Reflection for July 27 Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:24-30

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. 

When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from? 

He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.” 

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a priest who exorcised a devil from a lady possessed by it. After hours of struggle the priest was able to cure the possessed lady and he drove away the devil from her. 

Following a few days the priest manifested signs of being possessed and it turned out that the devil whom he banished from the lady silently crept into him. The priest went through the same exorcism rite and was eventually freed from the possession of the devil.     

The devil is a reality; it is always around us, waiting for the perfect moment to possess us, whoever we may be. It may not be anymore like a diabolical possession and it may not anymore appear like a Diablo. Oftentimes the devil stealthy hides beneath lustful and evil intentions, the absence of humility, greed for money and power. It’s always there hovering ever ready to temp us to commit sin. 

The weeds mentioned by Jesus in the gospel parable are the many temptations that the devil sows in our way. Many of us succumb to these many temptations and we therefore sin. But even if we sin God will not immediately condemn us to eternal damnation God will still be patient with us. Because God is hoping that we would see light and completely walkaway from darkness before it envelopes us. 

We therefore have to hurry and discard whatever sin that we are committing right now. Because our many sins will eventually catch up with us and when it happens we have to be prepared for the punishment that would befall us. 

But why wait for that punishment when we still have time to confront sin and soon after completely walk away from it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita, Hulyo 27 Sabado ng Ika-16 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 13:24-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:24-30

Noong panahong iyon, inilahad ni Hesus ang talinghagang ito sa mga tao, “Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: may isang taong naghasik ng mabuting binhi sa kanyang bukid. Isang gabi, samantalang natutulog ang mga tao, dumating ang kanyang kaaway at naghasik ng masasamang damo sa triguhan. 

Nang tumubo ang trigo at magkauhay, lumitaw rin ang masasamang damo. Kaya’t lumapit ang mga alipin sa puno ng sambahayan at sinabi rito, ‘Hindi po ba mabuting binhi ang inihasik ninyo sa inyong bukid? Bakit po may damo ngayon?’ Sumagot siya, ‘Isang kaaway ang may kagagawan nito.’ 

Tinanong siya ng mga utusan, ‘Bubunutin po ba namin ang mga iyon?’ ‘Huwag,’ sagot niya. ‘Baka mabunot pati trigo. Hayaan na ninyong lumago kapwa hanggang sa anihan. Pag-aani’y sasabihin ko sa mga tagapag-ani: Tipunin muna ninyo ang mga damo at inyong pagbigkis-bigkisin upang sunugin, at ang trigo’y inyong tipunin sa aking kamalig.’” 

Reflection for Friday July 26 Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Matthew 13:18-23

Gospel: Matthew 13:18-23

Jesus said to his disciples: "Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.  

The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.  

The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold." 

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Reflection:

Would we allow Jesus to bear fruit in our life so that we would become the seed sown on rich soil? 

Four seeds were sown on four different surfaces: the path, rocky ground, among thorns, and on rich soil. The seeds represent the word of God, and the disciples represent the four environments. 

Jesus wanted the disciples to be the rich soil at all times (to hear the word, understand it, and live it). However, God has also given them the freedom to choose which surface they would be. 

The parable of the sower is a parable that depicts our individual response to Jesus’ call for us to follow Him.  Many of us don’t give this call serious thought. Quite a few embrace this call; thus, they let it grow in their hearts by means of sharing their faith through their words and actions. Jesus obviously wants us all to become the rich soil so that we could be fruitful and useful followers. 

We all have the freedom of choice to choose where we would be among the four environments. However, as far as Jesus is concerned He always wants us to be the rich soil. We may ask for what reason? Because God wants us to be at His bosom in heaven when our earthly journey is over someday. 

Let us begin to become fruitful by sharing and living our faith and the words of Jesus. Let us take courage and not be afraid of the obstacles. We simply follow Jesus’ desire for our lives, for He will take care of everything. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Hulyo 26, Paggunita kay San Joaquin at Santa Ana mga magulang ng Mahal na Birheng Maria: Mateo 13:18-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:18-23

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Pakinggan nga ninyo ang kahulugan ng talinghaga tungkol sa manghahasik. Ang mga nakikinig ng Salita tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos ngunit hindi nakauunawa nito ay katulad ng mga binhing nahasik sa tabi ng daan. 

Dumarating ang Masama at inaagaw ang nahasik sa kanilang puso. Inilalarawan ng binhing nahasik sa kabatuhan ang nakikinig ng Salita at masayang tumatanggap nito kaagad. Ngunit hindi ito tumitimo sa puso nila kaya’t hindi sila nananatili. Pagdating ng mga kapighatian o pag-uusig dahil sa Salita, agad silang nanlalamig. 

Inilalarawan naman ng naghasik sa dawagan ang nakikinig ng Salita, ngunit naging abala sa mga bagay ukol sa mundong ito, at naging maibigin sa mga kayamanan anupat ang Salita’y nawalan na ng puwang sa kanilang puso, kaya’t hindi makapamunga. At inilalarawan ng naghasik sa matabang lupa ang mga nakikinig ng Salita at nakauunawa nito. Sila’y namumunga: may tigsasandaan, may tig-aanimnapu, at may tigtatatlumpu.”

Reflection for Thursday July 25 Feast of Saint James, Apostle: Matthew 20:20-28

Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28

The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” 

He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. 

But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Reflection:

Who is an exemplary leader? 

An exemplary leader leads by example. He does not aspire to a position of leadership to be popular, to be seen, or to give orders while enjoying the trappings of the position. He ascends to a position of leadership because he wants to be a person for others and to serve, even at the cost of his life. 

In the gospel today we see a mother asking a favor from Jesus (If her two sons could seat beside Jesus) but the mother had no full comprehension of the destiny that awaits Jesus. If only she knew she would not have asked Jesus that favor. 

Why is it that many are attracted to serve in the church?  They want to serve because it’s an opportunity for them to be seen, to be in the spotlight. However, after they are given their assigned task they have a sudden realization that this is not what they wanted to do because it involves sacrifice and humility. And for obvious reasons they don’t last in their ministry. 

To serve in the church alongside Jesus always involves sacrifice and humility. We don’t serve because we want to be influential, to be popular and powerful. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Hulyo 25 Kapistahan ni San Santiago, apostol: Mateo 20:20-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 20:20-28

Noong panahong iyon, lumapit kay Jesus ang asawa ni Zebedeo, kasama ang kanyang mga anak. May ibig siyang hingin, kaya't lumuhod siya sa harapan ni Jesus. "ano ang ibig mo?" tanong ni Jesus. Sumagot siya, "Sana'y ipagkaloob ninyo sa dalawa kong anak na ito ang karapatang makaupong katabi ninyo sa inyong kaharian -- isa sa kanan at isa sa kaliwa."  

"Hindi ninyo nalalaman ang inyong hinihingi," sabi ni Jesus sa kanila. "Mababata ba ninyo ang hirap na babatahin ko?" "Opo," tugon nila. Sinabi ni Jesus, "Ang hirap na babatahin ko'y babatahin nga ninyo. Ngunit wala sa akin ang pagpapasiya kung sino ang mauupo sa aking kanan at sa aking kaliwa. Ang mga luklukang sinasabi ninyo'y para sa pinaghandaan ng aking Ama."  

Nang marinig ito ng sampung mga alagad, nagalit sila sa magkapatid. Kaya't pinalapit sila ni Jesus at sinabi sa kanila, "Alam ninyo na ang mga pinuno ng mga Hentil ay naghahari sa kanila, at ang mga dinadakila ang siyang nasusunod.

Ngunit hindi dapat ganyan ang umiral sa inyo. Sa halip, ang sinuman sa inyo na ibig maging dakila ay dapat maging lingkod. At sinumang ibig maging pinuno ay dapat maging alipin ninyo, tulad ng Anak ng Tao na naparito, hindi upang paglingkuran kundi upang maglingkod at iaalay ang kanyang buhay upang matubos ang marami. 

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 24 Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. 

And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. 

Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

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Reflection:

Do you listen to Jesus when He speaks to you? 

Jesus is always sowing the seeds of the gospel to you. With the hope that His sown seeds would eventually grow in our hearts  and bear countless fruits through our words and actions. Some of us don’t even care to listen or we listen but after listening we completely forget it. 

But there are also those who listen, imbibe and let the seeds of the gospel bear fruit in their lives by living and sharing it. In that process they allow themselves to be God’s channel  to bless other people’s lives.  

We all have this liberty on how we would receive these seeds of the gospel that God generously sows upon us. However let us not abuse this liberty by choosing to ignore it. Let us listen to it, let us allow it to take root in our hearts. 

Let us allow these very same words of God to transform us therefore we would become the seed sown on rich soil.  As such we will share it to as many people as possible and we will also give life to the same words of God by living it. 

Do you want a new perspective in your life? A perspective that is free from worldliness, sinfulness and other forms of worries brought about by this world? If yes, open your bible, read and reflect on the words of Jesus and allow it to sink deep into you. So that it would take root, grow and bear much fruit. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 24 Miyerkules ng Ika-16 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 13:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:1-9

Noon ding araw na iyon, si Hesus ay lumabas ng bahay at naupo sa tabi ng lawa. Pinagkalipumpunan siya ng makapal na tao, kaya sumakay siya sa isang bangka at doon naupo. Nasa dalampasigan naman ang mga tao. At nagturo siya ng maraming bagay sa pamamagitan ng mga talinghaga.  

“May isang magsasakang lumabas upang maghasik. Sa kanyang paghahasik ay may binhing nalaglag sa tabi ng daan. Dumating ang mga ibon at tinuka ang mga iyon. May binhi namang nalaglag sa kabatuhan. Sapagkat manipis lang ang lupa roon, sumibol agad ang binhing iyon, ngunit nang mapabilad sa matinding sikat ng araw ay natuyo, palibhasa’y walang gaanong ugat.  

May binhi namang nalaglag sa dawagan; lumago ang mga dawag at ininis ang mga iyon. Ngunit ang binhing nalaglag sa mabuting lupa ay nag-uhay: may tigsasandaan, may tig-aanimnapu, at may tigtatatlumpung butil ang bawat uhay. Ang may pandinig ay makinig!”

Reflection for July 23 Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:46-50

Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” 

But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

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Reflection:

How can we become relatives of Jesus? 

Jesus Himself reveals the secret to us: “For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother." And what is the will of the heavenly Father for us? It’s for us to do good always and to be collaborator of Jesus in spreading the good news. 

Jesus also cited the disciples as His mother and brothers for they were all faithful followers. We do not know the personal background of each disciple but surely some of them were sinners like us. But notwithstanding their sins they still chose to follow Jesus and completely left behind their sinful past. Thus, Jesus called them His mother and brothers. 

Therefore, the moment we choose to follow Jesus we already are called His relatives. What does to follow Jesus mean? It’s to follow Jesus by immersing our feet in the river of sacrifice, love, forgiveness, mercy, compassion and so forth.   

How about you? Have you already immersed your feet in the river of sacrifice, love, forgiveness, compassion and the like?   Have you finally decided to follow Jesus and leave behind your sinful past? 

Jesus yearns for you to become his relative too! – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 23 Martes ng Ika-16 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 12:46-50

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:46-50

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang nagsasalita pa si Hesus, dumating ang kanyang ina at mga kapatid. Naghihintay sila sa labas at ibig siyang makausap. May nagsabi sa kanya, “Nasa labas po ang inyong ina at mga kapatid, at ibig kayong makausap.”  

Ngunit sinabi ni Hesus, “Sino ang aking ina, at sinu-sino ang aking mga kapatid? Itinuro niya ang kanyang mga alagad at sinabi, “Ito ang aking ina at mga kapatid! Sapagkat ang sinumang sumusunod sa kalooban ng aking Amang nasa langit ang siya kong ina at mga kapatid.”

Reflection for Monday July 22 Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene: John 20:1-2, 11-18

Gospel: John 20:1-2, 11-18

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”  

Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” 

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.”  

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew,“Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her.

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Reflection:

Do you search for Jesus? 

If you search for Jesus you will find Him. If you attend Holy Mass Jesus is there, if you open your bible and read the first four gospels of the New Testament you will find Jesus there and if you pray the Rosary Jesus is there as well.  

Mary Magdalene intensely searched for Jesus, she went to the tomb while it was still dark and was so distressed when she did not find the body of the Lord. However she did not stop looking for HIM she went on with her search until Jesus appeared to her.  

The sole secret to find Jesus and to develop closeness with Him is to continuously thirst for HIM like we thirst for water. As water quenches our thirst and invigorates our bodies the Lord also does this to us and more. HE will quench our thirst and HE will invigorate our weary bodies.  

HE will do many more incredible things for us provided we continuously search and thirst for HIM. After finding Jesus we will now have to share Him so that our fellowmen will be blessed as we’ve been blessed by Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita: Lunes Hulyo 22 Santa Maria Magdalena (Kapistahan): Juan 20:1-2, 11-18

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:1-2, 11-18

Madilim-dilim pa nang araw ng Linggo, naparoon na si Maria Magdalena sa libingan. Naratnan niyang naalis na ang batong panakip sa pinto ng libingan. Dahil dito, patakbo siyang pumunta kay Simon Pedro at sa alagad na mahal ni Hesus, at sinabi sa kanila, “Kinuha sa libingan ang Panginoon at hindi namin alam kung saan dinala!”  

Si Maria’y nakatayong umiiyak sa labas ng libingan; yumuko siya at tumingin sa loob. May nakita siyang dalawang anghel na nakaupo sa pinaglagyan ng bangkay ni Hesus, ang isa’y sa gawing ulunan at ang isa nama’y sa paanan. Tinanong nila si Maria, “Ale, bakit kayo umiiyak?”  

Sumagot siya, “Kinuha po nila ang aking Panginoon, at hindi ko alam kung saan nila dinala.” Lumingon siya pagkasabi nito, at nakita niya si Hesus na nakatayo roon, ngunit hindi niya nakilalang si Hesus iyon. Tinanong siya ni Hesus, “Bakit ka umiiyak? Sino ang hinahanap mo?”  

Akala ni Maria’y siya ang tagapag-alaga ng halamanan, kaya’t sinabi niya, “Ginoo, kung kayo po ang kumuha sa kanya, ituro ninyo sa akin kung saan ninyo dinala at kukunin ko.” “Maria!” ani Hesus. Humarap siya at kanyang sinabi, “Raboni!” — ibig sabihi’y “Guro.” “Huwag mo akong hawakan, sapagkat hindi pa ako nakapupunta sa Ama,” wika ni Hesus.  

“Sa halip, pumunta ka sa king mga kapatid at sabihin mong aakyat ako sa aking Ama at inyong Ama, sa aking Diyos at inyong Diyos.” Kaya’t si Maria Magdalena’y pumunta sa mga alagad at sinabi, “Nakita ko ang Panginoon!” At tuloy sinabi sa kanila ang bilin ni Hesus.

Reflection for Sunday July 21, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:30-34

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. 

So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.  

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

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Reflection: 

A woman went to her neighbor to seek advice for her many problems. The neighbor asked the troubled woman this question: “Is Jesus an integral part of your life? For example, do you always pray to the Lord? Do you always attend Holy Mass?” The woman said no, and then the neighbor advised her to make time for Jesus. 

In the Gospel, a vast crowd was running after Jesus (Mark 6:34) because they knew that Jesus would straighten out their lives. They were not only after Jesus because they wanted to be cured and fed. Some perhaps were pursuing Jesus because they wanted to simply see Him and that would be enough for them to heal their body and soul. 

The vast crowd who was following Jesus wherever he goes saw in Jesus a good shepherd who will not only feed and heal them. They also saw in Jesus someone who will give them precious advice and guidance. 

What does this mean to you? 

This means that whenever you have issues and concerns in life that seem difficult to resolve, you have to go to Jesus in prayer. You need to bend your knees before Him and ask for His help and guidance. Because Jesus is always there for you ever ready to guide and help you as you encounter the many challenges of your life. 

Do you always pray to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Hulyo 21 Ika-16 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 6:30-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:30-34

Noong panahong iyon, bumalik kay Hesus ang mga apostol at iniulat ang lahat ng kanilang naisagawa at naituro. Napakaraming taong dumarating at umaalis, anupat hindi na makuhang kumain ni Hesus at ng kanyang mga alagad. Kaya’t sinabi niya sa mga ito, “Magtungo tayo sa isang ilang na pook upang malayo sa karamihan at makapagpahinga kayo nang kaunti.” Umalis silang lulan ng bangka, at nagpunta nga sa isang ilang na dako.  

Ngunit maraming nakakita sa kanilang pag-alis at nakilala sila. Kaya’t mula sa lahat ng bayan, ang mga tao’y patakbong tumungo sa dakong pupuntahan nina Hesus at nauna pang dumating doon kaysa kanila. Paglunsad ni Hesus, nakita niya ang napakaraming tao; nahabag siya sa kanila sapagkat para silang mga tupang walang pastol. At sila’y tinuruan niya ng maraming bagay.