Reflection for August 7 Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 15:21-28

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” 

But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” 

He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

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Reflection:

How do you define your faith in Jesus? It’s when you don’t give up on what you want from Jesus. You continuously badger Him with your prayers until He answers it.  

The Canaanite woman had this kind of faith, she never gave up on her prayer request for Jesus to heal her daughter tormented by a demon. There were many obstacles stacked against her, foremost of this was her being not a Jew but it did not matter to her. She persisted and she even argued with Jesus until she passed Jesus’ examination of her faith. After which her daughter was healed by Jesus. 

This gospel relates with our own journey of faith with Jesus also. Anyone of us could be that Canaanite woman who badgered Jesus no end until she got the healing that she wants for her daughter.

 However, unlike the woman from Canaan who persisted until the very end we may not have the will to badger Jesus. We may have quit already and said to ourselves, “I give up on my prayer for Jesus because He seems to be deaf.” What we do not know is the delay is just part of the testing of our faith. 

Every trial that we go through is our own test of faith. For example, the harshness of life that many of us are presently going through this is just a test of our faith and will to survive. Let us therefore not give up and let us continue to pray to the Lord for He will soon hear our prayers. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 7 Miyerkules sa Ika-18 Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 15:21-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 15:21-28

Umalis doon si Jesus at nagpunta sa lupaing malapit sa Tiro at Sidon. Lumapit sa kanya ang isang Cananeang naninirahan doon at malakas na sinabi, "Panginoon, Anak ni David, mahabag po kayo sa akin! Ang anak kong babae ay inaalihan ng demonyo at masyadong pinahihirapan.   

Ngunit gaputok ma'y di tumugon si Jesus. at lumapit ang kanyang mga alagad at sinabi sa kanya. "Pagbigyan na nga po ninyo at nang umalis. Siya'y nag-iingay at susunod-sunod sa atin." Sumagot si Jesus, "Sa mga tupang naliligaw ng sambahayan ng Israel lamang ako sinugo." Ngunit lumapit sa kanya ang babae, lumuhod sa harapan at ang sabi, "Tulungan po ninyo ako, Panginoon."   

Sumagot si Jesus, "Hindi dapat kunin ang pagkain ng mga anak upang ihagis sa mga tuta." "Tunay nga po, Panginoon," tugon ng babae, "ngunit ang mga tuta man ay nagsisikain ng mumong nalalaglag sa hapag ng kanilang panginoon." Kaya sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Napakalaki ng iyong pananalig! Mangyayari ang hinihiling mo." At noon di'y gumaling ang kanyang anak.  

Reflection for Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:13-21

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. 

When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” He said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” 

But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. 

They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over–twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a poor woman who got sick with a serious sickness being poor she naturally cant afford the expensive medication process. So, she said to Jesus: “O my Lord I have nothing except my faith, I will go to the nearest hospital and simply entrust everything to you.” 

And she went to the hospital, upon arriving a kind hearted doctor asked her: “What can I do for you.” The woman said: “I’m very sick please help me and the doctor said: “Don’t worry I will help you get healed.” While she was being assisted by the doctor the woman saw a gleaming pin of the sacred heart of Jesus attached to the doctor’s coat.    

When we have faith the impossible becomes possible, the faraway becomes within reach and the unbelievable becomes believable.

In the gospel, when Jesus saw the vast crowd waiting for Him, His heart was moved with pity for them. Thus, Jesus cured those who were sick (Matthew 14:14). When evening came the disciples told Jesus to let go of the vast crowd so that they can buy their food. But Jesus would have nothing of His disciples’ suggestion.

He instead told His disciples to feed them but there was no food except for the five loaves and two fish. So, Jesus asked for the five loaves and two fish and it was all what Jesus needed to feed the vast crowd.

Because of the harshness of life, many are losing hope. However, there is hope, and it is offered to us by Jesus in the gospel. All Jesus asks of us is to continue to have faith. The same faith of the crowd who waited for Jesus’ healing and the same faith of the crowd who were fed by Jesus by means of the multiplication of the five bread and two fish.

Let us never doubt the power of Jesus to see us through out of our difficult situation. Let us continue to pray and have faith in the power of Jesus. Let us continue to have faith that Jesus will make a way when there seems to be no way. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita: Agosto 5, Lunes sa Ika-18 Linggo sa ng Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 14:13-21

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:13-21

Noong panahong iyon, nang marinig ni Jesus ang pagkamatay ni Juan Bautista, siya'y sumakay sa isang bangka at nag-iisang pumunta sa ilang na lugar. Nang mabalitaan naman iyon ng mga tao, sila'y lumabas ng bayan at lakad na sumunod sa kanya. Paglunsad ni Jesus sa dalampasigan, nakita niya ang napakaraming taong yaon.  

Nahabag siya sa kanila at pinagaling niya ang mga maysakit na dala nila. Nang dapit-hapon na'y lumapit sa kanya ang mga alagad. Sinabi nila, "Ilang ang pook na ito at malapit nang lumubog ang araw. Papuntahin na po ninyo sa mga nayon ang mga tao upang makabili ng kanilang makakain." "Hindi na sila kailangang umalis pa," sabi ni Jesus. "Kayo ang magbigay sa kanila ng makakain." Sumagot sila, "Lilima po ang tinapay at dadalawa ang isda natin."  

"Dalhin ninyo rito," sabi niya. Pinaupo niya sa damuhan ang mga tao, kinuha ang limang tinapay at dalawang isda; tumingala siya sa langit at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Pinagpira-piraso niya ang mga tinapay at iniutos sa mga alagad na ipamigay iyon sa mga tao. Kumain silang lahat at nabusog. Tinipon ng mga alagad ang lumabis, at sila'y nakapuno ng labindalawang bakol ng pira-pirasong tinapay. May limang libong lalaki ang kumain, bukod pa sa mga babae at mga bata.

Reflection for Sunday August 4, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 6:24-35

Gospel: John 6:24-35

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" 

Jesus answered them and said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. 

For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent." So they said to him, "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? 

What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat. So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

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Reflection:

During the latter part of Saint Catherine of Siena's life, she was unable to eat or drink water. What sustained her during that crucial period was her daily reception of Jesus through Holy Communion. She was sustained for a number of years by the Bread of Life until she eventually died.

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus boldly tells us that He is the true Bread of Life, the one we must seek and always hunger for. Why? Because once we find Jesus, we will never hunger or thirst for the material things of this world, which are fleeting and can be taken away from us at any time.

There are people who treat material possessions, money, power, and influence as their own "bread of life." However, this is not the true Bread of Life but merely the temporary bread of the world. There is no satisfaction with this worldly bread because the more we possess, the more we crave it. We will continuously hunger and thirst for this bread of the world until it completely possesses and destroys us.

But what if we seek the true Bread of Life, which is Jesus? We would find satisfaction with whatever we have. We would no longer crave material possessions, wealth, or power, and we would experience less pressure. Instead, we would be serene and peaceful because Jesus, the true Bread of Life, is with us.

Let us always hold close to our hearts this powerful statement of Jesus: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst" (John 6:35). – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Agosto 4 Ika-18 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Juan 6:24-35

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:24-35

Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ng mga tao na wala na roon si Jesus, ni ang kanyang mga alagad, sila'y sumakay sa mga bangka at pumunta rin sa Capernaum upang hanapin si Jesus.  

Nakita nila si Jesus sa ibayo ng lawa, at kanilang tinanong, "Rabi, kailan pa kayo rito?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Sinasabi ko sa inyo: hinahanap ninyo ako, hindi dahil sa mga kababalaghang nakita ninyo, kundi dahil sa nakakain kayo ng tinapay at nabusog. Gumawa kayo, hindi upang magkaroon ng pagkaing nasisira, kundi upang magkaroon ng pagkaing hindi nasisira at nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan.  

Ibibigay ito sa inyo ng Anak ng Tao, sapagkat siya ang binigyan ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos Ama." Kaya't siya'y tinanong nila, "Ano po ang dapat naming gawin upang aming maganap ang kalooban ng Diyos?" Ito ang ipinagagawa sa inyo ng Diyos: manalig kayo sa sinugo niya," tugon ni Jesus.  

Ano pong kababalaghan ang maipakikita ninyo upang manalig kami sa inyo? Ano po ang gagawin ninyo?" tanong nila. Ang aming mga magulang ay kumain ng manna sa ilang, ayon sa nasusulat, 'Sila'y binigyan niya ng pagkaing mula sa langit,' " dugtong pa nila. Sumagot si Jesus, "Dapat ninyong malamang hindi si Moises ang nagbigay sa sa inyo ng pagkaing mula sa langit, kundi ang aking Ama. 

Siya ang nagbibigay sa inyo ng tunay na pagkaing mula sa langit. Sapagkat ang pagkaing bigay ng Diyos ay yaong mula sa langit at nagbibigay-buhay sa sanlibutan." "Ginoo," wika nila, "bigyan po ninyo kaming lagi ng pagkaing iyon." "Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay," sabi ni Jesus. "Ang lumalapit sa akin ay hindi na magugutom, at ang nananalig sa akin ay hindi na mauuhaw kailanman."

Reflection for August 3 Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him. Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him “It is not lawful for you to have her.  

Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.   

Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist. The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

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Reflection:

Who is King Herod?  

King Herod is a tyrant, a leader who will never think twice to suppress or neutralize anyone who dares cross his path. He will not only suppress, Herod could even order the killing of anyone he wants so that he could remain in power.  

Respect for human rights is not part of the vocabulary of Herod, abuse of human rights and dignity are. This is the reason why John the Baptist was imprisoned John did nothing wrong he simply said what was to be truthfully said yet John suffered for it.  

Many leaders are like King Herod, they would bully themselves by the use of strong words and autocratic power to achieve what they want. We should be very careful and watchful of these kinds of leaders for they will not do us any good. They will only use and manipulate us and bring us to perdition.  

Many Herods are roaming around in this world today we therefore have to be watchful and careful so that we can immediately distance ourselves from them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Agosto 2 Sabado ng Ika-17 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 14:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, nang makarating kay Herodes na tetrarka ang balita tungkol kay Jesus, sinabi niya sa kanyang mga lingkod, "Siya'y si Juan Bautista na muling nabuhay, kaya siya nakagagawa ng himala!"  

Si Herodes ang nagpahuli, nagpagapos at nagpabilanggo kay Juan. Ang dahilan ay si Herodias na asawa ng kapatid niyang si Felipe. Laging sinasabi ni Juan kay Herodes, "Hindi matuwid na magsama kayo ng asawa ng inyong kapatid." Ibig ni Herodes na ipapatay si Juan ngunit natatakot siya sa mga Judio, sapagkat kinikilala nilang propeta si Juan Bautista.  

Nang dumating ang kaarawan ni Herodes, sumayaw sa harapan ng mga panauhin ang anak na babae ni Herodias. Labis na nasiyahan si Herodes, kaya't isinumpa niyang ibibigay sa dalaga ang anumang hingin nito. Sa udyok ng kanyang ina ay sinabi ng dalaga, "Ibigay po ninyo sa akin ngayon din, sa isang pinggan, ang ulo ni Juan Bautista. "  

Nalungkot ang hari, ngunit dahil sa kanyang pangakong narinig ng mga panauhin, iniutos niyang ibigay iyon sa dalaga. Kaya't pinapugutan niya si Juan sa bilangguan. Inilagay ang ulo sa isang pinggan at ibinigay sa dalaga; dinala naman ito ng dalaga sa kanyang ina. Dumating ang mga alagad ni Juan, kinuha ang kanyang bangkay at inilibing. Pagkatapos, ibinalita nila ito kay Jesus.

Reflection for August 2 Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:54-58

Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 

Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

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Reflection:

What if Jesus was a doctor during His time; would they treat Him differently? Would they treat Him with high esteem instead of belittling Him? Of course His townmates would have treated Him with high respect for He was a doctor. But the reality is He was a carpenter and a carpenter’s son. So, they belittled Him and as a result Jesus did not do many miracles in their place. 

Sad to say but this is also happening to us, we have different measures and treatment for different people. Many of us treat the rich and educated with high esteem and we regard differently those who are poor and less educated. 

Education and status in life are a deceiving standard to gauge the morality, sincerity and kindness of a person. In the heart of an ordinary person we often times find moral fitness, sincerity and kindness. This we often fail to recognize for the reason that we already judge them based on their life's status. 

The town mates of Jesus failed to discover this in Jesus because they judge Him based on His life's status. If only they did not disparage Jesus they could have discovered the gentleness of Jesus but they belittled Him for He was just an ordinary carpenter’s son for them. 

Perhaps one of the many lessons the gospel imparts to us is not to belittle anyone regardless who they may be. Who knows the people that we belittle are the ones with pure hearts and the ones who will be there for us in our time of need. 

Are you quick to judge for the reason of one’s physical appearance, education and status in life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 2, Biyernes sa Ika-17 Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 13:54-58

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:54-58

Noong panahong iyon, umuwi si Hesus sa kanyang bayan at nagturo sa sinagoga. Nagtaka ang mga nakarinig sa kanya. Sabi nila, “Saan kumuha ng karunungan ang taong ito? Paano siya nakagagawa ng kababalaghan? Hindi ba ito ang anak ng karpintero? Hindi ba si Maria ang kanyang ina, at sina Santiago, Jose, Simon, at Judas ang kanyang mga kapatid na lalaki?  

At dito nakatira ang kanyang mga kapatid na babae, hindi ba? Saan niya natutunan ang lahat ng ito?” At ayaw nilang kilanlin siya. Kaya’t sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Ang propeta’y iginagalang kahit saan, liban sa kanyang sariling sambahayan.” At dahil sa di nila pagsampalataya hindi siya gumawa roon ng maraming kababalaghan.

Reflection for Thursday August 1 Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 13:47-53

Gospel: Matthew 13:47-53

Jesus said to the disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. 

What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” 

“Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.

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Reflection:

A desperate man was set to end his life, when he was about to do it he heard the voice of God which told him not to end his life. The man told God, “I am a grievous sinner my Lord I don’t deserve to live anymore, I deserve to die and be in hell.” The Lord told the man, I love you my son no matter who you are and no matter what you have done. 

The love of God is like a net thrown into the sea which collects fish of every kind (Matthew 13:47). It does not discriminate; it catches every fish, the good and bad alike. This is the love of God for each and everyone of us: Sinner and non sinner alike. 

Yet this love that God gives us freely is not also being forced upon us. We also have the freedom if we would respond by renewing our lives or we continue with our sinful ways. If we renew our lives and permanently walk away from sin then we save our life.  

 But if we continue on sinning notwithstanding the fact that God has already called us. We therefore have to be ready for the grievous consequence that may befall us.  It’s no brainer therefore that we have to discontinue our sinful lives and take advantage of the love of God that he perpetually offers us. 

Let us choose to embrace the love of God and permanently dump into oblivion the sinful offering of the devil. Why? Because the love of God is peace the love of God is heaven on earth. The offering of the devil will bring us nowhere but disturbance, problems and hell even while we are still living. - Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Agosto 1 San Alfonso Maria Liguori, obispo at pantas ng simbahan: Mateo 13:47-53

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:47-53

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao, "Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad din ng isang malaking lambat na inihagis sa dagat at nakahuli ng sari-saring isda. Nang mapuno ay hinila ito sa pampang. At naupo ang mga tao upang pagbukud-bukurin ang mga isda: tinipon nila sa mga sisidlan ang mabubuti, ngunit itinatapon ang mga walang kwenta.  

Gayon din ang mangyayari sa katapusan ng daigdig. Darating ang mga anghel at ihihiwalay ang mga makasalanan sa mga banal, at ihahagis ang mga makasalanan sa maningas na pugon. Doo'y mananangis sila at magngangalit ang kanilang ngipin."  

"Nauunawaan na ba ninyo ang lahat ng ito?" tanong ni Jesus. "Opo," sagot nila. At sinabi niya sa kanila, "Kaya, nga ang bawat eskriba na kumikilala sa paghahari ng Diyos ay tulad ng isang puno ng sambahayan na kumukuha ng mga bagay na bago at luma sa kanyang taguan."

Nang masabi na ni Hesus ang mga talinghagang ito, siya’y umalis doon.

Reflection for Wednesday July 31 Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest: Matthew 13:44-46

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46

Jesus said to his disciples: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  

Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."

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Reflections:

Would you give up your worldly possessions for the kingdom of God? 

Jesus depicts His kingdom as treasure and pearl that whoever would find it will give up everything just to have it. Indeed, the kingdom of God is a priceless treasure and pearl that we must all desire. For what it will do us if we have treasures in this world yet we don’t have God in our lives? 

The riches of this world are all passing and temporary we will leave it all somewhere along the path of our lives. Whether we like it or not we have to leave everything that we have in this world. So who will remain without end?   

The one that will forever be there for us is God; the one that shall bring us to heaven is God. These temporary things that presently surround us will not be able to bring us to our eternal heavenly destination. It’s only through God that we would be able to go to heaven someday and it is only through God that we would experience heaven while we are still in this world. 

In our gospel, the person found the true treasure of life which is God; he gave up everything just to have Him. The same also with the merchant when he found the true pearl of his life that is God. He sold everything in his possessions so that he could possess the greatest pearl that is God. Many saints have done this too; they gave up everything just to have Jesus.  

What are you willing to give up to have the Lord in your life? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Hulyo 31 Pagguntia San Ignacio de Loyola, pari: Mateo 13:44-46

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:44-46

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao, “Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad ng kayamanang nakabaon sa isang bukid. Nahukay ito ng isang tao at tinabunan uli. Sa laki ng tuwa, siya’y humayo at ipinagbili ang lahat ng ari-arian niya at binili ang bukid na iyon.                  

“Gayun din naman, ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: may isang mangangalakal na naghahanap ng mamahaling perlas. Nang makakita ng isang perlas na napakahalaga, siya’y humayo at ipinagbili ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian at binili iyon.”