Short, Simple and Personal reflections on the daily Holy Mass Gospel. I provide talks.
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Friday, June 30, 2023
Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes Hulyo 3, Santo Tomas, apostol (Kapistahan): Juan 20:24-29
Monday, June 26, 2023
Reflection for Sunday July 2, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 10:37-42
Gospel: Matthew 10:37-42
"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 a righteous man 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 the little one is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."
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Reflection:
A poor boy would always pass by a store in their neighborhood to ask for food that he could bring home to feed his sick father. He would always do this every day for the simple reason that the store owner is kindhearted.
After a few days had passed the store owner was wondering how come the boy was not passing by his store anymore. So he asked the people around the neighborhood about the boy and he was told that the boy’s family had transferred to the city to stay with a relative.
After twenty years the store owner is now old and sick thus he already closed the store because no one would tend to it anymore. One day a young rich man was looking for the man who owned the store. So the young man was brought to the former store owner.
There he introduced himself to be the boy who would ask for food that he could bring to his sick father. The eyes of the sick man glowed and he asked: Why are you here? The rich man said: “I am here to give back your kindness.” He therefore brought the sick man to the hospital and paid for all of his hospital bills. When he was discharged he invited the old man to stay with him for good.
In the gospel for this Sunday, Jesus talks about giving back to those who do good to his followers. What does this mean? This simply means that whatever good that we do to those who follow Jesus we will receive back a hundredfold.
Of course we all know that Jesus doesn’t want us to limit our acts of goodness to His followers only. Jesus wants us to do good to anyone who is in need: To the poor loitering in the street, to the beggar asking for alms. To a relative who doesn't ask for help yet we know deep in our hearts that he/she is in need of our help and so on. We do good not because we want something in return someday. We do good because of our deep love for Jesus.
When was the last time you did good to somebody in need? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 2, Ika – 13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 10:37-42
Mabuting Balita: Mateo 10:37-42
"Ang tumatanggap sa inyo ay tumatanggap sa akin. Ang tumatanggap sa isang propeta dahil sa siya'y propeta ay tatanggap ng gantimpala ukol sa propeta. At ang tumatanggap sa isang taong matuwid dahil sa siya'y matuwid ay tatanggap ng gantimpalang nauukol sa taong matuwid. At sinumang magbigay ng isang basong tubig na malamig sa isang maliit na ito dahil sa ito'y alagad ko -- tinitiyak ko sa inyong tatanggap siya ng gantimpala."
Reflection for July 1, Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:5-17
For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it. When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.
I say to you, many will come from the east and the west and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven but the children of the Kingdom will be driven out into the outer darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion, “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you. And at that very hour his servant was healed.
Jesus entered
the house of Peter, and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He
touched her hand, the fever left her, and she rose and waited on him. When it
was evening, they brought him many who were possessed by demons, and he drove
out the spirits by a word and cured all the sick, to fulfill what had been said
by Isaiah the prophet: He took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.
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Reflection:
Why is Jesus a magnet to people most especially to those who are in need? This is for the reason that Jesus never refused anyone who asked for His help most especially those who are persistent. Jesus was always available, Jesus would always have time for them regardless of who they are and where they came from.
The centurion/soldier in our gospel came from a faraway place and certainly not a follower of Jesus. But he knew Jesus and he heard of His miracles so he ventured to see Him. And when he saw Jesus he asked him to cure his servant. Jesus never had any second thought of helping the centurion; he even offered to go his house to personally cure his servant.
This gospel episode invites us to reflect if we also make ourselves available to those who are in need of our help. Often we are not willing to help because it will disturb us. It will affect our personal finances and schedules and so forth. However, it’s not every day that we are asked for help.
The best way to share our faith and to share Jesus is not though eloquent or bombastic preaching. The best way to share our faith and to share Jesus is when we make ourselves available most especially to those who are in need. And to those who cannot give back the help that we give them.
Do you take
time to make yourself available to those who are in need especially the poor? –
Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 1, Sabado sa ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 8:5-17
Ako’y nasa ilalim ng mga nakatataas na pinuno, at ako man ay may nasasakupang mga kawal. Kung sabihin ko sa isa, ‘Humayo ka!’ siya’y humahayo; at sa iba, ‘Halika!’ siya’y lumalapit; at sa aking alipin, ‘Gawin mo ito!’ at ginagawa niya.” Namangha si Hesus nang marinig ito, at sinabi niya sa mga taong sumusunod sa kanya, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo, na hindi ako nakatagpo kahit sa Israel ng ganito kalaking pananalig.
Tandaan ninyo: marami ang darating buhat sa silangan at kanluran at dudulog sa hapag na kasalo nina Abraham, Isaac at Jacob sa kaharian ng langit. Ngunit marami sa lipi ng Israel ang itatapon sa kadiliman sa labas; doo’y mananangis sila at magngangalit ang kanilang ngipin.” At sinabi ni Hesus sa kapitan, “Umuwi na kayo; mangyayari ang hinihiling ninyo ayon sa inyong pananalig.” Noon di’y gumaling ang alipin ng kapitan.
Pumunta si Hesus sa bahay ni Pedro at doo’y nakita niya ang biyenan nito, nakahiga at inaapoy ng lagnat. Hinawakan ni Hesus ang kamay ng babae at nawala ang lagnat nito. Pagkatapos, bumangon ito at naglingkod sa kanya. Nang gabing iyon, dinala kay Hesus ang maraming inaalihan ng mga demonyo.
Sa isang
salita lamang ay pinalayas niya ang masasamang espiritu, at pinagaling ang
lahat ng may karamdaman. Ginawa niya ito upang matupad ang sinabi ni Propeta
Isaias, “Kinuha niya ang ating mga kahinaan at binata ang ating mga
karamdaman.”
Reflection for June 30, Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:1-4
His leprosy
was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one,
but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them.”
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Reflection:
Who is this leaper who courageously approached Jesus to beg for His healing?
We don’t know but one thing is certain the leper is a believer of Jesus. He must have heard about the healing prowess of Jesus. He must have been longing for an opportunity to interact with Jesus for him to be healed also. That’s why when the opportunity presented itself he took advantage of it by approaching Jesus.
Have we also heard about the miracles that Jesus is capable of doing in our life? What would we do now if we heard about it? Should we remain static and do nothing or we become dynamic by hungering and thirsting for Jesus?
The leper even if he was considered as an outcast had that dynamic attitude for he went to see Jesus. He did not allow his dreaded sickness to prevent him from having that personal encounter with his savior and healer.
Do we also
want to be healed from our sickness? Whatever our sickness may be let us humbly
ask the Lord to heal us. For He would never refuse anyone who sincerely ask for
his healing. He will never refuse anyone who would humbly approach Him. –
Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 30, Biyernes sa ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 8:1-4
Hinipo
siya ni Jesus at sinabi, "Ibig ko, gumaling ka." At pagdaka'y nawala
ang kanyang ketong. "Huwag mo itong sasabihin kaninuman," bilin ni
Jesus. Pumunta ka't pasuri sa saserdote. Pagkatapos maghandog ka ng haing
iniuutos ni Moises, bilang patotoo sa mga tao na magaling ka na."
Reflection for Thursday June 29, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles: Matthew 16:13-19
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say
to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates
of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to
the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and
whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
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Reflection:
Can we know Jesus deeply by our own effort and can we have deep friendship with Jesus by our own will? No, because everything that we know about Jesus and our faith is a gift from God. Through God’s own doing we know something about HIM and our faith, everything is grace and we are mere facilitators of this grace.
When Simon Peter was able to point out the true identity of Jesus. He was subsequently told by Jesus that he know HIM because of the grace of God. Why did Jesus told Peter that what he knows about HIM is a gift from God? Perhaps it was Jesus way of telling Simon Peter that he must humbly use his knowledge about God to bring others to God and not to bring unto himself the glory that is due to God alone.
Today is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Why are Saints Peter and Paul successful in thier mission to propagate the faith? This is for the reason that both of them remained humble in doing their ministry. Peter, did not raise himself to the altar of significance and prominence. Peter remained a humble missioner for Jesus same with Paul after his conversion.
This is also
a very good reminder for all of us who follow Jesus and who share the words of God. When we share, preach
or write about God let us always see to it that we don’t highlight anyone else
except God alone. As Saint John the Baptist said, I must decrease and HE
must increase (John 3:30). – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Hunyo 29, San Pedro at San Pablo mga apostol (Dakilang Kapistahan) Mateo 16:13-19
Sumagot si Simon Pedro, "Kayo po ang Cristo, ang Anak ng Diyos na buhay." Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Mapalad ka, Simon na anak ni Jonas! Sapagkat ang katotohanang ito'y hindi inihayag sa iyo ng ibang tao kundi ng aking Amang nasa langit. At sinasabi ko naman sa iyo, ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking simbahan, at hindi makapananaig sa kanya kahit sa kapangyarihan ng kamatayan.
Ibibigay
ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng kaharian ng langit: ang ipagbawal mo sa lupa ay
ipagbabawal sa langit, at ang ipahintulot mo sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa
Langit."
Reflection for Wednesday June 28, Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr: Matthew 7:15-20
Just so,
every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good
tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree
that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by
their fruits you will know them."
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Reflection:
Mr. A is a preacher of the word of God he is very effective in his craft because he often makes people cry. And he knows how to connect with the emotions of his audience. But unknown to his followers Mr. preacher is a lover of luxury for he lives in style he owns lavish properties that can rival any business tycoon.
There are real life preachers even priests who betrays their vocation. And the trust of their flock by splurging on expensive things and by living lives unfit to their vocation. For example, many years ago I saw on TV a preacher who walked-out of an interview. For the simple reason that the reporter asked him about his many properties.
We must be careful of these people who pretend to speak for God but live lives contrary to what Jesus wants them to live it; we must not blindly follow them. We must carefully observe them; once we observe that something is wrong with what they say and do. Let us not think twice and tell them that what they are doing is wrong so that they’ll know that they’re being carefully observed.
After telling
them and they persist with their improper lifestyle it’s about time that we
stop following them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Hunyo 28, San Ireneo obispo at martir (Paggunita): Mateo 7:15-20
Nagbubunga
ng mabuti ang bawat mabuting punongkahoy, subalit nagbubunga ng masama ang
masamang punongkahoy. Hindi maaaring magbunga ng masama ang mabuting
punongkahoy, ni ng mabuti ang masamang punongkahoy. Ang bawat puno na di
nagbubunga ng mabuti ay pinuputol at itinatapon sa apoy. Kaya nga, makikilala
ninyo sa kanilang mga gawa ang mga bulaang propeta."
Reflection for June 27, Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:6, 12-14
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Reflection:
The story is told about a man who was advised by his mother to stop going out with his friends that only brought troubles and problems into his life. He adamantly defended his friends and he continued with his friendship with his troublesome, drunkards and drug user friends. He continued this until they met an accident which resulted in him being paralyzed.
In the gospel Jesus tells us to enter the narrow gate. What is this narrow gate? The narrow gate is the doorway to righteousness and the doorway to be friends with Jesus. The narrow gate is the well-meaning advices of our relatives and friends which many of us don’t follow.
We often times refuse to enter this narrow gate because it curtails our earthly happiness and desires. We prefer to enter the wide gate because it gives us liberty to follow our earthly desires which only leads us to sin even destruction.
When we decide to go through the narrow gate there surely would be some discomfort for the simple reason that we are not used to it. For example, from a hedonistic life we now decide to turn a new leaf and begin to live a clean life with Jesus.
We surely would go through some humps and bumps along the way. However, it’s just temporary sooner we will find out that the narrow gate that leads to Jesus will give us true serenity, happiness and peace.
