Reflection for Sunday August 6, Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord: Matthew 17:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. 

Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." 

When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

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Reflection:

Do you want to be in heaven when your time in this world is over? Of course you want to be in heaven. However, would you be willing to sacrifice something of yourself for you to go to heaven?

The episode of the Transfiguration of the Good Lord clearly tells us that there is heaven. And we must aspire to be heavenbound someday. However, there is no free ride going to heaven we have to do some sacrifices for us to go to heaven. 

Many of us may be afraid to do some sacrifices for the simple reason that doing so would require us to give something of ourselves. But, what is sacrifice in exchange for heaven? What is sacrifice in exchange for everlasting life? And what is sacrifice when it assures us of the kingdom of God?

"After the heavenly experience of Peter, James, and John at the Mount of Transfiguration,"  They descended back to this world to face their respective share of sacrifices for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. 

They could have easily avoided those sacrifices by detaching themselves from their Lord and Master. But they chose to be with Jesus despite all the hardships and trials. Why? Because they know that they would go to heaven someday.

Let us not be afraid of the crosses that we would be carrying for the advancement of the teachings of Jesus and our faith for there surely will be a reward for us someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Agosto 6, Kapistahan ng Pagliliwanag sa Bagong Anyo ng Panginoon: Mateo 17:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 17:1-9

Noong panahong iyon: Isinama ni Hesus si Pedro, at ang magkapatid na Santiago at Juan, at sila’y umakyat sa isang mataas na bundok. Samantalang sila’y naroon, nakita nilang nagbagong-anyo si Hesus: nagliwanag na parang araw ang kanyang mukha, at pumuting parang busilak ang kanyang damit. 

Nakita na lamang at sukat ng tatlong alagad sina Moises at Elias na nakikipag-usap kay Hesus. Kaya’t sinabi ni Pedro kay Hesus, “Panginoon, mabuti pa’y dumito na tayo. Kung ibig ninyo, gagawa ako ng tatlong kubol: isa sa inyo, isa kay Moises at isa kay Elias.” Nagsasalita pa siya nang liliman sila ng isang maningning na ulap.

At mula rito’y may tinig na nagsabi, “Ito ang minamahal kong Anak na lubos kong kinalulugdan. Pakinggan ninyo siya!” Ang mga alagad ay natakot nang gayun na lamang nang marinig nila ang tinig, at sila’y napasubasob. Nguni’t nilapitan sila ni Hesus at hinipo. “Tumindig kayo,” sabi niya, “huwag kayong matakot.” At nang tumingin sila ay wala silang nakita kundi si Hesus.

At habang bumababa sila sa bundok, iniutos ni Hesus sa kanila, “Huwag ninyong sasabihin kaninuman ang pangitain hangga’t hindi muli nabubuhay ang Anak ng Tao.”

Do You Know the Health Benefits of eating avocado?/Alam Mo ba ang Benepisyo ng Pagkain ngAvocado?

 

Reflection for August 5, Saturday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him. Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him “It is not lawful for you to have her. 

Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. 

Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist. The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

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Reflection:

There is a saying that, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” King Herod is an example of a man who was corrupted by his absolute power. He allowed his power to rule over him and not him ruling over his power. Otherwise if King Herod were in control of his power he would have not ordered the beheading of John.

When a leader allows his power to get into his head he would do many foolish things. For example, he may act as if he is more powerful than God by saying words and doing things that are inconceivable for a normal person to say and do.

In the gospel we have a character named King Herod he is a perfect example of a leader who is drunk with power. His power made him arrogant and it made him act as if he were more powerful than God for the reason that he ordered the killing of John. But we also know that those who arrogantly abuse power suffers defeat in the end.    

So what is the lesson for us here? Simple, we should not abuse the power that we hold otherwise we will have to pay for it someday. As they say, “What goes around comes around.” In other words this simply tells us that whatever evil that we do today we will pay severely someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 5,Sabado ng Ika-17 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 14:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, nang makarating kay Herodes na tetrarka ang balita tungkol kay Jesus, sinabi niya sa kanyang mga lingkod, "Siya'y si Juan Bautista na muling nabuhay, kaya siya nakagagawa ng himala!"   

Si Herodes ang nagpahuli, nagpagapos at nagpabilanggo kay Juan. Ang dahilan ay si Herodias na asawa ng kapatid niyang si Felipe. Laging sinasabi ni Juan kay Herodes, "Hindi matuwid na magsama kayo ng asawa ng inyong kapatid." Ibig ni Herodes na ipapatay si Juan ngunit natatakot siya sa mga Judio, sapagkat kinikilala nilang propeta si Juan Bautista.   

Nang dumating ang kaarawan ni Herodes, sumayaw sa harapan ng mga panauhin ang anak na babae ni Herodias. Labis na nasiyahan si Herodes, kaya't isinumpa niyang ibibigay sa dalaga ang anumang hingin nito. Sa udyok ng kanyang ina ay sinabi ng dalaga, "Ibigay po ninyo sa akin ngayon din, sa isang pinggan, ang ulo ni Juan Bautista.  

Nalungkot ang hari, ngunit dahil sa kanyang pangakong narinig ng mga panauhin, iniutos niyang ibigay iyon sa dalaga. Kaya't pinapugutan niya si Juan sa bilangguan. Inilagay ang ulo sa isang pinggan at ibinigay sa dalaga; dinala naman ito ng dalaga sa kanyang ina. Dumating ang mga alagad ni Juan, kinuha ang kanyang bangkay at inilibing. Pagkatapos, ibinalita nila ito kay Jesus.

Reflection for Friday August 4, Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest: Matthew 13:54-58

Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son' Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas' Are not his sisters all with us' Where did this man get all this?"  

And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

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Reflection:

What is superiority complex? 

When Jesus went back to His hometown He was belittled by His own townmates. They can’t believe that He was speaking and teaching in their synagogue for He was just a carpenter’s son to them. 

They had this feeling of superiority over Jesus but why did they have this feeling of superiority? Perhaps, it was brought about by their status in life, perhaps inside their minds they were telling Jesus, who are you to lecture us in the synagogue when you’re just an ordinary carpenter’s son! 

This is the dilemma of many people who have this mindset of superiority over others. They already close their minds to what others whom they see as lowly can achieve and do. They close their minds because they cannot accept it. That someone whom they used to know as an ordinary person, a carpenter at that could be someone who is now more known and respected than them.    

This is a behavioral problem that we must at all times avoid for everyone of us are created by God as equal. Nobody is above anyone else, our money, our education and status in life don’t give us the license to belittle anyone’s honor and reputation. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Agosto 4, San Juan Maria Vianney, pari (Paggunita): Mateo 13:54-58

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:54-58

Noong panahong iyon, umuwi si Hesus sa kanyang bayan at nagturo sa sinagoga. Nagtaka ang mga nakarinig sa kanya. Sabi nila, “Saan kumuha ng karunungan ang taong ito? Paano siya nakagagawa ng kababalaghan? Hindi ba ito ang anak ng karpintero? Hindi ba si Maria ang kanyang ina, at sina Santiago, Jose, Simon, at Judas ang kanyang mga kapatid na lalaki?  

At dito nakatira ang kanyang mga kapatid na babae, hindi ba? Saan niya natutunan ang lahat ng ito?” At ayaw nilang kilanlin siya. Kaya’t sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Ang propeta’y iginagalang kahit saan, liban sa kanyang sariling sambahayan.” At dahil sa di nila pagsampalataya hindi siya gumawa roon ng maraming kababalaghan.

Reflection for August 3, Thursday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:47-53

Gospel: Matthew 13:47-53

Jesus said to the disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. 

What is bad they throw away. Thus, it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” 

“Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.

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Reflection:

Do you know how to fish using a net? 

When a net is thrown into the sea it catches every fish that it could. It doesn’t discriminate it gets everything that is within its reach. 

Our church is like a net thrown into a sea of humanity. It doesn’t categorize neither discriminate. Everyone is welcome; good or bad, black or white, sinner and non-sinner everyone is welcome to enter our church. For this is what Jesus wants us to do; invite everyone to enter and eventually join our church. 

But don’t we somehow discriminate and judge others for the simple reason that we don’t like them or we don't like what they wear and do? The moment we judge, it’s like saying that God only wants the righteous and beautiful to be in HIS church. It’s like saying that the net which is thrown into the sea is a discriminating net, but it’s not. For the net is for every fish that it could catch. 

This is perhaps an eye opener for all of us; we who are often times judgmental and we who discriminate. Let us leave judgment to the Lord, for who we are to judge? Let us humbly continue to share and live our faith with the end in mind that we could convince others whomever they maybe to follow Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 3, Huwebes ng ika-17 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 13:47-53

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:47-53

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao, "Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad din ng isang malaking lambat na inihagis sa dagat at nakahuli ng sari-saring isda. Nang mapuno ay hinila ito sa pampang. At naupo ang mga tao upang pagbukud-bukurin ang mga isda: tinipon nila sa mga sisidlan ang mabubuti, ngunit itinatapon ang mga walang kwenta.   

Gayon din ang mangyayari sa katapusan ng daigdig. Darating ang mga anghel at ihihiwalay ang mga makasalanan sa mga banal, at ihahagis ang mga makasalanan sa maningas na pugon. Doo'y mananangis sila at magngangalit ang kanilang ngipin."   

"Nauunawaan na ba ninyo ang lahat ng ito?" tanong ni Jesus. "Opo," sagot nila. At sinabi niya sa kanila, "Kaya, nga ang bawat eskriba na kumikilala sa paghahari ng Diyos ay tulad ng isang puno ng sambahayan na kumukuha ng mga bagay na bago at luma sa kanyang taguan." 

Nang masabi na ni Hesus ang mga talinghagang ito, siya’y umalis doon.

Reflection for August 2, Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:44-46

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

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Reflection:

What are you willing to give up to have the kingdom of God in your life? 

Jesus depicted His kingdom as treasure and pearl that whoever would find it will give up everything just to have it. Indeed, the kingdom of God is a priceless treasure and pearl that we must all try very hard to possess. For what it will do us if we have treasures in this world yet we don’t have God in our lives? 

The riches of this world are all passing and temporary we will leave it all somewhere along the path of our life. Whether we like it or not we have to leave everything that we have in this world. So what will remain? 

The one that will forever be there for us is God; the one that shall bring us to heaven is our steadfast faith in God. These temporary things that presently surround us will not be able to bring us to our eternal heavenly destination. It’s only through God that we will be able to go to heaven. 

In our gospel; the person found the true treasure of life that is Jesus; he willingly gave up everything just to have Him. The same also with the merchant when he found the true pearl of his life that is Jesus he sold everything in his possessions so that he could possess the greatest pearl that is Jesus. 

Let us not yield Jesus for the temporary riches and trappings of this world for what is inside this world are all temporary and passing. But Jesus will always be there for us until we are able to be in His kingdom in heaven. 

Would you give up your worldly possessions to have the kingdom of God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 2, Miyerkules ng ika-17 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 13:44-46

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:44-46

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao, “Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad ng kayamanang nakabaon sa isang bukid. Nahukay ito ng isang tao at tinabunan uli. Sa laki ng tuwa, siya’y humayo at ipinagbili ang lahat ng ari-arian niya at binili ang bukid na iyon.                           

“Gayun din naman, ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: may isang mangangalakal na naghahanap ng mamahaling perlas. Nang makakita ng isang perlas na napakahalaga, siya’y humayo at ipinagbili ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian at binili iyon.”

 

Reflection for Tuesday August 1 Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (M): Matthew 13:36-43

Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. 

The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. 

They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

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Reflection:

Do we know that the good Lord is patiently waiting for us to embrace Him? 

In the beginning of our lives God sowed to us all that are good. For example, through the Sacrament of Baptism He sowed in us our faith. Yet as we mature in this world the Devil also does his own thing, sowing nothing but evil oftentimes disguised as pleasures. 

Many of us unfortunately succumb to the pleasurable seeds sown by the Devil.  As a result of this we led lives that are chaotic, disturb and problematic. However, we have nobody to blame but ourselves.  Our lives are in turmoil and without peace for the simple reason that we embraced the Devil. 

We refuse to heed the many advices of well-meaning friends and family we instead follow our fleeting and sinful worldly desires. As such many of us exist in this world without peace. However, for as long as we breathe in this world there is hope. Hope to feel the unconditional love of Jesus. Hope that there is salvation if we would permanently walk away from anything that is sinful and evil. 

The good Lord is so patient with us that He is very much willing to wait for us to have a change of heart. Until when would the good Lord wait for us? Until our last breathe in this world. The good Lord will never give up on us no matter how sinful we are and no matter who we are. 

For as long as we breathe there is hope: Hope of redemption, hope of forgiveness and hope of unconditional love from the good Lord. Let us therefore walk away from anything that makes us sin before it’s too late.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Agosto 1, San Alfonso Maria Liguori, Obispo at pantas ng simbahan (Paggunita) : Mateo 13:36-43

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:36-43

Noong panahong iyon, iniwan ni Hesus ang mga tao at pumasok sa bahay. Lumapit ang kanyang mga alagad at sinabi sa kanya, “Ipaliwanag po ninyo sa amin ang talinghaga tungkol sa masasamang damo sa bukid.”   

Ito ang tugon ni Hesus, “Ang Anak ng Tao ang naghahasik ng mabuting binhi. Ang bukid ay ang sanlibutan. Ang mga taong pinaghaharian ng Diyos ang mabuting binhi at ang mga taong pinaghaharian ng diyablo ang masasamang damo. Ang kaaway na naghasik ng mga iyon ay walang iba kundi ang diyablo. Ang pag-aani ay ang katapusan ng daigdig, at ang mga anghel ang mga tagapag-ani.   

Kung paanong iniipon ang mga damo at sinusunog, gayun din ang mangyayari sa katapusan ng daigdig. Susuguin ng Anak ng Tao ang kanyang mga anghel, at iipunin nila mula sa kanyang pinaghaharian ang lahat ng nagiging sanhi ng pagkakasala at ang lahat ng gumagawa ng masama, at ihahagis sa maningas na pugon. Doo’y mananangis sila at magngangalit ang kanilang ngipin. At magliliwanag na parang araw ng mga matuwid sa kaharian ng kanilang Ama. Ang may pandinig ay makinig!”

Reflection for Monday July 31 Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest (M): Matthew 13:31-35

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches. 

He spoke to them another parable. “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.” 

All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.

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Reflection:

Almost everything in life starts small. For example, when we were born in this world we were small. Then, due to the nourishment that we received from our parents we got bigger and bigger, this is how life starts. 

What would make us grow in faith so others could benefit from us? It’s the spiritual nourishment that we give to our life. For example, we go to church and attend Holy Mass without fail and we enrich our minds by our reading of the bible. As we do these acts of faith we would be surprised to discover that we slowly grow in faith as well. And we will be further astonished that as we grow in faith we also learn how to share our faith.   

These two parables that Jesus gives us today in the gospel is a reminder for all of us. We, who all want to grow in faith. If we want to grow in faith and if we want others to benefit from our wisdom.  

We must therefore feed ourselves with our regular presence at Holy Mass, we must feed ourselves by way of regular reading of the bible and we must not forget to translate what we learn from Holy Mass and reading of the bible to actual acts of faith. 

Jesus will certainly want us all to grow in faith. But how can we grow in faith and how can others benefit from us through our faith? If we seldom attend Holy Mass and if we seldom read the bible? How can we grow in faith if we seldom pray the Rosary? And how can we grow in faith if we don’t help those who are in need most especially the poor? 

Our faith is a gift from God but we must also nurture this gift of faith by our actual acts of faith so that it could grow. – Marino J. Dasmarinas