Friday, July 24, 2015

Reflection for July 25, Saturday, Saint James, Apostle: Matthew 20:20-28

Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28
The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? Does it mean to wield power and influence? Does it mean to be popular in your community? None of the above. To be a follower is to be ready  to serve without any  hidden agenda. To be a follower is not to desire greatness or any form of influence.

The mother of the sons of Zebedee desired her two sons to sit beside Jesus in His kingdom. Why did she ask for this? She asked because she did not know the real essence of a follower of Jesus. If only she knew that a follower should be the epitome of humility she would have not asked for that exalted position.

The mother of the two sons is the typical representation of the modern parents of today. They want their children to be in the spotlight. To be in-front and have all the attention that they could gather.

But if this is the mindset of parents today, what are they teaching their children? They’re teaching their children to have an arrogant mindset instead of a mindset of humility. Their teaching their children to seek prominence whenever they do good instead of simply fading away. 

If you want to grow in faith and if you want to be exalted by Jesus. Learn therefore to be humble. Learn not to desire greatness in whatever form. Learn that humility is the only passport towards Jesus. –Marino J. Dasmarinas

Thursday, July 23, 2015

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

Gospel: Matthew 13:18-23
Jesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Do you allow the words of Jesus to transform you? For example you attend Holy Mass or you read the bible after doing it what happens to you? Do you allow these experiences to slowly transform you to become a better follower of Jesus?  Or nothing happens for it was just a passing experience that you did not treasure.

When you encounter the words of Jesus you should always allow it to create a transformation within you. It doesn’t matter how slow the transformation what is important is you are being transformed to become a better and productive followers of Jesus.

God would always want to connect Himself with us yet it’s us who creates distance from God. We don’t respond to God’s desire to connect because we fear that God would restrict our movement and behaviors.  But this is who God is the moment you get serious with Him. If you allow Him, He will truly restrict your movements and behaviors. 

For example God will restrict you from doing bad, God will restrict you from continuing with your vices. Vices that does nothing to you except to  destroy you and your loved ones. But you need not worry about  these restrictions because these restrictions are for your own good. Not for anyone’s good but for our own good!

When you allow the words of God to grow and bear fruit in your heart you become like the seed sown on rich soil. Do you allow the words of God to bear good and useful fruits in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Reflection for July 23, Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:10-17

Gospel: Matthew 13:10-17
The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables? He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:

You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What is the key to unlock the hidden message of the parables of Jesus? The key is to become a follower like the disciples. Many of us do not decipher the hidden message/s of the parable/s for the reason that we don’t faithfully follow.

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

Unlike other Christian religions who do not allow their followers to read the bible by themselves. We Catholics are very much encouraged by the church to open our bibles and read it. So that we would discover and know more about Jesus.  But do we still find time to read our bibles?

Once you decide to find time for Jesus. You would also feel that your mind is slowly being opened to the many truths about Jesus and the church which He founded through Saint Peter. Your mind will  also be opened to fully understand the hidden message/s of the parables. You  will not only grow in knowledge about Jesus you will also deepen your personal relationship with Jesus.

Endeavor therefore to always ask Jesus to increase your faith and do your part as well by following the discipline of the church. And see for yourself the many graces that would be showered upon you. Including the grace of understanding the hidden message/s of Jesus’ parables.        
  
Do you still regularly find time for Jesus in the middle of your very hectic schedule? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Reflection for July 22, Wednesday Saint Mary Magdalene: John 20:1-2, 11-18

Gospel: John 20:1-2, 11-18
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”

Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
How would feel if a very close friend or relative dies? Surely it would be very devastating as if your world has momentarily ended. This was the feeling of Mary Magdalene she was so devastated by the death of her beloved friend Jesus.

Mary Magdalene was so consumed by the death of Jesus that she failed to recognize the resurrected Jesus who asked her why she was weeping (John 20:14-15). Then afterwards Jesus revealed Himself to her and Mary Magdalene recognized Jesus (John 20:16).  

Death is a certainty of life, it visits anyone of us at a time that it chooses. A time that often times we don’t like but death comes to us and nobody can prevent it for it’s the cycle of our lives. But after death comes life, life that is very much different from the life that we have in this world.  Perhaps this was the reason why Mary Magdalene did not recognize the resurrected Jesus when He appeared to her. Mary Magdalene could not distinguish the image of the resurrected Jesus as opposed to Jesus before His death.

The resurrected Jesus also personally manifests Himself to you yet you don’t pay attention to  Him. He comes to you through the poor that you often see begging for whatever that you could give them. Jesus also manifests Himself to you through a sick relative or friend who is longing for your visit. Jesus also manifests Himself to you through a relative or a friend who is badly in need of your help yet you choose to give the things that you don’t need anymore.  

And there are many more times that Jesus had manifested Himself to you but you choose to  ignore Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Monday, July 20, 2015

Reflection for July 21, Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:46-50

Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50
While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Who doesn’t want to be a relative of Jesus? Everyone of us of course wants to be Jesus relative. From the beginning and up until now God desires us to be His relative. God doesn’t want us to be distant from Him, as much as possible He wants us to always be close to Him.

But to be a relative or to be close to Jesus is not easy picking. You have to do your part to become a relative of Jesus. And this part that you have to do is for you to faithfully follow the will of God. You may ask, what is the will of God for myself? The will of God for you is to follow His commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). To do good and to find time to spread the good news. Are you able to faithfully follow this will of God?

Adam and Eve were initially close to God until they disobeyed His will not to eat the fruit of the tree of life. Adam and Eve sinned against God by following the devious scheming of the devil (Genesis 3:1-24). Therefore both of them were separated from God.

The decision is yours to take, if you want to become a relative of Jesus you simply have to follow God’s will. If you want to get close to the evil one, sin and disobey God’s commandments. But take the wise choice no other than to follow God’s will.

You will not only become a relative of Jesus if you follow the will of God, It will also save you from so many problems. It will save you too from the sharp and hellish clutches of the devil. Be discerning because the devil always hides his evil scheming through attractive and tempting things. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

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

Gospel: Matthew 12:38-42
Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
There is a story of a man who keeps on asking signs from Jesus. Instead of Jesus responding to his call for a sign. It was instead the devil who responded to him and he gave what the man wanted. This became a habit of this man: he would always ask for a sign and the devil would always gladly grant his request. Eventually the man became the slave of the devil.

You have to be careful in asking for signs because somebody other than Jesus might respond to your call.  And pretend that he is Jesus, this somebody is no other than the devil who always tries to seduce you with his own brand of signs and miracles. Yes the devil is also capable of creating his own brand of signs and miracles. This he does to entice his prospects to follow him instead of Jesus.

Instead of asking for signs from Jesus, why not ask Jesus to increase your faith? Why not always be present in the Eucharistic celebration (Holy Mass). Why not humbly submit yourself to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as possible?

Why not have time to reflect about the words of Jesus in the bible? Why not always do good and desire the good of your fellowmen? If you do all these, this would result in your increase of faith. Thus you will not be asking for a sign anymore for the reason that you now have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you fond of asking for signs? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Thursday, July 16, 2015

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

Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21
The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What do you do when there is a threat to your safety? Do you run away to avoid the threat? Or do you face the person who is threatening you?

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

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

What would you get if you confront a troublesome person? Nothing except another problematic situation! There are many ways to solve a troublesome person. And surely confronting this troublesome person head-on is not one of the ways.

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

Let us reflect on this wisdom filled action of Jesus for it will save us from many troublesome situations. – Marino J. Dasmarinas