Let us prefer
the narrow gate that leads to Jesus no matter how hard and difficult it may
seem. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 27, Martes ng Ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 7:6, 12-14
"Kaya gawin ninyo sa inyong kapwa ang ibig ninyong gawin nila sa inyo. Ito ang kahulugan ng Kautusan ni Moises at ng turo ng mga propeta."
"Pumasok kayo sa makipot na pintuan; sapagkat maluwag ang pintuan at malapad ang daang patungo sa kapahamakan, at ito ang dinaraanan ng marami. Ngunit makipot ang pintuan at makitid ang daang patungo sa buhay at kakaunti lang ang nakasusumpong niyon."
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Reflection for June 26, Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:1-5
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Reflection:
Why is it
easy for others to judge? This is for the reason that they feel superior than
the person that they are judging or they have this attitude of dominance or
even arrogance. Otherwise if they don’t feel superior they would not dare judge
anyone.
Very clearly
in our gospel for today we hear Jesus telling us to stop judging. This is
difficult to follow for those who have superiority complex but easy to follow
for those who are docile, and humble.
It’s always
very tempting to be judgmental most especially if the person whom we are
judging is at fault. However, what would we get from judging others? Nothing
except to increase the value of our arrogance and to increase the worth of our
egos. Instead of judging, why not simply advice and impart words that heals
rather than words that condemn?
When we
perceive that someone is a sinner let us always think that we are sinners too!
So that we would not be tempted to judge them. The reality of life is we are
all sinners that is why we have no right to condemn or to judge our fellowmen.
We can only
bring others to Jesus when we are not judgmental, when we are compassionate,
loving and forgiving. For who are we to judge? Even Jesus doesn’t judge,
therefore; we have no right to judge as well.
There are
sinners who find it hard to get over their sinfulness because many of us do
not dare impart and live Jesus’ compassion, forgiveness and love. – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 26, Lunes ng Ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 7:1-5
Bakit
mo nakikita ang puwing sa mata ng iyong kapatid, ngunit hindi mo pinapansin ang
puwing mong gatahilan sa iyong mata? Paano mong masasabi sa iyong kapatid,
'Halika't aalisin ko ang puwing mo,' gayong gatahilan ang nasa mata mo?
Mapagpaimbabaw! Alisin mo muna ang puwing na gatahilan at sa gayo'y makakikita
kang mabuti at maaalis mo ang puwing ng iyong kapatid."
Monday, June 19, 2023
Reflection for Sunday June 25, Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 10:26-33
Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33
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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Amidst his limitations and apprehensions he proceeded to write his simple reflections. Almost twenty years had passed the man who was fearful of his intellectual shortcomings is still writing his simple reflection on the daily gospel until this present moment.
In this Sunday’s gospel Jesus tells us to fear no one, this is an encompassing advice from Jesus which surely include our fear if we can speak or write for Jesus. If we let fear into our hearts it would surely paralyze us. However, why fear if we have faith and belief in Jesus? Why fear when Jesus Himself is telling us to share anything that we know about Him, share it with humility of course.
The apostles did not let fear defeat them for they knew that even if there was no physical manifestation of Jesus’ presence. There was always the presence of His spiritual and sacramental manifestation before them.
Jesus calls us all as well, we who are inadequate for He will make us adequate. We who are half-empty for He will fill us until we overflow. And we who are fearful for He will make us courageous.
What He only wants from us is to learn to trust Him for he will equip us with anything that we need. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 25, Ika – 12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 10:26-33
Sa halip, ang katakutan ninyo'y ang nakapapatay ng kaluluwa at katawan sa impyerno. Hindi ba ipinagbibili ang maya ng dalawa isang pera? Gayunman, kahit isa sa kanila'y hindi nahuhulog sa lupa kung hindi kalooban ng inyong Ama. Maging ang buhok ninyo'y bilang na lahat. Kaya huwag kayong matakot; higit kayong mahalaga kaysa libu-libong maya."
"Ang sinumang kumilala sa akin sa harapan ng mga tao ay kikilanlin ko rin naman sa harapan ng aking Amang nasa langit. Ngunit ang magtatwa sa akin sa harapan ng mga tao ay itatatwa ko rin naman sa harapan ng aking Amang nasa Langit."
Reflection for Saturday June 24, Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist: Luke 1:57-66, 80
But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All
who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child
be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became
strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his
manifestation to Israel.
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Reflection:
What’s in a name? It seems that the name of the child of Elizabeth and Zechariah has a big bearing on their future. Was the issue confined in the name only of the child or there was something bigger than the name? The relatives wanted to name the child after his father Zechariah but it was not what God wanted them to name the child.
The Lord wanted to name the child John that’s why Elizabeth and Zechariah insisted that the child be named John. And when they named him John Zechariah was freed from his speech disability. His mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. This took place for the reason that both Elizabeth and Zechariah were faithful to what God wanted them to do.
Faithfulness to God as evidenced with what happened to Zechariah gives us unfathomable blessings. It opens our lives to the abundant graces from God, and it heals us.
What does God ask from us? It’s for us to
be faithful to HIS will. And what is HIS will for us? It’s for us to live our
lives pleasing to HIS eyes alone. The moment we contradict God and we try to
live our lives for this temporal world we can expect chaos and complications to
follow us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Hunyo 24, Pagsilang ni San Juan Bautista (Dakilang Kapistahan) Lucas 1:57-66, 80
Nang ikawalong araw, dumalo sila sa pagtutuli ng sanggol. Zacarias sana ang ipangangalan sa kanya -- gaya ng kanyang ama -- ngunit sinabi ng kanyang ina, "Hindi! Juan ang ipapangalan sa kanya." "Subalit wala isa man sa iyong mga kamag-anak ang may ganyang pangalan," wika nila.
Kaya't hinudyatan nila ang kanyang ama at itinanong kung ano ang ibig niyang itawag sa sanggol. Humingi siya ng masusulatan at sumulat ng ganito: "Juan ang kanyang Pangalan." At namangha silang lahat. Pagdaka'y nakapagsalita siya, at nagpuri sa Diyos.
Natakot ang kanilang kapitbahay, anupat naging usap-usapan
sa buong kaburulan ng Judea ang mga bagay na ito. Pinakaisip-isip ito ng lahat
ng nakaalam at ang kanilang tanong: "Magiging ano nga kaya ang batang
ito?" Sapagkat maliwanag na sumasakanya ang Panginoon. Lumaki ang bata at
naging malakas ang kanyang espiritu. Siya'y tumira sa ilang hanggang sa araw na
magpakilala siya sa Israel.
Reflection for June 23, Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:19-23
“The lamp of
the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with
light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if
the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”
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Reflection:
Would it be OK with us if we remain materially poor but spiritually rich? Yes, without any second thought, what are we to do with all the material things of this world if we have no God and if we are empty spiritually? Everything that we have is worthless no matter how expensive it is if we don’t have God in our lives.
Material possessions can fly away from our hands anytime; we have no hold on it. Material possessions also drive us away from God. It slowly but surely bring us away from our firm belief of God and we must be wary of this.
Material possession per see is not bad for the simple reason that it could really help us alleviate our wellbeing. But on the same vein we must not also allow it to take control of us. We must take control of material possessions and not material possessions controlling us.
Let us take a closer look at ourselves and reflect for there may be signs of enslavement of material wealth in favor of God. For example, if we sacrifice our time for God which is a few minutes in favor of our work, if we allow material wealth to corrupt us in favor of our love for God. Then these are sure signs that we allow material wealth to get hold on us rather than God.
Whether we
like it or not all of us will be at the threshold of mortal death someday.
Where shall we go then if all we do is to embrace the lifestyle of this world?
– Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 23, Biyernes ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 6:19-23
Sapagkat kung saan naroon ang inyong kayamanan, naroon din naman ang inyong puso." "Ang mata ang pinakailaw ng katawan. Kaya't kung malinaw ang iyong mata, maliliwanagan ang iyong katawan. Ngunit kung malabo ang iyong mata, madirimlan ang buo mong katawan. Kaya't kung ang liwanag na nasa iyo ay kadiliman pala, napakadilim niyan!"
Reflection for June 22, Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:7-15
“This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
“If you
forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if
you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
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Reflection:
If God knows
what we need before we ask him, what is the use of our prayer before him?
The answer is this: It is through our consistent prayer life that we get close with God. In fact the more we pray the more that we get closer to God. If we are not yet prayerful or we don’t have yet a regular prayer life, just try having a consistent prayer life. And you will be surprised by the growth of your friendship with Jesus.
So, we pray not because we want to ask something from God for indeed He knows beforehand what we need. He in fact knows everything that we need and desire today, tomorrow and in the future. We pray because we want to be best friends with God.
When we pray with piety our whole being talks to God and He listens and in the silence of our hearts He also talks to us. We hear God whispering to us this is hard to explain but this is what occurs when we pray this prayer with devoutness. This kind of prayer relationship with God is a sign of a mature life of prayer.
For example, in a married life relationship the marriage bond is strengthened by frequent communication between husband and wife. Through this regular communication they both mature in the marriage covenant relationship. Until such time that they know and understand practically everything about themselves even without verbal expression.
This is the same with our prayer life; the more we pray with our whole being focused to God the more that we would grow in closeness and friendship with God. Then, there will eventually come a time that when we pray to God we will not anymore utter a single word. We will simply go down on our knees and keep silent and let our heart talk to our merciful, compassionate and loving God.
How is your
prayer life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 22, Huwebes ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 6:7-15
Ganito kayo mananalangin:
'Ama naming nasa langit, Sambahin nawa ang pangalan mo. Ikaw nawa ang maghari sa amin, Sundin nawa ang iyong kalooban dito sa lupa tulad ng sa langit. Bigyan mo kami ng pagkaing kailangan namin sa araw na ito; At patawarin mo kami sa aming mga kasalanan, Tulad ng aming pagpapatawad sa mga nagkakasala sa amin. At huwag mo kaming iharap sa mahigpit na pagsubok, Kundi ilayo mo kami sa Masama!
Sapagkat iyo ang kaharian at ang kapangyarihan at ang kapurihan, magpakailanman! Amen.'
Sapagkat kung pinatatawad ninyo ang mga nagkakasala sa inyo, patatawarin din kayo ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Ngunit kung hindi ninyo pinatatawad ang mga nagkakasala sa inyo, hindi rin kayo patatawarin ng inyong Ama."
Reflection for Wednesday June 21, Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
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Reflection:
What does Jesus teach us today? It’s about humility and modesty, keep your every acts of piety in secret and don’t trumpet it to the whole wide world including the world of social meadia for HE knows everything. But the world that we are in now is influencing us to discard this teaching of Jesus and embrace publicity and self-proclamation.
Just look at the many vehicles of publicity in the internet such as facebook, instagram, twitter and the like. What are they dictating to us? It dictates us to publicize almost everything that we do, including our acts of piety.
Nothing’s wrong to embrace these social media platforms if we use it to advance our advocacies with no other motive but to help. Yet it becomes wrong when we use it to proudly show to the whole wide world the good that we do. Perhaps Jesus is telling us not to worry if nobody would notice our acts of kindness and piety for HE knows it already.
What is important is we do everything for Jesus and for the greater good of HIS people. It doesn’t matter anymore if we would be noticed or not if people would compliment us or not. What is important is we know that we have a God who knows everything including our unpublicized acts of love, charity and goodness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita sa Miyerkules Hunyo 21, San Luis Gonzaga (Paggunita): Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18
"Kaya nga, kapag naglilimos ka, huwag mo nang ipagmakaingay ito, katulad ng ginagawa ng mga mapagpaimbabaw doon sa sinagoga at sa mga lansangan. Ginagawa nila ito upang purihin sila ng mga tao. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tinanggap na nila ang kanilang gantimpala. Ngunit kung naglilimos ka, huwag mo nang ipaalam ito kahit sa iyong pinakamatalik na kaibigan upang malihim ang iyong paglilimos. at gagantihin ka ng iyong Amang nakakikita ng kabutihang ginagawa mo ng lihim."
"At kapag nananalangin kayo, huwag kayong tutulad sa mga mapagpaimbabaw. Mahilig silang manalangin nang patayo sa mga sinagoga at sa mga panulukang-daan, upang makita ng mga tao. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tinanggap na nila ang kanilang gantimpala. Ngunit kapag mananalangin ka, pumasok ka sa iyong silid at isara mo ang pinto. Saka manalangin sa iyong Amang hindi mo nakikita, at gagantihin ka ng iyong amang nakakikita ng kabutihang ginagawa mo ng lihim.
"Kapag nag-aayuno kayo, huwag kayong magmukhang malungkot, tulad ng mga mapagpaimbabaw. Hindi sila nag-aayos upang malaman ng mga tao na sila'y nag-aayuno. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tinanggap na nila ang kanilang gantimpala. Kapag ikaw ay nag-aayuno, mag-ayos ka ng buhok at maghilamos upang huwag mapansin ng mga tao na nag-aayuno ka. Ang iyong Amang hindi mo nakikita ang siya lamang nakaaalam nito. Siya, na nakakakita ng kabutihang ginagawa mo nang lihim, ang gaganti sa iyo."
Reflection for June 20, Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:43-48
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
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Reflection:
Are you capable of loving your enemies?
In the gospel Jesus calls us to a deeper form of love: “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44).
It’s not easy to give love to someone who betrayed your trust. But that’s what Jesus is telling us: to love unconditionally. Regardless of the hurts and betrayal done to us we still need to love and pray for those who’ve hurt us.
There’s no winner when we respond betrayal with betrayal, anger with anger. Despite of the injury done to us, why not try to still be meek and forgiving and leave everything in the hands of the Lord? God doesn’t love us selectively; He doesn’t love us because we follow His commands. He still loves us even if we’ve betrayed Him so many times.
God loves us without any preconditions; He lets the sun rise and the rain to fall on all of us sinners. Therefore we have to love even our enemies and one of the ways to do this is not to wish them harm. Notwithstanding the hurts that they’ve inflicted upon us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 20, Martes ng Ika-11 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:43-48
Sapagkat pinasisikat niya ang araw sa masasama at sa mabubuti, at pinapapatak niya ang ulan sa mga banal at sa mga makasalanan. Kung ang mga umiibig sa inyo ang siya lamang ninyong iibigin, ano pang gantimpala ang inyong hihintayin?
Hindi ba’t ginagawa rin ito ng mga publikano? At kung ang binabati lamang ninyo’y ang inyong mga kapatid, ano ang nagawa ninyong higit kaysa iba? Ginagawa rin iyon ng mga Hentil! Kaya, dapat kayong maging ganap, gaya ng inyong Amang nasa Langit.”
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Reflection for June 19, Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:38-42
If anyone
wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to
borrow.”
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Reflection:
What will happen if we would become kind to our enemies, if we will not respond to their mocking? The enemy will simply go away or they might even become our friend. There is so much hatred in this world because we respond to hatred. We perpetuate the cycle of anger by anger.
When we respond to hatred and violence we allow the devil one to take hold of us. And when the evil one takes control of us it will do nothing but destroy us. And bring us closer to his kingdom where everyone is evil and is not lacking in hatred.
In our gospel Jesus convincingly destroys the evil of hatred by love and humility. Jesus tells us this: “I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well (Matthew 5:39).
Are we capable of loving those who despise us and are we willing to humble ourselves before them? Should we confront them or we simply ignore their insults and anger? Many regrettable acts of anger would have been avoided if only we have love and humility in our hearts.
Prayer: O dear Lord we pray that you give us the virtue of Humility, Forgiveness and Love. Sow in our hearts everything that is good. Sow in our heart gentleness, forgiveness and compassion. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas