Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 5, Miyerkules sa Ika-18 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 15:21-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 15:21-28 

21 Pumun­ta si Jesus sa gawing Tiro at Sidon. 22 May isang babaeng Kananea noon na nag­punta sa dakong iyon at sumigaw: “Pangi­noon, anak ni David, maawa ka sa akin! Pina­hihirapan ng isang demon­yo ang anak kong babae.” 23 Ngunit hindi siya tinugon ni Jesus kaya lumapit ang kanyang mga alagad at hiniling ng mga ito: “Paalisin mo na siya’t sigaw siya nang sigaw sa likod natin.”

24 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Sa nawawalang tupa ng bayan ng Israel ako sinugo.” 25 Ngunit lumapit ang babae at lumu­hod sa harap ni Jesus at sinabi: “Ginoo, tulungan mo ako!” 26 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi tama na kunin ang tinapay sa mga bata at itapon ito sa mga tuta.” 27 Su­ma­got ang babae: “Totoo nga, Ginoo, pero kinakain naman ng mga tuta ang mga nalalaglag mula sa hapag ng kanilang mga amo.” 28 Kaya nagsalita sa kanya si Jesus: “Babae, napakalaki ng iyong pana­­­­nalig! Maganap sa iyo ayon sa nais mo.” At nang oras ding iyon, gumaling ang kanyang anak.

Reflection for August 4, Tuesday; Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest: Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14

Gospel: Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14

Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.” He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand. It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.” Then his disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.

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Reflection:

Are we strict observers of our faith’s many traditions? Nothing is wrong with this in fact this is very good. However, observing our faith’s tradition becomes useless when we don’t live our faith. For example, the teaching of Jesus about forgiveness, what is good with observing our faiths tradition if we don’t forgive? Another example is the teaching of Jesus about loving our enemies, what is good with strictly observing the tradition if we don’t love our enemies?    

Many Pharisees and scribes were so good at observing their many Jewish traditions but when it comes to living their faith they were miserably very deficient. The Pharisees and the scribes were very particular of the fake exterior, the pretence. But Jesus is very particular on the pure interior, the real us, the things that we do when nobody’s around to see.

Let us therefore do away with our exterior pretenses because this is not good and it doesn’t please God. What pleases the Lord is our internal conversion and renewal. What appears outside of us no matter how beautiful is of no use to Him and the Lord is not impressed by it.

Are we very particular with our exterior appearance but very much deficient when it comes to our internal  renewal? – Marino J, Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 4, Martes; San Juan Maria Vianney, pari: Mateo 15:1-2, 10-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 15:1-2, 10-14

1 Nagkatipon sa paligid ni Jesus ang ilang Pariseo at mga guro ng Batas na galing pa sa Jeru­salem. At sinabi nila sa kanya: 2 “Bakit nilalabag ng iyong mga alagad ang tradisyon ng mga ninuno? Hindi nga sila naghuhugas ng  kamay bago ku­main.”

10 Kaya tinawag ni Jesus ang mga tao at sinabi sa kanila: “Pakinggan at una­wain. 11 Hindi ang pumapasok sa bibig ang nakapagpaparumi sa tao kundi ang lumalabas sa bibig ang naka­pagpaparumi sa tao.”

12 Pagkatapos ay lumapit kay Jesus ang kanyang mga alagad at sinabi: “Alam mo bang naiskandalo ang mga Pariseo sa sinabi mo?” 13 Sumagot si Jesus: “Ang bawat tanim lamang na hindi itinanim ng aking Amang nasa Langit ang mabu­bunot. 14 Huwag ninyo silang pansinin! Mga bulag na gabay sila. Kapag isang bulag ang umakay sa kapwa-bulag, silang dalawa ang mahu­hulog sa hukay.”

Reflection for August 3, Monday; the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:22-36

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36

22 Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; 30 but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." 34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent round to all that region and brought to him all that were sick, 36 and besought him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.

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Reflection:

What is faith in Jesus? It’s when you look at Jesus and you disregard anything that will detach your attention from Jesus.  When Peter saw Jesus walking on water he told Jesus to allow him to go to Him and Jesus obliged Peter’s request (Matthew 14:29-30).

However, when Peter was walking towards Jesus he felt the strong wind and saw the waves coming his way. And thereupon he began to sink but Jesus was there to save him. We speak here not only of Peter’s weak faith in Jesus we also speak of our own faith in Jesus, how strong is our faith in Jesus?

 Can we still have faith even if we go through severe testing? For example, we get sick of covid-19. Would this not disturb our faith in the Lord? Would we not question the Lord, why?

Life is really a mystery we may be here today but there’s no assurance that we would still be breathing the next day. Even our faith in Jesus in itself is a mystery because we hold on to something that we don’t see yet we still hold on tightly to this something that we don’t see. For the reason that we have faith. And this faith that we have will pull us through no matter how severe the trials that may come to us.

Peter obviously has faith otherwise he wouldn’t have told Jesus to let him go to HIM. But Peter allowed also the wind and the waves to momentarily diminish his faith in Jesus. As we go on with our lives we will surely face our own episodes of test of faith in Jesus.

 Let us remain faithful and not lose heart no matter how severe our own test of faith. Because the Lord is always there to carry us thru this test of faith. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 3, Lunes; sa Ika-18 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 14:22-36

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:22-36

22 Agad pinasakay ni Jesus sa bang­ka ang mga alagad at pinauna sa kabilang ibayo habang pinaaalis niya ang mga tao. 23 At pagkaalis ng mga tao, mag-isa siyang pumunta sa kaburulan para mana­langin. Nag-iisa siya roon nang gumabi. 24 Samantala, malayo na sa lupa ang bangka, sina­salpok ng mga alon sapag­kat pasa­lungat ang hangin.

25 Nang madaling-araw na, pinuntahan sila ni Jesus na naglalakad sa dagat. 26 Nang makita nila siyang nag­la­lakad sa dagat, natakot sila, at akala nila’y multo siya. Kaya sumigaw sila. 27 Ngunit agad niyang sinabi sa kanila: “Lakasan ang loob! Ako ito, huwag kayong matakot.” 28 Sumagot si Pedro: “Panginoon, kung ikaw nga, papuntahin mo ako sa iyo na naglalakad sa tubig.”

29 At sinabi niya: “Halika.” Bumaba naman sa bangka si Pedro at naglakad sa tubig papunta kay Jesus. 30 Ngunit natakot siya sa harap ng malakas na hangin at nagsimulang lumubog. Kaya sumigaw siya: ”Panginoon, iligtas mo ako!” 31 Agad na iniunat ni Jesus ang kanyang kamay at hinawakan siya, at sinabi: “Taong maliit ang pananampalataya, bakit ka nag-alin­langan?”

32 Nang nakasakay na sila sa bang­ka, tumigil ang hangin. 33 At yumuko sa harap ni Jesus ang mga nasa bangka at sinabi: “Totoo ngang ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos!” 34 Pagkatawid nila, dumating sila sa pampang ng Gene­saret. 35 Nakilala si Jesus ng mga tagaroon at ipinamalita nila sa buong kapaligiran. Kaya dinala nila sa kanya ang mga maysakit. 36 May naki­usap sa kanya na mahipo man lamang sana nila ang laylayan ng kanyang damit, at gu­maling ang lahat ng humipo rito.

1Reflection for Sunday August 2, Eighteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:13-21

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” He said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over–twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a poor woman who got sick of Covid-19, being poor she naturally cant afford the expensive medication process. So, she said to Jesus: “O my Lord I have nothing except my faith, I will go to the nearest hospital and simply entrust everything to you.” And she went to the hospital, upon arriving a kind hearted doctor asked her: “What can I do for you.” The woman said: “I’m sick with Covid-19 please help me and the doctor said: “Don’t worry I will help you get healed.” While she was being assisted by the doctor the woman saw a gleaming pin of the sacred heart of Jesus attached to the doctor’s coat.    

When we have faith the impossible becomes possible, the faraway becomes within reach and the unbelievable becomes believable.

In the gospel, when Jesus saw the vast crowd waiting for Him, His heart was moved with pity for them. Thus, Jesus cured those who were sick (Matthew 14:14). When evening came the disciples told Jesus to let go of the vast crowd so that they can buy their food. But Jesus would have nothing of His disciples’ suggestion.

He instead told His disciples to feed them but there was no food except for the five loaves and two fish. So, Jesus asked for the five loaves and two fish and it was all what Jesus needed to feed the vast crowd.

We are presently in a very dire situation right now caused by this Covid-19 pandemic. Thousands are sick, dying and hungry. This dire situation is what confronts us everyday right now and many are losing hope, in dire straits and getting desperate already.    

But there is hope and this is being offered to us by Jesus in the gospel. What only Jesus is asking from us is to continue to have faith. The same faith of the crowd who waited for Jesus’ healing and the same faith of the crowd who were fed by Jesus by means of the multiplication of the five bread and two fish.

Let us never doubt the power of Jesus to see us through out of our difficult situation right now caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Let us continue to pray and have faith in the power of Jesus. Let us continue to have faith that Jesus will make a way when there seems to be no way. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Agosto 2, Ika-18 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 14:13-21

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:13-21

13 Nang marinig ito ni Jesus, lumayo siya at namangka na sila-sila lang patungo sa ilang na lugar. Ngunit nalaman ito ng mga tao at sumunod sila sa kanya na naglalakad mula sa kanilang mga bayan. 14 Pagdating ni Jesus sa pampang, nakita niya ang maraming taong nag­ka­katipon doon at naawa siya sa kanila. At pinaga­ling niya ang mga maysakit.

15 Nang hapon na, lumapit sa kanya ang mga alagad at sinabi: “Nasa ilang na lugar tayo at lampas na ang oras. Paalisin mo na ang maraming taong ito para ma­kapunta sila sa mga nayon at makabili ng kani-kanilang pagkain.” 16 Ngunit sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi na nila kailangang umalis pa; kayo ang mag­bigay sa kanila ng makakain.” 17 Sinabi nila: “Wala kami rito kundi limang tinapay at dalawang isda.” 18 Sinabi niya: “Akin na.”

19 At iniutos niyang maupo sa damu­han ang makapal na tao. Kinuha niya ang limang tinapay at dalawang isda, tumi­ngala sa langit, nagpuri, hinati ang mga tinapay at ibinigay sa kanyang mga alagad; at ibinigay rin nila sa mga tao. 20 At kumain silang lahat at nabusog, at inipon nila ang mga natirang pira-piraso – labindalawang punong basket. 21 Mga limanlibong lalaki ang napakain bukod pa sa mga babae at mga bata.

Reflection for August 1, Saturday; Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 14:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him. Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him “It is not lawful for you to have her. Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist. The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

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Reflection:

There is a saying that, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” King Herod is an example of a man who was corrupted by his absolute power. He allowed his power to rule over him and not him ruling over his power. Otherwise if King Herod was in control of his power he would have not ordered the beheading of John.

When a leader allows his power to get into his head he would do many foolish things. For example, he may act as if he is more powerful than God by saying words and doing things that are inconceivable for a normal person to say and do.

In the gospel we have a character named King Herod he is a perfect example of a leader who is drunk with power. His power made him arrogant and it made him act as if he is more powerful than God for the reason that he ordered the killing of John. But we also know that those who arrogantly abuse power suffers defeat at the end.   

So what is the lesson for us here? Simple, we should not abuse the power that we hold otherwise we will have to pay for it someday. As they say, “What goes around comes around.” In other words this simply tells us that whatever evil that we do today brought about by our abuse of power will eventually catch up with us someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 1, Sabado ; San Alfonso Ligorio Obispo at pantas ng Iglesia: Mateo 14:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:1-12

1 Umabot kay Haring Herodes ang katanyagan ni Jesus. 2 At sinabi niya sa kanyang mga kasambahay: “Si Juan Bautista siya. Nabuhay si Juan mula sa mga patay kaya nagkakabisa sa kanya ang maka­langit na kapangyarihan.”

3 Si Herodes nga ang nagpahuli kay Juan, at nag-utos na ikadena ito at iku­long dahil kay Herodias na asawa ng kanyang kapatid na si Felipe. 4 Sapagkat sinabi ni Juan kay Herodes: “Hindi mo siya puwe­deng ma­ging asawa.” 5 Talaga ngang gusto ni Herodes na patayin siya, pero takot siya sa mga tao na kumi­­kilala kay Juan bilang isang propeta.

6 Kaarawan ni Herodes at nagsayaw ang anak na babae ni Herodias, at nasiyahan si Herodes sa kanya. 7 Kaya si­numpaan niya ang isang pangako na ibi­bigay sa kanya ang anumang hingin niya. 8 At sinabi ng babae ayon sa turo ng kan­yang ina: “Ibigay mo rito sa akin ang ulo ni Juan Bautista sa isang bandeha.”

9 Nasaktan ang hari ngunit napanum­paan na niya ang pangako sa harap ng mga bisita kaya iniutos niya na ibigay iyon sa kanya. 10 At  pinapugutan niya ng ulo si Juan sa kulu­ngan; 11 inilagay sa isang plato ang kanyang ulo at ibinigay sa babae, at dinala ito ng babae sa kanyang ina. 12 At pagkatapos ay dumating naman ang mga alagad ni Juan at kinuha ang kanyang katawan at inilibing. At pagka­tapos ay ibinalita ito kay Jesus.

Reflection for July 31, Friday; Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest: Matthew 13:54-58

Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

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Reflection:

Let us imagine ourselves experiencing rejection. How would we feel about that rejection done to us? We will surely feel bad.

Jesus was rejected and belittled when He returned to Nazareth: His native place. Jesus did not do anything offensive, He even taught at their synagogue. Yet He was rejected and the sole reason for His rejection is they knew Him only as the son of a carpenter. His town mates were too familiar with Him and His family.

They can’t accept the fact that He had an extra-ordinary wisdom and power. For these reasons they rejected Him. But why reject when they could have welcomed Him with open arms? They rejected Jesus because they were envious of Him. Envious of His gift of healing, intelligence and the adulation given to Him by the people. So, they rejected someone who could have helped them.

We will not get anything good if we have envy in our hearts. We are in fact closing our hearts to the many blessings that Jesus wants to shower us. Instead of being envious, why not simply be happy with our fellow men and women’s success?  - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 31, Biyernes; San Ignacio ng Loyola, pari (Paggunita): Mateo 13:54-58

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:54-58

54 Pumunta si Jesus sa kanyang bayan at nagturo sa mga tao sa kanilang sinagoga. Namangha silang lahat at nag­sabi: “Saan kaya galing ang kanyang karunu­ngan at natatanging kapang­yarihan? 55 Di ba’t siya ang anak ng karpintero? Di ba’t si Maria ang kanyang ina at sina Jaime, Jose, Simon at Judas ang kanyang mga kapatid? 56 Hindi ba’t narito sa piling natin ang lahat niyang kapatid na babae? Ano’t nangyari sa kanya ang lahat ng ito?” 57 At bulag sila tungkol sa kanya.

Sinabi naman sa kanila ni Jesus: “Sa kanyang sariling bayan lamang at sambahayan hinahamak ang isang propeta.” 58At kaunti lamang ang ginawa niyang himala roon sapagkat kulang sila sa pana­nampalataya.

Reflection for July 30, Thursday; the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:47-53

Gospel: Matthew 13:47-53

Jesus said to the disciples:“The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

“Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a middle-aged man who was often wondering as to where would he end up when he dies. He often ask himself: Would I end up in heaven or hell? One night he had a dream he heard the booming voice of God which told him that he must turn a new leaf and completely repent from all the sins that he had committed otherwise he will surely be in hell.

In the gospel Jesus mentioned that at the end of age there shall be separation between the righteous and the wicked. The wicked will be thrown into the fiery furnace where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth and this is actually a very frightening scenario.

 However, Jesus is a God of love, mercy and forgiveness, he will do everything for us not to be in that fiery place. That’s why He sends people to us and He creates opportunities disguised as life’s difficulties for us to walk away from our sinfulness.

But at the end of the day, we are still in charge of our destiny, we have the freedom if we would walk away from sin or we stay with sin. If we walk away from sin we would be freeing ourselves from the enslavement of the devil. If we continue to sin we must be prepared for the fiery consequence that will befall us.

Jesus is offering us His Mercy, Love and Forgiveness, what are we waiting for? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 30, Huwebes; sa Ika-17 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:47-53

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:47-53

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao: 47 Naihahambing din ang kaharian ng Langit sa isang malaking lambat na inihagis sa dagat at nakahuli ng kung anu-ano. 48 Nang puno na ang lambat, hinila ito papunta sa pampang. At saka naupo ang mga tao at tinipon ang mabu­buting isda sa mga timba at iti­napon ang mga walang kuwenta. 49 Ganito ang mangya­yari sa kata­pusan ng mundo. Lalabas ang mga anghel para ihiwalay ang masasama sa mabu­buti; 50 at itatapon sila sa nagliliyab na pugon kung saan may iyakan at pag­ngangalit ng mga ngipin.”

51 At itinanong ni Jesus: “Nauuna­waan ba ninyo ang lahat ng ito?” “Oo,” ang sagot nila. 52Kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “Kaya bawat guro ng Batas na tinuruan tungkol sa Kaharian ay katulad ng isang ama ng tahanan na may tabihan, at laging may bago at luma sa tuwing kukuha siya.”

53 Nang matapos ni Jesus ang mga talinhagang ito, umalis siya sa lugar na iyon.

Reflection for July 29, Wednesday; Memorial of Saint Martha: 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:

Are we anxious and worried about many things? This story of Martha is our story also.

Are we not too busy with the daily grind of this temporary life that we don’t have anymore time to pray and listen to Jesus? Many of us are somewhat like  Martha very busy with worldliness and what happens when we have no more time to listen to Jesus?

There’s disintegration in the family simply because we have no more time to listen to Jesus. There is still life after this present life that we are in and we can best prepare ourselves to go there if we will always take time to listen and be one with Jesus thru the celebration of the Holy Mass.   

Many modern parents today are often very busy with their own worldly activities. They hardly have time to take care and counsel their children. Thus, they try to compensate their lack of personal interactions with their children by giving them money and the latest gadgets that do more harm than good to them.

What would happen to us if upon waking-up in the morning we storm-out of bed, eat our breakfast and be busy with our daily activities? We become citizens of this world that are distant from Jesus.

How about if we take time first to thank Jesus for His many blessings? We pray and listen to Him even for a brief moment? We can always create time for God if we would want to and if we do so. This would surely make us closer to Jesus, we will learn more from Him and we will become more sensitive to what He wants us to do for Him.

When Jesus entered the village and subsequently went to the house of Mary and Martha. It was Mary who took time to sat beside at His feet to listen to Him. Thus Mary imbibed everything that Jesus wanted to tell her. By listening to Jesus she learned from Him and developed a much deeper friendship with Him.

Martha on the other hand was very busy preparing food for Jesus she forgot that Jesus was not after what she was doing. Jesus wanted her to be like Mary, He wanted her to also listen to Him.

By listening to Jesus we learn from Him and we develop a much deeper friendship with Him. Do we always take time daily even for a brief moment to pray and listen to our Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for July 28, Tuesday; the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:36-43

Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

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Reflection:

Do we know that the good Lord is patiently waiting for us to embrace Him?

In the beginning of our lives God sowed to us all that are good. For example, through the Sacrament of Baptism He sowed in us our faith. Yet as we mature in this world the Devil also does his own thing, sowing nothing but evil oftentimes disguised as pleasures.

Many of us unfortunately succumb to the pleasurable seeds sown by the Devil.  As a result of this we led lives that are chaotic, disturb and problematic. However, we have nobody to blame but ourselves.  Our lives are in turmoil and without peace for the simple reason that we embraced the Devil.

We refuse to heed the many advices of well-meaning friends and family we instead follow our fleeting and sinful worldly desires. As such many of us exist in this world without peace. However, for as long as we breathe in this world there is hope. Hope to feel the unconditional love of Jesus. Hope that there is salvation if we would permanently walk away from anything that is sinful and evil.

The good Lord is so patient with us that He is very much willing to wait for us to have a change of heart. until when would the good Lord wait for us? Until our last breath in this world. The good Lord will never give up on us no matter how sinful we are and no matter who we are.

For as long as we breathe there is hope: Hope of redemption, hope of forgiveness and hope of unconditional love from the good Lord. Let us therefore walk away from anything that makes us sin before it’s too late.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 28, Martes; Sa-17 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:36-43

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:36-43

36 At pinaalis ni Jesus ang mga tao at saka pumasok sa bahay. Lumapit noon sa kanya ang kanyang mga alagad at nagtanong: “Ipaliwanag mo sa amin ang talinhaga ng mga trigo sa bukid.” 37 Su­magot si Jesus: “Ang nagtanim ng ma­buting buto ay ang Anak ng Tao. 38 Ang bukid naman, ang daigdig; ang mabuting buto, ang mga tao ng Kaha­rian; at ang masasamang damo, ang mga tauhan ng demonyo. 39 Ang kaaway na naghasik sa kanila ay ang demonyo; ang pag-aani ay ang kata­pusan ng mundo, at ang mga mang­gagawa ay ang mga anghel.

40 Kung paanong tinitipon ang masa­samang damo at sinusunog sa apoy, ga­nito rin ang mangyayari sa katapusan ng mundo. 41 Ipadadala ng Anak ng Tao ang kanyang mga anghel at titipunin nila sa kanyang kaharian ang mga eskandalo at ang mga guma­gawa ng masama. 42 At itatapon ang mga ito sa nagliliyab na pugon kung saan may iyakan at pagnga­ngalit ng ngipin. 43 At pagkatapos nito, magni­ningning ang mga makatarungan tulad ng araw sa Kaharian ng kanilang Ama. Makinig ang may tainga!

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 27, Monday; The Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:31-35

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.”

He spoke to them another parable. “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.” All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:

I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world. illustrate the same point: the amazing contrast between the small beginnings of the kingdom and its marvelous expansion.

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Reflection:

How does the kingdom of God starts in our heart? It starts small, then if we nurture it with prayers, by reading the bible and our faithful presence at Holy Mass. It slowly grows little by little until it fully blooms so that it can bless those around us.

But not everyone has this kind of experience. To many of us the kingdom begins small also yet it does not grow it instead dies. Why? Because we don’t exert an effort to nurture it, we don’t ask Jesus to bless our faith so that it could grow.

The mustard seed parable in our gospel is an allusion of Jesus’ desire to help us grow in faith. This seed of faith that He initially gives us during our baptism. And as we grow Jesus also desires that we also grow in faith so that others can learn from us.

How’s the seed of faith that Jesus sowed in our hearts during our baptism? Did we allow it to grow by nurturing it and by asking Jesus to help you grow in faith? If it grew, has anyone been blessed by it already? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 27, Lunes; Sa-17 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:31-35

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:31-35 

31 Binigyan sila ni Jesus ng isa pang talinhaga: “Naikukumpara ang kaharian ng Langit sa isang buto ng mustasa na kinuha ng isang lalaki at inihasik sa kan­yang bukid.

32 Pinakamaliit ito sa mga buto ngunit paglaki’y mas malaki ito sa mga gulay, at parang isang puno – duma­rating ang mga ibon ng langit at dumadapo sa mga sanga nito.” 33 At sinabi ni Jesus ang iba pang talin­haga: “Naikukumpara ang kaha­rian ng Langit sa lebadurang kinuha ng isang ba­bae at ibinaon sa tatlong takal ng harina hanggang umalsa ang buong masa.”

• 34 Itinuro ni Jesus ang lahat ng ito sa mga tao sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhaga; hindi siya nagturo sa kanila na hin­di gumagamit ng mga talinhaga. 35 Kaya natupad ang sinabi ng Propeta: “Magsa­salita ako sa talinhaga. Magpapahayag ako ng mga bagay na natago mula pa sa simula ng daigdig.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday July 26, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:44-46

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a rich man who left everything of his material wealth to serve in the church. When she was asked why she is doing it, she simply replied: “I have found the greatest treasure and the most precious pearl that anyone can ever possess in this world and that is Jesus.” 

Every now and then we hear news of rich, powerful and famous people committing suicide. We can’t help but ask, Why did they end their lives? They almost have everything, this is what we normally think from outside looking in: They almost have everything; but do they really have everything?

If they have everything why would they end their lives? They may have everything that this temporal world could offer them. But in hindsight, a very important component of their lives is missing and it is the Kingdom of heaven.

Many of us aspire to be materially rich, powerful and famous. However, when we get rich and almost have everything that this world could offer us. We find out that something is still missing in our life. Who or what is this missing piece in our life? This missing piece is Jesus and to find HIM is to find our greatest treasure and most precious pearl.

But how could we find Jesus if we are always busy with our many worldly undertakings? How could we find Jesus if we seldom listen to HIM in the silence of our hearts? How could we find Jesus if we seldom read the bible if at all we read it? How could we find Jesus if we hardly attend Holy Mass? How could we find Jesus if we are slaves of facebook? 

One of the frightening reality of life is it could end anytime. Most especially right now wherein Covid-19 is creating so much disorder, mental imbalance and unease among us. What if we get sick of it and afterwards succumb to it? 

What would happen to our souls if we are so enslave by this world? If we have not found yet the greatest treasure and the most precious pearl which is none other than Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 26, Ika-17 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 13:44-46

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:44-46

"Ang kaharian ng langit ay katulad ng kayamanang nakabaon sa isang bukid. Nahukay ito ng isang tao ngunit agad itong tinabunan. Tuwang-tuwa siyang umalis at ibinenta ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian upang bilhin ang bukid na iyon."  Ang kaharian ng langit ay katulad din ng isang negosyante na naghahanap ng mga mamahaling perlas. Nang makakita siya ng isang perlas na napakahalaga, umuwi siya't ipinagbili ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian at binili ang perlas na iyon."

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.