Reflection for Tuesday August 15, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:39-56

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." 

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. 

He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever." 

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

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Reflection:

Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This doctrine was dogmatically and infallibly defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1 1950. 

The Blessed Mother, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. Her acceptance into the glory of Heaven is a symbol of the promise made by Jesus to all enduring Christians that we too will be received into paradise. 

Do we have a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary? For example, we regularly pray the Holy Rosary and we ask the Blessed Mother to pray and intercede for us. 

Even if she was also pregnant at that time the Blessed Mother visited her cousin Elizabeth without considering her own wellbeing. She went to Elizabeth in view of the fact that she wanted to comfort and strengthen her. That’s how selfless and loving is the Blessed Mother. 

Of course we also want to be visited, comforted and strengthened by the Blessed Mother. But do we find time to pray to her and ask her to pray for us? Do we regularly pray the Holy Rosary? Being the mother of Jesus she is the closest to the heart of Jesus. Whatever she tells Jesus, He will obey for she is His mother. 

On this Solemnity of the  Assumption we are reminded by the Blessed Mother that it’s not only her cousin Elizabeth that she wants to comfort and help. The Blessed Mother also wants to comfort, strengthen and help us with whatever worries, struggles and problems that we have. 

Let us therefore ask the Blessed Mother to pray and intercede for us during this difficult time that we are in.   – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for Monday August 14, Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr: Matthew 17:22-27

Gospel: Matthew 17:22-27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.   

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes,” he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?    

From their subjects or from foreigners?” When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.”

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Reflection:

Do you generously give to the church? 

The gospel speaks about the payment of the temple tax. Even if they were exempted from paying the temple tax Jesus still instructed Peter to pay the temple tax. Perhaps Jesus did this for the reason that He wants to contribute something for the maintenance of the church and its facilities.   

This generous payment of the temple tax by Jesus invites us to examine our generosity to our church as well.  Are we generous to our church? Do we give generously during offertory?   

We have to be generous to our church so that it can have funds not only for the maintenance of its facilities. But also for the welfare of those who are working for the church. The money that we give to the church is not only for the church it is also for the poor.   

We may not know this but the church takes care of the poor, the church doesn’t blare it but it silently helps the poor and those who are in need. Therefore, we have to generously give to our church and whatever we give to our church will come back to us a hundredfold.     

What may come back to us may not necessarily be through financial rewards. It can be peace and harmony in the family; it can be good health and many more blessings that does not involve money.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Do You Know the Health Benefits eating Cucumber?/Alam Mo ba ang mga Benepisyo ng pagkain ng Pipino?

 

Reflection for Sunday August 13, 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:22-33

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 

During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 

But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."

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Reflection:

An Extra-Ordinary Minister of the Holy Communion would go to the house of an eighty-four-year-old man every Sunday. So that he could receive Jesus through the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Being sick and old, he could hardly move and barely speak. However, the Minister of Holy Communion would always notice that the moment he arrives, the elderly man would encourage everyone in their house to be silent."

Then, on a small table, the candle is immediately lit, after which the corporal is neatly laid, and the pyx opened to expose the Body of Christ. While seated, he would bow in reverence to worship Jesus before he receives the Body of Christ.

It is always a moving experience for the Minister of the Holy Communion as he observes the old man worship Jesus. How he quietly desires to reverently receive the Body of Christ and how Jesus creates peace and calmness in his life.

In the first reading, the Lord God said to Elijah, 'Go outside the mountain, for God will be passing by.' There was a strong wind, but God was not there. Then, an earthquake followed, but God was still not there. Subsequently, fire came, but God was not in the fire. After these thundering false manifestations, came a tiny whispering sound of silence, and it was God.

In our gospel, the boat where the disciples were, was being battered by the waves. Then amidst the disturbance, Jesus came silently, walking on the violent water. To assure them that in their fearful and unstable present environment. He is there to calm them and to reassure them that everything would be all right, for He is there to save them all.

We are oftentimes tossed upside down by our worries and problems that generate fear in our hearts. We are being tossed by the fear of losing our jobs; we are being disturbed by the fear of sickness and death. We are being tossed by the fear of getting old, and we have countless more fears that we keep to ourselves.

But in the middle of all these fears and disturbances in our life, Jesus silently comes into our hearts. To assure and calm us that everything will be alright, to say to us that we need not fear. And to say to us to remain strong in your faith, for I am here to save you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Agosto 13, Ika-19 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 14:22-33

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:22-33

Noong panahong iyon, matapos pakainin ang mga tao, agad pinasakay ni Jesus sa bangka ang kanyang mga alagad at pinauna sa kabilang ibayo samantalang pinauwi niya ang mga tao. Pagkaalis ng mga ito, umahon siya sa burol upang manalangin. Nag-iisa siyang inabot doon ng gabi. Samantala, nasa laot na noon ang bangka at sinasalpok ng mga alon sapagkat pasalungat sa hangin. 

At nang madaling-araw na'y sumunod sa kanila si Jesus na naglalakad sa ibabaw ng tubig. Kinilabutan sa takot ang mga alagad nang makita nilang may lumalakad sa ibabaw ng tubig. "Multo!" sigaw nila. Ngunit agad siyang nagsalita at sinabi sa kanila, "Huwag kayong matakot; si Jesus ito!" at nagsalita si Pedro, "Panginoon, kung talagang kayo iyan, papariyanin ninyo ako sa ibabaw ng tubig." 

Sumagot siya, "Halika." Kaya't lumunsad si Pedro sa bangka at lumakad sa ibabaw ng tubig, palapit kay Jesus. Ngunit ng mapansin niya ang hangin, siya'y natakot at nagsimulang lumubog. "Sagipin ninyo ako, Panginoon!" sigaw niya. Agad siyang inabot ni Jesus. "Napakaliit ng iyong pananalig!" sabi niya kay Pedro. Bakit ka nag-alinlangan?" Pagkasakay nila sa bangka, tumigil ang hangin. At sinamba siya ng mga nasa bangka. "Tunay na kayo ang Anak ng Diyos!" sabi nila.

Do You Know the Health Benefits Of eating Bok Choy? /Alam Mo ba ang mga Benepisyo ng pagkain ng Bok Choy?

 

Do You Know the Health Benefits of eating Young Coconut?/Alam Mo ba ang mga Benepisyo ng Pagkain ng Buko?

 

Reflection for August 12, Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 17:14-20

Gospel: Matthew 17:14-20

A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him, and said, “Lord, have pity on my son, who is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” Jesus said in reply, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? 

How long will I endure you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured. Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it out? He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

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Reflection:

Jesus tells us today: “Nothing will be impossible for us (Matthew 17:20).” In the midst of our many doubts Jesus is whispering to us that nothing is impossible for us because all things are possible for those who have faith in Him. 

Faith is something that we should all strive very hard to have, can we all have faith? Isn’t faith only for the select few? Jesus already gave us faith when we were Baptized and He hoped that as we grow the faith that He gave us would grow as well. 

But it did not happen because as we grow our faith was left out, even forgotten. Who is to blame for this faith that was left out? Our parents? The people of the church?  But all is not lost yet because we still have the chance to rejuvinate this faith that has been left out. 

All we need to do is to ask Jesus to give us once again the gift of faith that He so generously showered upon us when we were baptized. Lest we forget, faith is important in a person’s journey in this world. Without it we are simply like zombies roaming around without direction and purpose. 

Prayer:

Oh Dear Jesus we humbly pray that you make alive our dormant faith. For without it we are like zombies roaming around without any direction and purpose. Give us faith so that we’ll have hope, give us faith so that we’ll have purpose and give us faith so that we would withstand whatever problems that we may encounter in this world. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 12, Sabado ng Ika-18 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 17:14-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 17:14-20

Noong panahong iyon, lumapit ang isang lalaki, lumuhod sa harapan ni Hesus at ang sabi, “Ginoo, mahabag po kayo sa anak kong lalaki! Siya po’y himatayin at lubhang nahihirapan kung sinusumpong, sapagkat madalas siyang mabuwal sa apoy o kaya’y mahulog sa tubig. 

