Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Agosto 24 Kapistahan ni San Bartolome, apostol: Juan 1:45-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:45-51

Noong panahong iyon, hinanap ni Felipe si Natanael, at sinabi rito, "Natagpuan namin si Jesus na taga-Nazaret, ang anak ni Jose. Siya ang tinutukoy ni Moises sa kanyang Kautusan, at gayon din ng mga propeta." "May magmumula bang mabuti sa Nazaret?" tanong ni Natanael. Sumagot si Falipe, "Halika tingnan mo."  

Nang malapit na si Natanael ay sinabi ni Jesus, "Masdan ninyo ang isang tunay na Israelita; siya'y hindi magdaraya!" Tinanong siya ni Natanael, "Paano ninyo ako nakilala?" Sumagot si Jesus, Bago ka pa tawagin ni Felipe, nakita na kita nang ikaw ay nasa ilalim ng puno ng igos."  

"Rabi, kayo po ang Anak ng Diyos! Kayo ang Hari ng Israel" wika ni Natanael. Sinabi ni Jesus, "Nananampalataya ka ba dahil sinabi kong nasa ilalim ka ng puno ng igos? Makakakita ka ng mga bagay na higit kaysa rito!" At sinabi niya sa lahat, "Tandaan ninyo: makikita ninyong bukas ang langit, at ang anghel ng Diyos ay manhik-manaog sa kinaroroonan ng Anak ng Tao!"

Reflection for August 23 Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 22:34-40

Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  

He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

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Reflection:

Can we measure the length and breadth of true love? 

The length and breadth of true love is something that we cannot measure no matter how meticulously we try to measure it. We will be willing to give everything for the sake of this true love and this is what our love for God must be. 

If we love God we would be willing to do everything for Him including giving our life for the advancement of His kingdom here in this world. If we love God we would be willing to forgive those who have hurt us no matter how deep the wound it inflicted upon us. And if we truly love God we would be willing to give up whatever form of sinfulness that we have no matter the gratification that we derive from it.  

The martyrs and saints of the church best exemplify this greatest commandment of love. They lived it to the hilt that they willingly gave their very lives for the sake of their great love for God. 

We often times say that we love God but when we are confronted with difficult situations such as giving up something very important out of ourselves. We capitulate thus we betray our self- serving profession of love for God. The same when we are challenged to forgive those who’ve hurt us. 

True love for God is the willingness to give our time, our treasures and even our life for the advancement of God’s kingdom. True love for our neighbor/s is our readiness to forgive somebody even if she/he does not ask for our forgiveness. And true love for God is our willingness to walk away from anything that makes us sin.

Do you really love God? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 23, Biyernes sa Ika-20 na Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 22-34-40

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 22:34-40

Noong panahong iyon, nagtipun-tipon ang mga Pariseo nang mabalitaan nilang napatahimik ni Hesus ang mga Saduseo. At isa sa kanila, isang dalubhasa sa Kautusan, ang nagtanong kay Hesus upang subukin ito: “Guro, alin po ang pinakamahalagang utos sa Kautusan?”  

Sumagot si Hesus, “Ibigin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buong puso, nang buong kaluluwa, at nang buong pag-iisip. Ito ang pinakamahalagang utos. Ito naman ang pangalawa: “Ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili. Sa dalawang utos na ito nakasalalay ang buong Kautusan ni Moises at ang turo ng mga propeta.”

Reflection for Thursday August 22 Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his Kingdom there will be no end.   

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man? And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative has also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren for nothing will be impossible for God.”  

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

Do you bow in humility to the will of the Lord? For example, you want to focus on something that you want to become your lifelong career. Yet, in your heart you also feel that the Holy Spirit is leading you to something which is for God. Do you listen to this leading of the Holy Spirit or you listen only to what you want for yourself?  

Mary listened to the voice of God coursed through the Angel Gabriel, Mary listened to the Holy Spirit who spoke to her heart. Mary had her own plan yet she subordinated her plan for God’s plan for her which is to become the mother of Jesus.   

When we obey the voice of God who is continuously speaking to us, our life will change for the better not according to the desire of this world. We may not gain the material wealth that many of us want this world to offer us but the moment we say yes to the voice of God. We would gain peace in our life; peace that we have never experienced before and peace that no material wealth could give us.  

The Blessed Mother did this, she listened to the voice of God thru the angel Gabriel and she listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit which was already speaking to her heart. Thus, she gained peace and serenity in her life.   

Let us therefore listen to the voice of God and listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It may be telling us to reconcile with someone close to us. It may be telling us to reach out in humility to a friend or it may be telling us to forgive and forget an offense done against us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Agosto 22 Paggunita sa Pagka-reyna ng Mahal na Birheng Maria: Lucas 1:26-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:26-38

Nang ikaanim na buwan na ng pagdadalantao ni Elisabet, ang anghel Gabriel ay sinugo ng Diyos sa Nazaret, Galilea, sa isang dalaga na ang pangala'y Maria. Siya'y nakatakdang ikasal kay Jose, isang lalaki buhat sa lipi ni Haring David. Paglapit ng anghel sa kinaroroonan ng dalaga, binati niya ito.  

"Matuwa ka! Ikaw ay kalugud-lugod sa Diyos," wika niya. "Sumasaiyo ang Panginoon!" Nagulumihanan si Maria sa gayong pangungusap, at inisip niyang mabuti kung ano ang kahulugan niyon. Kaya't sinabi sa kanya ng anghel, "Huwag kang matakot, Maria, sapagkat kinalulugdan ka ng Diyos. Makinig ka! Ikaw ay maglilihi at manganganak ng isang lalaki, at siya'y tatawagin mong Jesus. 

Magiging dakila siya, at tatawaging Anak ng Kataas-taasan. Ibibigay sa kanya ng Panginoong Diyos ang trono ng kanyang amang si David. Maghahari siya sa angkan ni Jacob magpakailanman, at ang kanyang paghahari ay walang hanggan." "Paanong mangyayari ito, gayong ako'y dalaga?" tanong ni Maria. Sumagot ang anghel, "Bababa sa iyo ang Espiritu Santo, at lililiman ka ng kanyang kapangyarihan ng Kataas-taasan.  

Kaya't banal ang ipanganganak mo at tatawaging Anak ng Diyos. Natatandaan mo ang iyong kamag-anak na si Elisabet? Alam ng lahat na siya'y baog, ngunit naglihi siya sa kabila ng kanyang katandaan. At ngayo'y ikaanim na buwan na ng kanyang pagdadalantao -- sapagkat walang hindi mapangyayari ang Diyos." Sumagot si Maria, "Ako'y alipin ng Panginoon. Mangyari sa akin ang iyong sinabi." At nilisan siya ng anghel. 

Reflection for Wednesday August 21 Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope: Matthew 20:1-16

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise.

Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’  When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage.

So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’

He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes think that God is not treating you fairly? For example, you are faithful to Him, you follow the commandments and you always try to do your best to do good. But you still encounter trials and problems in your life.

The ways of God are unfathomable there are times that HIS decisions are hard for us to comprehend. But that’s how God is; HE does not think the way we think. HE doesn’t decide the way we decide. God is infinite and we are simply finite beings of this world.

We will not be able to comprehend the ways of God no matter how hard we try to comprehend it, we will not. But come to think of it, who are we to question God’s decisions and  infinite goodness? We are mere mortals with a very limited shelf life in this world. Instead of questioning the mysterious ways of God in our lives, why not simply work hard, be a good and faithful follower and trust HIM our lives no matter what may befall us?

In the gospel Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a landowner who invited workers to work in his vineyard. Many were invited to work at different hours during that day. Some were invited presumably at 8 in the morning, some during 9 in the morning. And then the last group of workers that were invited was during 5 pm the last hour of work already.   

When evening came every worker was summoned to receive their wages for their day’s work. The first batch that received their wages were those who came at 5 pm the last hour of work and to their surprise they received the full wage for the day.

Therefore those who reported to work the first hour of the morning were expecting a bigger wage. But to their disappointment they received the same wage with those who worked at 5 pm. So, they complained to the landowner for what they perceived to be an injustice that was done to them. However, the landowner told them that there was no injustice and cheating on the wages that was paid because they agreed to be paid with that amount from the outset.   

There may be times that we may feel that God is not treating us fairly. For the reason of the many challenges and trials that we face in our lives. But that feeling is wrong because God is always good and fair to us. It is rather us who fail to discern the goodness, wisdom and infinite mercy and generosity of God.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Agosto 21 Paggunita kay San Pio X, papa: Mateo 20:1-16

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 20:1-16

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad ang talinghagang ito: "Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: lumabas ng umagang-umaga ang may-ari ng ubasan upang humanap ng mga manggagawa. Nang magkasundo na sila sa upa na isang denaryo maghapon, sila'y pinapunta niya sa kanyang ubasan. Lumabas siyang muli nang mag-iikasiyam ng umaga at nakakita siya ng iba pang tatayu-tayo lamang sa liwasang-bayan.  

Sinabi nya sa kanila, 'Pumaroon din kayo at magtrabaho sa aking ubasan, at bibigyan ko kayo ng karampatang upa. At pumaroon nga sila. Lumabas na naman siya nang mag-iikalabindalawa ng tanghali at nang mag-iikatlo ng hapon, at gayon din ang ginagawa niya. Nang mag-iikalima ng hapon, siya'y lumabas uli at nakakita pa ng mga ibang wala ring ginagawa. Sinabi niya sa kanila, 'Bakit kayo tatayu-tayo lang dito sa buong maghapon?' 'Wala pong magbigay sa amin ng trabaho, e!' sagot nila. At sinabi niya, 'Kung gayun, pumaroon kayo at gumawa sa aking ubasan.'  

"Pagtatakip-silim, sinabi ng may-ari ng ubasan sa kanyang katiwala, 'Tawagin mo na ang mga manggagawa at sila'y upahan, magmula sa huli hanggang sa unang nagtrabaho.' Ang mga nagsimula ng mag-iikalima ng hapon ay tumanggap ng tig-iisang denaryo. At nang lumapit ang mga nauna, inakala nilang tatanggap sila ng higit doon; ngunit ang bawat isa'y tumanggap din ng isang denaryo.  

Pagkatanggap nito, nagreklamo sila sa may-ari ng ubasan. Sabi nila, 'Isang oras lang pong gumawa ang mga huling dumating, samantalang maghapon kaming nagpagal at nagtiis ng nakapapasong init ng araw. Bakit naman po ninyo pinagpare-pareho ang upa sa amin?' At sinabi niya sa isa sa kanila, 'Kaibigan, hindi kita dinadaya. Hindi ba't nagkasundo tayo sa isang denaryo?  

Kunin mo ang ganang iyo, at umalis ka na. Maano kung ibig kong upahan ang nahuli nang tulad ng upa ko sa iyo? Wala ba akong karapatang gawin ang aking maibigan sa ari-arian ko? O naiinggit ka lang sa aking kabutihang loob?' Kaya't ang nahuhuli ay mauuna, at ang nauuna ay mahuhuli."

Reflection for Tuesday August 20 Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 19:23-30

Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

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Reflection:

What have we given up for our love of Jesus? Have we given up our vices, sinfulness and other ungodly behaviors?  

In the gospel Peter said to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Perhaps this is also our question before Jesus, What will there be for us your followers? Ah, Jesus would probably say, there would be peace in your life, there would be less human created stress and the like. 

But judging from the life of Jesus and of those who faithfully followed Him there will be hardships, sacrifices, poverty and even martyrdom. Now that we have an idea, would we still follow? We must still follow Jesus even if people would persecute us for following Him and even if there would be hardships and sacrifices. For this is the true measure of our discipleship. 

Before gold becomes a magnificent piece of jewelry it passes through severe purifying by fire. And before a diamond is made it goes through several painful processes that involves crushing, cutting and refining. 

So is our life with Jesus, there would be humps and bumps here and there. But nothing to worry about these humps and bumps for its just part of the testing of our faith and certainly part of our purification. 

Would we still faithfully follow Jesus from now on notwithstanding the purification that we have to go through? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Agosto 20 Paggunita kay San Bernardo, abad at pantas ng Simbahan: Mateo 19:23-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:23-30

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: napakahirap mapabilang ang mayayaman sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos! At sinasabi ko rin sa inyo: madali pang makaraan ang kamelyo sa butas ng karayom kaysa pasakop sa paghahari ng Diyos ang isang mayaman.” 

Nagtaka ang mga alagad nang marinig ito, kaya’t naitanong nila. “Kung gayun, sino po ang maliligtas?” Tinitigan sila ni Hesus at sinabi, “Hindi ito magagawa ng tao, ngunit magagawa ng Diyos ang lahat ng bagay.”  

At nagsalita si Pedro, “Tingnan po ninyo: iniwan namin ang lahat at kami’y sumunod sa inyo. Ano po naman ang para sa amin?” Sinabi sa kanila ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo ito: kapag nakaluklok na ang Anak ng Tao sa kanyang maringal na trono sa bagong daigdig, kayong sumunod sa akin ay luluklok din sa labindalawang trono upang hukuman ang labindalawang lipi ng Israel. 

At ang sinumang magtiis na iwan ang tahanan, mga kapatid na lalaki at babae, ama, ina, mga anak, o mga lupain alang-alang sa akin ay tatanggap ng makasandaang ibayo, at pagkakalooban ng buhay na walang hanggan. Ngunit maraming una na magiging huli, at maraming huli na magiging una.”

Reflection for Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 19:16-22

Gospel: Matthew 19:16-22

A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 

He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 

When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

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Reflection:

Would you give up all your material riches for the sake of the Lord? 

The young man did all of the commandments except for one, to sell all his materials treasures and give the proceeds to the poor. This was the stumbling block to his desire to follow Jesus - not being able to do what Jesus wanted him, he walked away sad for he was rich.  

This is a sad ending to a promising   story of discipleship all because of material possessions. The man failed to discern what is temporary and what is eternal. He didn’t discern that his riches were temporary and following Jesus was everlasting. If only he knew it he would have abandoned everything for the sake of following Jesus. 

We are being challenged by the gospel to be more discerning than the rich young man. We are being challenged by Jesus to look deeply into our hearts for the reason that we may be slaves already of this material world. 

In hindsight, why is it that many of us are very much willing to become slaves of this world when all that is in this world are passing? For example, power, riches and other worldly comforts there will come a time that we will leave it behind. 

There will come a time that everything that we have will not matter anymore except our relationship with Jesus. So, we have to follow the Lord than be slaves of this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita: Agosto 19, Lunes sa Ika-20 na Linggo sa ng Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 19:16-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:16-22

Noong panahong iyon, may isang lalaking lumapit kay Hesus at nagtanong, "Guro, ano pong kabutihan ang kailangan kong gawin upang magkamit ng buhay na walang hanggan?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Bakit mo ako tinatanong kung ano ang mabuti? Iisa lamang ang mabuti. Kung ibig mong magkamit ng buhay, sundin mo ang mga utos." 

"Alin-alin po?" tanong niya. Sumagot si Jesus, "Huwag kang papatay; huwag kang mangangalunya; huwag kang magnanakaw; huwag kang magsisinungaling sa iyong pagsaksi; igalang mo ang iyong ama at ina; at ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa, gaya nang pag-ibig mo sa iyong sarili." 

Sinabi ng binata, "Tinutupad ko na pong lahat iyan. Ano pa po ang dapat kong gawin?" "Kung ibig mong maging ganap, humayo ka, ipagbili mo ang iyong ari-arian at ipamahagi sa mga dukha ang pinagbilhan. Kapag ginawa mo iyan, magkakaroon ka ng kayamanan sa langit. Pagkatapos, bumalik ka at sumunod sa akin." sagot ni Jesus. Pagkarinig nito, malungkot na umalis ang binata, sapagkat siya'y napakayaman.

Reflection for Sunday August 18, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 6:51-58

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 

Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.

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Reflection:

St. Catherine of Genoa was a daily communicant. It was said that during the seasons of Advent and Lent, she lived without food, being nourished solely by receiving Jesus daily through Holy Communion. 

During the thirteenth century in Italy, there was a priest who almost lost his faith in the reality of Christ’s body and blood in the Eucharist. Right before the 'Lamb of God,' where the priest breaks the host to put a small part of it into the chalice, the host in his hands began to bleed profusely. It bled over his hands, onto the corporal, and onto the altar cloths. 

There are many more written and unwritten Eucharistic miracles that have happened and will continue to happen in the future. But how about us? Have we personally experienced any form of miraculous Eucharistic occurrence? Perhaps we have not yet experienced it, or maybe we’re simply unaware that Jesus, through His Body and Blood, is actually transforming us into the person He wants us to be.

Is it possible that something miraculous could happen to us if we reverently receive Jesus at Mass? If we faithfully and piously receive Jesus in every Holy Mass, it is not impossible that He will transform us into the person He wants us to become. 

Take, for example, a man who is a chain smoker and an alcoholic—what will happen to him if he doesn’t stop smoking and drinking? He will likely suffer from serious health issues related to cigarettes and alcohol. On the other hand, consider a health-conscious man who exercises regularly and only eats healthy food and vegetables. Naturally, he will look good and be healthy because of his consistent regimen.

The same is true if we faithfully attend Holy Mass and receive Jesus regularly during Holy Communion. There will be a transformation within us; we may not notice it ourselves, but others will become aware of it. This is the miracle that we often are not aware of.

The Body and Blood of Jesus that we receive during Holy Communion makes a significant difference in our lives because Jesus comes into us. We become one with Jesus during Holy Communion, and if we allow it, He will transform us into the person He wants us to be.

Do you always receive Jesus with reverence during Holy Communion? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Agosto 18 Ika-20 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Juan 6:51-58

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:51-58

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao: "Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay na bumaba mula sa langit. At ang pagkaing ibibigay ko sa ikabubuhay ng sanlibutan ay ang aking laman." Dahil dito'y nagtalu-talo ang mga Judio. "Paanong maibibigay sa atin ng taong ito ang kanyang laman upang kanin natin?" tanong nila. 

Kaya't sinabi ni Jesus, "Tandaan ninyo: malibang kanin ninyo ang laman ng Anak ng Tao at inumin ang kanyang dugo, hindi kayo magkakaroon ng buhay. Ang kumakain ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay may buhay na walang hanggan, at muli ko siyang bubuhayin sa huling araw. Sapagkat ang aking laman ay tunay na pagkain, at ang aking dugo, tunay na inumin. 

Ang kumakain ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay nananahan sa akin, at ako sa kanya. Buhay ang Amang nagsugo sa akin, at ako'y nabubuhay dahil sa kanya. Gayon din naman, ang sinumang kumakain sa akin ay mabubuhay dahil sa akin. 

Ito ang pagkaing bumaba mula sa langit; ang kumakain nito'y mabubuhay magpakailanman. Hindi ito katulad ng kinain ng inyong mga magulang sa ilang; namatay sila bagamat kumain sila niyon."

Reflection for August 17 Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 19:13-15

Gospel: Matthew 19:13-15

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

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Reflection:

In a faraway village lived two families with five children each. Family number one is a devout catholic; they always attend Sunday Holy Mass. The parents lead their children in reflecting the words of Jesus in the bible and they regularly pray the Holy Rosary. On the other hand, family number two is the complete opposite of family number one.  

Twenty years after, the children of family number one were all successful and respected in their respective communities. The children of family number two were again the opposite of the children of family number one.  

Many parents today forget the primacy of God over everything that this world offers us. They are always very busy with their worldly undertakings. They don’t gather their children during Sundays to attend Holy Mass. They forget to share to their children the words of Jesus in the bible. They forget to teach their children about the faith.  

We all know that as children grow up they would encounter their own share of problems. Where would they go to unburden their problems if they don’t know God?  

In the gospel, Jesus tells us, “Let the children come to me (Matthew 19:14)”. Why? For the simple reason that the Good Lord wants to ensure a Bright, Good and Godly future for our children.  

Have you already introduced your children to the Lord and are they friends with Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas