Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Linggo Agosto 29 Ika-22 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Noong panahong iyon 1 Nagkatipon sa paligid ni Jesus ang mga Pariseo at ilan sa mga guro ng Batas na galing sa Jeru­salem. 2 Napansin nila na kumakain ang ilan sa mga alagad niya nang may maruming ka­may, na hindi naghu­hugas ayon sa sere­monya. 3 Sinusunod nga ng mga Pariseo pati na ng mga Judio ang tra­disyon ng kanilang mga ninuno at hindi sila kumakain nang hindi muna nag­huhugas ng mga kamay. 4 At hindi rin sila kuma­kain ng anumang galing sa palengke nang di muna ito nililinis, at marami pa’ng dapat nilang tuparin, ha­lim­bawa’y ang pag­li­li­nis ng mga inu­man, mga kopa at ping­gang tanso.  

5 Kaya tinanong siya ng mga Pariseo at mga guro ng Batas: “Bakit hindi isi­nasabuhay ng iyong mga alagad ang tra­disyon ng mga ninuno? Hindi nga sila naghuhugas ng kamay bago ku­main.”

6 At sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Tama ang propesiya ni Isaias tungkol sa in­yong mga mapagkunwari. Nasusulat na “Pinararanga­lan ako ng mga ito sa kanilang labi, at ma­layo naman sa akin ang ka­nilang mga puso. 7 Walang silbi ang kani­lang pag­samba sa akin at ka­utusan lamang ng tao ang kanilang itinuturo.” 8 Pinabayaan nga ninyo ang utos ng Diyos para itatag ang tradisyon ng mga tao.”  

 14 kaya tinawag ni Jesus ang mga tao at sinabi sa kanila: “Pakinggan ako at unawain sana ninyong lahat. 15 Hindi ang pumapasok sa tao mula sa labas ang nakapagpaparumi sa kanya kundi ang lumalabas sa tao ang nakapagpaparumi sa kanya.  

21 Sa puso nga ng tao nagmumula ang masa­samang hangarin – kahalayan, pagna­nakaw, pag­patay sa kapwa, 22 pakiki­apid, kasa­kiman, kasamaan, pandaraya, ka­las­waan, pagkainggit, paninira, kapala­luan, kabuktutan. 23 Ang masasamang bagay na ito ang nagpaparumi sa tao.  

Repleksyon:

May isang kuwento tungkol sa isang mahigpit at arroganteng lider na palaging nag sasabi sa kanyang mga taong nasasakupan na sundin lahat ng kanyang pinag-uutos. Kaya dahil sa takot nila lahat ng pag-uutos ng lider ay kanilang sinusunod.  Pero habang lumilipas ang mga taon ay nakita nila ang kanyang hindi mabuting pag-uugali. Tulad ng pagbibigay ng mga utos na siya mismo ay hindi naman sinusunod. Kaya nag desisyon silang labanan siya hangang sa siya ay matalo nila.  

Karamihan sa mga pariseo noong panahon ni Jesus ay ganon din ang mga pag-uugali. Mahilig silang mag utos at gumawa ng mga batas na sila mismo ay hindi naman sinusunod.  

Sa atin pong mabuting balita ay napansin ng mga pariseo na kumakain ang ilan sa mga alagad ni Jesus na hindi nag huhugas ng kamay.  Kaya tinanong ng mga Pariseo si Jesus kung bakit ang mga alagad nya ay hindi nag huhugas ng kamay bago kumain. Pero kilala sila ni Jesus na sila ay mahigpit lamang sa paguutos na sundin ang mga kautusan ng tradisyon pero kulang na kulang naman sa pagsasabuhay nito.    

Ang problema sa pagiging mahigpit ay ito ay nag dudulot ng pagkakahatihati at pag kakaroon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan.  At alam na alam ito ni Jesus kaya kadalasan ay binabalewala nya ang mga kautusan ng tradisyon para sa kapakanan ng tao. Mas mahalaga kay Jesus ang ikabubuti ng tao kaysa sa pagsunod sa kautusan ng tradisyon. Mas importante kay Jesus ang malinis na kalooban kaysa ang paimbabaw na pagsunod sa mga tradisyon.  

Ang pagiging mahigpit ay palaging nag bubunga ng hindi pagkakaintindihan, pagkakahatihati at pagkakagalit. Pero ang awa at hindi masyadong paghihigpit para sa ikabubuti ng ating kapwa ay nag bubunga ng pag-ibig, pagkakaunawaan at pagkakaisa. Ang gusto ni Jesus at palagi tayong may pag-ibig, pang-unawa at malasakit sa ating kapwa.  

Dahil sa pamamagitan lamang ng mga gawaing may pag-ibig,  pang-unawa at malasakit tayo nagiging epektibong daluyan ng mga pagtuturo ng ating panginoon. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for August 28, Saturday Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 25:14-30

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability. 

Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. 

After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 

Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? 

Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”

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Reflection:

Do you know that the Good Lord has given you talent/s that you can use to help Him advance His kingdom in this world? 

There were three servants who were entrusted with talents by the Master who went on a journey. The first servant was given five talents, the second two and third one. The talents were given to them according to their abilities. 

After a period of time the Master came back and settled accounts with them. There was no problem with the first two for both of them were productive, they were able to exactly follow what the Master wanted them. However, the third servant was not productive with the talent that was given to him. 

The Master was so angry with him that He lectured him that it was much better if he had put the money in the bank so that it could have earned interest. Then, he was punished. The talent was taken from him and he was banished into the darkness where there was wailing and grinding of teeth. 

What a frightening punishment for the unproductive servant, if only he risked using what was given him. He could have avoided the embarrassment and the chilling punishment. 

What does this gospel say about us? About our talents that we choose to keep to ourselves rather than share it with the church and our fellowmen. Some of us are just content to just come and go to the church every Sunday for Mass and give money during collection. We think that this is already enough. But if we are sensitive to the needs of the church we would notice that from time to time it announces its need for parishioners to share whatever talents that they can share. 

You may have the talent for singing, why not join the choir? You may have the charism for service; why not join the Mother Butler or any other community oriented organization in the church? You may have the talent for teaching, why not become a catechist? And so on and so forth. 

Let us learn to share the talent that we have to our church and to our fellowmen. So that it would grow and bear much fruit in the hearts and minds of our fellowmen. Let us share it not because we are afraid of the punishment that may befall us if we would not. Let us share our talents out of our great love for Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 28 Sabado San Agustin, Obispo at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita): Mateo 25:14-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 25:14-30

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 14 Ipagpalagay natin na may isang tao, na bago mangibang-bayan ay tinawag ang kanyang mga katulong at ipinagkatiwala sa kanila ang kanyang mga ari-arian. 15 Limang talentong pilak ang ibinigay niya sa una, dalawa naman sa isa pa, at isa sa pangatlo, batay sa kaya ng bawat isa. At saka siya umalis. 

16 Agad na ipinagnegosyo ito ng nakatanggap ng limang talento at kumita ng lima pa. 17 Nagnegosyo rin ang nakatanggap ng dalawa at kumita ng dalawa pa. 18 Humukay naman sa lupa ang may isang talento at itinago ang pilak ng kanyang amo. 

19 Pagkaraan ng matagal na panahon, bumalik ang amo ng mga katulong na ito at hiningan sila ng pagsusulit. 20 Kaya lumapit ang nakatanggap ng limang talento dala ang tinubong lima pang bareta, at sinabi: ‘Panginoon, ipinagkatiwala mo ang limang bareta sa akin, at tingnan mo, tumubo pa ako ng limang talento.’ 21 Sumagot ang amo: ‘Mabuti, mabait at matapat na katulong; dahil naging tapat ka sa kaunting bagay, pagkakatiwalaan kita ng higit pa rito. 

Halika at makibahagi sa kaligayahan ng iyong panginoon.’ 22 Lumapit naman ang may dalawang talento at nagsabi: ‘Panginoon, ipinagkatiwala mo ang dalawang talento sa akin, at ngayo’y tumubo pa ako ng dalawang talento.’ 23 Ang sabi ng amo: ‘Mabuti, mabait at matapat na katulong; dahil naging tapat ka sa kaunting bagay, pagkakatiwalaan kita ng higit pa rito. Halika at makibahagi sa kaligayahan ng iyong panginoon.’ 

24 Sa bandang huli, dumating ang nakatanggap ng isang talento at nagsabi: ‘Panginoon, alam kong mahigpit kang tao. Inaani mo ang di mo itinanim at nililikom ang hindi mo ipinagnegosyo. 25 Natakot ako kaya itinago ko ang iyong talento sa lupa. Heto ang sa iyo.’ 26 Ngunit sinagot siya ng kanyang amo: ‘Masama at walang kuwentang katulong, alam mo palang inaani ko ang hindi ko itinanim at nililikom ang hindi ko ipinagnegosyo. 

27 Sana’y dinala mo sa bangko ang aking pilak at mababawi ko ang sa akin pati na ang tubo pagdating ko. 28 Kaya kunin ang talento sa kanya at ibigay ito sa may sampu pa. 29 Sapagkat sa sinumang meron, bibigyan pa siya at magkakaroon nang sagana; ngunit ang wala, maging ang sa kanya ay aagawin sa kanya. 30 Para sa walang silbing katulong, itapon siya sa dilim kung saan may iyakan at pagngangalit ng ngipin.’

1Reflection for August 27, Friday Memorial of Saint Monica: Matthew 25:1-13

Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 

Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you.  

Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

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Reflection:

Are you always prepared for the arrival of the Lord? 

In the gospel there are two sets of virgins composed of five women who waited for the bridegroom. The one set belongs to the five who were foolish and the other set belongs to the wise ones. 

 We would always want to be identified with the five wise virgins who brought more than enough oil. The oil that they brought keep their lamps burning until the arrival of the bridegroom. By doing so they gained entry to the wedding reception which is the kingdom of heaven.  

The other five were not as fortunate for they were refused entry. They have nothing to blame but themselves, if only they were like the five wise virgins they could have also been present in the wedding feast.  

One of the realities of life is its fragility it could end anytime. We don’t hold our life its God who knows when would our call time to the great beyond will be. This is the mystery of our life, it’s temporary and uncertain. So while we are still alive let us always be prepared so that we will have no worries when our time comes. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 27 Biyernes Santa Monica (Paggunita): Mateo 25:1-13

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 25:1-13

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, 1 Tinutukoy ng kuwentong ito ang mangyayari sa kaharian ng Langit. Sampung abay na dalaga ang lumabas na may dalang lampara para sumalubong sa lalaking ikakasal. 2 Hangal ang lima sa kanila, at matalino naman ang lima pa. 

3 Dinala ng mga hangal na abay ang kanilang mga lampara nang walang reserbang langis. 4 Ngunit dinala naman ng matatalino ang kanilang mga lampara na may reserbang langis. 5 Natagalan ang lalaking ikakasal kaya inantok silang lahat at nakatulog.  

6 Ngunit nang hatinggabi na, may tumawag: ‘Dumarating na ang lalaking ikakasal; lumabas kayo at salubungin siya!’ 7 Nagising silang lahat noon at inihanda ang kanilang mga lampara. 8 Sinabi ng mga hangal sa matatalino: ‘Bigyan naman ninyo kami ng inyong langis dahil mahina na ang ningas ng aming mga lampara.’ 9 Sumagot ang matatalino: ‘Baka kulangin ang langis para sa amin at para sa inyo. Mabuti pang pumunta kayo sa mga nagtitinda at bumili para sa inyo.’  

10 Nakaalis na sila para bumili nang dumating ang lalaking ikakasal; ang mga handa na ay sumama sa lalaking ikakasal sa kasalan, at isinara ang pinto. 11 Pagkatapos ay saka dumating ang iba pang mga dalaga at tumawag: ‘Panginoon, Panginoon, pagbuksan kami!’ 12 Ngunit sumagot siya: ‘Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi ko kayo kilala.’ 13 Kaya magbantay kayo sapagkat hindi ninyo alam ang araw o ang oras.’

Reflection for August 26, Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 24:42-51

Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51

(Jesus said to his disciples) “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.  

“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so.  

Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is long delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with drunkards, the servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

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Reflection:

What are you going to do if you’re assigned a responsibility? 

You surely will do whatever it takes to properly accomplish the responsibility immediately.  There will be no dilly-dally you will immediately do with what you have to do because this is the responsibility given to you.  

In our gospel for today Jesus tells the disciples: Be prepared for the son of man will come at an hour you do not expect. What kind of preparation does Jesus wants from His disciples? Of course it is to live their lives the way Jesus lived His life, this they could achieve through their humility, their concern for the poor and by living their lives in the service of others.  

How should we prepare for Jesus? Should we prepare by making ourselves busy on how to increase our material wealth? Of course not! The preparation that Jesus speaks about is the same preparation that He required from His disciples. So that when He knocks we would be able to let Him enter our lives. 

Therefore, we must not always busy ourselves on how to increase our wealth and how to satisfy our earthly desires. For these are not the be all and end all of life.  The best preparation for the coming of Jesus into our lives is to create time for Him no matter how busy we are for this is the only way we could prepare for His coming.    

How are you preparing for Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 26 Huwebes sa Ika-21 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 24:42-51

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 24:42-51

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 42 Magbantay kayo sapagkat hindi ninyo alam ang araw ng pag­dating ng inyong Panginoon. 43 Isipin ninyo ito: kung alam ng may-ari ng bahay kung anong oras ng gabi dara­ting ang magnanakaw, magbabantay siya at hindi niya pababayaang pasu­kin ang bahay. 44 Kaya maging handa kayo sapagkat sa oras na hindi ninyo inaasahan darating ang Anak ng Tao.  

45 Isipin ninyo ito: may tapat at matalinong katulong at sa kanya ipinagkatiwala ng kanyang amo ang sambahayan nito para bigyan sila ng pagkain sa tamang oras. 46 Kung sa pag­­dating ng kan­yang amo ay matagpuan siya nitong tu­mu­tupad sa kanyang tung­kulin, mapalad ang katulong na ito. 47 Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na ipagkakatiwala sa kanya ng amo ang lahat nitong pag-aari.  

48 Sa halip ay nag-iisip naman ang ma­samang ka­tulong: ‘Magtatagal ang aking panginoon.’ 49 Kayat sinimulan niyang pagmalupitan ang mga katulong na kasama niya samantalang nakikipagkainan at nakiki­pag-inu­mang kasama ng mga lasing. 50 Ngunit dara­ting ang panginoon ng katulong na iyon sa oras na di niya inaasahan at sa panahong di niya alam. 51 Paaalisin  niya ang katulong na ito at pakikitu­nguhang gaya ng mga mapag­kunwari. Doon nga may iyakan at pag­ngangalit ng ngipin.

Reflection for August 25, Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 23:27-32

Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32

Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. 

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; now fill up what your ancestors measured out!

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Reflection:

Why is Jesus so aghast with the scribes and the Pharisees? Because they don’t walk their talk, what they say is contrary to what they do. They tell their people to do this and that yet they don’t do it themselves. They are only good at giving command and it ends with the giving of command.  

They also are very much conscious with their outside appearance. They always put their best foot forward so to speak yet they don’t care about their manipulative behaviors.  

They are very much like many powerful people who project clean public image but lacking in integrity. They manipulate people for them to be looked up to as if they are more powerful than God. But nothing last forever in this world; eventually the powerful will become without power and the arrogant will crushed and shamed.  

We therefore have to become transparent and sincere toward our fellowmen. No manipulation, no arrogance and superficiality because Jesus’ abhors these kinds of pharisaic attitudes and behaviors. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 25 Miyerkules sa Ika-21 LInggo ng Taon: Mateo 23:27-32

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 23:27-32

27 Kawawa kayong mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo, kayong mga mapag­kun­wari! Para kayong mga pinaputing libi­ngan na maganda sa labas pero puno ng buto ng mga patay at ng iba pang karumihan ang loob. 28 Gayun­din naman, muk­ha kayong mga taong banal ngunit puno naman ng pagku­kunwari at kasamaan ang kalooban.  

29 Kawawa kayong mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo, kayong mga ma­pag­kunwari! Nagtatayo kayo ng mga monumento para sa mga propeta at pinapalamutian ang mga bantayog ng mga banal na tao. 30 Sinasabi ninyo: ‘Kung tayo ang nabuhay sa panahon ng ating mga ninu­no, hindi sana tayo sumang-ayon na patayin ang mga propeta.’ 31 Kaya kayo ang umaamin na mga anak kayo ng mga pumatay sa mga propeta. 32 At nga­yon, tapusin ninyo ang sinimulan ng in­yong mga ninuno!

Reflection for August 24, Tuesday Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle: John 1:45-51

Gospel: John 1:45-51

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth. But Nathanael said to him “Can anything good come from Nazareth? Philip said to him, “Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel.  

There is no duplicity in him. Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me? Jesus answered and said to him “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree. Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.  

Jesus answered and said to him “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this. And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

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Reflection:

How do you encounter Jesus in your life? The best encounter with Jesus that you could ever have is through the Holy Mass, prayer and reflections of His words in the bible. Because it’s through these sacred acts that you always unite with Jesus.  

Nathanael in the gospel had an encounter with Jesus. And he was never the same again after that encounter for he was profoundly blessed by Jesus.  

Our spiritual development hinges on our hunger and thirst for Jesus. The more that we hunger for it the more that Jesus becomes more real to us. And the more that we feel His abiding presence in our lives.  

The more also that we are freed from our fears, worries and vulnerabilities from the scheming of the devil. Let us therefore create time for the Lord because this is the key for us to have an encounter and friendship with Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 24 Martes San Bartolome, apostol (Kapistahan): Juan 1:45-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:45-51

45 Natagpuan ni Felipe si Nata­nael at sinabi nito sa kanya: “Ang tinu­koy ni Moises na nakasulat sa Batas at Mga Propeta, natagpuan namin siya – si Jesus na anak ni Jose, na taga-Nazaret.” 46 Sinabi naman sa kanya ni Nata­nael: “May mabuti bang puwedeng manggaling sa Nazaret?” Sagot sa kanya ni Felipe: “Halika’t makikita mo.”  

47 Nakita ni Jesus si Natanael na palapit sa kanya at sinabi niya tungkol sa kanya: “Hayan, isang totoong Israelitang walang pagkukunwari.” 48 Sinabi sa kanya ni Natanael: “Paano mo ako nakilala?” Su­ma­got sa kanya si Jesus: “Bago ka pa man tawagin ni Felipe, habang nasa ilalim ka ng punong-igos, nakita na kita.” 

49 Sumagot si Natanael: “Rabbi, ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos, ikaw ang Hari ng Israel.” 50 Sumagot si Jesus: Sinabi ko lang sa iyong nakita kita sa ilalim ng punong-igos, at naniniwala ka na? Higit pa sa mga ito ang makikita mo.” 51 At idinugtong ni Jesus: “Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, makikita ninyong bukas na ang langit at panhik-panaog sa Anak ng Tao ang mga anghel ng Diyos.” 

Reflection for August 23, Monday Saint Rose of Lima, virgin Secondary patroness of the Philippines (M): Matthew 23:13-22

Gospel: Matthew 23:13-22

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. 

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. 

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.”

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Reflection:

What is the meaning of the word woe? 

Woe is a word that has a negative meaning and Jesus has three woes addressed to the Pharisees and the Scribes. Why? This is for the reason that many of the Pharisees and scribes are hypocrites. They teach their subjects to practice this and that yet they themselves are not practicing what they are teaching and preaching. 

These woes are not exclusively addressed to the Pharisees and Scribes, this is also for many of us who are hypocrites. We who are not true to our word and we who often are good only with worship for God yet very much wanting in living our faith. 

But it’s not yet late for us to turn things around, to make amends with God. For the simple reason that all of us no matter how sinful have hope before the Lord. For Jesus condemnation is not forever because He can easily erase His condemnation and replace it with mercy, forgiveness  and love.   

Remember the sinner who was crucified with Jesus? He was originally sinful but he repented, thus Jesus brought him along to paradise. (Luke 23:43). Let us therefore repent from our sinfulness while we still have the luxury of time. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 23 Santa Rosa ng Lima, dalaga Pangalawang Patrona ng Pilipinas (Paggunita) : Mateo 23:13-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 23:13-22

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus 13 Kaya kawawa kayo, mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo, kayong mga ma­pagkunwari! Isinara ninyo ang kaha­rian ng Langit sa harap ng mga tao. Hindi kayo pumasok at hindi rin ninyo pinapasok ang mga makapa­pasok.  

14 Kawawa kayo, mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo, kayong mga mapag­kun­wari. 15 Nililibot ninyo ang dagat at lupa para maghanap ng isang bagong taga­paniwala at pagkapaniwala niya, gina­gawa ninyo siyang anak ng impiyerno, na mas masahol pa sa inyo. 

16 Kawawa kayong mga bulag na taga­akay! Sinasabi ninyong ‘Walang bisa kung sa Templo nanunumpa, pero may bisa kung sa ginto ng Templo.’ 17 Mga bulag at baliw! Alin ba ang mas mahalaga? Ang ginto sa Templo o ang Templong nagpa­banal sa gintong ito? 18 Ang sabi ninyo’y walang bisa kung  sa altar manunumpa pero may bisa kung sa handog na nasa altar. 

19 Mga bulag! Alin ba ang mas ma­halaga: ang handog o ang altar na nagpapabanal sa handog? 20 Ang manumpa sa ngalan ng altar ay dito at sa lahat ng nari­to nanunumpa. 21 Ang sinumang su­mum­pa sa Templo ay sumusumpa dito at sa Diyos na naninirahan sa Templo. 22 Ang sinu­mang manumpa sa ngalan ng Langit ay sa trono ng Diyos at sa nakaupo rito nanu­numpa.

Reflection for Sunday August 22, Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 6:60-69

Gospel: John 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?  

 It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” 

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who would always attend Sunday Mass then all of a sudden he stopped attending Holy Mass. When he was asked why? He said this:  “I cannot believe that the ordinary bread and wine is the Body and Blood of Jesus.”   After not attending Holy Mass for a long time He felt emptiness even if he was materially wealthy. He therefore decided to attend Holy Mass again and he felt well and good from thereon.    

Do you believe the claim of Jesus that He is the Bread of Life? Many of the followers of Jesus were scandalized about his pronouncements that He is the Bread of Life. That whoever comes to Him will never hunger or thirst (John 6:35). 

After detaching themselves from Jesus they subsequently returned to their former way of life. Possibly it was a life of sin and emptiness, they chose to regress rather than to progress with Jesus. Why did they walk away? It was influenced by their unbelief towards Jesus. 

Those followers who chose to walk away missed the golden opportunity to know more about the Lord. They also missed the chance to witness more miracles from Jesus. What else did they miss? They were deprived of Jesus daily abiding presence, protection and guidance. 

Those who walked away simply did not believe and they saw it fit to just trust on their own understanding. Than have faith in the pronouncement of Jesus. This is what ails many of us: We trust more in ourselves than have faith in the Lord.  

Are you also walking away from the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas