Reflection for August 18, Friday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 19:3-12

Gospel: Matthew 19:3-12

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 

Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate. They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 

I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery. His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry. He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A cohabiting millennial couple was asked: “Why are you not getting married yet?” They both answered, “This is the trend right now, live together first and then after a few years if we find ourselves compatible perhaps we can marry.” 

Sad to say, but this is the reality of our times, few are getting married yet many are cohabiting without the benefit of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Few are getting married yet many are going through premarital sex. 

Why is this so? Perhaps this is influenced by the liberated mindset of the millennials today. Or perhaps this is influenced by the modernity of our time. Are modernity of time and liberated mindset to blame for the disinterest of some millennials toward the Sacrament of Matrimony? Or it’s the failure of parents to instill the sacredness of the Sacrament of Matrimony to their children? 

In today’s gospel Jesus is hammering our stubborn minds regarding the sacredness of the Sacrament of Matrimony. That marriage is not just a piece of paper that a married couple can tear apart when they so desire. Marriage is not like food that we eat then we spew it out when we don’t like it anymore. 

Therefore, we have to think deeply before we plunge into marriage. And once we are already in the marriage we have to make it work by sacrificing our own comforts if need be. We also have to avoid the many temptations that might destroy the marriage. Because when we allow temptation to creep into the marriage we surely will pay for it.    

For Jesus marriage is without end and it’s not simply a contract but a covenant which involves the man and the woman and the Lord’s active presence in their marriage. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 18, Biyernes ng Ika-19 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 19:3-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:3-12

Noong panahong iyon, may mga Pariseong lumapit kay Hesus at tinangkang siluin siya sa pamamagitan ng tanong na ito: "Naaayon ba sa Kautusan na hiwalayan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa sa kahit anong kadahilanan?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Hindi ba ninyo nababasa sa Kasulatan na sa pasimula'y nilalang sila ng Maykapal, lalaki at babae? At sinabi, 'Dahil dito, iiwan ng lalaki ang kanyang ama't ina, at magsasama sila ng kanyang asawa; at sila'y magiging iisa.   

kaya't hindi na sila dalawa kundi isa. Ang pinagsama ng Diyos ay huwag paghiwalayin ng tao." Tinanong siya ng mga Pariseo, "Bakit iniutos ni Moises na bigyan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa ng kasulatan sa paghihiwalay bago hiwalayan iyon?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Dahil sa katigasan ng inyong ulo kaya ipinahintulot ni Moises na hiwalayan ninyo ang inyong asawa.   

Subalit hindi gayon sa pasimula. Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: sinumang lalaking humiwalay sa kanyang asawa sa anumang dahilan liban sa pakikiapid, at mag-asawa sa iba, ay nangangalunya. At ang mag-asawa sa babaing hiniwalayan ay nangangalunya rin." Sinabi ng mga alagad, "Kung ganyan po ang kalagayan ng lalaki sa kanyang asawa, mabuti pang huwag nang mag-asawa." Sumagot si Jesus, "Hindi lahat ay makatatanggap ng simulaing iyan kundi iyon lamang pinagkalooban ng Diyos.   

Sapagkat may iba't-ibang dahilan kung bakit may lalaking hindi makapag-asawa; ang ilan, dahil sa kanilang katutubong kalagayan; ang iba, dahil sa kagagawan ng ibang tao ay nagkagayon sila; mayroon namang hindi nag-aasawa alang-alang sa ikauunlad ng paghahari ng Diyos. Ang makatatanggap ng simulaing ito ay tumanggap nito." 

Do You Know the Health Benefits of eating Eggplant?/Alam Mo ba ang mga Benepisyo ng Pagkain ng Talong?

Reflection for August 17, Thursday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:21-19:1

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-19:1

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. 

That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. 

When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. 

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” 

When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What would happen to us if we are forgiving? We feel light, free and there’s no pent up emotions in our hearts that makes life so heavy for us.  What would happen to us if we don’t forgive? There’s always a heavy burden in our hearts that do nothing to us except to attract negative emotions even sickness. 

 Take for example if we see someone who has wronged us which we have not forgiven yet. Our face may turn red an indication of sudden surge of our blood pressure that may become fatal and could result to other health complications. 

Therefore it’s always better to be forgiving; this doesn’t mean that when we forgive we forget the lesson/s why we forgave. When we forgive those who’ve wronged us we let bygones be bygones yet the lesson/s learned will remain for this will help us grow and become better individuals.  

In our gospel for today Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. In simple terms Jesus is teaching us that we must always be forgiving no matter how severe the injury done to us. Because when we don’t forgive we only imprison ourselves to this vicious and injurious emotion called hatred. 

But let us say we really can’t forgive, let us go down on our knees and pray to Jesus and let us ask Him to heal us and give us the grace of forgiveness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 17, Huwebes ng Ika-19 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 18:21-19:1

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:21-19:1

Noong panahong iyon, lumapit noon si Pedro at nagtanong kay Jesus."Panginoon, makailan kong patatawarin ang aking kapatid na paulit-ulit na nagkakasala sa akin? Makapito po ba? Sinagot siya ni Jesus, Hindi ko sinasabing makapito, kundi pitumpung ulit pa nito. Sapagkat ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito ipinasiya ng isang hari na pagbayarin ng kanyang mga lingkod na may utang sa kanya.  

Unang dinala sa kanya ang isang may utang na sampung milyong piso. Dahil sa siya'y walang ibayad, iniutos ng hari na ipagbili siya, ang kanyang asawa, mga anak, at lahat ng ari- arian, upang makabayad. Nanikluhod ang taong ito sa harapan ng hari at nagmakaawa. Bigyan pa ninyo ako ng panahon at babayaran ko sa inyo ang lahat. Naawa sa kanya ang hari kaya ipinatawad ang kanyang mga utang at pinayaon siya, Ngunit pagkaalis niya roon ay nakatagpo niya ang isa sa kanyang kapwa lingkod na may utang na limandaang piso sa kanya.   

Sinunggaban niya ito at sinakal sabay wika. 'Magbayad ka ng utang mo!' Naglumuhod iyon at nagmakaawa sa kanya. Bigyan mo pa ako ng panahon at babayaran kita. Ngunit hindi siya pumayag, sa halip ipinabilanggo niya ang kayang kapwa lingkod hanggang sa ito'y makabayad. Nang makita ng kanyang mga kapwa lingkod ang nangyari, sila'y labis na nagdamdam; pumunta sila sa hari at isinumbong ang nangyari.   

Kaya't ipinatawag siya ng hari. 'Ikaw--napakasama mo!' sabi niya. 'Pinatawad kita sa utang mo sapagkat nagmakaawa ka sa akin. Nahabag ako sa iyo hindi ba dapat ka ring mahabag sa kapwa mo?' At sa galit ng hari, siya'y ipinabilanggo hanggang sa mabayaran niya ang kanyang utang. Gayon din ang gagawin sa inyo ng aking Amang nasa langit kung hindi ninyo patatawarin ang inyong kapatid.   

Pagkatapos sabihin ni Jesus ang mga bagay na ito, siya'y umalis na sa Galilea at nagtungo sa lupain ng Judea, sa kabila ng Ilog Jordan. 

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

 

Reflection for August 16, Wednesday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples, If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 

If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 

Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What would happen if Jesus is at the center of marriage? There’s love, humility and forgiveness inside the hearts of husbands and wives. There would be peace and harmony in the family. Their children would grow up to become Christ centered and not centered upon the material things of this world. 

But reality check first, is Jesus at the center of all marriages? No, often times what is at the center of marriage are ego, sinfulness and greed for money, to name a few. This is the reason why there are betrayals in marriage and if left unresolved may eventually result to broken marriages.    

Jesus in our gospel is teaching us not only how to administer fraternal correction. He is also teaching us how to administer spousal correction. If a husband/wife sins against his/her spouse; they should talk about it among themselves first. 

No shouting, no air of dominance whatsoever rather bring into that meeting the love, forgiveness and humility of Jesus. The moment this is done the spouse who committed the transgression would have the humility to ask for forgiveness and to walk away from the environment that made her/him sin. 

Nothing is impossible when we commit to follow the teachings of the Lord and when we decide to walk away from anything that make us sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 16, Miyerkules ng Ika-19 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 18:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:15-20

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Kung magkasala sa iyo ang kapatid mo, puntahan mo siya at kausapin nang sarilinan. Kapag nakinig siya sa iyo, ang pagsasama ninyong magkapatid ay napanauli mo sa dati at napapanumbalik mo siya sa Ama.  

Ngunit kung hindi siya makinig sa iyo, magsama ka pa ng isa o dalawang tao upang ang lahat ng pinag-uusapan ninyo ay mapatunayan ng dalawa o tatlong saksi. Kung hindi siya makinig sa kanila, sabihin mo ito sa pagtitipon sa simbahan.  

At kung hindi pa siya makinig sa natitipong simbahan, ituring mo siyang isang Hentil o isang publikano." "Sinasabi ko sa inyo: anumang ipagbawal ninyo sa lupa ay ipagbabawal sa langit, at anumang ipahintulot ninyo sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa langit."

"Sinasabi ko pa rin sa inyo: kung ang dalawa sa inyo dito sa lupa ay magkaisa sa paghingi ng anumang bagay sa inyong panalangin, ipagkakaloob ito sa inyo ng aking Amang nasa langit. Sapagkat saanman may dalawa o tatlong nagkakatipon dahil sa akin, naroon akong kasama nila."

Reflection for Tuesday August 15, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:39-56

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." 

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. 

He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever." 

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This doctrine was dogmatically and infallibly defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1 1950. 

The Blessed Mother, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. Her acceptance into the glory of Heaven is a symbol of the promise made by Jesus to all enduring Christians that we too will be received into paradise. 

Do we have a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary? For example, we regularly pray the Holy Rosary and we ask the Blessed Mother to pray and intercede for us. 

Even if she was also pregnant at that time the Blessed Mother visited her cousin Elizabeth without considering her own wellbeing. She went to Elizabeth in view of the fact that she wanted to comfort and strengthen her. That’s how selfless and loving is the Blessed Mother. 

Of course we also want to be visited, comforted and strengthened by the Blessed Mother. But do we find time to pray to her and ask her to pray for us? Do we regularly pray the Holy Rosary? Being the mother of Jesus she is the closest to the heart of Jesus. Whatever she tells Jesus, He will obey for she is His mother. 

On this Solemnity of the  Assumption we are reminded by the Blessed Mother that it’s not only her cousin Elizabeth that she wants to comfort and help. The Blessed Mother also wants to comfort, strengthen and help us with whatever worries, struggles and problems that we have. 

Let us therefore ask the Blessed Mother to pray and intercede for us during this difficult time that we are in.   – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Agosto 15, Ang Pag-aakyat sa Langit ng Mahal na Birheng Maria (Dakilang Kapistahan): Lucas 1:39-56

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-56

Si Maria'y nagmamadaling pumunta sa isang bayan sa kaburulan ng Juda. Pagdating sa bahay ni Zacarias, binati niya si Elisabet. Nang marinig ni Elisabet ang bati ni Maria, naggagalaw ang sanggol sa kanyang tiyan. Napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elisabet, at buong galak na sinabi, "Pinagpala ka sa mga babae, at pinagpala rin ang dinadala mo sa iyong sinapupunan! 

Sino ako upang dalawin ng ina ng aking Panginoon? Sapagkat pagkarinig ko ng iyong bati ay naggagalaw ang sanggol sa tuwa sa aking tiyan. Mapalad ka sapagkat nanalig kang matutupad ang ipinasasabi sa iyo ng Panginoon!"   

At sinabi ni Maria, "Ang puso ko'y nagpupuri sa Panginoon, at nagagalak ang aking espiritu dahil sa Diyos na aking Tagapagligtas. Sapagkat nilingap niya ang kanyang abang alipin! At mula ngayon, ako'y tatawaging mapalad ng lahat ng salinlahi. Dahil sa mga dakilang bagay na ginawa sa akin ng Makapangyarihan -- Banal ang kanyang pangalan!   

Kinahahabagan niya ang mga may takot sa kanya, sa lahat ng sali't-saling lahi. Ipinakita niya ang lakas ng kanyang mga bisig, pinangalat niya ang mga palalo ang isipan. ibinagsak niya ang mga hari mula sa kanilang trono, at itinaas ang mga nasa abang kalagayan.   

Binusog niya ng mabubuting bagay ang mga nagugutom, at pinalayas niyang wala ni anuman ang mayayaman. Tinulungan niya ang kanyang bayang Israel, bilang pagtupad sa pangako niya sa ating mga magulang, kay Abraham at sa kanyang lahi, magpakailanman!"   

Tumira si Maria kina Elisabet nang may tatlong buwan, at saka umuwi.

Reflection for Monday August 14, Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr: Matthew 17:22-27

Gospel: Matthew 17:22-27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.   

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes,” he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?    

From their subjects or from foreigners?” When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you generously give to the church? 

The gospel speaks about the payment of the temple tax. Even if they were exempted from paying the temple tax Jesus still instructed Peter to pay the temple tax. Perhaps Jesus did this for the reason that He wants to contribute something for the maintenance of the church and its facilities.   

This generous payment of the temple tax by Jesus invites us to examine our generosity to our church as well.  Are we generous to our church? Do we give generously during offertory?   

We have to be generous to our church so that it can have funds not only for the maintenance of its facilities. But also for the welfare of those who are working for the church. The money that we give to the church is not only for the church it is also for the poor.   

We may not know this but the church takes care of the poor, the church doesn’t blare it but it silently helps the poor and those who are in need. Therefore, we have to generously give to our church and whatever we give to our church will come back to us a hundredfold.     

What may come back to us may not necessarily be through financial rewards. It can be peace and harmony in the family; it can be good health and many more blessings that does not involve money.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes Agosto 14, San Maximilliano Maria Kolbe, pari at martir: Mateo 17:22-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 17:22-27

Noong panahong iyon, nang nagkakatipon sa Galilea, ang mga alagad, sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus, "Ang Anak ng Tao ay ipagkakanulo at papatayin, ngunit muling mabubuhay sa ikatlong araw," At sila'y lubhang nagdalamhati. 

Pagdating nila sa Capernaum, lumapit kay Pedro ang mga maniningil ng buwis para sa templo. Tinanong siya, "Nagbabayad ba ng buwis para sa templo ang inyong Guro?" "Opo," sagot ni Pedro.  At nang dumating siya sa bahay, tinanong na agad siya ni Jesus:

"Ano ba ang palagay mo, Simon? Kanino sumisingil ng bayad sa lisensiya o buwis ang mga hari sa lupa? Sa mga mamamayan ba o mga dayuhan?"  "Sa mga dayuhan po," tugon niya. sinabi ni Jesus, "Kung gayon, hindi pinagbabayad ang mga mamamayan. 

Gayunaman, para wala silang masabi sa atin, pumaroon ka sa lawa at ihagis mo ang kawil. Kunin mo ang unang isdang mahuhuli. Ibuka mo ang bibig nito at may makikita kang isang salaping pilak. Kunin mo ito at ibayad mo sa buwis nating dalawa."

Do You Know the Health Benefits eating Cucumber?/Alam Mo ba ang mga Benepisyo ng pagkain ng Pipino?

 

Reflection for Sunday August 13, 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:22-33

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, 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 Peter, 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."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

An Extra-Ordinary Minister of the Holy Communion would go to the house of an eighty-four-year-old man every Sunday. So that he could receive Jesus through the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Being sick and old, he could hardly move and barely speak. However, the Minister of Holy Communion would always notice that the moment he arrives, the elderly man would encourage everyone in their house to be silent."

Then, on a small table, the candle is immediately lit, after which the corporal is neatly laid, and the pyx opened to expose the Body of Christ. While seated, he would bow in reverence to worship Jesus before he receives the Body of Christ.

It is always a moving experience for the Minister of the Holy Communion as he observes the old man worship Jesus. How he quietly desires to reverently receive the Body of Christ and how Jesus creates peace and calmness in his life.

In the first reading, the Lord God said to Elijah, 'Go outside the mountain, for God will be passing by.' There was a strong wind, but God was not there. Then, an earthquake followed, but God was still not there. Subsequently, fire came, but God was not in the fire. After these thundering false manifestations, came a tiny whispering sound of silence, and it was God.

In our gospel, the boat where the disciples were, was being battered by the waves. Then amidst the disturbance, Jesus came silently, walking on the violent water. To assure them that in their fearful and unstable present environment. He is there to calm them and to reassure them that everything would be all right, for He is there to save them all.

We are oftentimes tossed upside down by our worries and problems that generate fear in our hearts. We are being tossed by the fear of losing our jobs; we are being disturbed by the fear of sickness and death. We are being tossed by the fear of getting old, and we have countless more fears that we keep to ourselves.

But in the middle of all these fears and disturbances in our life, Jesus silently comes into our hearts. To assure and calm us that everything will be alright, to say to us that we need not fear. And to say to us to remain strong in your faith, for I am here to save you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas