Reflection for Saturday June 24, Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist: Luke 1:57-66, 80

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 

But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 

Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

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Reflection:

What’s in a name? It seems that the name of the child of Elizabeth and Zechariah has a big bearing on their future. Was the issue confined in the name only of the child or there was something bigger than the name? The relatives wanted to name the child after his father Zechariah but it was not what God wanted them to name the child. 

The Lord wanted to name the child John that’s why Elizabeth and Zechariah insisted that the child be named John. And when they named him John Zechariah was freed from his speech disability. His mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. This took place for the reason that both Elizabeth and Zechariah were faithful to what God wanted them to do. 

Faithfulness to God as evidenced with what happened to Zechariah gives us unfathomable blessings. It opens our lives to the abundant graces from God, and it heals us. 

What does God ask from us? It’s for us to be faithful to HIS will. And what is HIS will for us? It’s for us to live our lives pleasing to HIS eyes alone. The moment we contradict God and we try to live our lives for this temporal world we can expect chaos and complications to follow us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Hunyo 24, Pagsilang ni San Juan Bautista (Dakilang Kapistahan) Lucas 1:57-66, 80

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:57-66, 80

Dumating ang araw ng panganganak ni Elisabet, at nagluwal siya ng isang sanggol na lalaki. Nabalitaan ng kanyang mga kapitbahay at mga kamag-anak na siya'y pinagpala ng Panginoon, at nakigalak sila sa kanya. 

Nang ikawalong araw, dumalo sila sa pagtutuli ng sanggol. Zacarias sana ang ipangangalan sa kanya -- gaya ng kanyang ama -- ngunit sinabi ng kanyang ina, "Hindi! Juan ang ipapangalan sa kanya." "Subalit wala isa man sa iyong mga kamag-anak ang may ganyang pangalan," wika nila. 

Kaya't hinudyatan nila ang kanyang ama at itinanong kung ano ang ibig niyang itawag sa sanggol. Humingi siya ng masusulatan at sumulat ng ganito: "Juan ang kanyang Pangalan." At namangha silang lahat. Pagdaka'y nakapagsalita siya, at nagpuri sa Diyos. 

Natakot ang kanilang kapitbahay, anupat naging usap-usapan sa buong kaburulan ng Judea ang mga bagay na ito. Pinakaisip-isip ito ng lahat ng nakaalam at ang kanilang tanong: "Magiging ano nga kaya ang batang ito?" Sapagkat maliwanag na sumasakanya ang Panginoon. Lumaki ang bata at naging malakas ang kanyang espiritu. Siya'y tumira sa ilang hanggang sa araw na magpakilala siya sa Israel.

Reflection for June 23, Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:19-23

Gospel: Matthew 6:19-23

(Jesus said to his disciples) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. 

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”

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Reflection:

Would it be OK with us if we remain materially poor but spiritually rich? Yes, without any second thought, what are we to do with all the material things of this world if we have no God and if we are empty spiritually? Everything that we have is worthless no matter how expensive it is if we don’t have God in our lives. 

Material possessions can fly away from our hands anytime; we have no hold on it. Material possessions also drive us away from God. It slowly but surely bring us away from our firm belief of God and we must be wary of this. 

Material possession per see is not bad for the simple reason that it could really help us alleviate our wellbeing. But on the same vein we must not also allow it to take control of us. We must take control of material possessions and not material possessions controlling us. 

Let us take a closer look at ourselves and reflect for there may be signs of enslavement of material wealth in favor of God. For example, if we sacrifice our time for God which is a few minutes in favor of our work, if we allow material wealth to corrupt us in favor of our love for God. Then these are sure signs that we allow material wealth to get hold on us rather than God. 

Whether we like it or not all of us will be at the threshold of mortal death someday. Where shall we go then if all we do is to embrace the lifestyle of this world? – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 23, Biyernes ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 6:19-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:19-23

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Huwag kayong mag-impok ng kayamanan dito sa lupa; dito'y may naninirang tanga at kalawang, at may nakapapasok na magnanakaw. Sa halip, impukin ninyo ang mga kayamanan sa langit; doo'y walang naninirang tanga at kalawang, at walang nakapapasok na magnanakaw. 

Sapagkat kung saan naroon ang inyong kayamanan, naroon din naman ang inyong puso." "Ang mata ang pinakailaw ng katawan. Kaya't kung malinaw ang iyong mata, maliliwanagan ang iyong katawan. Ngunit kung malabo ang iyong mata, madirimlan ang buo mong katawan. Kaya't kung ang liwanag na nasa iyo ay kadiliman pala, napakadilim niyan!"

Reflection for June 22, Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.   

“This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.   

“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

If God knows what we need before we ask him, what is the use of our prayer before him? 

The answer is this: It is through our consistent prayer life that we get close with God. In fact the more we pray the more that we get closer to God. If we are not yet prayerful or we don’t have yet a regular prayer life, just try having a consistent prayer life. And you will be surprised by the growth of your friendship with Jesus.  

So, we pray not because we want to ask something from God for indeed He knows beforehand what we need. He in fact knows everything that we need and desire today, tomorrow and in the future. We pray because we want to be best friends with God.    

When we pray with piety our whole being talks to God and He listens and in the silence of our hearts He also talks to us. We hear God whispering to us this is hard to explain but this is what occurs when we pray this prayer with devoutness.  This kind of prayer relationship with God is a sign of a mature life of prayer.  

For example, in a married life relationship the marriage bond is strengthened by frequent communication between husband and wife. Through this regular communication they both mature in the marriage covenant relationship. Until such time that they know and understand practically everything about themselves even without verbal expression.  

This is the same with our prayer life; the more we pray with our whole being focused to God the more that we would grow in closeness and friendship with God. Then, there will eventually come a time that when we pray to God we will not anymore utter a single word. We will simply go down on our knees and keep silent and let our heart talk to our merciful, compassionate and loving God.  

How is your prayer life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 22, Huwebes ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 6:7-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:7-15

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Sa pananalangin ninyo'y huwag kayong gagamit ng napakaraming salita, gaya ng ginagawa ng mga Hentil. Ang akala nila'y pakikinggan sila ng Diyos dahil sa dami ng kanilang salita. Huwag ninyo silang tutularan. Sapagkat alam na ng inyong Ama ang inyong kinakailangan bago pa ninyo hingin sa kanya.

Ganito kayo mananalangin:

'Ama naming nasa langit, Sambahin nawa ang pangalan mo. Ikaw nawa ang maghari sa amin, Sundin nawa ang iyong kalooban dito sa lupa tulad ng sa langit. Bigyan mo kami ng pagkaing kailangan namin sa araw na ito; At patawarin mo kami sa aming mga kasalanan, Tulad ng aming pagpapatawad sa mga nagkakasala sa amin. At huwag mo kaming iharap sa mahigpit na pagsubok, Kundi ilayo mo kami sa Masama!

Sapagkat iyo ang kaharian at ang kapangyarihan at ang kapurihan, magpakailanman! Amen.'

Sapagkat kung pinatatawad ninyo ang mga nagkakasala sa inyo, patatawarin din kayo ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Ngunit kung hindi ninyo pinatatawad ang mga nagkakasala sa inyo, hindi rin kayo patatawarin ng inyong Ama."

Reflection for Wednesday June 21, Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

(Jesus said to his disciples) “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

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Reflection:

What does Jesus teach us today? It’s about humility and modesty, keep your every acts of piety in secret and don’t trumpet it to the whole wide world including the world of social meadia for HE knows everything. But the world that we are in now is influencing us to discard this teaching of Jesus and embrace publicity and self-proclamation.

Just look at the many vehicles of publicity in the internet such as facebook, instagram, twitter and the like. What are they dictating to us? It dictates us to publicize almost everything that we do, including our acts of piety.

Nothing’s wrong to embrace these social media platforms if we use it to advance our advocacies with no other motive but to help. Yet it becomes wrong when we use it to proudly show to the whole wide world the good that we do. Perhaps Jesus is telling us not to worry if nobody would notice our acts of kindness and piety for HE knows it already.

What is important is we do everything for Jesus and for the greater good of HIS people. It doesn’t matter anymore if we would be noticed or not if people would compliment us or not. What is important is we know that we have a God who knows everything including our unpublicized acts of love, charity and goodness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Miyerkules Hunyo 21, San Luis Gonzaga (Paggunita): Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Pag-ingatan ninyo na huwag maging pakitang-tao lamang ang paggawa ninyo ng mabuti. Kapag ganyan ang ginawa ninyo, wala kayong matatamong gantimpala buhat sa inyong Amang nasa langit. 

"Kaya nga, kapag naglilimos ka, huwag mo nang ipagmakaingay ito, katulad ng ginagawa ng mga mapagpaimbabaw doon sa sinagoga at sa mga lansangan. Ginagawa nila ito upang purihin sila ng mga tao. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tinanggap na nila ang kanilang gantimpala. Ngunit kung naglilimos ka, huwag mo nang ipaalam ito kahit sa iyong pinakamatalik na kaibigan upang malihim ang iyong paglilimos. at gagantihin ka ng iyong Amang nakakikita ng kabutihang ginagawa mo ng lihim."

"At kapag nananalangin kayo, huwag kayong tutulad sa mga mapagpaimbabaw. Mahilig silang manalangin nang patayo sa mga sinagoga at sa mga panulukang-daan, upang makita ng mga tao. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tinanggap na nila ang kanilang gantimpala. Ngunit kapag mananalangin ka, pumasok ka sa iyong silid at isara mo ang pinto. Saka manalangin sa iyong Amang hindi mo nakikita, at gagantihin ka ng iyong amang nakakikita ng kabutihang ginagawa mo ng lihim.

"Kapag nag-aayuno kayo, huwag kayong magmukhang malungkot, tulad ng mga mapagpaimbabaw. Hindi sila nag-aayos upang malaman ng mga tao na sila'y nag-aayuno. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tinanggap na nila ang kanilang gantimpala. Kapag ikaw ay nag-aayuno, mag-ayos ka ng buhok at maghilamos upang huwag mapansin ng mga tao na nag-aayuno ka. Ang iyong Amang hindi mo nakikita ang siya lamang nakaaalam nito. Siya, na nakakakita ng kabutihang ginagawa mo nang lihim, ang gaganti sa iyo."

Reflection for June 20, Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:43-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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Reflection:

Are you capable of loving your enemies?

In the gospel Jesus calls us to a deeper form of love: “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44).

It’s not easy to give love to someone who betrayed your trust. But that’s what Jesus is telling us: to love unconditionally. Regardless of the hurts and betrayal done to us we still need to love and pray for those who’ve hurt us. 

There’s no winner when we respond betrayal with betrayal, anger with anger. Despite of the injury done to us, why not try to still be meek and forgiving and leave everything in the hands of the Lord? God doesn’t love us selectively; He doesn’t love us because we follow His commands. He still loves us even if we’ve betrayed Him so many times.    

God loves us without any preconditions; He lets the sun rise and the rain to fall on all of us sinners. Therefore we have to love even our enemies and one of the ways to do this is not to wish them harm. Notwithstanding  the hurts that they’ve inflicted upon us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 20, Martes ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:43-48

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:43-48

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Narinig na ninyong sinabi, ‘Ibigin mo ang iyong kaibigan at kapootan mo ang iyong kaaway.’ Ngunit ito naman sabi ko: ibigin ninyo ang mga umuusig sa inyo, upang kayo’y maging tunay na anak ng inyong Amang nasa langit. 

Sapagkat pinasisikat niya ang araw sa masasama at sa mabubuti, at pinapapatak niya ang ulan sa mga banal at sa mga makasalanan. Kung ang mga umiibig sa inyo ang siya lamang ninyong iibigin, ano pang gantimpala ang inyong hihintayin? 

Hindi ba’t ginagawa rin ito ng mga publikano? At kung ang binabati lamang ninyo’y ang inyong mga kapatid, ano ang nagawa ninyong higit kaysa iba? Ginagawa rin iyon ng mga Hentil! Kaya, dapat kayong maging ganap, gaya ng inyong Amang nasa Langit.” 

Reflection for June 19, Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:38-42

Gospel: Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. 

If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”

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Reflection:

What will happen if we would become kind to our enemies, if we will not respond to their mocking? The enemy will simply go away or they might even become our friend. There is so much hatred in this world because we respond to hatred. We perpetuate the cycle of anger by anger. 

When we respond to hatred and violence we allow the devil one to take hold of us. And when the evil one takes control of us it will do nothing but destroy us. And bring us closer to his kingdom where everyone is evil and is not lacking in hatred.   

In our gospel Jesus convincingly destroys the evil of hatred by love and humility.  Jesus tells us this: “I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well (Matthew 5:39). 

Are we capable of loving those who despise us and are we willing to humble ourselves before them? Should we confront them or we simply ignore their insults and anger? Many regrettable acts of anger would have been avoided if only we have love and humility in our hearts. 

Prayer: O dear Lord we pray that you give us the virtue of Humility, Forgiveness and Love. Sow in our hearts everything that is good. Sow in our heart gentleness, forgiveness and compassion. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 19, Lunes ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:38-42

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:38-42

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga alagad, "Narinig ninyo na sinabi, 'Mata sa mata at ngipin sa ngipin.' Ngunit ngayo'y sinasabi ko sa inyo: huwag ninyong labanan ang masamang tao. Kung may sumampal sa iyo sa kanang pisngi, iharap mo pa sa kanya ang kabila. 

Kung ipagsakdal ka ninuman upang makuha ang iyong baro, ibigay mo sa kanya pati ang iyong balabal. Kung sapilitang ipapasan sa iyo ng manlulupig ang kanyang dala nang isang kilometro, pasanin mo ito nang dalawang kilometro. Magbigay ka sa nanghihingi sa iyo, at huwag mong pahindian ang nanghihiram sa iyo.  

Reflection for Sunday June 18, Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:36-10:8

Gospel: Matthew 9:36—10:8

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” 

Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him. 

Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

 

Reflection:

Do you have a heart for the poor?

We are in hard times right now, the global economy is in decline, prices of commodities are all surging at unbelievable pace. Many workers are being laid-off due to downsizing and the effect of artificial inteliigence we don’t know when will this end. The poor who are the vast majority are getting poorer by the day. Given the situation that we have right now, I am sure Jesus heart is bleeding with pity for us. 

The poor people of this world are so many but the laborers who are willing to sacrifice and help them are so few. There’s an imbalance so to speak. Like the apostles whom Jesus summoned; those who have in life are being called by Jesus to help those who have nothing. They are those who can barely afford to buy their food we just need to look around and we’ll see them. 

The apostles whom Jesus summoned were not wealthy they were ordinary people like, fishermen, tax collector and sinners. But Jesus had chosen them simply because they were ready to respond. 

The sign of the times calls for us to listen to Jesus’ call to feed the hungry, to share our blessings no matter how small. Jesus further states: "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." 

Would you care to listen the voice of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 18, Ika – 11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 9:36-10:8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:36-10:8

Noong panahong iyon, nilibot ni Hesus ang mga bayan at nayon at nagturo sa mga sinagoga. Ipinangaral niya ang Mabuting Balita tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos, at pinagaling ang mga may sakit, anuman ang kanilang karamdaman. 

Nang makita niya ang napakaraming tao, nahabag siya sa kanila sapagkat sila’y lito at lupaypay, parang mga tupang walang pastol. Kaya’t sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad, “Sagana ang anihin, ngunit kakaunti ang mag-aani. Idalangin ninyo sa may-ari ng anihin na magpadala siya ng mga manggagawa sa kanyang anihin.”

Tinipon ni Hesus ang labindalawang alagad at binigyan ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng masasamang espiritu at magpagaling ng mga may karamdaman. Ito ang pangalan ng labindalawang apostol: si Simon na tinatawag na Pedro at si Andres na kanyang kapatid; sina Santiago at Juan na mga anak ni Zebedeo; sina Felipe at Bartolome; si Tomas, at si Mateo na publikano; si Santiago na anak ni Alfeo, at si Tadeo; si Simong makabayan at si Judas Iscariote, ang nagkanulo kay Hesus.

Ang labindalawang ito’y sinugo ni Hesus at kanyang pinagbilinan: “Huwag kayong pupunta sa lugar ng mga Hentil, o sa alinmang bayan ng mga Samaritano. Sa halip ay hanapin ninyo ang mga nawawalang tupa ng sambahayan ng Israel. Humayo kayo at ipangaral ninyo na malapit nang maghari ang Diyos.”

Pagalingin ninyo ang mga maysakit at buhayin ang mga patay. Pagalingin ninyo ang mga ketongin at palayasin ang mga demonyo. Yamang tumanggap kayo nang walang bayad, magbigay naman kayo nang walang bayad.”