Dinala ko na siya sa inyong mga alagad, ngunit hindi nila mapagaling.” Sumagot si Hesus, “Lahing walang pananampalataya at matigas ang ulo! Hanggang kailan dapat akong manatiling kasama ninyo? Hanggang kailan ko kayo pagtitiisan? Dalhin ninyo rito ang bata!” Pinagwikaan ni Hesus ang demonyo at lumabas ito, at ang bata’y gumaling agad. 

Pagkatapos ay lumapit ang mga alagad kay Hesus at nagtanong nang walang ibang nakaririnig, “Bakit hindi po namin mapalayas ang demonyo?” Sumagot siya, “Dahil sa kaliitan ng inyong pananalig. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: kung maging sinlaki man lamang ng butil ng mustasa ang inyong pananalig sa Diyos, masasabi ninyo sa bundok na ito, ‘Lumipat ka roon!’ at lilipat ito. Walang bagay na hindi ninyo mapangyayari.”

Reflection for Friday August 11, Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin: Matthew 16:24-28

Gospel: Matthew 16:24-28

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 

Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

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Reflection:

What does the cross signify to you? Does it signify hardship and burden? During the time of Jesus the cross was a sign of judgment and suffering. 

By saying to the disciples that they have to take up their own cross if they desire to follow Him. Jesus was telling them that they have to be ready to be oppressed, ready to face hardships and ready to be unfairly judged. Many of the disciples took this challenge of Jesus and in so doing they found the real meaning of life. 

Many of us seek the life of ease and comfort thinking that this is what life is all about. But life of ease and comfort are not the real essence of life. Could you find your life by living a worldly life? Could you find purpose in this world by living the lifestyle of the rich and famous? Many rich and famous personalities in this world committed suicide because they struggled to find the purpose of their lives. 

It is only through following Jesus and carrying His cross that we would find the true meaning of our life. Therefore, we have to be ready to carry our cross for us to be called  true followers of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Do you know the health benefits of guava leaves?/Alam mo ba ang benepisyo ng dahon ng bayabas?

 

Reflection for Thursday August 10, Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr: John 12:24-26

Gospel: John 12:24-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.   

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

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Reflection:

What does it mean to hate our life in this world?   

It’s to give our life in the service of Jesus so that through us others may know Jesus. When we do not give our life for the mission of Jesus and just keep it to ourselves we will not grow in wisdom and faith. Yes, we will grow in worldliness and perhaps riches but eventually our life will come to a halt and that’s basically the end of it.   

When we choose to give our life for the mission of Jesus we will not anymore enjoy this world as we enjoyed it before.  Yet we will also discover a more profound and deeper meaning in our life that only Jesus can give us.   

 Why? Because we chose to give our life for the mission of Jesus. We chose to throwaway our life away from worldliness going to the direction of Jesus so that we could walk hand in hand with the Lord.   

As Jesus gave away His very own life on the cross so that God’s kingdom in this world could grow and flourish. We too should not be afraid to give away our life for the sake of the kingdom of God for this is where we can find the true essence and meaning of life.   

Have you already found the true essence and meaning of your life with Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Agosto 10, San Lorenzo, diyakono at martir (Kapistahan): Juan 12:24-26

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:24-26

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Tandaan ninyo: malibang mahulog sa lupa ang butil ng trigo at mamatay, mananatili itong nag-iisa. Ngunit kung mamatay, ito'y mamumunga nang marami.   

Ang taong labis na nagpapahalaga sa kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito, ngunit ang napopoot sa kanyang buhay sa daigdig na ito ay siyang magkakaroon nito hanggang sa buhay na walang hanggan. Dapat sumunod sa akin ang naglilingkod sa akin, at saanman ako naroroon ay naroon din ang aking lingkod. Pararangalan ng Ama ang sinumang naglilingkod sa akin."

 

Reflection for August 9, Wednesday of the 18th week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 15:21-28

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” 

He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” 

Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

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Reflection:

What is faith for you? Faith is when you believe without seeing what you believe. Faith is when you persist to ask the Lord even if it seems that He is not listening to you. 

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

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

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

Every trial that we go through is our own test of faith; we may be going through some trials right now. We may be asking ourselves, why am I going through these difficulties? Let us not give up and let us continue to have faith for the Lord will soon answer our persistent prayer/s. - Marino J. Dasmarinas