Reflection for Tuesday August 15, Solemnity of the Assumption 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, "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, and 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 forever."

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

+ + + +  + +

Reflection:

Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We honor the bodily assumption of the Blessed Mother into Heaven. This dogma was infallibly defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1 1950.

The gospel for today tells us that the blessed Mother stayed with her cousin Elizabeth for three months.  Why three months? Why not one month or two months instead? Three months because the Blessed Mother ensured first that she would be with her cousin Elizabeth until she gives birth to her son John. This is the reason why the Blessed Mother was with her cousin for three months.

Considering that she was also pregnant during that time Mary could have decided to just stay with her for a month. Then use the remaining two months so that she could also prepare for the birth of her son Jesus. But she chose to be with Elizabeth until she gave birth. This is how compassionate, loving and selfless with her time is the blessed Mother.

We live now in a world driven by time, for the majority of us time is gold and surely we want to use majority of our time to earn a living or money!  But the Blessed Mother is telling us to use our time not only to earn a living. We also have to use our time or even waste our time to touch lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Monday August 14, Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr: 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.”

+ + + +  + +

Reflection:

To pay or not to pay the temple tax? Of course Jesus did right when He decided to pay. What if Jesus decided not to pay the temple tax? He would have been a bad example to His followers and He would have given His opponents a window of opportunity to persecute Him earlier than expected.

 For Jesus to do right is always His top priority to do wrong is never in His mind it’s always to do whatever is good and right. And we must always do good and do right also all the time.

Although we are not required to give a certain percentage of our income to the church. In hindsight this gospel invites us also to examine our generosity toward our church, how generous are we in giving to our church? For example, during Holy Mass, how generous are we during offertory? Do we give an amount that hurts our pockets or we give out from our spare or crumbs?

We must give generously for whatever we give generously to the church the Good Lord will give  back to us a hundredfold. We can never outgive God for the more that we give Him the more that we would receive from Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

1Reflection for Sunday, August 13; Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Matthew 14:22-33

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, 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 Peter, 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."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Every Sunday morning seven years ago I would go to the house of an eighty-four years old former Extra-Ordinary Minister of the Holy Communion to give him the Body of Christ. Being sick and old he could hardly move and barely speak. However, I always notice that the moment I arrive he would encourage everyone in their house to be silent. 

Then on a small table the candle is immediately lighted after which I place my corporal and put my pyx, open it to expose the Body of Christ. While seated he would bow in reverence and quietly worship Jesus in silence as I say the prayers after which I give him the Body of Christ.

It’s always a moving experience for me as I quietly observe him how he worships Jesus with faith in silence. How he quietly desires to reverently receive the Body of Christ in silence and how Jesus creates peace and calmness in his life.

In our first reading the Lord God said to Elijah go outside the mountain for God will be passing by. There was a strong wind but God was not there. Then followed an earthquake but God was still not there subsequently fire came but God was not in the fire.  After these thundering false manifestations then came a tiny whispering sound of silence and it was God; He spoke to Elijah.

In our gospel, the boat where the disciples were being battered by the waves. Then amidst the disturbance came Jesus silently walking on the violent water. To assure them that in their fearful and unstable present environment. He is there to calm them and to assure them that everything would be all right for He is there to save them all.

We are oftentimes being tossed upside down by our worries and problems that generate fear and disturbance in our hearts.   We are being tossed by fear of losing our job, we are being disturbed by fear of sickness and death. We are being tossed by fear of getting old and there are countless more fears that may come our way.

But in the middle of all these fears and disturbances in our lives Jesus silently comes into our hearts. To assure and calm us that everything will be alright, to say to us that we need not fear. And to say to us to remain strong in your faith, for I am here to save you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Saturday August 12, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 17:14-20

Gospel: Matthew 17:14-20

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Jesus tells you today: “Nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20).” In the midst of your many doubts Jesus is whispering to you that nothing is impossible for you for the simple reason that all things are possible for those who have faith in Him.

Faith is something that we should all strive very hard to have, can we all have faith? Isn’t faith only for the select few? Jesus already gave us faith when we were Baptized and He hoped that as we grow the faith that He gave us would grow as well.

But it did not happen to many of us because as we grow our faith was left out even forgotten. Who is to blame for this faith that was left out? But all is not lost yet because we still have the chance to call out this faith that has been left out.

All we need to do is to ask Jesus to give us once again the gift of faith that He so generously showered upon us when we were baptized. Lest we forget, faith is important in a person’s journey in this world. Without it we are simply like zombies roaming around without direction and purpose.

Prayer:

Oh Dear Jesus we humbly pray that you make alive our dormant faith. For without it we are like headless chickens running around without any direction. Give us faith so that we’ll have hope, give us faith so that we’ll have purpose and give us faith so that we would withstand whatever problems that we may encounter in this world. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Friday August 11, Saint Clare, Virgin: 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.”

+ + + +  + +

Reflection:

What is a meaningful and well lived life? It’s a life lived for the greater glory of God not life lived for our own earthly glory. Many of us commit the mistake of living our life for the sake of this world only.

For example, we chase everything that this world offers us but when we have it already we still wonder why we are still not happy. Or worst is we end up empty and alone even if we have everything that this world could offer us! Why is this so? This is for the reason that we desired this world, what is in this world that many of us are so enslave by it?

All that we have in this world are temporary, even us who presently dwell in this world are also temporary passersby in this world. God created us not for this world but for His eternal home in heaven. Yet many of us still don’t get this that’s why we amass wealth beyond our simple needs. Many of us would even sell our very selves to the Devil so that we can have massive wealth!  

In our gospel for today Jesus clearly states that we can only discover the true meaning of life once we live our life for Him. We can never find the true meaning of our lives if we live it inside the wealth, power and glamour of this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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

Gospel: John 12:24-26

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you love your life in this world?

Jesus gives us today a puzzling statement by saying: “Whoever loves his life loses it and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life (John 12:25).” How could this be?

The answer perhaps to this mystifying statement is we will have no life beyond this world: If we would love worldly life if we would love the frills of this world such as wealth, power and other worldly things.

We hate our life in this world yet preserve it for eternal life if we have Christ like behaviors such as: Humility, Selflessness, Prayerfulness, Kind heartedness and many more Christ like virtues.

Therefore, we are given two choices: To love our life in this world or hate it. Surely there would be those who would choose to love their life in this world but for what price? The problem of loving our present life for the sake of this world is we slowly close our hearts to Jesus. Yet we open it wide for the devil.

Discover the true meaning of life by being a true follower of Christ and by loving Him, discover the true meaning of life by denying yourself of the many useless excesses of this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Wednesday August 9, 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.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How strong is your faith in the Good Lord?

Our faith is always measured by our persistence. No matter how impossible our petition before God if we will persist and never give up God shall grant us what we wish for.

This was proven by the Canaanite woman who never gave up on Jesus to heal her daughter (Tormented by a demon). She persisted no matter the rejection by Jesus until He saw her great faith. If the woman easily gave up her daughter would have not been healed by Jesus but she persisted with faith, then Jesus granted the wish of her heart.

We too have our own request before God; we may have been praying before Jesus for something and He may seem deaf to our pleadings. Let us not give up for He will grant us what we want in His own perfect time. Let us work silently, let us be patient and let us continue to pray for His guidance.  

Work for what you want to have in your life, never give up, continue to pray and ask God to grant your prayers. He shall surely smile at you someday so long as you never quit. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Tuesday August 8, Saint Dominic, Priest: 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.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you have a diminishing faith?

The gospel for today introduces us to a disciple who has diminishing faith. That disciple is Peter; he wanted to go to Jesus and walk on water as well. He was actually able to do it but after a few moments he started to sink because he lacked faith. What prompted Peter to doubt? It was the big waves that were coming onto him.

On the latter part of the gospel we also see the huge faith of the people of Gennesaret. After hearing of the information that Jesus is in their town they brought all of their sick to HIM. Jesus never failed them; all of their sick were cured.

