Reflection for July 26, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:1-13

Gospel: Luke 11:1-13

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test." 

And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him, and he says in reply from within 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. 

I cannot get up to give you anything.' I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. 

"And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 

If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"

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Reflection:

Can we live without prayer? 

No, we cannot live without prayer—because prayer sustains us. It breathes life into our spirit and keeps us connected to our Creator. Without prayer, there is no true life. This is the guiding conviction of those who walk closely with the Lord—those who have discovered the joy and peace that come from a deep, intimate relationship with God. 

Yet, on the other hand, some might say, “There is life even without prayer.” Perhaps this is true, in a worldly sense, for those who rarely or never pray. Outwardly, their lives may seem fine—especially if they are surrounded by material wealth or worldly success. 

But let us look deeper. Beneath the surface, their hearts may be restless. There may be an emptiness, a longing for something greater—something that wealth cannot buy nor human effort can secure. That "something" is peace. That "something" is contentment. And both can only be found in the loving presence of God through prayer. 

Prayer is more than a daily routine; it is the lifeline of the soul. Through prayer, we are embraced by the very heart of God. We are renewed, consoled, and strengthened. This is why we pray—not only because we need something from God, but because we need God Himself. He is our source, our refuge, and our everything. 

In the Holy Gospel, our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us the power of prayer. He shows us that prayer does not need to be grand or elaborate. It should be simple, it should come from the heart, and it must be persistent. For our Heavenly Father listens not to eloquent words but to sincere, faith-filled hearts that seek Him earnestly. 

So let us live a life rooted in prayer. Let us draw near to God not just in moments of need, but in every moment—rejoicing, weeping, hoping, and waiting. In prayer, we open our entire being to Him, and in the quiet of our hearts, we hear His voice. It is there, in that sacred encounter, that we are transformed. 

Let us never underestimate the power of a praying heart. For when we pray, heaven leans in to listen—and God, who is always near, pours His grace into our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Hulyo 27, Ika-17 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 11:1-13

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:1-13

Minsan nanalangin si Jesus pagkatapos niya sinabi ng isa sa kanyang mga alagad. panginoon turuan niyo po kaming manalangin. Katulad ng ginawa ni juan sa kanyang mga alagad.  Sinabi ni Hesus, kung kayo’y mananalangin ganito ang sabihin ninyo. 

Ama  sambahin nawa ang ngalan mo. Magsimula na sana ang iyong paghahari. Bigyan mo kami ng aming makakain sa araw-araw. At patawarin mo kami sa aming mga kasalanan sapagkat pinatatawad na namin ang bawat nagkasala sa amin. At huwag mo kaming iharap sa mahigpit na pagsubok. 

Sinabi pa rin nya sa kanila, ipalagay natin ang isa sa inyo ay nagpunta sa isang kaibigan isang hatinggabi at nagsabi. Kaibigan bigyan mo muna ako ng tatlong tinapay. Dumating kasi ang isa kong kaibigang naglalakbay at wala akong maihain sa kanya! At ganito naman ang sagot ng kanyang kaibigan sa loob ng bahay. Huwag mo nga akong gambalain! Naka tranka na ang pinto at nakahiga na kami ng aking mga anak. Hindi na ako makababagon pa upang bigyan kita ng iyong kailagan. 

Sinasabi ko sa inyo hindi naman siya bumangon dahil sa kanilang pagkakaibigan. Babangon siya para ibigay ang hinihingi ng kaibigan dahil sa pagpupumilit nito. Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo, humingi kayo at kayo ay bibigyan, humanap kayo at kayo’y makasusumpong; kumatok kayo at ang pinto’y bubuksan para sa inyo. Sapagkat tumatanggap ang bawat humihingi; nakasusumpong ang bawat humahanap at binubuksan ang pinto sa bawat kumakatok. 

Kayong mga ama, bibigyan ba ninyo ng ahas ang inyong mga anak kung humihingi ng isda? Bibigyan ba ninyo siya ng alakdan kung siya ay humihingi ng itlog? Kung kayong masasama ay marunong magbigay ng mabubuting bagay sa inyong mga anak, gaano pa kaya ang inyonng amang nasa langit! Ibibigay niya ang Espiritu Santo sa mga humihingi sa kanya.

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Repleksyon:

Maaari ba tayong mabuhay nang walang panalangin? 

Hindi po tayo maaaring mabuhay nang walang panalangin—sapagkat ang panalangin ang bumubuhay sa ating espiritu. Ito ang ating hininga bilang mga anak ng Diyos. Ang panalangin ang nag-uugnay sa atin sa ating Panginoon. 

Kapag wala ang panalangin, wala ring tunay na buhay. Ito ang paninindigan ng mga taong may malalim at personal na ugnayan sa Panginoon—yaong mga araw-araw na sumasalig sa Kanya at naglalakad kasama Siya sa pananampalataya. 

Subalit may ilan din na nagsasabi, “May buhay naman kahit walang panalangin.” Totoo ito sa panlabas na anyo, lalo na sa mga bihirang manalangin o sa mga hindi mananampalataya. Sa unang tingin, ayos naman ang kanilang buhay—lalo na kung sila’y pinagpala ng kayamanang materyal at kapangyarihan. 

Ngunit kung titingnan natin ang kanilang kalooban, baka may tinatagong silang kalungkutan o kakulangan. Maaaring may pangungulila sa isang bagay na hindi maibibigay ng mundong ito—isang bagay na tanging Diyos lamang ang makapagkakaloob: kapayapaan at kapanatagan ng puso. At ang tunay na kapayapaan at kapanatagan ay natatagpuan lamang sa mataimtim na panalangin at sa tahimik na paglapit sa Diyos. 

Ang panalangin ay hindi lamang isang gawi o obligasyon. Ito ay isang ugnayang buhay at banal sa pagitan ng tao at ng Diyos. Sa bawat panalangin, niyayakap tayo ng Panginoon. Binibigyan Niya tayo ng lakas, pag-asa, at kapahingahan. Kaya tayo nananalangin—hindi lamang dahil may kailangan tayo, kundi dahil kailangan natin ang Diyos mismo. Siya ang ating pinanggagalingan, sandigan, at layunin. 

Sa Ebanghelyo, itinuro sa atin ni Jesus ang kahalagahan ng panalangin. Hindi Niya hinanap ang magagarbong salita, kundi ang dalanging simple, taos-puso, at matiyaga. Bakit? Sapagkat ang Diyos ay nakikinig sa pusong tapat at mapagpakumbaba. Mas pinakikinggan Niya ang mga panalanging nagmumula sa tunay na pananampalataya at pagtitiwala. 

Kaya magsabuhay tayo ng isang mapanalanging buhay. Lumapit tayo sa Diyos sa bawat sandali—hindi lamang sa oras ng pangangailangan kundi sa bawat tibok ng ating puso. Sapagkat sa panalangin, ibinubukas natin ang ating buong pagkatao sa Diyos, at sa katahimikan, tayo'y natutong makinig sa Kanya. 

Huwag nating maliitin ang kapangyarihan ng isang pusong nananalangin. Sapagkat sa bawat panalanging tapat, ang langit ay yumuyuko upang makinig—at ang Diyos na laging malapit ay nag bubuhos ng biyaya sa ating buhay. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Saturday July 26 Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Matthew 13:24-30

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30

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

The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from? He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 

He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a married man and woman who chose to engage in an adulterous relationship. It’s a no-brainer that the will of God for both of them is not to enter into such a sinful relationship. Yet, they disregarded God’s will to satisfy their lustful, shameless, wicked, and bestial desires.

Perhaps we wonder: Why are there people who choose to go against the will of God? Instead of living a life attuned to God’s desires, they live according to their own desires, even if those desires are sinful. In pursuing what they want, they immerse themselves in sin. Thus, they become the sales representatives and walking advertisements of the devil in this world.

But why does God allow sin? Why does He allow it to exist and, in the process, tempt or even destroy us, when He can easily eliminate it from our environment? Lest we forget, our God is not a dictatorial God; He is a God of love. And part of that love is giving us the free will to choose for ourselves what we want to do in this world.

God has a purpose for allowing sin to exist: for us to avoid, confront, and overcome it through His grace. We must remember that, by virtue of our baptism, we became Jesus’ extension in this world. Hence, Jesus expects us not only to avoid and confront sin but also to neutralize it immediately the moment it rears its devious head.

What if they would not, or we would not, stop sinning? We must prepare for its many consequences, including death. Saint Paul, in his Letter to the Romans, reminds us: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Jesus alludes to this severe punishment in the Gospel, saying, “Collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning” (Matthew 13:30).

Yet, why go to the extent of experiencing the painful wages of sin when, by God’s grace, we can confront and eliminate it immediately? Why allow ourselves to be enslaved by sin when Jesus, through His sacrifice on the cross, has already won for us the victory over sin and death?

God longs for us to choose Him daily, to turn away from the enticements of the world, and to walk in the light of His truth and mercy. The moment we turn to Him in humility and repentance, He is there to embrace us, cleanse us, and empower us to live in the freedom of His love. 

Let us pray for the grace to reject sin courageously and to choose God’s will over our own sinful desires. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Hulyo 26 Paggunita kay San Joaquin at Santa Ana mga magulang ng Mahal na Birheng Maria: Mateo 13:24-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:24-30

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

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

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

Reflection for Friday July 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

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

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 20:20-28

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

"Hindi ninyo nalalaman ang inyong hinihingi," sabi ni Jesus sa kanila. "Mababata ba ninyo ang hirap na babatahin ko?" "Opo," tugon nila. Sinabi ni Jesus, "Ang hirap na babatahin ko'y babatahin nga ninyo.

Ngunit wala sa akin ang pagpapasiya kung sino ang mauupo sa aking kanan at sa aking kaliwa. Ang mga luklukang sinasabi ninyo'y para sa pinaghandaan ng aking Ama." 

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

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

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

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 24 Huwebes sa Ika-16 Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 13:10-17

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:10-17

Noong panahong iyon, lumapit ang mga alagad at tinanong si Jesus: "Bakit po ninyo dinadaan sa talinghaga ang inyong pagsasalita sa kanila?" Sumagot siya, "Ipinagkaloob sa inyo na malaman ang mga lihim tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos, ngunit hindi ito ipinagkakaloob sa kanila. 

 Sapagkat ang mayroon ay bibigyan pa, at mananagana; ngunit ang wala, kahit ang kakaunting nasa kanya ay kukunin pa. Nagsasalita ako sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng talinghaga, sapagkat tumitingin sila ngunit hindi nakakikita, at nakikinig ngunit hindi nakaririnig ni nakauunawa.   

Natutupad nga sa kanila ang hula ni Isaias na nagsasabi: 'Makinig kayo nang makinig, hindi kayo makauunawa, at tumingin man kayo nang tumingin, hindi kayo makakikita. Sapagkat naging mapurol ang isip ng mga taong ito; mahirap makarinig ang kanilang mga tainga, at ipinikit nila ang kanilang mga mata. 

 Kung di gayon, disin sana'y nakakita ang kanilang mga mata. Nakarinig ang kanilang mga tainga, nakaunawa ang kanilang mga isip, at nagbalik-loob sa akin, at pinagaling ko sila, sabi ng Panginoon.'  

Mapalad kayo, sapagkat nakakikita ang inyong mga mata at nakaririnig ang inyong mga tainga! Sinasabi ko sa inyo: maraming propeta at matutuwid na tao ang nagnanasang makakita sa inyong nakikita, ngunit hindi ito nakita, at makarinig sa inyong narinig, ngunit hindi ito napakinggan."

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

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Hulyo 22 Kapistahan ni Santa Maria Magdalena: Juan 20:1-2, 11-18

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reflection for 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

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 21 Lunes ng Ika-16 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 12:38-42

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:38-42

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ng ilang eskriba at Pariseo kay Hesus, “Guro, maaari po bang pagpakitaan ninyo kami ng tanda mula sa langit?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Lahing masama at di-tapat sa Diyos! Naghahanap kayo ng tanda ngunit walang ipakikita sa inyo maliban sa palatandaaang inilalarawan ng nangyari kay Propeta Jonas.

Kung paanong si Jonas ay tatlong araw at tatlong gabing nasa tiyan ng dambuhalang isda, gayun din ang Anak ng Tao ay tatlong araw at tatlong gabing sasailalim ng lupa. Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom, titindig ang mga taga-Ninive laban sa lahing ito at ito’y hahatulan ng kaparusahan, sapagkat nagsisi sila dahil sa pangangaral ni Jonas; ngunit higit na di-hamak kay Jonas ang naririto!

Sa araw na yaon, titindig ang Reyna ng Timog laban sa lahing ito at ito’y hahatulan ng kaparusahan, sapagkat nanggaling siya sa dulo ng daigdig upang pakinggan ang karunungan ni Solomon; ngunit higit na di-hamak kay solomon ang naririto!”