Reflection for July 4 Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:1-8

Gospel: Matthew  9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, :Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men. 

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Reflection:

What does this story of the paralytic who was brought to Jesus tells us? It tells us that we too need to go to Jesus for Him to heal us and to forgive us of all our sins. This tells us as well that we also need to bring others to Jesus to be healed and forgiven by Him too. 

We all have a need for Jesus in our lives. We may not need Him now because we are in the pink of health and financially capable. But time will certainly come that we will go to Jesus even beg Jesus so that He could heal us also. 

Let us not anymore wait for that time to come when we are already sick before we go to Jesus. Let us go to Him now while we are still healthy, let us not delay for tomorrow may be late already.    

In like manner we too are encouraged by the gospel to bring others to Jesus. This we could do best through our acts of love, mercy and compassion. The reason behind is we can’t bring others to Jesus without loving them, without showing them our mercy and compassion. 

The Lord is always expecting us to bring others to Him so that they too can experience the healing and forgiveness that we’ve received from Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 4 Huwebes ng Ika-13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 9:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:1-8

Noong panahong iyon, sumakay si Jesus sa bangka, tumawid sa kabilang ibayo at tumuloy sa sariling bayan. Pagdating niya roon, dinala sa kanya ng ilang katao ang isang paralitikong nakaratay sa kanyang higaan. Nang makita ni Jesus kung gaano kalaki ang kanilang pananalig, sinabi niya sa paralitiko, "Anak, lakasan mo ang iyong loob! Pinatatawad ka na sa iyong mga kasalanan." 

Isinaloob ng ilang eskribang naroon, "Nilalapastangan ng taong ito ang Diyos." Ngunit batid ni Jesus ang kanilang iniisip kaya't sinabi niya, "Bakit kayo nag-iisip nang ganyan? Alin ba ang mas madali: ang sabihing, 'Ipinatatawad na ang mga kasalanan mo,' o ang sabihing, 'Tumindig ka at lumakad'? 

Patutunayan ko na dito sa lupa ang Anak ng Tao'y may kapangyarihang magpatawad ng mga kasalanan." At sinabi niya sa paralitiko, "Tumindig ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan, at umuwi ka." Tumindig nga ang lalaki at umuwi. Nang makita ito nang mga tao, sila'y natakot at nagpuri sa Diyos na nagbigay ng ganitong kapangyarihan sa mga tao.

Reflection for Wednesday July 3 Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle: John 20:24-29

Gospel: John 20:24-29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. 

Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

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Reflection:

Where was Thomas during this appearance of Jesus before the other disciples? We don’t know, but one thing is sure: Thomas was missing in action when Jesus appeared to the other disciples. After a week, Thomas would have his second chance to see Jesus alive and a second chance to renew his faith in Jesus. 

It was a sort of redemption for him, for after being full of unbelief about the resurrection of Jesus, Thomas now became a firm believer. He felt and saw Jesus up close and personal, and Jesus even allowed Thomas to touch the wound on His side. 

Life is full of second chances, we may be down today but certainly there shall also be a second chance for all of us to get up. We may be sick today but there's a second chance for us to be in the pink of health once again. 

However, our second chance hinges in our faith in Jesus, for as long as we have faith we have a second chance. For as long as we have faith we could conquer all our self doubts and be triumphant once again. 

Do you have doubts in your heart right now? Be not doubtful anymore for Jesus is giving you a second chance of savoring life. Not this worldly life anymore but a life with Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 2 Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:23-27

Gospel: Matthew 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 

He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a young man who was on the verge of giving up on his life, so he thought of hanging himself to end it all. But before doing it he said this silent prayer, Jesus if you are really alive let somebody come into my house and I will not push through anymore with my desperate plan. Lo and behold, after a few seconds a neighbor was knocking at his door inviting him to join their bible study. 

We must always remember that God is alive. He is always just a prayer away but often times we forget about this. Because of our worldliness we always focus on our struggles rather than our triumphs in life. Thus, we forget that there’s a God who is ever ready to help and listen to us. A God who is always there to lift us up whenever we are feeling down and weary.    

In our gospel for today the disciples encountered a violent storm and in that desperate moment they had nothing to hold on but Jesus. So they said, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” After which there was great calm because Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea. 

Whatever that we’re going through right now we have to always remember that Jesus is just a prayer away. Let us therefore Seek Him, Pray to Him and Invite Him to come into our life for He is always there for us ever ready to save us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for July 1 Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:18-22

Gospel: Matthew 8:18-22

When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” 

Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

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Reflection:

Are you always generous with the God given talents or gifts that you have?  

In the first sentence of the gospel, it appears that Jesus was trying to evade the crowd that had been following Him for healing. However, the situation is not as it seems; it was rather time for Jesus to move on and share His gift of preaching and healing with other places. 

Jesus is an itinerant preacher and healer; as much as possible He wants to share His many super natural gifts with as many people as He can. This is the reason why He wants to go to other places as much as He can. For the reason that Jesus’ wants to share His talents without expecting anything in return. 

Each of us has been blessed by God with gifts/talents that He wants us to share. It may be the gift of preaching, it may be the gift of writing about God it may be the gift of empathy, unconditional love and concern. It may be the gift of attentively listening to those who are burdened, it may be the gift of material wealth and the like. 

Let us generously share these blessings let us not hoard it for ourselves. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday June 30, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 5:21-43

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live. He went off with him and a large crowd followed him. 

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” 

But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” 

While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 

So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

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Reflection:

A sick woman wanted to be healed from her sickness, but she was not willing to attend Holy Mass or watch online Holy Mass. She was also not willing to pray to the Lord for healing, pray the Holy Rosary, or read about the miraculous healing ministry of Jesus in the Bible. 

Do you have a prayer before Jesus? Pray for it, never give up, and continue to badger Jesus with your prayer because this is the secret to receiving what you wish for from Him. However, everything must start with faith. Once you begin your interaction with Jesus in faith, everything will simply fall into place, including what you wish for from Him. 

But how can we grow in faith? We should humbly ask Jesus to give su the gift of faith. Not only should we ask Jesus for the gift of faith, but we should also reach out to Him through our prayers, our presence at Holy Mass, and by reading the most precious book of all books, which is the Holy Bible. 

The woman in the Gospel had been bleeding for twelve long years. She went to anyone who could cure her, but to no avail. Then she heard about a healer named Jesus, and from thereon she started to have faith in Him. Her faith was her motivation to reach out to Jesus. She even said to herself, "If only I could touch a portion of His clothes, I would be healed. 

All of us have heard about Jesus, but not all of us are praying for the gift of faith. Not all of us are reaching out to Jesus through our prayers and pious presence at Holy Mass. Not all of us have the habit of reading and reflecting on the words of Jesus in the Bible. 

Some of us may even say, "I’m very busy. I have no more time to do these acts of faith." How then can we grow in faith? How then can we be friends with Jesus? How then can we receive healing from Jesus if we do not give a little of our precious time to the Lord? 

If we want an increase of our faith and if we want to get healed by Jesus we have to give Him even a little of our precious time. 

Do we still give time to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Sunday June 30, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 5:21-43

 

Repleksyon para Linggo Hunyo 30, Ika -13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 5:21-43

 

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   

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