Reflection for June 8, Wednesday, Tenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 5:17-19

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

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Reflection:

What will happen to us if we would always observe the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-1) and the two greatest commandments that Jesus gave us (Matthew 22:36-40)? We will move closer to Jesus, we will grow in faith and there would be peace in our life.

This is the price that awaits those who would observe the laws of God. Without close observance of God’s commandments there would also be no close relationship with God. Observe those who don’t follow the commandments of God or observe your very own self when you don’t follow God’s commandments. What kind of life would you have? Isn’t a life of chaos and endless problems?

Therefore the key to intimacy with God is our faithful observance of His commandments. But human as we are we are also subject to our own frailties. We fall and sin every once in a while and thus we are temporarily separated from the love of God.

However Jesus also instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that whenever we sin we have a recourse out of sin. But do we take advantage of this healing and merciful sacrament? Are we conscious that this sacrament can completely erase every sin that we have committed? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for June 6, Monday, Tenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 5:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

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Reflection:

There was a man who wanted to be happy; he chased the cravings of the world: riches, popularity, power, lust, recognition and many more worldly things. He achieved all of those things but in spite of it all he came out empty and broken. He was still yearning for something.

While in deep thought in their house he chanced upon a dusty Bible he opened it and accidentally read on this Gospel reading (Matthew 5:1-12). He read and re-read the Gospel until it dawned on him that it was the answer to the happiness that he’s been searching for.

He practiced and lived the eight beatitudes and he finally experienced the fountain of happiness that he has been longing for so long.

The Gospel about the eight (8) Beatitudes is a paradox if we compare it with the standards of this world. For example: how can we be blessed and how can the kingdom of heaven be ours if we are materially and spiritually poor. Isn’t it more appropriate to say: Blessed are the rich in spirit for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Isn’t it more appropriate to say: Blessed are those who are joyful instead of blessed are those who mourn.

There’s a contradiction for each eight Beatitudes based on our worldly standards. But Jesus is challenging us to follow His teachings of the Beatitudes for it is here where we would find true happiness and peace.

On John 14:27 Jesus tells us: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."

Are you willing to embrace Jesus’ teachings of the Beatitudes? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday June 5, Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Luke 7:11-17

Gospel: Luke 7:11-17

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, crying out “A great prophet has arisen in our midst, “ and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

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Reflection:
Do you want to feel the compassion and mercy of Jesus? 

Jesus compassion is undeniably supreme in our gospel reading today. Upon seeing the widow HE was moved with compassion and sympathy for her. Jesus has compassion for all of us also, we who are struggling with life, Jesus is always with us, HE feels our loneliness, brokenness and our emptiness.

Jesus saw a widow crying over the death of her only son When Jesus saw her; he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” And then Jesus did the unthinkable, He raised the widow's only son to life.

How many times has Jesus made miracles in our lives that we are not aware of? In the daily grind of life let us not forget that Jesus is always by our side making little and big miracles in our lives. Let us not forget it, let us always be grateful to Him by personally thanking Him.

Perhaps you’ve also passed through a stage of sorrow, loneliness and even brokenness. How were you able to triumph over it?  Did you ask help from Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

1Reflection for June 4, Saturday; Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Luke 2:41-51

Gospel: Luke 2:41-51

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

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Reflection:

What breaks the heart of a mother? It is to see that her children are not successful in their own respective fields especially in their marriages.

Mary’s heart was also being torn to pieces as she discovered that her child Jesus was not with them as they return home to Nazareth. But the Blessed Mother trusted God and she surely prayed to God as well that they would be able to find Jesus.

Today we remember the Immaculate Heart of Mary; immaculate means clean unsullied by any impurities that will make it unclean: that’s the heart of the Blessed Mother. However, her heart was not spared from sorrows, pains and apprehensions this was very vivid when she was at the foot of the cross crying and somberly looking-up to his crucified and dying son.

However, amidst the sorrows; the Blessed Mother’s heart is also deeply humble and trusting to the will of God. She carried her sorrow with dignity and deep faith in God that’s why she quietly endured her sufferings until the death of Jesus on the cross.

For the mothers who carry their own sufferings may the Immaculate Heart of Mary be your own model of humility, trust and deep faith. Your sufferings may be caused by your children, by your husband or by a severe trial.

Never hesitate to ask the Blessed Mother to pray for you and to bring you closer to her child Jesus. – Marino j. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for June 3, Friday; Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; Luke 15:3-7

Gospel: Luke 15:3-7

Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes: "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance."

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Reflection:

Do you know that Jesus loves you whomever you may be and no matter how severe the sins that you have committed?

God’s love for us is immense and infinite He will do everything to find us and bring us back to His loving embrace. Perhaps many have this notion that because of their sinfulness God has already forgotten them. But no, the more sinful we are the more that God seeks us, the more that we are lost in the jungle of sinfulness the more that He never tires to find us.  

In the gospel God left the ninety nine sheep in favor of the one who was lost. He never stopped looking for the lost sheep until He found it. And upon finding it He placed it on His shoulder with great joy. This is the love of God for us, love that is always there for us and love that is ever ready to forget and forgive all of our sinfulness.

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus’ sacred heart is so loving and forgiving. Jesus wants us to radiate the same love and forgiveness also. He wants us to humbly seek those who are lost whomever they may be and whatever sins that they have committed.

So that they too will know that there is a God who is very eager to forgive and love them notwithstanding their sinfulness. A  God who is ever willing to embrace us again and completely delete our record of sins. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for June 2, Thursday in the Ninth Week of OT; Mark 12:28-34

Gospel: Mark 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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Reflection:

How do you manifest your love for God?

To love God is to discover more about Him, thus you need to thirst and hunger for Him. You need to be always present at Holy Mass and feel His presence there.  You need to read the bible and be faithful to its teachings.

If you will read the first four gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) you will have a better appreciation of the true to life story of Jesus.  To love God is to live His teachings as well.

After you have fully expressed your love for God the next commandment will automatically set-in (You shall love your neighbor as yourself). What is this love for our neighbor? Is this a selective kind of love or an encompassing love?

The love for our neigbor should always be an encompassing love and not a selective love. Sometimes this is where we are deficient because we only choose the neighbor that we love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for June 1, Wednesday Saint Justin, Martyr; Mark 12:18-27

Gospel: Mark 12:18-27

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants. So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants, and the third likewise. And the seven left no descendants. Last of all the woman also died. At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled.”

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Reflection:

Is there an afterlife or resurrection after our life in this world is over? There is but it's very different from the life that we have right now.

In the gospel a religious group who do not believe in the resurrection asked Jesus about a lady who married seven brothers who subsequently died one after the other. They asked Jesus, whose wife would she be in the afterlife?

 Jesus said to them, "Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven.

The resurrected life with Jesus in heaven is totally different from the life that we have right now. If here we have pains and sorrows there shall be no more there, what we will have there is a life with Jesus that is blissful and heavenly.

We must aspire for that heavenly life and we must start right now by following the teachings of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas