Reflection for July 9, Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 10:24-33

Gospel: Matthew 10:24-33

Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!

“Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

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Reflection:

A young man whose time was solely devoted to his career suddenly met an accident and he died. While on his way to heaven St. Peter suddenly stopped him, he asked the young man: what have you done for Jesus when you were still alive? The young man wasn’t able to answer for he was solely devoted to his many earthly concerns when he was still alive.

Someday in the foreseeable future our life shall come to an end and perhaps God will ask us: what have you done for me? Have you acknowledge me before others? Have you lived and shared my teachings? How would we answer God by that time?

While we are still in our life’s journey let us not forget the importance of acknowledging Jesus and the importance of sharing and living our faith in Him. If so far we have been solely concerned with the things of this world we are therefore being gently reminded that this world is temporary and passing.

Only God is everlasting, we will not be able to escape our appointment with God someday. And when that day comes our fervent hope is we would be allowed entry by Saint Peter into the pearly gates because we’ve done something for Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for July 8, Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 10:16-23

Gospel: Matthew 10:16-23

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

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Reflection:

There was a very corrupt high ranking government official who had a stirring turnabout in his life. From being corrupt he became saintly and from thereon he never engaged in any form of corruption. His saintly lifestyle eventually became his cross because he was maliciously persecuted by his former cohorts in his corruption activities.

Does it pay to leave our sinfulness for the sake of Jesus? Does it pay to leave behind friends who bring us nothing but sinfulness? Of course it pays! It may not be easy, we may be persecuted, scorned and even be harmed. However all of these dangers and earthly imbalances in our lives are nothing compared to what Jesus will bring into our lives.

We must always expect persecution the moment we decide to faithfully follow Jesus. We should expect to be looked down, expect insulting comments. Nonetheless; let these persecutions strengthen us further in the name of Christ Jesus.

Almost all of the apostles were severely persecuted for faithfully following Jesus. They were persecuted by this world yet God exalted them for their faithfulness to Jesus.

How about you which would you prefer the immoral and corrupt enticements of this world or the initially difficult path towards Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for July 7, Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 10:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 10:7-15

Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”

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Reflection:

Have you already shared Jesus using the internet?

Lady A, is an internet fanatic she would always share anything about herself on facebook. Simply to create an impression about how good her life is.

Some of us are actually like Lady A, we are fond of sharing our every activity even non- essential activities via the internet most especially on facebook. But have we shared Jesus or anything that relate to Jesus using the internet?

We have in the gospel the commissioning or sending off of the apostles. They were told by Jesus to share the good news of our salvation. They did their mission by advancing the teachings of Jesus and the many miracles that He did.

The apostles did not share anything about themselves it was always about Jesus and never about themselves. For a change why not think of sharing Jesus instead of sharing yourself using internet? If you share Jesus you will change and bless lives and in  the process you would also become a blessing for others. 

What do you usually share in the internet specifically on your facebook account is it always about yourself? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for July 6, Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 10:1-7

Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

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Reflection:

How can we effectively evangelize? We must always be connected with Jesus in our words and deeds. We can never be effected evangelizers of Jesus' teachings if we only preach it and not live it.

Except for Judas who betrayed Jesus, the other eleven apostles were effective messengers of Jesus’ teachings. For the simple reason that they preached it, they lived it and even gave their lives for it.

 They were simple people some were fishermen, some were like us sinners. In the eyes of men they may not be worthy to become Jesus apostles but Jesus called them and qualified them.

Jesus is neither a discriminating God nor a condemning God, He is a God of love, mercy and compassion. He therefore calls us all to turn our backs from our sinful lives and become His followers that will help Him advance the good news of His love and compassion.

Say yes to Jesus and let Him move into your life. Are you ready to answer this call of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for July 5, Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 9:32-38

Gospel: Matthew 9:32-38

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

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Reflection:

Are you quick to hurl accusations without careful thought?

After driving out the demon from the man Jesus is now accused by the Pharisees of being the prince of demons. A wild accusation that has no basis at all, the sole basis of their accusation was their hatred towards Jesus. Because He was easily becoming popular among the masses thus they saw Jesus as a threat to their rule.

Are we not like those Pharisees sometimes? We hurl baseless accusation against our fellowmen simply because we have an axe to grind against them? For example we conveniently accuse somebody of wrongdoing because we simply want to get back against someone who did us wrong in the past.

Hurling baseless accusation is not only exclusive in church organization. In general terms this happens also among friends, people in politics particularly during election.

In the latter part of the gospel, seeing how enormous the crowd was, Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few. This reflective statement of Jesus still rings true up to this time. According to Fr. Oscar Lukefahr in his book: The Catechism Handbook, we the lay faithful comprises over 99.5% of the church.

The people who need to know Jesus fully well are very plentiful but those who are willing to share their labor are very few. Why not share in Christ prophetic mission by being involved in your church as a catechist or in any ministry that will help advance the teachings of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for July 4, Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 9:18-26

Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.

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Reflection:

Do you always compliment your faith with actions? Our faith in God is measured by our actions.

In the gospel there’s the official full of faith who went to Jesus and told Him: “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live (Matthew 9:18).”

There’s also that woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years who came up behind Him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured (Matthew 9:21).”

We too have our own stories about our faith in Jesus. Our faith stories didn’t just happen by accident it happened for a reason. We supported our faith with actions and after which we rested it on Jesus’ mercy and compassion.

The same mercy and compassion that He gave to the official’s daughter. The same mercy and compassion that He had given also to the woman who had been suffering hemorrhages for twelve long years.

Let us therefore continue to have an unwavering faith in Jesus, let us support our faith with our actions and God’s mercy and compassion will be upon us too.

How’s your faith in Jesus? Is it always faith with actions? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday July 3: 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

Gospel: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.' Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town."

The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to 'tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

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Reflection:

Is it hard to follow the way of Jesus? Yes it’s hard, so we will not follow anymore because it’s hard or we still follow even if it’s hard?

When Jesus sent the seventy two in pairs to serve as His advance party they knew that it would not be a walk in the park for them. They knew that there would be difficulties and hardships as they move ahead with their mission.

Knowing all these difficulties that they are going to face yet they still proceed with their mission. Why? Why proceed when there were many dangers and uncertainties ahead of them? They proceeded because they knew that the abiding presence of Jesus would always be there for them.

This is what weakens our resolve when we follow Jesus; our fear/s of facing the many difficulties and uncertainties. But why fear when the abiding presence of Jesus is always there by our side?

If we will let fear paralyze us there would be no more laborers in the vineyard of the Lord. There would be no more laborers who will take care, shepherd and minister to the abundant harvest.

Why fear when Jesus Himself said: “I am with you always until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20)”.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for July 2, Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in OT; Matthew 9:14-17

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-17

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”

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Reflection:

What will make us complete? Its Jesus he only can complete us, the things of this world no matter how enormous will never complete us. Our treasures and power will never complete us and if these are not handled properly this may even destroy us.   It will never fill our longing for God because our love for the things of this world only brings us farther from God.    

John’s disciples asked Jesus: "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus meaningfully answered them: "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The wedding guests are the followers of Jesus and the bridegroom is no other than Jesus himself.

Just like in a wedding banquet wherein the guests are forever joyous the same also with us. We become renewed, happy and complete for we are already with Jesus. We permanently leave behind every aspect of our old sinful selves and everything that will make as sin.

We also throw our fears of what tomorrow may bring us for the simple reason that we are already with Jesus. With Jesus the fear of the unknown will be banished from our system, what will remain is our faith in our Lord and savior. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for July 1, Friday of the Thirteenth Week in OT; Matthew 9:9-13

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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Reflection:

Do you feel that Jesus is calling you to leave behind your sinfulness?  

Aside from Matthew whom Jesus called to follow Him we too are being called by Jesus to follow Him. We may say that we are not worthy to follow Jesus but who amongst us are worthy? No one for we are all sinful creatures of this world.

Matthew was called by Jesus to follow Him for the precise reason that he was a sinner. This is the character and mission of Jesus to call every sinner to follow Him. But why is it that even if we know that we are called to repentance we still continue to sin? We refuse to leave behind us our sinful ways. 

This is indeed very puzzling, why is it that many of us ignore Jesus call for us to follow Him? Does this mean that we love this world more than we love Jesus? Does this mean that Jesus is losing influence over us that is why we refuse to heed his call to a life of renewal and repentance?

Why did Matthew followed Jesus call? Perhaps somebody had shared to him the magnificence of Jesus. Somebody had lived his faith in Jesus and Matthew heard and saw it, that’s why it was not anymore difficult for Matthew to recognize and follow Jesus.

The challenge before us is to share and live our faith in Jesus to the many Matthews (Sinners) of our time. They may not have heard yet anything about Jesus that is why they keep on sinning until this very day.

Will you share Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for June 30, Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in OT; Matthew 9:1-8

Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

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Reflection:

Can we obtain the same forgiveness of sins that Jesus gave to the paralytic?

 Yes we can! The same forgiveness is given to us by the priest who acts in Persona Christi (In the Person of Christ) the moment we humbly submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Confession. However, the sad part is this: Not everyone is aware of this grace of forgiveness!

If only they have an awareness of the grace that is given to us by Jesus when we submit ourselves to this sacrament we would not think twice to humbly submit ourselves to the healing Sacrament of Confession.

A large part of the blame why not everyone is educated about this sacrament lies on us who know the enormous gift of the Sacrament of Confession. Because we don’t bother to share what we know and we don’t live and pay forward the grace that we receive from Jesus through this sacrament.

It’s never too late to repent, it’s never too late to ask God to heal us of our many sickness caused by our sinfulness. Let us go and humbly submit ourselves to this healing sacrament and let us not also forget to share the grace that we have received from this healing Sacrament.

Will you humbly submit yourself to this healing Sacrament today or perhaps in the coming days? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for June 29, Wednesday; Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul; Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

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Reflection:

If somebody would ask us this question: “Who is Jesus to you?” I am sure that our answer will depend on how well we know Jesus. Some of us may answer that Jesus is a friend who’s always there for us. Others may say that Jesus is a brother who is always ready to help us.

Today the church celebrates the Solemnity of Apostle Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Saint Peter is the most prominent apostle; Jesus built and founded the church thru him, he is also the leader of the twelve. Saint Paul was tasked to spread the gospel to the gentiles. Both Saints unwaveringly shared with the ministry of Jesus in spreading the good news at the cost of their lives.

In the gospel Jesus posed this question to His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is (Matthew 16:13)?” the disciples were not able to answer. Then Jesus asked the apostles: “But who do you say that I am (Matthew 16:15)?”

 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. Peter knew Jesus well because more than any other apostles he was always prominently with Jesus. (Mat. 10:2; 14:28; 15:15; 17:24; 19:27; Luke 8:51; 12:41).

Peter also initially did not want Jesus to wash his feet, (John 13:7-9). When Jesus was about to arrested by the roman soldiers it was Peter who drew his sword and cut off the ear of the soldier, (John 18:10) Peter was the first apostles to enter the empty tomb of Jesus, (Luke 24:12), Peter was the first apostles to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection, (Luke 24:34)

Like Peter, are we always prominently with Jesus through the Sacraments and by always being present during Holy Mass? Like Peter, do we have that desire to know Jesus fully well by regularly reading the Bible specially the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?

On the other hand, Paul had a lesser close encounter with Jesus (Acts 9). But his zeal to advance the gospel of Christ is unmatched until now. Saint Paul allowed Jesus to work in his life for the advancement of the gospel.

Saint Paul also courageously advanced of the teachings of Jesus to those who don’t know Jesus yet. He was also educated and he used it to write some books in the New Testament. Do we allow Jesus to move in our lives so that others may know more about Jesus?

If Jesus would ask you this question today: “Who do you say that I am?” Would you be able to satisfactorily reply? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for June 28, Tuesday; Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr; Matthew 8:23-27

Gospel: Matthew 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

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Reflection:

A young man was on the verge of giving-up on his life so he thought of hanging himself. But before doing it he said this silent prayer, Jesus if you are really alive let somebody come in to my house and I will not push through anymore with my desperate plan. Lo and behold, after a few seconds a neighbor was knocking on his door inviting him to join their bible study.

We must always remember that God is alive. He is always a prayer away but often times we forget about this. Because of our worldliness we always focus on our struggles thus we forget that there’s a God who is ever ready to listen to us. Who is always there to lift us up whenever we are feeling down and weary.     

In our gospel for today the disciples encountered a violent storm and in that desperate moment they had nothing to hold on but God. So they said, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” After which there was great calm because Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea.

Whatever that you’re going through right now always remember that Jesus is just a prayer away. Seek Him, pray to Him and He surely will help and save you.

Do you always pray to the Lord Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

1Reflection for June 27, Monday; Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 8:18-22

Gospel: Matthew 8:18-22

When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

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Reflection:

There’s an old adage that says: “To follow Christ is always right but it is not always easy.”

In the gospel passage a scribe approached Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

In fact Jesus was telling the scribe who signified his intention to follow Him that it’s never easy to follow me. You have to think a hundred times before you decide to follow me.

Indeed, it’s not always a bed of roses when we decide to follow Jesus. Oftentimes Jesus will tell us that if you really want to follow me, you need to forget yourself and you need to be selfless. Amidst the hardship that we may encounter in following Him, we can also rest assure that Jesus will always be there for us to guide and inspire us.

Be not afraid therefore to follow Jesus no matter how hard it is. For the reason that every second that you invest in following Him will pay you great reward someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

1Reflection for Sunday June 26, 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time; Luke 9:51-62

Gospel: Luke 9:51-62

When the days for Jesus' being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."

And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father." But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home." To him Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."

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Reflection:

A man who was newly transplanted to his new community heard the announcement of the church’s need for Catechist. So he went to the parish office to signify his intention.

The parish priest asked him: Why do you want to become a Catechist?   The man replied: I want to have new friends in the parish community.  The priest said to him: is that the sole reason why you want to become a Catechist? The man replied: no, I also want to serve the church based on my own schedule.

While going to Jerusalem Jesus met three men who want to follow Him. The two men signified their intention to follow Him and one He personally called. Jesus emphasized to each of them that it’s not easy to follow Him because they have to sacrifice and persevere.

Many of us have this mistaken notion that to follow Jesus is easy but it’s not. Many of us think that the moment we follow Jesus our life will now become a bed of roses, but it will not.

 To follow Jesus is to carry our cross and others cross too! To follow Jesus is to be ready to embrace suffering and even humiliation for this is really how it is when we decide to sincerely become Jesus’ follower.

Will you still follow Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas        

Reflection for June 25, Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 8:5-17

Gospel: Matthew 8:5-17

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven, but the children of the Kingdom will be driven out into the outer darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” And Jesus said to the centurion, “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.” And at that very hour his servant was healed.

Jesus entered the house of Peter, and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, the fever left her, and she rose and waited on him.

When it was evening, they brought him many who were possessed by demons, and he drove out the spirits by a word and cured all the sick, to fulfill what had been said by Isaiah the prophet:

He took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.

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Reflection:

What is with the roman centurion that we often times do not have?

 Its faith and humility, very profound faith and humility! The centurion/soldier was the personification of deep faith. He simply believed that Jesus would grant what he wished for and because of his deep faith Jesus healed his servant.

The centurion was also humble enough to beg the Lord for healing for his servant. He did not mind going to Jesus to ask Him to cure his servant. The Centurion could simply sent an emissary to Jesus and let his emissary do everything for him. But he did not, in spite of his status as a ranking soldier he still humbled himself before Jesus.  

This is oftentimes what we lack, we don’t have deep faith and we are lacking in humility. We ask God to grant us something yet we doubt and we don’t care to humble ourselves before Him.

We withhold the fulfilment of what we want to happen to ourselves when we start to doubt if God will grant us what we wish Him to bestow upon us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for June 24, Friday, The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (Solemnity); Luke 1:57-66, 80

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

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Reflection:

Have you been faithful to the Lord?

To continuously propagate the name of a certain clan it is customary to name a newly born baby after his father’s name. This was in the mind of the relatives who proposed that the newly born baby of Elizabeth be named after his father Zechariah.

 But Zechariah had previously had an agreement with the Angel Gabriel when he appeared to him in the sanctuary that the baby will be named John (Luke 1:13). True to their word both Elizabeth and Zechariah fulfilled their promise and did not reneged on their agreement with the Lord through the angel Gabriel.

 Their faithfulness to God’s covenant was further rewarded when Zechariah was able to speak again. What is the implication of this for us? This tells us that the good Lord has a reward for those who are faithful to Him. Are we always faithful to the Lord?

 We too are being reminded by this gospel to be faithful to our own covenants with the Lord. You may be asking yourself: What is my covenant with the Lord? there are many, I will just mention a few. If you’re married your covenant with the Lord is to be faithful to your spouse until the very end.

Our Baptismal covenant with the Lord is faithfulness to the teachings of the church. Have we been faithful to the teachings of the church and have we already shared and lived its teachings? 

God through the angel Gabriel has rewarded the faithfulness of Elizabeth and Zechariah. There’s also a reward in store for us all for so long as we will be faithful to God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for June 23, Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 7:21-29

Gospel: Matthew 7:21-29

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

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Reflection:

"I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." - Mahatma Gandhi.

It was said that Gandhi was being encouraged to embrace the Christian faith when he said this famous quotation. He admired Christ deeply but he did not admire what he saw on the followers of Jesus, that includes us.

Maybe, Gandhi saw these Christians who only pay lip service to their faith, who are only active on worship but deficient in living their faith.

James 2:17 says: “faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

In the gospel Jesus told his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21).”

Some of us are so active in our church worship we are always there every Sunday for Holy Mass, some are there daily to worship God. But the irony of it all is many of us choose to leave in the church what we hear and learn from it. We don’t breathe it, we don’t practice it.

The will of God is for us to practice and live our relationship with Him through our fellowmen specially those who are in need. What is the use of our worship for Jesus if we don’t live it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for June 22, Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 7:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.”

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Reflection:

Is initial impression a good gauge for us to say that we already know someone? Of course not, we still need to know the person for a certain period of time before we know who he/she really is.

The early stage of courtship between a man and a woman is where both of them try to put their best foot forward. They show all the positive attributes that they have. Thinking that the positive exterior is also the same with the inner being of their soon to be spouse they end up as married couple. The sole basis of their marriage was the positive exterior appearance.

After a few months of being married here come the real identity of the spouse: grouchy, self-centered, extravagant, has no manners and immature. Seeing this negative interior they end up alienated from each other.

Initially the spouse shows his/her sheep’s clothing after they marry the real self: a ravenous wolf is unmasked.

This case is no different with “Men of God” who try to get the trust of their prospective victims and after they’ve gained their trust their real evil selves comes to fore and that’s when they do their bestial acts.

We should always be wary of these individuals; let us carefully discern for they may be in sheep’s clothing but underneath are ravenous wolves. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for June 21, Tuesday, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious; Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Gospel: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Jesus said to his disciples: Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”

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Reflection:

There is a story of a boy who was neglected by his irresponsible parents. A kind-hearted relative saw something from this boy who was always at the church to do volunteer work and attend Holy Mass. So he offered to take care of this boy and without any hesitation the negligent parents immediately agreed.

To make a long story short the boy stayed with his relatives who took care of his education and other personal needs. To compensate for his free board, education and lodging he worked for them by helping with the household chores and other basic house work. Years quickly passed by and this good and hardworking boy became very successful.

What is the narrow gate that Jesus wants us all to enter? This is the narrow gate of hardwork, the narrow gate of life with Jesus and the church that He founded.

Not many of us now are truly hardworking we want shortcuts, for example to become rich we engage in corruption and other illegal actions. Not many of us now do volunteer work for the church because we are very selfish with our time and treasure. Not many of us now are fulfilling our Sunday Mass obligation; we just go to Mass if we want to go.

Indeed, those who enter or pass thru the narrow gate and find it are few but these few will always be rewarded someday by Jesus himself. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for June 20, Monday of the 12th Week in OT; Matthew 7:1-5

Gospel: Matthew 7:1-5

Jesus said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.”

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Reflection:

Why is it that we are judgmental? This is for the reason that we feel superior than the person that we are judging or we have this attitude of dominance. Otherwise if we don’t feel superior we would not dare judge others as good for nothing.

But very clearly in our gospel for today we hear Jesus is telling us to stop judging. This is difficult to follow for those who have superiority complex but easy to follow for those who are docile, and humble.

It’s always very tempting to be judgmental most especially if the person is at fault. However, what would we get from judging others? Nothing except to increase the value of our arrogance and to increase the worth of our egos! Instead of judging, why not simply advice and impart words that heals rather than words that condemn.  

When we perceive that someone is a sinner let us always think that we are sinners too! So that we would not be tempted to judge them. The reality of our lives is we are all sinners that is why we have no right to condemn or to judge our fellowmen.

We can only bring others to Jesus when we are not judgmental, when we are compassionate, loving and forgiving. For who are we to judge? We are not Jesus, even Jesus doesn’t judge, therefore; we have no right to judge.  

There are sinners because many of us do not dare impart Jesus’ compassion, forgiveness and love.

Are you judgmental? – Marino J. Dasmarinas