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 disturb 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 with God?

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 was 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 people around us. 

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

Reflection for Friday August 5, 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:

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

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

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

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

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

To hear the call of Jesus is to be willing to leave behind our sinfulness, our arrogance and egotism. To hear the call of Jesus is to be willing to celebrate Holy Mass and read the bible. To hear the call of Jesus is to have the courage to leave behind friends who do nothing to us except to influence us to sin.

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

Reflection for Thursday August 4, 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:

Is there a reward for a person who exerts effort to know Jesus deeply? Yes there is and this is proven in the gospel reading for today.

When Jesus said to His disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” And Simon Peter knew Him well when he said: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Aside from the gift of knowing Jesus which God gave Peter, surely Peter also exerted effort to know Jesus. Otherwise Peter would have not said: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

What was the reward of Peter? Jesus rewarded Simon Peter when He founded the church through him: you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church (Matthew 16:18).

What is then the reward for us if we exert effort to know Jesus? The rewards are enormous, infinite and unfathomable: such as peace of mind, humility, obedient and loving children and many more.  

Through our Baptism we are already given the gift of knowing Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him. Let us not throw this gift away by not opening it, to open this is to have an interest in Jesus.

This we can do by reading His life story in the scripture through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. By living His teachings and by our sacred presence in the celebration of the Holy Mass.

Do you also want to receive rewards from Jesus? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Wednesday August 3, 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 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:

The great 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.” The more that she persisted; she knelled before Jesus beg Him ans 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 must have not received any signs of reply from Jesus. It may seem that Jesus is turning a deaf ear to our pleadings and prayers.

In spite of these all we must continue to have faith and be always persistent in following Him. God’s silence and rejections to our petitions and prayers are test of faith for us. God wants to see until where are we willing to stretch our patience.

He wants to see if we are still willing to extend our patience and beg some more or even walk an extra mile in our pursuit of Him. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Tuesday August 2, 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.

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 Holy Communion and Reconciliation.

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

Reflection for Monday August 1, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor; 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:

Do you believe that Jesus loves you dearly no matter who you are and no matter the sins that you’ve committed?

Jesus’ love for the ordinary people, those who rest their future in Him is unfathomable and it is very evident in this gospel.

The disciples were already worried because there were so many people who were following Jesus and it was already getting late in the night and there was no available food for them. So they said to Jesus: , “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 (Matthew 14:15).”

 The people whom the disciples wanted to dismiss were those who’d been following Jesus some were the very people whom Jesus’ cured. So Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves (Matthew 14:16).”

The disciples were baffled! Where would they get the food for these multitudes of people? They temporarily forgot or they’ve already taken for granted that they were with Jesus. Who’d been performing miracles left and right for those who had been following Him.

Perhaps, since Jesus was with them daily they’ve already treated Him as one of the guys, just an ordinary mortal. They’ve forgotten that Jesus is the Messiah and He is very capable of feeding the hundreds of people with them.

This too happens to us: sometimes we take Jesus for granted that we don’t take Him seriously and the teachings of our catholic faith. Sometimes we don’t even care it we attend Mass or not. Sometimes we just attend Sunday Mass out of obligation not out of love and devotion for Jesus.

Like the disciples we perhaps forget that Jesus is our God who’s capable of making a big difference in our lives. We perhaps forget that Jesus loves us no matter who we are and no matter the sins that we’ve committed. 

How's your relationship with Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Sunday July 31, Eighteenth 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 all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”

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Reflection:

A rich woman unexpectedly died without leaving behind a last will and testament. Since each one of the her siblings wanted to have the biggest share of the wealth. the siblings were in a dilemma on how they would divide her enormous wealth. Therefore the once strong and loving sibling relationship became divided and distant and the reason behind was their greed for material wealth.

There are people who feel secure with material wealth as if it could save them from the certainty of death. There are people who think that because they have material wealth they can now buy even the honor of their fellowmen. These are all false notions for the reason that material wealth is temporary and it is not the be all and end all of life.

Material wealth by itself is not bad because this can sustain our life in this world. This can also be our instrument in spreading the love and mercy of God, for example; we help somebody in need using our material wealth which is surely not bad. Material wealth becomes evil when we allow it to possess and dictate upon us.

In the gospel Jesus tells us that life is not about material possession. If life is not about material possession what is life all about? Life is about God! If we have all the material wealth in this world yet we don’t have God in our life our life is still empty and barren.

This is for the simple reason that material wealth can be swiftly taken from us anytime. And it surely cannot bring us to heaven when our time of departure in this world comes. On the other hand if we choose to have God, God will be with us until heaven.

How are you managing your material wealth? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Saturday July 30, 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 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 has 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 will hang around our necks 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 will 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 let us be quick to  apologize. -  Marino  J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Friday July 29, Saint Martha; 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:

What compelled Martha to meet Jesus while HE was on HIS way to their house? It was her faith.

Martha was in grief because of the death of her brother Lazarus. But when she heard that Jesus was going to their house to comfort them. Her grief was immediately replaced by hope for Martha has deep faith in Jesus and being their close friend Martha also knew Jesus very well.

What do we do when we are sorrowful and in distress? Don’t we also run to Jesus? Of course we also run to Jesus, the energy that compels us to go to HIM is fueled by our deep faith, hope and friendship with Jesus. We are very blessed because we have this deep relationship with Jesus for we know where to go when we are in distress with the many trials of this world.

But how about those who do not know Jesus deeply or those who do not know Jesus? Where will they go when they encounter trials? They may never go to Jesus, instead they may wallow in self-pity, they may drown themselves with their vices for temporal alleviation of their distress.

This is where we must come-in and illuminate those who do not know Jesus with HIS light. We must have the courage to share Jesus and our faith so that those who are in distress will now go to Jesus for hope and salvation.

Our faith in Jesus must not be an exclusive faith that is only limited to ourselves. It must always be an inclusive faith so that others too may feel the love, healing, hope and friendship of Jesus.

Is your faith in Jesus an exclusive or inclusive faith? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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

Gospel: Matthew 13:47-53

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

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

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Reflection:

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

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

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

However, we are still in-charge of our destiny, we have the freedom if we walk away from sin or we stay with sin. If we walk away from sin we will be freeing ourselves from the enslavement of the devil. If we continue to sin we should be prepared for the fiery consequence that may befall us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Wednesday July 27, Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 13:44-46

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46

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

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Reflection:

What are you willing to give up for Jesus?

A lady in her late 20’ was working in a high paying job in a bank. Her parents thought that she was already settled in her job until she’ll have a family of her own and eventually retire.

They suddenly had the shock of their lives when she told them that she would resign from her job and enter a convent to be a nun. After a few months she resigned and entered the convent. Years passed by until she became a full pledge member of a congregation of nuns. Amidst the secular life that she was in, the lady left everything to follow Jesus in her vocation.

In the gospel, Jesus gave the disciples two parables about the kingdom of heaven. The first one was the parable of the treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. The second one was the parable of the merchant who was searching for fine pearls. When he found the pearl of great price, he sold everything that he has and buys it.”

In both instances the individuals involved left everything they have and sought  the kingdom of heaven. It was an easy decision for them to make because they saw the hidden splendor of God’s kingdom.

The trappings of this material world often times present itself as the doorway to our happiness. We chase it even at the cost of our honor and dignity and after we catch up with it we find out that happiness does not reside there. We end up still looking for that elusive happiness and contentment in life.

The big mistake of most of us is that we equate our happiness and contentment with the material things of this world. True happiness, contentment and peace of mind can only be found in God. For He is our hidden treasure; He is our pearl of exceptional quality. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Tuesday July 26, Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin; Matthew 13:36-43

Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

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Reflection:

A sinful man suddenly died he was therefore immediately ushered by the devil to his fiery kingdom. The sinful man was wailing and resisting his instant enrolment to Satan’s den but he couldn’t do anything to change his destiny.

If only he repented from his sinfulness, if only he listened to the advice of his relatives to change for the better and embrace God. He could have not ended in hell, but he never listened.

There are two opposing powers in this world one is God and the other is the evil one. God sows good seeds to us the evil one sow’s weeds. From our conception, birth until our death God has only one desire for us and that is to sow His good seeds. 

However, as we mature the evil one will try to overpower us with his many inducements. Which if we bite would only result to our perdition and safe passage to his horrifying kingdom.

Let us hate sin or any action that will make us sin, let us hate the devil and his countless enticements. Let us rather embrace God and follow the way of Jesus no matter how hard. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Monday July 25, Saint James, Apostle; Matthew 20:20-28

Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28

The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Reflection:

Who is an exemplary leader?

An exemplary leader leads by example, he does not aspire to that position of leadership to be popular, to be seen and to give orders while he/she is enjoying the trappings of his position. He ascends to that position of leadership because he wants to be a person for others and to serve even at the cost of his life: And this is Jesus.

In the gospel today we see a mother asking a favor from Jesus (if her two sons could seat beside Jesus) but the mother has no full comprehension of the earthly destiny that awaits Jesus. If only she knew she would not have asked Jesus that favor.

Why is is that many are attracted to serve in the serve church?  They want to serve because they thought that it’s an opportunity for them to be seen, to be on the spotlight. Thus, after they are given their work they have this realization that this is not what they wanted to do because it involves sacrifice and humility. And for obvious reasons they don’t last in their ministry.

To serve in the church alongside Jesus always involves sacrifice and humility. You don’t want to serve because you want influence and power. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday July 24, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Luke 11:1-13

Gospel: Luke 11:1-13

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test."

And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him, and he says in reply from within 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.' I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

"And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"

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Reflection:

Can we live life without prayer? No we cannot live life without prayer because prayer sustains life without prayer there would be no life. This is the guiding principle of those who are prayerful and those who have developed a profound relationship with God.

On the other hand many would also say that there’s life even without prayer.  This would be for those who do not pray and who seldom pray. But if we look at the lives of those who do not pray they may seem externally ok most especially if they have material riches.

However, deep inside them they may not be ok they may be yearning for that something that could give them peace and contentment. And this peace and contentment they can only have when they learn how to pray.

So we learn now the importance of prayer in a person’s life. But why do we need to pray? Because we need God, that’s why we need to pray and we recognize the primacy of God over anything else in this world. 

In the gospel, Jesus presents to us the importance of prayer in one’s life. That prayer should be simple, with a heart and persistent. Why? For the reason that God listens more to those who pray with simplicity, with a heart and with persistence.

Let us therefore have a prayerful life because we communicate with God when we pray. This is where we open our whole being to God and in the process we also listen to God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Saturday July 23, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 13:24-30

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from? He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”

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Reflection:

Do you believe in evil possession?

I’ve watched a movie about a priest who performed an exorcism rite to a lady possessed by the devil. After hours of struggle the priest was able to cure the possessed lady and he drove away the devil from her. Following a few days the priest manifested signs of being possessed and it turned out that the devil whom he banished from the lady silently crept into him. The priest went through the same exorcism rite and was eventually freed from the possession of the devil.    

The devil is a reality it is always around us waiting for the perfect moment to possess us it may not be anymore like a diabolical possession. He may not anymore appear like a Diablo. For it will be very obvious already often times the devil stealthy hides beneath lustful intentions, ego trip, the absence of humility, greed for money and power, it always there ever ready to temp us to commit sin.

The weeds mentioned in the gospel parable are the many temptations that the devil sows in our way. It is always there being dangled before us. Some of us succumb to these many temptations and we naturally sin. But even if we sin God will not immediately condemn us to eternal damnation perhaps self-righteous people will condemn us right away but God will not. 

God will surely be merciful and patient with us sinners He will be there waiting for us to turn our backs from our sinful ways. God’s love and forbearance toward us is immeasurable He will give us countless opportunities for us to mend our sinful ways.

Let us therefore take advantage of these chances for renewal given to us by God before it’s too late. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Friday July 22, Saint Mary Magdalene; John 20:1-2, 11-18

Gospel: John 20:1-2, 11-18

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”

Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her.

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Reflection:

Do you agree that you are a sinner?

All of us are like Mary Magdalene for like her we too are sinners. Nevertheless, we too are always being called by Jesus to conversion and to truly follow Him for the rest of our life.

But unlike Mary Magdalene who was compliant to Jesus call for her to repent. We oftentimes are not; we follow the many deceiving dictates of this world rather than follow the desire of Jesus for us.

What would we gain if we follow the many sinful dictates of this world? Nothing but emptiness and sin, has our cravings for the things of this world gave us peace? This world will never give us peace and contentment only Jesus will give it to us.

What if like Mary Magdalene we respond to Jesus’ call and truthfully follow Him for the rest of our lives? We will have a foretaste of heaven while we are still in this world. What if we are like Mary Magdalene who never gave up on searching for the risen Christ until she found Him? We will have peace, serenity and contentment in our life.

Like Saint Mary Magdalene let us also search for Jesus until we find Him and when we find Him let us continue to thirst for Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Thursday July 21, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 13:10-17

Gospel: Matthew 13:10-17

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:

You shall indeed hear but not understand,  you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them.

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

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Reflection:

A young man wanted to serve as a sacristan on their parish church but he also had second thoughts. For the reason that he was told by his father to reconsider his desire because there are intrigues and other issues in the church.

It’s true that problems such as: backstabbing, rumor mongers, egocentric and control freak personalities exist in the church. But these characters are not even a tiny fraction of the whole church.

To have that felling of serving in the church is like to discern a parable it is only given to those who are called. However, not all who are called are chosen by God and not all who are chosen stay forever to serve. Why? For the simple reason that God has given us also the freewill to choose. It is therefore upon us to digest this offer of Jesus.

The gift of understanding that there’s more to life than money, power and material things are also like discerning a parable by God. Many of us think that if we have money and power we would automatically be happy. But it doesn’t work that way, money  and power will never make us happy and it will never give us contentment.

Therefore, consider yourself fortunate when you’re able to discern the parables of Jesus and pursue it.  You’re also spiritually privileged if you’re able to discern that a well lived life is to be with Jesus and not with the temporal things of this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Wednesday July 20, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 13:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

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Reflection:

Do you reflect on the parables of Jesus?

Jesus often gives parables to His disciples for them to have something to reflect and think about. These parables are also for us to reflect and discover the lesson that it tries to convey to us.

The sower is actually God, the seeds that He sowed were His teachings and the environments which the seed fell are us. Obviously the first three environments on which the seeds fell were not ideal because the seeds did not grew up as it should be.

We become the first three environments when we intentionally turn a deaf ear to God’s teachings. No matter how much God wants us to know more about Him if we are not willing to listen He cannot do anything about it. He will not be able to take root and grow in our hearts.

The last environment: the good soil is also us. This happens when we open our whole being to God’s teachings. We listen to it, we imbibed it and we live it. It grows within us and in that process we bear fruit. In bearing fruit God uses us to touch lives thus we become an instrument of His blessings for others.

The desire of God is for us to always become the good soil wherein we touch lives and make a positive difference in the lives of our fellowmen. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Tuesday July 19, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 12:46-50

Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

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Reflection:

How could we become relatives of Jesus?

Jesus Himself reveals the secret to us: “For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother." And what is the will of the heavenly Father for us? It’s for us to do good always and to be collaborator of Jesus in spreading the good news and to follow Jesus.

Jesus also cited the disciples as His mother and brothers for they were all faithful follower. We do not know the personal background of each disciple perhaps some of them were sinners like us. But notwithstanding their sins they still chose to follow Jesus and completely left behind their sinful past. Thus, Jesus called them His mother and brothers.

Therefore, when we choose to follow Jesus we already are called His relative. What does to follow Jesus mean? It’s to follow Jesus by immersing our feet in the river of sacrifice, love, forgiveness, mercy, compassion and so forth.  

How about you? Have you already immersed your feet in the river of sacrifice, love, forgiveness, compassion and so forth?   Have you already decided to follow Jesus and leave behind your sinful past?

Remember that Jesus yearns for you to become his relative also. – Marino J. Dasmarinas