Reflection for Saturday June 29 Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles: Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

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Reflection:

Do you know Jesus? Yes you know Jesus but do you feel the presence of Jesus in your life? Knowing and feeling Jesus are two different things. Many of us know Jesus but not as many feel His majestic presence. We don’t feel the presence of Jesus in our hearts because we lack time for Jesus. 

Peter did not only know Jesus, he felt also the presence of Jesus in his life. Peter felt the presence of Jesus in his life because Peter gave time for Jesus. Among the disciples it was Peter who was always with Jesus it was Peter who had more time for Jesus. 

Peter went with Jesus to the mountain of transfiguration. When Jesus walked on water Peter saw Jesus and even asked Jesus if she could go to him. And there were many other events that Peter was always in the company Jesus. 

Paul formerly Saul was initially a persecutor of the church. But in spite of being a fierce critic of the church Paul allowed Jesus to take control of his life. Thus, from being a persecutor Paul became a zealous propagator of the church. He became one of its foremost missioner. 

If you want to feel the presence of Jesus in your life. You only have to do one thing and that is to spend more time with Jesus. Be with Him at Holy Mass, hear Him speak to you by  reading your bible. Hear Him assuring you of His abiding presence in your life through your prayers. 

Do you want to feel the presence of Jesus in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Hunyo 29 San Pedro at San Pablo mga apostol (Dakilang Kapistahan): Mateo 16:13-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:13-19

Noong panahong iyon, dumating si Jesus sa Cesarea ng Filipos, tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad, "Sino raw ang Anak ng Tao, ayon sa mga tao?" At sumagot sila, "Ang sabi po ng ilan ay si Juan Bautista kayo. Sabi naman ng iba, si Elias kayo. At may nagsasabi pang si Jeremias kayo o isa sa mga propeta." "Kayo naman, ano ang sabi ninyo? Sino ako?" tanong niya sa kanila. 

 Sumagot si Simon Pedro, "Kayo po ang Cristo, ang Anak ng Diyos na buhay." Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Mapalad ka, Simon na anak ni Jonas! Sapagkat ang katotohanang ito'y hindi inihayag sa iyo ng ibang tao kundi ng aking Amang nasa langit. At sinasabi ko naman sa iyo, ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking simbahan, at hindi makapananaig sa kanya kahit sa kapangyarihan ng kamatayan.  

Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng kaharian ng langit: ang ipagbawal mo sa lupa ay ipagbabawal sa langit, at ang ipahintulot mo sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa Langit."

Reflection for Friday June 28 Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr: Matthew 8:1-4

Gospel: Matthew 8:1-4

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I will do it. Be made clean." 

His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was scheduled for a dangerous operation. Before going thru the operation she was advised by a relative to go first to a priest. So that she could first be conferred with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. 

After a few days the operation went on smoothly and the woman eventually recovered and she resumed her normal life. Jesus heals us through the hand of the priest who confers to us the Sacrament of Anointing of the sick. Jesus heals us also through our time spent with Him in prayer and in reading His life changing words in the bible. 

There is always a healing experience whenever we seek the presence of Jesus in our lives. We may not immediately experience this healing but it’s always there being conferred to us by the Lord, it’s either physical or spiritual. He confers it to us through the Sacrament for the Sick and through our prayerful encounter with Him. 

In our gospel a person sick with leprosy approached Jesus, did him homage, and prayerfully said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean and the man was immediately cured of his contagious sickness.  

This healing would also happen to us if we pay homage to Jesus and prayerfully approach Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Hunyo 28 San Ireneo, obispo pantas ng simbahan at martir (Paggunita): Mateo 8:1-4

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:1-4

Nang makababa si Jesus mula sa bundok, sinundan siya ng napakaraming tao. Lumapit sa kanya ang isang ketongin at lumuhod sa harapan niya, "Ginoo," ang wika niya, "kung ibig po ninyo, ako'y inyong mapagagaling." 

Hinipo siya ni Jesus at sinabi, "Ibig ko, gumaling ka." At pagdaka'y nawala ang kanyang ketong. "Huwag mo itong sasabihin kaninuman," bilin ni Jesus. Pumunta ka't pasuri sa saserdote. Pagkatapos maghandog ka ng haing iniuutos ni Moises, bilang patotoo sa mga tao na magaling ka na."

