Reflection for August 13, Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:21–19:1

Gospel: Matthew 18:21–19:1

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full. Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe. Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back. But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant!  I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.

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Reflection:

How do you feel after you’ve been through the Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation? You feel light and free as if a big burden has been taken off from your back. This perhaps was the feeling of the servant in our gospel who asked forgiveness from his master/king.

But the irony is this: the servant who was forgiven by his master did not forgive a fellow servant who owed him a small amount of money. Something is terribly wrong here because the servant should have also forgiven his fellow servant. But he did not take advantage of the grace of forgiveness that was showered upon him by his master.  

Do you always take advantage of the grace of forgiveness that is graciously given to you by God during the Sacrament of Confession? God’s desire for us is to forgive as we have been forgiven. To forgive and forget the offense/s that is done to us as God has forgiven the countless offenses that we’ve done to Him. Think about if you don’t forgive, you’re imprisoned by your anger and you don’t have peace of mind. 

You have everything to gain and nothing to lose if you will forgive or if you become forgiving. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 12, Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

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Reflection:

A domineering husband would always shout at his wife whenever she commits mistake. Eventually the wife had enough of his domineering behavior so she decided to leave him for good and live her life in peace.

It’s always very tempting to show off our authority and power in the sphere of environment that we are in. Yet the more that we become authoritarian the more that we alienate ourselves from the people that we love. The more that we become domineering that more that we hasten our downfall.

Whenever there is conflict in our sphere of environment. The devil would always tell us to show-off our domineering behavior through the exercise of our authority.  But this kind of action will never heal conflict it will even exacerbate conflict.

Jesus has an advice for all of us on how to deal with those whom we have issues to settle.  The advice of Jesus is to always use the way of diplomacy and never the way of arrogance. To sit-down and talk as civilized and educated people, to stretch our patience to the limit and not to immediately get angry.

How do you behave when there are issues in your sphere of environment, say for example in your  family? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for August 11, Tuesday Saint Claire, Virgin: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

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Reflection:

A rebellious young lady has five children from five different men. She tried every sin that this world could offer her. There was no sign of repentance in her heart she continued to sin like it was breakfast in the morning. Her relative had already given up on her so they let her live her sinful life.

In the gospel Jesus speaks about searching for the lost sheep and searching for those who stray no matter where they are. Unlike us who often times give up on those who do not listen to us. Jesus doesn’t give up, He continuously search for those who sin or those who are lost. No sin is too big for the merciful heart of Jesus.

Each and every one of us are precious in the eyes of God, He holds us dearly in His loving heart. No matter if we are big time or small time sinners we are all precious in His eyes.

In so many ways the gospel invites us to self-reflection on how we feel towards those who sin. Have we already given up on them because they don’t listen to us? Or we continue to patiently wait or even search for them. Until we find them so that we could offer them our unconditional love.   

Do you easily give up on those who sin or you patiently wait and pray for  them until they see the healing light of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 10, Monday Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr: John 12:24-26

Gospel: John 12:24-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

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Reflection:

What does it mean to hate your life in this world? It’s to give your life in the service of Jesus so that through you others may know Jesus. When you do not give your life for the mission of Jesus and just keep it to yourself you will not grow in wisdom and faith. Yes, you will grow in worldliness and hedonism but eventually your life will come to a halt. And that’s basically the end of it.

When you choose to give your life for the mission of Jesus you will not anymore enjoy this world as you enjoyed it before.  Yet you will also discover a more profound and deeper meaning in your life.

 Why? Because you chose to give your life for the mission of Jesus. You chose to throwaway your life away from the prying eyes of worldliness going to the direction of Jesus so that you could walk hand in hand with Jesus.

As Jesus gave away His very own life on the cross so that God’s kingdom in this world could grow and flourish. We too should not be afraid to give away our lives for the sake of the kingdom of God for this is where the true essence and meaning of life lies.

Where are you in your life right now? Have you already found the true essence and meaning of life with Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday August 9, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time; John 6:41-51

Gospel: John 6:41-51

The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven, ” and they said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Stop murmuring among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

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Reflection:   

How can Jesus be the bread that gives life? This is very hard to believe for a non-believer. But for those who believe they know that Jesus indeed is the Bread of Life.

The Jews were protesting about Jesus’ pronouncement that He is the Bread of Life that came down from heaven (John 6:41). They know Jesus pretty well as the son of Joseph and Mary, some of them perhaps grew with Him.  How could then He become the Bread of Life?  

Faith and actual experience is what moves us to believe this sacred declaration of Jesus that He is the Bread that gives life. Why do we yearn to receive Jesus during Holy Communion? Because our love and faith in Jesus pushes us to do so.

Everytime we submit to the desire of our faith in Jesus to partake of Him during the Sacrament of Holy Communion/Eucharist. We also obey Jesus’ desire to dwell in us and to be with us. The Jews did not submit themselves to this desire of Jesus that’s why they did not believe Him.

Each and every one of us goes through an extra-ordinary experience whenever we partake of Jesus’ Body and blood. Many of us do not notice this extra-ordinary experience anymore for the simple reason that we treat this experience as an ordinary experience.  

  

Whenever we receive The Body and Blood of Jesus it’s not us who desire to be one with our Lord and Master. It is Jesus our Lord and Master who desires to be one with Him. It’s Jesus who calls each and every one of us to receive Him so that He could dwell in us and in the process He could transform and bless us.

What then is your responsibility? You have to share the miracle of the Bread of Life; you have to share what you know about Jesus no matter how limited and you have to allow Jesus to transform you according to His will. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for August 8, Saturday Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest: Matthew 17:14-20

Gospel: Matthew 17:14-20

A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him, and said, “Lord, have pity on my son, who is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” Jesus said in reply, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured. Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it out? He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

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Reflection:

What can your faith in Jesus do to you? It will move you to have hope and it will move you to hold-on to Jesus no matter how difficult the situation. The man in our gospel who asked Jesus to cure his son has faith in Jesus. Otherwise he would not have dared approach Jesus and asked for the healing of his son.

In contrast to the faith of the man was the lack of faith of Jesus’ disciples. What was the cause of the disciples’ lack of faith? Perhaps they treated Jesus as an ordinary mortal like them. Perhaps their reverence for Jesus was little by little being eroded by the trials of their discipleship.

If we treat Jesus as an ordinary mortal we too are susceptible to a spiritual disease called erosion of faith. And the result of this is we will be lukewarm towards Jesus. There would be less motivation on our part to continue to pursue Jesus. We would be more susceptible to doubts and spiritual apathy.

What then is the cure to our dwindling faith? We should pray and ask Jesus for the gift of increase of faith. We should be present and always paying attention to the Eucharistic Celebration (Holy Mass). We should partake of His Body as often as possible and we should give time for reading the words of Jesus in the bible.

If we will have time to do all of these, we surely will always have rock solid faith in Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 7, Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 16:24-28

Gospel: Matthew 16:24-28

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

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Reflection:

What does the cross signify to you? Does it signify hardship and burden? During the time of Jesus the cross was a judgment given by the authorities to whomever they want. It was a sign of oppression, hardship and unfair judgment.

By saying to the disciples that they have to take-up their own cross if they desire to follow Him. Jesus was telling them that they have to be ready to be oppressed, ready to face hardships and ready to be unfairly judged. Many of the disciples took this challenge of Jesus and in so doing they found the real meaning of life.

Many of us seek the life of ease and comfort thinking that this is what life is all about. But life of ease and comfort is not the real essence of life. Could you find your life by living a worldly life? Could you find purpose in this world by living the lifestyle of the rich and famous? Many rich and famous personalities in this world committed suicide because they struggled to find the purpose of their lives.

It is only through following Jesus that you will find your life. Therefore you have to carry your cross for you to be called a true follower of Jesus. Never worry about how hard and difficult the cross that you would be carrying for Jesus. This is for the reason that Jesus will always be there to help you carry your cross.      

Would you be willing to carry your cross for Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for August 6, Thursday the Transfiguration of the Lord: Mark 9:2-10

Gospel: Mark 9:2-10

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

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Reflection:

Is heaven for real? Yes it is as evidenced by the transfiguration of the Lord. When Jesus brought along the three disciples (Peter, James and John) to have that mountain top experience. He wanted them to see that heaven is for real and not just a creation of the mind. Jesus wanted them to feel how it is to be in heaven.

Indeed, heaven is for real and it is open for all of us. But we have to do also our part so that we could be there. Of course we have to become faithful followers of Jesus and not followers in name only.  We have to become faithful followers and not fair weather followers.

Someday our journey in this world will be over and we all are surely hoping that we would be with Jesus in heaven. We therefore have to do our part no matter how small. We have to positively change so that we would have a chance to be with Jesus in heaven.

Nobody of us knows where we would end-up eventually, only God knows about it. But it’s a safe insurance that we ourselves be transfigured. From bad we now become good. From fair weather followers of Jesus we now become an all-weather follower.    

Are you willing to faithfully follow Jesus from now on? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for August 5, Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 15: 21-28

Gospel: Matthew 15: 21-28

At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

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Reflection:

How is strong is your faith in Jesus? Can it endure severe testing from Jesus?

The great faith of the Canaanite woman whose daughter was tormented by a devil is very evident in the gospel. She was initially snubbed by Jesus but she persisted. She heard the disciples told Jesus: “Send her away.” But she did not budge a bit.

Then being a Canaanite woman, Jesus told her: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The more that she persisted; she knelt before and said: “Lord help me.”

After a few more dialogues Jesus saw how strong was her faith when He said: “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

We too have our own special petitions for Jesus and we too must have been snubbed or ignored a number of times. It may even seem that Jesus is turning a deaf ear to our begging.

In spite of these all we must continue to have faith and be always persistent in following Him. God’s silence and rejections to our petitions is a test of faith for us. God wants to see until where are we willing to stretch our patience. He wants to see if we are still willing to walk an extra mile in our pursuit of Him.  

How strong is your faith in Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 4, Tuesday Saint John Vianney: Matthew 14:22-36

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36

Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.

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Reflection:

A young woman was praying to the Lord for a husband.  After two years of praying there was still no reply from the Lord. So she said, I give up my Lord for you are deaf to my prayer. The Lord replied to her telling her, if you did not give up. I would have sent you a handsome, humble and good man that would be your husband and best friend for the rest of your life.

Lack of faith can oftentimes lead us to give-up on our dreams; it can even lead us to doubt the abiding presence of Jesus in our lives.

When Peter saw Jesus walking on the sea, he asked the Lord to let him walk also on the sea going to Him. While walking going to Jesus Peter saw the big waves and it distracted him. Thus Peter began to sink, yet as he was sinking he had the presence of mind to call on Jesus. Therefore Peter cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” And Jesus immediately saved him.

Human as we are we oftentimes falter in our journey of faith with Jesus. But even if we falter in our faith life Jesus is still there for us to help and save us in whatever difficult predicament that we are in.  All we need to do is to ask the Lord to save us and Jesus will surely be there for us to save us.

How is your faith right now in the Lord Jesus Christ? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 3, Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:13-21

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” He said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over–twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

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Reflection:

A man who was given a few weeks to live by his doctors was able to live a full life. And the irony of it all is he was even able to outlive some of the doctors who gave him a few weeks to live.  When he was asked why he was able to beat his sickness he simply said this: I have faith that Jesus will heal me.

When a person has faith the impossible becomes possible, the faraway becomes within reach and the unbelievable becomes believable.

In the gospel, when Jesus saw the vast crowd his heart was moved with pity for them (Matthew 14:14). Yet the disciples were telling Jesus to let the crowd go for it was already getting late and there was no available food to feed them. But Jesus was able to feed the more than five thousand crowd and there was still plenty to spare.

Why did the disciples doubt the power of Jesus to feed the vast crowd? Were they (disciples) losing faith in Jesus?

When the odds are against you or when you are faced with a seemingly impossible situation. Never doubt the power of Jesus to see you through out of your difficult situation. Continue to have faith in the miraculous power of Jesus. Continue to believe that Jesus will make a way when there seems to be no way. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday August 2, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time; John 6:24-35

Gospel: John 6:24-35

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:   

A newlywed couple created a business to sustain their family, they soon after achieved material success. However they also noticed that they were always busy and they rarely had peace and harmony in their family.

If you only go after material success and you forget Jesus there surely would be emptiness in your life. No matter how rich you become there would still be emptiness. In fact the richer you become the deeper emptiness that you will have. Why? This is for the reason that material success only no matter how big will not give you peace and contentment.

In the gospel, the crowd who ate bread and fish in the miracle of the multiplication of the  loaves was again looking for Jesus (John 6:24). They were looking for Jesus for they were once again hungry. The effect of the bread and fish that filled them is now gone and they were looking for Jesus because they want to eat again.

Thus Jesus told them; you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled (John 6:26). The perishable bread and fish that they ate became their main reason for looking for Jesus. It was not Jesus Himself the true Bread of Life that they were looking for.

If you look for Jesus, do not look for Him because of the things that you can get from Him. Look and hunger for Jesus because of your love for Him. And once your love for Jesus becomes your motivation for your hunger for Him. You now can truly say that you have already found the true and imperishable Bread of Life. Thus, you will never hunger anymore with whatever this world will offer you.

Have you already found the True and Imperishable Bread of Life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for August 1, Saturday, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 14:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12

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 supress anyone who dares  cross his path. He will not only supress Herod could even order the killing of anyone he wants.

Respect for human rights was not part of the vocabulary of Herod, abuse of human rights and dignity was. This was 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. 

The Philippines is about to enter presidential election period. And naturally there would be leaders who will promise everything to the electorate. There would be leaders who will try to do everything to get sympathy. Yet we should be watchful not to be swayed by them.

Let us be observant about their pronouncements most especially off the cuff pronouncements for this is where they reveal their true personalities. This is where we could get a glimpse of the true character of an aspirant for the presidency.

Let us be watchful we may bring to the office of the presidency another King Herod. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 31, Friday, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest: Matthew 13:54-58

Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58

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:

Do you sometimes have a selective treatment with your fellowmen?  The town mates of Jesus treated Him with disdain because they knew Him as one of them. They knew His family background and they couldn’t believe that Jesus would be able to do such an exceptional lecture in their synagogue.

Instead of welcoming Him they treated Him with disdain. For they couldn’t accept that this man whom they know very well is now able to talk with wisdom. What drove them to belittle Jesus? It was their arrogance and high sense of themselves. Jesus town mates could not accept that this son of a carpenter could now become a preacher in their synagogue.

Our arrogance and high regard of ourselves will do us no good. It even deprives us of so many blessings from Jesus. Just like what happened to His town mates who were deprived of many blessing from Jesus when they did not accept Him.

Instead of being arrogant be humble, be respectful and always treat everyone as better than you are. Don’t try hard to raise yourself in the consciousness of others, let Jesus do it for you. Thus you will earn the respect of everybody. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for July 30, Thursday, Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:47-53

Gospel: Matthew 13:47-53

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. The love of God is like this also, it’s 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 walkaway from sin then we save our lives.

 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. For the simple reason that the love of God is heaven on earth. While the sinful offering of the devil will bring us nowhere but hell. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for July 29, Wednesday, Saint Martha: John 11:19-27

Gospel: John 11:19-27

Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died]. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.

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Reflection:

Who is Jesus to you? Is He your best friend that you always go to whenever you are disturb by the many worries of this world? Jesus was the best friend of the sisters Martha and Mary they have that close interaction with Him.

 When Jesus was going to their house to comfort them about the death of their brother Lazarus. Martha went to meet Jesus while He was still on His way to their house.  Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died (John 11:21).

 If Jesus was an ordinary friend Martha would not have bothered to meet Jesus, she would simply wait for Jesus to arrive in their house. But Jesus was their close friend, thus He met Him halfway.

How could you have a close friendship with Jesus? You have to ask Jesus to be your friend. You have to ask Jesus to increase your faith, you have to attend Holy Mass as frequent as you can. You have to learn more about the life of Jesus by reading your bible.

The best thing that could ever happen to your life is not to have the riches of this world. For it will fade away and you will leave it someday. The best thing that could ever happen to you is to have the friendship of Jesus. For He will always be there for you until forever. This is the best thing that could ever happen to you in this world.

Is Jesus your best friend? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for July 28, Tuesday, Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:36-43

Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43

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 movement of Jesus in our lives? There are so many ways to discern this movement of Jesus in our lives.

For example you will discover that Jesus wants to have a relationship with you through a relative or a good friend. Through a written commentary that you just read out of nowhere and this written commentary made you think about how you are living your life today.

The good friend and the written commentary that you’ve read are part of the many seeds that Jesus sows in your heart. And Jesus expects nothing less from you than to listen to Him because Jesus always wants nothing but the best for you.

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 place in His kingdom.

How are you living your life today? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for July 27, Monday, Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:31-35

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.”

He spoke to them another parable. “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.” All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:

I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world. illustrate the same point: the amazing contrast between the small beginnings of the kingdom and its marvelous expansion.

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Reflection:

How does the kingdom of God starts in your heart? It starts small, then if you nurture it with prayers, by reading the bible and your faithful presence at Holy Mass. It slowly grows little by little until it fully blooms so that it can bless others and in the process you become a blessing to your brethren.  

But not everyone has this kind of experience. To many of us the kingdom begins small also yet it does not grow it instead dies. Why? Because we don’t exert an effort to nurture it, we don’t ask Jesus to bless our faith so that it could grow.

The mustard seed parable in our gospel is an allusion of Jesus’ desire to help us grow in faith. This seed of faith that He initially gives us during our baptism. And as we grow Jesus also desires that we also grow in faith so that others can learn from us.

How’s the seed of faith that Jesus sowed in your heart during your baptism? Did you allow it to grow by nurturing it and by asking Jesus to help you grow in faith? If it grew, has anyone been blessed by it already? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for Sunday July 26, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time; John 6:1-15

Gospel: John 6:1-15

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 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:   

There’s a story of a married couple who always find it hard to sustain their family's basic financial needs. A relative advised them to always be present in the Holy Mass celebration in their village’s chapel. The married couple asked their relative, why is there a need for us to always be present during Holy Mass? Their relative told them that they need to be present because this is where they meet, interact and be one with the Bread of Life which is Jesus Himself.

The big crowd in the gospel was running after Jesus, primarily because of His miracles, healings and life changing sermons. The crowd was more than five thousand and Jesus was naturally  concerned for their welfare. He therefore wanted to feed them but there was no enough bread and fish. So what Jesus did was he asked for whatever bread and fish that they have.

Upon getting hold of the bread and fish, He looked-up in thanksgiving to God. Thereafter Jesus gave the bread and fish to the crowd and He was able to fed them all. They also had plenty to spare, twelve wicker baskets and some fragments. It was not only the crowd’s physical hunger that was satisfied by Jesus, He also satisfied their spiritual thirst. 

When you attend Holy Mass, you are also feed by Jesus with the same bread which He gave the crowd. It happens when you partake of His Body and Blood during Holy Communion. During Holy Communion you are also nourished physically and spiritually by  the Bread of Life, Jesus Himself!

This is what occurs when you attend Holy Mass. You’re always being nourished by Jesus Himself, the same Jesus that fed the crowd who were following Him in the gospel.

when you are already standing in line for Holy Communion. Pray with your mind and heart and humbly ask Jesus to satisfy your spiritual hunger. Ask Jesus to increase your faith, pray also for contentment and peace in your life. He surely will give-in to your prayer.

Will you go to Holy Mass this Sunday so that you could partake of the Bread of Life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

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.

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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

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.”

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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