Reflection for Sunday August 1, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 6:24-35

Gospel: John 6:24-35

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal. So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.  

So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat. So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”  

So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

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Reflection:   

Why do you seek the Lord?  

After the crowd was fed by Jesus in the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves (John 6:9-13) Jesus and His disciples went to Capernaum. After a day the crowd was hungry again and what happened in the multiplication of the loaves was still vivid in their minds. So they looked for Jesus hoping that He will feed them again and they found Him in Capernaum.  

They said: “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you (John 6:25-27).  

It was very clear that the crowd was looking for Jesus because He feed them. They did not look for Him because they wanted to follow Him and be one of His disciples. The action of the crowd invites us also to look at ourselves and reflect on our desire to be with Him. Do we go to Jesus because of His miracles? Or do we go to Jesus because we love Him and we want to be His partner in His mission of evangelization? Often times we go to Jesus because we need something from Him and that’s OK but the ideal desire is we go to Jesus out of our love for Him.  

In the latter part of the gospel Jesus told the crowd: “My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Here, Jesus was already talking about himself to the crowd for they were still not aware of His true identity.  

Sad to say that some of us are not fully aware of the Divinity of Jesus. Some are not fully aware of what transpires during the liturgy of the Eucharist especially in the Consecration. Some are not fully aware that they receive Jesus during Communion that they don’t even care to observe Eucharistic fasting.  

Talking from experience, I noticed that during communion there are those who receive Jesus as if they are receiving ordinary bread. If only they know that what they’re about to received is the Bread of Life which is Jesus Himself!  

There is a great need for us to go to Jesus: not because we desire His miracles. We go to the Lord because of our love for Him and out of our desire to be His partner in His mission of evangelization. Let us not worry for the Lord will sustain us in this noble mission.  

Would you respond? Of course you will respond notwithstanding the distraction of the Covid-19 pandemic. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Agosto 1 Ika – 18 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Juan 6:24-35

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:24-35

Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ng mga tao na wala na roon si Jesus, ni ang kanyang mga alagad, sila'y sumakay sa mga bangka at pumunta rin sa Capernaum upang hanapin si Jesus.  

Nakita nila si Jesus sa ibayo ng lawa, at kanilang tinanong, "Rabi, kailan pa kayo rito?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Sinasabi ko sa inyo: hinahanap ninyo ako, hindi dahil sa mga kababalaghang nakita ninyo, kundi dahil sa nakakain kayo ng tinapay at nabusog. Gumawa kayo, hindi upang magkaroon ng pagkaing nasisira, kundi upang magkaroon ng pagkaing hindi nasisira at nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan.  

Ibibigay ito sa inyo ng Anak ng Tao, sapagkat siya ang binigyan ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos Ama." Kaya't siya'y tinanong nila, "Ano po ang dapat naming gawin upang aming maganap ang kalooban ng Diyos?" Ito ang ipinagagawa sa inyo ng Diyos: manalig kayo sa sinugo niya," tugon ni Jesus.  

Ano pong kababalaghan ang maipakikita ninyo upang manalig kami sa inyo? Ano po ang gagawin ninyo?" tanong nila. Ang aming mga magulang ay kumain ng manna sa ilang, ayon sa nasusulat, 'Sila'y binigyan niya ng pagkaing mula sa langit,' " dugtong pa nila. Sumagot si Jesus, "Dapat ninyong malamang hindi si Moises ang nagbigay sa sa inyo ng pagkaing mula sa langit, kundi ang aking Ama. 

Siya ang nagbibigay sa inyo ng tunay na pagkaing mula sa langit. Sapagkat ang pagkaing bigay ng Diyos ay yaong mula sa langit at nagbibigay-buhay sa sanlibutan." "Ginoo," wika nila, "bigyan po ninyo kaming lagi ng pagkaing iyon." "Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay," sabi ni Jesus. "Ang lumalapit sa akin ay hindi na magugutom, at ang nananalig sa akin ay hindi na mauuhaw kailanman." 

Reflection for July 31 Saturday Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest (M): 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.

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Reflection:

Who is King Herod?  

King Herod is a tyrant, a leader who will never think twice to suppress anyone who dares cross his path. He will not only suppress, Herod could even order the killing of anyone he wants so that he could remain in power.  

Respect for human rights is not part of the vocabulary of Herod, abuse of human rights and dignity are. This is the reason why John the Baptist was imprisoned John did nothing wrong he simply said what was to be truthfully said yet John suffered for it.  

Many leaders are like King Herod, they would bully themselves by the use of strong words and autocratic power to achieve what they want. We should be very careful and watchful of these kinds of leaders for they will not do us any good. They will only use and manipulate us and bring us to perdition.  

Many Herods are roaming around in this world today we therefore have to be watchful so that we can immediately distance ourselves from them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 31 Sabado San Ignacio de Loyola, pari (Paggunita): Mateo 14:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:1-12

1 Umabot kay Haring Herodes ang katanyagan ni Jesus. 2 At sinabi niya sa kanyang mga kasambahay: “Si Juan Bautista siya. Nabuhay si Juan mula sa mga patay kaya nagkakabisa sa kanya ang maka­langit na kapangyarihan.”  

3 Si Herodes nga ang nagpahuli kay Juan, at nag-utos na ikadena ito at iku­long dahil kay Herodias na asawa ng kanyang kapatid na si Felipe. 4 Sapagkat sinabi ni Juan kay Herodes: “Hindi mo siya puwe­deng ma­ging asawa.” 5 Talaga ngang gusto ni Herodes na patayin siya, pero takot siya sa mga tao na kumi­­kilala kay Juan bilang isang propeta.  

6 Kaarawan ni Herodes at nagsayaw ang anak na babae ni Herodias, at nasiyahan si Herodes sa kanya. 7 Kaya si­numpaan niya ang isang pangako na ibi­bigay sa kanya ang anumang hingin niya. 8 At sinabi ng babae ayon sa turo ng kan­yang ina: “Ibigay mo rito sa akin ang ulo ni Juan Bautista sa isang bandeha.”  

9 Nasaktan ang hari ngunit napanum­paan na niya ang pangako sa harap ng mga bisita kaya iniutos niya na ibigay iyon sa kanya. 10 At  pinapugutan niya ng ulo si Juan sa kulu­ngan; 11 inilagay sa isang plato ang kanyang ulo at ibinigay sa babae, at dinala ito ng babae sa kanyang ina. 12 At pagkatapos ay dumating naman ang mga alagad ni Juan at kinuha ang kanyang katawan at inilibing. At pagka­tapos ay ibinalita ito kay Jesus.

Reflection for July 30 Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: 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.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes allow unbelief and envy to to rule over you? For example, you saw a post of your friend on facebook about his rich and expensive lifestyle. Are you once in a while taken over by envy because of that fb post?    

Unbelief and envy 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 about 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 emotions 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 the Lord.  

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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 30 Biyernes sa Ika-17 na Linggo ng taon: Mateo 13:54-58

 

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:54-58

54 Pumunta si Jesus sa kanyang bayan at nagturo sa mga tao sa kanilang sinagoga. Namangha silang lahat at nag­sabi: “Saan kaya galing ang kanyang karunu­ngan at natatanging kapang­yarihan? 55 Di ba’t siya ang anak ng karpintero? Di ba’t si Maria ang kanyang ina at sina Jaime, Jose, Simon at Judas ang kanyang mga kapatid? 56 Hindi ba’t narito sa piling natin ang lahat niyang kapatid na babae? Ano’t nangyari sa kanya ang lahat ng ito?” 57 At bulag sila tungkol sa kanya.  

Sinabi naman sa kanila ni Jesus: “Sa kanyang sariling bayan lamang at sambahayan hinahamak ang isang propeta.” 58At kaunti lamang ang ginawa niyang himala roon sapagkat kulang sila sa pana­nampalataya.

Reflection for July 29 Thursday Saint Martha (M): 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.”

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Reflection:

What compelled Martha to met Jesus while HE was on HIS way to their house? It was her faith. 

Martha was in grief because of the death of her brother Lazarus. But when she heard that Jesus was going to their house to comfort them Martha’s grief was immediately replaced by hope. Because Martha had deep faith in Jesus and being their close friend Martha also knew Jesus very well. 

What do we do when we are sorrowful and in distress? Don’t we also run to Jesus? Of course we also run to Jesus, the energy that compels us to go to the Lord is fueled by our deep faith, hope and friendship with Jesus. We are very blessed because we have this deep relationship with Jesus for we know where to go when we are in beset by the many trials of this world. 

But how about those who do not know Jesus deeply or those who do not know Jesus? Where would they go when they encounter trials? They may never go to Jesus, instead they may look for temporal alleviation of their distress in this world. 

This is where we must come in and illuminate those who do not know Jesus. We must have the courage to share Jesus and our faith so that those who are in distress will now go to Jesus for hope and salvation. 

Our faith in Jesus must not be an exclusive faith that is only limited to ourselves. It must always be an inclusive faith so that others too may feel the love, healing, hope and friendship of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 29 Huwebes Santa Marta (Paggunita): Juan 11:19-27

Mabuting Balita: Juan 11:19-27

Noong panahong iyon 19 Marami sa mga Judio ang pumunta kina Marta at Maria para maki­ramay sa kanila sa kanilang kapatid.  20 Kaya pagkarinig ni Marta na duma­rating si Jesus, sinalubong niya ito. 

Si Maria naman ay nakaupo sa bahay. 21 At sinabi ni Marta kay Jesus: “Pangi­noon, kung naririto ka, hindi sana namatay ang kapatid ko. 22 Ngunit kahit na ngayon, alam kong anuman ang hingin mo sa Diyos ay ibibigay sa iyo ng Diyos.” 23 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Baba­ngon ang kapatid mo.” 24 Sinabi naman sa kanya si Marta: “Alam ko na baba­ngon siya sa pagkabuhay sa huling araw.”  

25 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Ako siyang pagkabuhay (at ang buhay.) Mabu­­buhay ang nananalig sa akin kahit na mamatay siya. 26 Hinding-hindi mama­matay kailanman ang bawat nabubuhay at nananalig sa akin. Pinani­niwa­laan mo ba ito?” 27 Sinabi niya sa kanya: “Opo, Pangi­noon. Nananalig nga ako na ikaw ang Kristo, ang Anak ng Diyos, na dumarating sa mundo.”

Reflection for July 28 Wednesday of the 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.”

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Reflection:

What are you willing to give up so that you’ll find God? 

A lady in her late 20’ was working in a high paying job in a bank. Her parents thought that she was already settled in her job until she’ll have a family of her own and eventually retire.  

They suddenly had the shock of their lives when she told them that she would resign from her job and enter a convent to be a nun. After a few months she resigned and entered the convent. Years passed by until she became a full pledge member of a congregation of nuns. Amidst the secular life that she was in, the lady left everything to follow Jesus in her vocation.  

In the gospel, Jesus gave the disciples two parables about the kingdom of heaven. The first one was the parable of the 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. The second one was the parable of the merchant who was searching for fine pearls. When he found the pearl of great price, he sold everything that he has and buys it.”  

In both instances the individuals involved left everything they have and sought  the kingdom of heaven. It was an easy decision for them to make because they saw the hidden splendor of God’s kingdom.  

The trappings of this material world often times present itself as the doorway to our happiness. We chase it even at the cost of our honor and dignity and after we catch up with it we find out that happiness does not reside there. We end up still looking for that elusive happiness and contentment in life. The big mistake of most of us is that we equate our happiness and contentment with the material things of this world.  

True happiness, contentment and peace of mind can only be found in God. For He is our hidden treasure; He is our pearl of exceptional quality. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 28 Miyerkules sa ika-17 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:44-46

 

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:44-46

 "Ang kaharian ng langit ay katulad ng kayamanang nakabaon sa isang bukid. Nahukay ito ng isang tao ngunit agad itong tinabunan. Tuwang-tuwa siyang umalis at ibinenta ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian upang bilhin ang bukid na iyon."  

Ang kaharian ng langit ay katulad din ng isang negosyante na naghahanap ng mga mamahaling perlas. Nang makakita siya ng isang perlas na napakahalaga, umuwi siya't ipinagbili ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian at binili ang perlas na iyon."

Reflection for July 27 Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: 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.”

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Reflection:

How are you living your life today? Are you living it in accord with what Jesus wants you to live it? 

 Many of us live life as if there is no tomorrow, we live life to enjoy whatever this world could offer us, including sin. But life lived for this world alone is not the real life; there is something more profound than the life that we enjoy in this fleeting world.    

The profound life is a life lived in the company of Jesus. But how could we discover the movement of Jesus in our lives? There are so many ways to discern this movement of Jesus in our lives.  

For example, we will discover that Jesus wants to have a deep friendship with us through a relative or a good friend. Through a written commentary that we just read out of nowhere and this written commentary made us think about how we are living our lives today.  

The good friend and the written commentary that we’ve read are part of the many seeds that Jesus sows in our hearts. And Jesus expects nothing less from us than to listen to Him so that He could guide us as we journey in this fleeting world.  

At the end of the gospel Jesus speaks about harvest time or judgment day. When would this be? This will be at the end of our lives, when we die to be more specific. We will be judged according to what we’ve done in this world. If we listened to Jesus we will have a place in His kingdom. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 27 Martes sa ika-17 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:36-43

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:36-43

36 At pinaalis ni Jesus ang mga tao at saka pumasok sa bahay. Lumapit noon sa kanya ang kanyang mga alagad at nagtanong: “Ipaliwanag mo sa amin ang talinhaga ng mga trigo sa bukid.” 37 Su­magot si Jesus: “Ang nagtanim ng ma­buting buto ay ang Anak ng Tao.  

38 Ang bukid naman, ang daigdig; ang mabuting buto, ang mga tao ng Kaha­rian; at ang masasamang damo, ang mga tauhan ng demonyo. 39 Ang kaaway na naghasik sa kanila ay ang demonyo; ang pag-aani ay ang kata­pusan ng mundo, at ang mga mang­gagawa ay ang mga anghel.  

40 Kung paanong tinitipon ang masa­samang damo at sinusunog sa apoy, ga­nito rin ang mangyayari sa katapusan ng mundo. 41 Ipadadala ng Anak ng Tao ang kanyang mga anghel at titipunin nila sa kanyang kaharian ang mga eskandalo at ang mga guma­gawa ng masama.  

42 At itatapon ang mga ito sa nagliliyab na pugon kung saan may iyakan at pagnga­ngalit ng ngipin. 43 At pagkatapos nito, magni­ningning ang mga makatarungan tulad ng araw sa Kaharian ng kanilang Ama. Makinig ang may tainga!

Reflection for July 26 Monday Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (M): 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.

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Reflection:

Do you want to grow 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 God planted that small seed of faith within us. God has no other desire but for us to nurture it and let it grow and bloom so other could benefit from it. 

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 if this is not possible caused by the Covid-19 pandemic thru online Holy Mass and by reading the bible. 

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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 26 Lunes San Joaquin at Santa Ana mga magulang ni Maria: Mateo 13:31-35

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:31-35

31 Binigyan sila ni Jesus ng isa pang talinhaga: “Naikukumpara ang kaharian ng Langit sa isang buto ng mustasa na kinuha ng isang lalaki at inihasik sa kan­yang bukid.   

32 Pinakamaliit ito sa mga buto ngunit paglaki’y mas malaki ito sa mga gulay, at parang isang puno – duma­rating ang mga ibon ng langit at dumadapo sa mga sanga nito.” 33 At sinabi ni Jesus ang iba pang talin­haga: “Naikukumpara ang kaha­rian ng Langit sa lebadurang kinuha ng isang ba­bae at ibinaon sa tatlong takal ng harina hanggang umalsa ang buong masa.” 

• 34 Itinuro ni Jesus ang lahat ng ito sa mga tao sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhaga; hindi siya nagturo sa kanila na hin­di gumagamit ng mga talinhaga. 35 Kaya natupad ang sinabi ng Propeta: “Magsa­salita ako sa talinhaga. Magpapahayag ako ng mga bagay na natago mula pa sa simula ng daigdig.”