My Reflection for Saturday February 22, Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle; Mark 16:13-19

Gospel: Mark 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.

 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

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Reflection:

When Jesus asked the disciples, Who do the people say that the son of Man is? No one was able to correctly answer except Simon Peter, who told Jesus: “You are the Christ the son of the living God. But Jesus immediately told Peter, it’s not by your own intelligence that you know me; it’s through the grace of my heavenly Father that you know who I am.

Why did Jesus told Simon Peter that it was not through his effort that he knows Him? Perhaps Jesus wanted to temper the behavior of Peter. Perhaps Jesus doesn’t want Simon Peter to boast about what he knew about Him.

In our continuing journey with Jesus there may be times also that we might be tempted to brag or boast concerning what we know about Him. This we must not do because everything is a gift, everything is a grace. What we know about Him is from Him alone, not from us; not from our own effort.

How many times have we boasted about our knowledge regarding Jesus and our faith? How many times have we acted as if we knew everything about God? Have many times have we acted as if we are the masters of the universe?

Let us pause and reflect about this. …   

Ang Aking Repleksyon para sa Linggo, January 12, Kapistahan ng Pagbibinyag ng Panginoon, Mateo 3:13-17

Repleksyon para sa Linggo, January 5, Kapistahan ng pag papakita ng Panginoon: Mateo 2:1-12

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I will be back again soon... please find time to visit me once again. GOD BLESS YOU!

I will be back again soon... please find time to visit me once again. GOD BLESS YOU!

My Reflection for November 24, Solemnity of Christ the King, Luke 23:35-43

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112413.cfm

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My Reflection:

Who among us would want to follow the kingship of Jesus?  He is an image of human weakness, He hangs on the cross blooded ang dying. The rulers sneered at Him even the soldiers taunted Him. Jesus on the cross was seemingly helpless and it seems that God has forsaken Him already.

If we were present during that time of His crucifixion we would not dare also touch Him with a ten foot pole. We would have also silently walked away like the others who were disappointed with Jesus show of human weakness.

What if Jesus projected the image of king David in our first reading (warrior, conqueror and leader) of course everyone would have flocked to His side. But Jesus did not show any warrior like demeanor, instead He showed a defeated behavior that His followers did not want to see from Him. That’s why in His most trying times everyone who followed Him eventually deserted Him.

 But during His moment of human weakness someone recognized His kingship. It was the criminal hanging on the cross beside Him. What made the criminal recognize His power and kingship? That he even asked Jesus to remember him when He is in His kingdom. It was the criminal’s humility and unwavering faith in Jesus. We may ask, is it possible for a criminal to be humble and is it possible for a criminal to have an unwavering faith in Jesus? Yes it is very possible!

How could this gospel help us to have a firmer grasp of the kingship of Jesus? We must always humble ourselves before Him. For example, we always go to Mass and we humbly submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as possible. We must not forget also to always ask Jesus to increase our faith.

But sad to say, many of us are situational followers of Jesus only. …   

Manalagin po tayo...

Stop the blame game, let us be one...

Manalangin po tayo...

Let us pray...

Manalangin po tayo...

Manalagin po tayo...

As we see now the devastation brought about by the 7.2 quake which hit Bohol, Cebu and nearby towns yesterday October 15, is beyond human comprehension. Let us continue to include them in our PRAYERS AND MASS INTENTIONS. Let us also extend whatever HELP we can give them.

As we see now the devastation brought about by the 7.2 quake which hit Bohol, Cebu and nearby towns yesterday October 15, is beyond human comprehension. Let us continue to include them in our PRAYERS AND MASS INTENTIONS. Let us also extend whatever HELP we can give them.

I conduct and facilitate Recollections and Retreats.

I conduct talks and facilitate Recollections. For more details please get in touch at: mjdasma@yahoo.com or mjdasma@gmail.com. 
Tel no. 046-4303668

My Reflection for August 11, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Luke 12:35-40

My Reflection:

There is a story of a holy man who would always find time for God and his fellowmen. When he was asked why he was like that he would always tell them that this is his way of preparing for the coming of the Lord. He would compare the coming of the lord with death which comes to us without warning at all.  

Jesus in our gospel for this Sunday tells us to always be prepared and vigilant servant of the Lord. To be like the Israelites in our first reading who patiently waited with faith and courage for God to liberate them from the bondage of the Egyptians.  

How could we become vigilant and prepared servant of the Lord? By serving and obeying the Lord without any reservation. By having faith in HIM faith that is alive and working. This is the only way wherein we could be prepared and vigilant servant of the Lord.

If death will come to us which will certainly happen on God’s appointed time. Then, we are prepared we have nothing to fear for we will be in heaven with God.

What if we are not prepared and not vigilant servants? Where will we end up?  

My Reflection for June 16, Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:36-8:3

My Reflection:

A young lady who had five children from five different men was already labeled as an immoral sinner by her siblings and parents.  Her family has already given-up on her even if deep in her heart she was telling herself that she was ready to live a renewed life which is very different from her sinful past.

In our first reading for this Sunday we have King David who committed sin against God by coveting the wife of his soldier Uraih. He purposely feed Uriah to their enemies. So that he would be killed and hence possess his wife without any complications. The action of King David was sinful but notwithstanding his sin he was forgiven by God because he humbly admitted his sinfulness before God almighty.

Similarly, we have in our gospel a sinful woman who humbly went to Jesus to honor Him by kissing His feet and anointing it with ointment. She cried before Jesus as if begging Jesus for forgiveness and second chance. Jesus saw her humility and her honest desire to start a new life. That’s why despite of her grave sins she was forgiven by Jesus.

There is always hope and forgiveness for us sinners no matter how grave the sins that we have committed against Jesus. …      

Fruits of Humility...

Why do we shout in anger at each other... ? Author Unknown

A saint who was visiting river Ganges to take a bath found a couple on the banks, shouting in anger at each other. He turned to his disciples smiled and asked.

'Why do people shout in anger shout at each other?'

The disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our temper, we shout.'

'But, why should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can as well tell him what you have to say in a soft manner.' asked the saint.

The disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the other disciples.

Finally the saint explained.

'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other to cover that great distance.

What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is either nonexistent or very small.

The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'

He looked at his disciples and said.

'So when you argue do not let your hearts get distant, Do not say words that distance each other more, Or else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return. …

Money will afford you...

The Seven Sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church...

Guidelines for Holy Mass...

Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Guidelines for a Happy and Peaceful life...

Guidelines about parents' responsibilities to their children...

The Seven Deadly Sins...

Guidelines about children's responsibilities to their parents.

Guidelines for Family and Marriage..

My Reflections for March 19, Tuesday Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Mathew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Gospel: Mathew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

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My Reflections:

When Saint Joseph discovered that Mary was already pregnant he decided to quietly divorce the Blessed Mother. Why quietly divorce? Why not broadcast it to their whole community so that Mary will be embarrassed and severely punished by stoning to death.

Joseph decided to quietly divorce Mary because deep in his heart he already loved the Blessed Mother. Deep in his humble and righteous heart Joseph already loved the baby in the womb of Mary. That is why Joseph wanted to quietly divorce Mary so that Mary and the baby Jesus would avoid the punishment of death by stoning. But his plan did not push through for the simple reason that Joseph listened to the angel of the Lord. Who told him that the Blessed Mother conceived by the grace of the Holy Spirit.  

The love that Saint Joseph exercised towards the Blessed Mother and the baby Jesus must also be the love that we must always give to our family. We must at all times first take into consideration the welfare of our family more than our own selfish interest.

In his heart Saint Joseph was always quietly praying for guidance and enlightenment. This may be the reason why he never said a single word. He was always waiting for the voice of God to tell him what to do during that critical moment of his life. Humility, selfless love, obedience and prayerful silence these are the values of Saint Joseph.

Are we like Saint Joseph? Or do we have some of these values of Saint Joseph?

My Reflections for March 8, Friday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 12:28-34

Gospel: Luke 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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My Reflections:

A homeless man was basically alien to the word love of God and neighbor until someone pitied him. The good Samaritan helped the homeless man by means of teaching him how to love God and neighbor through his selfless actions.

Many are like the homeless man but only a few of us are like the Good Samaritan. We are averse to be in contact with the homeless and those who stray in the streets. Thus they don’t know how to love God and neighbor.

If only we would listen to Jesus two greatest commandments about love. …

Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Archbishop of Manila. (The Men Who Could Be Pope)

Please click on this link:

http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/papabile-day-men-who-could-be-pope-3#

Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Archbishop of Manila. (Young, new Philippine cardinal has extensive international ties)

Please click on this link:

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1300831.htm

Gospel:

The crowds asked John the Baptist, "What should we do?" He said to them in reply, "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He answered them, "Stop collecting more than what is prescribed." Soldiers also asked him, "And what is it that we should do?" He told them, "Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages."

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

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My Reflections

A boy was taught by his father that there was only one way to be happy and it was none other than to accumulate wealth. He imbibed his father’s teachings so he studied very hard and he eventually became one of the very rich in their town. On his quest to acquire worldly treasures he stepped on the toes of many people, he created many enemies on his way up and upon reaching the pinnacle of his ambition he became greedy and he subsequently discovered that it was very lonely at the top.  

He was on his quest once again to find the magic formula to happiness so he went to a wise old man in the mountain to seek his advice. The wise old man gave him only one advice: Learn to share whatever you have for it is in sharing that you will find happiness. He followed the wise advice and he felt happiness as he had never felt it before.

In our gospel the crowds asked John the Baptist, "What should we do?" (This was in response to John’s call for them to repent) John said to them in reply, "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise." Perhaps the crowds were becoming self-centered already. They only cared for their own needs and never on the needs of their fellowmen.

The season of Christmas is not about what we will receive. It is about what we can freely share. The real essence of Christmas is in sharing not in receiving. Let us try to wholeheartedly share and we will feel the highest degree of happiness that we would not be able to feel when we accept gifts.

On this third Sunday of advent John the Baptist message is loud and clear it is about learning to share no matter how little so long as it comes from the bottom of our hearts. Let us share to the poor, to those who are badly in need, let us share to those who cannot pay back our generosity. There are many of them in poor communities and in places affected by disasters and calamities. Like our brothers and sisters who were badly affected by the devastating  typhoon named Bopha or Pablo in Mindanao.

  

Let us bring Jesus to them by generously sharing whatever we can give. …

Milagros Mila O. Dasmarinas November 28 1948 - November 27, 2012)

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.  Amen. 

Please offer Mass for her intentions and please remember her in your prayers.

Thank you for everything and Farewell to you my Dear auntie Mila.  . . .

Cardinal-designate Luis Tagle, 55, of Manila, Philippines. A future Pope?

Excerpt: 

The second youngest of six cardinals announced Oct. 24 is widely lauded for his theological gifts and his humility. Cardinal-designate Luis Tagle, 55, of Manila, Philippines, “really takes care of people … he’s so simple and generous and there’s no class structure when he deals with people; everyone is equal in his eyes,” said Nemie Anciado, a longtime custodian at the cathedral in Imus, Philippines, where the cardinal-designate was bishop from 2001 to 2011.

Please click on this link for the whole article:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2012/10/a-future-pope/

Cardinal-designate Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle’s feelings regarding his appointment and his views on the topics in the current (October 2012) Synod.

Please click this link:


http://media01.radiovaticana.va/audiomp3/00340269.MP3

No to Reproductive Health (RH) Bill: By Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas

Excerpts: 

A recent report from Bloomberg (one of the leading business news agencies) was just headlined “Philippines Leads in Demographic Dividend of Supply of Young Workers.” The very bullish article about the Philippines—just echoing many others that have come out since the beginning of the current year—pointed out that the so-called demographic dividend from a rising supply of young workers is one reason Japan’s second-largest shipbuilder expanded in the Philippines, where workers are on average half the age of its Japanese employees.  Passing the RH Bill would literally be killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Already China and Thailand—still with relatively large populations—are suffering from labor shortages because of the rapid aging  of their populations over the last decade or so. According to Nobel prize winner George Akerlof, who combines the study of economics and psychology, contraceptives tend to degrade marriage and lead to more extramarital sex, more fatherless children, more single mothers and more psychologically troubled adolescents. Harvard Director of AIDS Prevention, Edward C. Green, once wrote that according to the best evidence available, condoms give a false sense of security and prompt people to be more reckless in assuming sexual risks, thus worsening the spread of the sexually transmitted diseases. Thailand, which has the highest incidence of AIDS-HIV in East Asia, could be cited as a testimony to this.

Please click this link to read the full article:

http://business.inquirer.net/88866/no-to-rh-bill

Jesse M. Robredo, (May 27, 1958-Aug. 18, 2012)

Farewell to a great Filipino, an honest, simple and humble public servant. A model family man, a true man of God and of faith, a true man of the poor (Jessie M. Robredo, May 27, 1958-Aug. 18, 2012). 

Eternal rest grant unto him o Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

The Youth and the Birth Control Quarrel by: +SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS, Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan

Please click on this link: 

http://rcald.org/?p=674

Interview of Archbishop Luis G. Tagle by Fr. Thomas Rosica for Salt and Light TV Canada (June 2012 Dublin Ireland)

My Reflections for Sunday August 5, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time John 6:24-35

Gospel:

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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My Reflections:

There’s a saint named Catherine of Siena, she was badly sick during the latter part of her life that she would spew out every kind of food that she swallowed. What sustained her during that crucial period of her life 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.

Jesus in our gospel for this Sunday boldly tells us that He is our true bread of life that we must look for, the true bread of life that we must always hunger for. Why? Because once we find Jesus we will never hunger and thirst any longer for the material things of this world which in reality is very fleeting and can be taken away from  us anytime.

There are people who treat material possession, money, power, influence and the like as their own bread of life. However this is not the real bread of life but the bread of the world. There’s no satisfaction with this bread of this world because the more that we possess it the more that we crave for it. We will continuously hunger and thirst for this bread of the world until it completely possess and destroy us.

There’s a true story of a woman who complained about her pressure packed work. She grumbled that since her re- employment she is now often sick with high blood pressure, ulcer and other sickness caused by her pressure packed work. Her friend asked her why she keeps on working when she can comfortably live for the rest of her life  with her deposited money in the bank. 

Her curt reply was this: she wants to save some more because she will buy a much bigger house. This is always the scenario once we allow ourselves to be enslaved by the bread of this world: We will endlessly crave for things and possession even if we actually don’t need it anymore.

But what if we seek the true Bread of Life that is Jesus? We will be satisfied with whatever we have, we will not crave for material possession or wealth we will not experience so much pressure. We will instead be serene and peaceful because Jesus the true Bread of Life is with us.

Let us always hold close in our hearts this very 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)

Pope speaks on stolen documents and condemns media for its amplification.

The Intercession of the Saints/The Role of the Saints/How Do Saints Hear Us?

Please click on the link:

http://www.catholicapologetics.org/ap070300.htm

What is LENT?

Aggie Catholics: LENT 2012: Once again, it is time for our Aggie Catholics annual Lenten mega-post . Links, videos, and resources will be added and updated thro...

6 Things All Catholics Should Know About the Rosary

Please click on this link:

http://www.stpeterslist.com/3112/regina-sanctissimi-rosarii-6-things-all-catholic-should-know-about-the-rosary/

The Sacrament of Penance: also known as "Confession" or "Reconciliation"

Please click on this link:

http://fisheaters.com/penance.html

Archbishop of Manila, Philippines, Luis Antonio Tagle, on clerical sex abuse, in Rome, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

Please click on this link: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/feb/09/bishop-warns-of-priest-sex-abuse-cases-in-asia/?page=2#article

My Reflections for Saturday February 4; 1st reading 1st Kings 3:4-13

My Reflections:

In our first reading the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said: "Ask something of me and I will give it to you." Solomon did not ask for any material things; he instead asked for an understanding heart to judge the people and to distinguish right from wrong. Why did Solomon ask for this wisdom instead of temporary things?

Because the most important things in this world are not those that are seen or perceive by our worldly senses. The most important things are those that are felt by our hearts and minds. It doesn’t matter anymore if we are not rich if we don’t have power. It’s enough that we are able to guide, nurture and mentor those who are in our sphere of influence.

The legacy that lasts is not the structures that we’ve built but the hearts that we've touched and converted.

If the Lord will give us the same opportunity what will we ask from Him? 

My Reflections for January 6 Friday Luke 3:23-38

My Reflections:

Death is a unifying factor in the family for example during wake. We will be introduced to relatives whom we have never seen in our entire lives. Then we normally talk with them; through this we will be able to trace how we are intricately connected.

As we talk with our relatives let us take this opportunity to get to know them better. Let us be nice and helpful towards them and let us humble ourselves before them.  

Who knows with these behaviors we might be the instruments for them to get closer to Jesus. …