Reflection for August 21, Friday; Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope: Matthew 22:34-40

Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.

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Reflection:

When can we say that we truly love God? It’s when we translate our love for God to love for our neighbor.

The perfection of our love for God reaches its zenith when we unconditionally love our neighbor. Thus, we don’t only love those who are lovable to our eyes; we also love even those who are not. Even those who do nothing but hurt us and betray our love for them.

Love that is based on the notion of reciprocal love is not anchored on the love of God. This is for the reason that the love of God is unconditional. It does not discriminate and it loves everyone, including those people who keep on hurting and betraying our love for them.

For example, if your spouse has been continuously hurting you and has been betraying your love. You will still continue to love him/her but not anymore based on romantic love. You will continue to love him/her because you love God and your love for your wayward spouse is not anymore defined by romanticism. But already defined according to God’s unconditional love.

How do you love? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 20, Thursday; Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 22:1-14

Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.

A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast. Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.

But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.

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Reflection:

Do we always find time for Holy Mass especially during Sundays? Every Holy Mass is an invitation for all of us to be present at the Lord’s banquet. To be present there will not cost us anything except a little of our time. In fact it’s us who will be greatly blessed by the Lord if we would make ourselves available for Holy Mass.

In the gospel Jesus tells us about a parable regarding a king who had invited guest to come to the wedding banquet of his son. But for the reason of their preoccupation nobody came to honor the king’s invitation. Thus, they missed the opportunity to break bread with the king, his son and other members of his family.

    

This is also what we miss when we fail to attend Holy Mass. We miss the opportunity to break bread with Jesus and partake of His Body and Blood and subsequently be strengthened by it. However, we are in an extra-ordinary time right now because of the covid-19 pandemic. Many of us will not be able to be there so we have to make it a point to watch Holy using the internet or TV.

Let us always find time to respond to Jesus’ invitation to be with Him at Holy Mass no matter how busy we are. Let us not miss the opportunity to be blessed by Him and to be up close and personal with our Lord.

Do you always find time to be with Jesus at Holy Mass? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 20, Huwebes San Bernardo, abad at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita): Mateo 22:1-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 22:1-14

1 Muling nagsalita si Jesus sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhaga:

2 “Tungkol sa nangyayari sa kaha­rian ng Langit ang kuwentong ito: May isang haring naghanda sa kasal ng kanyang anak na lalaki. 3 Ipinatawag niya  sa mga katulong ang mga imbi­tado sa kasalan ngunit ayaw nilang dumalo.

4 Muli niyang pinapunta ang iba pang mga katulong para sabihin sa mga inanyayahan sa kasalan: ‘Nag­handa ako ng pagkain, nagpatay ng mga toro at mga pinatabang hayop; handa na ang lahat kaya pumarito na kayo sa kasalan.’ 5 Ngunit hindi nila pinansin ang paanyaya, sa halip ay may  pu­munta sa kanyang taniman, at sa kanyang negos­yo naman ang isa pa.

6 Sinunggaban naman ng iba pa ang mga katulong ng hari, nilibak at pinatay. 7 Lubhang nagalit ang hari kayat ipi­na­dala niya ang kanyang hukbo para puksain ang mga mamamatay-tao at sunugin ang lunsod. 8 At sinabi niya sa kanyang mga katulong: ‘Handa na ang kasalan ngunit hindi karapat-dapat ang mga inanyayahan. 9 Pumunta kayo nga­yon sa dulo ng lunsod at anya­yahan sa kasalan ang bawat ma­kita ninyo.’

10 Kaya agad na lumabas sa mga daan ang mga katulong at tinipon ang lahat ng makita, masama at mabuti, at napuno ang kasalan ng mga nasa hapag. 11 Pagkatapos ay dumating ang hari para tingnan kung sino ang mga nasa hapag at napansin niya ang isang lala­king hindi nakadamit-pam­piyesta.

12 Kaya sinabi niya sa kanya: ‘Kai­bigan, paano ka nakapasok nang walang damit pangkasal?’ Ngunit hindi umimik ang tao. 13 Kaya sinabi ng hari sa kanyang mga katulong: ‘Igapos ang kanyang mga kamay at paa, at itapon sa dilim, kung saan may iyakan at pagngangalit ng mga ngipin.’

14 Marami ngang talaga ang tinawag pero kaunti ang pinili.”

Reflection for August 19, Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 20:1-16

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ 

So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’

When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you.

Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was envious of her rich neighbor. She would always complain to God why they are rich while they are not. She thought that God was being unfair to her because she is serving in their church.

Months and years had passed; her complaint to God was still the same: “Why is it that they are rich while we are not?”  Then, one night she had a dream and in that dream God said to her: You only measure the blessings that I bestow upon you by the money and properties that you possess and see.

God further said to her: Yes you are not blessed materially but look at your very successful and very well brought-up children. Look at your loving husband that has been faithful to you since day one of your married life. Look at your health, nobody amongst your family members have been to a hospital for health issues. Suddenly the woman had a realization that she was far more blessed by God than her neighbor.

The workers in the vineyard who worked early complained about wages and that is material wealth or money! They failed to realize that they were first assured of the day’s work by the landowner early of that morning. And surely it created already a guarantee that they have something to feed to their families for the coming days. Unlike those who came in late who were not assured of something to feed they families until late in the afternoon.

When we account the blessings that God gives us let us not solely focus on money or any material wealth because we might complain also. Let us rather have a holistic appreciation of God’s blessings for us. Such as peace and good health inside the family, faithfulness and tranquillity in the married life . Plus many more blessings that cannot be quantified by any amount of money. 

Often times God’s blessings upon us are hidden beyond the glitters of material wealth and money. But if we are sensitive to the Lord’s goodness we would be able to discern it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for August 18, Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 19:23-30

Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

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Reflection:

What have we given up for our love of Jesus? Have we given up our vices, sinfulness and other ungodly behaviors?

In the gospel Peter said to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Perhaps this is also our question before Jesus, What will there be for us your followers? Ah, Jesus would probably say, there would be peace in your life, there would be less human created stress and the like.

But judging from the life of Jesus and of those who faithfully followed Him there will be hardships, sacrifices, poverty and even martyrdom. Now that we have an idea, would we still follow? We must still follow Jesus even if people would persecute us for following Him and even if there would be hardships and sacrifices. For this is the true measure of our discipleship.

We have to remember that before gold becomes a magnificent piece of jewelry it passes through severe purifying by fire. And before a diamond is made it goes through several painful processes that involves crushing, cutting and refining.

So is our life with Jesus, there would be humps and bumps here and there. But nothing to worry about these humps and bumps for its just part of the testing of our faith and certainly part of our purification.

Would we still faithfully follow Jesus from now on notwithstanding the purification that we have to go through? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 18, Martes sa Ika-20 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 19:23-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:23-30

23 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: mahirap makapasok ang mayaman sa kaharian ng Langit. 24 Oo, mani­wala kayo, mas madali pa para sa kamelyo ang lumusot sa butas ng karayom kaysa puma­sok ang isang mayaman sa kaha­rian ng Langit.”

25 Nang marinig ito ng mga alagad, namangha sila at sinabing “Kung gayon, sino ang maliligtas?” 26 Tini­tigan sila ni Jesus at sumagot: “Impo­sible ito para sa tao; pero para sa Diyos, lahat ay posible.” 27 Nagsalita si Pedro at sinabi: “Iniwan namin ang lahat para sumunod sa iyo: ano naman ang para sa amin?”

28 Sumagot si Jesus: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa in­yong mga sumunod sa akin:  sa Araw ng Pagbabago, pag upo ng Anak ng Tao sa kanyang trono nang buong luwalhati, uupo rin kayo sa labin­dalawang trono para maghari sa labin­dalawang tribu ng Israel. 29 At ang mag-iwan ng mga tahanan, mga kapatid, ama at ina, mga anak o mga bukid alang-alang sa ngalan ko, ta­tang­gap siya ng sandaang beses at maka­kamit ang buhay na wa­lang hanggan. 30 May mga una ngayon na mahuhuli at may mga huli na­man na mauuna.

1Reflection for August 17, Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 19:16-22

Gospel: Matthew 19:16-22

A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

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Reflection:

Would you give up all your material riches for the sake of the Lord?

The young man did all of the commandments except for one, to sell all his materials treasures and give the proceeds to the poor. This was the stumbling block to his desire to follow Jesus. Not being able to do what Jesus wanted him, he walked away sad for he was rich.

A sad ending to a promising   story of discipleship all because of material possessions. The man failed to discern what is temporary and what is eternal. He didn’t discern that his riches were temporary and following Jesus was everlasting. If only he knew it he would have abandoned everything for the sake of following Jesus.

We are being challenged by the gospel to be more discerning than this rich young man. We are being challenged by Jesus to look deeply into our hearts for the reason that we may be slaves already of this material world.

In hindsight, why is it that many of us are very much willing to become slaves of this world when all that is in this world are passing? For example, power, riches and other worldly comforts there will come a time that we will leave it behind.

There will come a time that everything that we have will not matter anymore except our relationship with Jesus. So, we have to follow the Lord than be slaves of this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 17, Lunes sa Ika-20 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 19:16-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:16-22

16 Lumapit kay Jesus ang isang binata at nagtanong: “Guro, anong mabuti ang dapat kong gawin para makamit ang buhay na wa­lang hanggan?” 17 Sumagot si Jesus: “Bakit tungkol sa mabuti ang tanong mo?

Iisa lang ang Mabuti. Kung gusto mong pumasok sa buhay na walang hanggan, sundin mo ang mga utos.” 18 At sinabi naman ng binata: “Anong mga utos?” Sumagot si Jesus: “Huwag papatay, huwag makiapid, huwag mag­­nakaw, huwag manirang-puri ng kapwa, 19 iga­lang ang iyong ama at ina, at mahalin ang iyong kapwa gaya ng pagmamahal mo sa iyong sarili.”

20 At sinabi sa kanya ng binata: “Sinu­nod ko ang lahat ng ito, ano pa ang kulang ko?” 21 At sinabi ni Jesus: “Kung gusto mong maging ganap, umuwi ka’t ipagbili ang mga ari-arian mo at ibigay ang pera sa mga dukha, at magka­karoon ka ng kayamanan sa Langit. At saka ka bumalik para sumunod sa akin.”

22 Pagkarinig ng binata sa pahayag na ito, umalis siyang malungkot sapagkat napakayaman niya.

Reflection for Sunday August 16, Twentieth Sunday 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 he did not say a word in answer to her. His 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 him 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 her daughter was healed from that hour.

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Reflection:

Is our faith in the Lord as strong as the Canaanite woman in the gospel?

The strong faith of the Canaanite woman whose daughter was tormented by a devil is very evident in the gospel. She was initially snubbed by Jesus but she persisted. She heard the disciples told Jesus: “Send her away.” But she did not budge a bit.

Since she was not a Jew, Jesus told her: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” But the more that she persisted; she even knelt before Jesus begs Him and said: “Lord help me.”

After a few more dialogues Jesus saw the Canaanite woman’s strong faith thus He said to her: “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.

We too have our own special petitions before Jesus and we too may have not receive any signs of reply from Jesus yet. In spite of these we must continue to have faith and be always persistent in following Jesus. Because God’s silence and rejections to our petitions and prayers are simply test of faith for us. God wants to see until where we would be willing to follow Him.

Would we still follow even if we seem to get nothing in return from the Lord? if we still follow even if we get nothing yet in return then its faith. Because faith is something that we can’t see and touch but is always felt by our hearts.  -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Agosto 16, Ika-20 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 15:21-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 15:21-28

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

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

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

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever."

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

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Reflection:

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

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

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

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

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

On this Solemnity of the  Assumption we are reminded by the Blessed Mother that it’s not only her cousin Elizabeth that she wants to comfort and help. The Blessed Mother also wants to comfort, strengthen and help us with whatever worries, struggles and problems that we have. Brought about by this disruptive Covid-19 pandemic.

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

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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.”