Reflection for July 27, Monday; The Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:31-35

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.”

He spoke to them another parable. “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.” All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:

I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world. illustrate the same point: the amazing contrast between the small beginnings of the kingdom and its marvelous expansion.

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Reflection:

How does the kingdom of God starts in our heart? It starts small, then if we nurture it with prayers, by reading the bible and our faithful presence at Holy Mass. It slowly grows little by little until it fully blooms so that it can bless those around us.

But not everyone has this kind of experience. To many of us the kingdom begins small also yet it does not grow it instead dies. Why? Because we don’t exert an effort to nurture it, we don’t ask Jesus to bless our faith so that it could grow.

The mustard seed parable in our gospel is an allusion of Jesus’ desire to help us grow in faith. This seed of faith that He initially gives us during our baptism. And as we grow Jesus also desires that we also grow in faith so that others can learn from us.

How’s the seed of faith that Jesus sowed in our hearts during our baptism? Did we allow it to grow by nurturing it and by asking Jesus to help you grow in faith? If it grew, has anyone been blessed by it already? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 27, Lunes; Sa-17 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:31-35

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:31-35 

31 Binigyan sila ni Jesus ng isa pang talinhaga: “Naikukumpara ang kaharian ng Langit sa isang buto ng mustasa na kinuha ng isang lalaki at inihasik sa kan­yang bukid.

32 Pinakamaliit ito sa mga buto ngunit paglaki’y mas malaki ito sa mga gulay, at parang isang puno – duma­rating ang mga ibon ng langit at dumadapo sa mga sanga nito.” 33 At sinabi ni Jesus ang iba pang talin­haga: “Naikukumpara ang kaha­rian ng Langit sa lebadurang kinuha ng isang ba­bae at ibinaon sa tatlong takal ng harina hanggang umalsa ang buong masa.”

• 34 Itinuro ni Jesus ang lahat ng ito sa mga tao sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhaga; hindi siya nagturo sa kanila na hin­di gumagamit ng mga talinhaga. 35 Kaya natupad ang sinabi ng Propeta: “Magsa­salita ako sa talinhaga. Magpapahayag ako ng mga bagay na natago mula pa sa simula ng daigdig.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday July 26, Seventeenth Sunday 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:

The story is told about a rich man who left everything of his material wealth to serve in the church. When she was asked why she is doing it, she simply replied: “I have found the greatest treasure and the most precious pearl that anyone can ever possess in this world and that is Jesus.” 

Every now and then we hear news of rich, powerful and famous people committing suicide. We can’t help but ask, Why did they end their lives? They almost have everything, this is what we normally think from outside looking in: They almost have everything; but do they really have everything?

If they have everything why would they end their lives? They may have everything that this temporal world could offer them. But in hindsight, a very important component of their lives is missing and it is the Kingdom of heaven.

Many of us aspire to be materially rich, powerful and famous. However, when we get rich and almost have everything that this world could offer us. We find out that something is still missing in our life. Who or what is this missing piece in our life? This missing piece is Jesus and to find HIM is to find our greatest treasure and most precious pearl.

But how could we find Jesus if we are always busy with our many worldly undertakings? How could we find Jesus if we seldom listen to HIM in the silence of our hearts? How could we find Jesus if we seldom read the bible if at all we read it? How could we find Jesus if we hardly attend Holy Mass? How could we find Jesus if we are slaves of facebook? 

One of the frightening reality of life is it could end anytime. Most especially right now wherein Covid-19 is creating so much disorder, mental imbalance and unease among us. What if we get sick of it and afterwards succumb to it? 

What would happen to our souls if we are so enslave by this world? If we have not found yet the greatest treasure and the most precious pearl which is none other than Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 26, Ika-17 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 13:44-46

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:44-46

"Ang kaharian ng langit ay katulad ng kayamanang nakabaon sa isang bukid. Nahukay ito ng isang tao ngunit agad itong tinabunan. Tuwang-tuwa siyang umalis at ibinenta ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian upang bilhin ang bukid na iyon."  Ang kaharian ng langit ay katulad din ng isang negosyante na naghahanap ng mga mamahaling perlas. Nang makakita siya ng isang perlas na napakahalaga, umuwi siya't ipinagbili ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian at binili ang perlas na iyon."

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for July 25, Saturday; Feast of 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.

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 destiny that awaits Jesus. If only she knew she would not have asked Jesus that favor.

Why is it that many are attracted to serve in the church?  They want to serve because it’s an opportunity for them to be seen, to be in the spotlight. However, 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. We don’t serve because we want to be influential, to be popular and powerful. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 25, Sabado; San Santiago, apostol (Kapistahan): Mateo 20:20-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 20:20-28 

20 Lumapit noon kay Jesus ang ina nina Jaime at Juan kasama ng dalawa niyang anak, at lumuhod sa harap niya para makiusap. 21 Tinanong siya ni Jesus: “Ano ang ibig mo?” At sumagot siya: “Narito ang dalawa kong anak. Iutos mong maupo ang isa sa iyong kanan at ang isa naman sa iyong kaliwa sa iyong Kaharian.”

22 Sinabi ni Jesus sa magkapatid: “Hindi ninyo nalalaman ang inyong hinihingi. Ma­iinom ba ninyo ang kalis na iinumin ko?” Sumagot sila: “Kaya namin.” 23 Suma­got si Jesus: “Totoong iinom din kayo sa aking kalis, ngunit wala sa akin ang pag­papaupo sa aking kanan o kaliwa. Para sa mga hinirang ng Ama ang mga lugar na iyon.”

24 Nang marinig ito ng sampu, nagalit sila sa magka­patid. 25 Kaya tinawag sila ni Jesus at sinabi: “Alam ninyo na sinusupil ng mga naghahari ang kani­lang mga bansa at inaapi ng mga nasa kapang­yarihan. 26 Hindi naman ganito sa inyo: ang may gus­tong maging dakila, siya ang maging lingkod ninyo; 27 ang may gustong mauna sa inyo, siya ang maging alipin ninyo. 28 Gayun­din naman, duma­ting ang Anak ng Tao hindi para pag­ling­kuran kundi para mag­lingkod at ibigay ang kanyang buhay bilang pantubos sa marami.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for July 24, Friday; Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:18-23

Gospel: Matthew 13:18-23   

Jesus said to his disciples: "Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."

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Reflection:

Would we allow Jesus to bear fruit in our life so that we would become the seed sown on rich soil?

Four seeds were sown on four different surfaces: On the path, rocky ground, sown among thorns and rich soil. The seeds are the word of God and the disciples represent the four environments.

Jesus’ wanted the disciples to be the rich soil at all times (to hear the word, understand it and live it). But God has also given them the freedom of choice to choose what surface they would be.

The parable of the sower is a parable that depicts our individual response to Jesus’ call for us to follow Him.  Many of us don’t give this call serious thought. Quite a few embrace this call; thus, they let it grow in their hearts by means of sharing their faith through their words and actions. Jesus obviously wants us all to become the rich soil so that we could be fruitful and useful followers.

We all have the freedom of choice to choose where we would be among the four environments. However, as far as Jesus is concerned He always wants us to be the rich soil. We may ask for what reason? The answer here is very simple: God wants us to be at His bosom in heaven when our earthly journey is over someday.

Let us begin to become fruitful by sharing and living our faith and the words of Jesus. Let us take courage and not be afraid of the obstacles. We simply follow Jesus’ desire for our life for He will take care of everything.

Would we follow the Lord in our words and deeds? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 24, Biyernes; Ika-16 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:18-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:18-23

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 18 Makinig kayo ngayon sa talinha­ga ng maghahasik. 19 Pag may nakakarinig sa salita ng Kaharian ngunit hindi naman niya inu­unawa, dumarating ang Masama at ina­agaw ang nahasik sa kanyang puso. Ito ang butong nahulog sa tabi ng daan.

20 Ang buto namang nahulog sa batu­han ay para sa taong nakarinig sa salita at ka­agad itong tinanggap nang buong kasiyahan. 21 Ngunit hindi ito nag-ugat sa kanyang kalooban at panandalian lamang. Kapag nag­karoon ng pagsubok at pag-uusig dahil sa salita, agad-agad siyang natitisod.

22Ang butong nahulog sa mga tini­kan ang nakarinig sa salita ngunit sini­kil ito ng mga makamundong kabalisahan at ng pandaraya ng kayamanan, at hindi naka­pagbunga ang salita. 23 Ang buto namang nahasik sa matabang lupa ang nakakarinig sa salita at umuunawa rito; nagbubunga siya at nag­bibigay ng sandaan, animnapu o tatlum­pu.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 23, Thursday; Saint Bridget, religious: 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:

What is the key to unlock the hidden message of the parables of Jesus? The key is to become a follower like the disciples. Many of us do not decipher the hidden message/s of the parable/s for the reason that we don’t follow.

For example, our every Sunday Holy Mass obligation. We all know that it’s a must for all Catholics to go to Holy Mass every Sunday. So that we could be with Jesus up close and personal. But do we always make ourselves available even for just one hour during Sunday? Sundays are supposed to be the Lord’s Day but do we make it sacred by going to Holy Mass?

However, because of the Covid-19 pandemic many of us are still not able to physically attend Holy Mass. As a temporary alternative we therefore have to make time to attend online Sunday Mass or watch Sunday TV Mass.

The moment we decide to find time for Jesus. We would also feel that our minds are slowly being opened to the many truths about Jesus and our faith. Our mind will also be opened to fully understand the hidden message/s of the parables. Thus, we would not only grow in knowledge about Jesus we would also deepen our personal relationship with the Lord.

Let us endeavor therefore to always ask Jesus to increase our faith and do our part as well by following the discipline of the church. Then, we would see for ourselves the many graces that would be showered upon us. Including the grace of understanding the hidden message/s of Jesus’ parables.      

   

Do we still regularly find time for Jesus in the middle of the many disruptions created by this Covid-19 pandemic? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 23, Huwebes; Santa Brigida, relihiyosa: Mateo 13:10-17

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:10-17

10 Lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad at nagtanong: “Bakit sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhaga ka nag­sasalita sa kanila?”

11 Sumagot si Jesus: “Sa inyo ipinag­ka­loob na malaman ang mga lihim ng kaha­rian ng Langit, ngunit hindi sa kanila. 12 Sa­pagkat ang meron ay bibigyan pa at sasagana pa siya. Ngunit ang wala ay aagawan pa ng nasa kanya na. 13 Kaya nagsasa­lita ako sa kanila nang patalinhaga sapag­kat tumi­tingin sila pero wa­lang nakikita, nakari­rinig sila pero hindi nakikinig o nakaka­unawa.

14 Sa kanila natutupad ang mga salita ni Propeta Isaias: “Makinig man kayo nang makinig, hindi kayo nakaka­una­wa; tumi­ngin man kayo nang tumingin, hindi kayo naka­kakita. 15 Pinatigas nga ang puso ng mga taong ito. Halos walang naririnig ang kanilang mga tainga at walang nakikita ang kani­lang mata. At baka makakita ang kani­lang mata at makarinig ang kanilang tainga at makaunawa ang kanilang puso, upang bu­malik sila at pagalingin ko sila.”

16 Ngunit mapapalad ang inyong mga mata na nakakakita at ang inyong mga tainga na nakakarinig. 17 Sinasabi ko nga sa inyo na mara­ming propeta at mabubuting tao ang may gustong makita ang nakikita ninyo ngayon pero hindi nila nakita, at mari­nig ang inyong naririnig pero hindi nila na­rinig.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 22, Wednesday; Feast of 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 we agree that we are all sinners?

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 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 life? 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 the Lord until we find Him for the Lord makes Himself available to anyone who search for Him.

Have we been searching for the Lord?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 22, Miyerkules; Santa Maria Magdalena (Kapistahan): Juan 20:1-2, 11-18

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:1-2, 11-18

1 Ngayon, pagkatapos ng Araw ng Pahinga, habang madilim pa, maagang pumunta sa libingan si Maria Magdalena, nang makita niyang tanggal ang bato mula sa libingan, 2 patakbo siyang pumunta kay Simon Pedro at sa isa pang alagad na mahal ni Jesus. Sinabi niya sa kanila: “May kumuha sa Pangi­noon mula sa libingan, at hindi namin alam kung saan nila siya inilagay.”

11 Nakatayo namang umiiyak sa labas si Maria sa may libingan. Sa kan­yang pag-iyak, yumuko siyang naka­tanaw sa libingan. 12 At may na­pansin siyang dalawang anghel na nakaputi na naka­upo, isa sa may ulu­nan at isa sa may paanan ng pinag­lagyan sa katawan ni Jesus.

13 Sinabi sa kanya ng mga iyon: “Ale, bakit ka umiiyak?” Sinabi niya sa ka­nila: “May kumuha sa Panginoon ko, at hindi ko alam kung saan siya inilagay.” 14 Pag­kasabi niya nito, tuma­likod siya at napan­sin niya si Jesus na nakatayo pero hindi niya nakilalang si Jesus iyon. 15 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Ale, bakit ka umiiyak? Sino’ng hinahanap mo?” Sa pag-aakala niyang iyon ang hardinero, sinabi niya sa kanya: “Ginoo, kung kayo ang nagdala sa kanya, sabihin n’yo sa akin kung saan n’yo siya inilagay at ku­kunin ko siya.”

16 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Maria!” Pagka­harap niya’y sinabi niya sa kanya sa Aramaiko: “Rabbouni!” (na ibig sabihi’y Guro). 17 Si­nabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Huwag kang humawak sa akin sapagkat hindi pa ako nakaaakyat sa Ama. Puntahan mo ang mga kapa­tid ko at sabihin sa kanila: ‘Paakyat ako sa Ama ko at Ama ninyo, sa Diyos ko at Diyos ninyo.’” 18 Pumunta si Maria Magdalena na ibinabalita sa mga alagad: “Nakita ko ang Panginoon.” At sinabi niya ang mga sinabi sa kanya.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for July 21, Tuesday; 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 can 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 but surely 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, the moment 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 us? Have we already immersed our feet in the river of sacrifice, love, forgiveness, compassion and the like?   Have we finally decided to follow Jesus and leave behind our sinful past?

Jesus yearns for us to become his relative too! – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 21, Martes; Ika-16 na LInggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:46-50

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:46-50

46 Nagsasalita pa si Jesus sa mga tao nang dumating ang kanyang ina at mga kapatid para makipag-usap sa kan¬ya, at naghihintay sila sa labas. 47 Kaya may nagsabi sa kanya: “Nasa labas ang iyong ina at mga kapatid; gusto ka nilang maka¬usap.”

48 Sumagot si Jesus sa nagsabi sa kanya: “Sino ang aking ina? Sino ang aking mga kapatid?” 49 At itinuro niya ang kan¬yang mga alagad at sinabi: “Narito ang aking ina at mga kapatid. 50 Ang nagsasagawa sa kalo¬oban ng aking Ama sa Langit ang aking kapatid na lalaki at kapatid na babae at ina.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for July 20, Monday; Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:38-42

Gospel: Matthew 12:38-42

Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was in her early forties and was getting desperate already for she was getting old  yet she couldn’t find the right man for her. So while at church she said to the Lord, “Lord give me a sign so that I’ll have the man for my lifetime.”

Then she said to the Lord: “The first man that I see who wears a red tee shirt is the one for me Lord.” Lo and behold a well built and handsome man wearing a red tee shirt suddenly entered the church. But to her dismay the handsome man was with his wife and children. The desperately seeking woman said to the Lord, this is not my day Lord, until next time.

Many of us ask for signs and wonders from the Jesus, isn’t our faith more than enough to carry us through in our journey with Jesus? If our faith in Jesus is rock solid we would never ask for any sign whatsoever. Because signs is of no use if we have rock solid faith in Jesus.

Our faith is more than enough to carry us through our journey with Jesus in this world. Our faith is more than enough to conquer all our fears including the fear of getting sick of Covid-19  in this world. We will be able to survive whatever may come to us because we have faith. And we believe that our faith will carry us through than any dreadful signs, disease and pandemic from this world.

Let us not be like the scribes and Pharisees in our gospel who asked Jesus for a sign. Let us rather continue to hold-on to our faith in Jesus. Let us continue to strengthen this faith in Jesus by our consistent prayer life. By our consistent presence at Holy Mass, by our frequent visitation at the Adoration Chapel. And by daily reading the bible most specially the life of Jesus if we do these acts of faith we would never anymore ask for a sign.

Instead of asking for a sign why don’t we ask Jesus to strengthen our faith? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 20, Lunes; Ika-16 na LInggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:38-42

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:38-42

38 Sinabi noon ng ilang guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo: “Guro, gusto naming makakita ng tanda mula sa iyo.” 39 Su­magot si Jesus: “Isang palatandaan ang hinihiling ng masama at di-tapat na lahing ito ngunit walang palatandaang ibibigay sa kanila, maliban sa palatandaan ni Propeta Jonas. 40 Kung paanong tatlong araw at tatlong gabing nasa tiyan ng balyena si Jonas noon, gayundin naman tatlong araw at tatlong gabing mananatili sa ilalim ng lupa ang Anak ng Tao.

41 Sa paghuhukom, babangon ang mga taga-Ninive kasama ng mga taong ito at hahatulan ang salinlahing ito sapagkat nagpanibagong-buhay sila sa pangangaral ni Jonas, at dito’y may mas dakila pa kay Jonas. 42 Sa paghu­hukom, babangon ang Reyna ng Timog, kasama ng mga taong ito at hahatulan sila. Sapagkat dumating siya mula sa kabilang dulo ng mundo para masak­sihan ang karunungan ni Solomon, at dito’y may mas dakila pa kay Solomon.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Sunday July 19, Sixteenth Sunday 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:

The story is told 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 whomever we may be. It may not be anymore like a diabolical possession and it may not anymore appear like a Diablo. Oftentimes the devil stealthy hides beneath lustful intentions, the absence of humility, greed for money and power. It’s always there hovering ever ready to temp us to commit sin.

The weeds mentioned by Jesus in the gospel parable are the many temptations that the devil sows in our way. Many of us succumb to these many temptations and we therefore sin. But even if we sin God will not immediately condemn us to eternal damnation God will still be patient with us. Because God is hoping that we would see light and completely walkaway from darkness before it envelopes us.

We therefore have to hurry and discard whatever sinfulness that we are committing right now. Because our many sins will eventually catch up with us and when it happens we have to be prepared for the punishment that would befall us.

But why wait for that punishment when we still have time to completely walk away from sin? – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 19, Ika-16 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 13:24-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:24-30

24 Binigyan sila ni Jesus ng isa pang talinhaga. “Naihahambing ang kaha­rian ng Langit sa isang taong naghasik ng mabuting buto sa kanyang taniman. 25 At samantalang natutulog ang mga tauhan, dumating ang kaaway. Hinasikan nito ng masamang damo ang taniman ng trigo at saka umalis.

26 Nang tumubo ang mga tanim at nag­simulang mamunga ng butil,  naglitawan din ang masasamang damo. 27 Kaya lumapit sa may-ari ang mga katulong at sinabi: ‘Ginoo, di ba’t mabu­buting buto ang inihasik mo sa iyong bukid, saan galing ang mga damo?’

28 Sinagot niya sila: ‘Gawa ito ng ka­away.’ At tinanong naman nila siya: ‘Gusto mo bang bunutin namin ang mga damo?’ 29 Sinabi niya sa kanila: ‘Huwag, at baka sa pagbunot ninyo sa mga damo e mabunot pati ang trigo. 30 Hayaan ninyo na sabay silang tumubo hanggang ani­han. At doon ko sasabihin sa mga mag-aani: Bunutin muna ninyo ang mga damo, at bigkisin para sunugin; at saka kunin ang lahat ng trigo at tipunin sa aking kamalig.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 18, Saturday; Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:14-21

Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

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Reflection:

What do we do when there is a threat to our safety?

When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were planning to kill Him. He simply withdrew from the place to avoid them. Why did Jesus withdraw? Because it was not yet time for Him to face His accusers and it was never in the nature of Jesus to be violent. Jesus is a man of peace, love and compassion. Never is He a hothead or a troublemaker.

If we avoid trouble we may be accused of being a coward but the truth is, it’s not cowardice to avoid trouble. A person who avoids trouble is a prudent person a person filled with wisdom, discernment and wise judgment.

What would we get if we confront a troublesome person or we confront trouble with trouble? Nothing except another troublesome situation! There are many ways to solve a troublesome person/situation. And surely confronting it head on is not the way.

 This action of Jesus of avoiding those who are running after Him simply tells us that prudence is the better part of valor. What does this mean? This means that it’s better to be careful or better to be safe than take risk. War is not always won through brute force war is won through wisdom filled decisions and strategies.

What do we do when we are faced with a troublesome person? – Marino J. Dasmarinas