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

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

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

Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her.

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Reflection:

Do we agree that we are all sinners?

All of us are like Mary Magdalene for like her we too are sinners. Nevertheless, we too are always being called by Jesus to conversion and to follow Him for the rest of our life.

But unlike Mary Magdalene who was compliant to Jesus call for her to repent. We oftentimes are not; we follow the many deceiving dictates of this world rather than follow the desire of Jesus for us.

What would we gain if we follow the many sinful dictates of this world? Nothing but emptiness and sin, has our cravings for the things of this world gave us peace? This world will never give us peace and contentment only Jesus will give it to us.

What if like Mary Magdalene we respond to Jesus’ call and truthfully follow Him for the rest of our life? We will have a foretaste of heaven while we are still in this world. What if we are like Mary Magdalene who never gave up on searching for the risen Christ until she found Him? We will have peace, serenity and contentment in our life.

Like Saint Mary Magdalene let us also search for the Lord until we find Him for the Lord makes Himself available to anyone who search for Him.

Have we been searching for the Lord?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:1-2, 11-18

1 Ngayon, pagkatapos ng Araw ng Pahinga, habang madilim pa, maagang pumunta sa libingan si Maria Magdalena, nang makita niyang tanggal ang bato mula sa libingan, 2 patakbo siyang pumunta kay Simon Pedro at sa isa pang alagad na mahal ni Jesus. Sinabi niya sa kanila: “May kumuha sa Pangi­noon mula sa libingan, at hindi namin alam kung saan nila siya inilagay.”

11 Nakatayo namang umiiyak sa labas si Maria sa may libingan. Sa kan­yang pag-iyak, yumuko siyang naka­tanaw sa libingan. 12 At may na­pansin siyang dalawang anghel na nakaputi na naka­upo, isa sa may ulu­nan at isa sa may paanan ng pinag­lagyan sa katawan ni Jesus.

13 Sinabi sa kanya ng mga iyon: “Ale, bakit ka umiiyak?” Sinabi niya sa ka­nila: “May kumuha sa Panginoon ko, at hindi ko alam kung saan siya inilagay.” 14 Pag­kasabi niya nito, tuma­likod siya at napan­sin niya si Jesus na nakatayo pero hindi niya nakilalang si Jesus iyon. 15 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Ale, bakit ka umiiyak? Sino’ng hinahanap mo?” Sa pag-aakala niyang iyon ang hardinero, sinabi niya sa kanya: “Ginoo, kung kayo ang nagdala sa kanya, sabihin n’yo sa akin kung saan n’yo siya inilagay at ku­kunin ko siya.”

16 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Maria!” Pagka­harap niya’y sinabi niya sa kanya sa Aramaiko: “Rabbouni!” (na ibig sabihi’y Guro). 17 Si­nabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Huwag kang humawak sa akin sapagkat hindi pa ako nakaaakyat sa Ama. Puntahan mo ang mga kapa­tid ko at sabihin sa kanila: ‘Paakyat ako sa Ama ko at Ama ninyo, sa Diyos ko at Diyos ninyo.’” 18 Pumunta si Maria Magdalena na ibinabalita sa mga alagad: “Nakita ko ang Panginoon.” At sinabi niya ang mga sinabi sa kanya.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for July 21, Tuesday; Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:46-50

Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

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Reflection:

How can we become relatives of Jesus?

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

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

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

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

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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 21, Martes; Ika-16 na LInggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:46-50

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:46-50

46 Nagsasalita pa si Jesus sa mga tao nang dumating ang kanyang ina at mga kapatid para makipag-usap sa kan¬ya, at naghihintay sila sa labas. 47 Kaya may nagsabi sa kanya: “Nasa labas ang iyong ina at mga kapatid; gusto ka nilang maka¬usap.”

48 Sumagot si Jesus sa nagsabi sa kanya: “Sino ang aking ina? Sino ang aking mga kapatid?” 49 At itinuro niya ang kan¬yang mga alagad at sinabi: “Narito ang aking ina at mga kapatid. 50 Ang nagsasagawa sa kalo¬oban ng aking Ama sa Langit ang aking kapatid na lalaki at kapatid na babae at ina.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for July 20, Monday; Sixteenth 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 in her early forties and was getting desperate already for she was getting old  yet she couldn’t find the right man for her. So while at church she said to the Lord, “Lord give me a sign so that I’ll have the man for my lifetime.”

Then she said to the Lord: “The first man that I see who wears a red tee shirt is the one for me Lord.” Lo and behold a well built and handsome man wearing a red tee shirt suddenly entered the church. But to her dismay the handsome man was with his wife and children. The desperately seeking woman said to the Lord, this is not my day Lord, until next time.

Many of us ask for signs and wonders from the Jesus, isn’t our faith more than enough to carry us through in our journey with Jesus? If our faith in Jesus is rock solid we would never ask for any sign whatsoever. Because signs is of no use if we have rock solid faith in Jesus.

Our faith is more than enough to carry us through our journey with Jesus in this world. Our faith is more than enough to conquer all our fears including the fear of getting sick of Covid-19  in this world. We will be able to survive whatever may come to us because we have faith. And we believe that our faith will carry us through than any dreadful signs, disease and pandemic from this world.

Let us not be like the scribes and Pharisees in our gospel who asked Jesus for a sign. Let us rather continue to hold-on to our faith in Jesus. Let us continue to strengthen this faith in Jesus by our consistent prayer life. By our consistent presence at Holy Mass, by our frequent visitation at the Adoration Chapel. And by daily reading the bible most specially the life of Jesus if we do these acts of faith we would never anymore ask for a sign.

Instead of asking for a sign why don’t we ask Jesus to strengthen our faith? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 20, Lunes; Ika-16 na LInggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:38-42

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:38-42

38 Sinabi noon ng ilang guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo: “Guro, gusto naming makakita ng tanda mula sa iyo.” 39 Su­magot si Jesus: “Isang palatandaan ang hinihiling ng masama at di-tapat na lahing ito ngunit walang palatandaang ibibigay sa kanila, maliban sa palatandaan ni Propeta Jonas. 40 Kung paanong tatlong araw at tatlong gabing nasa tiyan ng balyena si Jonas noon, gayundin naman tatlong araw at tatlong gabing mananatili sa ilalim ng lupa ang Anak ng Tao.

41 Sa paghuhukom, babangon ang mga taga-Ninive kasama ng mga taong ito at hahatulan ang salinlahing ito sapagkat nagpanibagong-buhay sila sa pangangaral ni Jonas, at dito’y may mas dakila pa kay Jonas. 42 Sa paghu­hukom, babangon ang Reyna ng Timog, kasama ng mga taong ito at hahatulan sila. Sapagkat dumating siya mula sa kabilang dulo ng mundo para masak­sihan ang karunungan ni Solomon, at dito’y may mas dakila pa kay Solomon.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Sunday July 19, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:24-30

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from? He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a priest who performed an exorcism rite to a lady possessed by the devil. After hours of struggle the priest was able to cure the possessed lady and he drove away the devil from her. Following a few days the priest manifested signs of being possessed and it turned out that the devil whom he banished from the lady silently crept into him. The priest went through the same exorcism rite and was eventually freed from the possession of the devil.    

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

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

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

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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 19, Ika-16 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 13:24-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:24-30

24 Binigyan sila ni Jesus ng isa pang talinhaga. “Naihahambing ang kaha­rian ng Langit sa isang taong naghasik ng mabuting buto sa kanyang taniman. 25 At samantalang natutulog ang mga tauhan, dumating ang kaaway. Hinasikan nito ng masamang damo ang taniman ng trigo at saka umalis.

26 Nang tumubo ang mga tanim at nag­simulang mamunga ng butil,  naglitawan din ang masasamang damo. 27 Kaya lumapit sa may-ari ang mga katulong at sinabi: ‘Ginoo, di ba’t mabu­buting buto ang inihasik mo sa iyong bukid, saan galing ang mga damo?’

28 Sinagot niya sila: ‘Gawa ito ng ka­away.’ At tinanong naman nila siya: ‘Gusto mo bang bunutin namin ang mga damo?’ 29 Sinabi niya sa kanila: ‘Huwag, at baka sa pagbunot ninyo sa mga damo e mabunot pati ang trigo. 30 Hayaan ninyo na sabay silang tumubo hanggang ani­han. At doon ko sasabihin sa mga mag-aani: Bunutin muna ninyo ang mga damo, at bigkisin para sunugin; at saka kunin ang lahat ng trigo at tipunin sa aking kamalig.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 18, Saturday; Fifteenth 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 fulfil 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 simply 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 a man of peace, love and compassion. Never is He a hothead or a troublemaker.

If we avoid trouble we may be accused of being a coward but the truth is, it’s not cowardice to avoid trouble. A person who avoids trouble is a prudent person a person filled with wisdom, discernment and wise judgment.

What would we get if we confront a troublesome person or we confront trouble with trouble? Nothing except another troublesome situation! There are many ways to solve a troublesome person/situation. And surely confronting it head on is not the way.

 This action of Jesus of avoiding those who are running after Him simply tells us that prudence is the better part of valor. What does this mean? This means that it’s better to be careful or better to be safe than take risk. War is not always won through brute force war is won through wisdom filled decisions and strategies.

What do we do when we are faced with a troublesome person? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 18, Sabado; Ika-15 na LInggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:14-21

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:14-21

14 Pagkalabas ng mga Pariseo, nag-usap-usap sila kung paano nila siya masi­siraan. 15 Nalaman ito ni Jesus kaya luma­yo siya sa lugar na iyon. Mara­ming tao ang sumunod sa kanya. Pina­galing niya ang lahat ng maysakit 16 ngunit inutusan niya sila na huwag siyang ipamamalita.

17 Kaya natupad ang sinabi ni Isaias, ang propeta: 18 “Narito ang utusan ko na aking pinili, ang mahal ko na siya kong kina­lulugdan. Ilalagay ko sa kanya ang aking Espiritu at siya ang magpapahayag sa mga bansa ng aking mga pasya. 19 Hindi siya makikipagtalo o sisigaw, hindi mari­rinig sa mga liwasan ang kan­yang tinig. 20 Hindi niya babaliin ang sugatang tangkay o papatayin ang aandap-andap na mitsa. Hindi siya titigil hang­gang magwagi ang kata­rungan. 21 Ang kanyang pangalan ang inaasa­han ng lahat ng bansa.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 17, Friday; Fifteenth 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 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:

Are we quick to judge?

When Pope Francis was asked about homosexuals he said this: "Who am I to judge them if they're seeking the Lord in good faith? They shouldn't be marginalized. This comment by the Pope evoked countless positive comments all over the world. Why? Because it broke barriers, it erased the usual stigma that homosexuals are sinful.

When the disciples eat during the Sabbath the Pharisees told Jesus, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:2).” But Jesus justly defended HIS disciples by saying: “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 (Matthew 12:3-5)?

Like the Pharisees, it’s so easy for us to judge based only on what we see but what we see is often a false representation a person’s identity. Unlike us who easily judge, Jesus does not, what is important for Jesus is mercy, what is important for Jesus is the pureness of the intention.

How are we going to spread the goodness of Jesus if we are overly strict and judgmental? The Pharisees in our gospel were judgmental they want their laws to be strictly followed. But the irony of it all is they were also the silent violators of the laws that they have self-servingly created. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 17, Biyernes; Ika-15 na LInggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:1-8

1 Naglakad noon si Jesus sa mga taniman ng trigo minsang Araw ng Pahinga. Nagutom ang kanyang mga alagad at sinimulan nilang alisin sa uhay ang mga butil, at kinain iyon. 2 Nang mapansin ito ng mga Pariseo, sinabi nila kay Jesus: “Tingnan mo ang iyong mga alagad, guma­gawa sila ng ipinagba­bawal sa Araw ng Pahinga!”

3 Ngunit sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi ba ninyo nabasa ang ginawa ni David noong magutom siya at ang kan­yang mga kasama? 4 Pumasok siya sa bahay ng Diyos at kinain ang tinapay na inihain para sa Diyos gayong bawal sa kanya o sa kanyang mga kasama na kainin ito liban sa mga pari. 5 At hindi ba ninyo nabasa sa Ba­tas na sa Araw ng Pahi­nga, walang pahinga ang mga pari sa Templo pero wala silang kasalanan dahil dito?

6 Sinasabi ko naman sa inyo: Dito’y may mas dakila pa sa Templo. 7 Kung nau­u­nawaan ninyong talaga ang salitang ito, ‘Awa ang gusto ko, hindi handog,’ hindi sana ninyo hinatulan ang walang-sala. 8 At isa pa’y ang Anak ng Tao ang Pangi­­noon ng Araw ng Pahinga.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 16, Thursday; Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 11:28-30

Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said: “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:

A single parent was suddenly rendered out of job because of the business disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. He was therefore worried where he would earn the money to feed his family. So, he prayed to the Lord for help to find a new job. After only three days a neighbor who knows about his predicament asked him if he would be willing to work as a family driver and he immediately said yes!   

Are we going through a difficult stage in our life right now caused of the Covid-19 pandemic? Do we want to be refreshed? Jesus has an offer for us! In the gospel Jesus tells us this: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Why does Jesus want us to go to Him? Because Jesus wants to help us carry whatever that burdens us right now. He wants to ease our pains and sufferings; Jesus wants to help us in carrying whatever that suffering might be.

Let us respond to this call of Jesus and we will never regret making that decision. What would happen to us if we respond now? The sufferings that we carry will become lighter this is for the reason that Jesus will help us carry our suffering.

We will have hope and there will be many more positive things that will happen to our life if you would respond to this offer of Jesus. Let us respond now and see for ourselves the miracle that will unfold in our life.  We have everything to gain and nothing to lose if we would respond to this offer of Jesus.

Would we respond to this offer of the Lord? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 15, Wednesday; Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: 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:

The story is told about a man who was very serious in his desire to know God. So, what he did was he read every book that deals about God. But he was wondering how come that the more that he read books about God the more that God becomes distant to him?

So he seek the advice of a wise man for enlightenment thus he was told by the wise man: Your dilemma is simple. You need to become more humble as you become more learned about God. You should put into your heart and not into your head whatever learning that you obtain from your readings.

Do we want to discover more about the movement of God in our life? The secret word is humility: childlike humility; this is for the reason that the more childlike we become in front of God the more that we open ourselves to His many graces.

What is the demeanor of Jesus when He prays to God? Jesus is always humble before God, He doesn’t brag or boast anything about Himself. So, we too should always be humble for this is the secret for us to know more about God. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas