Reflection for June 20 Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

(Jesus said to his disciples) “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray:

‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’  

“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

 + + + +  + +

Reflection:

How do you pray? 

Do you pray with a set of structured prayer such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be and many other Catholic prayers? Nothing is wrong with these prayers for it brings you closer to God. What is important is, when you pray you dive inside your prayer this means that your whole being is in communion with your prayer. 

There is no wrong either with your spontaneous/personal prayers for these are prayers that originate deep in your heart.  Your whole being should always  be with your prayers and by doing so you establish your connection with God. 

So you know how to pray and that is very good! But think about the many others who do not know ho w to pray (There are many of them). Perhaps you can make it your mission to teach them how to pray and in the process you bring them closer to Jesus. 

You become productive follower of Jesus when you pay forward whatever you know about Jesus most especially this prayer that HE taught the disciples and you too to pray. 

Have you already shared the Our Father prayer? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 20 Huwebes ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 6:7-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:7-15

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Sa pananalangin ninyo'y huwag kayong gagamit ng napakaraming salita, gaya ng ginagawa ng mga Hentil. Ang akala nila'y pakikinggan sila ng Diyos dahil sa dami ng kanilang salita. Huwag ninyo silang tutularan. Sapagkat alam na ng inyong Ama ang inyong kinakailangan bago pa ninyo hingin sa kanya.  

Ganito kayo mananalangin: 'Ama naming nasa langit, Sambahin nawa ang pangalan mo. Ikaw nawa ang maghari sa amin, Sundin nawa ang iyong kalooban dito sa lupa tulad ng sa langit. Bigyan mo kami ng pagkaing kailangan namin sa araw na ito; At patawarin mo kami sa aming mga kasalanan, Tulad ng aming pagpapatawad sa mga nagkakasala sa amin. At huwag mo kaming iharap sa mahigpit na pagsubok, Kundi ilayo mo kami sa Masama!  

Sapagkat iyo ang kaharian at ang kapangyarihan at ang kapurihan, magpakailanman! Amen.' Sapagkat kung pinatatawad ninyo ang mga nagkakasala sa inyo, patatawarin din kayo ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Ngunit kung hindi ninyo pinatatawad ang mga nagkakasala sa inyo, hindi rin kayo patatawarin ng inyong Ama."

Reflection for June 19 Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. 

Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your alms giving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.   

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.  

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What motivates us to do good? For example in giving to the poor, what motivates us to help them? In giving to the poor Jesus has a major requirement that we should follow. Do it in secret without anyone knowing about it.  

Why in secret? This is for the reason that secrecy and humility is the language of Jesus secrecy is also a close relative of humility which Jesus embodies to the hilt. 

The teaching of Jesus on almsgiving is totally opposed to the teachings of this world, which, unfortunately, many of us follow. This world teaches us to publicize and broadcast whatever good we do. It encourages us to post our acts of kindness on Facebook and other social media platforms so that those who know us may see them and consequently have a good impression of us.

Why publicize? Perhaps this is brought about by our hunger for recognition. And there’s no wrong about it for we simply want to be recognized.  But Jesus is challenging us not to go  after recognition and to not publicize what we do. Jesus is challenging us to silently fade away after we have done good to anyone. 

Can you measure up to this challenge of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 19 Miyerkules ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Pag-ingatan ninyo na huwag maging pakitang-tao lamang ang paggawa ninyo ng mabuti. Kapag ganyan ang ginawa ninyo, wala kayong matatamong gantimpala buhat sa inyong Amang nasa langit. 

“Kaya nga, kapag naglilimos ka, huwag mo nang ipagmakaingay ito, katulad ng ginagawa ng mga mapagpaimbabaw doon sa sinagoga at sa mga lansangan. Ginagawa nila ito upang purihin sila ng mga tao. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tinanggap na nila ang kanilang gantimpala. Ngunit kung naglilimos ka, huwag mo nang ipaalam ito kahit sa iyong pinakamatalik na kaibigan upang malihim ang iyong paglilimos. At gagantihan ka ng iyong Amang nakakikita ng kabutihang ginagawa mo nang lihim.  

“At kapag nananalangin kayo huwag kayong tumulad sa mga mapagpaimbabaw. Mahilig silang manalangin nang patayo sa mga sinagoga at sa mga panukalang-daan, upang makita ng mga tao. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tinanggap na nila ang kanilang gantimpala. Ngunit kapag mananalangin ka, pumasok ka sa iyong silid at isara mo ang pinto. Saka ka manalangin sa iyong Amang hindi mo nakikita, at gagantihan ka ng iyong Amang nakakikita ng kabutihang ginagawa mo nang lihim.  

“Kapag nag-aayuno kayo, huwag kayong magmukhang malungkot, tulad ng mga mapagimbabaw. Hindi sila nag-aayos upang malaman ng mga tao na sila’y nag-aayuno. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tinanggap na nila ang kanilang gantimpala. Kapag ikaw ay nag-aayuno, mag-ayos ka ng buhok at maghilamos upang huwag mapansin ng mga tao na nag-aayuno ka. Ang iyong Amang hindi mo nakikita ang siya lamang nakaaalam nito. Siya, na nakakikita ng kabutihang ginagawa mo ng lihim, ang gaganti sa iyo.”

Reflection for June 18 Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:43-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.  

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Would we obey the command of Jesus to love and pray for our enemy? 

Who are we to not obey the command of Jesus to love even our enemy? We are mere mortals and sinful beings of God. If God loves us unconditionally, why can’t we do the same to our fellow humans? 

Our problem is that we give so much importance to our high sense of ourselves, to our egos. That’s why we often say, 'If you don’t love me, I will not love you either,' or 'If you’re angry with me, then I will be angry with you too.' These kinds of reasoning reflect a person who is full of himself. 

The call of Jesus for us it to do away with our very high regard of ourselves and this would only be possible if we would become humble. Humility therefore is the key factor for us to be able to follow this command of Jesus: To love even our enemies. 

Let be humility an integral part of our way of life. Let us always learn to reach out, let us always be forgiving and let us not harbor ill feelings to those who’ve wronged us. If we’re able to do these, we can now say that we would be able to love and pray for everyone even our enemies. 

Are you capable of loving your enemy? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 18 Martes ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:43-48

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:43-48

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Narinig na ninyong sinabi, ‘Ibigin mo ang iyong kaibigan at kapootan mo ang iyong kaaway.’ Ngunit ito naman sabi ko: ibigin ninyo ang mga umuusig sa inyo, upang kayo’y maging tunay na anak ng inyong Amang nasa langit. 

Sapagkat pinasisikat niya ang araw sa masasama at sa mabubuti, at pinapapatak niya ang ulan sa mga banal at sa mga makasalanan.  

Kung ang mga umiibig sa inyo ang siya lamang ninyo iibigin, ano pang gantimpala ang inyong hihintayin? Hindi ba’t ginagawa rin ito ng mga publikano? At kung ang binabati lamang ninyo’y ang inyong mga kapatid, ano ang nagawa ninyong higit kaysa iba? Ginagawa rin iyon ng mga Hentil! Kaya, dapat kayong maging ganap, gaya ng inyong Amang nasa Langit.”  

Reflection for June 17, Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:38-42

Gospel: Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus said to his disciples: You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. 

If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

 + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Do you know that exacting revenge against someone who wronged you will not do you any good? For example, if you discover that your spouse is unfaithful to you, and you get back at your spouse by being unfaithful as well, do you know that you are only enveloping yourself in sin? 

There’s a psychological study that says that when a person is at the height of his anger that person momentarily loses his rationality. This is the reason why a person commits sin that is unthinkable for that person to do. 

In the gospel passage this Monday Jesus told the disciples: “offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles (Matthew 5:39-41). 

Jesus did not retaliate for all the punishments and insults that His persecutors did to Him. He was always meek and humble. May we always be meek and humble also to those who sin against us most especially sin inside the marriage covenant. 

May we learn to turn the other cheek, hand our cloak and learn to walk some more miles for the sake of peace and eventual harmony inside the marriage covenant. 

Instead of retaliating with the betrayal of the marriage covenant, which will only lead to sin, why not engage in dialogue, prayer, and forgiveness? Or why not simply walk away and live a quiet and solitary life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 17 Lunes ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:38-42

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:38-42

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga alagad, "Narinig ninyo na sinabi, 'Mata sa mata at ngipin sa ngipin.' Ngunit ngayo'y sinasabi ko sa inyo: huwag ninyong labanan ang masamang tao. Kung may sumampal sa iyo sa kanang pisngi, iharap mo pa sa kanya ang kabila.  

Kung ipagsakdal ka ninuman upang makuha ang iyong baro, ibigay mo sa kanya pati ang iyong balabal. Kung sapilitang ipapasan sa iyo ng manlulupig ang kanyang dala nang isang kilometro, pasanin mo ito nang dalawang kilometro. Magbigay ka sa nanghihingi sa iyo, at huwag mong pahindian ang nanghihiram sa iyo. 

Reflection for Sunday June 16, Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 4:26-34

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” 

He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

A woman would habitually share inspirational and wisdom-filled Bible verses to her friends thru Facebook and other social media platforms. Regardless of whether she received a reply of appreciation or not, she would always send them.

One day, she met by chance one of those friends who regularly read her inspirational Bible verses. Her friend told her, "Thank you for the daily inspirational verses that you’ve been tirelessly sending me. You’ve been planting the seeds of God’s kingdom in my heart. It gives me hope to move forward and it strengthens my faith in Jesus.

In the Gospel, Jesus used two comparisons to describe the Kingdom of God: the man who scattered seed and the mustard seed that became a great tree. Both seeds grew and became useful. The scattered seed grew and was harvested, while the small mustard seed that was sown became big and had large branches where birds dwelt in its shade.

Let us think about and ask ourselves if we have planted seeds of faith, goodness, and humility in the hearts of others. Let us reflect on whether we have planted the seed of Jesus in their hearts. So that it may also grow within them and become as big as the mustard seed, where others could benefit from it.

Let us also think and reflect on whether we have already sown or scattered the seeds of forgiveness, mercy, and love, so that they could grow and multiply in the hearts of others. Hence, they too could sow the seeds of forgiveness, mercy, and love to those around them.

Have you already done something to sow the seeds of Jesus' words and teachings? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Linggo Hunyo 16 Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 4:26-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 4:26-34

Noong panahong iyon, Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao, "Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay maitutulad sa isang naghahasik ng binhi sa kanyang bukid. Pagkatapos niyon, magpapatuloy siya sa kanyang pang araw-araw na gawain, tutubo at lalago ang binhi nang hindi niya nalalaman kung paano. Ang lupa'y siyang nagpapasibol at nagpapabunga ng mga pananim: usbong muna, saka uhay na pagkatapos ay mahihitik sa mga butil. Pagkahinog ng mga butil, agad itong ipagagapas sapagkat dapat ng anihin."  

"Sa ano natin ihahambing ang paghahari ng Diyos?" sabi pa ni Jesus. "Anong talinghaga ang gagamitin natin upang ilarawan ito? Tulad ito ng butil ng mustasa na siyang pinakamaliit sa lahat ng binhi. Kapag natanim at lumago, ito'y nagiging pinakamalaki sa lahat ng puno ng gulay; nagkakasanga ito nang malalabay, anupat ang mga ibon ay nakapamumugad sa mga sanga nito."  

Ang Salita'y ipinangaral ni Jesus sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng maraming talinghaga tulad nito, ayon sa makakaya ng kanilang pang-unawa. Hindi siya nangaral sa kanila nang hindi gumagamit ng talinghaga; ngunit ipinaliwanag niya nang sarilinan sa kanyang mga alagad ang lahat ng bagay.

Reflection for June 15 Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:33-37

Gospel: Matthew 5:33-37

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   

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 15 Sabado ng Ikasampung Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:33-37

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:33-37

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.”  

Reflection for June 14 Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5: 27-32

Gospel: Matthew 5:27-32

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.”

+ + + + + + +

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 

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 14 Biyernes sa Ikasampung Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:27-32

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:27-32

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."