Jesus said to his disciples: "You
have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but
make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all;
not by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his
footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Do not swear by your head, for you cannot
make a single hair white or black. Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No'
mean 'No.' Anything more is from the Evil One."
+ + + + + +
Reflection:
What is the secret to a successful
marriage? It is simple: do not break the vows of marriage that state, 'I
promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.
I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.' This is essentially one
of the secrets to a successful marriage.
Nowadays the vows of marriage are violated
with impunity this is the reason why many marriages are being torn apart. But
we have nothing to blame except ourselves for many of us don’t value it
anymore.
In our gospel for this Saturday Jesus
tells us to make good to the Lord all that we have vowed and this surely
include our marriage vows. Which we stated before the Lord in the person of the
priest who acts on behalf of Jesus.
Jesus also tells us not to swear or
promise. Why? For the simple reason that swears and promises are often broken.
Instead of swearing or promising, let us simply do what we have to do. By doing
so, we gain the respect and admiration of our fellowmen. In hindsight, isn’t it
true that our actions speak louder than our words?
In married life or in any instance of
life, actions of love are always more powerful than words of love. –
Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Narinig pa ninyo na noong una’y iniutos sa mga tao, ‘Huwag kang sisira sa iyong pinanumpaang pangako bagkus ay tupdin mo ang iyong sinumpaan sa Panginoon.’ Ngunit ngayo’y sinasabi ko sa inyo: huwag na kayong sumumpa kung nangangako kayo.
Huwag ninyong sabihing, ‘Saksi ko ang langit,’ sapagkat ito’y trono ng Diyos; o kaya’y ‘Saksi ko ang lupa,’ sapagkat ito’y tuntungan ng kanyang mga paa. Huwag din ninyong sabihing, ‘Saksi ko ang Jerusalem,’ sapagkat ito’y lungsod ng dakilang Hari.
Ni huwag mong sabihing, ‘Mamatay man ako,’ sapagkat ni isang buhok sa iyong ulo’y hindi mo mapapuputi o mapaiitim. Sabihin mo na lang na ‘Oo’ kung oo at ‘Hindi’ kung hindi; sapagkat buhat na sa Masama ang anumang sumpang idaragdag dito.”
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have
heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you,
everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her
in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it
away.
It is better for you to lose one of your
members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right
hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to
lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.
“It was also said, Whoever divorces his
wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his
wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and
whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
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Reflection:
The story is told about a husband who got
involved in an adulterous relationship. Eventually, the husband was caught.
When the wife asked him why he did it, the husband simply replied, 'I don’t
know.' This is the culture nowadays; the sacredness of marriage is no longer
respected by married couples. Adultery and divorce are always tempting and
despicable avenues for them.
Why do
couples succumb to the temptation of Satan? For the simple reason that they
don’t value their faith in Jesus anymore. Yes, they worship Jesus at church
during Holy Mass, but they purposely leave Jesus inside the four walls of the
church afterward.
They don’t bring Jesus with them, and they
don’t allow Jesus to live in their hearts. If they lived by the teachings of
Jesus, they would be afraid to even think of doing such evil, much less commit
it and plunge their very selves into it.
But all is not lost yet; there is still
hope, and our hope is none other than Jesus. Let us bring Jesus with us, live
His teachings, and make Him our armor so that we can easily protect ourselves
from the schemes of the devil, who always seeks to destroy the sanctity of the
Marriage Covenant. - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Narinig ninyo na noong una'y iniutos sa mga tao, 'Huwag kang makikiapid.' Ngunit ngayo'y sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang sinumang tumingin nang may mahalay na pagnanasa sa isang babae, sa isip niya'y nakiapid na siya sa babaing iyon.
Kung ang mata mo ang siyang nagiging sanhi ng iyong pagkakasala, dukitin mo at itapon! Sapagkat mabuti pang mawalan ka ng isang bahagi ng katawan kaysa buo ang iyong katawang itapon sa impiyerno. Kung ang iyong kamay ang siyang nagiging sanhi ng iyong pagkakasala, putulin mo at itapon! Mabuti pang mawalan ka ng isang bahagi ng katawan kaysa buo ang iyong katawang itapon sa impiyerno."
"Sinabi rin naman, 'Kapag pinahiwalay ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa, ito'y dapat bigyan niya ng kasulatan ng paghihiwalay.' Ngunit ngayo'y sinasabi ko sa inyo: kapag pinahiwalay ng isang lalaki ang kanyang asawa nang hindi naman ito nangangalunya, at ito'y nag-asawang muli, ang lalaking iyo'y nagkasala -- itinulak niya ang kanyang asawa sa pangangalunya. At sinumang mag-asawa sa babaing hiniwalayan ay nangangalunya."
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you,
unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will
not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to
you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever
says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever
says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and
there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there
at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and
offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to
court.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the
judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown
into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid
the last penny.”
+ + + + + +
Reflection:
The story is told about a young man who was working as
a houseboy, he was always being insulted by the family that he worked for. Name
all the insulting words around and chances are that it could have been already
hurled against him. Eventually the young man reached the limit of his patience
so instead of doing something criminal to the family. He just walked away from
them emotionally hurting and wounded.
In the gospel Jesus reminds us to be careful with the
words that we say for it can create a permanent wound in the emotions of our
fellowmen. If the words that we will say are insulting it’s better not to say
it. It’s better to simply be quite and let the anger be cured by time.
Insulting words deeply hurts the receiver and it
carves a permanent emotional wound in his/her being. But why do we say words
that are not fit to be said? Why are we very quick to insult and belittle? This
is primarily brought about by our arrogance, bloated egos and the feeling of
superiority.
What is the cure for this unhealthy behavior? The cure
is Jesus, if we would follow Jesus and if we would allow Him to change us. He
will cleanse us of our arrogance, egotism and feeling of superiority. – Marino
J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus
sa kanyang mga alagad, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: kung ang pagsunod ninyo sa
kalooban ng Diyos ay tulad lamang ng pagsunod ng mga eskriba at mga Pariseo,
hindi kayo makapapasok sa kaharian ng Diyos.”
“Narinig ninyo na noong una’y inutos sa mga tao, ‘Huwag kang
papatay; ang sinumang makamatay ay mananagot sa hukuman.’ Ngunit ngayo’y
sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang mapoot sa kanyang kapatid ay mananagot sa hukuman; ang
humamak sa kanyang kapatid ay mananagot sa Sanedrin, at sinumang magsabi sa
kanyang kapatid ‘ulol ka!’ ay mapapasaapoy ng impiyerno.
Kaya’t
kung naghahandog ka sa Diyos, at maalaala mo na may sama ng loob sa iyo ang
kapatid mo, iwan mo muna ang iyong handog sa harap ng dambana at makipagkasundo
ka sa kanya. Saka ka magbalik at maghandog sa Diyos. “Kung may magsakdal laban
sa iyo sa hukuman, makipag-ayos ka sa kanya habang may panahon, bago ka niya
iharap sa hukom.
At kung
hindi’y ibibigay ka niya sa hukom, na magbibigay naman sa iyo ng tanod, at ikaw
ay mabibilanggo. Sinasabi ko sa iyo: hindi ka makalalabas doon hangga’t hindi
mo nababayaran ang kahuli-hulihang kusing.”
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think
that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish
but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the
smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until
all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these
commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of
heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called
greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What is life without Jesus? It’s barren, chaotic and
without peace. What is life without following the laws of God? It’s the same as
well. Jesus comes into our lives to make it meaningful, peaceful and
productive. Not meaningful, peaceful and productive in the eyes of our others but
meaningful and productive in His eyes.
When we break the laws of God we also distance
ourselves from the love of Jesus. For example, if a politician shows in his
public image that he is a follower of Jesus. He will not break the law by
stealing money from the coffers of the government.
He will not break the law of God by siding with those
who espouse laws that violate the laws of God, such as the legalization of
divorce, abortion, the death penalty, and the like. Otherwise, he is only using
Jesus to serve his own hidden agenda. The same goes for a priest or man of God
who professes to follow Jesus. He or she should not break the law by engaging
in sexual or homosexual relationships. The same applies to married couples;
they should be faithful to their vows until the end.
There’s always a reward that awaits those who follow
the laws of God. And there’s always a reward that awaits those who follow Jesus
and His commandments. It may not be the reward that we expect it to be but
there would certainly be a reward.
How about those who violate the law? The unwritten law
of the universe will apply to them. - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus
sa kanyang mga alagad, "Huwag ninyong akalaing naparito ako upang pawalang
bisa ang Kautusan at ang aral ng mga propeta. Naparito ako, hindi upang
pawalang-bisa kundi para ipaliwanag at ganapin ang mga iyon. Tandaan ninyo ito:
magwawakas ang langit at ang lupa, ngunit ang kaliit-liitang bahagi ng Kautusan
ay di mawawalan ng bisa hangga't hindi nagaganap ang lahat.
Kaya't
sinumang magpawalang-halaga kahit sa kaliit-liitang bahagi nito, at magturo
nang gayon sa mga tao, ay ibibilang na pinakamababa sa kaharian ng Diyos.
Ngunit ang gumaganap ng Kautusan at nagtuturo na tuparin iyon ay ibibilang na
dakila sa kaharian ng Diyos."
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the
salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled
underfoot. You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a
lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine
before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly
Father.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
In a far-flung place stood a school
building that was not being utilized for so many years. The community within
the school was hoping that one day a teacher would come and educate them.
One morning the whole community was
surprised because for the first time in so many years they heard the school
bell rung loudly. So they excitedly went to their school building. There, they
saw a nun who introduced herself to the community as their volunteer teacher.
Every day the nun would patiently teach
them and after a few months had passed many positive transformations occurred.
They already know how to read and write, they learned how to be more respectful
and helpful. And more importantly the community was taught about the existence
and importance of God in their lives.
After five years of teaching and seeing to
it that the noble educational program will continue even without
her the nun was now set to leave them. And naturally everybody from
that community was sad and many were crying. To assuage their feelings the nun
promised to visit them once in a while.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that we
are the salt and light of the world. What does salt bring to our food? It
defines and gives taste to our food. Light gives us hope; it eliminates
darkness and hopelessness.
This we also have to do, we have to
become salt and light to others. As salt gives taste we also have to give
meaning to the lives of our fellowmen. As light eliminates hopelessness and
darkness we also have to become the light in the lives of our fellowmen.
Being salt and light in the lives of our
others is not easy to do! Why? Because we would be disturb from our own comfort
zones and we would be investing something from ourselves for us to make a
positive difference in their lives.
Nevertheless, everything will be worth it
because our effort will bear fruit in the end, we may not see it in our own
lifetime. But it will certainly bear much fruit. Why? Because we dared to obey
Jesus voice in the gospel which tells us to become salt and light in the lives
of our fellowmen.
Have you already become salt and light to
your fellowmen, to your family and to your church community? – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus
sa kanyang mga alagad, “Kayo’y asin sa sanlibutan. Kung mawalan ng alat ang
asin, paano pang mapananauli ang alat nito? Wala na itong kabuluhan kaya’t
itinatapon na lamang at niyayapakan ng mga tao.
“Kayo’y
ilaw sa sanlibutan. Hindi maitatago ang isang lungsod na nakatayo sa ibabaw ng
burol. Walang nagsisindi ng ilaw at naglalagay nito sa ilalim ng takalan. Sa
halip ay inilalagay ito sa talagang patungan upang matanglawan ang lahat ng
nasa bahay. Gayun din naman, dapat ninyong paliwanagin ang inyong ilaw sa
harapan ng mga tao, upang makita nila ang inyong mabubuting gawa, at
luwalhatiin ang inyong Amang nasa Langit.”
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
+ + + + + +
Reflection:
A mentally challenged boy was always made fun of by his friends and relatives because he found it hard to follow simple instructions and to read and write. His relatives told him not to study anymore because it was just a waste of time and money. Thus, he was forced to stop, as a result, he wasn’t able to finish his elementary studies.
At that tender age, he knew that he was being looked down by those around him, so he meekly took their insults. What they didn’t know was that the boy had enormous faith in Jesus. Every night, he would be on his knees, praying and asking the Lord to guide and strengthen him, for he had nothing except Him.
After a few years this boy perseveringly continued his studies again and was able to finish college and he lived a modest life.
In today’s gospel Jesus gives us the Beatitudes and one of the Beatitude is: Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the land (Matthew 5:5). That blessing is for this mentally challenged boy who was blessed by the Lord. And it’s also for those who are meek who silently, humbly and perseveringly take the insults hurled towards them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ni Jesus ang napakakapal na tao, umahon siya sa bundok. Pagkaupo niya'y lumapit ang kanyang mga alagad, at sila'y tinuruan ng ganito: "Mapalad ang mga aba na walang inaasahan kundi ang Diyos, sapagkat makakasama sila sa kanyang kaharian."
"Mapalad ang mga nahahapis, sapagkat aaliwin sila ng Diyos." "Mapalad ang mga mapagpakumbaba, sapagkat tatamuhin nila ang ipinangako ng Diyos." "Mapalad ang mga nagmimithing makatupad sa kalooban ng Diyos, sapagkat ipagkakaloob sa kanila ang kanilang minimithi."
"Mapalad ang mga mahabagin, sapagkat kahahabagan sila ng Diyos." "Mapalad ang mga may malinis na puso, sapagkat makikita nila ang Diyos." "Mapalad ang mga gumagawa ng daan sa ipagkakasundo, sapagkat sila'y ituturing ng Diyos na mga anak niya."
"Mapalad ang mga pinag-uusig dahil sa kanilang pagsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos, sapagkat makakasama sila sa kanyang kaharian." "Mapalad kayo kapag dahil sa aki'y inaalimura kayo ng mga tao, pinag-uusig at pinagwiwikaan ng lahat ng uri ng kasamaan na pawang kasinungalingan. Magdiwang kayo at magalak, sapagkat malaki ang inyong gantimpala sa Langit."
Jesus came home with his disciples. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "By the prince of demons he drives out demons."
Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him.
But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder the house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin." For they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."
His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, "Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you." But he said to them in reply, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What are the consequences that we would receive after we sin? There are many, foremost among these is the control of Satan over us. This is why we keep on sinning until we become numb to committing sin.
Thus, sinning becomes a lifestyle, an ordinary act for many. However, what many of us don’t realize is that our numbness towards sin becomes an instrument leading to problem-filled and dysfunctional lives.
In the gospel, Jesus is accused by the scribes of being under the control of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Why were they accusing Jesus of being part of Beelzebul's team? Because Jesus was casting out demons from people who were possessed. By casting out demons, the power of Jesus over Satan and Beelzebul was revealed.
Sin is the most effective instrument of Satan to bring people to hell, even while they are still living in this world. This is primarily why Satan wants people to sin, but Satan is no match for Jesus because Satan cowers in fear the moment he hears the powerful name of Jesus.
Many are living in sin right now, leading meaningless lives without clear direction because they have decided to embrace Satan and his many sinful offerings. For those who continue to sin, be assured that the time of retribution will surely come.
For those who will decide to permanently walk away from Satan and his sinful offerings. For those who will decide to embrace the light of enlightenment being constantly offered by Jesus they will begin to live peaceful and meaningful lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Pag-uwi ni Jesus, muling nagkatipon ang napakaraming tao, anupa't hindi man lamang makuhang kumain ni Jesus at ng kanyang mga alagad. Nang mabalitaan ito ng kanyang mga mga kasambahay, sila'y pumaroon upang kaunin siya, sapagkat ang sabi ng mga tao, "Nasisiraan siya ng bait!"
Sinabi naman ng mga eskribang dumating mula sa Jerusalem, "Inaalihan siya ni Beelzebul, ang prinsipe ng mga demonyo. Ito ang nagbigay sa kanya ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng mga demonyo!" Kaya't pinalapit ni Jesus ang mga tao at sinabi sa kanila ang talinghaga: "Paano mangyayaring palayasin ni Satanas si Satanas?"
Kapag naglaban-laban ang nasasakupan ng isang kaharian, hindi mananatili ang kahariang iyon. At kapag naglaban-laban ang magkakasambahay, hindi mananatili ang sambahayang iyon. Gayon din naman, kapag naghimagsik si Satanas laban sa kanyang sarili at naglaban-laban ang kanyang nasasakupan, hindi magtatagal at darating ang kanyang wakas. "Walang makapapasok sa bahay ng isang taong iyon. Saka pa lamang niya malolooban ang bahay na iyon.
"Tandaan ninyo ito: maaaring ipatawad sa mga tao ang lahat ng kasalanan at panlalait nila sa Diyos, ngunit ang sinumang lumait sa Espiritu Santo ay hindi mapapatawad. ang kanyang kasalanan ay hindi mapapawi kailanman." Sinabi ito ni Jesus sapagkat ang sabi ng ilan, "Inaalihan siya ng masamang espiritu."
Dumating ang ina at mga kapatid ni Jesus. Sila'y nasa labas ng bahay at ipinatawag siya. Noon nama'y maraming taong nakaupo sa palibot ni Jesus, at may nagsabi sa kanya, "Nariyan po sa labas ang inyong ina at mga kapatid; ipinatatawag kayo." Sino ang aking ina at mga kapatid?" ani Jesus. Tumingin siya sa mga nakaupo sa palibot niya at nagwika: "Ito ang aking ina at mga kapatid! Sapagkat ang sinumang tumatalima sa kalooban ng Diyos, ay siya kong ina at mga kapatid."
