Reflection for Tuesday September 12, the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:12-19

Gospel: Luke 6:12-19

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.

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Reflection:

Looking back on the lives of the apostles, except for Judas all were faithful followers of the Lord. They were His eyes and ears they were His collaborators in His mission. The apostles did not lead lives of ease and comfort in fact except for Judas almost all of them were martyred in doing the mission that Jesus bestowed upon them.

What is the significance of this call on the apostles in our lives?

By virtue of our Baptism we too are called to collaborate with Jesus to spread the good news of our salvation. We are called to lead Holy lives so that others may see Jesus in us.  we are called to be patient, to shun the temptation of the flesh and materialism, to persevere and to be enduring and faithful until the very end.

If you say that you love Jesus it means that you’re always ready to suffer and be humiliated for the sake of the advancement of His kingdom. Ready to persevere and ready to face the hardship that may come your way. For this is the mark of a true and faithful follower.

Have you done something to spread the faith? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday September 11, the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:6-11

Gospel: Luke 6:6-11

On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, "Come up and stand before us." And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" Looking around at them all, he then said to him, "Stretch out your hand." He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

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Reflection:

Is doing good always in season?

To do good is always in season there’s no exception in doing good and Jesus proves this point by healing a man’s withered hand even on a Sabbath day. To do good also encompasses anyone be it our friends, relatives, strangers and even our enemies; we must do good to them always.

This is the point that Jesus wants us all to emulate: To always make a positive difference in the lives of our fellowmen even during holy days such as the Sabbath day (in the Jewish tradition). And let us not also be selective on the people that we give our help.

In the three years’ public life of Jesus, He would always heal without discrimination of the season and the people. He was not even afraid even if there was threat of physical and verbal abuse on His person His main priority was to impart His miraculous help to everyone.

Are we like Jesus who always seek to do good even to those who persecuted Him? Hard to do, right? However, this is the challenge that confronts us, we who profess to follow the greatest man who ever walked this earth. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday, September 10; Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time; Matthew 18:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

(Jesus said to his disciples) “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

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Reflection:

A young mother would always shout at her daughter whenever she commits mistake. This was her behavior until her child grew up, eventually the child learned to answer back. Thus, whenever the mother would shout at her, she would shout at her also to reciprocate the insult. When the daughter grew up she became aloof and distant toward her mother.

What is the importance of having a one on one talk with someone who offended you or someone who is at fault? You signify your sincerity to sincerely correct the person who is at fault. And you send a message that you want to immediately contain and solve the problem without offending anyone. By doing so you create a sincere message that you want to build bridges and not walls.

Many of us commit the mistake of correcting a person in-front of a crowd but this will not help heal a wayward behavior. This would only create a deeper emotional injury to the person who is at fault. So, instead of bringing him/her closer to healing and reconciliation we instead are creating a wedge that may permanently injure the person.

This teaching of Jesus on how to privately correct a person is very useful for all of us. For the reason that there are times that we let ourselves be taken over by our arrogance rather than our kindness and gentleness. What is the use of power if it will only divide and create further emotional injury? What is the use of correcting a person in full view of the public if it will only create a deep seated feeling of hatred?

The way of Jesus in solving conflict is always the way of diplomacy, fraternal correction and gentleness. Never through arrogance to propel one’s power and influence. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Saturday September 9, Saint Peter Claver, Priest: Luke 6:1-5

Gospel: Luke 6:1-5

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat,  ate of it, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”

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Reflection:

Do you always do what is right even if it’s unpopular?

There are times in life that we are hindered of doing something that is noble because we fear the judgment of our fellowmen. For example, a young lady suddenly had an unwanted pregnancy. Since she was still young her mother wanted her to abort her child. But the lady rightfully stood her ground and went through her pregnancy and gave birth.

While the disciples were picking grains some Pharisees admonished them because it was their day of rest or Sabbath day. But Jesus reproved the ever critical Pharisees by citing what David did (Eat the bread offering which was exclusively for the priest). Then, Jesus topped HIS rebuke of the Pharisees by saying that HE is over and above their Sabbath law.

The rule that Jesus’ follows is this: human need/s such as food takes precedence over any laws even the Sabbath law. Doing acts of mercy is more important than fulfilling a custom or tradition.

Come to think of it, what good would it do us if we follow the law/s but in the process of following it we deprive those who are in need? What good is our presence at church every Sunday if we are not merciful? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Friday September 8, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

Gospel: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.  When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

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Reflection:

Today Friday Sept. 8 is the Nativity/Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Nativity of the Blessed Mother is celebrated as a liturgical feast in the Roman Catholic calendar nine months after the solemnity of her Immaculate Conception, celebrated on 8 December.

Today is also the birthday of my Mother (Natividad Jabonete Dasmarinas); she was born on September 8 1942. Her name Natividad is the Spanish translation of Nativity. I reflected on how she was given that name and I arrived to this conclusion that my grandparents had a special devotion also to the Blessed Mother. Otherwise they would have not named my mother Natividad.

We Catholics have this very deep devotion to the Blessed Mother for the reason that she is our universal mother. The respect and devotion that we give her is the same respect and devotion that we gave our own mothers. How can we not venerate Mama Mary when she is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ?

In the gospel, Joseph was about to quietly divorce Mary whom he found to be pregnant already through the Holy Spirit. But the Lord intervened through an angel and it told Joseph not to leave Mary. For the reason that the child that she carries in her womb was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Joseph humbly listened to the Lord, he did not leave Mary and the salvific plan of God was realized with the birth of Jesus.

Do you always listen to the voice of the Lord? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Thursday September 7, Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 5:1-11

Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them.

They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

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 Reflection:

From ordinary fishermen to extra-ordinary fishers of men, this we can best describe the lives of Simon Peter, James and John. Who transformed them to become fishers of men? Jesus! Why were they transformed by Jesus? Because they obeyed, they simply followed the command of the Lord.

When we obey Jesus, extra-ordinary things begin to happen to us; but how could we hear the voice of Jesus? How would we know that Jesus is talking to us when we don’t see and feel His physical presence?

Jesus speaks to us through the readings at Holy Mass, Jesus speaks to us through the priest who prepared for his homily. Jesus speaks to us also when we read His words in the bible and through the words and commentaries of well-meaning people.

Through these we hear Jesus calling us to conversion and to faithfully follow Him. Nothing is impossible for as long as we follow and for as long as we put our faith and trust in Jesus.

Simon Peter, James, John and the other fishermen who were with them during that early morning obeyed the impossible command of Jesus. To once again put their nets (A short distance from them) into the sea because they would be catching the greatest number of fish. And true enough they caught the biggest number of fish in all of their life as fishermen.  

The moment you begin to obey Jesus extra-ordinary things would begin to happen to you as well. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Wednesday September 6, Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 4:38-44

Gospel: Luke 4:38-44

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them.

At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God." But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, "To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent." And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

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Reflection:

What do you do after a busy and tiring day? Do you seek to be alone by yourself to commune with God? After a tiring day of healing Jesus went to a deserted place at daybreak to commune with God.

Jesus always finds time for God no matter how busy He was. Why? Because Jesus derives strength from His communion with God. Do you also derive strength from God? Do you seek communion with Jesus everyday? 

The beauty of always being in touch with Jesus is you will never be lost in the sinful jungle of this world. Through Jesus you always have a strong anchor to stabilize your life. Do you feel lost every once in while in this world? Ask Jesus to give you the strength to survive the many backbreaking pressures in this world. Ask Jesus to journey with you as you dive to your many pressure laden activities.

Always remember that as you go through the daily grind of your life. Jesus is always there for you ever ready to help you in whatever way possible. Always call on Jesus and always seek His abiding presence in your life.

Do you always seek the presence of Jesus in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas