Reflection for July 20 Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:14-21

Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. 

This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 

A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

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Reflection:

What are you going to do if you know that powerful people are after your life? Of course you would do what Jesus did: You will also withdraw to a place where you will be safe. But unlike Jesus who continued to do HIS acts of mercy even if HIS life was already in danger. You may not do anything except hide and protect your life, this is what separate Jesus from all of us. 

For Jesus the greater good is not to protect HIS life but to continue to serve the people that HE dearly loved. This love for HIS people eventually culminated in HIS death on the cross. 

But not all of us are afraid to give our very life for the sake of our fellowmen. There are others who selflessly gave their lives so that others may live and be free. This is best exemplified by our heroes who selflessly gave their lives for our sake. 

Let us therefore be like Jesus, let us not be afraid to give our time, treasure and even our life for His mission. Because someday we will be able to harvest our reward from the Good Lord. We may not receive it in our lifetime. 

But will certainly receive it eventually when our journey in this world is over and that is already in heaven. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 20 Sabado ng Ika-15 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 12:14-21

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:14-21

Noong panahong iyon, umalis ang mga Pariseo at nag-usap-usap kung paano ipapapatay si Jesus. Alam ito ni Jesus kaya't umalis siya roon. Maraming sumunod sa kanya at pinagaling niya ang lahat ng maysakit, ngunit mahigpit nilang ipinagbilin sa kanila na huwag ipamamalita ang tungkol sa kanya.  

Nangyari ito upang matupad ang sinabi ni propeta Isaias: "Narito ang lingkod ko na ako rin ang humirang, minamahal ko nang labis, lubos kong kinalulugdan; ang banal kong Espiritu sa kanya ay ibibigay, sa lahat ng mga bansa ibabadha'y katarungan.  

Hindi siya makikipagtalo, mahinahon kung mangusap, ang tinig niya sa lansanga'y tinig lamang na paanas; Hindi niya puputulin yaong tambong nakahapay, ni hindi rin papatayin ang umaandap na ilawan, hanggang itong katarunga'y mapagtagumpay niyang ganap; At ang pag-asa ng tao sa kanya ay ilalagak."

Reflection for July 19 Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:1-8

Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath. 

He said to the them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? 

I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”

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Reflection:

What is in the heart of Jesus? It’s mercy and compassion for His people. Mercy and compassion that is ever ready to transgress sacred laws such as the Sabbath law. 

Being God the Son Jesus perfectly knew that what He was doing was right. But the Pharisees did not know the true identity of Jesus. So they questioned the decision of Jesus to allow His disciples to pick and eat the grains on a Sabbath day. 

Do you know Jesus deeply? Do you feel His presence in your life? If you don’t know Jesus deeply and if you don’t feel His presence in your life. You will also question some events or trial/s that occurs in your life. 

For instance when you go through severe trials such as financial difficulty, sickness and the like . You might also question the Lord Jesus and ask Him this question: Why am I going through this trial or why did you allow me to go through this episode in my life? 

But if you know Jesus and if you feel His presence in your life. You will never question Jesus thus you will simply bow to His will and trust Him. Why bow to His will? This is for the reason that you know that something greater is in store for you. That you don’t see and know yet now but you will certainly see and feel in your life in the future.   

Ask Jesus therefore to give you the gift of knowing Him deeply and the gift of His living presence in your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 19 Biyernes ng Ika-15 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 12:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:1-8

Noong panahong iyon, isang Araw ng Pamamahinga, naparaan si Jesus sa triguhan. Nagutom ang kasama niyang mga alagad kaya't nangitil sila ng uhay at kinain ang mga butil. Nang makita ito ng mga Pariseo, sinabi nila sa kanya, "Tingnan mo ang ginagawa ng iyong mga alagad. Bawal iyan kung Araw ng Pamamahinga."   

Sumagot si Jesus, "Hindi ba ninyo nabasa ang ginawa ni David nang magutom siya at ang kanyang mga kasama? Pumasok siya sa bahay ng Diyos at kumain ng tinapay na handog sa Diyos at pinakain din niya ang kanyang mga kasama. Labag sa Kautusan na kanin nila ang tinapay na iyon sapagkat ang mga saserdote lamang ang may karapatang kumain niyon.  

Hindi pa ba ninyo nababasa sa Kautusan ni Moises na tuwing Araw ng Pamamahinga, lumalabag sa batas tungkol sa araw na ito ang mga saserdote sa templo, gayunmay hindi nila ipinagkakasala iyon? Sinasabi ko sa inyo, naririto ang higit na dakila kaysa templo.

Hindi sana ninyo hinatulan ang mga walang sala kung alam ninyo ang kahulugan ng mga salitang ito, 'Habag ang ibig ko, hindi hain.' Sapagkat ang Araw ng Pamamahinga ay nasa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ng Anak ng Tao." 

Reflection for July 18 Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 11:28-30

Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a young man who was struggling to find his place in this world.  He was already at the point of surrender. He murmured to himself, “I am a total failure” in the abyss of his frustration he thought of ending his life.  

Until he was advised by a friend to seek God and surrender every burdens that he has in his heart. So, he went to Holy Mass regularly and he read his bible, after a few weeks he developed a deep friendship with Jesus and he surrendered his everything to Him. 

Many of us have this tendency to allow ourselves to be eaten up by the frenetic pace and materialism of this world. We get too busy in fact very busy because we want to satisfy our many temporal wants. But come to think of it, why are we punishing ourselves too much just to satisfy our worldly desires? Why are many of us favoring this world over God when what we earn from this world can actually be taken from us anytime? When we can go out of this world anytime?

In our gospel for today, Jesus invites us all to go to Him. We who are so busy with this world, we who tend to forget the primacy of God over this world. When are we going to open our hearts to this invitation of Jesus? When we are already old and sickly? Let us not wait for that time to come. Let us build a relationship with Jesus now and let us respond to His invitation now. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 18 Huwebes ng Ika-15 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 11:28-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:28-30

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus, "Lumapit kayo sa akin, kayong lahat na napapagal at; nabibigatan sa inyong pasanin, at kayo'y pagpapahingahin ko.  

Pasanin ninyo ang aking pamatok, at mag-aral kayo sa akin; ako'y maamo at mababang-loob, at makasusumpong kayo ng kapahingahan para sa inyong kaluluwa. Sapagkat maginhawang dalhin ang aking pamatok, at magaan ang pasaning ibibigay ko sa inyo."

Reflection for July 17 Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 11:25-27

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-27

At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. 

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

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Reflection:

What is the key to know Gods will for you? It’s humility,  a humble person is ever ready to listen to the voice and will of God. He/she doesn’t go against the will of God he/she rather allows God’s will to work in his/her life. In the process of allowing God’s will to rule his/her life he/she discovers more about God. 

When you are humble you open yourself to the countless blessings that emanates from God. You may ask, how am I going to be humble in front of God? You have to follow the rules of Jesus and of the church which Jesus founded through St. Peter.   

For example the teaching of Sunday Holy Mass obligation, a humble person would always see to it that he/she is always present in this sacred celebration. Another example is our humble submission to the sacraments most especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A humble person would always find time to confess his/her sins to a priest who acts in the person of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus always looks kindly to those who are childlike and humble. Why? Because this is the nature of God: He loves those who are humble and He reveals Himself more to the childlike and humble.  

Do you want to know more about God? And do you want to have a deeper friendship with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 17 Miyerkules ng Ika-15 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 11:25-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:25-27

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus, "Pinasasalamatan kita, Ama, Panginoon ng langit at lupa, sapagkat inilihim mo ang mga bagay na ito sa marurunong at matatalino at inihayag sa mga may kaloobang tulad ng sa bata.  

Oo, Ama, sapagkat gayon ang ikinalulugod mo. "Ibinigay sa akin ng aking Ama ang lahat ng bagay. Walang nakakikilala sa Anak kundi ang Ama, at walang nakakikilala sa Ama kundi ang Anak at yaong marapating pagpahayagan ng Anak."

Reflection for July 16 Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 11:20-24

Gospel: Matthew 11:20-24

Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. 

But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum: Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld. 

For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

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Reflection:

Do you get frustrated or even get angry every once in a while? It’s ok for as long as your frustration and anger is for a good reason. And for as long as your anger doesn’t stay for long in your heart.  For example, you advice a relative or a friend to mend his/her ways but she/he doesn’t listen to you.   

In his humanity Jesus also gets frustrated like us and it is shown in the gospel. When He reproached the towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida due to their refusal to repent. Jesus wanted the inhabitants of the two towns to change their wicked ways and accept His good news. 

Some of us are like the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida full of stubbornness, so; we continue to sin. Yes, we believe that there’s a God but believing is very different from listening to God and letting Him live in our hearts. 

Sin in whatever shapes and forms is a clear and present danger in our lives. We must not only avoid sin let us also confront sin so that it will permanently banish from our system of existence. Sin is the devil in disguise and whomever embraces sin will eventually be destroyed by sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 16 Martes ng Ika-15 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 11:20-24

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:20-24

Noong panahong iyon, sinumbatan ni Jesus ang mga bayang ginawan niya ng maraming kababalaghan sapagkat hindi sila nagsisi't tumalikod sa kanilang mga kasalanan. "Kawawa ka, Corazin! Kawawa ka Betsaida! Sapagkat kung sa Tiro at Sidon ginawa ang mga kababalaghang ginawa sa inyo, malaon na sanang nagdaramit ng sako at nauupo sa abo ang mga tagaroon upang ipakilalang sila'y nagsisisi.  

Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay higit na mabigat ang sasapitin ninyo kaysa sasapitin ng mga taga-Tiro at taga-Sidon. At ikaw, Capernaum, ibig mong maging mataas kaysa langit? Ibabagsak ka sa Hades! 

Sapagkat kung sa Sodoma ginawa ang kababalaghang ginawa rito sa inyo, sana'y nananatili pa ito hanggang ngayon. Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo, sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay higit na mabigat ang ipaparusa sa inyo kaysa dinanas ng Sodoma."

Reflection for Monday July 15 Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 10:34-11:1

Gospel: Matthew 10:34-11:1

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household. 

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 

“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.

Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple–amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” 

When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples, he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.

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Reflection:

What is this sword that Jesus speaks about in the gospel? 

It’s the sword of truth and righteousness! Jesus came into this world to bring the sword of truth and righteousness and this sword of truth and righteousness pierces anyone who stands in the way. 

Man against his father? Daughter against her mother? Indeed, if anyone stands in the way even if they are our relatives we should not be afraid to speak in the name of truth and righteousness. We should not be afraid to voice out what we think is right no matter who gets hurt. In the same manner that we should not be afraid to voice out our sentiments even if the person whom we are going to address has the money, influence and power. 

Sometimes we have second thoughts if we are going to speak our mind in the name of Jesus. We ought not to think twice we must have the courage to say what’s in our minds in the name of the sword of Jesus’ truth and righteousness. 

The church always speaks out its mind whenever there are issues or policies that hurt the people of God. The church is not afraid to contradict anyone in power even if it creates temporary enmity. Why? For the simple reason that the mission of the church is to speak for God and to speak the truth no matter who gets hurt.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Lunes Hulyo 15 San Buenaventura, obispo at pantas ng simbahan (Paggunita): Mateo 10:34 – 11:1

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 10:34 – 11:1

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga apostol, "Huwag ninyong isiping naparito ako upang magdala ng kapayapaan sa lupa; naparito ako upang magdala ng tabak, hindi kapayapaan. Sapagkat naparito ako upang papaglabanin ang anak na lalaki at ang kanyang ama, ang anak na babae at ang kanyang ina, ang manugang na babae at ang kanyang biyenang babae. at ang kaaway ng isang tao'y ang kanya na ring kasambahay.

"Ang umiibig sa ama o sa ina nang higit sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. At ang umiibig sa anak na lalaki o babae nang higit sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. Ang hindi nagpapasan nang kanyang krus at sumusunod sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. Ang nag-iingat ng kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito, at ang nawawalan ng kanyang buhay dahil sa akin ay magkakamit nito."  

"Ang tumatanggap sa inyo ay tumatanggap sa akin, at ang tumatanggap sa akin ay tumatanggap sa nagsugo sa akin. Ang tumatanggap sa isang propeta dahil sa siya'y propeta ay tatanggap ng gantimpala ukol sa propeta. At ang tumatanggap sa isang taong matuwid dahil sa siya'y matuwid ay tatanggap ng gantimpalang nauukol sa taong matuwid. at sinumang magbigay ng kahit isang basong tubig na malamig sa isa sa maliliit na ito dahil sa ito'y alagad ko-- tinitiyak kong tatanggap siya ng gantimpala." Matapos tagubilinan ang labingdalawang alagad, umalis si Jesus upang magturo at mangaral sa mga bayang malapit doon. 

Reflection for Sunday July 14, Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:7-13

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 

He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So, they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

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Reflection:

What were the apostles thinking when they were sent to their mission by Jesus without bringing any provisions? Perhaps they were worried, so questions arose like, "What are we going to eat?" and "Would we be able to survive this difficult mission?" But eventually their questioning minds were overwhelmed by their faith and trust in Jesus. And so, they move ahead and became successful missioners of Jesus.

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine how God will sustain us or how we can survive the difficulties of life, until we learn to hold on to our faith and give our full trust and confidence to the almighty hand of Jesus. Many of us fail in our endeavors because we lack faith and trust in the Lord. Instead of trusting the Lord, we rely on ourselves. So we fail, and the main culprit is our feeble faith.

Trust and faith were the two main ingredients that made the twelve apostles successful in their mission. Trust and faith in Jesus must also be our guiding light as we move on to do our mission for Christ, or as we move on to live our life for Jesus.

Let us not allow ourselves to be intimidated by the challenges that may confront us, no matter how difficult. Why? Because the Lord will always be with us to help us as we help Him advance His teachings.

In hindsight, has God forsaken anyone who helped Him spread His teachings? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Linggo Hulyo 14 Ika-15 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 6:7-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:7-13

Noong panahong iyon Tinawag niya ang Labindalawa, at sinugong daladalawa. Binigyan niya sila ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng masasamang espiritu, at pinagbilinan: "Sa inyong paglalakbay, huwag kayong magdala ng anuman, maliban sa tungkod. 

Ni pagkain, balutan, salapi sa inyong lukbutan o bihisan, ay huwag kayong magdala. Ngunit magsuot kayo ng panyapak." Sinabi rin niya sa kanila, "At sa alinmang tahanan na inyong tuluyan-- manatili kayo roon hanggang sa pag-alis ninyo sa bayang iyon. Kung ayaw kayong tanggapin o pakinggan sa isang dako, umalis kayo roon at ipagpag ninyo ang alikabok ng inyong mga paa bilang babala sa mga tagaroon." 

Kaya't humayo ang Labindalawa at nangaral sa mga tao na pagsisihan nila at talikdan ang kanilang mga kasalanan. Pinalayas nila ang maraming demonyo sa mga inaalihan nito; pinahiran nila ng langis at pinagaling ang maraming maysakit.