Reflection for Monday August 8, Saint Dominic, Priest; Matthew 17:22-27

Gospel: Matthew 17:22-27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes,” he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?” When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.”

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Reflection:

Do you generously give to your church?

The gospel speaks about the payment of the temple tax. Even if they were exempted from paying the temple tax Jesus still instructed Peter to pay the temple tax. Perhaps Jesus did this for the reason that He wants to contribute something for the maintenance of the church and its facilities.

This generous payment of the temple tax by Jesus somehow invites us to examine our generosity to our church as well.  Are we generous to our church? Do we give generously at Holy Mass during offertory?

We have to be generous to our church so that it can have funds not only for the maintenance of its facilities. But also for the welfare of those who are working for the church. The money that we give to the church is not only for the church it is also for the poor.

We may  not know this but the church takes care of the poor, the church doesn’t blare it but it silently help the poor and those who are in need. Therefore we have to generously give to our church and whatever we give to our church will come back to us a hundredfold.  

What may come back to us may not necessarily be through financial rewards. It can be peace and harmony in the family; it can be good health and many more blessing that does not involve money.  

Do you generously give to your church and to those who are doing something to spread the words of God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for Sunday August 7, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Luke 12:32-48

Gospel: Luke 12:32-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

“Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

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Reflection:

A rich man gave everything that he owns to a charitable organization. When he was asked why  he gave his material riches, he simply said: What will I do with my material wealth, I can’t bring this to my grave and my  ownership of this wealth will not in any way help me go  to heaven when I die.  

Can we buy our way to heaven after our journey in this world is over and done with already? No we cannot buy our way to the kingdom of God no matter how rich we are we simply cannot buy heaven. This is for the simple reason that heaven is not for sale and certainly heaven is not for those who are so enamored and enslaved by their material riches.  

So, what is the key to enter heaven? The key is to give away what you have so that others may live and have life with what you have. Many of us cannot give even a little because we are so possessed by our material wealth.

But what is material wealth compared to the kingdom of God? What are we going to do with material wealth if God has no role in our life? And if it only creates distance from our relatives and friends? What are we going to do with our material wealth if we cannot enter heaven after we die?

In the gospel Jesus tells us this: Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy (Luke 12:33).

Do you allow material wealth to possess you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Saturday August 6, the Transfiguration of the Lord; Luke 9:28b-36

Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up a mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

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Reflection:

There’s a story of a man who wanted very much to discover deeper intimacy with the Lord in his prayer life. Whenever he prays he would always be distracted by other thoughts that disturb his mind. He tried very much to focus on his prayer life to no avail. It has always been the case whenever he prays: There are always thoughts that disturb his attention towards God.

This man’s story of his prayer life could be ours too, we want to have deeper intimacy in our prayer life. But there’s always distractions that disturbs our concentration towards God. How can we discover this mind and heart intimacy in our prayer life with God?

The gospel reading for today gives us insight to discover that mind and heart intimacy with the Lord. Jesus went to the mountain with Peter, John and James to meet and pray before God. For a brief moment Jesus escaped to the mountain so that he would not be disturb by anyone. His heart and mind was totally focused on his desire to connect with God.

 It helped also that Peter, James and John were taken over by their tiredness that’s why they slept. Suddenly Jesus’ face changed in appearance and His clothes became dazzling white: a sure sign that Jesus got what He wanted: Deeper intimacy with God thru intense prayer no less.

If we want to develop a deeper connection with God in our life. We need to make an extra effort to discover Him in prayerful silence. We need to climb our own mountain of silence so that we could connect with Him. We need to totally focus our attention to God and disregard for a moment the people around us. 

Do you always have your moment of silence before God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Friday August 5, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 16:24-28

Gospel: Matthew 16:24-28

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

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Reflection:

During the fifteenth century a rich and educated man named Bernadino Realino left everything for Christ. At 26 he was already a lawyer,  a doctor and a town mayor, he had everything that a young man could ever ask for.

When he was 34, he went to attend a retreat and during that retreat he felt an overwhelming call from Jesus to become a priest. He left everything to become a priest and from that moment onwards he devoted his life to serve the poor.    

This saint found the real meaning of his life by leaving all of his earthly riches and attachments in favor of Jesus. He found his heavenly wealth by leaving behind his earthly wealth. He knew that nothing compares to Jesus.

This is an eye opener for all of us who are so very enamoured by material wealth and earthly power. Many of us are so taken by the things of this world that we take Jesus for granted in favor of this world. But everything from this world is passing and temporary, someday we will leave it behind.

We will have neither earthly influence nor riches if we decide to follow Jesus. We would be losing many of our friends if we follow Jesus. But all of these earthly trappings are immaterial compared to the life that awaits us if we decide hear the call of Jesus.

To hear the call of Jesus is to be willing to leave behind our sinfulness, our arrogance and egotism. To hear the call of Jesus is to be willing to celebrate Holy Mass and read the bible. To hear the call of Jesus is to have the courage to leave behind friends who do nothing to us except to influence us to sin.

Are you willing to leave everything for the sake of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Thursday August 4, Saint John Vianney, Priest; Matthew 16:13-23

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-23

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and 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.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

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Reflection:

Is there a reward for a person who exerts effort to know Jesus deeply? Yes there is and this is proven in the gospel reading for today.

When Jesus said to His disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” And Simon Peter knew Him well when he said: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Aside from the gift of knowing Jesus which God gave Peter, surely Peter also exerted effort to know Jesus. Otherwise Peter would have not said: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

What was the reward of Peter? Jesus rewarded Simon Peter when He founded the church through him: you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church (Matthew 16:18).

What is then the reward for us if we exert effort to know Jesus? The rewards are enormous, infinite and unfathomable: such as peace of mind, humility, obedient and loving children and many more.  

Through our Baptism we are already given the gift of knowing Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him. Let us not throw this gift away by not opening it, to open this is to have an interest in Jesus.

This we can do by reading His life story in the scripture through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. By living His teachings and by our sacred presence in the celebration of the Holy Mass.

Do you also want to receive rewards from Jesus? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Wednesday August 3, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 15: 21-28

Gospel: Matthew 15: 21-28

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

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Reflection:

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

Since she was not a Jew, Jesus told her: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The more that she persisted; she knelled before Jesus beg Him ans said: “Lord help me.”

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

We too have our own special petitions before Jesus and we too must have not received any signs of reply from Jesus. It may seem that Jesus is turning a deaf ear to our pleadings and prayers.

In spite of these all we must continue to have faith and be always persistent in following Him. God’s silence and rejections to our petitions and prayers are test of faith for us. God wants to see until where are we willing to stretch our patience.

He wants to see if we are still willing to extend our patience and beg some more or even walk an extra mile in our pursuit of Him. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Tuesday August 2, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time; Matthew 14:22-36

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36

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

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

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Reflection:

How’s your faith in  Jesus?

There’s a contrast of faith in the gospel between Peter whose lack of faith is very evident and the strong faith of the people who wanted to touch the tassel of the cloak of Jesus.

Like Thomas who did not believe that Jesus has indeed risen.  Peter was also lacking in faith, but initially Peter had faith since he was able to walk a few steps on water. It was when he felt the strong wind that his faith began to wane, thus he began to sink (Matthew 14:30).

So, Peter cried out: “Lord, save me!” and Jesus said to him: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt (Matthew 14:31)?” Our doubts and lack of faith creates a wall amongst us and Jesus and if we are not careful this will slowly but surely eat away our faith.

What is the cure for this eroding faith in Jesus? Prayers, Faithful and Pious attendance at Holy Mass and frequent and humble submission to the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Reconciliation.

How’s your faith in Jesus? – Marino  J. Dasmarinas