Reflection for Saturday August 6, The Transfiguration of the Lord: Luke 9:28b-36

Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up a mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 

As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

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Reflection:

There’s a story of a man who wanted very much to discover deeper intimacy with the Lord in his prayer life. Whenever he prays he would always be distracted by other thoughts that disturbs his mind. He tried very much to focus on his prayer life to no avail. It has always been the case whenever he prays: There are always thoughts that disturb his attention towards God.  

This man’s story of his prayer life could be ours too, we want to have deeper intimacy in our prayer life. But there’s always distractions that disturbs our concentration towards God. How can we discover this mind and heart intimacy in our prayer life?  

The gospel reading for today gives us insight to discover that mind and heart intimacy with the Lord. Jesus went to the mountain with Peter, John and James to meet and pray before God. For a brief moment Jesus escaped to the mountain so that he would not be disturb by anyone. His heart and mind were totally focused on his desire to connect with God.  

 It helped also that Peter, James and John were taken over by their tiredness that’s why they slept. Suddenly Jesus’ face changed in appearance and His clothes became dazzling white: a sure sign that Jesus got what He wanted: Deeper intimacy with God thru intense prayer no less.  

If we want to develop a deeper connection with God in our life. We need to make an extra effort to discover Him in prayerful silence. We need to climb our own mountain of silence so that we could connect with Him. We need to totally focus our attention to God and disregard for a moment the disturbance around us. And this deeper connection with God we can only find if we climb our own mountain of silence.

Do you always have your moment of silence before God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Sabado Agosto 6, Ang Pagliliwanag sa Bagong Anyo ng Panginoon (Kapistahan): Lucas 9:28b-36

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:28b-36

Noong panahong iyon: Umakyat si Hesus sa bundok upang manalangin. Isinama niya sina Pedro, Juan at Santiago. Samantalang siya’y nananalangin, nagbago ang anyo ng kanyang mukha, nagningning ang kanyang kasuutan na naging puting-puti. Di kaginsaginsa’y lumitaw ang dalawang lalaki – sina Moises at Elias na napakitang may kaning-ningan – at nakipag-usap sa kanya.  

Pinag-usapan nila ang nalalapit na pagpanaw ni Hesus na magaganap sa Jerusalem. Tulog na tulog si Pedro at ang kanyang mga kasama, ngunit sila’y biglang nagising at nakita nila si Hesus na nagniningning at ang dalawang lalaking nakatayo sa tabi niya. Nang papaalis na sa tabi ni Hesus ang mga lalaki, sinabi ni Pedro, “Guro, mabuti pa’y dumito na tayo. Gagawa po kami ng tatlong kubol: isa sa inyo, isa kay Moises, at isa kay Elias.”  

Ang totoo’y hindi niya nalalaman ang kanyang sinasabi. Nagsasalita pa siya nang matakpan sila ng isang ulap, at sila’y natakot. At may isang tinig mula sa alapaap na nagsabi, “Ito ang aking Anak, ang aking Hinirang. Siya ang inyong pakinggan.” Nang tumigil ang tinig, nakita nilang nag-iisa na si Hesus. At hindi muna sinabi ng mga alagad kaninuman ang kanilang nakita. 

Reflection for August 5, 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.”

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Reflection:

What is a meaningful and well lived life? It’s a life lived for the greater glory of God not life lived for our own earthly glory. Many of us commit the mistake of living our life for the sake of this world only. 

For example, we chase everything that this world offers us but when we have it already we still wonder why we are still not happy. Or worst is we end up empty and alone even if we have everything that this world could offer us! Why is this so? This is for the reason that we desired this world, what is in this world that many of us are so enslave by it?  

All that we have in this world are temporary, even us who presently dwell in this world are also temporary passersby in this world. God created us not for this world but for His eternal home in heaven. Yet many of us still don’t get this that’s why we amass wealth beyond our simple needs. Many of us would even sell our very selves to the Devil so that we can have massive wealth. 

In our gospel for today Jesus clearly states that we can only discover the true meaning of life once we live our life for Him. We can never find the true meaning of our lives if we live it inside the wealth, power and glamour of this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 5, Biyernes ng Ika-18 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 16:24-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:24-28

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Kung ibig ninumang sumunod sa akin, limutin niya ang ukol sa kanyang sarili, pasanin ang kanyang krus at sumunod sa akin. Ang naghahangad na magligtas ng kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito; ngunit ang mag-alay ng kanyang buhay alang-alang sa akin ay siyang magkakamit noon.  

Ano nga ang mapapala ng isang tao, makamtan man niya ang buong daigdig kung ang katumbas naman nito’y ang kanyang buhay? Ano ang maibabayad ng tao para mabalik sa kanya ang kanyang buhay? Sapagkat darating ang Anak ng Tao na taglay ang dakilang kapangyarihan ng kanyang Ama at kasama ang kanyang mga anghel.  

Sa panahong yao’y gagantihin niya ang bawat tao ayon sa kanyang ginawa. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: may ilan sa inyo rito na hindi mamamatay hangga’t di nila nakikita ang Anak ng Tao na pumaparito bilang Hari.”

Reflection for Thursday August 4, Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest: Matthew 16:13-23

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-23

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.  

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.  

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

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Reflection:

Fourteen years ago, I would regularly go every Sunday to the house of a sick 85 years old former Eucharistic minister to give him Holy Communion. He was poor and was renting a small house with his children. He was suffering both financially and physically but he was always thankful for the blessings of Jesus every Sunday. I never heard him complain about his suffering.  

When Jesus was giving some hints of His forthcoming sufferings and eventual death; Peter rebuked Him by saying: “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” (Matthew 16:22) Just like Peter many of us are averse with sufferings; we want to avoid it as much as possible. Perhaps this is our human nature; we don’t want to suffer for the simple reason that it’s difficult.  

But sufferings are part and parcel of life. No matter how we deftly avoid it, it will eventually catch us along our journey in this world. However, if we have Jesus in our life we would never complain about our suffering we would simply accept it as part and parcel of our life’s journey.  

How about Jesus? Is HE averse with sufferings? No, HE is not, in fact HE told HIS disciples that HE would be suffering greatly from the hands of elders, chief priest and scribes then eventually be killed by them. (Matthew 16:21) Why is Jesus not afraid of suffering/s? This is for the reason that Jesus knows that God is with Him.  

Jesus embraced HIS sufferings for the reason that HE knew that it was part of HIS mission of salvation. HE let go of HIS life and HE entrusted it to almighty God.  

Life is not always how we like it to be, there would come a time that we will encounter hardships and sufferings. Let us not lose sleep about this, let us simply trust our all knowing and all loving almighty God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Huwebes Agosto 4, San Juan Maria Vianney, pari (Paggunita) : Mateo 16:13-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:13-23

Noong panahong iyon, nang dumating si Hesus sa lupain ng Cesarea ng Filipos, tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad, “Sino raw ang Anak ng Tao, ayon sa mga tao?” At sumagot sila, “Ang sabi po ng ilan ay si Juan Bautista kayo. Sabi naman ng iba, si Elias kayo. At may nagsasabi pang si Jeremias kayo o isa sa mga propeta.” “Kayo naman, ano ang sabi ninyo? Sino ako?” tanong niya sa kanila. Sumagot si Simon Pedro, “Kayo po ang Kristo, ang Anak ng Diyos na buhay.” Sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Mapalad ka, Simon na anak ni Jonas! Sapagkat ang katotohanang ito’y hindi inihayag sa iyo ng sinumang tao kundi ng aking Amang nasa langit.  

At sinasabi ko naman sa iyo, ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking simbahan, at hindi makapananaig sa kanya kahit ang kapangyarihan ng kamatayan. Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng kaharian ng langit: ang ipagbawal mo sa lupa ay ipagbabawal sa langit, at ang ipahintulot mo sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa langit.” At mahigpit niyang tinagubilin ang kanyang mga alagad na huwag sasabihin na siya ang Kristo.  

Mula noon ay ipinaalam na ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad na dapat siyang magtungo sa Jerusalem at magbata ng maraming hirap sa kamay ng matatanda ng bayan, ng mga punong saserdote at ng mga eskriba, at kanilang ipapapatay siya. Ngunit sa ikatlong araw siya’y muling mabubuhay. Niyaya siya ni Pedro sa isang tabi at pinagsabihan ng ganito: “Panginoon, huwag namang itulot ng Diyos! Hindi po dapat mangyari ito sa inyo.” Ngunit hinarap siya ni Hesus at sinabihan, “Lumayo ka, Satanas! Hadlang ka sa aking landas. Ang iniisip mo’y hindi sa Diyos kundi sa tao.”

Reflection for August 3, 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.

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Reflection:

What is the meaning of the phrase Son of David? 

The phrase Son of David means Anointed One, Messiah, Savior and Christ. Why is it that a non-Jew like the Canaanite woman knows the true identity of Jesus? The answer is this: The Canaanite woman is a believer or a follower and based on her actuations she is not just an ordinary believer she is a believer with deep faith!  

Around that time Jesus was within her vicinity so she went to HIM to ask for His help for her daughter was being tormented by a demon.  She wasn’t able to immediately catch Jesus attention for she was an outsider, aside from that; she was also being despised by Jesus’ disciples. But she persisted and she never gave up until Jesus heard her pleadings.  

What are the three qualities that caught Jesus attention concerning the Canaanite woman? First was her humility, second was her deep faith and third was her persistence. A person with a very high regard of herself/himself, with feeble faith and impatient would have easily walked away the moment she heard the insults from the disciples.  

But she is humble, persevering and has deep faith that’s why she remained and persistently begged Jesus to cure her daughter. What is the lesson for us in this gospel episode? Jesus’ love is for everyone of us; it doesn’t even matter who we are and how big or small our sins are.  

For as long as we humble ourselves before Jesus, for as long as we never give up and for as long as we continue to have faith. Jesus would always be there for us, to help us in every way possible with our problems.  

Never give up on Jesus no matter the obstacles before you for He will never ever give up upon you! – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Agosto 3, Miyerkules ng Ika-18 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 15:21-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 15:21-28

Umalis doon si Jesus at nagpunta sa lupaing malapit sa Tiro at Sidon. Lumapit sa kanya ang isang Cananeang naninirahan doon at malakas na sinabi, "Panginoon, Anak ni David, mahabag po kayo sa akin! Ang anak kong babae ay inaalihan ng demonyo at masyadong pinahihirapan.  

Ngunit gaputok ma'y di tumugon si Jesus. at lumapit ang kanyang mga alagad at sinabi sa kanya. "Pagbigyan na nga po ninyo at nang umalis. Siya'y nag-iingay at susunod-sunod sa atin." Sumagot si Jesus, "Sa mga tupang naliligaw ng sambahayan ng Israel lamang ako sinugo." Ngunit lumapit sa kanya ang babae, lumuhod sa harapan at ang sabi, "Tulungan po ninyo ako, Panginoon."  

sumagot si Jesus, "Hindi dapat kunin ang pagkain ng mga anak upang ihagis sa mga tuta." "Tunay nga po, Panginoon," tugon ng babae, "ngunit ang mga tuta man ay nagsisikain ng mumong nalalaglag sa hapag ng kanilang panginoon." Kaya sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Napakalaki ng iyong pananalig! Mangyayari ang hinihiling mo." At noon di'y gumaling ang kanyang anak.  

Reflection for August 2, Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:22-36

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36

Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, 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 him, 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.”  

After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.

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Reflection:

How’s your faith in  Jesus?  

There’s a contrast of faith in the gospel between Peter whose lack of faith is very evident and the strong faith of the people who wanted to touch the tassel of the cloak of Jesus.  

Like Thomas who did not believe that Jesus has indeed risen.  Peter was also lacking in faith, but initially Peter had faith since he was able to walk a few steps on water. It was when he felt the strong wind that his faith began to wane, thus he began to sink (Matthew 14:30).  

So, Peter cried out: “Lord, save me!” and Jesus said to him: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt (Matthew 14:31)?” Our doubts and lack of faith creates a wall amongst us and Jesus and if we are not careful this will slowly but surely eat away our faith. Our doubts and lack of faith is also a big factor in our failure to achieve our goals in life. We therefore need to have a strong faith in Jesus for when we have rock solid faith the Lord would never fail us.  

What is the cure for this eroding faith in Jesus? Prayers, Faithful and Pious attendance at Holy Mass and frequent and humble submission to the Sacraments of Reconciliation.  

How’s your faith in the Lord? – Marino  J. Dasmarinas         

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Agosto 2, Martes ng Ika-18 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 14:22-36

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:22-36

Matapos mabusog ang mga tao, agad pinasakay ni Hesus sa bangka ang kanyang mga alagad at pinauna sa kabilang ibayo samantalang pinauuwi 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 Hesus 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 Hesus 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 Hesus. Ngunit nang mapansin niya ang hangin, siya’y natakot at nagsimulang lumubog. “Sagipin ninyo ako, Panginoon!” sigaw niya. Agad siyang inabot ni Hesus. “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. Tumawid sila ng lawa, at dumaong sa Genesaret. Nakilala si Hesus ng mga tagaroon. Agad nilang ipinamalita sa buong palibot ng lupaing iyon ang pagdating ni Hesus kaya’t dinala nila sa kanya ang lahat ng maysakit. Hiniling nila sa kanya na ipahipo man lamang sa mga maysakit kahit ang laylayan ng kanyang kasuutan. At lahat ng makahipo nito ay gumagaling.

Reflection for Monday August 1, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (M): 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:

Once in a while we need to withdraw from the madding crowd to be by ourselves only and God. We need these regular quite moments with God for us to discern His presence in our lives.  

Upon learning of the beheading of His relative John the Baptist Jesus went to a deserted place by himself for personal reflections. He was sad over the death of His relative and He wanted to be re-charged and be strengthened by God.  

We also need these brief interludes of peace and quite in which there’s nobody else except us and God.  And it’s on these quite moments that we would strongly feel the presence of the Lord in our lives. The Lord who invites us all who are thirsty and weary to go to Him for He will strengthen us.   

Let us not get hooked on the deafening environment of this noisy world wherein money, possessions and power rules or even worshipped by many as God. Let us dig deeper into our spiritual lives and let us discover that beneath our mortal life is the Lord God who wishes to spiritually strengthen us.  

After His solitary recollection Jesus was again ready to continue His mission His first act was to cure the sick who were following Him.  

The disciples wanted to get rid of them that’s why they said to Jesus: “Dismiss the crowd for it’s getting late already (Matthew 14:15). However, Jesus told them: “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves (Matthew 14:16).” Then the miracle of the loaves and fish happened; there were only five loaves and two fish but Jesus was able to feed more than five thousand and there were plenty to spare.   

How did this miracle happen? It happened because of the generosity and love of Jesus if we are stingy with what we have, if we don’t want to give even if we have plenty.  Jesus is not like many of us.  

Jesus is forever generous and loving to us that is why out of His generosity and love He instituted the Eucharist or the Holy Mass to nourish us. And up to this very day He continuous to feed us with His Body and Blood when we receive Him in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  

Let us learn from the generosity and love of Jesus, let us forever give, let us all remember that it is in our generosity and love that we would receive unfathomable blessings from God. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Lunes Agosto 1, San Alfonso Maria Liguori, Obispo at pantas ng Simbahan: Mateo 14:13-21

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:13-21

Noong panahong iyon, nang marinig ni Jesus ang pagkamatay ni Juan Bautista, siya'y sumakay sa isang bangka at nag-iisang pumunta sa ilang na lugar. Nang mabalitaan naman iyon ng mga tao, sila'y lumabas ng bayan at lakad na sumunod sa kanya. Paglunsad ni Jesus sa dalampasigan, nakita niya ang napakaraming taong yaon.  

Nahabag siya sa kanila at pinagaling niya ang mga maysakit na dala nila. Nang dapit-hapon na'y lumapit sa kanya ang mga alagad. Sinabi nila, "Ilang ang pook na ito at malapit nang lumubog ang araw. Papuntahin na po ninyo sa mga nayon ang mga tao upang makabili ng kanilang makakain." "Hindi na sila kailangang umalis pa," sabi ni Jesus. "Kayo ang magbigay sa kanila ng makakain." Sumagot sila, "Lilima po ang tinapay at dadalawa ang isda natin."  

"Dalhin ninyo rito," sabi niya. Pinaupo niya sa damuhan ang mga tao, kinuha ang limang tinapay at dalawang isda; tumingala siya sa langit at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Pinagpira-piraso niya ang mga tinapay at iniutos sa mga alagad na ipamigay iyon sa mga tao. Kumain silang lahat at nabusog. Tinipon ng mga alagad ang lumabis, at sila'y nakapuno ng labindalawang bakol ng pira-pirasong tinapay. May limang libong lalaki ang kumain, bukod pa sa mga babae at mga bata.

Wisdom from Mother Teresa also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Part - 1

 

Reflection for Sunday July 31, 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:13-21

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ 

But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”

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Reflection:

What is material wealth that many of us are not able to let go of it? Many of us are even willing to sacrifice family relationship just to have possession of this temporal wealth.  

Many  are even willing to sacrifice their name and reputation to have wealth even dirty or corrupted wealth. Our greed for material wealth is our ticket to experience hell while we are still in this earthly journey. And certainly if not discontinued will be our ticket to hell in the future. 

Who among us are willing to go to hell in exchange for earthy wealth? None of us of course! Yet we keep on punishing ourselves to have it not knowing that this greed for wealth will only give us tons of problems and miseries. 

Wealth per se is not evil it becomes evil once we allow ourselves to be controlled and be manipulated by it. What should we do therefore? We must not allow wealth to control and manipulate us. We should not allow earthly wealth to dictate upon us.

In the gospel, Jesus is warning us about human’s greed for the things of this world. Jesus tells us this: “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

Someday all of us will die and the key that would help us unlock the doorway to heaven is certainly not the wealth that we have amassed during our lifetime. The key that would open the doorway to heaven are the things that we have done to advance the mission of Jesus in this wealth driven world.

Do you have a greed for wealth? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for July 30, Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

Do you always see to it that you always do good so that you would have a clear conscience? Guilt of conscience is the worst enemy that we can ever have because we don’t see it yet it keeps on bothering us.  

When King Herod heard of Jesus he thought that John had been raised from the dead. Why was he thinking of John? Because he was the one responsible for John’s undeserved death, the injustice that he did to John was perpetually bothering him.   

It had been haunting him for the longest time, that’s why upon hearing of the reputation of Jesus he became so afraid because he thought that Jesus was John. The wrongs that we’ve done in the past would hang around our neck like an albatross. We would be reminded of it every now and then unless we make a positive action to heal it.  

Let us avoid doing anything that would hurt anyone, let us always do good and let us always be humble and peaceful. And if ever we offend or hurt the feelings of someone we have to apologize and we must not do it again. -  Marino  J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hulyo 30, Sabado sa Ika-17 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 14:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, nang makarating kay Herodes na tetrarka ang balita tungkol kay Jesus, sinabi niya sa kanyang mga lingkod, "Siya'y si Juan Bautista na muling nabuhay, kaya siya nakagagawa ng himala!"  

Si Herodes ang nagpahuli, nagpagapos at nagpabilanggo kay Juan. Ang dahilan ay si Herodias na asawa ng kapatid niyang si Felipe. Laging sinasabi ni Juan kay Herodes, "Hindi matuwid na magsama kayo ng asawa ng inyong kapatid." Ibig ni Herodes na ipapatay si Juan ngunit natatakot siya sa mga Judio, sapagkat kinikilala nilang propeta si Juan Bautista.  

Nang dumating ang kaarawan ni Herodes, sumayaw sa harapan ng mga panauhin ang anak na babae ni Herodias. Labis na nasiyahan si Herodes, kaya't isinumpa niyang ibibigay sa dalaga ang anumang hingin nito. Sa udyok ng kanyang ina ay sinabi ng dalaga, "Ibigay po ninyo sa akin ngayon din, sa isang pinggan, ang ulo ni Juan Bautista. "  

Nalungkot ang hari, ngunit dahil sa kanyang pangakong narinig ng mga panauhin, iniutos niyang ibigay iyon sa dalaga. Kaya't pinapugutan niya si Juan sa bilangguan. Inilagay ang ulo sa isang pinggan at ibinigay sa dalaga; dinala naman ito ng dalaga sa kanyang ina. Dumating ang mga alagad ni Juan, kinuha ang kanyang bangkay at inilibing. Pagkatapos, ibinalita nila ito kay Jesus.

Reflection for Friday July 29, Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus: John 11:19-27

Gospel: John 11:19-27

Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died]. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  

But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"  

She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a young man who was living his life without a clear direction It was all boozing for him. His mother told the young man, “If you will not change you will depart this world early.” The young man said to his mother, “help me live a new life mama.” His mother told him:  “Be with me as I go to Holy Mass daily.” The man did so and slowly but surely he lived a renewed life.    

When Lazarus died both Martha and Mary were forlorn as if their world had ended with the death of their brother Lazarus. Until Jesus came to pay them a visit and from there on the sister’s hopeless life suddenly had hope and life once again.  

This is for the reason that Jesus went to visit them, that visit culminated with the raising of their brother Lazarus. Do you feel that you are without hope for the reason of the many problems that you’ve been going through?  

There is hope and you can find it in Jesus, in the midst of this problem filled world. Jesus is offering you not only hope but a new lease on life.  Believe, have hope and faith in Him and you’ll have a new life with the Lord. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Biyernes Hulyo 29, Santa Marta, Santa Maria at San Lazaro (Paggunita): Juan 11:19-27

Mabuting Balita: Juan 11:19-27

Noong panahong iyon, marami sa mga Judio ang dumalaw kina Marta at Maria upang sila’y aliwin. Nang marinig ni Marta na dumarating si Hesus, sinalubong niya ito; ngunit si Maria’y naiwan sa bahay. Sinabi ni Marta, “Panginoon, kung kayo po’y narito, hindi sana namatay ang aking kapatid.  

Ngunit nalalaman kong kahit ngayo’y ibibigay sa inyo ng Diyos ang anumang hingin ninyo sa kanya.” “Muling mabubuhay ang iyong kapatid,” wika ni Hesus. Sumagot si Marta, “Nalalaman ko pong siya’y mabubuhay uli sa huling araw, sa muling pagkabuhay.” Sinabi naman ni Hesus, “Ako ang muling pagkabuhay at ang buhay.  

Ang nananalig sa akin, kahit mamatay ay muling mabubuhay, at sinumang nabubuhay at nananalig sa akin, kahit mamatay ay mabubuhay kailanman. Pinaniniwalaan mo ba ito?” “Opo, Panginoon!” sagot niya. “Nananalig ako sa inyo. Kayo po ang Anak ng Diyos, ang Mesiyas na inaasahang paparito sa sanlibutan.”

Reflection for July 28, Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:-47-53

Gospel: Matthew13:47-53

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 mother who was pleading her son to straighten up his wayward life. But the son would pretend not to hear the pleadings of his mother. So he continued to commit sin until he grew old and eventually died. After dying the son was immediately whisked into hell by the devil.  

Hell and the devil are not only an afterlife reality, it’s also a present life reality. We would become a close confidant of the Devil and taste hell in this present life if we continue to sin. We will have no peace of mind; our lives would be problematic. The root cause of this problematic life is our refusal to leave behind sin.  

Our gospel for today clearly states this: “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 (Matthew 13:49-50).”  

There’s a price for our sinfulness that we have to pay at an appointed date as they say sin is like a credit card enjoy now but pay later. But why suffer the grievous price of sin when we can walk-a-way from it?  Why not walk away from sin now, right now? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hulyo 28, Huwebes sa Ika-17 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 13:47-53

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:47-53

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao, "Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad din ng isang malaking lambat na inihagis sa dagat at nakahuli ng sari-saring isda. Nang mapuno ay hinila ito sa pampang. At naupo ang mga tao upang pagbukud-bukurin ang mga isda: tinipon nila sa mga sisidlan ang mabubuti, ngunit itinatapon ang mga walang kwenta.  

Gayon din ang mangyayari sa katapusan ng daigdig. Darating ang mga anghel at ihihiwalay ang mga makasalanan sa mga banal, at ihahagis ang mga makasalanan sa maningas na pugon. Doo'y mananangis sila at magngangalit ang kanilang ngipin."  

"Nauunawaan na ba ninyo ang lahat ng ito?" tanong ni Jesus. "Opo," sagot nila. At sinabi niya sa kanila, "Kaya, nga ang bawat eskriba na kumikilala sa paghahari ng Diyos ay tulad ng isang puno ng sambahayan na kumukuha ng mga bagay na bago at luma sa kanyang taguan."

Nang masabi na ni Hesus ang mga talinghagang ito, siya’y umalis doon.