Short, Simple and Personal reflections on the daily Holy Mass Gospel. I provide talks.
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Saturday, June 29, 2024
Friday, June 28, 2024
Reflection for Saturday June 29 Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles: Matthew 16:13-19
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
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."
Thursday, June 27, 2024
Reflection for Friday June 28 Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr: Matthew 8:1-4
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
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."
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Reflection for June 27 Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:21-29
“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
“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.
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Reflection for June 26 Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:15-20
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
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."
Monday, June 24, 2024
Reflection for June 25 Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:6, 12-14
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
"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."
Sunday, June 23, 2024
Reflection for Monday June 24 Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist: Luke 1:57-66, 80
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
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.
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Reflection for Sunday June 23, Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 4:35-41
Gospel: Mark 4:35-41
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