Reflection for Friday 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.”

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Reflection:

Do you love to be in front? Do you love prominence? Do you love to always be in the starring role? 

Prominence and being seen with someone influential are things that we all want. For example, we love to post on Facebook and other social media platforms about the places we’ve visited. We love to share pictures of these beautiful places. This is perhaps human nature—who wouldn’t want to post pictures of nice and idyllic places? 

We all want these things, but the essence of life is not about advertising the famous places we’ve visited or the famous personalities we’ve been seen with. The true essence of life is to serve anyone who is in need of our help. It doesn’t matter whether the acts of service and compassion we do are seen by others or not; what is important is that we are able to help. 

As we follow Jesus, let us always be reminded that He never walked this world to gain publicity or prominence. Jesus walked this world to serve and not to be served. He never aspired to become famous. All He wanted was to simply follow the will of God for Him, no matter how difficult it was. This must also be our guiding principle. 

Many are attracted to serve in the church not because they want to help advance the teachings of Jesus, but because of what the church can give them or what they think they could derive from the church and Jesus if they serve. But we all know that this kind of motive is built upon a person’s self-image and is therefore useless. 

True service in the vineyard of the Lord is all about humility—not thinking of what we can derive from the church, but of what we can humbly give to God and His Church. True service for the Church is not about having power and influence; it is actually about losing power and influence for the greater glory of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 24 Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:10-17

Gospel: Matthew 13:10-17

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. 

To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. 

Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them. 

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

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Reflection:

How do you measure success in your life? 

Do you measure it by your wealth and power, or do you measure it by your closeness to Jesus? Many of us today measure success by the wealth and power we have accumulated, a mindset shaped by the standards of this world. 

But is this the true measure of success in the eyes of God? No. A truly successful life is one that is anchored in our closeness to Jesus. For what would wealth and power mean to us when they can be taken away at any moment? What would they mean to us when we grow old and become frail, no longer able to enjoy or even control what we once possessed? In those moments, wealth and power will lose their grip on us, and we will realize that someone else will take charge of us and our lives. 

What is the use of wealth and power if, deep inside, we feel empty and alone? What is the use of wealth and power if we cannot even sleep at night, our hearts restless from worrying about possessions that, at times, were gained in ways that may not have pleased God? 

The disciples of Jesus were truly blessed because He granted them the grace to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. They discovered that the true essence of life is to walk closely with Jesus, not to cling to the temporary pleasures and illusions of this world. 

Blessed indeed are those who know that true success is found in drawing nearer to Jesus each day, allowing Him to guide our hearts and direct our paths. True success is never about the things we own, for all of these are temporary and will pass away. It is about the peace that comes from knowing that we are loved by God, and the joy that comes from living according to His will. 

At the end of our journey in this world, it will not matter how much we owned or how high we rose in power. What will matter is how deeply we loved Jesus and how faithfully we followed Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 23 Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9

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:

Where do you take refuge when life’s trials hit you? 

Surely, you do not take refuge in this world, with its passing comforts and empty promises. Instead, you take refuge in Jesus. In Him, you find solace for your restless heart, hope in your darkest hours, and strength to carry on. After resting in His embrace, you rise again, ready to face life’s trials and challenges with a spirit renewed by His love. 

When we take refuge in Jesus, we naturally find ourselves drawn to prayer, to attending Holy Mass, to visiting Him in the quiet of the Adoration Chapel, and to immersing ourselves in His living Word through the Bible. Yet, let us not stop at simply performing these acts of devotion. Let us allow these sacred encounters to transform us deeply, so that when others look at us, they no longer see just us—they see Jesus shining within us. In this way, we draw them closer to Him, the source of true peace.

 

But how can others see Jesus in us? How can we bring them closer to His Sacred Heart? It begins when we allow ourselves to become like the seeds that fell on rich soil, ready to grow, bear fruit, and bless others. We can only do this if we surrender to Jesus and allow Him to transform us, for this is His desire for each of us: to become the seeds that fall on rich soil and yield a harvest for His Kingdom. 

At the end of each day, the choice is still in our hands: will we allow Jesus to transform us into the seeds that fall on rich soil? We have nothing to lose—and everything to gain—when we become docile to the desires of Jesus, letting Him cultivate our hearts so we may bloom into instruments of His love, hope, and light in this world. 

May we allow Him to make our hearts His dwelling place, so that our lives may draw others to His infinite mercy and love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 23 Miyerkules sa Ika-16 Linggo ng 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 Tuesday 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: 

How do you feel when someone close to you dies unexpectedly?

Surely, your heart would be crushed with grief, and it would feel as if your world had momentarily stopped. This was the pain that Mary Magdalene felt; she was deeply devastated by the death of her beloved friend, Jesus. 

Mary Magdalene was so consumed by sorrow that she did not recognize the resurrected Jesus, who tenderly asked her why she was weeping (John 20:14-15). Yet, in that moment of grief, Jesus revealed Himself to her, and Mary Magdalene’s eyes were opened, recognizing the Lord she loved (John 20:16). 

Death is a certainty of life; it visits any one of us at a time it chooses—a time that oftentimes we do not want. Yet death comes, and no one can prevent it, for it is part of the journey God allows us to take. 

But after death comes life—a life far greater and more glorious than the life we have in this world. Perhaps this is why Mary Magdalene could not recognize the resurrected Jesus when He appeared to her. She could not distinguish the image of the Risen Christ from the Jesus she had known before His death, for Jesus had already entered into His glorified life. 

The Risen Jesus also comes to us today, yet many times, we fail to notice Him. He comes to us through the poor who stand before us, hoping for our kindness and generosity. He comes to us through a sick relative or friend who longs for our presence and comfort. 

There are many ways the Lord manifests Himself in our daily lives, but often, we do not recognize Him because our vision is clouded by our concerns and preoccupations with ourselves. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 21 Monday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:38-42

Gospel: Matthew 12:38-42

Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." He said to them in reply, "An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 

At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was eyeing a man to be her husband, but she was not sure if he was the right one for her. So, she prayed in her heart, “Lord, I need a sign. I need to see a white butterfly right now so that I will know I should say yes to him.” 

Lo and behold, a white butterfly began to circle around her. She took it as a sign and said yes to the man. But after a few years, they separated. What does this teach us? 

It reminds us that affirmative signs are not always manifestations of God’s truth and will. We should not build our decisions on signs alone, for they can be misleading if we do not deeply seek God in prayer and discernment. 

At times, we too may ask Jesus for a sign to confirm what we want or what we are afraid to decide. But the truth is, no sign is bigger than Jesus Himself. If we have strong faith in Jesus, and if we nurture a deep friendship with Him, Jesus is more than enough to guide us and carry us through every season of our life’s journey. 

Let us always trust in Jesus, for He will never fail us. Yes, we will experience humps and bumps along the way, moments of uncertainty and pain, but let us never use these as excuses to distance ourselves from the Lord. Instead, let them lead us closer to Him, allowing us to experience His loving presence even more deeply. 

For those who will remain faithful, who will choose to believe even without signs, and who will keep walking with Jesus in trust and surrender, a rich and beautiful reward awaits you in His perfect time. 

May we always remember that Jesus is more than enough. When we walk with Him, we will never walk alone. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 20, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:38-42

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”  

The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” 

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Reflection: 

What does habitual prayer do to your soul? What does daily Bible reading awaken in your heart? What does your consistent presence at the celebration of the Holy Mass nurture within you? These sacred actions, when done with love and piety, draw us gently and deeply into the embrace of Jesus. 

In today’s gospel, our hearts are invited to reflect on the actions of Mary and Martha, with Jesus at the center of it all. 

When Mary recognized her Lord and Savior, she simply sat at His feet, quietly listening to His wisdom-filled and life-changing words. This is what we do when we pray. This is what we do when we open the Bible and allow its words to speak to us. This is what we do when we reverently worship Jesus in the Holy Mass. 

Jesus cherished Mary’s reverence and stillness because, in that quiet listening, she grew closer to Him. And this is what Jesus desires for each of us: to draw near to Him, to sit at His feet, and to listen. 

What happens when we allow ourselves to be close to Jesus? We begin to see that life in this world is fleeting and temporary. We realize that all the wealth and accolades we chase are nothing compared to the treasure of being with Him. 

His presence opens our eyes to the countless blessings we receive when we choose to spend time with Him. It softens our hearts, teaching us to live with compassion and to share our lives generously, especially with those in need. 

And what about Martha? She did nothing wrong. Her service was for Jesus, yet she missed the opportunity to first sit with Him and let His words nourish her soul. It would have taken only a few moments, yet it would have made all the difference in her heart. 

As we continue this temporary journey, the world will keep pulling us into busyness, into the endless rush for survival, into a rat race that slowly and deceitfully tries to separate us from Jesus. 

We must not allow this. For what good will it do us if we gain the world yet lose our closeness with God? Let us choose to listen to Jesus first before we plunge into the demands of the day. For it is in listening to Him first that we gain the true wisdom and peace that this world can never give, no matter how hard we work. 

Do you always take time to listen first to the Lord? Let us never be too busy for Jesus, for in Him, we find the true rest and love our hearts deeply long for. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Hulyo 20, Ika-16 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 10:38-42

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:38-42

Noong panahong iyon, pumasok si Jesus sa isang nayon. Malugod siyang tinanggap ng isang babaing nagngangalang Marta sa tahanan nito. Ang babaing ito'y may isang kapatid na Maria ang pangalan. Naupo ito sa paanan ng Panginoon at nakinig sa kanyang itinuturo. 

Alalang-alala si Marta sapagkat kulang ang kanyang katawan sa paghahanda, kaya't lumapit siya kay Jesus at ang wika, "Panginoon, sabihin nga po ninyo sa kapatid kong tulungan naman ako." 

Ngunit sinagot siya ng Panginoon, "Marta, Marta, naliligalig ka at abalang-abala sa maraming bagay, ngunit isa lamang ang talagang kailangan. Pinili ni Maria ang lalong mabuti, at ito'y hindi aalisin sa kanya."

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Repleksyon:

Ano ang nagagawa ng palagiang pananalangin sa iyong kaluluwa? Ano ang ginagawa ng araw-araw na pagbabasa ng Biblia sa iyong puso? Ano ang nangyayari sa iyong palagiang pagdalo sa Banal na Misa? Ang mga banal na gawaing ito, kapag isinagawa nang may pagmamahal at debosyon, ay mas nagpapalapit sa atin kay Jesus. 

Sa atin pong Mabuting Balita, tayo ay inaanyayahan na magnilay sa mga ginawa nila Marta at Maria habang si Jesus ay nasa kanilang tahanan. 

Si Maria ay umupo lamang sa paanan ni Jesus, tahimik na nakikinig sa Kanyang mga salitang nakapagbabago ng buhay. Ganito rin ang ginagawa natin kapag tayo ay nananalangin. Ganito rin ang ginagawa natin kapag binubuksan natin ang Biblia at hinahayaan ang Salita ng Diyos na mangusap sa atin. Ganito rin ang ginagawa natin pag ang ating boung atensyon ay nasa Banal na Misa. 

Binigyang halaga ni Jesus ang tahimik na pakikinig ni Maria at ito rin ang nais ni Jesus para sa ating lahat: ang umupo tayo sa Kanyang paanan, at tahimik na makinig sa Kanya. 

Ano ang nangyayari kapag tayo ay may personal na ugnayan kay Jesus? Nagsisimula nating makita na ang buhay sa mundong ito ay pansamantala at mabilis lumilipas. Napagtatanto natin na lahat ng yaman, kapangyarihan at katanyagan na ating hinahabol ay walang halaga kung wala tayong personal na ugnayan kay Jesus. 

Kapag pinipili nating maglaan ng oras kay Jesus ay binubuksan ng Kanyang presensya ang ating mga mata sa napakaraming biyayang natatanggap natin. Tinuturuan tayo ni Jesus na mamuhay nang may malasakit sa ating kapwa lalo na sa mga nangangailangan. 

Paano naman si Marta? Wala siyang ginawang mali. Ang kanyang paglilingkod ay para din kay Jesus, ngunit nakaligtaan niya ang pagkakataon na umupo at makinig kahit sandal lang kay Jesus. Kaunting sandali lamang sana ang gugugulin nya ngunit napakalaki sana ang magiging epekto nito sa kanyang pagkatao. 

Habang nagpapatuloy tayo sa ating pansamantalang paglalakbay, patuloy tayong tutuksuhin ng mundo sa pagkaabala, sa walang katapusang paghahabol sa mga bagay ng mundo na naghihiwalay sa atin kay Jesus. 

Hindi dapat ito mangyari. Sapagkat anong halaga kung makamtan man natin ang lahat sa mundong ito ngunit wala naman tayong  ugnayan sa Diyos? Palagi tayong maglaaan ng kahit maikling  panahon kay Jesus  bago tayo sumuong sa mga gawain ng bawat araw. Sapagkat sa pakikinig lamang sa Kanya  natin  matatamo ang tunay na karunungan at kapayapaang hindi kayang ibigay ng mundong ito. 

May oras ka paba para makinig kay Jesus? Huwag nating kalilimutang mag laan ng oras para kay Jesus, sapagkat sa Kanya lamang natin matatagpuan ang tunay na kapayapaan na matagal nang hinahangad ng ating mga puso. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 19 Saturday of the 15th 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 do we do when there is a threat to our safety? 

When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were planning to kill Him, He quietly withdrew from the place to avoid them. Why did Jesus withdraw? Because it was not yet time for Him to face His accusers, and it was never in the nature of Jesus to be violent. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, a wellspring of love and compassion. Never was He a hothead or a troublemaker. 

Sometimes, when we avoid trouble, people may think we are cowards. But the truth is, it is not cowardice to walk away from conflict. It takes strength and wisdom to choose peace over unnecessary confrontation. A person who avoids trouble is not weak but prudent, filled with wisdom, discernment, and godly judgment. 

What would we truly gain if we confront a troublesome person or meet trouble with trouble? Nothing, except another burden and deeper wounds in our hearts. There are many ways to address conflict and trials, and charging head-on in anger is rarely the path God calls us to take. 

When Jesus avoided those who were running after Him, He was teaching us that prudence is the better part of valor. What does this mean for us? It means it is better to be careful and to guard the peace God has given us than to take reckless risks driven by pride or anger. Battles in life are not always won by brute force. Many victories are secured through wisdom-filled decisions, prayerful discernment, and Spirit-led strategies. 

What should we do when faced with a troublesome person or a difficult situation? We turn to Jesus, our example, and ask for the grace to respond with humility, peace, and prudence. We pray for the Spirit to guide us so that in all things, we may act with love and trust in God’s perfect timing. 

May we learn to step back when needed, to hold our peace, and to walk away from conflict when it is not yet God’s time for us to face it. In doing so, we honor God, protect our hearts, and keep the peace that surpasses all understanding. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 18 Friday of the 15th 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:

The story is told of a disciplinarian father who suddenly realized that his strictness with his children was slowly building an invisible wall between them. 

One day, he sat in silence, reflecting deeply on how he could tear down the wall that he himself had built. And with humility, he said to himself, “From now on, I will not be strict anymore. I will be more compassionate, approachable, and merciful.” 

After a week, the wall that had created a gap between the father and his children completely vanished. From then on, his children became more open to him, and a beautiful relationship blossomed between father and children. 

Mercy, understanding, and openness are always higher and holier than rigidity and strictness. Rigidity and strictness tear people apart; they create walls in our relationships and foster coldness and distance. But mercy, understanding, and openness draw us closer, break down walls, and heal wounds in our hearts. 

Let go, therefore, of your anger. Let go of your hidden hurts. Let go of your pride, and let the mercy of Jesus rule your heart. Allow His compassion to soften you, to free you, and to restore your relationships. 

Let us always desire to be merciful because Jesus Himself is merciful. As we choose mercy, we allow His love to flow through us, bringing healing where there is pain, and unity where there is division. 

Lord Jesus, soften our hearts and teach us to be merciful, just as You are merciful. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 17 Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 11:28-30

Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said to the crowds: “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:

Are you sometimes feeling weary and burdened by the daily challenges and problems of life? You are not alone. All of us, at some point, carry the weight of trials and struggles that drain our strength and shake our spirit. Yet, in the quiet moments of prayer, these heavy burdens are miraculously made light when we learn to surrender them to Jesus, trusting Him to help us carry what we cannot bear alone. 

Why do you continue to carry the burdens of someone you love, or choose to suffer quietly for their sake? It is because love unites you to the one you love, making you one with him or her in their joys and in their pains. Think about married life: when your spouse is sick, you willingly set aside your comfort to care for him or her until he or she is well. At times, you may even wish that you could be the one who is sick so that he or she would not have to suffer. 

Why is this so? Because Jesus, through the Sacrament of Matrimony, has bonded you and your spouse to become one. Remember the words of your marriage vows: “I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.” If marriage makes you one with your spouse, know that through your Baptism, you have also been made one with Jesus. You are yoked with Him, and He walks with you in every burden you carry. 

Let us therefore always respond to the gentle invitation of Jesus, who calls out to each of us who are oftentimes burdened by the difficulties of life. In Him, we will find rest, healing, and strength that the world cannot give. Are you burdened by your problems right now? Bring them to Jesus. Humbly lay them at His feet and ask Him to help you carry them, for He will never abandon you in your struggles. 

May you feel the comforting presence of Jesus today and always, reminding you that no burden is too heavy when you are yoked with Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 16 Wednesday of the 15th 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 life of Jesus? 

It is a life of simplicity, prayer, sacrifice and humility. 

Simplicity is deeply connected with humility, and this is the life Jesus embraced—and the life He lovingly invites us to live as well. Though Jesus is equal with God, He always found time to withdraw in prayer, seeking the Father’s presence, unburdening His heart to Him, and offering Him praise. This is an invitation for us too: to seek the Father daily, to pour out our hearts, and to lift up our gratitude to Him. 

If we desire to grow in wisdom, we need hearts that are simple and humble. God does not delight in self-righteous, self-centered, and ego-driven lives. Often without our awareness, when we choose simplicity and humility, we create a welcoming space in our hearts for God to dwell. Unknown to us, our simplicity and humility shine through our presence, and others can sense God’s gentle touch through us. 

Just as Jesus did, it is essential that we set aside time each day to be with God—to speak to Him and to listen for His voice in the stillness of our hearts. It is in these sacred moments that we grow closer to Him and allow Him to shape us. A beautiful way to begin is by offering our first moments upon waking in the morning, and our last moments before sleeping at night, to prayer and thanksgiving. 

In the quiet of the morning, before the concerns of the day fill our minds, we can turn our hearts to God and invite Him to guide us. At night, as we prepare to rest, we can speak to Him once more, thanking Him for the day He has given us, entrusting to Him our hopes and burdens, and asking Him to watch over us through the night. 

If we feel we do not yet have the virtue of humility, let us be patient with ourselves and continue to ask the Lord to bless us with this grace. For it is only through humility that we truly come to know God, to hear His voice, and to discover the beautiful plans He has prepared for us. 

Do you live with humility? Do you find time each day to be with Jesus and allow Him to fill your heart with His love? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday July 15 Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: 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 nether world. 

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: 

Why do we sin? 

We sin because, at times, we allow the devil to take control of our lives. When we let him in, sinning can slowly become an ordinary routine. We lose the voice of guilt in our conscience, and our hearts grow numb to criticism and to the consequences of our actions. We even find ourselves becoming angry with those who try to correct us. 

Why is this so? Because sin often offers us fleeting moments of earthly pleasure, promising us gratification that never truly satisfies. We continue in this path until the day comes when we get caught and receive the punishment we deserve. But why wait for that day? Why continue to walk a path that leads us away from God’s love and peace? 

Why don’t we stop, turn around, and embrace the unconditional love that Jesus is offering us every single day? 

In our gospel reading today, we hear Jesus reproaching the towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida because they refused to listen to God’s call to turn away from their sinful ways. Like them, we, too, often close our hearts to God’s gentle invitation to change. Yet even in our stubbornness, the Lord never stops reaching out to us, patiently calling us back to Him. 

Every now and then, God will gently nudge us, reminding us that there is no good in sin, that sin will bring us nothing but trouble, sorrow, and regret. We may enjoy the fruits of our sinfulness for a while, but this kind of enjoyment is shallow and short-lived. Eventually, we will face the consequences of our choices. 

God’s love is far greater than any temporary pleasure that sin can offer. His forgiveness is waiting for us. His mercy is ready to embrace us. His love can heal us and restore our peace. 

Why not walk away from sin today and run into the forgiving, merciful, and loving arms of God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 14 Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time: 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: 

There once lived a man of profound generosity, and many of his neighbors envied him. No matter how often he gave money and food to the poor around him, he never seemed to run out of resources. One day, a curious friend finally asked, “What is your secret? Why do you never seem to run out of money?” The generous man simply smiled and replied, “There is no secret at all. I give because it is in my heart to give.” 

Whatever we give with a sincere and generous heart will return to us a hundredfold in ways we may never expect. If we struggle to believe this, let us try to live generously for even a week and witness how God, in His faithfulness, pours blessings back into our lives. These blessings are not confined to financial gain alone; they come in the form of good health, peace of mind, restored relationships, and a sense of deep joy that the world cannot give. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus assures us that even the smallest act of kindness and generosity does not go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father. Why is this so? Because it is in giving that we truly receive, and the more we give from a place of love, the more we open our hearts to receive the grace and abundance God desires to bestow upon us. 

May we learn to give without counting the cost, to love without expecting anything in return, and to trust that our Father in Heaven sees every act of generosity, no matter how small. For in His perfect timing, He will return it to us in ways that will draw us closer to His heart. — Marino J. Dasmarinas