Reflection for July 9, Thursday; Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 10:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 10:7-15

(Jesus said to the twelve Apostles) “As you go,. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave.

As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words --go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than for that town.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a righteous man was thinking about the kingdom of God, he was asking himself, when will I feel the kingdom of God? Then, suddenly he had a heart attack and he died after which his soul was ushered by an angel into heaven to be with Jesus.

The kingdom of God comes to us through the many avenues of life and one of these avenues is though our death. Are we already prepared for death? Many if not all of us would say, not yet for we still have our many preoccupations in life.

We are so busy with many things but have we been busy with the heavenly things, with the things for God? The things which will bring us to close friendship with Jesus; such as doing good toward others.

The instruction of Jesus for the apostles is HIS marching order for us as well; Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. In other words Jesus is telling us to make a difference in the lives of others most especially the poor. Let us not be selfish, let us rather be sensitive to their needs for in doing so we bring ourselves closer to the Lord.

Would we gain financial windfall for doing Jesus mission in this world? No we will not but let us not be afraid to follow the instruction of Jesus. Because when we follow we are already preparing our eternal dwelling in heaven someday.

What would we gain lf we have all the wealth in this world but we don’t have the Lord in our heart?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 9 , Huwebes; Ika-14 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 10:7-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 10:7-15

Sinabi ni Jesus sa labimdalawa: 7 Ipahayag ang mensaheng ito sa in­yong paglalakbay: ‘Palapit na ang kaha­rian ng Langit.’ 8 Pagalingin ang maysakit, buhayin ang patay, linisin ang mga may­ketong at palayasin ang mga demonyo. Tinanggap ninyo ito nang walang bayad kaya ibigay rin ninyo nang walang bayad.

9 Hu­wag magdala ng ginto, pilak o pera sa inyong mga bulsa. 10 Huwag magdala ng balutan o sobrang damit o sandal­yas o tungkod, sapagkat may kara­patan ang mang­gagawa sa kanyang ikabubuhay. 11 Pagdating ninyo sa isang bayan o baryo, maghanap ng isang taong karapat-dapat at makituloy sa kanya hanggang sa inyong pag-alis.

12 Pagpasok ninyo sa isang tahanan, dasalan ito ng kapayapaan. 13 Kung kara­pat-dapat ang sambahayang ito, sasa­kanila ang kapayapaang dinasal ninyo; kung hindi naman karapat-dapat, babalik sa inyo ang inyong dasal.

14 At kung may bahay o bayang hindi tatanggap sa inyo o makikinig sa inyong mga salita, lumabas sa bahay o bayang iyon at ipagpag ang alikabok sa inyong mga paa. 15 Sinasabi ko sa inyo, mas ma­giging magaan pa sa araw ng pag­hu­­hu­kom para sa mga taga-Sodom at Gomorra kaysa bayang iyon.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 8, Wednesday; Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 10:1-7

Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

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Reflection:

The story is told about an old man that died, when he was about to enter the pearly gates it was Jesus who was on the gate and not St. Peter. So Jesus asked the old man, have you done anything to propagate the faith? The man wasn’t able to reply for he did not do anything to evangelize anyone.

Perhaps when it will be our time to go through that very same pearly gates who knows this question might be asked of us as well: Have you done anything to spread the faith? How would we answer the Good Lord then?

When Jesus called the twelve apostles HE told them to evangelize not to the far flung areas yet. But rather to evangelize those within their sphere of influence first. Perhaps this thought was playing in the mind of Jesus; before you go far ensure first that all those near you have been evangelized first.

This is the call for all of us today: before we evangelize our neighbors. We must see to it first that those within our family circle have been evangelized already. Parents therefore must see to it that everyone inside their house has already been evangelized.

For example, it’s so powerful to see the whole family going to Holy Mass every Sunday. When our neighborhood would see our respective families it sends them a powerful message that they too must go to Holy Mass as a family.

But we are on a selfie mindset today brought about by facebook, social media and the modernity of our time. We have now this culture of I will mind myself, my own worship and my own faith! Which if not corrected would eventually lead us to indifference and selfishness.

Let us therefore reverse this selfie mindset by gently sharing our faith through our words and actions within our family first.  Have we already shared our faith to our family?– Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 8, Miyerkules; Ika-14 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 10;1-7

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 10:1-7

1 Tinawag ni Jesus ang labindalawa niyang alagad at bi­nigyan sila ng kapangyarihan sa maruruming  espiritu para palayasin ang mga ito at pagalingin ang lahat ng sakit at ka­ram­daman.

2 Ito ang mga pangalan ng labindalawang apostol: una, si Simong tinatawag na Pedro, at ang kanyang kapatid na si Andres; si Jaime na anak ni Zebedeo, at ang kapatid nitong si Juan; 3 sina Felipe at Bartolome, Tomas at Mateo, na tag­a­si­ngil ng buwis; si Jaimeng anak ni Alfeo, at si Tadeo; 4 si Simong Kananeo, at si Judas Iskariote na magkakanulo sa kanya.

5 Sinugo ni Jesus ang labindalawang ito at pinagbilinan: “Huwag ka­yong lumiko papunta sa mga pagano at huwag pumasok sa bayang Sama­ritano. 6 Hana­pin ninyo ang nawawa­lang tupa ng sambayanan ng Israel. 7 Ipahayag ang mensaheng ito sa in­yong paglalakbay: ‘Palapit na ang kaha­rian ng Langit.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 7, Tuesday; Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:32-38

Gospel: Matthew 9:32-38

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.” Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

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Reflection:

What are we going to do if the good that we do is not appreciated or complimented? For example, we did good to a neighbor but instead of saying, “Thank you” the neighbor accused us of having a hidden agenda for doing good.   

For driving out the demoniac from the mute man Jesus was suspected to be a demon Himself. What an irony of life, but such is life and our fellowmen they sometimes do not appreciate the good that we do for them. It happened to Jesus and it surely will happen to us also: we sometimes will not be appreciated for the good that we do for them.

Jesus in the gospel gives us an idea on what to do when we are not appreciated. Simply continue on doing good for we do not do it to gain personal honor. We humbly do good for the greater glory of God and not for our own glory.

When we do good for God even if we are not appreciated let us not worry for the good Lord sees us. And HE surely knows everything about us including the core of our hearts and minds. The reward is for HIM to give us and not for our fellowmen to give it to us.

Let us therefore not tire of doing good for the Lord and HIS people. If we don’t see our reward right now someday we will see it. It may not be in this lifetime but in a different life where there’s no end, worries nor sadness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 7, Martes; Ika-14 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 9:32-38

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:32-38

32 Nang makaalis na ang mga ito, may nagdala naman kay Jesus ng isang lala­king pipi na inaalihan ng demonyo. 33 Nang mapalayas niya ang demonyo, nakapag­salita ang pipi kaya namangha ang mga tao at kanilang sinabi: “Wala pang nang­yaring ganito sa Israel.” 34 Ngu­nit sinabi naman ng mga Pariseo: “Nagpapalayas siya ng demonyo sa tulong ng pinuno ng mga demonyo.”

• 35 At nilibot ni Jesus ang mga bayan at mga nayon; nagtuturo siya sa kanilang mga sinagoga, nagpapahayag ng Mabu­ting Balita ng Kaharian at nagpapagaling ng lahat ng sakit at karamdaman. 36 Nang makita niya ang makapal na tao, naawa siya sa kanila sapagkat hirap sila at lu­pay­pay na parang mga tupang walang pastol. 37 At sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad: “Marami nga ang aanihin at ka­kaunti naman ang mga manggagawa. 38 Ida­langin ninyo sa panginoon ng ani na magpadala siya ng mga manggagawa sa kanyang ani.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 6, Monday; Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:18-26

Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.

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Reflection:

Do we have prayer request for Jesus? Let us not worry for as long as we have faith our prayer will be realized. Why is it that we don’t usually get what we wish for from Jesus? Because we doubt,  and we don’t work for what we want from HIM.

Some of us would pray but there’s no conviction in our prayers we just pray for the sake of praying. The most powerful prayer is when we pray with conviction and we pray without any sign of doubt in our hearts. And the moment we pray without any doubts we could expect something in return from Jesus for Jesus is a gracious and merciful God.

We have two stories of prayers with actions and faith in our gospel. Both the man and the woman had prayer request before Jesus and both of them were granted by Jesus for it was prayers with faith and actions.

Let us therefore always go to Jesus, in good times and in bad, even if we are not in need of HIM let us still go to HIM. This is for the reason that the more we get in touch with Jesus the more that our friendship and faith in HIM is strengthened.

How are we going to be friends with Jesus? We regularly read HIS life story in the Bible, we ensure our regular presence at Holy Mass and we regularly visit HIM in the Adoration chapel.  But because of the Covid-19 pandemic many of us are not able to be present at Holy Mass. So what are we going to do? We ensure that we are able to attend online Holy Mass.

Are we taking action to deepen our friendship with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 6, Lunes; Ika-14 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 9:18-26

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:18-26

18 Habang nagsasalita si Jesus sa kanila, lumapit sa kanya ang isang pangulo ng sinagoga at paluhod na sinabi: “Kamamatay nga lamang ng aking anak na babae, pero halika at ipatong ang iyong mga kamay at siya’y mabubuhay.” 19 Kaya tumayo si Jesus at sumama sa kan­ya, pati na ang kanyang mga alagad.

20 Nilapitan naman siya mula sa likuran ng isang babaeng labindalawang taon nang dinudugo, at hinipo nito ang layla­yan ng damit ni Jesus. 21 Sapagkat naisip niya: “Kung mahi­hipo ko lamang ang lay­la­yan ng kan­yang damit, gagaling na ako.” 22 Lumi­ngon naman si Jesus, nakita niya siya at sinabi: “Lakasan mo ang iyong loob, anak ko, pinagaling ka ng iyong pananalig.” At gumaling ang babae sa sandaling iyon.

23 Pagdating ni Jesus sa bahay ng pangulo, nakita niya ang mga tumutugtog ng plauta at ang maraming taong nagkakaingay. 24 At sinabi niya: “Umalis kayo! Hindi patay ang dala­gita kundi tulog.” Pinagtawanan nila siya. 25 Ngunit pagkaalis ng mga tao, puma­sok siya, hina­wakan ang bata sa kamay at buma­ngon ito. 26 Luma­ganap ang balitang ito sa buong lupa­ing iyon.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday July 5, Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 11:25-30

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

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Reflection:

What is the key to the heart of Jesus? Its humility, this means that we trust Jesus like children trust their parents and we surrender to HIM our everything including our life. Humility is the gateway to the heart of Jesus that is rarely discovered by the wise and the learned.

Some wise and learned people have the tendency to trust more on themselves rather than trust Jesus. They do things without asking for the guidance of the Lord. Because they think that what they know and have is more than enough for them to achieve what they want in this world.

However, life without God is empty and barren. We may have all the riches, power and knowledge in this world but if we don’t have God and if we don’t trust God, it amounts to nothing. If we don’t have God we are mere irrelevant specks in this world no matter how rich, learned and powerful we are.   

Many learned, powerful and rich individuals ended up with nothing because they did not have Jesus in their lives. They even ended up being detested because they leaned on themselves rather than God. They used their power, wealth and influence to advance themselves and not God. They allowed their wealth and self-serving wisdom to pull them away from God, they trusted more on themselves rather than God. 

The call for us is to humble ourselves before God and to go near Him. To trust God rather than trust on anything that we have and to find rest in God rather than find rest in this fleeting world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 5, Ika-14 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 11:25-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:25-30

25 Nagsalita si Jesus sa pagkaka­taong iyon: “Pinu­puri kita Amang Panginoon ng Langit at lupa, sapag­kat itinago mo ang mga bagay na ito sa matatalino at marurunong, at ipinamulat mo naman sa mga karaniwang tao. 26 Oo, Ama, ito ang ikinasiya mo. 27 Ipinagkatiwala sa akin ng aking Ama ang la­hat. Walang nakakakilala sa Anak kundi ang Ama, at wa­lang nakakakilala sa Ama kundi ang Anak at ang sinu­mang gustuhing pagbun­yagan ng Anak.

28 Lumapit sa akin, lahat kayong nahi­hirapan at may pinapasan, at pagi­gin­hawahin ko kayo. 29 Kunin ninyo ang aking pamatok at matuto sa akin, akong mahinahon at ma­babang-loob, at maka­ka­tagpo kayo ng ginhawa para sa inyong kaluluwa. 30 Sapagkat mahu­say ang aking pamatok at magaan ang aking pasanin.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for July 4, Saturday; Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:14-17

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-17

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”

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Reflection:

What happens when we give our life to Jesus, when we begin to fully trust HIM and leave behind our sinful past? We are introduced to a new life environment with Jesus where everything is new and spotless.

What is this new life with Jesus all about? This is a new life totally free from our dark past. Yes we all have our own share of dark past that nobody knows except us. We must never look back to this dark past otherwise we may be tempted to mire our lives with the enticement of the devil once again. And this is very dangerous for it could completely destroy us.

What will make us permanently free from the temptations of the devil? We must always be connected with Jesus in every second of our lives for this is the only way that we could prevent the devil from destroying us. Just look around, temptations disguised as beautiful things are everywhere tempting us.

Let us never allow satan to get hold of us once again, let us remember that Jesus saved us already. We are now the new wine that has already been poured into the fresh wineskin no other than Jesus Himself. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 4, Sabado; Ika-13 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 9:14-17

Mabuting Balita: Matthew 9:14-17

14 Noo’y lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad ni Juan at nagtanong: “May araw ng ayuno kami at ang mga Pariseo, at wala bang pag-aayuno ang iyong mga alagad?” 15 Sinagot sila ni Jesus: “Puwede bang magluksa ang mga abay sa kasalan habang kasama pa nila ang nobyo? Darating ang panahon na aagawin sa kanila ang nobyo at sa araw na iyon sila mag-aayuno.

16 Walang magtatagpi ng bagong pirasong tela sa lumang balabal sapagkat uurong ang tagpi at lalo pang lalaki ang punit. 17 At hindi ka rin naman maglalagay ng bagong alak sa mga lumang sisidlan. Kung gagawin mo ito, puputok ang mga sisidlan at matatapon ang alak at masisira rin ang mga sisidlan. Sa bagong sisidlan dapat ilagay ang bagong alak; sa gayo’y pareho silang tatagal.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 3, Friday; Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle: John 20:24-29

Gospel: John 20:24-29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

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Reflection:

Do we sometimes need an affirmation of our faith in Jesus? That is perfectly OK because it show signs of our growing faith. If we want our faith in Jesus to be affirmed we simply have to be sensitive to the movement of Jesus in our life.

For example, the new life that is given to us every morning. It’s not a routinary  flow of life that we wake up every morning. It’s Jesus giving us a new life every morning! If we are sensitive to the movement of Jesus in our life we would discover that the dawning of a new day that we experience every morning is a miracle from Jesus.

Thomas needed an affirmation of his faith from his Lord and Master (John 20:25). He wanted to see first the wounds of Jesus before he believes. He wanted to touch it and put his finger into the very wounds of Jesus before he believes that Jesus has resurrected (John 20:25).  

Are we not like Thomas too? We often times want our faith in Jesus to be affirmed by His signs? Jesus has been giving us signs that He moves in our life everyday, we simply have to be sensitive and thankful for these signs. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 3, Biyernes; Santo Tomas, apostol (kapistahan): Juan 20:24-29

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:24-29

24 Hindi nila kasama si Tomas na tina­guriang Kambal, na isa sa Labin­dalawa, nang du­mating si Jesus. 25 Kaya sinabi sa kanya ng iba pang mga alagad: “Nakita namin ang Pangi­noon!” Sinabi naman niya: “Maliban lamang na ma­kita sa kanyang mga kamay ang tatak ng mga pako at maipasok ang aking daliri sa pinag­lagusan ng mga pako at maipasok ang aking kamay sa tagiliran niya, hinding-hindi ako mani­niwala!”

26 Makaraan ang walong araw, mu­ling nasa loob ang kanyang mga ala­gad at kasa­ma nila si Tomas. Dumating si Jesus ha­bang nakasara ang mga pinto at puma­gitna. At sinabi niya: “Kapa­yapaan sa inyo!” 27 At sinabi niya kay Tomas: “Ilapit mo rito ang daliri mo at tingnan ang aking mga kamay. At ilapit ang kamay mo at ipasok sa aking tagiliran at huwag tumangging maniwala kundi ma­niwala!”

28 Sumagot si Tomas sa kanya: “Pangi­noon ko at Diyos ko – ikaw!” 29 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Dahil ba sa nakita mo ako kaya ka naniniwala? Mapapalad ang mga hindi nakakita at naniniwala.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 2, Thursday; Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:1-8

Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, :Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"–he then said to the paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

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Reflection:

Who brought the paralytic to Jesus?

Nobody knows because their names were not mentioned by Jesus in the gospel. Jesus knew that those who brought the paralytic to Him were very humble and not very concerned with the credit that they would receive. It was enough for them that they’ve helped this paralytic go to Jesus.

 After they were through with their mission to bring the paralytic to Jesus they simply blended away with the multitude of people. Not concerned of their good deed and not concerned of the accolade that they could receive.

How many of us are like those who brought the paralytic to Jesus? They were very humble, very selfless not concerned of the credit and publicity that is rightly due them. 

In our world today where we can easily publicize via social media every good deed that we do. The gospel is teaching us be silent when we do good for the simple reason that every acts of goodness that we do in secrecy and silence is appreciated more by the Lord.

 Let us therefore help without any expectation of something in return. Let us help without trumpeting the good deeds that we do because God is more pleased by this kind of attitude. And certainly God rewards more those who help and those who do good in silence and secrecy.

What is our mentality when we help?– Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 2, Huwebes; Ika-13 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 9:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:1-8

1 Muling sumakay sa bangka si Jesus, tumawid sa lawa at bu­malik sa sariling bayan. 2 Dinala sa kanya roon ang isang paralitikong nakahiga sa papag. Nang makita ni Jesus ang kanilang pananalig, sinabi niya sa paralitiko: “Lakasan mo ang iyong loob, anak! Pinatawad na ang iyong mga kasalanan.”

3 Noo’y inisip ng ilang guro ng Batas: “Iniinsulto ng taong ito ang Diyos.” 4 Alam ni Jesus ang kanilang mga niloloob, at sinabi niya: “Bakit kayo nag-iisip ng masama? 5 Ano ba ang mas madaling sabihin: ‘Pinatawad na ang iyong mga kasalanan’ o ‘Tumayo ka at lumakad’? 6 Dapat n’yong mala­man na may kapang­yarihan sa lupa ang Anak ng Tao na mag­pa­tawad ng kasalanan.” At sinabi niya sa parali­tiko: “Buma­ngon ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan at umuwi.” 7 At buma­ngon ang tao at umuwi. 8 Nang makita naman ito ng mga tao, napuno sila ng pagkamangha at nagpuri sa Diyos sa pagbibigay ng gayong kapangyarihan sa mga tao.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 1, Wednesday; Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:28-34

Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34

When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.”

And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who believed in that satan can defeat God. Her belief in satan slowly but surely eroded her belief in God. After a period of time this woman was eventually possessed by satan.

Do we believe that satan can defeat God also? Better that we not believe because the moment we believe we somehow allow the power of satan to slowly seep into our life. Satan begins to become a reality in our life the moment we begin to believe in its power to defeat God.

In our gospel we read about the power of Jesus over demons they were actually no match to Jesus because they cowered before the Lord’s presence. What does this tell us? It tells us that Jesus is the supreme power.

Evil exist within us because we allow it to exist; we give it freedom to dwell in us. How does this transpire? This transpire when we commit sin even if we know that what we are doing is sinful.

Thus, we give freedom for satan to have an influence in our life. As it stays with us it also slowly but surely controls our minds that we start to begin of thinking of evil things also.

But all is not lost yet, If we know and have faith in Jesus and if we start to take Him and His teachings seriously. Satan will run away from us, evil or anything that is evil will have no place anymore in our value system and in our life.

Why? For the simple reason that Jesus is the supreme power. And when we are always connected with Jesus evil will not be able to become an influence in our life.– Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 1, Miyerkules; Ika-13 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 8:28-34

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:28-34

Pagdating ni Jesus sa lupain ng Gadara sa kabilang ibayo, sinalubong siya ng dalawang lalaking inaalihan ng demonyo, na galing sa mga libingan. Napakabangis nila kayat walang maka­­­­daan doon. 29 Bigla silang sumi­gaw: “Ano ang kailangan mo sa amin, ikaw na Anak ng Diyos! Puma­rito ka ba para pahirapan kami bago sumapit ang panahon?”

30 Sa may di-kalayua’y maraming baboy na nanginginain. 31 Kaya hiniling sa kanya ng mga demonyo: “Kung palala­yasin mo kami, ipadala mo kami sa mga baboy.” 32 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Umalis kayo.” Kaya pagka­layas ng mga demonyo’y pumasok ang mga ito sa mga baboy – at hayun! nahulog sa bangin ang lahat ng baboy papuntang dagat, at nalunod na lahat.

33 Tumakas naman ang mga nagba­bantay sa mga baboy. Pagdating nila sa bayan, ipinamalita nila ang lahat at kung ano ang nangyari sa mga ina­alihan ng mga demonyo. 34 Kaya luma­bas ang buong bayan para salubungin si Jesus; at pagkakita nila sa kanya, hiniling nilang umalis siya sa kanilang lugar.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for June 30, Tuesday; Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:23-27

Gospel: Matthew 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a young man who was on the verge of giving-up on his life so he thought of hanging himself to end it all. But before doing it he said this silent prayer, Jesus if you are really alive let somebody come into my house and I will not push through anymore with my desperate plan. Lo and behold, after a few seconds a neighbor was knocking on his door inviting him to join their bible study.

We must always remember that God is alive. He is always a prayer away but often times we forget about this. Because of our worldliness we always focus on our struggles rather than our triumps in life. Thus, we forget that there’s a God who is ever ready to help and listen to us. A God who is always there to lift us up whenever we are feeling down and weary.     

In our gospel for today the disciples encountered a violent storm and in that desperate moment they had nothing to hold on but Jesus. So they said, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” After which there was great calm because Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea.

Whatever that we’re going through right now we have to always remember that Jesus is just a prayer away. Let us therefore Seek Him, Pray to Him and Invite Him to come into our life for He would surely be there for us.

Do we regularly pray to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 30, Martes; Ika-13 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 8:23-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:23-27

23 Sumakay si Jesus sa bangka at sumunod sa kanya ang mga alagad niya. 24 Walang anu-ano’y nagkaroon ng mala­kas na bagyo sa lawa at parang matata­bunan na ng mga alon ang bangka. Ngunit tulog si Jesus.

25 Ginising siya nila na sumisigaw: “Panginoon, saklolo! Mamamatay tayo!” 26 At sinabi ni Jesus:  “Ba’t kayo natatakot, kayong napakaliit ng paniwala?” Buma­ngon siya at inutusan ang mga alon at hangin, at tumahimik ang lahat. 27 Nagulat ang mga tao at sinabi nila: “Anong klaseng tao ito? Sumusunod sa kanya pati mga hangin at dagat.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for June 29, Monday; Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles: Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi 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.”

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Reflection:

If somebody would ask us this question: “Who is Jesus to you?” I am sure that our answer will depend on how well we know Jesus. Some of us may answer that Jesus is a friend who’s always there for us. Others may say that Jesus is a brother who is always ready to help us.

Today the church celebrates the Solemnity of Apostle Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Saint Peter is the most prominent apostle; Jesus built and founded the church thru him, he is also the leader of the twelve. Saint Paul was tasked to spread the gospel to the gentiles. Both Saints unwaveringly shared with the ministry of Jesus in spreading the good news at the cost of their lives.

In the gospel Jesus posed this question to His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is (Matthew 16:13)?” the disciples were not able to answer. Then Jesus asked the apostles: “But who do you say that I am (Matthew 16:15)?”

 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. Peter knew Jesus well because more than any other apostles he was always prominently with Jesus. (Mat. 10:2; 14:28; 15:15; 17:24; 19:27; Luke 8:51; 12:41).

Peter also initially did not want Jesus to wash his feet, (John 13:7-9). When Jesus was about to arrested by the roman soldiers it was Peter who drew his sword and cut off the ear of the soldier, (John 18:10) Peter was the first apostles to enter the empty tomb of Jesus, (Luke 24:12), Peter was the first apostles to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection, (Luke 24:34)

Like Peter, are we always prominently with Jesus through the Sacraments and by always being present during Holy Mass? Like Peter, do we have that desire to know Jesus fully well by regularly reading the Bible specially the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?

On the other hand, Paul had a lesser close encounter with Jesus (Acts 9). But his zeal to advance the gospel of Christ is unmatched until now. Saint Paul allowed Jesus to work in his life for the advancement of the gospel.

Saint Paul also courageously advanced the teachings of Jesus to those who don’t know Jesus yet. He was also educated and he used it to write some books in the New Testament. Do we allow Jesus to move in our lives so that others may know more about Jesus?

If Jesus would ask us this question today: “Who do you say that I am?” Would we be able to satisfactorily reply? – Marino J. Dasmarinas