If we would reflect deeply on the gospel today; we may see ourselves in the person of Peter whose faith is diminishing. We may also see ourselves as one of the nameless people of Gennesaret who never wavered on their faith in Jesus. We need to have faith in the midst of the many problems that threatens us everyday otherwise we may end up like Peter who was nearly swallowed by the sea.  

If your faith is diminishing humbly ask the Good Lord to increase your faith for He doesn’t fail anyone who humbly ask for His help. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday August 7, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:13-21

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Once in a while we need to withdraw from the madding crowd to be by ourselves only and God. We need these regular quite moments with God for us to discern His presence in our lives.

Upon learning of the beheading of His relative John the Baptist Jesus went to a deserted place by himself for personal reflections. He was sad over the death of His relative and He wanted to be re-harged and be strengthened by God.

We also need these brief interludes of peace and quite in which there’s nobody else except us and God.  And it’s on these quite moments that we will strongly feel the presence of the Lord in our lives. Who invite us all who are thirsty and weary to go to Him for He will strengthen us. 

Let us not get hooked on the deafening environment of this noisy world wherein money, possessions and power rules and even worshipped by many as God. Let us dig deeper into our spiritual lives and let us discover that beneath our mortal life is the Lord God who wishes to spiritually strengthen us with His infinite love.

After His solitary recollection Jesus was again ready to continue His mission His first act is to cure the sick who were following Him.

The disciples wanted to get rid of them that’s why they said to Jesus: “Dismiss the crowd for it’s getting late already (Matthew 14:15). However, Jesus told them: “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves (Matthew 14:16).” Then the miracle of the loaves and fish happened; there were only five loaves and two fish but Jesus was able to feed more than five thousand and there were plenty to spare. 

How did this miracle happen? It happened because of the generosity and love of Jesus if we are stingy with what we have, if we don’t want to give even if we have plenty.  Jesus is not like many of us.

Jesus is forever generous and loving to us that is why out of His generosity and love He instituted the Eucharist or the Holy Mass and up to this very day He continuous to feed us with His Body and Blood when we receive Him in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Let us learn from the generosity and love of Jesus, let us forever give, let us all remember that it is in our generosity and love that we will receive. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday, August 6; Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord; Matthew 17:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you want to be in heaven when your journey in this world is over? Of course you want to be in heaven only a fool would say that he doesn’t want to be in heaven.  Would you be willing to sacrifice something of yourself for you to go to heaven? Let us say, even a little bit of your comfortable life.

The episode of the Transfiguration of the Good Lord clearly tell us that there is heaven. And we should aspire to be heaven bound and not hell bound someday. However, there is no free ride going to heaven you have to sweat it out for you to go to heaven.

Many of us may be afraid to sweat it out for the simple reason that sweating it out would require for us to sacrifice something of ourselves. But what is sacrifice in exchange of heaven, what is sacrifice in exchange of everlasting life and what is sacrifice when you’ll be in the kingdom of God?

After the fleeting heavenly experience of Peter, James and John they descended back to this world. To face their respective share of sacrifice for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. They could have easily avoided the sacrifice by detaching themselves from their Lord and Master. But they chose to stick it out with Jesus in spite of all the hardships and trials.

What sacrifice/s for the advancement of the Kingdom of God are you willing to face head on so that you could also be in heaven someday? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Saturday August 5, Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him. Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him “It is not lawful for you to have her. Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist. The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

There is a saying that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. King Herod is an example of a man who was corrupted by his absolute power. He allowed his power to rule over him and not him ruling over his power. Otherwise if King Herod was in control of his power he would have not ordered the beheading of John.

When a leader allows his power to get into his head he would do many foolish things. For example, he may act as if he is more powerful than God by saying words and doing things that are inconceivable for a normal person to say and do.

In the gospel we have a character named King Herod he is a perfect example of a leader who is drunk with power. His power made him arrogant and it made him act as if he is more powerful than God for the reason that he ordered the killing of John. But we also know that those who arrogantly abuse power suffers defeat at the end.   

So what is the lesson for us here? Simple, we should not abuse the power that we hold otherwise we will have to pay for it someday. As they say, what goes around comes around. In other words this simply tell us that whatever evil that we do today brought about by our abuse of power will eventually catch up with us someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Friday August 4, Saint John Vianney, Priest: Matthew 13:54-58

Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son' Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas' Are not his sisters all with us' Where did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Unbelief ruled the feelings of Jesus’ town mates towards Him because they were familiar with Him. To them He was just a carpenter’s son; they know Him so well that they were full of skepticism with His miraculous actions and moving teachings.

But looking deeper into their motives we can also see that they were envious of the adulation that Jesus gets from the people. This is the reality of life there really are people who are envious of the success of their fellowmen. It happened to Jesus and it’s still happening right now.

Envy and scorn are unhealthy emotion that muddle one’s mind and heart and it prevents a person from achieving a positive outlook in his own life.

Jesus knew of their envy, scorn and lack of faith that’s why He did not perform much miracle in His native place. If only they were not envious and scornful of Jesus, if only they were not lacking in faith they could have witnessed and even received many miracles from Jesus.

We must always have faith in Jesus and we must discard any envious feelings toward anyone from within our hearts. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Thursday August 3, Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:47-53

Gospel: Matthew13:47-53

Jesus said to the disciples: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."

"Do you understand all these things?" They answered, "Yes." And he replied, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old." When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A mother was pleading to her son to straighten-up his life. But the son would pretend not to hear the pleadings of his mother. So he continued to commit sin until he grew old and eventually died. After dying the son was immediately whisked into hell by the devil.

Hell and the devil is not only an afterlife reality, it’s also a present life reality. We would become a close confidant of the Devil and taste hell in this present life if we continue to sin. We will have no peace of mind; our lives would be problematic. The root cause of this problematic life is our refusal to leave behind sin.

Our gospel for today clearly states this: “Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth (Matthew 13:49-50).”

There’s a hellish price for our sinfulness. But why suffer the grievous price of sin when we can walk-a-way from it?  Why not walk away from sin now, right now. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Wednesday August 2, Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:44-46

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A lady who finds the greatest love of her life is very much willing to give up everything that stands on her way: be it the love of her parents, siblings and even her inheritance. She will be willing to give it all up for the sake of her great love.

There are two important characters in the gospel. The first one is the person who sold everything that he owns so that he could buy the field with treasure. The second one is the merchant who found the pearl. The field with treasure and the pearl of great price represents the kingdom of heaven.

After finding it they were never the same again because they found something that would satisfy them for life. And without them knowing it what they’ve found would serve as their passage to heaven in the afterlife.

Finding Jesus is more than finding the greatest love of your life. It’s like finding the greatest treasure and pearl. It’s an unexplainable feeling that tells you that you’ve already found the greatest possession that you can ever have in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Tuesday August 1, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 13:36-43

Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43 

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you know that the good Lord is patiently waiting for you to embrace Him?

In the beginning of our lives God sowed to us all that is good. For example, through the Sacrament of Baptism He sowed in us our faith. Yet as we mature in this world the Devil also does his own thing, sowing nothing but evil often times disguised as pleasures.

Many of us unfortunately succumb to the pleasurable seeds sown by the Devil.  As a result of this we led lives that are chaotic and problematic and we have nobody to blame but ourselves.  Our lives are in turmoil and without peace for the simple reason that we embraced the Devil.

We refuse to heed the many advices of well-meaning friends and family we instead follow our fleeting and sinful worldly desires. As such we already taste hell in this world. However, for as long as we breath in this world there is hope. Hope to feel the unconditional love of Jesus.

The good Lord is so patient with us that He is very much willing to wait for us to have a change of heart. until when would the good Lord wait for us? Until our last breath in this world. The good Lord will never give up on us no matter how sinful we are and no matter who we are.

For as long as we breath there is hope: Hope of redemption, hope of forgiveness and hope of unconditional love from the good Lord.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday July 31, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest: Matthew 13:31-35

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds.  "The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the 'birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.'" He spoke to them another parable. "The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened."

All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you want to increase your faith?

The tiny mustard seed became the largest of plants, the yeast was little until it was mixed with three measures of wheat flour after which it grew bigger. There’s that transition in the gospel for both parables from being small both grew big.

By virtue of the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Confirmation Jesus planted that small seed of faith in us. He has no other desire but for us to nurture it and let it grow and bloom where other could benefit from us. But somehow as we mature many of us put aside our faith and we prioritize the temporal things of this world.

God’s desire is for us to nurture our faith, it’s His perpetual yearning for us: to grow our faith. Let us therefore ask Jesus to grant us the grace to increase our faith. And of course let us also do our part by faithfully adhering to the teachings of the church, by our pious presence at Holy Mass and by reading the bible.

Thus our faith will grow, just like the tiny mustard seed which grew big and the yeast which livened the three measures of wheat flour. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Sunday, July 30; Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Matthew 13:44-52

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52

(Jesus told his disciples) “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

“Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A woman who had four children from four different men was on the verge of giving up on her life. She had nowhere to go because she was disowned already by her family for the reason of her wayward lifestyle. "She said to herself, “I feel alone and nobody trust and love me anymore, yet I don’t blame anyone but myself."

While aimlessly walking she saw a sign with these words, If you feel nobody wants you anymore, come to us: We will take care of you. So she went and she found out that it was a shelter for unwanted mothers run by nuns. To make a long story short, the nuns cared for her unconditionally and through them she discovered the unconditional love of Jesus.

Through Jesus and the nuns she found restoration, hope and healing. With gratitude she said to the nuns; you took care of me when nobody else cared. You gave me the unconditional love of Jesus when no one else bothered to give it to me. Through you I found the greatest treasure in this world which is the unconditional love of Jesus.

Everyone of us has a purpose and mission in this world and this is none other than to introduce the greatest treasure and the most precious pearl in this world which is rarely found by others. This greatest treasure and rarest pearl is Jesus. We must take time therefore to know Him and share Him so that others may discover Him through us.

How could others discover Jesus through you? You must give hope instead of condemnation, you must be forgiving rather than be unforgiving and you must always sow love rather than hatred. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

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

Gospel: John 11:19-27

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A young man was living his life without any clear direction It was all boozing for him. His mother told the young man, “If you will not change you will depart this world early.” The young man said to his mother, “help me live a new life mama.” His mother told him:  Be with me as I go to Holy Mass daily.” The man did so and slowly but surely he lived a renewed life.   

When Lazarus died both Martha and Mary were forlorn as if their world had ended with the death of their brother Lazarus. Until Jesus came to pay them a visit and from there on the sister’s hopeless life suddenly had hope and life once again.

This is for the reason that Jesus went to visit them, that visit culminated with the raising of their brother Lazarus. Do you feel that you are without hope for the reason of the many problems that you’ve been going through?

There is hope and you can find it in Jesus, in the midst of this problem filled world. Jesus is offering you not only hope but a new lease on life.  Believe, have hope and faith in Him and you’ll have a new life. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Friday July 28, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:18-23

Gospel: Matthew 13:18-23   

Jesus said to his disciples: "Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Would you allow Jesus to bear fruit in your life so that you would become the seed sown on rich soil?

Four seeds were sown on four different surfaces: On the path, rocky ground, sown among thorns and rich soil. The seeds are the word of God and the disciples represent the four environments.

Jesus’ wanted the disciples to be the rich soil at all times (to hear the word, understand it and live it). But God has also given them the freedom of choice to choose what surface they would be.

The parable of the sower is a parable that depicts our individual response to Jesus’ call for us to follow Him.  Many of us don’t give this call serious thought. Quite a few embrace this call; they let it grow in their hearts by means of sharing their faith through their words and actions. Jesus obviously wants us all to become the rich soil so that we could be fruitful and useful followers.

We all have the freedom of choice to choose where we would be among the four environments. However, as far as Jesus is concerned He always wants us to be the rich soil. You may ask for what reason? The answer here is very simple: God wants us to be at His bosom in heaven when our earthly journey is over someday.

Start to become fruitful by sharing and living your faith and the words of Jesus. Take courage and don’t be afraid of the obstacles. Simply follow Jesus desire for your life for He will take care of everything. – Marino J. Dasmarinas