Reflection for June 27 Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:21-29

Gospel: Matthew 7:21-29

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’ 

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” 

When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

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Reflection:

Does a priest have safe passage to heaven? Does a nun have safe passage to heaven? Does a person who always goes to church for Holy Mass have safe passage to heaven? 

The answers to all of these questions are no! Nobody has a monopoly of heavenly dwelling, everyone of us has a chance provided we do the will of God and we live our lives according to how God wants us to live it. 

So, what are we going to do? We have to live what we preach and teach because if we don’t live what we preach and teach, we have no chance of entering heaven someday. Many are only good at teaching and preaching, and it ends there, much like the false prophets who were only good at preaching and teaching but lived unholy lives. 

Jesus himself tells us this: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21). 

Jesus knows everything about us. If to our fellowmen we could sugarcoat our image as Godly with Jesus we cannot. For He knows our deepest secrets, He knows if we are only pretending to be Good, Holy and Godly. 

Jesus knows the secret lives we live and the hidden sins we commit; we can’t hide anything from Him. Therefore, we must reform and leave behind anything that causes us to sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 27 Huwebes ng Ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 7:21-29

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:21-29

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Hindi lahat ng tumatawag sa akin, ‘Panginoon, Panginoon,’ ay papasok sa kaharian ng langit, kundi yaon lamang sumusunod sa kalooban ng aking Amang nasa langit. Pagdating ng huling Araw, marami ang magsasabi sa akin, ‘Panginoon, nangaral po kami at nagpalayas ng mga demonyo, at gumawa ng mga kababalaghan sa inyong pangalan!’ At sasabihin ko sa kanila, ‘Kailanma’y hindi ko kayo nakilala. Lumayo kayo sa akin, mga mapaggawa ng masama!’

“Kaya’t ang bawat nakikinig at nagsasagawa ng mga salita kong ito ay matutulad sa isang taong matalino na nagtayo ng kanyang bahay sa ibabaw ng bato. Umulan nang malakas, bumaha, at binayo ng malakas na hangin ang bahay na iyon, ngunit hindi nagiba sapagkat nakatayo sa ibabaw ng bato. Ang bawat nakikinig ng aking mga salita at hindi nagsasagawa nito ay matutulad sa isang taong hangal na nagtayo ng kanyang bahay sa buhanginan. Umulan nang malakas, bumaha, at binayo ng malakas na hangin ang bahay. Bumagsak ang bahay na iyon at lubusang nawasak.”

Nang masabi na ni Hesus ang mga pananalitang ito, ang mga tao’y namangha. Sapagkat nagturo siya na parang isang may kapangyarihan, at hindi tulad ng mga eskriba.

Reflection for June 26 Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 

Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them."

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Reflection:

Do you know of people who say that they speak for God but their actions say otherwise? 

There were many false prophets during the time of Jesus and even before the time of Jesus. They would claim to speak for God but their actions betray their true motives. There are also many false prophets nowadays, by their glib tongues they gather many adherents but soon enough they’re exposed as frauds by their own words and actions. 

Good relatives and friends are somewhat like prophets they guide us and they bring us closer to God. But we should also be wary because there are friends and even relatives who would bring us away from God. 

They only take advantage of us and the moment they already achieve their objective they immediately evaporate from our sights. We therefore have to be discerning and careful. 

So, we must be watchful and careful of these people. They are like leeches that will cling to us only to leave us in a huff when they find out that we are no longer useful to them. False prophets are like that as well; they are good at manipulating and using their followers to serve their selfish agendas.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 26 Miyerkules ng Ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 7:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:15-20

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Mag-ingat kayo sa mga bulaang propeta; nagsisilapit sila sa inyo na animo'y tupa, ngunit ang totoo'y mababangis na asong-gubat. Makikilala ninyo sila sa kanilang mga gawa. Napipitas ba ang ubas sa puno ng dawag, o ang igos sa puno ng aroma? 

Nagbubunga ng mabuti ang bawat mabuting punongkahoy, subalit nagbubunga ng masama ang masamang punongkahoy. Hindi maaaring magbunga ng masama ang mabuting punongkahoy, ni ng mabuti ang masamang punongkahoy. Ang bawat puno na di nagbubunga ng mabuti ay pinuputol at itinatapon sa apoy. Kaya nga, makikilala ninyo sa kanilang mga gawa ang mga bulaang propeta."

Reflection for June 25 Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Gospel: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.  

This is the Law and the Prophets. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”

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Reflection:

What is the difference between the narrow gate and the wide gate? It’s hard to enter the narrow gate, you may have to twist your body so that you could pass through it. How about the wide gate? You simply can walk through it no twisting and no discomfort whatsoever.  

You may ask, what is the relationship between the narrow gate and Jesus? The narrow gate is the gateway to knowing Jesus. The narrow gate is the gateway toward having a personal encounter with Jesus. In what way does this narrow gate lead you to Jesus? This narrow gate will require you to make some sacrifices. It will require you to do things that you are not normally used to doing.

For example, in fulfilling your Sunday Holy Mass obligation, abhorring sin, or reading the Holy Bible. You may not be comfortable doing these because they require effort and time. Yet if you dare to do them, they will lead you to Jesus and help you learn more about the many truths concerning the Catholic Church.

If you want to find the true meaning and purpose of your life and if you want to know Jesus more deeply. You have to pass thru this narrow gate for this is the way that would lead you to a life of purpose with Jesus. Forget the wide gate which consist of the many sinful worldly enjoyment, it will lead you nowhere it will even lead you to shame and self-destruction.  

Will you dare enter this narrow gate that leads to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 25 Martes ng Ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 7:6, 12-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:6, 12-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Huwag ninyong ibigay sa aso ang bagay na banal, sapagkat kayo'y babalingan at lalapain pagkatapos. Huwag ninyong ihagis sa mga baboy ang inyong mga perlas sapagkat yuyurakan lamang nila ang mga iyon." 

"Kaya gawin ninyo sa inyong kapwa ang ibig ninyong gawin nila sa inyo. Ito ang kahulugan ng Kautusan ni Moises at ng turo ng mga propeta." 

"Pumasok kayo sa makipot na pintuan; sapagkat maluwag ang pintuan at malapad ang daang patungo sa kapahamakan, at ito ang dinaraanan ng marami. Ngunit makipot ang pintuan at makitid ang daang patungo sa buhay at kakaunti lang ang nakasusumpong niyon." 

Reflection for Monday June 24 Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist: Luke 1:57-66, 80

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." 

But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 

Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be?" For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a middle-aged married couple who was finally blessed by God with a child. They were so happy for they thought that they would not have a child anymore. Therefore, the married couple promised God that they would properly take care of this child. They also said to God that they would teach this child how to be simple and humble and they would introduce this child to Jesus by bringing the child with them whenever they would attend Holy Mass.  

What does a new born child brings to a family? It brings unfathomable joy and rejoicing. This was how the couple Elizabeth and Zechariah felt during that time. The new born child did not only bring joy to his parents, he also brought healing to his father Zechariah who had problem with speaking. 

Do you properly take care of your child? A child that is given to you as a blessing by God? Do you teach your child about God and your faith? Do you teach this child to be humble and to live simply? Do you bring this growing child to church for Holy Mass? 

What can we learn from the nativity of Saint John the Baptist? We learn that there is a reward that awaits parents who are faithful to the will of God. We learn that when a child is taught the values of simplicity and humility, the child will grow up to be simple and humble as well.

John grew up as a simple and humble man, he grew up faithful to God’s will for him. We cannot only attribute these virtues of John to God alone. Both Elizabeth and Zechariah (his parents) played also an important role in instilling him these virtues of humility and simplicity. Zechariah and Elizabeth did not only teach John about simplicity and humility. They spent time with the child John and both of them lived humility and simplicity also.    

Many children today are being pampered and spoiled by their parents. They buy their children the newest gadgets to supposedly show their love. However, giving them the latest gadgets is not a show of love. 

It’s in fact a testament of parent’s lack of real and unconditional love towards their children.  Real and unconditional love is when we spend time with our children and we don’t count the cost of the time that we spend with them. we simply savor and treasure that time for we know that the time spent with our children is a time well-spent which no money or gadgets can replace. 

Do you still bond with your children by giving them your time? Do you live the virtues of humility and simplicity and do you teach your child how to be humble and simple?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes Hunyo 24 Ang Pagsilang ni San Juan Bautista (Dakilang Kapistahan) Lucas 1:57-66, 80

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:57-66, 80

Dumating ang araw ng panganganak ni Elisabet, at nagluwal siya ng isang sanggol na lalaki. Nabalitaan ng kanyang mga kapitbahay at mga kamag-anak na siya'y pinagpala ng Panginoon, at nakigalak sila sa kanya. 

Nang ikawalong araw, dumalo sila sa pagtutuli ng sanggol. Zacarias sana ang ipangangalan sa kanya -- gaya ng kanyang ama -- ngunit sinabi ng kanyang ina, "Hindi! Juan ang ipapangalan sa kanya." "Subalit wala isa man sa iyong mga kamag-anak ang may ganyang pangalan," wika nila. 

Kaya't hinudyatan nila ang kanyang ama at itinanong kung ano ang ibig niyang itawag sa sanggol. Humingi siya ng masusulatan at sumulat ng ganito: "Juan ang kanyang Pangalan." At namangha silang lahat. Pagdaka'y nakapagsalita siya, at nagpuri sa Diyos. 

Natakot ang kanilang kapitbahay, anupat naging usap-usapan sa buong kaburulan ng Judea ang mga bagay na ito. Pinakaisip-isip ito ng lahat ng nakaalam at ang kanilang tanong: "Magiging ano nga kaya ang batang ito?" Sapagkat maliwanag na sumasakanya ang Panginoon. Lumaki ang bata at naging malakas ang kanyang espiritu. Siya'y tumira sa ilang hanggang sa araw na magpakilala siya sa Israel.

Reflection for Sunday June 23, Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 4:35-41

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. 

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?

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Reflection:   

The story is told about a man who was so afraid of darkness. He feared darkness because he imagines evil things coming out of it. For the same reason, when sleeping time comes in the evening he tells his wife not to turn off the lights.  

For many of us, evening or darkness depicts uncertainty and registers fear in our hearts. Notice what happens when there’s a brownout or blackout in the community. Everyone looks for their flashlights, candles, or anything that can defeat the darkness.

It was evening when Jesus and His disciples were crossing to the other side of the lake in a boat. Darkness pervaded their surroundings when suddenly, out of the blue, they encountered a violent storm. They were all scared  and the fear of the storm, combined with the darkness, momentarily made them forget that Jesus was with them.

And then, they remembered that Jesus, the light of their lives and ours too, was with them. Despite the violent storm, He was soundly asleep on a cushion in the stern. They woke Him up and asked for His help. Right before them, Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Quiet! Be still!' The wind ceased, and there was a great calm (Mark 4:39).

All of us pass thru certain stretches of darkness and storms in our life and we naturally fear it. Many of us would want to avoid these stretches of darkness and storms. Yet we cannot avoid it for these are part and parcel of our life.  

So what are we going to do when we pass thru these episodes of storms and darkness? We always have to remember that Jesus the light of our lives is always with us. We always have to remember that no storms or darkness can break us down. For we have Jesus walking with us and lighting our paths.  

Do you always call on Jesus when you pass through storms and darkness in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Linggo Hunyo 23 Ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 4:35-41

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 4:35-41

Noong panahong iyon, habang nagtatakip-silim na, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Tumawid tayo sa ibayo." Kaya't iniwan nila ang mga tao, at sumakay sa bangkang kinalululanan ni Jesus upang itawid siya. May kasabay pa silang ibang mga bangka. Dumating ang malakas na unos. Hinampas ng malalaking alon ang bangka, anupa't halos mapuno ito ng tubig.  

Si Jesus nama'y nakahilig sa unan sa may hulihan ng bangka at natutulog. Ginising siya ng mga alagad, "Guro," anila, "di ba ninyo alintana? Lulubog na tayo!" Bumangon si Jesus at iniutos sa hangin, "Tigil!" At sinabi sa dagat, "Tumahimik ka!" Tumigil ang hangin at tumahimik ang dagat.  

Pagkatapos, sinabi niya sa mga alagad, "Bakit kayo natatakot? Wala pa ba kayong pananampalataya?" Sinidlan sila ng matinding takot at panggigilalas, at nagsabi sa isa't isa, "Sino nga kaya ito, at sinusunod maging ng hangin at ng dagat?"