Reflection for Thursday September 28, St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companion, Martyrs (M): Luke 9:7-9

Gospel: Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead” others were saying, “Elijah has appeared” still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” 

But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things? And he kept trying to see him.

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Reflection:

Have you experienced being bothered by your conscience?

At the back of his mind Herod was silently asking himself: Who is this man who is doing what John did? He certainly is not John because I beheaded John.

Why was Herod bothered by Jesus’ actions? Because Herod thought that John had risen from the dead and now he is again doing what he has been doing: to call for repentance, to speak the truth no matter who gets hurt, to heal and so forth. It was a disturbing déjà vu for the powerful Herod.     

Herod was surely bothered, for he knew that what he did against John was against the law of men and God. But Herod was the supreme power during that time, and as such, he could practically do whatever he wanted, and nobody would dare to cross his path or pursue him.

But Herod’s power is limited to this world alone. There’s a much bigger power which controls everything in this world and everything that is beyond this world and that is the power of God! 

Therefore the greater power which is God was already bothering the mind of Herod. Perhaps Herod was already losing sleep and incessantly being disturbed by his conscience because of what he did to John.

What is the lesson for us in this gospel episode? Worldly power no matter how enormous has its limitations too! Because God can pierce and burst that power whenever He wants. God can do something that is unseen by others to punish a powerful and arrogant person.

Therefore we should be careful on how we exercise our power we should not abuse it! We should know that it has its own limitations. And once we transgress the limitations of our power the justice of God would be upon us to haunt us as it haunted Herod. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Wednesday September 27, Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest: Luke 9:1-6

Gospel: Luke 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. 

Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

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Reflection:

Do you depend on yourself or on God? These are the two basic questions that we face up to everyday. What does it mean to depend on yourself? It means that you rely on yourself alone. You depend on your own strength and understanding and God has no place in your heart.

When you depend on God it doesn’t mean that you will relax. And let the blessings of God come into your doorstep like the mailman putting your mail into your mailbox. When you depend on God you simply do everything within your power to have what you want or to achieve what you want. But at the end of the day you humbly submit everything to the will of God and not to your own selfish will.

When Jesus told the apostles to take nothing for their missionary journey (Luke 9:3). Was He telling them to take nothing because everything that you need will simply fall from heaven to your lap? Of course not! Jesus was rather telling them to do what they were commissioned to do and not to worry because He will use people of faith to provide for their provisions. 

This is basically the same on how we live and share our own faith. We don’t have to worry about anything. Because Jesus will provide for us for as long as we work for the fulfillment of our own Baptismal mission which is to help the Lord spread the Good News of our salvation.

Have you already done something to share Jesus and His teachings? - Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for September 26, Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:19-21

Gospel: Luke 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

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Reflection:

Do you consider yourself as a relative of Jesus?

Very clearly Jesus tells us that we could only be called His relatives if we hear His word and act on it. What if we don’t hear His word and don’t act on it? Does this mean that we are not anymore related to Jesus?

 For example, if you have a wayward relative who doesn’t listen to your advices. Would you treat him as not your relative anymore? Will you condemn him to eternal damnation? Of course not!

Jesus made the statement, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it," to convey a message to the crowd and to us as well, emphasizing the importance of consistently abiding by His teachings.

But human as we are, we sometimes wander away and we sin thus we distance ourselves from Jesus. However the tie that binds is still there, Jesus still pines for us. He patiently looks for us and eager to bring us closer to Him so that He could embrace us once again. 

If you are a sinner (as we all are), remember that you are still very much loved by Jesus, and you are still a relative of the Lord, notwithstanding your many sins. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 25, Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:16-18

Gospel: Luke 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. 

For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes put a facade of who you truly are or do you sometimes live a double life?

We cannot hide our real identity no matter how hard we try to hide it for there will eventually come a time that we shall be unmasked. For example, we pretend that we are good but deep inside we are not, etc.  

Our pretension will work to a certain extent we may even fool others with our pretensions. However, there shall come a time that we will be unmasked no matter how hard we try to conceal our true identity. And this unmasking will truly expose us as to who we really are.

In the gospel Jesus tells us: There is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Indeed no secret is kept secret forever and every facade that we put forward will eventually be exposed.

No secret last forever most especially dark and hideous secrets, therefore it’s better to live an upright and moral life. If we have dark secrets let us walk away from it. And after that let us move forward to live a new life worthy in the eyes of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Sunday September 24, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 20:1-16a

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16a

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.

So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’

When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you.

Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was envious of her wealthy neighbor. She would frequently complain to God about why they were rich while they were not. She thought that God was being unfair to her and her family. One night, she had a dream, and in that dream, God said to her: 'You only measure the blessings I bestow upon you by the money and possessions you have and see.

God further said to her, 'Yes, you are not blessed materially, but look at your very successful and well-brought-up children. Look at your loving husband who has been faithful to you since day one of your married life. Look at your health; nobody among your family members has been to a hospital for health issues.' Suddenly, the woman had a realization that she was far more blessed by God than her neighbor.

The workers in the vineyard who worked early complained about the unfair payment of their wages, which is money! They failed to realize that they were assured of the day’s work by the landowner early that morning. And surely, this already guaranteed that they had something to feed their families for the coming days. Unlike those who came in late, who were not assured of anything to feed their families until late in the afternoon. 

When we account for the blessings that God gives us, let us not solely focus on money or any material wealth, as this might lead to complaints. Instead, let us have a holistic appreciation of God’s blessings, such as peace and good health within the family, faithfulness and tranquility in married life, and many more blessings that cannot be measured by any amount of money.

Often, God’s blessings upon us are hidden beyond the glitters of material wealth and money. But if we are sensitive to the Lord’s goodness, we would be able to discern them.

Aside from material wealth are you aware of the many blessings that God has given you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Setyembre 24, Ika-25 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 20:1-16a

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 20:1-16a

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad ang talinghagang ito: "Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: lumabas ng umagang-umaga ang may-ari ng ubasan upang humanap ng mga manggagawa. Nang magkasundo na sila sa upa na isang denaryo maghapon, sila'y pinapunta niya sa kanyang ubasan. Lumabas siyang muli nang mag-iikasiyam ng umaga at nakakita siya ng iba pang tatayu-tayo lamang sa liwasang-bayan.  

Sinabi nya sa kanila, 'Pumaroon din kayo at magtrabaho sa aking ubasan, at bibigyan ko kayo ng karampatang upa. At pumaroon nga sila. Lumabas na naman siya nang mag-iikalabindalawa ng tanghali at nang mag-iikatlo ng hapon, at gayon din ang ginagawa niya. Nang mag-iikalima ng hapon, siya'y lumabas uli at nakakita pa ng mga ibang wala ring ginagawa. Sinabi niya sa kanila, 'Bakit kayo tatayu-tayo lang dito sa buong maghapon?' 'Wala pong magbigay sa amin ng trabaho, e!' sagot nila. At sinabi niya, 'Kung gayun, pumaroon kayo at gumawa sa aking ubasan.

"Pagtatakip-silim, sinabi ng may-ari ng ubasan sa kanyang katiwala, 'Tawagin mo na ang mga manggagawa at sila'y upahan, magmula sa huli hanggang sa unang nagtrabaho.' Ang mga nagsimula ng mag-iikalima ng hapon ay tumanggap ng tig-iisang denaryo. At nang lumapit ang mga nauna, inakala nilang tatanggap sila ng higit doon; ngunit ang bawat isa'y tumanggap din ng isang denaryo. 

Pagkatanggap nito, nagreklamo sila sa may-ari ng ubasan. Sabi nila, 'Isang oras lang pong gumawa ang mga huling dumating, samantalang maghapon kaming nagpagal at nagtiis ng nakapapasong init ng araw. Bakit naman po ninyo pinagpare-pareho ang upa sa amin?' At sinabi niya sa isa sa kanila, 'Kaibigan, hindi kita dinadaya. Hindi ba't nagkasundo tayo sa isang denaryo?  

Kunin mo ang ganang iyo, at umalis ka na. Maano kung ibig kong upahan ang nahuli nang tulad ng upa ko sa iyo? Wala ba akong karapatang gawin ang aking maibigan sa ari-arian ko? O naiinggit ka lang sa aking kabutihang loob?' Kaya't ang nahuhuli ay mauuna, at ang nauuna ay mahuhuli."

Reflection for Saturday September 23, Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest: Luke 8:4-15

Gospel: Luke 8:4-15

When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. 

Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.

“This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation.

As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”

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Reflection:

What is the essence of life if it’s not lived with God? A meaningful life is always a life lived with God. If we live life without God life automatically becomes meaningless. Even if we have all the material wealth and power if we have no God life is still without meaning.

Jesus gives us a parable about the seeds that fell on four different surfaces. The first three surfaces were empty of the presence of God therefore the seeds that fell on these surfaces eventually died.

The fourth surface or soil is the perfect one because it is the good and productive soil. Don’t we also want to be connected with this productive soil? When we are connected with this productive  soil we live a meaningful life in this world. Thus, we can only become good and productive citizens of this world if we would always be connected with this productive soil which is Jesus.

For without connection with the Lord we wouldn’t be able to grow in wisdom. And we certainly will not be able to live a profound and meaningful life in this world.

Are you always connected with Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Setyembre 23, San Pio ng Pietrelcina, pari (Paggunita): Lucas 8:4-15

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 8:4-15

Noong panahong iyon, datingan ng datingan ang mga taong naggagaling sa mga bayan-bayan at lumalapit kay Jesus. Nang natitipon na ang napakaraming tao, isinalaysay niya ang talinghaggang ito:

"May isang taong lumabas para maghasik ng binhi. Sa kanyang paghahasik, may binhing nalaglag sa daan at nayapakan, at ang mga ito'y tinuka ng mga ibon. May nalaglag sa kabatuhan, at pagtubo ay natuyo dahil sa kawalan ng halumigmig. May nalaglag naman sa dawagan. Lumago ang dawag at ininis ang mga binhing tumubo. Ang iba'y nalaglag sa matabang lupa, tumubo at namunga ng tig-iisangdaang butil." At malakas niyang idinugtong, "Makinig ang may pandinig!"  

Itinanong ng mga alagad kung ano ang kahulugan ng talinghagang ito. Sumagot si Jesus, "Sa inyo'y ipinagkaloob na malaman ang mga lihim tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos, ngunit sa iba'y sa pamamagitan ng talinghaga, upang: 'Tumingin man sila'y hindi makakita; At makinig man sila'y di makaunawa.'"  

"Ito ang kahulugan ng talinghaga: ang binhi ng salita ng Diyos. Ang mga binhing nalaglag sa tabi ng daan ay ang mga nakinig, ngunit dumating ang diyablo at inalis sa kanilang puso ang salita upang hindi sila manalig at maligtas. Ang mga nalaglag sa kabatuhan ay ang mga nakinig ng salita at tumanggap nito nang may galak, ngunit hindi ito tumimo sa kanilang puso.  

Naniwala silang sandali, subalit sa panahon ng pagsubok ay tumitiwalag agad. Ang mga nahasik naman sa dawagan ay ang mga nakinig ngunit nang malaon ay nadaig ng mga alalahanin sa buhay at ng pagkahumaling sa kayamanan at kalayawan, kaya't hindi nahinog ang kanilang mga bunga. Ang mga nahasik naman sa matabang lupa'y ang mga nakinig ng salita. Iniingatan nila ito sa kanilang pusong tapat at malinis at sila'y nagtitiyaga hanggang sa mamunga.

Reflection for September 22, Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:1-3

Gospel: Luke 8:1-3

1 Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve  and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,  Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

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Reflection:

Have you already preached or even shared the good news about Jesus? The gospel today opens our eyes to the preaching ministry of Jesus. Have you shared Jesus? For example through your life, through actual preaching or sharing or even writing in the internet anything that deals about Jesus.

An active follower is not ashamed to share Jesus, he/she find ways and means to share the teachings of Jesus. Let us reflect on this for we may have not yet shared Jesus or yes we have already shared Jesus but we don’t actually live what we have shared or preached about Jesus.

Let us not be afraid to share Jesus for by sharing Jesus we will straighten crooked lives. By sharing Jesus we would be able to give hope to the hopeless and by sharing Jesus we would be able change and inspire lives. Jesus is alive up to this very moment  and He wants to be in our hearts. However, the dwelling of Jesus in our hearts can only be facilitated when we begin to share Him.

It is therefore incumbent upon us to share Jesus and to let others know about the Lord. So that they too would also be transformed by Jesus the same way that Jesus is continuously transforming us up to this very hour.- Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Thursday September 21, Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist: 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:

Why does Jesus calls us to follow Him?  

He calls us out of His great love for us. Jesus doesn’t want any of us to be lead astray by the many sins of this world. Jesus doesn’t want any of us to suffer in hell after our mortal life in this world is over already.

We have in our gospel a man named Matthew a corrupt tax collector who was called by Jesus to follow Him. Even if Matthew is a sinner deep in his heart he knows Jesus. Matthew knows deep in his heart that in Jesus he would find healing, forgiveness and a new life. Matthew knows deep in His heart that in Jesus he has somebody who will not condemn him but would be very much willing to listen to his desire to repent and become His follower.  

Therefore, when Jesus told Matthew to follow Him (Matthew 9:9) he immediately left everything behind him and followed the Lord. When Matthew heard Jesus telling him to follow Him, Matthew heard the sweetest words that he could ever hear in his entire life. 

The call from Jesus made Matthew whole once again for he had been broken by sin throughout his adult life. Perhaps Matthew burst into tears when he heard Jesus told him to come and follow Him. It was tears of unexplained happiness, tears of relief and freedom from the enslavement of the devil.  

 Do you also want to feel how Matthew felt during that very day when Jesus called him to come and follow Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Wednesday September 20, Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs: Luke 7:31-35

Gospel: Luke 7:31-35

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.

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Reflection:

The  story is told about a Priest who was newly installed in his new parish of jurisdiction. Unlike his predecessor he was strict and conservative in his views and actions.

One of the many reforms that he instituted was during Mass he required the parishioners to quitely fall in line during Holy Communion. He instituted other reforms that shocked the rebellious minds of some of the parishioners.

They called him names that were very painful to hear, they even wrote a petition letter to their bishop asking him to replace the said priest. All of their actions failed to deter the priest from instituting further reforms.

When he was about to end his six-year tenure, all of the parishioners were asking him to stay longer for they saw the beautiful fruits of his labors: the orderly communion lines during Mass, the elegant church that he helped build and the many other positive transformations in the parish.

Jesus and John were unfairly labeled by the people of their time. Jesus was labelled as a glutton of food and wine, friend of tax collectors and sinners even evil. John was called possessed by a demon both of them were called names not fit for their stature. Yet, at the end they were vindicated by their steadfast commitment to their mission of salvation.

Often times we too are guilty of being presumptuous and judgmental because we often prejudge our fellowmen by how they look and act. But these simply are the external seen by the naked eye. It hides the beautiful, gentle and selfless interior. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for September 19, Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:11-17

Gospel: Luke 7:11-17

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. 

A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” 

The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, crying out “A great prophet has arisen in our midst, “ and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

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Reflection:

Do you want to feel the compassion and mercy of Jesus? 

Jesus compassion is undeniably supreme in our gospel reading today. Upon seeing the widow He was moved with compassion and sympathy for her. Jesus has compassion for all of us also, we who are struggling with life, Jesus is always with us, HE feels our loneliness, brokenness and our emptiness.

Jesus saw a widow crying over the death of her only son When Jesus saw her; he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” And then Jesus did the unthinkable, He raised the widow's only son to life.

How many times has Jesus made miracles in our life that we are not aware of? In the daily grind of life let us not forget that Jesus is always by our side making little and big miracles for us. Let us not forget about it, let us always be grateful to Him.

Just like the widow in the gospel, perhaps you’ve also passed through a stage of sorrow, loneliness and even brokenness. How were you able to triumph over it?  Did you ask help from the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for September 18, Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:1-10

Gospel: Luke 7:1-10

When Jesus had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. 

They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.

Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 

When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

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Reflection:

Do you always favor your rich relatives and friends?

The concern of the centurion/military officer for his slave was very admirable; just imagine he went to Jesus to ask for healing for his very sick slave. The centurion/military officer’s concern for his slave was very pleasing to Jesus that’s why Jesus granted his pleading.

To whom can we compare the slave today? The slaves of our time are the poor people that we know, whose status in life is way, way below us. Oftentimes our concern for the poor is very different from those who are rich.

In fact, many of us have two sets of standards of concern for our friends who are poor and rich. Many of us lean towards our rich relatives and friends for this are what is normal for us: go for the rich relatives and friends first.

Jesus would always want us to help and pray for those who are in need specially the poor for they are closest to His heart. This doesn’t mean that we neglect the rich but if there would be a choice to whom would we extend help first.

 It’s no brainer that we go to the poor first, we have to prioritize them over the rich. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday September 17, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:21-35

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

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 him 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 your brother from your heart.”

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Reflection:

Are you forgiving?  

In the gospel, a servant asked to be forgiven for the huge amount he owed his king, and he was granted forgiveness. However, when he encountered someone who owed him a smaller amount, he demanded repayment of the debt.

Perhaps many of us would be able to relate to this servant who asked for forgiveness from his Lord and Master. We ask for forgiveness from Jesus for all our sins; yes, many of us even submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But do we truly live out this forgiveness that we have received from Jesus? Do we forgive those who have wronged us as we have been forgiven by the Lord?

When we forgive, we free ourselves from the imprisonment of anger and hatred. Just imagine, if we harbor anger in our hearts, we carry this burden that does no good to us except to raise our blood pressure. 

Why can't we let bygones be bygones, or forgive and forget, and move on without harboring a heavy burden in our hearts? We are only punishing ourselves if we don't forgive. And we are only leaving a space for Satan to dwell when we don't forgive.

We, therefore, have to be forgiving because forgiveness is not just for those who wronged us; forgiveness is primarily for us, the ones who have been wronged. Forgiveness heals our whole being it makes us emotionally and mentally strong and it ushers us to a new avenue of life for us to begin anew without the burden of hatred. 

Let us always learn from Jesus, who is always forgiving. Let us learn from Jesus, who doesn't keep any record of wrong in His heart. – Marino J. Dasmarinas