka kung ano ang gawin sa kanila ng mga tao, sapagkat kinikilala ng lahat na si Juan ay isang propeta. Kaya’t sumagot sila kay Hesus, “Hindi namin alam!” Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Hindi ko rin sasabihin sa inyo kung ano ang karapatan kong gumawa ng mga ginawa ko.”

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.”

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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

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 2, Biyernes ng Ikawalong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 11:11-26

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 11:11-26

Sa gitna ng pagbubunyi ng mga tao, pumunta si Hesus sa Jerusalem at pumasok sa templo. Pagkatapos tingnan ang lahat ng bagay doon, lumabas siya at nagbalik sa Betania, kasama ang Labindalawa, palibhasa’y gumagabi na noon.

Kinabukasan, nang sila’y pabalik na mula sa Betania, nagutom si Hesus. Natanaw nito sa di-kalayuan ang isang puno ng igos na madahon. Nilapitan niya ito upang tingnan kung may bunga. Ngunit wala siyang nakita kundi mga dahon, sapagkat hindi pa panahon ng igos noon. Kaya’t sinabi niya sa puno ng igos, “Wala nang makakakain pa ng iyong bunga.” Ito’y narinig ng kanyang mga alagad.  

Pagdating nila sa Jerusalem, pumasok sa templo si Hesus. Kanyang ipinagtabuyan ang mga nagbibili at namimili roon at ipinagtaob ang mga mesa ng mga mamamalit ng salapi at ang upuan ng mga nagtitinda ng kalapati. Pinagbawalan niyang magdaan sa loob ng templo ang sinumang may dala-dalahan. At tinuruan niya ang mga tao.  

Sinabi niya, “Nasusulat, ‘Ang aking bahay ay tatawaging bahay-dalanginan ng lahat ng bansa.’ Ngunit ginawa ninyong pugad ng mga magnanakaw.” Narinig ito ng mga punong saserdote at ng mga eskriba. Buhat noo’y humanap sila ng paraan upang mapatay si Hesus, sapagkat natatakot sila sa kanya, dahil sa humahanga ang lahat ng tao sa kanyang turo. Pagdating ng gabi, lumabas na naman ng lungsod si Hesus at ang kanyang mga alagad. 

Kinaumagahan, pagdaan nila’y nakita nilang patay na ang puno ng igos. Naalaala ni Pedro ang nangyari at kanyang sinabi kay Hesus, “Guro tingnan ninyo! Namatay ang puno ng igos na sinumpa ninyo.” Sumagot si Hesus, “Manalig kayo sa Diyos. Tandaan ninyo ito: kung sabihin ninuman sa bundok na ito, ‘Umalis ka riyan; tumalon ka sa dagat,’ na hindi siya nag-aalinlangan kundi nananalig na mangyayari ang sinabi niya, ito’y gagawin ng Diyos para sa kanya.  

Kaya’t sinasabi ko sa inyo, anuman ang hingin ninyo sa panalangin, manalig kayong natanggap na ninyo iyon, at matatanggap nga ninyo. Kapag kayo’y mananalangin, patawarin muna ninyo ang nagkasala sa inyo upang ipatawad din naman sa inyo ng inyong Amang nasa langit ang inyong pagkakasala. Ngunit kung hindi kayo magpatawad, hindi rin naman kayo patatawarin ng iyong Amang nasa langit.”

Reflection 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.

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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