Noong panahong iyon, nang marinig ni Jesus ang pagkamatay ni Juan Bautista, siya'y sumakay sa isang bangka at nag-iisang pumunta sa ilang na lugar. Nang mabalitaan naman iyon ng mga tao, sila'y lumabas ng bayan at lakad na sumunod sa kanya. Paglunsad ni Jesus sa dalampasigan, nakita niya ang napakaraming taong yaon.
Nahabag siya sa kanila at pinagaling niya ang mga maysakit na dala nila. Nang dapit-hapon na'y lumapit sa kanya ang mga alagad. Sinabi nila, "Ilang ang pook na ito at malapit nang lumubog ang araw. Papuntahin na po ninyo sa mga nayon ang mga tao upang makabili ng kanilang makakain." "Hindi na sila kailangang umalis pa," sabi ni Jesus. "Kayo ang magbigay sa kanila ng makakain." Sumagot sila, "Lilima po ang tinapay at dadalawa ang isda natin."
"Dalhin ninyo rito," sabi niya. Pinaupo niya sa damuhan ang mga tao, kinuha ang limang tinapay at dalawang isda; tumingala siya sa langit at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Pinagpira-piraso niya ang mga tinapay at iniutos sa mga alagad na ipamigay iyon sa mga tao. Kumain silang lahat at nabusog. Tinipon ng mga alagad ang lumabis, at sila'y nakapuno ng labindalawang bakol ng pira-pirasong tinapay. May limang libong lalaki ang kumain, bukod pa sa mga babae at mga bata.
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
Jesus answered them and said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent." So they said to him, "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?
What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat. So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."
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Reflection:
During the latter part of Saint Catherine of Siena's life, she was unable to eat or drink water. What sustained her during that crucial period was her daily reception of Jesus through Holy Communion. She was sustained for a number of years by the Bread of Life until she eventually died.
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus boldly tells us that He is the true Bread of Life, the one we must seek and always hunger for. Why? Because once we find Jesus, we will never hunger or thirst for the material things of this world, which are fleeting and can be taken away from us at any time.
There are people who treat material possessions, money, power, and influence as their own "bread of life." However, this is not the true Bread of Life but merely the temporary bread of the world. There is no satisfaction with this worldly bread because the more we possess, the more we crave it. We will continuously hunger and thirst for this bread of the world until it completely possesses and destroys us.
But what if we seek the true Bread of Life, which is Jesus? We would find satisfaction with whatever we have. We would no longer crave material possessions, wealth, or power, and we would experience less pressure. Instead, we would be serene and peaceful because Jesus, the true Bread of Life, is with us.
Let us always hold close to our hearts this powerful statement of Jesus: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst" (John 6:35). – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ng mga tao na wala na roon si Jesus, ni ang kanyang mga alagad, sila'y sumakay sa mga bangka at pumunta rin sa Capernaum upang hanapin si Jesus.
Nakita nila si Jesus sa ibayo ng lawa, at kanilang tinanong, "Rabi, kailan pa kayo rito?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Sinasabi ko sa inyo: hinahanap ninyo ako, hindi dahil sa mga kababalaghang nakita ninyo, kundi dahil sa nakakain kayo ng tinapay at nabusog. Gumawa kayo, hindi upang magkaroon ng pagkaing nasisira, kundi upang magkaroon ng pagkaing hindi nasisira at nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan.
Ibibigay ito sa inyo ng Anak ng Tao, sapagkat siya ang binigyan ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos Ama." Kaya't siya'y tinanong nila, "Ano po ang dapat naming gawin upang aming maganap ang kalooban ng Diyos?" Ito ang ipinagagawa sa inyo ng Diyos: manalig kayo sa sinugo niya," tugon ni Jesus.
Ano pong kababalaghan ang maipakikita ninyo upang manalig kami sa inyo? Ano po ang gagawin ninyo?" tanong nila. Ang aming mga magulang ay kumain ng manna sa ilang, ayon sa nasusulat, 'Sila'y binigyan niya ng pagkaing mula sa langit,' " dugtong pa nila. Sumagot si Jesus, "Dapat ninyong malamang hindi si Moises ang nagbigay sa sa inyo ng pagkaing mula sa langit, kundi ang aking Ama.
Siya ang nagbibigay sa inyo ng tunay na pagkaing mula sa langit. Sapagkat ang pagkaing bigay ng Diyos ay yaong mula sa langit at nagbibigay-buhay sa sanlibutan." "Ginoo," wika nila, "bigyan po ninyo kaming lagi ng pagkaing iyon." "Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay," sabi ni Jesus. "Ang lumalapit sa akin ay hindi na magugutom, at ang nananalig sa akin ay hindi na mauuhaw kailanman."
Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation
of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been
raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him. Now Herod
had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the
wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him “It is not lawful for you
to have her.
Although he
wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet.
But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a
dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give
her whatever she might ask for.
Prompted by
her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.
The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were
present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her
mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they
went and told Jesus.
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Reflection:
Who is King
Herod?
King Herod is
a tyrant, a leader who will never think twice to suppress or neutralize anyone
who dares cross his path. He will not only suppress, Herod could even
order the killing of anyone he wants so that he could remain in
power.
Respect for
human rights is not part of the vocabulary of Herod, abuse of human rights and
dignity are. This is the reason why John the Baptist was imprisoned John did
nothing wrong he simply said what was to be truthfully said yet John suffered
for it.
Many leaders
are like King Herod, they would bully themselves by the use of strong words and
autocratic power to achieve what they want. We should be very careful and
watchful of these kinds of leaders for they will not do us any good. They will
only use and manipulate us and bring us to perdition.
Many Herods
are roaming around in this world today we therefore have to be watchful and
careful so that we can immediately distance ourselves from them. – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, nang makarating
kay Herodes na tetrarka ang balita tungkol kay Jesus, sinabi niya sa kanyang
mga lingkod, "Siya'y si Juan Bautista na muling nabuhay, kaya siya
nakagagawa ng himala!"
Si Herodes ang nagpahuli, nagpagapos at nagpabilanggo kay Juan.
Ang dahilan ay si Herodias na asawa ng kapatid niyang si Felipe. Laging
sinasabi ni Juan kay Herodes, "Hindi matuwid na magsama kayo ng asawa ng
inyong kapatid." Ibig ni Herodes na ipapatay si Juan ngunit natatakot siya
sa mga Judio, sapagkat kinikilala nilang propeta si Juan Bautista.
Nang dumating ang kaarawan ni Herodes, sumayaw sa harapan ng mga
panauhin ang anak na babae ni Herodias. Labis na nasiyahan si Herodes, kaya't
isinumpa niyang ibibigay sa dalaga ang anumang hingin nito. Sa udyok ng kanyang
ina ay sinabi ng dalaga, "Ibigay po ninyo sa akin ngayon din, sa isang
pinggan, ang ulo ni Juan Bautista. "
Nalungkot
ang hari, ngunit dahil sa kanyang pangakong narinig ng mga panauhin, iniutos
niyang ibigay iyon sa dalaga. Kaya't pinapugutan niya si Juan sa bilangguan.
Inilagay ang ulo sa isang pinggan at ibinigay sa dalaga; dinala naman ito ng
dalaga sa kanyang ina. Dumating ang mga alagad ni Juan, kinuha ang kanyang
bangkay at inilibing. Pagkatapos, ibinalita nila ito kay Jesus.
Jesus came to his native place and
taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did
this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is
not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Are not his sisters all with us? Where did
this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own
house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of
faith.
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Reflection:
What if Jesus was a doctor during His
time; would they treat Him differently? Would they treat Him with high esteem
instead of belittling Him? Of course His townmates would have treated Him with
high respect for He was a doctor. But the reality is He was a carpenter and a
carpenter’s son. So, they belittled Him and as a result Jesus did not do many
miracles in their place.
Sad to say but this is also happening to
us, we have different measures and treatment for different people. Many of us
treat the rich and educated with high esteem and we regard differently those
who are poor and less educated.
Education and status in life are a
deceiving standard to gauge the morality, sincerity and kindness of a person.
In the heart of an ordinary person we often times find moral fitness, sincerity
and kindness. This we often fail to recognize for the reason that we already
judge them based on their life's status.
The town mates of Jesus failed to discover
this in Jesus because they judge Him based on His life's status. If only they
did not disparage Jesus they could have discovered the gentleness of Jesus but
they belittled Him for He was just an ordinary carpenter’s son for them.
Perhaps one of the many lessons the gospel
imparts to us is not to belittle anyone regardless who they may be. Who knows
the people that we belittle are the ones with pure hearts and the ones who will
be there for us in our time of need.
Are you quick to judge for the reason of one’s physical appearance, education
and status in life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, umuwi si Hesus sa kanyang bayan at nagturo sa
sinagoga. Nagtaka ang mga nakarinig sa kanya. Sabi nila, “Saan kumuha ng
karunungan ang taong ito? Paano siya nakagagawa ng kababalaghan? Hindi ba ito
ang anak ng karpintero? Hindi ba si Maria ang kanyang ina, at sina Santiago,
Jose, Simon, at Judas ang kanyang mga kapatid na lalaki?
At dito nakatira ang kanyang mga
kapatid na babae, hindi ba? Saan niya natutunan ang lahat ng ito?” At ayaw
nilang kilanlin siya. Kaya’t sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Ang propeta’y
iginagalang kahit saan, liban sa kanyang sariling sambahayan.” At dahil sa di
nila pagsampalataya hindi siya gumawa roon ng maraming kababalaghan.
Jesus said to the disciples: “The Kingdom
of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind.
When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into
buckets.
What is bad they throw away. Thus it will
be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from
the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be
wailing and grinding of teeth.”
“Do you understand all these things?” They
answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in
the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his
storeroom both the new and the old.” When Jesus finished these parables, he
went away from there.
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Reflection:
A desperate man was set to end his life,
when he was about to do it he heard the voice of God which told him not to end
his life. The man told God, “I am a grievous sinner my Lord I don’t deserve to
live anymore, I deserve to die and be in hell.” The Lord told the man, I love
you my son no matter who you are and no matter what you have done.
The love of God is like a net thrown into
the sea which collects fish of every kind (Matthew 13:47). It does not
discriminate; it catches every fish, the good and bad alike. This is the love
of God for each and everyone of us: Sinner and non sinner alike.
Yet this love that God gives us freely is
not also being forced upon us. We also have the freedom if we would respond by
renewing our lives or we continue with our sinful ways. If we renew our lives
and permanently walk away from sin then we save our life.
But if we continue on sinning
notwithstanding the fact that God has already called us. We therefore have to
be ready for the grievous consequence that may befall us. It’s no brainer
therefore that we have to discontinue our sinful lives and take advantage of
the love of God that he perpetually offers us.
Let us choose to embrace the love of God
and permanently dump into oblivion the sinful offering of the devil. Why?
Because the love of God is peace the love of God is heaven on earth. The
offering of the devil will bring us nowhere but disturbance, problems and hell
even while we are still living. - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus
sa mga tao, "Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad din ng isang malaking
lambat na inihagis sa dagat at nakahuli ng sari-saring isda. Nang mapuno ay
hinila ito sa pampang. At naupo ang mga tao upang pagbukud-bukurin ang mga
isda: tinipon nila sa mga sisidlan ang mabubuti, ngunit itinatapon ang mga
walang kwenta.
Gayon din ang mangyayari sa katapusan ng daigdig. Darating ang mga
anghel at ihihiwalay ang mga makasalanan sa mga banal, at ihahagis ang mga
makasalanan sa maningas na pugon. Doo'y mananangis sila at magngangalit ang
kanilang ngipin."
"Nauunawaan na ba ninyo ang lahat ng ito?" tanong ni
Jesus. "Opo," sagot nila. At sinabi niya sa kanila, "Kaya, nga
ang bawat eskriba na kumikilala sa paghahari ng Diyos ay tulad ng isang puno ng
sambahayan na kumukuha ng mga bagay na bago at luma sa kanyang taguan."
Nang
masabi na ni Hesus ang mga talinghagang ito, siya’y umalis doon.
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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Reflections:
Would you give up your
worldly possessions for the kingdom of God?
Jesus depicts His kingdom as treasure and
pearl that whoever would find it will give up everything just to have it.
Indeed, the kingdom of God is a priceless treasure and pearl that we must all
desire. For what it will do us if we have treasures in this world yet we don’t
have God in our lives?
The riches of this world are all passing
and temporary we will leave it all somewhere along the path of our lives.
Whether we like it or not we have to leave everything that we have in this
world. So who will remain without end?
The one that will forever be there for us
is God; the one that shall bring us to heaven is God. These temporary things
that presently surround us will not be able to bring us to our eternal heavenly
destination. It’s only through God that we would be able to go to heaven
someday and it is only through God that we would experience heaven while we are
still in this world.
In our gospel, the person found the true
treasure of life which is God; he gave up everything just to have Him. The same
also with the merchant when he found the true pearl of his life that is God. He
sold everything in his possessions so that he could possess the greatest pearl
that is God. Many saints have done this too; they gave up everything just to
have Jesus.
What are you willing to give up to have
the Lord in your life? - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus
sa mga tao, “Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad ng kayamanang nakabaon sa isang
bukid. Nahukay ito ng isang tao at tinabunan uli. Sa laki ng tuwa, siya’y
humayo at ipinagbili ang lahat ng ari-arian niya at binili ang bukid na
iyon.
“Gayun
din naman, ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: may isang mangangalakal na
naghahanap ng mamahaling perlas. Nang makakita ng isang perlas na napakahalaga,
siya’y humayo at ipinagbili ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian at binili iyon.”
Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into
the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of
the weeds in the field.” He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of
Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the
Kingdom.
The weeds are
the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The
harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are
collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the
age.
The Son of
Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who
cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery
furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous
will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought
to hear.”
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Reflection:
How are you
living your life today? Are you living it in accord with what Jesus wants you
to live it?
Many of
us live life as if there is no tomorrow, we live life to enjoy whatever this
world could offer us, including sin. But life lived for this world alone is not
the real life; there is something more profound than the life that we enjoy in
this fleeting world.
The profound
life is a life lived in the company of Jesus. But how could we discover the accompaniment
and movement of Jesus in our lives? There are so many ways to discern it.
For example,
we will discover that Jesus wants to have a deep friendship with us through a
relative or a good friend. Through a written commentary that we just read out
of nowhere and this written commentary made us think about how we are living
our lives today.
The good
friend and the written commentary that we’ve read are part of the many seeds
that Jesus sows in our hearts. And Jesus expects nothing less from us than to
listen to Him so that He could guide us before our journey ends in this
fleeting world.
At the end of
the gospel Jesus speaks about harvest time or judgment day. When would this be?
This will be at the end of our lives, when we die to be more specific. We will
be judged according to what we’ve done in this world. If we listened to Jesus
we will have a sacred place in His kingdom. - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, iniwan ni Hesus
ang mga tao at pumasok sa bahay. Lumapit ang kanyang mga alagad at sinabi sa
kanya, “Ipaliwanag po ninyo sa amin ang talinghaga tungkol sa masasamang damo
sa bukid.”
Ito ang tugon ni Hesus, “Ang Anak ng Tao ang naghahasik ng
mabuting binhi. Ang bukid ay ang sanlibutan. Ang mga taong pinaghaharian ng
Diyos ang mabuting binhi at ang mga taong pinaghaharian ng diyablo ang
masasamang damo. Ang kaaway na naghasik ng mga iyon ay walang iba kundi ang
diyablo. Ang pag-aani ay ang katapusan ng daigdig, at ang mga anghel ang mga
tagapag-ani.
Kung
paanong iniipon ang mga damo at sinusunog, gayun din ang mangyayari sa
katapusan ng daigdig. Susuguin ng Anak ng Tao ang kanyang mga anghel, at
iipunin nila mula sa kanyang pinaghaharian ang lahat ng nagiging sanhi ng
pagkakasala at ang lahat ng gumagawa ng masama, at ihahagis sa maningas na
pugon.
Doo’y
mananangis sila at magngangalit ang kanilang ngipin. At magliliwanag na parang
araw ang mga matuwid sa kaharian ng kanilang Ama. Ang may pandinig ay makinig!”
Jesus entered a village where a woman
whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside
the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much
serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left
me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me. The Lord said to her
in reply,“ Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There
is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be
taken from her.
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Reflection:
Why did Jesus
favored Mary? He favored her for the simple reason that she gave her time to
Him. She listened to Him and Mary knew that before her is her Lord. Therefore,
she would not let this precious moment pass her by without giving Him her
ear.
Many of us chase the many temporal things of this
world. We spend a lot of time achieving our worldly dreams and chasing the
luxuries of this temporal life thinking that this would make us complete. Only
to know later that it would not, we will even end up empty if we continue to
chase the temporal things of this world. Why? For the simple reason that
worldly things or worldliness will never complete us.
Jesus only ask us one thing, for us to give Him our
time and for us to listen to Him so that we can have inner peace which nobody
in this world can give us. We make Jesus very happy if we first listen to Him
and leave everything else behind for Him.
Let us all remember that when the time comes that we
are lying on our deathbeds. We will not be thinking of the temporal
achievements and pleasures that we’ve done for this world. For example,
the riches, the awards and citations and so forth. Around that time, we will
long for no one except for the presence of Jesus in our lives. – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”
He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”
So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
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Reflection:
How strong is your faith in Jesus? A person of faith would always say, everything is possible for Jesus but a person who has no faith would fail to see the infinite power of Jesus.
In the gospel Jesus saw the large crowd that was following Him. Jesus tested the faith of Philip by saying to him, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” Philip answered him, "Two hundred days?' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.'" With his negative reply Philip failed his own test of faith.
Soon after, Philip saw the miracle of the loaves and fish before his very eyes. With five barley loaves and two fish Jesus was able fed the almost five thousand hungry people. As if to say to Philip to begin to have faith because I make things possible for those who have faith.
Let us always walk by our faith and not by our sight in our discipleship with the Lord. If we desire something that is noble and worthy and we think that it’s very impossible for us to achieve it. Let us reflect on it and let us check our faith meter it may be very low already, if this is so; let us pray to Jesus for the gift of increase of faith.
Because whatever we want from the Lord we will have as long as we have faith. Let us not forget that Jesus fed the almost five thousand crowd with five barley loaves and two fish. Thus, Jesus makes all things possible for those who have faith.
How’s your faith in the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, tumawid si Jesus sa ibayo ng Lawa ng Galilea, na tinatawag ding Lawa ng Tiberias. Sinundan siya ng napakaraming tao sapagkat nakita nila ang mga kababalaghang ginawa niya sa pagpapagaling sa mga maysakit. Umahon si Jesus sa burol kasama ang kanyang mga alagad at naupo roon. Malapit na noon ang Pista ng Paskua ng mga Judio.
Tumanaw si Jesus, at nakita niyang dumarating ang napakaraming tao. Tinanong niya si Felipe, "Saan tayo bibili ng tinapay upang makakain ang mga taong ito?" Sinabi niya ito upang subukin si Felipe, sapagkat alam ni Jesus ang kanyang gagawin. Sumagot si Felipe, "Kahit na po halagang dalawandaang denaryong tinapay ang bilhin ay di sasapat para makakain ng tigkakaunti ang mga tao."
Sinabi ng isa sa kanyang mga alagad, si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro, "Mayroon po ditong isang batang lalaki na may dalang limang tinapay na sebada at dalawang isda. Ngunit gaano na ito sa ganyang karaming tao?" "Paupuin ninyo sila," wika ni Jesus. Madamo sa lugar na yaon. Umupo ang lahat -- humigit-kumulang sa limang libo ang mga lalaki.
Kinuha ni Jesus ang tinapay at matapos magpasalamat sa Diyos ay ipinamahagi sa mga tao; gayon din ang ginawa niya sa isda. Binigyan ang lahat hangga't gusto nila. at nang makakain na sila, sinabi niya sa mga alagad, "Tipunin ninyo ang mga lumabis para hindi masayang." Gayon nga ang ginawa nila, at nakapuno sila ng labindalawang bakol.
Nang makita ng mga tao ang kababalaghang ginawa ni Jesus, sinabi nila, "Tunay na ito ang propetang paririto sa sanlibutan!" Nahalata ni Jesus na lalapit ang mga tao at pilit siyang kukunin upang gawing hari, kaya muli siyang umalis na mag-isa patungo sa kaburulan.
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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Reflection:
The story is told about a priest who exorcised
a devil from a lady possessed by it. 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, whoever 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 and evil
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 sin 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 confront sin and soon after completely walk away from it? –
Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, inilahad ni Hesus ang talinghagang ito sa mga
tao, “Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: may isang taong naghasik ng
mabuting binhi sa kanyang bukid. Isang gabi, samantalang natutulog ang mga tao,
dumating ang kanyang kaaway at naghasik ng masasamang damo sa triguhan.
Nang
tumubo ang trigo at magkauhay, lumitaw rin ang masasamang damo. Kaya’t lumapit
ang mga alipin sa puno ng sambahayan at sinabi rito, ‘Hindi po ba mabuting
binhi ang inihasik ninyo sa inyong bukid? Bakit po may damo ngayon?’ Sumagot
siya, ‘Isang kaaway ang may kagagawan nito.’
Tinanong siya ng mga utusan,
‘Bubunutin po ba namin ang mga iyon?’ ‘Huwag,’ sagot niya. ‘Baka mabunot pati
trigo. Hayaan na ninyong lumago kapwa hanggang sa anihan. Pag-aani’y sasabihin
ko sa mga tagapag-ani: Tipunin muna ninyo ang mga damo at inyong
pagbigkis-bigkisin upang sunugin, at ang trigo’y inyong tipunin sa aking
kamalig.’”
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."
The Gospel of the Lord.
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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: the path, rocky ground, among thorns, and on rich soil. The seeds
represent 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). However, God
has also given them the freedom to choose which 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? Because 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 lives, for He
will take care of everything. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus
sa kanyang mga alagad, “Pakinggan nga ninyo ang kahulugan ng talinghaga tungkol
sa manghahasik. Ang mga nakikinig ng Salita tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos
ngunit hindi nakauunawa nito ay katulad ng mga binhing nahasik sa tabi ng
daan.
Dumarating ang Masama at inaagaw ang nahasik sa kanilang puso.
Inilalarawan ng binhing nahasik sa kabatuhan ang nakikinig ng Salita at
masayang tumatanggap nito kaagad. Ngunit hindi ito tumitimo sa puso nila kaya’t
hindi sila nananatili. Pagdating ng mga kapighatian o pag-uusig dahil sa
Salita, agad silang nanlalamig.
Inilalarawan
naman ng naghasik sa dawagan ang nakikinig ng Salita, ngunit naging abala sa
mga bagay ukol sa mundong ito, at naging maibigin sa mga kayamanan anupat ang
Salita’y nawalan na ng puwang sa kanilang puso, kaya’t hindi makapamunga. At
inilalarawan ng naghasik sa matabang lupa ang mga nakikinig ng Salita at
nakauunawa nito. Sila’y namumunga: may tigsasandaan, may tig-aanimnapu, at may
tigtatatlumpu.”
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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Reflection:
Who is an exemplary leader?
An exemplary leader leads by example. He
does not aspire to a position of leadership to be popular, to be seen, or to
give orders while enjoying the trappings of the position. He ascends to a
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 had
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 assigned
task they have a sudden 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
Noong panahong iyon, lumapit kay
Jesus ang asawa ni Zebedeo, kasama ang kanyang mga anak. May ibig siyang
hingin, kaya't lumuhod siya sa harapan ni Jesus. "ano ang ibig mo?"
tanong ni Jesus. Sumagot siya, "Sana'y ipagkaloob ninyo sa dalawa kong
anak na ito ang karapatang makaupong katabi ninyo sa inyong kaharian -- isa sa
kanan at isa sa kaliwa."
"Hindi ninyo nalalaman ang inyong hinihingi," sabi ni
Jesus sa kanila. "Mababata ba ninyo ang hirap na babatahin ko?"
"Opo," tugon nila. Sinabi ni Jesus, "Ang hirap na babatahin ko'y
babatahin nga ninyo. Ngunit wala sa akin ang pagpapasiya kung sino ang mauupo
sa aking kanan at sa aking kaliwa. Ang mga luklukang sinasabi ninyo'y para sa
pinaghandaan ng aking Ama."
Nang
marinig ito ng sampung mga alagad, nagalit sila sa magkapatid. Kaya't pinalapit
sila ni Jesus at sinabi sa kanila, "Alam ninyo na ang mga pinuno ng mga
Hentil ay naghahari sa kanila, at ang mga dinadakila ang siyang nasusunod.
Ngunit
hindi dapat ganyan ang umiral sa inyo. Sa halip, ang sinuman sa inyo na ibig
maging dakila ay dapat maging lingkod. At sinumang ibig maging pinuno ay dapat
maging alipin ninyo, tulad ng Anak ng Tao na naparito, hindi upang paglingkuran
kundi upang maglingkod at iaalay ang kanyang buhay upang matubos ang
marami.
On that day, Jesus went out of the house
and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into
a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke
to them at length in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. And as he
sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on
rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil
was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for
lack of roots.
Some seed
fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on
rich soil and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has
ears ought to hear."
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Reflection:
Do you listen
to Jesus when He speaks to you?
Jesus is
always sowing the seeds of the gospel to you. 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 God’s channel 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
Noon ding araw na iyon, si Hesus ay
lumabas ng bahay at naupo sa tabi ng lawa. Pinagkalipumpunan siya ng makapal na
tao, kaya sumakay siya sa isang bangka at doon naupo. Nasa dalampasigan naman
ang mga tao. At nagturo siya ng maraming bagay sa pamamagitan ng mga
talinghaga.
“May isang magsasakang lumabas upang maghasik. Sa kanyang
paghahasik ay may binhing nalaglag sa tabi ng daan. Dumating ang mga ibon at
tinuka ang mga iyon. May binhi namang nalaglag sa kabatuhan. Sapagkat manipis
lang ang lupa roon, sumibol agad ang binhing iyon, ngunit nang mapabilad sa
matinding sikat ng araw ay natuyo, palibhasa’y walang gaanong ugat.
May
binhi namang nalaglag sa dawagan; lumago ang mga dawag at ininis ang mga iyon.
Ngunit ang binhing nalaglag sa mabuting lupa ay nag-uhay: may tigsasandaan, may
tig-aanimnapu, at may tigtatatlumpung butil ang bawat uhay. Ang may pandinig ay
makinig!”
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.
Jesus also cited the disciples as His
mother and brothers for they were all faithful followers. 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 relatives. What does to follow Jesus mean? It’s
to follow Jesus by immersing our feet in the river of sacrifice, love,
forgiveness, mercy, compassion and so forth.
How about you? Have you already immersed your
feet in the river of sacrifice, love, forgiveness, compassion and the like?
Have you finally decided to follow Jesus and leave behind your
sinful past?
Jesus yearns for you to become his
relative too! – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, samantalang
nagsasalita pa si Hesus, dumating ang kanyang ina at mga kapatid. Naghihintay
sila sa labas at ibig siyang makausap. May nagsabi sa kanya, “Nasa labas po ang
inyong ina at mga kapatid, at ibig kayong makausap.”
Ngunit
sinabi ni Hesus, “Sino ang aking ina, at sinu-sino ang aking mga kapatid? Itinuro
niya ang kanyang mga alagad at sinabi, “Ito ang aking ina at mga kapatid!
Sapagkat ang sinumang sumusunod sa kalooban ng aking Amang nasa langit ang siya
kong ina at mga kapatid.”
