Reflection for September 15, Wednesday Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows: John 19:25-27

Gospel: John 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

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Reflection:

Have you feel sorrow in your life?

The Blessed Mother felt it deep in her immaculate heart. It started when Simeon told her that her son will be a sign of contradiction and her soul would be pierced by a sword (Luke 1:34-35). Then it culminated to the point where we are now in our gospel. 

We cannot fathom how the Blessed Mother felt during that time when she was at the foot of the cross looking up to her badly bruised and dying son Jesus. Nonetheless, even if she was deep in her sorrow she still found courage and strength in her son. For she obeyed what Jesus told her that from thereon she would treat John as her son that’s why she went to the house of John and stayed there. 

Do you always find strength and courage in Jesus especially during the sorrowful moments of your life? Do you always ask the Blessed Mother to pray for you to make your faith in Jesus as strong as hers? 

Prayer:

Lord Jesus in the midst of my sorrows, trials and sufferings I pray to you to give me the strength and courage to face whatever sorrows I may go through. Give me the same strength and courage that you gave the Blessed Mother when she was sorrowfully looking up to you at the foot of the cross. 

Please continue to strengthen me Dear Lord Jesus, give me the gift to trust you more than I trust myself.  Amen. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Setyembre 15 Mahal na Birheng Nagdadalamhati (Paggunita) Juan 19:25-27

Mabuting Balita: Juan 19:25-27

25 Nangakatayo naman sa tabi ng krus ni Jesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae ng kanyang ina, si Maria ni Cleofas at si Maria Magdalena. 

26 Kaya pagkakita ni Jesus sa ina at sa alagad na mahal niya na nakatayo sa tabi, sinabi niya sa Ina: “Babae, hayan ang anak mo!” 27 pagkatapos ay sinabi naman niya sa alagad: “Hayan ang iyong ina.” At mula sa oras na iyon, tinanggap siya ng alagad sa kanyang tahanan.   

Reflection for September 14, Tuesday Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: John 3:13-17

Gospel: John 3:13-17

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”  

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

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Reflection:

Do you know the story of the true cross of Jesus?

After the death of Jesus there was an intense persecution of Christians. But during the year 312 AD the church entered a new era and that was when Constantine I, adopted the Christian faith and became the first Christian Emperor of Rome. One of his first edict was to stop the persecution of Christians.

It was said that Constantine I, deputized his mother Helena to gather Christian relics. So she travelled to the Holy Land, while there she discovered the three crosses used during the crucifixion of Jesus and the two thieves (Dismas and Gestas).

Since there were three crosses her dilemma was to find the real cross of Jesus. So she called on the sick people of the community and let them touch each of the three crosses. Among the three there was one that stood out, because it instantly healed those who touched it. Helena declared it to be the true cross of Jesus.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, unlike other Christians whose cross is without Jesus. Our cross is never complete without Jesus on it.

Often times, our cross symbolizes the burdens that we carry. A young mother who was asked, who is your cross and she instantaneously replied: “It’s my irresponsible husband because he is always with his friends indulging in drinking sprees and whenever he arrives he subjects me to physical and emotional abuse.”

Each and everyone of us has our own cross that makes life difficult for us. Sometimes we may even say: why is it that the more that I go near Jesus the heavier the cross that I carry? The cross that we carry is a test of our faith, we would not be able to fully comprehend the presence of Jesus in our lives without silently carrying and enduring our own cross.

What is important is whenever we carry our cross we invite Jesus to help us carry it and implore Him to journey with us with our cross. Let us not question why we have our cross because the cross that burdens us right now is nothing compared to the cross of Jesus.

The paradox of it all is this: The cross that has given Jesus tons of sufferings became the catalyst in the completion of His mission. This cross is also the symbol of our salvation so long as we believe and look up to Jesus who died for us on the cross. There is no exaltation of the cross without the salvific sacrifice of Jesus.

Are you carrying your own cross or do you have a cross right now? A cross that makes life so difficult for you? Look up to Jesus then close your eyes and humbly ask Him to help you carry it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Setyembre 14 Ang pagtatampok sa Krus na Banal (Kapistahan) Juan 3:13-17

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:13-17

Sinabi ni Jesus kay Nicodemo: 13 Walang umakyat sa langit maliban sa bumaba mula sa langit – ang Anak ng Tao. 14 At kung paanong itinaas ni Moises ang ahas sa disyerto, gayundin dapat itaas ang Anak ng Tao 15 upang magkaroon ng buhay magpakailanman ang bawat nananalig sa kanya.  

16 Ganito nga kamahal ng Diyos ang mundo! Kayat ibinigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na anak upang hindi na mawala ang bawat nananalig sa kanya kundi magkaroon ng buhay magpakailanman. 17 Hindi nga sinugo ng Diyos sa mundo ang Anak upang hukuman ang mundo kundi upang maligtas ang mundo sa pamamagitan niya.  

Reflection for September 13, Monday St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Luke 7:1-10

Gospel: Luke 7:1-10

When Jesus had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. 

They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 

When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

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Reflection:

Do you have concern for the poor and powerless? The concern of the military officer/centurion  for his slave is very admirable. We must emulate his worthy action of giving concern most especially to those who are poor and powerless. 

What if the officer was heartless? There would have been no healing for the slave. By his act of concern his slave was healed by Jesus. We often times lose sight of the fact that we need to be concerned as well with the wellbeing of others especially those who are powerless and poor. 

The me first attitude often times envelope us already thus we fail to see the many needs of our fellowmen most especially the poor and powerless. Why? For the simple reason that we are already overly fixated with our own needs.   

We would reap enormous spiritual blessings if only we would find time to help those who are poor and powerless. Thus, we would be closer to Jesus who loves the poor dearly. And we will find true joy and fulfillment the moment we begin to help them. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Setyembre 13 San Juan Chrisostomo, Obispo at pantas ng Iglesya (Paggunita): Lucas 7:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 7:1-10

1 Matapos ituro ni Jesus ang mga ito sa mga tao, pumasok siya sa Capernaum. 2 May isang kapitan na may katulong na naghihingalo at pinahahalagahan niya ito. 3 Pagkarinig niya tungkol kay Jesus, nagpapunta siya sa kanya ng mga Matatanda ng mga Judio para pa­ki­usapang pumunta at pagalingin ang kanyang ka­tulong. 4 Pagdating ng mga ito kay Jesus, taimtim nila siyang pinakiusapan: “Marapat lamang na pag­big­yan mo siya; 5 mahal nga niya ang ating bayan at siya ang nag­patayo ng aming sinagoga.” 

6 Kaya kasama nilang pumunta si Jesus. Nang hindi na siya kalayuan sa bahay, nagpapunta naman sa kanya ng mga kaibigan ang kapitan para sa­bihin: “Ginoo, huwag ka nang mag-abala pa; hindi nga siguro ako karapat-dapat para tumuloy ka sa aking bahay. 7 Kaya hindi ko man lang inakalang nararapat akong lumapit sa iyo. Mag-utos ka lang at ga­galing na ang aking katulong. 8 Mababa nga lang ang ranggo ko pero may mga sundalo sa ilalim ko. At kung iutos ko sa isa, ‘Umalis ka,’ uma­alis siya; at sa iba naman, ‘Halika,’ at puma­parito siya. At pag sinabi kong ‘Gawin mo ito,’ sa aking katulong, gina­gawa nga niya ito.” 

9 Humanga si Jesus pagkarinig niya nito. Lumingon siya sa mga sumusunod sa kanya at sinabi: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo, sa Israel ma’y hindi ko natagpuan ang ganitong pananalig!” 10 At nang magbalik sa bahay ang mga sinugo, natagpuan nilang magaling na ang katulong.

Reflection for Sunday September 12, Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:27-35

Gospel: Mark 8:27-35

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.”   

Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” 

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

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Reflection:

A man was given a choice to stay with his family or to work in a faraway place so that he can fulfill his lifelong ambition to be rich. Without much thought this man chose the option to be rich rather than be with his family. 

Are you ready to sacrifice your personal ambition so that Jesus teachings could continue to spread? For example would you give up your worldly life to do something for the greater glory of God? 

Perhaps you will not give up your worldly life for a life of sacrifice with Jesus. Who would give up a life of ease and comfort in this world in favor of a life with Jesus? Maybe only a few because in truth and in fact to follow Jesus is not easy. 

But we were not brought into this world by God to become citizens of this world. God brought us into this world so that we could do something to partake with the mission of His son Jesus. This is the desire of God for each and every one of us: To help Jesus spread His mission. 

The time will come that we will become old and we surely will look back about how we lived our lives. And during that reflection we will discover that we lived a worthy, meaningful and fulfilled life because we chose to devote our lives for the mission of Jesus. 

Thus, we have to be ready to carry our own cross for Christ no matter how heavy it may be. We have to be ready to lose our life in this world so that we could find its real purpose and meaning with Jesus.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Linggo September 12 Ika-24 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:27-35

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:27-35

27 At pumunta si Jesus kasama ang kanyang mga alagad sa mga nayon ng Cesarea ni Filipo. At habang nasa daa’y tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad: “Sino raw ako ayon sa mga tao?” 28 Su­magot sila: “May nag­sa­sa­bing si Juan Bautista ka; may iba pang nagsasabing si Elias ka o isa sa mga propeta kaya.” 

29 At tinanong niya sila: “Ngunit ano naman ang sinasabi ninyo kung sino ako?” At sumagot si Pedro: “Ikaw ang Mesiyas.” 30 At inutusan niya sila na huwag sabihin kaninuman ang tungkol sa kanya. 

31 At sinimulan niyang ituro sa kanila na kailangang magtiis ng marami ang Anak ng Tao. Itatakwil nga siya ng mga Mata­tanda ng bayan, ng mga punong-pari at ng mga guro ng Batas. Papa­tayin siya at muling babangon pagka­tapos ng tatlong araw. 32 At buong-­tapang siyang nag­salita. Dinala naman siya ni Pedro sa isang tabi at sinimulan siyang pagsa­bihan. 33 Ngunit pagtalikod ni Jesus, nakita niya na naroon din ang kanyang mga alagad. Kaya pinagsabihan niya si Pedro: “Sa likod ko, Satanas! Hindi sa Diyos galing ang iniisip mo kundi mula sa tao.” 

34 At tinawag ni Jesus ang kanyang mga alagad pati ang mga tao, at sinabi: “Kung may gustong sumunod sa akin, itakwil ang kanyang sarili at kunin ang kanyang krus para sumunod sa akin. 35 Sapagkat ang naghahangad na magligtas ng kanyang sarili ay mawa­walan nito, at ang mawawalan ng sarili alang-alang      sa akin at sa ebang­helyo ang magliligtas nito.

Reflection for September 11, Saturday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:43-49

Gospel: Luke 6:43-49

Jesus said to his disciples: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. 

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”

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Reflection:

What will happen to a child when he/she is taught with proper values and when this very values are lived by his/her parents?  The child would grow-up to become a good and God loving person. This is always the result whenever a child is properly taught by his/her parents. 

On the other hand, if a child is not taught with proper moral values and the parents do not live the same moral values. We can be assured that this child will grow-up with a distorted sense of values. For the simple reason that he/she was not taught about it or saw it being lived by his/her parents.   

In our gospel reading this Saturday Jesus said to his disciples: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit (Luke 6:43-44). The good tree is the parents and the good fruit is their child. 

Jesus tells us that whatever good that we teach our children will be imbibed by them. And the good that we do and teach our children will form a great part of their rock solid moral foundation. 

Many of the modern parents of today are always busy. They hardly have time to teach their children about good moral values much less love of God. So what children are they rearing? Children that are boorish, lacking in values and love of God and nobody are to blame for this but their parents. 

Do you teach your children about good values and love of God and do you live it also? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Setyembre 11 sa Ika-23 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 6:43-49

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:43-49

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga alagad, 43 Hindi makapamumunga ng masama ang mabuting puno, at ang masamang puno nama’y hindi makapamumu nga ng mabuti. 44 Nakikilala ang bawat puno sa bunga nito. Hindi makapi-pitas ng igos mula sa tinikan ni maka¬aani ng ubas mula sa dawagan.  

45 Naglalabas ang taong mabuti ng mabuting bagay mula sa yaman ng kabutihan sa kanyang puso; ang masama nama’y naglalabas ng masamang bagay mula sa kanyang kasamaan. At sinasabi nga ng bibig ang uma¬apaw mula sa puso.  

 46 Bakit pa ninyo ako tinatawag na ‘Panginoon, Panginoon,’ gayong hindi naman ninyo tinutupad ang sinasabi ko? 47 Ilalarawan ko sa inyo ang lumalapit sa akin at nakikinig sa aking mga salita at tumutupad nito. 48 May isang taong nagtatayo ng bahay, na humukay nang malalim at sa batuhan inilagay ang mga pundasyon. 

Pagdating ng baha, hinampas ng agos ang bahay na iyon pero wala itong lakas para yanigin iyon sapagkat mabuti ang pagkakatatag niyon. 49 At kung may nakaririnig ngunit di naman nagsasagawa, matutulad siya sa nagtatayo ng bahay sa ibabaw ng lupa na wala namang pundasyon. Hinampas ito ng agos at kaagad bumagsak. Anong laki ng pagkawasak ng bahay na iyon!”

Reflection for September 10, Friday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:39-42

Gospel: Luke 6:39-42

Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?  

How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

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Reflection:

Are you self-righteous?  

Every once in a while we all become guilty of this offense called self-righteousness. We see ourselves as someone who is above all. Hence, we are quick to point out the offense of our fellowmen. Why is this so? Is this brought about by our self-serving perception that we are closer to God than anyone else? Is this brought about by our social or economic status?  

It’s all of the above and more. But the problem with self-righteous individuals is they only see the shortcomings of others but not their own. They are very quick to judge the wrongs of others but not their own.  

The moment we judge others we also open our very selves to judgment. By judging them we also invite them to judge us. If we don’t want others to judge us let us stop being judgmental and let us abhor condemnation.  

Instead of judging why not motivate? Why not apply gentle correction and why not give advice? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Setyembre 10 sa Ika-23 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 6:39-42

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:39-42

39 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila ang isang talinhaga: “Puwede nga kayang akayin ng isang bulag ang isa pang bulag? Di ba’t kapwa sila mahuhulog sa kanal? 40 Hindi higit sa kanyang guro ang alagad. Magiging katulad ng kanyang guro ang ganap na alagad. 41 Bakit mo tinitingnan ang puwing sa mata ng iyong kapatid? At di mo pansin ang troso sa iyong mata.  

42 Paano mo masasabi sa iyong kapatid: ‘Kapatid, pahintulutan mong alisin ko ang puwing sa mata mo,’ gayong hindi mo nga makita ang troso sa mata mo? Mapagkunwari! Alisin mo muna ang troso sa mata mo, at saka ka makakakitang mabuti para alisin ang puwing sa mata ng kapatid mo.

Reflection for September 9, Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:27-38

Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?  

Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.  

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

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Reflection:

How do you love? 

All of us will agree that we can easily love those who give us love in return. But are we willing to love those who’ve hurt us or those who continue on hurting us? Mother Teresa once said: “If you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” A wife or a husband who truly love would continue to love his/her spouse notwithstanding the betrayal of the their marriage covenant.  

Many marriages fail because we put limits on how we give love. For example, if a wife discovers that her husband is playing around. The reaction of the wife is perhaps to take revenge and play around also and not to anymore love her philandering husband. But what will happen if our attitude is like that? There would be many broken marriages, there would be many suffering children simply because we put limits on how we give our love.  

Jesus in our gospel is advising us to change this mindset of reactive love. And to bring our understanding of love to a much higher level. Perhaps, to the level of God’s love for us.  But are we capable of raising to a higher level our love and on how we give love?  

If we truly love Jesus we would be able to forgive and once again love a spouse who betrayed us. We would be able to love our siblings/relatives who’ve hurt us and who don’t want to listen to our well-meaning advice/s. We would be able to love a friend who betrayed our trust.   

Jesus tells us in the gospel:  For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same (Luke 6:32-33). - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Setyembre 9 Huwebes sa Ika-23 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 6:27-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:27-38

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 27 Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyong mga nakikinig: mahalin ninyo ang inyong mga kaaway, gawan ninyo ng mabuti ang mga napopoot sa inyo, 28 pagpalain nin¬yo ang mga sumusumpa sa inyo, ipagdasal ninyo ang tumatrato sa inyo nang masama. 29 Sa sumasampal sa iyo sa isang pisngi, iharap mo rin ang kabila. Sa umaagaw ng iyong kamiseta, huwag mong itanggi ang iyong sando. 30 Magbigay ka sa sinumang humihingi sa iyo; at kung may kumuha ng iyong ari-arian, huwag mo nang hingin pa uli. 31 Kaya gawin ninyo sa iba ang gusto ninyong gawin nila sa inyo.  

32 Kung minamahal ninyo ang mga umiibig sa inyo, ano ang kahanga-hanga roon? Minamahal din ng mga makasalanan ang mga nagmamahal sa kanila. 33 Kung ginagawa ninyo ang mabuti sa mga gumagawa nito sa inyo, ano ang kahanga-hanga roon? Iyon din ang ginagawa ng mga makasalanan. 34 Kung nagpapautang kayo sa mga inaasahan ninyong makapagbabayad, ano ang kahanga-hanga roon? Nagpapautang din ang mga makasalanan sa mga makasa¬lanan para matanggap ang katumbas.  

35 Sa halip ay mahalin ninyo ang inyong mga kaaway; gumawa kayo ng mabuti at magpautang na walang ina¬asahang anuman. Kaya gagantimpalaan kayo nang malaki at magiging mga anak ng Kataas-taasan dahil butihin siya sa mga walang-utang-na-loob at masasama. 36 Maging maawain kayo gaya ng inyong Amang maawain.  

37 Huwag kayong humatol, at hindi kayo hahatulan; huwag ninyong sum¬pain ang sinuman, at hindi kayo susumpain; magpatawad kayo, at kayo’y patatawarin. 38 Magbigay kayo, at kayo’y bibigyan – isang saganang takal, siksik, liglig at umaapaw ang mabubuhos sa inyong kandungan. Sapagkat susukatin kayo sa sukatang gina¬gamit ninyo.