Reflection for June 11, Saturday Saint Barnabas, Apostle; Matthew 5:33-37

Gospel: Matthew 5:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you stand by your word?

Our words are one of the essential showcase of our character. For example, if we are prone not to fulfill what we say we would eventually loss our credibility. No one will believe us anymore because the minds of those who know us have already been conditioned that we don’t stand-up for what we say.

But the moment we start to value word of honor and once we only say what is true. Our moral value and credibility will never be questioned for the simple reason that we have word of honor.

Many of us do not value anymore word of honor. Lying or to tell lies is just ordinary thing for many of us. We are not anymore bothered about its negative impact on our reputation. And the harm that it will create to our fellowmen, this is who some of us are today, very sad but very true also.  

To have integrity and word of honor is something that we have to imbibe. We have to discard any form of lying and we have to back-up our words with truthful and sincere actions. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for June 10, Friday, Tenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 5:27-32

Gospel: Matthew 5:27-32

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

“It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A husband without any qualms told his wife that it’s all over for them, that they can now go on their separate lives. This is the culture nowadays; the sacredness of marriage is not anymore being respected by married couples. Adultery and divorce is always a tempting easy way out for them.

Why do these two evil instruments exist? For the simple reason that we don’t value our faith in Jesus anymore. Yes, we worship Jesus at church but we purposely imprison Jesus inside the four walls of the church. 

We don’t bring Jesus with us and we don’t allow Him to live with us. Since if we live the teachings of Jesus we would be afraid to even think of these two evil instruments. Much more commit and plunge our very selves into it.

But all is not lost yet, there is still hope and He is no other than Jesus. Let us bring Jesus with us, let us live His teachings and let us make Him our armor. So that we can easily protect ourselves from the evil scheming of the devil who always seeks to destroy the sanctity of the Marriage Covenant. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for June 9, Thursday, Tenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 5:20-26

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is the cure for anger? It’s humility.

Nobody of us are perfect once in a while we get angry but do we have the humility to make amends after we have injured someone with our arrogance? Only a humble and gentle person would have the courage to say I’m sorry for what I did. But to say I’m sorry is not easy to do, only a humble person would summon enough courage to say this magic words that have healed so many disputes and arguments.

In our gospel for today, Jesus gives us teaching about anger. Jesus tells us that we must be reconciled with those whom we have differences and had feelings of enmity. But why do we get angry in the first place? We get angry because we lack humility, we get angry because we have this superiority complex against our fellowmen.

It’s only humility that could deescalate and eventually eliminate our anger. Let us therefore pray for the grace of humility, let us ask the God the Holy Spirit to give it to us. The best test of humility is our willingness to apologize and to admit our mistakes before those whom we have hurt.

Do you have the humility to apologize?  Apologize for it will set you free. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

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.”

+ + + + + + +

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.”

+ + + + + + +

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.

+ + + + + + +

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.

+ + + + + + +

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."

+ + + + + + +

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.

+ + + + + + +

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.”

+ + + + + + +

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 

Reflection for May 31, Tuesday Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Luke 1:39-56

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm,he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Would you exert effort to give a relative a surprise visit? Many of us are very busy that we hardly have time for this kind of human relation effort. But if many of us have no time to reach out to our relatives the Blessed Mother always has time.

Just imagine the Blessed Mother travelling for days on a donkey while pregnant just to give cheer to her pregnant cousin Elizabeth. Who among us would do that? Perhaps only a few because we have no time. 

We have already allowed this world to dictate upon us to always get busy with things of this world. Get busy at the expense of strengthening our bond with our friends and relatives? Yes, when we allow ourselves to become overly busy with worldliness the tie that binds us with our friends and relatives take a backseat.

But not the Blessed Mother for she is an extra ordinary Blessed woman who is always full of love, care and compassion towards her relatives and to us also. The Blessed Mother never thought of her own safety and her own predicament (Because she was also pregnant at that time). She braved the very long distance and the stress on herself just to give herself to her cousin Elizabeth.

How many of us are still willing to forget ourselves just to visit our poor relative/s and make them happy with our presence? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for May 30, Monday of the Ninth Week in OT; Mark 12:1-12

Gospel: Mark 12:1-12

Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant. And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed. He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, put the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture passage: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?”

They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

There is a story of a high and mighty government official who was asked to resign from his post. For the reason that he engaged in high stakes corruption and abuse of authority. Instead of voluntarily resigning he clung to his post because according to him there is still much more money to be stolen in the coffers of his government office.

Since he was not willing to resign he was investigated and was found guilty it resulted in the forfeiture of all his government benefits. This high government official was so greedy that it became the instrument for his disgrace.

