Reflection for September 8, Wednesday Feast of the 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.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you believe that parents play a critical role in the life of their children?   

Today is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, why is Mary so humble and docile to the will of God? Is it an inherent character of Mary? The humility and docility of Mary is a gift from God.  

But it was also influenced upon her by her parents: Joachim and Anna, it was said that they were childless until an angel appeared to Anna and told her that she would conceive. Somehow the appearance of the angel to Joachim and Anna would tell us what kind of individuals the parents of Mary.  

Both of them loved God deeply—both of them were prayerful, humble and docile to the will of God. Therefore God gifted them with a new child and that is Mary. Mary is an epitome of prayerfulness, humility and docility as well. Without Mary Jesus would have not been born; thus a savior was born because of the prayerfulness, humility and docility of Mary.  

As we remember the birth of the Blessed Mother let us not forget the role of her parents. Let us also not forget to inculcate upon our children the importance of prayerfulness, humility and docility for it will define their character as they grow up.  

Have you taught your children about their need to be prayerful, humble and docile to the movement of God in their lives? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 8 Miyerkules Ang Pagsilang ng Mahal na Birheng Maria (Kapistahan): Mateo 1:1-16, 18-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:1-16, 18-23

1 Ito ang libro ng pinagmulan ni Jesu¬cristo, anak ni David at anak ni Abraham. 2 Si Abraham ang ama ni Isaac, si Isaac ang ama ni Jacob, si Jacob ang ama ni Juda at ng kanyang mga kapatid. 3 Si Juda ang ama nina Parez at Zerah (si Tamar ang kanilang ina), si Parez ang ama ni Esron, at si Esron ni Aram. 4 Si Aram naman ang ama ni Aminadab, si Ami¬¬nadab ni Naason, si Naason ni Sal¬mon. 

5 Si Salmon ang ama ni Boaz, at si Rahab naman ang kanyang ina. Si Boaz ang ama ni Obed, si Ruth ang kanyang ina. Si Obed naman ang ama ni Jese. 6 Si Jese ang ama ni David na hari. Si David ang ama ni Solomon, at ang na¬ging maybahay ni Urias ang kanyang ina. 

7 Si Solomon ang ama ni Rehoboam na ama ni Abias, at sumunod naman ang mga haring sina Asa, 8 Yosafat, Yoram, Ocias, 9 Yoatan, Ahaz, Ezekias, 10 Mana¬ses, Amon at Yosias. 11 Si Yosias ang ama ni Yekonias at ng kanyang mga kapatid, sa panahon ng pagkatapon sa Babilonia. 12 Pagkatapos naman ng pagkatapon sa Babilonia – si Yekonias ang ama ni Salatiel na ama ni Zorobabel. 

13 Si Zorobabel ang ama ni Abiud, si Abiud ni Eliakim, at si Eliakim ni Azor. 14 Si Azor ang ama ni Sadok, si Sadok ni Akim, at si Akim ni Eliud. 15 Si Eliud ang ama ni Eleazar, si Eleazar ni Matan at si Matan ni Jacob. 16 Si Jacob ang ama ni Jose – ang asawa ni Maria na siyang pinagmulan ni Jesus na tinawag na Kristo. 

18 Ganito ipinanganak si Jesucristo. Ipinag¬kasundo na kay Jose ang kanyang inang si Maria pero bago sila nagsama bilang mag-asawa, nagdadalantao na siya gawa ng Espiritu Santo. 19 Kaya binalak ni Jose na hiwalayan nang lihim ang kanyang asawa. Matuwid nga siya at ayaw niya itong mapahiya. 

20 Habang iniisip-isip niya ito, napa¬kita sa kanya sa panaginip ang Anghel ng Panginoon at sinabi: “Jose, anak ni David, huwag kang matakot na tang¬ga¬pin si Maria bilang iyong asawa. Gawa ng Espi¬ritu Santo kaya siya naglihi, 21 at ma¬nga¬nganak siya ng isang sanggol na lalaki, na panga¬ngalanan mong Jesus sapagkat siya ang magliligtas sa kanyang samba¬yanan mula sa kanilang mga kasa¬lanan.” 

22 Nangyari ang lahat ng ito para matu¬pad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamama¬gitan ng Propeta: 23 “Maglilihi ang birhen at magsisilang ng isang sanggol na lalaki at tatawagin nila siyang Emmanuel na ibig sabihi’y Nasa-atin-ang-Diyos.” 

Reflection for September 7, Tuesday of 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.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

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

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 who betrayed the Lord. Almost all of them were martyred in doing the mission that Jesus bestowed upon them.  

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.  

Would you respond to the call of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 7 Martes sa Ika-23 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 6:12-19

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:12-19

Nang panahong iyon, umakyat si Jesus sa bundok para manalangin at mag­palipas ng magdamag sa pagdarasal sa Diyos. 13 Nang nag-umaga na, tinawag niya ang kanyang mga alagad at pumili siya ng labindalawa sa kanila na tinawag niyang apostol: 14 si Simon na pinanga­lanan niyang Pedro, si An­dres na kapatid nito; si Jaime, si Juan, si Felipe, si Bartolome, 15 si Mateo, si To­mas, si Jaimeng anak ni Alfeo, si Simon na tinataguriang Zelota, 16 si Judas na kamag-anak ni Jaime, at si Judas Iska­riote na naging tagapagka­nulo. 

17 Pagkababa kasama nila, tumi­gil si Jesus sa isang patag na lugar. Naroon ang maraming alagad niya, at napaka­rami ring tao mula sa buong Judea at Jerusalem at mula sa baybaying dako ng Tiro at Sidon 18 ang duma­ting para makinig sa kanya at mapagaling sa kanilang mga karamda­man. Guma­ling din ang mga pinahihirapan ng masa­samang espi­ritu. 19 Kayat sinikap ng lahat ng tao na mahipo siya dahil may kapangyarihang lumalabas sa kanya, na nagpapagaling sa lahat.

Reflection for September 6, Monday of 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.

+ + + + + + +

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 seeks 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   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 6 Lunes sa Ika-23 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 6:6-11

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:6-11

6 Sa iba namang Araw ng Pahinga, puma­sok siya sa sinagoga at nagturo. May isang lalaki na hindi maigalaw ang kanang ka­may. 7 Pinagmamasdan siya ng mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo, at baka pagali­ngin ito ni Jesus sa Araw ng Pahinga at nang maisakdal nila siya. 

8 Ngunit alam ni Jesus ang kanilang ini­isip kaya sinabi niya sa lalaking hindi maigalaw ang kamay: “Tumindig ka’t tumayo sa gitna.” Tumindig nga ito at tumayo roon. 9 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Mata­nong ko nga kayo: ano ang ipinahihintulot sa Araw ng Pahinga, guma­wa ng mabuti o gumawa ng masama, magligtas ng buhay o pumatay?” 

10 Ti­ningnan niya silang lahat sa paligid at sinabi sa tao: “Iunat mo ang iyong ka­may.” Ginawa niya ito at guma­ling ang kanyang kamay. 11 Galit na galit naman sila at magka­kasamang nag-usap-usap kung ano ang magagawa nila kay Jesus. 

Reflection for Sunday September 5, Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:31-37

 

Gospel: Mark 7:31-37

Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. 

He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. 

He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a young man who was complaining to his father that he doesn’t feel the presence of Jesus in his life. His father told him, examine your lifestyle, you are always out with your friends. If you are home you are always in front of the computer if not you are playing with your smart phone or watching TV. The father also said, if you continue with that lifestyle you would really not feel the presence of Jesus in your life. 

How can we have an up close and personal encounter with Jesus? It’s when the environment around us  is silent there’s no presence of anyone except us and Jesus. This is always the most conducive environment for us to have an encounter with the Lord.  It’s very difficult to encounter and feel the presence of Jesus when there are many people around and when there is noise. 

Only in the quietness of our lives we would be able to encounter and feel the healing presence of Jesus. And in the quietness of our lives we would be able to hear the voice of Jesus. Telling us what we need to hear so that we can have the motivation and energy to move on amidst the noisy grind of our lives. 

Do you feel the presence of Jesus in your life? If not then try to live a quite life and try to give time for Jesus more than you give time satisfying your pleasure seeking and loud lifestyle. This doesn’t mean that you will be isolating yourself from your friends and usual environment. 

This simply means that you’ll lessen the noise in your life and you lessen your engagement with worldly pleasures. Yet you still connect yourself to this world not anymore to seek earthly pleasures. But to seek people who are engaged with earthly pleasures so that you can bring them closer to Jesus. 

The deaf mute man in our gospel was healed by Jesus not in the midst of the noisy crowd. Jesus instead brought the deaf mute man away from the crowd. To be with Him alone in a quiet place and in the stillness of the environment Jesus healed him (Mark 7:33-35). 

Do you regularly have your own quiet time with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Linggo September 5 Ika-23 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 7:31-37

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 7:31-37

31 Umalis si Jesus sa lupain ng Tiro at dumaan sa Sidon papunta sa lawa ng Galilea. Pagdating niya sa lupain ng Deca­polis, 32 may mga nagdala sa kanya roon ng isang bingi na halos di makapag­salita. At hiniling nila kay Jesus na ipatong dito ang kamay. 

33 Matapos siyang ihiwalay ni Jesus sa mga tao, inilagay niya ang kanyang daliri sa tainga ng tao at dumura at saka hinipo ang kanyang dila. 34 At tumi­ngala siya sa langit, nagbuntung-­hininga at sinabi: “Ephphata,” na ang ibig sa­bihi’y “Buk­san”. 35 Nabuksan ang mga tainga ng tao at biglang nakalag ang dila niyang naka­buhol kaya naka­pag­salita siya nang tuwid. 

36 Tinagubilinan sila ni Jesus na huwag sabihin ito kaninuman ngunit habang pinagbabawalan sila, lalo naman silang nagpapahayag. 37 Labis na namangha ang mga tao at sinabi nila: “Pinaiigi niya ang lahat: nakaririnig ang bingi at naka­pag­sasalita ang pipi.”

 

Repleksyon:

May isang kuwento tungkol sa anak na nag sabi sa kanyang ama na hindi niya nararamdaman ang pag kilos ni Jesus sa buhay nya. Kaya sabi ng kanyang ama isipin mo rin kung paano ka namumuhay. Palagi kang nasa labas kasama ng iyong mga kaibigan at pag nasa bahay ka naman ay palagi kang nasa harap ng computer. At kung hindi naman ay abala ka sa iyong smart phone. Pag palagi kang ganyan ay talagang hindi mo mararamdaman ang pagkilos ni Jesus sa iyong buhay. 

Paano po ba tayo magkakaroon ng malapit at personal na ugnayan kay Jesus? Ito po ay mangyayari pag may katahimikan ang ating buhay at kapaligiran. Dahil sa katahimikan ng ating buhay ay palaging nandiyan si Jesus. Napakahirap po na maramdaman si Jesus sa ating buhay pag maingay at maraming tao ang nakapaligid sa atin. Sa katahimikan lamang ng ating buhay maramdaman natin ang nakakagaling na presensya ni Jesus. At sa katahimikan din lang ng ating buhay natin maririnig ang boses ni Jesus.   

Nararamdaman mo ba ang pag kilos ni Jesus sa iyong buhay? Kung hindi pa ay subukan mo ang mamuhay ng may katahimikan at subukan mo na bigyan ng oras si Jesus. Kaysa sa ibigay mo ang oras mo sa maingay na mundong ito. Hindi po ito nangangahulugan na mamumuhay ka sa ilang na lugar na mag isa.   

Ito ay nangangahulugan po lamang na babawasan mo na ang ingay ng iyong buhay. At babawasan mo narin ang iyong ugnayan sa mga kaligayahan na ibinibigay sayo ng mundo. Pero ikaw ay makikipag ugnay parin sa mundo hindi na para ilubid mo ang iyong sarili dito. Kundi hanapin na ang mga taong makamundo para ilapit mo sila kay Jesus.  

Sa atin pong mabuting balita ang taong bingi at hindi makapagsalita ay ginamot ni Jesus  hindi sa gitna ng ingay ng mga tao. Kundi siya ay dinala ni Jesus sa tahimik na lugar na malayo sa ingay ng tao. At doon sa katahimikan ng kapaligiran siya ay ginamot ni Jesus. 

Palagi kabang naglalaan ng oras ng katahimikan para kay Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for September 4, Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: 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.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What kind of God is Jesus? He is a loving and caring God, He will always see to it that His people are properly taken care of no matter what the circumstances are. For Jesus the need of His people always takes precedence over the observance of laws and traditions. 

When Jesus defended His disciples from the rebuke of the Pharisees (From picking and eating grains on a Sabbath day) He was simply saying that the need of His disciples always takes precedence over any observance of the Jewish law/s. 

Jesus was indirectly saying to His critics that they sometimes have to be flexible also for the greater good. The disciples were simply hungry and that was it, they simply have to satisfy a valid need. 

Here we see what kind of God Jesus is, He properly takes care of His people. Jesus is willing to violate the sacred Sabbath law for as long as there is a valid need. We may not be faithful to our Lord all the time. Nevertheless, His unconditional love, care and concern is always there for us in all the seasons of our lives. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 4 Sabado sa Ika-22 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 6:1-5

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:1-5

1 Isang Araw ng Pahinga, naglalakad si Jesus sa bukirin ng trigo. Nangyari na hinimay ng kanyang mga alagad ang mga butil sa pagkiskis sa kani­lang mga kamay, at kinain ang mga ito. 2 Sinabi ng ilang Pariseo: “Bakit ninyo gina­gawa ang ipinagba­bawal sa Araw ng Pa­hi­nga?”  

3 Ngunit nag­salita si Jesus at sinabi niya sa kanila: “Hindi ba ninyo nabasa ang ginawa ni David nang magutom siya at ang kanyang mga kasama? 4 Pumasok siya sa Bahay ng Diyos, kinuha ang tinapay na inihain para sa Diyos,    kinain ito at binigyan pa ang kanyang mga kasamahan, gayong bawal itong kainin ninuman liban sa mga pari.” 5 At sinabi pa niya sa kanila: “Panginoon ng Araw ng Pahinga ang Anak ng Tao.”

Reflection for September 3, Friday Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church (M): Luke 5:33-39

Gospel: Luke 5:33-39

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?  

But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” And he also told them a parable. “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak.  

Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a lady who was giving her personal testimony on how Jesus made a big impact in her life and how Jesus filled her life with joy and contentment. She said further that now that Jesus is in her heart. She now will always ask Jesus to take over her sadness and other trials.  

Whether we admit or not sadness and other lonesome emotions will once in a while visit us. Most especially right now wherein so life is uncertain because of the covid-19 pandemic but this is normal for we are all beings with emotions. However if we have Jesus, we have nothing to worry even if these lonesome feelings will come to us.  

We would know how to handle it for the simple reason that we already have Jesus in our lives. We have nothing to worry about anything that may come to us. Thus, we continue to move ahead with hope because Jesus is by our side.  

Assuring us that no human affliction and emotion no matter how severe could bring us down anymore. Not even the saddest moment in our lives for we have already been renewed and poured into the fresh wineskin which is Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 3 Biyernes San Gregorio Magno, papa at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita) Lucas 5:33-39

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:33-39

33 Sinabi ng mga Pariseo at mga guro ng Batas kay Jesus: “Madalas mag-­ayuno at may mga panalangin ang mga alagad ni Juan, at gayon din naman ang mga alagad ng mga Pariseo; kumakain naman at umiinom ang mga iyo.” 34 Kaya sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Hindi ninyo ma­pag-aayuno ang mga abay sa kasalan habang kasama pa nila ang nobyo, di ba? 35 Ngunit darating ang panahon na aagawin sa kanila ang nob­yo at sa araw na iyon sila mag-aayuno.”  

36 Sinabi pa ni Jesus sa kanila ang isang talinhaga: “Walang pumuputol ng panagpi mula sa bagong damit at itina­tagpi sa lumang damit. Kung hindi’y napu­punit na ang bago at hindi pa magiging bagay sa lumang damit ang tagping mula sa bago. 37 At wala ring naglalagay ng bagong alak sa mga lumang sisidlan.  

Kung hindi’y sisirain ng bagong alak ang mga lumang sisidlan kaya matatapon ang alak at masisira pati mga sisidlan. 38 Sa halip ay sa mga bagong sisidlan dapat ilagay ang bagong alak. 39 Hindi naman humihingi ng bagong alak ang umiinom  ng luma, sinasabi nga niya: ‘Ang luma ang siyang mabuti’.”

Reflection for September 2, Thursday of the 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.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is it with Jesus that He can make ordinary fishermen to become fishers of men? This is for the reason that all things are possible with our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ.  

The encounter of Simon Peter and the other fishermen with Jesus by the lake of gennesaret is a magical and whirlwind encounter. It was an encounter that transformed their very lives! An encounter that moved them out of their own comfort zones so that they could follow Jesus.  

We too have our own encounter/s with our Lord. We encounter Him through the celebration of the Eucharist/ Holy Mass. We encounter Him when we take time to read His very words in the bible. We encounter the Lord when we pray and there are many more encounters that occurs between us and the Lord. Many of these encounters with the Lord we fail to discern.  

All of these encounters with Jesus are specifically designed to transform us. So that like Simon Peter and his companion of fishermen we too could be converted and become Jesus’ followers. Our every encounter with Jesus is always life-changing, transformative and enlightening.

Do you also want to encounter the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 2 Huwebes sa Ika-22 Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 5:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:1-11

1 Dinagsa si Jesus ng napakaraming taong nakikinig sa salita ng Diyos at nakatayo naman siya sa baybayin ng Lawa ng Genesaret. 2 Nakita niya noon ang dalawang bangka sa baybay. Kaba­baba pa lamang ng mga mangi­ngisda mula sa mga ito para hugasan ang mga lambat. 3 Kaya suma­kay siya sa isa rito na pag-aari ni Simon at hiniling dito na lumayo nang kaunti mula sa dalampasigan. Umupo siya at mula sa bangka’y sinimulang turuan ang maraming tao.  

4 Matapos siyang magsalita, sinabi niya kay Simon: “Pumalaot ka at ihulog ninyo ang inyong mga lambat para hu­muli.” 5 Ngunit sumagot si Simon: “Guro, buong magdamag kaming nagpagod at wala kaming nakuha pero dahil sinabi mo, ihuhulog ko ang mga lambat.” 6 At nang gawin nila ito, naka­huli sila ng napaka­raming isda kaya halos mag­kandasira ang kani­lang mga lambat. 7 Kaya kinawayan nila ang kanilang mga kasamahang nasa kabilang bang­ka para lumapit at tulungan sila. Du­mating nga ang mga ito at pinu­no nila ang dalawang bangka hang­gang halos lumu­bog ang mga iyon.  

8 Nang makita ito ni Simon Pedro, nag­pa­tirapa siya sa harap ni Jesus at sinabi: “Lumayo ka sa akin, Panginoon, sapagkat taong makasalanan lamang ako.” 9 Tala­ga ngang nasindak siya at ang lahat niyang kasama dahil sa huli ng mga isda na nakuha nila. 10 Gayundin naman ang mga anak ni Zebedeo na sina Jaime at Juan na mga kasama ni Simon.  

Ngunit sinabi ni Jesus kay Simon: “Huwag kang matakot; mula ngayo’y mga tao ang huhulihin mo.” 11 Kayat nang ma­dala na nila ang mga bangka sa lupa, iniwan nila ang lahat at sumu­nod sa kanya.