Reflection for July 10, Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:18-26

Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. 

A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. 

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.

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Reflection:

Do you worry that your prayer before the Lord will not be heard? 

Let us not worry for as long as we have faith our prayer will be realized. Why is it that we don’t usually get what we wish for from Jesus? Because we doubt,  and we don’t work for what we want from HIM. 

Some of us would pray but there’s no conviction in our prayers we just pray for the sake of praying. The most powerful prayer is when we pray with conviction and we pray without any sign of doubt in our hearts. And the moment we pray without any doubts we could expect something in return from Jesus for Jesus is a gracious and merciful God. 

We have two stories of prayers with actions and faith in our gospel. Both the man and the woman had prayer request before Jesus and both of them were granted by Jesus for it was prayers with faith and actions. 

Let us therefore always go to Jesus, in good times and in bad, even if we are not in need of HIM let us still go to HIM. This is for the reason that the more we get in touch with Jesus the more that our friendship and faith in HIM is strengthened. 

How are we going to be friends with Jesus? We regularly read HIS life story in the Bible, we ensure our regular presence at Holy Mass and we regularly visit HIM in the Adoration chapel. 

Are you taking action to deepen your friendship with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 10, Lunes ng Ika-14 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 9:18-26

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:18-26

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang nagsasalita si Jesus, may dumating na isang pinuno ng mga Judio. Lumuhod sa harapan niya at ang sabi, "Kamamatay lang po ng aking anak na babae; ngunit sumama lang kayo sa akin at ipatong ang inyong kamay sa kanya ay mabubuhay siya." Tumindig si Jesus at sumama sa kanya, gayon din ang kanyang mga alagad. 

Sumunod din ang isang babaing may labingdalawang taon nang dinudugo. Lumapit ito sa likuran ni Jesus at hinipo ang laylayan ng kanyang damit. Sapagkat sinabi niya sa sarili, "Mahipo ko lamang ang kanyang damit ay gagaling na ako." Bumaling si Jesus at pagkakita sa kanya'y sinabi, "Anak, lakasan mo ang iyong loob! Pinagaling ka ng iyong pananalig." Noon di'y gumaling ang babae. 

Nang dumating si Jesus sa bahay ng pinuno, nakita niya ang mga manunugtog ng plauta at ang maraming taong nagkakaingay. Sinabi niya, "Magsilabas kayo! Hindi patay ang bata; natutulog lang!" At siya'y pinagtawanan nila. Ngunit nang mapalabas na ang mga tao, pumasok siya, hinawakan sa kamay ang bata at ito'y nagbangon. At ang balita tungkol sa pangyayaring ito ay kumalat sa buong lupaing iyon.

Reflection for Sunday July 9, Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 11:25-30

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus exclaimed: "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

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Reflection:

The story is told of two neighbors, one was rich, wise and learned and the other one was a simple and humble man. Naturally being poles apart they both have their own lifestyles. The rich one is fond of expensive things, he had good taste with the finer things in life and he lived a complicated lifestyle.

He trusted in his wealth: whenever he had problems he would always look for comfort on his wealth.  On the other hand the simple man trusted on God he would always pray for his protection and guidance. And he would consistently  attend Sunday Mass; God was always number one in his life.

To be rich is not a sin neither a curse in fact it’s a blessing from God that we must properly take care of. Riches or material possession becomes a curse in one’s life when we put our trust on it. When we regard ourselves so highly that we become domineering and arrogant.

So, what is the right attitude that we should always have especially if we are rich, learned and powerful? The proper behavior to have is to always be humble and simple. If we have almost everything in life the more that we become humble and simple. Jesus has everything yet He chose the less travelled path of simplicity and humility. 

In the first reading the prophet Zechariah echoes the power of Jesus by saying that His dominion shall be from sea to sea. And from the river to the ends of the world; He is meek and rode on an ass.

A person will never go to Jesus if he is full of himself. But the moment that person chooses to become humble and simple, he begins to open his life to Jesus.

When we begin to live Jesus’ life of humility and simplicity we would also clearly begin to discern this invitation of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. (Matthew 11:28-30)” – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 9, Ika – 14 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 11:25-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:25-30

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus, "Pinasasalamatan kita, Ama, Panginoon ng langit at lupa, sapagkat inilihim mo ang mga bagay na ito sa marurunong at matatalino at inihayag sa mga may kaloobang tulad ng sa bata. Oo, Ama, sapagkat gayon ang ikinalulugod mo.

"Ibinigay sa akin ng aking Ama ang lahat ng bagay. Walang nakakikilala sa Anak kundi ang Ama, at walang nakakikilala sa Ama kundi ang Anak at yaong marapating pagpahayagan ng Anak.

"Lumapit kayo sa akin, kayong lahat na napapagal at; nabibigatan sa inyong pasanin, at kayo'y pagpapahingahin ko. Pasanin ninyo ang aking pamatok, at mag-aral kayo sa akin; ako'y maamo at mababang-loob, at makasusumpong kayo ng kapahingahan para sa inyong kaluluwa. Sapagkat maginhawang dalhin ang aking pamatok, at magaan ang pasaning ibibigay ko sa inyo."

Alam Mo ba ang mga Benepisyo ng Ampalaya? / Do You Know the Health Benefits of Bitter Gourd (Ampalaya)?

 

Reflection for July 8, Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:14-17

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-17

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 

No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”

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Reflection:

Who can make us complete? Its Jesus he only can complete us, the things and power of this world no matter how enormous will never complete us. Our treasures and power will never complete us and if these are not handled properly this may even destroy us.   It will never fill our longing for God because our love for the things of this world only brings us farther from God.     

John’s disciples asked Jesus: "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus meaningfully answered them: "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The wedding guests are the followers of Jesus and the bridegroom is no other than Jesus himself. 

Just like in a wedding banquet wherein the guests are forever joyous the same also with us. We become renewed, happy and complete for we are already with Jesus. We permanently leave behind every aspect of our old sinful selves and everything that made us sin. 

We also throw our fears of what tomorrow may bring us for the simple reason that we  are already with Jesus. With Jesus the fear of the unknown is permanently banished from our system, what would remain is our faith in our Lord and savior. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 8, Sabado ng Ika-13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 9:14-17

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:14-17

Noong panahong iyon, lumapit kay Hesus ang mga alagad ni Juan Bautista at ang wika, “Malimit kaming mag-ayuno, gayun din ang mga Pariseo. Bakit po hindi nag-aayuno ang inyong mga alagad?” Sumagot siya, “Maaari bang magdalamhati ang mga panauhin sa kasalan habang kasama nila ang lalaking ikinasal? Kapag wala na siya, saka pa lamang sila mag-aayuno. 

“Walang nagtatagpi ng bagong kayo sa isang lumang kasuutan; sapagkat mababatak nito ang tinagpian, at lalong lalaki ang punit. Wala ring nagsisilid ng bagong alak sa lumang sisidlang-balat. Kapag gayon ang ginawa, puputok ang balat, matatapon ang alak, at mawawasak ang sisidlan. Sa halip ay isinisilid ang bagong alak sa bagong sisidlang-balat, at sa gayo’y kapwa nagtatagal.”

1Reflection for July 7, Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:9-13

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.   

The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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Reflection:

Does Jesus have a soft spot for sinners? Yes Jesus has a soft spot for all of us sinners. For example in our gospel HE called a tax collector and a sinful man named Matthew. After calling Matthew Jesus went to Matthew’s house to dine with tax collectors and sinners.   

All of us are sinners and Jesus is continuously calling upon us to leave for good our sinful lives and follow HIM. The gravity of our sins are not anymore important for Jesus what is important for HIM is we respond to HIS call same as how Matthew in our gospel responded.   

Perhaps we may ask, why is Jesus calling us to follow HIM? Among many other reasons Jesus wants us to be freed from the bondage of sin; HE wants us to be enlightened by HIS grace. And Jesus wants to save us from hell where Satan holds court. These are the reasons why Jesus is calling us to follow HIM.   

Your life will never be the same again once you accept this call of Jesus. There will be healing in your family; you will now become averse to commit any form of sin and you will be freed from its bondage.  

Would you respond to the Lord’s call? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Do You Know the Health Benefits of Banana?/ Alam Mo ba ang mga Benepisyo ng Saging?

Reflection for July 6, Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:1-8

Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, :Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"–he then said to the paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

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Reflection:

Who brought the paralytic to Jesus? 

Nobody knows because their names were not mentioned by Jesus in the gospel. Jesus knew that those who brought the paralytic to Him were very humble and not very concerned with the credit that they would receive. It was enough for them that they’ve helped this paralytic go to Jesus. 

 After they were through with their mission to bring the paralytic to Jesus they simply blended away with the multitude of people. Not concerned of their good deed and not concerned of the accolade that they could receive. 

How many of us are like those who brought the paralytic to Jesus? They were very humble, very selfless not concerned of the credit and publicity that is rightly due them.  

In our world today where we can easily publicize via social media every good deed that we do. The gospel is teaching us to be silent when we do good for the simple reason that every acts of goodness that we do in secrecy and silence is appreciated more by the Lord. 

 Let us therefore help without any expectation of something in return. Let us help without trumpeting the good deeds that we do because God is more pleased by this kind of attitude. And certainly God rewards more those who help and those who do good in silence and secrecy. 

What is your mindset when you help?– Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 6, Huwebes ng Ika-13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 9:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:1-8

Noong panahong iyon, sumakay si Jesus sa bangka, tumawid sa kabilang ibayo at tumuloy sa sariling bayan. Pagdating niya roon, dinala sa kanya ng ilang katao ang isang paralitikong nakaratay sa kanyang higaan. Nang makita ni Jesus kung gaano kalaki ang kanilang pananalig, sinabi niya sa paralitiko, "Anak, lakasan mo ang iyong loob! Pinatatawad ka na sa iyong mga kasalanan." 

Isinaloob ng ilang eskribang naroon, "Nilalapastangan ng taong ito ang Diyos." Ngunit batid ni Jesus ang kanilang iniisip kaya't sinabi niya, "Bakit kayo nag-iisip nang ganyan? Alin ba ang mas madali: ang sabihing, 'Ipinatatawad na ang mga kasalanan mo,' o ang sabihing, 'Tumindig ka at lumakad'? 

Patutunayan ko na dito sa lupa ang Anak ng Tao'y may kapangyarihang magpatawad ng mga kasalanan." At sinabi niya sa paralitiko, "Tumindig ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan, at umuwi ka." Tumindig nga ang lalaki at umuwi. Nang makita ito nang mga tao, sila'y natakot at nagpuri sa Diyos na nagbigay ng ganitong kapangyarihan sa mga tao.

Reflection for July 5, Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:28-34

Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34

When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” 

Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. 

The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.

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Reflection:

What can demons do to us if we have Jesus in our lives? Nothing absolutely nothing! We are untouchable by any demonic power if we have Jesus in our lives. But do we still have Jesus in our lives today? 

This is the big question now; do we still have Jesus in our lives today? Or it might be that we are very preoccupied with worldliness that we hardly have time for Jesus anymore. And when we hardly have time for Jesus that is when the devil comes to slowly possess us. 

As evidenced by our gospel today, the demons were no match to Jesus they capitulate in surrender to Jesus. This is the power of Jesus; it can subject anyone including the devil to HIS will. But it’s sad that many of us today don’t realize this anymore for the simple reason that we have no more time for Jesus yet we create time for this world. 

 Where are we leading if we go with this world? It will lead us closer to the devil hiding beneath the many pleasures of this world. We must realize this urgency before it’s too late. Let us disengage ourselves from our worldliness and let us engage Jesus for we will never go wrong with HIM.   

The closer we go to Jesus the farther we go away from the devil. The closer we go to Jesus the more that we have peace and serenity in our lives. Do you believe this? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 5, Miyerkules ng Ika-13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 8:28-34

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:28-34

Noong panahong iyon, nang dumating si Jesus sa ibayo, sa lupain ng mga Gadenero, sinalubong siya ng dalawang lalaking galing sa libingan. Sila'y inaalihan ng mga demonyo at napakababangis kaya't walang mangahas na dumaan doon. Pagdaka'y sumigaw sila: "Ano ang pakialam mo sa amin, Anak ng Diyos? Naparito ka ba upang pahirapan kami nang hindi pa panahon?" 

Sa di kalayuan ay may malaking kawan ng baboy na nanginginain. At namanhik sa kanya ang mga demonyo, "Kung kami'y palalayasin mo, bayaan mo kaming pumasok sa mga baboy na iyon." Sinabi ni Jesus, "Humayo kayo." Kaya't lumabas sila sa dalawang lalaki at pumasok sa mga baboy. Ang buong kawan ay biglang sumibad ng takbo tungo sa bangin, nahulog sa lawa, at nalunod. 

Patakbong umuwi ng bayan ang mga tagapag-alaga ng kawan at pagdating doon ay ipinamalita ang lahat ng bagay, pati ang nangyari sa mga inalihan ng demonyo. Kaya't lumabas ang buong bayan upang salubungin si Jesus. Pagkakita sa kanya, ipinamanhik nilang siya'y umalis sa kanilang lupain.

Reflection for July 4, Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:23-27

Gospel: Matthew 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 

He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

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Reflection:

Do you always seek the help of Jesus when you pass through the storms of your life? 

While in the boat with Jesus the disciples encountered a very powerful storm. They were naturally terrified so they asked Jesus for help, they said to Him; “Lord save us we are perishing (Matthew 8:25)!”    

How many times have you encountered storms in your life? Many time over perhaps, in every storm that you encounter always remember that Jesus is always there for you. Ever ready to help you and bring you out safely of these storms that you encounter and may encounter still. 

What if Jesus was not with the disciples during that fateful night when their boat was being battered by the storm? To whom would they be asking for help? To no one, they could have all perished in that violent storm but Jesus was there to save them all. 

This is the advantage of having Jesus in your life. You always have somebody very powerful to rescue you whenever you are in distress. You always have somebody who will take away your fears, even your biggest and greatest fears. 

Do you always seek the help of Jesus whenever you pass through the storms of your life?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas