Reflection for July 23 Friday of the 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:

How do you respond to the words of God when you encounter it? Do you take time to ponder and reflect upon it even for a short time?  

We understand that we are always busy, but we must not let this busyness take us out completely away from God. We must allocate some of our precious time for God no matter how busy we are.  

Otherwise we might become walking beings that is totally enslaved by this world. Walking being that is entirely at the mercy of power, riches, flesh and other worldly undertakings that are attractively sugar coated so that it could completely veer us away from God.  

Jesus’ wants us to be the rich soil at all times: to hear the word, understand it and live it. This is the reason why He gives us people that will introduce and guide us to God. But some do not even care to listen, some do care to listen but after a while they forget it, some listen and they remember but they forget to practice it in their daily life.  

What Jesus wants from us is to hear the world of God, to reflect upon it and to apply it in our daily lives.  By doing so we now become the seed that was sown on the rich soil which bore fruit and yielded a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 23 Biyernes sa 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.”

1Reflection for July 22 Thursday 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 you search for Jesus? 

If you search for Jesus you will find Him. If you attend Holy Mass Jesus is there, if you open your bible and read the four gospels you will find Jesus there and if you pray the Rosary Jesus is there as well.  

Mary Magdalene intensely searched for Jesus, she went to the tomb while it was still dark and was so distressed when she did not find the body of the Lord. However she did not stop looking for HIM she went on with her search until Jesus appeared to her.  

The sole secret to find Jesus and to develop closeness with Him is to continuously thirst for HIM like we thirst for water. As water quenches our thirst and invigorates our bodies the Lord also does this to us and more. HE will quench our thirst and HE will invigorate our weary bodies.  

HE will do many more incredible things for us provided we continuously search and thirst for HIM. After finding Jesus we will now have to share Him so that our fellowmen will be blessed as we’ve been blessed by Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:1-2, 11-18

1 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.”

1Reflection for July 21 Wednesday of the 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 we listen to Jesus when He speaks to us? 

Every time Jesus generously sows the seeds of the gospel to us. With the hope that His sown seeds would eventually grow in our hearts  and bear countless fruits through our words and actions. Some of us don’t even care to listen or we listen but after listening we completely forget it. 

But there are also those who listen, imbibe and let the seeds of the gospel bear fruit in their lives by living and sharing it. In that process they allow themselves to be used by God as His seeds to bless other people’s lives.  

We all have this liberty on how we would receive these seeds of the gospel that God generously sows upon us. However let us not abuse this liberty by choosing to ignore it. Let us listen to it, let us allow it to take root in our hearts. 

Let us allow these very same words of God to transform us therefore we would become the seed sown on rich soil.  As such we will share it to as many people as possible and we will also give life to the same words of God by living it. 

Do you want a new perspective in your life? A perspective that is free from worldliness, sinfulness and other forms of worries brought about by this world? If yes, open your bible, read and reflect on the words of Jesus and allow it to sink deep into you. So that it would take root, grow and bear much fruit. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Hulyo 21, Ika-16 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:1-9

1 Nang araw ding iyon, umalis sa bahay si Jesus at naupo sa may dalampasigan. 2 Ngunit maraming tao ang nagtipon sa paligid niya kaya sumakay siya at naupo sa bangka samantalang nakatayo naman sa pam­pang ang mga tao. 3 At ma­rami siyang ipina­hayag sa kanila sa tulong ng mga talinhaga. 

At sinabi ni Jesus: “Lumabas na ang maghahasik para maghasik. 4 Sa kanyang paghahasik, may ilang butong nahulog sa tabi ng daan. Duma­ting ang mga ibon at kinain ang mga iyon. 5 Nahulog naman ang ibang buto sa batuhan at ma­babaw ang lupa roon. Ma­daling tumubo ang mga buto dahil hindi malalim ang lupa. 6 Ngunit pagsikat ng araw, nasunog ito sa init at sapagkat wa­lang ugat, natuyo ito.  7 Na­hulog ang iba pang buto sa mga tinikan. 

At nang luma­go ang mga tinik, sinikil ng mga ito ang halaman. 8 Nahulog naman ang iba sa matabang lupa at namunga: nagbunga ng san­daan ang iba, anim­napu naman ang sa iba, at tatlumpu ang iba pa. 9 Ma­kinig ang may tainga!”

Reflection for July 20 Tuesday of the 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:

Are you a member or have you been a member of a church ministry? 

Members of church ministries often address each other as brother and sister. As such they treat each other as relatives through Jesus. They are there because they want to help Christ advance His mission and teachings; this is the sole reason and purpose. 

However, helping Jesus advance His mission and teaching are not limited to those members of church ministries. Even those who are not members can help as well in their own little way. For example, sharing  and living the life of Jesus inside the family and in the environment where we are.  

We become brothers and sisters of Jesus when we live His life and share in His mission. And when we are not ashamed to live His teachings. For example, the Lord’s teachings about Love, Forgiveness and Humility.  Do we love even those who don’t love us? Do we forgive even those who don’t ask for our forgiveness? Do we always live humility? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Hulyo 20, Ika-16 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.”

Reflection for July 19 Monday of the 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 eyeing a man to be her boyfriend but she was not sure if he was the right one for her. So she said, I need a sign I need to see a white butterfly right now so that I will say yes to him. 

Lo and behold she saw a white butterfly circling by her, consequently she took it as a sign and she said yes to the man. Unfortunately after a few years they separated, what does this mean? Affirmative signs are not manifestation of truth thus we should not rely upon it. 

Some of us may demand a sign from Jesus to confirm something but no sign is needed anymore. No sign is bigger than Jesus, for as long as our faith in Jesus is strong and for as long as we have a deep friendship  with Him. Jesus is more than enough for us to carry us through our life’s journey. 

Let us always trust on Jesus for he will never fail us, we may experience humps and bumps in our lives every now and then. However, let us not make the mistake of using these humps and bumps as an excuse to distance ourselves from the Lord. 

For those who will not separate, those who will continue to have faith and those who will not rely on signs will be richly rewarded someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Hulyo 19, Ika-16 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.

Reflection for Sunday July 18, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:30-34

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.  

So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.  

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was very busy with his many businesses that he has no more time for God. One day he felt an unusual pain in his body, so he went to a doctor for medical check up. After going thru a battery of test he found out that he had a severe sickness. 

So he prayed to the Lord for healing and he promised the Lord that if he would heal him he would devote more time for Him than his many worldly concerns. To make a long story short the man got healed so he fulfilled his promise to the Lord.  

Are you always busy with your many worldly concerns? For example, business, politics or anything which is focused to this world.  

Many are always very busy with wordly concerns that they don’t have time for God anymore. They hardly have time to pray, to read the bible or be with Jesus at Holy Mass. This is not a good sign for our wellbeing because what would happen if we are always busy with worldly concern and don’t have time for God anymore?  

After working so hard in doing their mission the apostles returned and told Jesus about their accomplishments. Jesus recognized their effort and said to them: “Go to a quite place and rest a while and they went away in the boat to a secluded area by themselves (Mark 6:30-32).  

What did they do in that quite and secluded area? Perhaps they reflected about their mission, perhaps they reflected about their relationship with their master and teacher that is Jesus. Perhaps as close followers of Jesus they had a short spiritual recollection.   

Despite of the frenetic pace of our gadget driven lives. Wherein many of us spend more time communicating with our smart phones rather than communicating with God.  The need to meditate and reflect on God’s role in our lives is not diminished. In fact, amidst the busyness of our lives we need to be reminded that there’s a God who is longing to introduce himself to us.  

And one of the most effective methods of connecting with God is to find our own quite place so that we can communicate and pray to Him. Even Jesus in His humanity always finds time to go to a quite place to rest and there He connects with God in prayer.  

You therefore have to find time for God no matter how busy you are. For what good will it do you if you have all the riches and power in this world if you have no relationship with God? God is longing for you, are you longing for God also? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 18 Ika – 16 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 6:30-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:30-34

30 Pagbalik ng mga apostol kay Jesus, isinalaysay nila sa kanya ang lahat nilang ginawa at itinuro. 31 Sinabi naman niya sa kanila: “Tayo na sa isang ilang na lugar para mapag-isa tayo at makapag­pa­hinga kayo nang kaunti.” Sapagkat doo’y marami ang paroo’t parito at hindi  man lamang sila makakain. 32 Kaya lumayo sila at namangka na sila-sila lang patungo sa ilang na lugar.  

33 Ngunit nakita silang umalis ng ilan at nabalitaan ito ng marami. Kaya nagtakbuhan sila mula sa kani-kanilang bayan at nauna pang dumating na lakad kaysa kanila. 34 Pagdating ni Jesus sa pampang, nakita niya ang maraming taong nag­kakatipon doon at naawa siya sa kanila sapagkat para silang mga tupang wa­lang pastol. At nagsimula siyang mag­turo sa kanila nang matagal.

Reflection for July 17 Saturday of the 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 fulfill 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:

Are we peace loving people? Or we are lovers of conflict and chaos? If we follow Jesus it is a must for us to be peace loving.  Jesus was a peaceful man He abhorred any form of violence for He knew that no one wins with violence.  

When the Pharisees were looking for Jesus to arrest Him and put Him to death He peacefully withdrew out of their sight. Not because He was afraid of them but because Jesus was a peaceful man and besides, it was not yet time for Him to face them.  

Withdrawal from a conflict is not always a sign of cowardice in fact it is a sign of bravery. We are brave enough to withdraw from a conflict because we know that we have a higher purpose in life than those who wants to engage us with violence.    

What will happen if we face violence with violence? We all become losers for nobody wins with violence. Mahatma Gandhi once said: “An eye for an eye makes everyone blind."  

Let us always take the high road when there are provokers of anger by not stooping down to their level. Instead of confronting anger with anger why not offer peace and love? Why not   humbly walk away? If we do so it would surely save us from a troublesome situation.   – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Hulyo 17, Ika-15 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:14-21

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:14-21

14 Pagkalabas ng mga Pariseo, nag-usap-usap sila kung paano nila siya masi­siraan. 15 Nalaman ito ni Jesus kaya luma­yo siya sa lugar na iyon. Mara­ming tao ang sumunod sa kanya. Pina­galing niya ang lahat ng maysakit 16 ngunit inutusan niya sila na huwag siyang ipamamalita.  

17 Kaya natupad ang sinabi ni Isaias, ang propeta: 18 “Narito ang utusan ko na aking pinili, ang mahal ko na siya kong kina­lulugdan. Ilalagay ko sa kanya ang aking Espiritu at siya ang magpapahayag sa mga bansa ng aking mga pasya. 19 Hindi siya makikipagtalo o sisigaw, hindi mari­rinig sa mga liwasan ang kan­yang tinig. 20 Hindi niya babaliin ang sugatang tangkay o papatayin ang aandap-andap na mitsa. Hindi siya titigil hang­gang magwagi ang kata­rungan. 21 Ang kanyang pangalan ang inaasa­han ng lahat ng bansa.”

1Reflection for July 16 Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:1-8

Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath. 

He said to the them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? 

I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”

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Reflection:

What is in the heart of Jesus? It’s mercy and compassion for His people. Mercy and compassion that is ever ready to transgress sacred laws such as the Sabbath law. 

Being God the Son Jesus perfectly knew that what He was doing was right. But the Pharisees did not know the true identity of Jesus. So they questioned the decision of Jesus to allow His disciples to pick and eat the grains on a Sabbath day. 

Do you know Jesus deeply? Do you feel His presence in your life? If you don’t know Jesus deeply and if you don’t feel His presence in your life. You will also question some events or trial/s that occurs in your life. 

For instance when you go through severe trials such as financial difficulty, sickness and the like . You might also question the Lord Jesus and ask Him this question: Why am I going through this trial or why did you allow me to go through this episode in my life? 

But if you know Jesus and if you feel His presence in your life. You will never question Jesus thus you will simply bow to His will and trust Him. Why bow to His will? This is for the reason that you know that something greater is in store for you. That you don’t see and know yet now but you will certainly see and feel in your life in the future.   

Ask Jesus therefore to give you the gift of knowing Him deeply and the gift of His living presence in your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Hulyo 16, Ika-15 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 12:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 12:1-8

1 Naglakad noon si Jesus sa mga taniman ng trigo minsang Araw ng Pahinga. Nagutom ang kanyang mga alagad at sinimulan nilang alisin sa uhay ang mga butil, at kinain iyon. 2 Nang mapansin ito ng mga Pariseo, sinabi nila kay Jesus: “Tingnan mo ang iyong mga alagad, guma­gawa sila ng ipinagba­bawal sa Araw ng Pahinga!” 

3 Ngunit sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi ba ninyo nabasa ang ginawa ni David noong magutom siya at ang kan­yang mga kasama? 4 Pumasok siya sa bahay ng Diyos at kinain ang tinapay na inihain para sa Diyos gayong bawal sa kanya o sa kanyang mga kasama na kainin ito liban sa mga pari. 5 At hindi ba ninyo nabasa sa Ba­tas na sa Araw ng Pahi­nga, walang pahinga ang mga pari sa Templo pero wala silang kasalanan dahil dito? 

6 Sinasabi ko naman sa inyo: Dito’y may mas dakila pa sa Templo. 7 Kung nau­u­nawaan ninyong talaga ang salitang ito, ‘Awa ang gusto ko, hindi handog,’ hindi sana ninyo hinatulan ang walang-sala. 8 At isa pa’y ang Anak ng Tao ang Pangi­­noon ng Araw ng Pahinga.”

1Reflection for July 15 Thursday Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (M): Matthew 11:28-30

Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

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

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Reflection:

The story is told about a young man who was struggling to find his place in this world.  He was already at the point of surrender. He murmured to himself, “I am a total failure” in the abyss of his frustration he thought of ending his life.  

Until he was advised by a friend to seek God and surrender every burdens that he has in his heart. So, he went to Holy Mass regularly and he read his bible, after a few weeks he developed a deep friendship with Jesus and he surrendered his everything to Him. 

Many of us have this tendency to allow ourselves to be eaten up by the frenetic pace and materialism of this world. We get too busy in fact very busy because we want to satisfy our many temporal wants. But come to think of it, why are we punishing ourselves too much just to satisfy our worldly desires? Why are many of us favoring this world when what we earn from this world can actually be taken from us anytime? 

In our gospel for today, Jesus invites us all to go to Him. We who are so busy with this world, we who tend to forget the primacy of God over this world. When are we going to open our hearts to this invitation of Jesus? When we are already old and sickly? Let us not wait for that time to come. Let us build a relationship with Jesus now and let us respond to His invitation now. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Hulyo 15, San Buenaventura, Obispo at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita): Mateo 11:28-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:28-30

Sinabi ni Jesus 28 Lumapit sa akin, lahat kayong nahi¬hirapan at may pinapasan, at pagiginhawahin ko kayo. 29 Kunin ninyo ang aking pamatok at matuto sa akin, akong mahinahon at mababangloob, at makakatagpo kayo ng ginhawa para sa inyong kaluluwa. 30 Sapagkat mahusay ang aking pamatok at magaan ang aking pasanin.”  

1Reflection for July 14 Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 11:25-27

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-27

At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. 

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

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Reflection:

What is the key to know Gods will for you? It’s humility.  a humble person is ever ready to listen to the voice and will of God. He/she doesn’t go against the will of God he/she rather allows God’s will to work in his/her life. In the process of allowing God’s will to rule his/her life he/she discovers more about God. 

When we are humble we open ourselves to the countless blessings that emanates from God. We may ask, how am I going to be humble before God? We have to follow the rules of the church which Jesus founded through St. Peter.   

For example the teaching of Sunday Holy Mass obligation, a humble person would always see to it that he/she is always present in this sacred celebration. Another example is our humble submission to the sacraments most especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A humble person would always find time to confess his/her sins to a priest who acts in the person of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus always looks kindly to those who are childlike and humble. Why? Because this is the nature of God: He loves those who are humble and He reveals Himself more to the childlike and humble.  

Do you want to know more about God? And do you want to have a deeper friendship with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Hulyo 14, Ika-15 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 11:25-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:25-27

25 Nagsalita si Jesus sa pagkaka¬taong iyon: “Pinu¬puri kita Amang Panginoon ng Langit at lupa, sapag¬kat itinago mo ang mga bagay na ito sa matatalino at marurunong, at ipinamulat mo naman sa mga karaniwang tao. 26 Oo, Ama, ito ang ikinasiya mo. 

27 Ipinagkatiwala sa akin ng aking Ama ang lahat. Walang nakakakilala sa Anak kundi ang Ama, at wa¬lang nakakakilala sa Ama kundi ang Anak at ang sinu¬mang gustuhing pagbun¬yagan ng Anak.

1Reflection for July 13 Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 11:20-24

Gospel: Matthew 11:20-24

Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. 

But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum: Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld. 

For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

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Reflection:

Do you get frustrated or even get angry every once in a while? It’s ok for as long as your frustration and anger is for a good reason. And for as long as your anger doesn’t stay for long in your heart.  For example, you advice a relative or a friend to mend his/her ways but she/he doesn’t listen to you.   

In his humanity Jesus also gets frustrated like us and it is shown in the gospel. When He reproached the towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida due to their refusal to repent. Jesus wanted the inhabitants of the two towns to change their wicked ways and accept His good news. 

Some of us are like the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida full of stubbornness. Yes, we believe that there’s a God but believing is very different from listening to God and letting Him live in our hearts. 

Sin in whatever shapes and forms is a clear and present danger in our lives. We must not only avoid sin let us also confront sin so that it will permanently banish from our system of existence. Sin is the devil in disguise and whomever embraces sin will eventually be destroyed by sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Hulyo 13, Ika-15 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 11:20-24

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:20-24

20 Sinimulang tuligsain ni Jesus ang mga bayang ginawan niya ng kara­mihan sa kanyang mga himala, sapagkat hindi sila nagpanibagong-buhay: 21 “Sawimpalad kayong mga bayan ng Corozain at Betsaida! Kung sa Tiro at Sidon nang­yari ang mga himalang naganap sa piling ninyo, matagal na sana silang nagsisi nang may abo at sako.  

22 Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: Mas magiging magaan pa ang sasapitin ng Tiro at Sidon sa araw ng paghuhukom kaysa inyo. 23 At ikaw naman, Caper­naum, itataas ka ba sa langit? Hindi, ita­tapon ka sa kaharian ng mga patay! Sapagkat kung sa Sodom nang­yari ang mga himalang naganap sa iyo, nana­na­tili pa sana ngayon ang Sodom. 24 Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: mas magi­ging ma­gaan pa ang sasapitin ng lupain ng Sodom sa araw ng paghuhukom kaysa inyo.”

Reflection for July 12 Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 10:34-11:1

Gospel: Matthew 10:34-11:1

Jesus said to his Apostles: "Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's enemies will be those of his household. 

"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 

"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple–amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward." 

When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples, he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a very generous man who was envied by his friend. Because he does not seem to run out of money even if he constantly give money and food to his poor neighbors. So the friend asked this very generous man: “What is your secret that you don’t seem to run out of money? The generous man said, no secret at all I just give because I want to give. 

Whatever that we generously give will come back to us a hundred fold if we don’t believe this let us try to be generous even for a week and see the reward that will be ploughed back to us. Reward that is not only limited with money, we may receive reward by way of good health, peace of mind, friendships in the neighborhood and the like. 

Jesus in our gospel mentions reward for those who do good no matter how small the act of goodness and generosity. Why? This is for the reason that it’s in giving that we would always receive and the more that we give the more that we would receive. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Hulyo 12, Ika-15 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 10:34-11:1

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 10:34-11:1

Sinabi ni Jesus sa labindalawa:  34 Huwag ninyong isipin na duma­ting ako para magdala ng kapa­yapaan sa lupa. Hindi kapayapaan ang dala ko kundi tabak. 35 Dumating akong taglay ang pag­hihiwalay: ng tao laban sa kanyang ama, ng anak na babae sa kanyang ina, ng ma­nugang sa kanyang biyenan. 36 At ma­giging kaaway ng bawat isa ang kan­yang mga kasam­bahay. 

37 Ang mas nagmamahal sa kan­yang ama o ina kaysa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. Ang mas nag­ma­­­mahal sa kanyang anak kaysa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. 38 At ang hindi nag­pa­pasan ng kanyang krus at sumu­sunod sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. 39 Ang nagpa­pa­­halaga sa kanyang sarili ang siyang mawa­walan nito, at ang nawawalan naman ng kanyang sarili ang siyang maka­katagpo nito. 

40 Kung may tumatanggap sa inyo, tinatanggap din niya ako; at kung may tumatanggap sa akin, tinatanggap din niya ang nagsugo sa akin. 41 Kung may tumanggap sa isang propeta dahil pro­peta ito, tatanggapin niya ang gantimpa­lang bagay sa isang propeta; kung may tumanggap sa isang ma­buting tao dahil marangal ito, tatang­gapin niya ang gantimpalang bagay sa isang ma­buting tao. 42 Kung may mag­painom ng malamig na tubig sa isa sa maliliit na ito dahil sa ala­­gad ko ito, sinasabi kong hindi siya mana­natiling wa­lang gantimpala.” 

1 Nang matapos si Jesus sa pagtuturo sa Labindalawa niyang alagad, umalis siya roon para magturo at mangaral sa mga bayan doon.

Reflection for Sunday July 11, Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:7-13

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 

They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them. 

So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a newly ordained priest who was so idealistic that he wished to be assigned in the farthest and un-evangelized place. He got what he wished for. During the time that he was about to go there he brought nothing with him except for the clothes and his priestly things. 

He said to himself: “I will not bring anything with me because Jesus had said that in going to your mission do not bring anything with you (Mark 6:8). He believed that God would provide for his needs. He eventually reached his place of assignment and his parishioners were sensitive enough to notice his needs so they provided him with what he needed. 

In the gospel, Jesus demanded trust from the apostles. He wanted them to trust him as they go about their mission for He would provide for their needs. Jesus said to them: “Bring nothing with you except your walking stick and sandal (Mark 6:8-9). In saying this Jesus wanted them to depend on Him and not on themselves. 

Due to the modernity of our times trust or faith in God is a word that is somewhat lacking in our lives today. Because we tend to trust more on ourselves rather than God. We long for our smart phones more rather than long for God. We check on our smart phones first upon waking up in the moring rather than check on God by way of our prayers.  It seems that it’s very hard to live now without smart phones and other gadgets but so easy to live without God.

Sad that this is happening but this is the reality of our gadgets driven times. But there’s hope for as long as we don’t give up on our mission to evangelize. Let us not lose heart because the Lord is always there for us. He only asks us one thing and that is to never give up on our mission of evangelization and to continue to trust Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 11 Ika – 15 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 6:7-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:7-13

Naglibot naman si Jesus sa mga nayon sa paligid sa kanyang pagtu¬turo. 7 At tinawag niya ang Labin¬dalawa at sinimulang isugo sila nang dala-¬dalawa. Binigyan niya sila ng kapang¬yarihan sa mga maruming espiritu. 8 At sinabihan niya silang huwag magdala ng anuman para sa paglalakbay kundi tungkod la¬mang. Walang pagkain, wa¬lang pitaka o pera sa sinturon. 9 Nakasandalyas at may isang damit lang.  

10 At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Pagtuloy ninyo sa isang bahay, manatili kayo roon hanggang sa pag-alis ninyo mula roon. 11 Kung may lugar na hindi tatang¬gap o makikinig sa inyo, umalis kayo roon at ipagpag ang alikabok sa inyong mga paa bilang sakdal sa ka¬nila.” 

12 At pag-alis nila, ipinangaral nila ang pagbabalik-loob. 13 Maraming demonyo ang kanilang pinalayas at marami ring maysakit ang pinagaling nila sa pagpapahid ng langis. 

Reflection for July 10 Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 10:24-33

Gospel: Matthew 10:24-33

Jesus said to his Apostles: "No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. 

If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! "Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. 

Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."

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Reflection:

What does the modern world promote today? It promotes idolatry of the temporal things of this world. It promotes in many forms the idolatry of money, lust and power. It also promotes greed, hedonism and arrogance. 

It seems that there’s no more room for us to acknowledge, promote and live the teachings of Jesus. It’s very sad to think that Jesus’ teachings have no more room in many of our hearts. What are we going to do about this? Would we simply be on the sidelines and be silent witnesses to the moral degeneration of our society? 

Let us do something to espouse the teachings of Jesus. Let us not be afraid of the persecution and hardship for Jesus is with us. We must not forget that we are mere pilgrims in this world; our final destination is His heavenly kingdom. 

Let us aspire for a place in heaven by sharing the teachings of Jesus. If we are not comfortable with personal preaching let us find the courage to live His teachings. Let us use social media to propagate the teachings of the Lord and the faith that He gave us. 

Let us not forget that we are mere passersby in this temporal world and our ultimate destination hopefully is in heaven. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Hulyo 10, Ika-14 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 10:24-33

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 10:24-33

Sinabi ni Jesus sa labindalawa  24 Hindi daig ng alagad ang kanyang guro, o ng utusan ang kan­yang amo. 25 Sa­pat nang tularan ng alagad ang kanyang guro, at ng utusan ang kanyang amo. Kung tinawag na Beelzebul ang may-ari ng bahay, ano pa kaya ang kan­­yang mga kasam­bahay! Kaya huwag kayong matakot sa kanila. 

26 Walang tinatakpan na di nabubun­yag at walang natatago na di naha­ha­yag. 27 Ang sinasabi ko sa inyo sa dilim, ipa­hayag ninyo sa liwanag. Ang narinig ninyo nang pabulong, ipahayag mula sa bubong. 28 Huwag matakot sa mga naka­papatay ng katawan ngunit hindi ng kalu­luwa. Matakot kayo sa may ka­pang­yarihang sumira ng kaluluwa pati ng katawan sa impiyerno. 29 Nabi­bili ang maya nang dalawa isang pera, pero wala isa mang buma­bag­sak sa lupa na hindi niloloob ng Ama. 30 At kayo, bilang na pati buhok sa inyong ulo. 31 Kaya huwag ka­yong matakot: mas mahalaga kayo kaysa mga maya. 

32 Ang sinumang kumilala sa akin sa harap ng mga tao ay kikilalanin ko sa harap ng aking Ama sa Langit. 33 At ang ayaw kumilala sa akin sa harap ng mga tao ay hindi ko rin kikilalanin sa harap ng aking Ama sa Langit.