Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 15, Sabado Ang Pag-akyat sa Langit ng Mahal na Birheng Maria (Dakilang Kapistahan): Lucas 1:39-56

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-56

39 Nang mga araw ring iyo’y nag­mamadaling naglakbay si Maria pa­punta sa isang bayan sa mataas na lupain ng Juda. 40 Pumasok siya roon sa bahay ni Zacarias at binati si Eli­zabeth. 41 Nang marinig ni Elizabeth ang bati ni Maria, sumikad ang sanggol sa si­na­pupunan niya, at napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elizabeth 42 at mala­kas siyang sumigaw at sinabi: “Lubos kang pi­nagpala sa mga kababaihan. Pinag­pala rin ang bunga ng iyong sina­pu­punan! 43 Sino nga ba naman ako’t na­parito sa akin ang ina ng aking Pa­ngi­noon? 44 Nang umabot sa aking pan­dinig ang iyong pagbati, sumikad sa tuwa ang sanggol sa aking sina­pu­punan. 45 Pinagpapala ang naniniwa­lang magaganap ang mga sinabi sa kanya ng Pa­nginoon.”  46 At sinabi ni Maria: “Dinadakila ng aking kaluluwa ang Panginoon 47 at nagagalak ang aking espiritu sa Diyos na aking Tagapagligtas 48 dahil isinaalang-alang niya ang abang utu­san niya, at mula ngayon, ituturing akong mapalad ng lahat ng salinlahi. 49 Dakila nga ang ginawa sa akin ng Ma­kapangya­rihan, banal ang kanyang Pangalan.

50 Patuloy ang kanyang awa sa mga sali’t salinlahi para sa mga may pitagan sa kanya. 51 Ipinakita niya ang lakas ng kanyang bisig, ipinagtabuyan ang mga taong may ma­pagma­taas na balak. 52 Pinatalsik niya sa luklukan ang mga makapang­yarihan, itinampok naman ang mga bale-wala. 53 Binusog niya ng mabubuting bagay ang mga na­gugutom at itinaboy namang walang-wala ang maya­yaman. 54 Nilingap niya ang Israel na kanyang lingkod, inalaala ang kanyang awa 55ayon sa ipinangako niya sa ating mga ninuno, kay Abraham at sa kanyang angkan mag­paka­ilanman.” 56 Mga tatlong buwang nanatili si Ma­riang ka­sa­ma ni Elizabeth at saka nagbalik sa kanyang bahay.

Reflection for August 14, Friday Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr: Matthew 19:3-12

Gospel: Matthew 19:3-12

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate. They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery. His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry. He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A cohabiting millennial  couple was asked: “Why are you not getting married yet?” They both answered, “This is the trend right now, live together first and then after a few years if we find ourselves compatible perhaps we can marry.”

Sad to say but this is the reality of our times, few are getting married yet many are cohabiting without the benefit of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Few are getting married yet many are going through premarital sex.

Why is this so? Perhaps this is influenced by the liberated mindset of the millennials today. Or perhaps this is influenced by the modernity of our time. Are modernity of time and liberated mindset to blame for the disinterest of some millennials toward the Sacrament of Matrimony? Or it’s the failure of parents to instill the sacredness of the Sacrament of Matrimony to their children?

In today’s gospel Jesus is hammering our stubborn  minds regarding the sacredness of the Sacrament of Matrimony. That marriage is not just a piece of paper that a married couple can tear apart when they so desire. Marriage is not like food that we eat then we spew it our when we don’t like it anymore.

Therefore, we have to think deeply before we plunge into marriage. And once we are already in the marriage we have to make it work by sacrificing our own comforts if need be. We also have to avoid the many temptations that might destroy the marriage. Because when we allow temptation to creep into the marriage we surely will pay for it.    

For Jesus marriage is without end and it’s not simply a contract but a covenant which involves the man and the woman and the Lord’s active presence in their marriage. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 14, Biyernes San Maximiliano Mary Kolbe: Mateo 19:3-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:3-12

3 Lumapit kay Jesus ang ilang Pariseo na hangad siyang subukan, at tinanong nila siya: “Pinahihintu­lutan bang diborsiyuhin ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa sa anumang dahi­lan?”

4 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi ba ninyo na­basa na sa simula’y ginawa sila ng May­kapal na lalaki at babae, 5 at sinabi rin nitong iiwanan ng lalaki ang kanyang ama at ina, at pipisan sa kan­yang asawa, at magiging iisang katawan ang dalawa? 6 Kung gayo’y hindi na sila dalawa kundi iisang katawan lamang; kaya huwag pag­hiwalayin ng tao ang pinagbuklod ng Diyos.”

7 At sinabi nila: “Kung gayon, bakit ini­utos ni Moises na bigyan ang babae ng kasulatan ng diborsiyo bago siya pa­alisin?” 8 Sinabi naman niya sa kanila: “Alam ni Moises na matigas ang inyong puso kaya pinayagan kayong diborsiyuhin ang inyong mga asawa, ngunit hindi ganito sa simula. 9 At sinasabi ko naman sa inyo: kung may magpaalis sa kanyang asawa, mali­ban kung dahil sa pag­tataksil, at saka magpakasal sa iba, naki­apid na siya.”

10 Sinabi naman ng mga alagad: “Kung iyan ang itinatadhana para sa lalaking may-asawa, walang pakinabang sa pag-aasawa.” 11 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Hindi matatanggap ng lahat ang salitang ito, kundi ng mga pinagkalooban lamang nito. 12 May ilang ipina­nganak na hindi maka­pag-aasawa. May iba namang ipinakapon ng tao. At may iba ring tuma­likod sa pag-aasa­wa alang-alang sa kaha­rian ng Langit. Tanggapin ito ng puwe­deng tumanggap.”

1Reflection for August 13, Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:21-19:1

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-19:1

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.

That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.

When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What would happen to us if we are forgiving? We feel light, free and there’s no pent-up emotions in our hearts that makes life so heavy for us.  What would happen to us if we don’t forgive? There’s always a heavy burden in our hearts that do nothing to us except to attract negative emotions even sickness.

 Take for example if we see someone who has wronged us which we have not forgiven yet. Our face may turn red an indication of sudden surge of our blood pressure that may become fatal and could result to other health complications.

Therefore it’s always better to be forgiving; this doesn’t mean that when we forgive we forget the lesson/s why we forgave. When we forgive those who’ve wronged us we let bygones be bygones yet the lesson/s learned will remain for this will help us grow and become better individuals. 

In our gospel for today Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. In simple terms Jesus is teaching us that we must always be forgiving no matter how severe the injury done to us. Because when we don’t forgive we only imprison ourselves to this vicious and injurious emotion called hatred.

But let us say we really can’t forgive, let us go down on our knees and pray to Jesus and let us ask Him to heal us and give us the grace of forgiveness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 13, Huwebes sa Ika-19 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 18:21-19:1

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:21-19:1

 21 Nagtanong si Pedro: “Pa­nginoon, gaano kadalas ko naman dapat patawarin ang mga pagku­kulang ng aking kapatid? Pitong be­ses ba?” 22 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi, hindi pitong beses kundi pitumpu’t pitong beses.  23 Tungkol sa kaharian ng Langit ang kasaysayang ito. Isang hari ang nag­pasyang pagbayarin ng utang ang kanyang mga utusan. 24 Nang simulan niyang suriin ang kuwenta, ini­harap sa kanya ang isang may utang na sampung libong baretang ginto. 25 Dahil walang ma­ibayad sa kanya ang tao, iniutos ng panginoon na ipagbili at maging alipin siya kasama ng kan­yang asawa, mga anak at mga ari-arian bilang bayad-utang.

26 At nagpatirapa sa paanan ng hari ang opisyal at sinabi: ‘Bigyan mo pa ako ng panahon, at ba­bayaran kong lahat ang utang ko.’ 27 Naawa sa kanya ang hari at hindi lamang siya pinalaya kundi kinansela pa ang kanyang utang.28 Pagkaalis ng opisyal na ito, nasa­lu­bong ni­ya ang isa sa kanyang mga kasamahan na may utang namang sandaang barya sa kanya. Si­nung­gaban niya ito sa leeg at halos sakalin habang sumisigaw ng ‘Bayaran mo ang utang mo!’ 29 Nagpa­tirapa sa paanan niya ang kanyang kasamahan at nag­sabi: ‘Big­yan mo pa ako ng panahon, at baba­yaran kong lahat ang utang ko sa iyo.’ 30 Ngunit tumanggi siya at ipina­kulong ito hanggang maka­bayad ng utang.

31 Labis na nalungkot ang iba nilang kapwa-lingkod nang makita ang nang­yari. Kaya pinuntahan nila ang kani­lang panginoon at ibinalita ang buong pang­yayari. 32 Ipinatawag naman niya ang opisyal at sinabi: ‘Masamang utusan, pinatawad ko ang lahat ng iyong utang nang maki­usap ka sa akin. 33 Di ba dapat ay naawa ka rin sa iyong kasamahan gaya ng pagkaawa ko sa iyo?’ 34 Galit na galit ang panginoon kaya ibinigay niya ang kanyang utusan sa mga tagapag­pa­hirap hang­gang mabaya­ran nito ang lahat ng utang.”

35 Idinagdag ni Jesus: “Ganito rin ang gagawin sa inyo ng aking Ama sa Langit kung hindi pata­tawarin ng bawat isa sa inyo mula sa puso ang kanyang kapatid.”   19     1 Nang tapos na si Jesus sa mga aral na ito, umalis siya sa Galilea at pu­munta sa probinsya ng Judea sa kabilang ibayo ng Ilog Jordan. 

Reflection for August 12, Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a domineering husband who would always shout at his wife whenever she commits mistake. Eventually the wife had enough of his domineering behavior so she decided to leave him for good and live her life in peace.

It’s always very tempting to show off our authority and power in the sphere of environment that we are in. Yet the more that we become authoritarian the more that we alienate ourselves from the people that we love. The more that we become domineering that more that we hasten our downfall.

Whenever there is conflict in our sphere of environment. The devil would always tell us to show off our domineering behavior through the exercise of our authority.  But this kind of behavior will never heal conflict it will even exacerbate conflict.

In our gospel, Jesus has an advice for all of us on how to deal with those whom we have issues to settle with.  The advice of Jesus is to always use the way of diplomacy and never the way of arrogance. To sit-down and talk as civilized and educated people, to stretch our patience to the limit and not to immediately get angry.

How do we behave when there are issues in our sphere of environment, say for example inside the  family? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 12, Miyerkules sa Ika-19 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 18:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:15-20

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 15 Kung nagkasala sa iyo ang iyong kapatid, puntahan mo siya at kausapin nang sarilinan; at kung makinig siya sa iyo, tinubo mo na ang iyong kapatid. 16 Kung hindi naman siya makinig sa iyo, magsama ka ng dalawa o tatlo para luta­sin ang kaso sa pagsaksi ng da­lawa o tatlo. 17 Kung tatanggi siyang makinig sa kanila, sabi­hin ito sa Iglesya; at kung hindi pa rin siya ma­kikinig sa Iglesya, itu­ring siyang pagano o publikano.

18 Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang talian ninyo sa lupa ay matatali rin sa Langit, at ang kalagan ninyo dito sa lupa ay kakalagan din sa Langit. 19 Sinasabi ko rin sa inyo: kung dito sa lupa ay may dalawa sa inyo na nagka­­­kaisang humihingi ng anuman, gagawin ito para sa kanila ng aking Amang nasa Langit. 20 Sapagkat kung saan may dala­wa o tatlong nagkakatipon sa Ngalan ko, kapiling nila ako.”

Reflection for August 11, Tuesday; Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Many of us if not all of us put premium in recognition.  For example we love it when people recognize our effort and when they commend us for what we do. We nod in approval and deep inside us we feel proud for the recognition that we have received.

In our gospel the disciples asked Jesus about who is the greatest in His kingdom. In reply to their question Jesus called a child and told them, “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” Jesus obviously did this to teach His disciples about the great virtue of humility.

Perhaps Jesus was telling Himself, did they follow me because they want to be great in my kingdom? Did they follow me for the reason that they want to be recognized? Do they know that to follow me is the beginning of forgetting of oneself and any personal agenda/s? Do they know that the true essence of discipleship lies in humility?

Many of us today are like the disciples, we want greatness and recognition for the things that we do for the church and our fellowmen. But God did not made us to be great and to be recognized we were made by God to be humble.

Therefore, in whatever that we do; let us not aspire to be great or to be recognized. Let us humbly do what we are asked to do, for this is what Jesus wants us to do.

Let us not worry about recognition, greatness and honor for it will eventually come. Once we humbly do everything for the greater glory of God and not for our own glorification. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 11, Martes; Santa Clara, dalaga (Paggunita): Mateo 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

1 Nang panahong iyon, lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad at tina­nong nila siya: “Sino ang mas una sa kaharian ng Langit?”

2 Tinawag ni Jesus ang isang maliit na bata at ipinagitna sa kanila, 3 at sinabi: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo na hang­gang hindi kayo nagbabago at nagi­ging katulad ng maliliit na bata hindi kayo makapapasok sa kaharian ng Langit. 4 Ang nag­papaka­baba gaya ng maliit na batang ito, siya ang pinaka­malaki sa kaharian ng Langit. 5 At ang sinumang tumanggap sa batang ito dahil sa aking pangalan ay tumatang­gap sa akin.

10 Huwag sana ninyong hamakin ang isa sa maliliit na ito; talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na laging nasa harap ng aking Ama sa Langit ang kanilang mga anghel sa Langit.

12 Ano sa palagay ninyo? Kung may sandaang tupa ang isang tao at naligaw ang isa sa mga ito, hindi ba niya iiwan sa kaburulan ang siyam¬napu’t siyam para hanapin ang naliligaw? 13 At sinasabi ko sa inyo: Kapag nakita niya ito, mas matu¬tuwa pa siya rito kaysa siyam¬napu’t siyam na hindi naligaw. 14 Gayun¬din naman, ayaw ng inyong Amang nasa Langit na mawala isa man sa maliliit na ito.

Reflection for August 10, Monday; 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."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do we love our life in this world?

Jesus gives us today a puzzling statement by saying: “Whoever loves his life loses it and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life (John 12:25).” How could this be?

The answer perhaps to this mystifying statement is we will have no life beyond this world: If we would love worldly life if we would love the trappings of this world such as wealth, power and other worldly things.

We hate our life in this world yet preserve it for eternal life if we have Christ like behaviors such as: Humility, Selflessness, Prayerfulness, Kind heartedness and many more Christ like virtues.

Therefore, we are given two choices: To love our life in this world or hate it. Surely there would be those who would choose to love their life in this world but for what price? The problem of loving our present life for the sake of this world is we slowly close our hearts to Jesus. Yet we open it wide for the devil.

Let us discover the true meaning of life by being a true follower of Christ and by loving Him. Let us discover the true meaning of life by denying ourselves of the many useless excesses of this world which brings us nothing but sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 10, Lunes; San Lorenzo diyakono at martir: Juan 12:24-26

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:24-26

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 24 Talagang-talagang sina­sabi ko sa inyo, nama­malaging nag-iisa ang butil ng trigo kung hindi ito nama­matay pag­kahulog sa lupa. Ngunit kung mama­tay ito, nagdudulot ito ng mara­ming bunga.

25 Nagpapahamak ng kanyang sarili ang umiibig dito ngunit iingatan naman ito para sa buhay magpakailanman ng napopoot sa kanyang sarili sa mun­dong ito. 26 Patuloy akong sundan ng nagli­lingkod sa akin at kung nasaan ako, naroon din ang aking lingkod. Kung may nagli­­lingkod sa akin, parara­ngalan siya ng Ama.

Reflection for Sunday August 9, Nineteenth 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.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do we have this feeling of constant need for Jesus? Wherein our day is not complete without praying to Him? Many of us have this thirst for Jesus not only because we need Him to help us with our daily challenges. We have this need for Jesus for the reason that we simply want to connect with Him and our day is not complete without Him. 

Jesus in our gospel saw to it that Peter and the other disciples ride the boat going to the other side of the lake while He went to the mountain to pray. Unfortunately the boat encountered a severe storm that it was being battered by huge waves. During that scary ride they suddenly thought about Jesus to save them from that dangerous situation but He was not with them.

Early morning  came and they saw Jesus walking on water going toward them. Their need for their savior was addressed by Jesus. Why? Because in that dire situation Peter and the other disciples were already praying for Jesus’ help and Jesus heard their prayers that’s why He walked on water going to them to save them.

We are presently in the midst of a severe storm as well not a sea storm but a storm of pandemic proportion called Covid-19. Let us not let our fear of this pandemic paralyze us. Let us instead call on the Lord for help because the Lord has not forsaken anyone who called upon Him. Like the disciples we too will be saved by the Lord in the midst of this pandemic that we are going through.

We therefore have to remain hopeful and prayerful no matter how dark, disordered and stormy the horizon that appears in front of us.  Because after darkness comes light, after disorder comes order and after the storm comes peace and calm.

Let us therefore not waiver on our faith and let us continue to call upon the Lord. For Help, Strength and Protection for He will surely help us overcome this storm of pandemic proportion called Covid-19. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Agosto 9, Ika-19 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 14:22-33

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:22-33

22 Matapos pakainin ang mga taoagad 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!”

1Reflection for August 8, Saturday; Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest: 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.”

+ + + + + + +

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 to many of us 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 call out 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 such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 8, Sabado; San Domingo, pari (Paggunita) : Mateo 17:14-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 17:14-20

14   Lumapit kay Jesus ang isang lalaki, lumuhod sa harap niya at nagsabi: 15 “Ginoo, maawa ka sa aking anak na lalaki na may epilepsi at lub­hang nahi­hirapan. Madalas siyang ma­hulog sa apoy at kung minsan nama’y sa tubig. 16 Dinala ko na siya sa mga alagad mo pero hindi nila siya napaga­ling.”

17 Sumagot si Jesus: “Mga walang pana­­nampalataya at ligaw na tao kayo! Gaano pa katagal na panahon ako ma­nanatili sa piling ninyo? Hanggang ka­ilan ako mag­titiis sa inyo? Dalhin siya rito sa akin.” 18 At inutusan ito ni Jesus, at umalis sa kanya ang masamang espiritu. At guma­ling ang bata sa sandaling iyon.

19 Pagkatapos ay nilapitan si Jesus ng mga alagad, at tinanong nang sarilinan: “Bakit hindi namin napalayas ang espiritu?” 20 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Sa­pagkat maliit ang inyong pana­nam­palataya. Kung may pananam­palataya kayong sinlaki ng buto ng mustasa, masasabi sana ninyo sa bundok na ito na gumalaw mula rito at gagalaw ito. At walang magiging impo­sible para sa inyo.

1Reflection for August 7, Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: 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.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

During the fifteenth century a rich and educated man named Bernadino Realino left everything for Christ. At 26 he was already a lawyer,  a doctor and a town mayor, he had everything that a young man could ever ask for.

When he was 34, he went to attend a retreat and during that retreat he felt an overwhelming call from Jesus to become a priest. Thus, he left everything to become a priest and from that moment onwards he devoted his life to serve the poor.    

This saint found the real meaning of his life by leaving all of his earthly riches and attachments in favor of Jesus. He found his heavenly wealth by leaving behind his earthly wealth. He knew that nothing compares to Jesus.

This is an eye opener for all of us who are so very enamoured by material wealth and earthly power. Many of us are so taken by the things of this world that we take Jesus for granted in favor of this world. But everything from this world is passing and temporary, someday we will leave it behind.

We will have neither earthly influence nor riches if we decide to follow Jesus. We would be losing many of our friends if we follow Jesus. But all of these earthly trappings are immaterial compared to the life that awaits us if we decide hear the call of Jesus.

To hear the call of Jesus is to be willing to leave behind our sinfulness, our arrogance and egotism. To hear the call of Jesus is to be willing to be present at Holy Mass and read the bible. To hear the call of Jesus is to have the courage to leave behind friends who do nothing to us except to influence us to sin. To be hear the call of Jesus is to desire to serve the poor and downtrodden without expecting anything in return. 

Are we willing to leave everything for the sake of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 7, Biyernes sa Ika-18 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 16:24-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:24-28

24 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Kung may ibig sumunod sa akin, itakwil ang kanyang sarili at kunin ang kanyang krus para sumunod sa akin. 25 Sa­pagkat ang naghahangad na magligtas ng kanyang sarili ang mawa­walan nito ngunit ang naghahangad na mawa­lan ng sarili alang-alang sa akin ang makaka­tagpo nito. 26 Ano ang pakinabang ng tao tubuin man niya ang buong daigdig kung sarili naman niya ang mawala? Ano ang maibibigay niya para mabawi ito?

27 Darating nga ang Anak ng Tao taglay ang kaluwalhatian ng kanyang Ama at kasama rin ang kanyang mga banal na anghel, at doon niya gagantimpalaan ang bawat isa ayon sa kanyang mga gawa. 28 Totoong sina­sabi ko sa inyo na makikita ng ilan sa inyo ang Anak ng Tao na duma­rating bilang Hari, bago sila ma­matay.”

1Reflection for August 6, Thursday; Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord: Matthew 17:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you want to be in heaven when your journey in this world is over already? Of course you want to be in heaven. However, would you be willing to sacrifice something of yourselves for you to go to heaven?

The episode of the Transfiguration of the Good Lord clearly tells us that there is heaven. And we should aspire to be heaven bound and not hell bound someday. However, there is no free ride going to heaven we have to do some sacrifice  for us to go to heaven.

Many of us may be afraid to do some sacrifice for the simple reason that doing some sacrifice would require us to give something of ourselves. But what is sacrifice in exchange of heaven? What is sacrifice in exchange of everlasting life? And what is sacrifice when it assures is of the kingdom of God?

After the fleeting heavenly experience of Peter, James and John in the mount of Transfiguration. They descended back to this world to face their respective share of sacrifice for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. They could have easily avoided the sacrifice by detaching themselves from their Lord and Master. But they chose to stick it out with Jesus in spite of all the hardships and trials.

What sacrifices for the advancement of the Kingdom of God are we willing to face so that we can also be in heaven someday? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 6, Huwebes ang Pagliliwanag sa Bagong Anyo ng Panginoon (Kapistahan) : Mateo 17:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 17:1-9

1 Pagkaraan ng anim na araw, isinama ni Jesus sina Pedro, Jaime at ang kapatid nitong si Juan, at umakyat na sila lamang ang kasama sa isang mataas na bundok. 2 Nagbago ang anyo ni Jesus sa harap nila: nag­ning­ning gaya ng araw ang kanyang mukha at kuminang na puting-puti ang kanyang damit gaya ng liwanag. 3 At napa­kita sa kanila sina Moises at Elias na nakikipag-usap kay Jesus.

4 Kaya nagsalita si Pedro at sinabi niya: “Panginoon, mabuti at narito tayo. Kung gusto mo, gagawa ako ng tatlong kubol: isa para sa iyo, isa para kay Moises, at isa para kay Elias.” 5 Nagsasalita pa si Pedro nang takpan sila ng isang makinang na ulap. At mula sa ulap ay narinig ang salitang ito: “Ito ang aking Anak, ang Mina­mahal, ang aking Hinirang; pakinggan ninyo siya.”

6 Nang marinig iyon ng mga alagad, napasubsob sila sa lupa, na takot na takot. 7 Ngunit nilapitan sila ni Jesus at hinipo, at sinabi: “Tumayo kayo, huwag matakot.” 8 At pagtingala nila, wala silang nakita liban kay Jesus. 9 At sa pagbaba nila mula sa bundok, inutusan sila ni Jesus na huwag sabihin kani­numan ang pangitain hanggang ma­ibangon ang Anak ng Tao mula sa mga patay.”

1Reflection for August 5, Wednesday of the Eighteenth 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.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How do we define our faith in Jesus? It’s when we don’t give up on what we want from Jesus. We continuously badger Him until He gives in to our prayer for Him.

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 stacked 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. After which her daughter was healed by Jesus.

This gospel relates with our own journey of faith with Jesus also. Anyone of us could be that Canaanite woman who badgered Jesus no end until she got the healing that she wants 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 the delay is just part of the testing of our faith.

Every trial that we go through is our own test of faith. For example this covid-19 pandemic that is making life so difficult for us this is just a test of faith for us. Let us therefore not give up and let us continue to pray to the Lord for our safety for we will overcome this eventually with the help of the Lord. - Marino J. Dasmarinas