In our gospel the tenant farmers are the greedy characters, they were the religious leaders of Israel, they were not willing to give what was due to God which was represented by the owner of the vineyard. They killed all of the messengers (prophets) even the only begotten son of the owner they killed as well. At the end, because of their greed the tenant farmers were severely punished by the owner.  

It doesn’t pay to greedily amass immoral wealth. For whatever we have now that is borne out of our greed will eventually be taken away from us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Sunday May 29, Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ; Luke 9:11b-17

Gospel: Luke 9:11b-17

Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, "Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here." He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves." They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people." Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty." They did so and made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

On Christmas day of 2013 in Legnica Poland a Consecrated Host fell to the floor. It was subsequently picked up and placed in a container with water. Immediately after immersing it in water red stains appeared on the Consecrated Host.

Then-Bishop of Legnica, Stefan Cichy, created a group to monitor the host. In February 2014, a small fragment was placed on a corporal and underwent testing by various research institutes.

the fragments were found containing the fragmented parts of a muscle. Likely similar to the heart muscle.” Tests also determined the tissue to be of human origin, and found that it bore signs of distress.

This past January, saying that the Host “has the manifestation of a Eucharistic miracle. The current bishop, bishop Kiernikowski presented the matter to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Last April the Vatican/Holy See recommended that it should be venerated by the people. 

Today is the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, the same Body and Blood of Christ in the appearance of the Holy Host that fell to the floor On Christmas day of 2013 in Legnica Poland.

The same Body and Blood of Christ that we partake during Holy Communion at Holy Mass. The same Body and Blood of Christ that the sick receive in their house.  When it is brought to them by a priest or by an extra ordinary minister of the Holy Communion.   

Do we give the Body and Blood of Christ the proper respect and veneration when we partake of it? Do we see to it that we are worthy to receive it by humbly submitting ourselves to the Sacrament of Confession at least once a year? 

In the gospel, the crowd of about five thousand were hungry but there was no food to fill their empty stomachs. Except for the five loaves and two fish no other food was available and the disciples knew that it would not be enough to feed the hungry crowd.

However, Jesus asked for the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the crowd. And all of them were able to eat with many more to spare.

The miracle of the feeding of the crowd happened because Jesus desired it. Every time we make ourselves available for Holy Mass and we partake of His Body and Blood at Holy Communion, Jesus desires it for us as well. Why? This is for the reason of the infinite love and mercy of Jesus for all of us.

What have you done so far to reciprocate the infinite love and mercy of Jesus?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for May 28, Saturday of the Eighth Week in OT; Mark 11:27-33

Gospel: Mark 11:27-33

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”– they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Who are the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders?

They are persons of authority they are all highly valued and listened by their community. Jesus was actually no match to them in stature for He just an ordinary Jew and a carpenter. That’s why they’ve asked Him: “By what authority are you doing these things?

What was their motivation in asking Jesus about His authority? Of course their motivation was envy and greed for power because they were slowly being threatened by the growing popularity of Jesus.  Otherwise if they were not envious and greedy they would have not asked Jesus about His authority.

This same envy and greed for power drove them to plot the killing of Jesus.

We too are often times envious of those who succeed, those who are more popular than us. Why do we allow ourselves to be eaten-up by this negative emotion called envy?

Instead of feeling envious why not just be happy for those people who succeed? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for May 27, Friday of the Eighth Week in OT; Mark 11:11-26

Gospel: Mark 11:11-26

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it.

They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples? But you have made it a den of thieves.”

The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death,

yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city.

Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Why did Jesus cursed the powerless and innocent fig tree? Because it was not bearing fruit. What is our responsibility as followers of Jesus? We should not become barren followers. We should instead become fruit bearing followers of Jesus.

This means that we have to share our faith thus we don’t become a fig tree that does not bear fruit. Have you already shared your faith in Jesus? If yes you are already a fruitful follower of the Lord.  

The cursing of the fig tree was a symbolic show of Jesus’ power that was unfortunately not properly discerned by His followers. It was a silent message for them that they have to be productive followers and not followers in name only.

To become a productive or fruit bearing follower of Jesus is to be engaged in the ministry of evangelization of Jesus. Have you tried to evangelize anyone? Say for example a member of your immediate family, friend or a neighbor?   

Are you a productive follower of Jesus or a follower in name only? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 26, Thursday Saint Philip Neri, Priest; Mark 10:46-52

Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

We have in the gospel a blind man named Bartimaeus, because of his blindness there was no way for him to go to Jesus to ask for His healing touch. Therefore, upon hearing that Jesus was passing by he prayerfully shouted, “Jesus, son of David have pity on me.”

 He was told to keep quite by those around him but he never obeyed them he instead prayerfully shouted once again: “Son of David have pity on me.” His persistence immediately bore fruit because Jesus called him and after a short conversation with Jesus the blind man was able to regain his sight and he became His follower.

What if Bartimaeus easily gave-up? He could not have been healed and he could not have become a follower of Jesus. Just imagine also if the wife in our story easily gave up on her husband? If she did not pray to Jesus to enlighten and bring back home her wayward husband? They could have separated permanently, but she prayed and she never gave-up. Our prayers can move mountains so long as we never give-up.

How about you do you easily give up when you want something from Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 25, Wednesday of the Eighth Week in OT; Mark 10:32-45

Gospel: Mark 10:32-45

The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.”

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The chalice that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you willing to carry the cross of Jesus?

Jesus began to tell his disciples what was going to happen to him: his passion, death and eventual resurrection. Then, James and John requested Jesus that in his glory they be allowed to sit beside him.

Why in his glory only they want to sit beside Jesus? Why didn’t they tell Jesus that they would be with him also through his passion and death?

Often times we are like James and John we only recognize the presence of Jesus in our lives during our glorious moments and our life’s triumphs. When we are beset with problems we feel that Jesus has forsaken us. Let us always remember that Jesus wants to be with us always, he wants us to embrace him fully regardless of our life situations.

James and John also desired greatness because they wanted to sit beside Jesus in his glorious moments. But Jesus rebuked them when he said: “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.”

In the church there are those who always want to been seen with their Priest/Pastors because it evokes greatness, power and prestige. But for Jesus the true measure of greatness is when you are always ready to serve regardless if you're seen, regardless if you're recognized or not.

Let us not seek recognition when following Jesus for when we seek recognition we are only following our selfish motives and bloated egos. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for May 24, Tuesday of the Eighth Week in OT; Mark 10:28-31

Gospel: Mark 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A worldly man had a dream, in his dream he saw Jesus calling him to leave behind his life of sin and follow Him. The morning after the man seriously thought about this dream and he was in a dilemma as to how he will survive once he decides to follow Jesus. Night time came and he had a dream once again and he heard Jesus told him not to worry for He will provide for Him.

With these encounters with Jesus, he decided to leave behind his sinful life and he decided to follow Jesus. After which he was never in want of anything he was very well provided for by Jesus.

It is hard for many of us to decide to follow Jesus for the reason that it is not financially rewarding to follow Him. But life is not about storing-up treasures in this world there’s more to life than accumulation of earthly wealth. Life is also about following the footsteps of Jesus and about making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Never would we find the real meaning of life by following the dictate of this world. It's only in following Jesus that we would discover life and its true meaning.

Why not slowly shift the orientation of your life from worldliness to a life in the company of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for May 23, Monday of the Eighth Week in OT; Mark 10:17-27

Gospel: Mark 10:17-27

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A businessman was on his deathbed, being his last moment in this world, his wife and all of his children were there. Seeing them all he suddenly had a worried face and said: why are you all here? Who’s tending the business? In the throes of death, yet his mind was still fixated on his material wealth.

What must we do to inherit eternal life? Jesus tells us to follow the commandments and sell what we have and give the proceeds to the poor and follow Him. This is how Saint Francis of Asisi lived his life. He was the son of a rich merchant but he disowned all of his inheritance he instead chose to help the poor. He lived a life of simplicity and poverty relying more on God’s providence than on this world.

There are people who are overly concerned with material wealth as if they can bring it to their grave. Some are even willing to sell their soul to the devil just to be rich. We should not invest on these things for all these are temporary and it could be taken from us anytime.

We should rather focus more on God rather than on this world. We should help those who are in need and steadfastly follow Christ. Nothing is wrong with being rich for as long as we don’t make riches our God and this we can do best by sharing it. Let us always remember that we are just stewards of the things that we have. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday May 22, Solemnity of the Most Blessed Trinity; John 16:12-15

Gospel: John 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A responsible husband suddenly died without any sign of sickness. The bereaved wife and her children were asking God, why it happened? There really are events in our lives that are very hard to explain.

However we have to accept these mysterious things. And we have to believe that somewhere or somehow there shall be enlightenment and acceptance for so long as we will never lose our faith in God.

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the three Gods that became one or the three persons in one God. How can it be that God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit who are all distinct and separate from each other could become one?

The secret of the oneness and unity of the Blessed Trinity is love. What make God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit one is love and what binds them together is love. Love at its purest and love without envy and deceit. Come to think of it what unifies a family, what makes friendship true and forever? It’s also love the same love that is always present in the Holy Trinity.

For many of us this is very hard to explain and much harder to believe. However there are teachings of the church that we have to embrace without a single doubt. And the Dogma about the Holy Trinity is one of these teachings.

On the other hand, how can we embrace this dogma/teachings about the Holy Trinity if we seldom go to church for Holy Mass? If our bibles are only gathering dust in the lonely corner of our respective homes?  If we seldom reserve daily time for God and if we do not put essence to our faith by living it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas