Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Agosto 10, San Lorenzo, diyakono at martir (Kapistahan): Juan 12:24-26

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:24-26

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Tandaan ninyo: malibang mahulog sa lupa ang butil ng trigo at mamatay, mananatili itong nag-iisa. Ngunit kung mamatay, ito'y mamumunga nang marami.   

Ang taong labis na nagpapahalaga sa kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito, ngunit ang napopoot sa kanyang buhay sa daigdig na ito ay siyang magkakaroon nito hanggang sa buhay na walang hanggan. Dapat sumunod sa akin ang naglilingkod sa akin, at saanman ako naroroon ay naroon din ang aking lingkod. Pararangalan ng Ama ang sinumang naglilingkod sa akin."

 

Reflection for August 9, Wednesday of the 18th week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 15:21-28

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” 

He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” 

Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

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Reflection:

What is faith for you? Faith is when you believe without seeing what you believe. Faith is when you persist to ask the Lord even if it seems that He is not listening to you. 

The Canaanite woman had this kind of faith, she never gave up on her prayer request for Jesus to heal her daughter tormented by a demon. There were many obstacles against her foremost of this was her being not a Jew but it did not matter to her. She persisted and she even argued with Jesus until she passed Jesus’ examination of her faith on Him. After which her daughter was healed by Jesus. 

This gospel relates with our own journey of faith with Jesus also. We could be that Canaanite woman who badgered Jesus no end until she got the healing that she wanted for her daughter.

 However, unlike the woman from Canaan who persisted until the very end we may not have the will to badger Jesus. We may have quit already and said to ourselves, “I give up on my prayer for Jesus because He seems to be deaf.” What we do not know is it's just a part of the testing of our faith. 

Every trial that we go through is our own test of faith; we may be going through some trials right now. We may be asking ourselves, why am I going through these difficulties? Let us not give up and let us continue to have faith for the Lord will soon answer our persistent prayer/s. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 9, Miyerkules ng Ika-18 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 15:21-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 15:21-28

Umalis doon si Jesus at nagpunta sa lupaing malapit sa Tiro at Sidon. Lumapit sa kanya ang isang Cananeang naninirahan doon at malakas na sinabi, "Panginoon, Anak ni David, mahabag po kayo sa akin! Ang anak kong babae ay inaalihan ng demonyo at masyadong pinahihirapan.   

Ngunit gaputok ma'y di tumugon si Jesus. at lumapit ang kanyang mga alagad at sinabi sa kanya. "Pagbigyan na nga po ninyo at nang umalis. Siya'y nag-iingay at susunod-sunod sa atin." Sumagot si Jesus, "Sa mga tupang naliligaw ng sambahayan ng Israel lamang ako sinugo." Ngunit lumapit sa kanya ang babae, lumuhod sa harapan at ang sabi, "Tulungan po ninyo ako, Panginoon."   

Sumagot si Jesus, "Hindi dapat kunin ang pagkain ng mga anak upang ihagis sa mga tuta." "Tunay nga po, Panginoon," tugon ng babae, "ngunit ang mga tuta man ay nagsisikain ng mumong nalalaglag sa hapag ng kanilang panginoon." Kaya sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Napakalaki ng iyong pananalig! Mangyayari ang hinihiling mo." At noon di'y gumaling ang kanyang anak.  

 

Reflection for Tuesday August 8, Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest: Matthew 14:22-36

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36

Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 

During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 

He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."

After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.

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Reflection:

Do you have a diminishing faith?

The gospel for today introduces us to a disciple who has diminishing faith. That disciple is Peter; he wanted to go to Jesus and walk on water as well. He was actually able to do it but after a few moments he started to sink because he lacked faith. What prompted Peter to doubt? It was the big waves that were coming onto him.

On the latter part of the gospel we also see the huge faith of the people of Gennesaret. After hearing of the information that Jesus is in their town they brought all of their sick to HIM. Jesus never failed them; all of their sick were cured.

If we would reflect deeply on the gospel today; we may see ourselves in the person of Peter whose faith is diminishing. We may also see ourselves as one of the nameless people of Gennesaret who never wavered on their faith in Jesus. We need to have faith in the midst of the many problems that threatens us everyday otherwise we may end up like Peter who was nearly swallowed by the sea.  

If your faith is diminishing humbly ask the Good Lord to increase your faith for He doesn’t fail anyone who humbly ask for His help. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for August 7, Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:13-21

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. 

When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” 

But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me, ” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. 

They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over—twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

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Reflection:

What will happen to us if we are generous? 

We would never run out of things to give be it money, goods, intellect or anything that we are generous of giving. Everything flows back in return a hundredfold.  Why is this so? The reason behind is, the moment we give; we don’t only give to the person who needs it we also give to Jesus. And Jesus whom we can never outdo in generosity gives back to us many times over what we give Him. 

The crowd in the gospel who were following Jesus had nothing more left in them, they were hungry. And Jesus saw this that’s why He graciously did the miracle of loaves and fish. With five loaves and two fish He feed the nearly five thousand people not including women and children. After all of them had eaten they had an excess of twelve wicker baskets. 

The simple message of the gospel for us is we must be generous at all times. This is for the reason that we will never run out of anything to give and the more that we give the more that we would receive. 

We just have to look at what is happening during Holy Mass which is very similar to what happened with the feeding of the five thousand people in our gospel. Inside every Holy Mass Jesus generously gives to us His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity during Holy Communion. Has Jesus stopped giving Himself to us during Holy Mass? No, Since HE instituted the Eucharist up until this very moment Jesus has been generously giving Himself to us through the Sacrament of Holy Communion. 

As Jesus is merciful and generous most especially to the poor so we must be also. Let us not worry if our pockets will hurt from our being merciful and generous. For Jesus will always see to it that we will be filled with anything that we need. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

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 

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

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 

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

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!”