Reflection for June 12, Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a poor family. They were poor based on the standard of this world they live in a shanty, they wore tattered clothes yet they were happy. When they were asked on how come that they were happy in spite that they were materially poor the father said: “We follow Jesus, we subscribe to His teachings and He’s part of our family.  

After descending from the mountain Jesus sat down and taught those around Him about the Eight (8) blessings of the Beatitudes. What are these Beatitudes all about? It is the secret of true disciples for Christ. When Jesus told those around Him about these Beatitudes He was actually saying to them that this is how my life is in this world but don’t you all worry for I am happy in following all these. Jesus rejected the comforts of this world He never embraced it. 

The happiness of this world is extremely different from the happiness and fulfillment that Jesus offers us. He knew that what the world gives and dictates are nothing compared to what God would give Him. In effect, Jesus is telling us through these Beatitudes to be like Him, to follow Him to always be with Him for these are all His characteristics. 

But isn’t it hard to follow all these qualities of the Beatitudes? Isn’t it hard to follow Jesus?  Yes it’s hard for the simple reason that the life of Jesus in this world was full of hardship and persecution. However the hardship that Jesus went through was nothing compared to what was waiting for Him in heaven. 

Thus, our focus should always be heavenward never mind the present hardship that we may encounter. For it has a purpose which is to prepare us for our ascent to heaven someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 12, Lunes ng Ikasampung Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ni Jesus ang napakakapal na tao, umahon siya sa bundok. Pagkaupo niya'y lumapit ang kanyang mga alagad, at sila'y tinuruan ng ganito: "Mapalad ang mga aba na walang inaasahan kundi ang Diyos, sapagkat makakasama sila sa kanyang kaharian." 

"Mapalad ang mga nahahapis, sapagkat aaliwin sila ng Diyos." "Mapalad ang mga mapagpakumbaba, sapagkat tatamuhin nila ang ipinangako ng Diyos." "Mapalad ang mga nagmimithing makatupad sa kalooban ng Diyos, sapagkat ipagkakaloob sa kanila ang kanilang minimithi." 

"Mapalad ang mga mahabagin, sapagkat kahahabagan sila ng Diyos." "Mapalad ang mga may malinis na puso, sapagkat makikita nila ang Diyos." "Mapalad ang mga gumagawa ng daan sa ipagkakasundo, sapagkat sila'y ituturing ng Diyos na mga anak niya." 

"Mapalad ang mga pinag-uusig dahil sa kanilang pagsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos, sapagkat makakasama sila sa kanyang kaharian." "Mapalad kayo kapag dahil sa aki'y inaalimura kayo ng mga tao, pinag-uusig at pinagwiwikaan ng lahat ng uri ng kasamaan na pawang kasinungalingan. Magdiwang kayo at magalak, sapagkat malaki ang inyong gantimpala sa Langit."

Inspirational Quotes and Words of Wisdom -18

 

Mga Salita ng Puno ng Aral na iyong Matututunan - 20

 

Reflection for Sunday June 11, Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ: John 6:51-58

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 

Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.

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Reflection:   

The story is told about a drug addict who voluntarily submitted himself to a rehabilitation center. While in the center he was required to be present at Holy Mass everyday. Every Holy Mass this man would always partake of the Body of Christ and he would silently ask Jesus to heal and transform him. 

After six months of stay in the rehabilitation center the man was already free from addiction. When he was asked to whom he would attribute his successful healing and rehabilitation. He humbly said, to Jesus the living Bread of Life which I regularly received everyday for six months. 

Unlike regular bread that fills us and after a few hours make us hungry again. The living Bread of Life which we partake during Holy Communion fills and heals our emotional and spiritual hunger. And this healing is continuous for as long as we continue to reverently partake of the Body of Christ. 

Perhaps many will not believe that regular partaking of the Body of Christ would fill and heal our emotional and spiritual hunger. But if we try it and be humble and docile to the will of Jesus, we would also feel His transforming power working within us. 

Nevertheless at the end of the day our healing and transformation are still dependent on how docile and humble we are before God. The Lord in His infinite wisdom has given us the freedom to allow or not to allow the living Bread of Life to heal us. This is the reason why many of us who partake of the Body of Christ, are not healed or transformed, because we are not docile and humble before Jesus. 

If only we would learn to always be docile and humble. If only we would allow the will of God to direct our lives. Transformation and healing would also happen to us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 11, Dakilang Kapistahan ng Kabanal-banalang Katawan at Dugo ng Panginoon Juan 6:51-58

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:51-58

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao: "Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay na bumaba mula sa langit. At ang pagkaing ibibigay ko sa ikabubuhay ng sanlibutan ay ang aking laman." Dahil dito'y nagtalu-talo ang mga Judio. "Paanong maibibigay sa atin ng taong ito ang kanyang laman upang kanin natin?" tanong nila. 

Kaya't sinabi ni Jesus, "Tandaan ninyo: malibang kanin ninyo ang laman ng Anak ng Tao at inumin ang kanyang dugo, hindi kayo magkakaroon ng buhay. Ang kumakain ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay may buhay na walang hanggan, at muli ko siyang bubuhayin sa huling araw. Sapagkat ang aking laman ay tunay na pagkain, at ang aking dugo, tunay na inumin. 

Ang kumakain ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay nananahan sa akin, at ako sa kanya. Buhay ang Amang nagsugo sa akin, at ako'y nabubuhay dahil sa kanya. Gayon din naman, ang sinumang kumakain sa akin ay mabubuhay dahil sa akin. Ito ang pagkaing bumaba mula sa langit; ang kumakain nito'y mabubuhay magpakailanman. Hindi ito katulad ng kinain ng inyong mga magulang sa ilang; namatay sila bagamat kumain sila niyon."

Reflection for June 10, Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:38-44

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation." 

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. 

Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a rich man who suddenly died, when he was about to enter the heavenly gates. Jesus appeared before him and told him, you’re not destined to be here. The rich man said to Jesus, why my Lord? I regularly gave large amount of money to the church! I built many churches during my lifetime! I gave to the poor! The Lord said to him, Yes you did all of those things but you did it so that you would be praised and hailed as generous.    

In giving to the church or giving in general the best way to do it is to give from the heart and to give without anybody knowing it. We do not give out of our surplus and we don’t give because we want others to admire and praise us. 

The rich and powerful in our gospel who gave large amount of money to the treasury seems to be generous on the surface. But they are not for the reason that they gave from their surplus wealth or wealth that is not useful to them anymore. 

In contrast here is a poor and powerless widow who gave two small coins worth a few cents (Mark 12:42). This poor but truly generous widow gained the admiration of Jesus since she gave from her heart. The widow gave it all, no pretensions and no desire for earthly praise whatsoever. 

When we give to the church and when we give in general, let us give from our hearts. Let us not publicize our generosity and let us not seek praise and admiration in our giving. Let us also not count the cost of giving because what we give comes back to us in so many ways. 

When we are truly generous, we will not run out of things to give. In fact the more that we are truly generous the more that we would receive blessing from God. The more that we forget ourselves and our own needs for the welfare and need of others the more that Jesus would bless us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 10, Sabado ng Ikasiyam na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:38-44

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:38-44

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang pagtuturo, "Mag-ingat kayo sa mga eskriba na mahilig maglalakad nang may mahahabang kasuutan at natutuwang pagpugayan sa mga liwasan. Ang ibig nila'y ang mga tanging luklukan sa mga sinagoga, at mga upuang pandangal sa mga piging. Inuubos nila ang mga kabuhayan ng mga babaing balo, at ang sinasangkala'y ang pagdarasal ng mahaba! Lalo pang bibigat ang parusa sa kanila.!" 

Umupo si Jesus sa tapat ng hulugan ng mga kaloob doon sa templo, at pinagmasdan ang mga taong naghuhulog ng salapi. Maraming mayayamang naghulog ng malalaking halaga. Lumapit naman ang isang babaing balo at naghulog ng dalawang kusing na katumbas ng isang pera. 

Tinawag ni Jesus ang kanyang mga alagad at kanyang sinabi, "sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang dukhang balong iyon ay naghulog ng higit sa kanilang lahat. Sapagkat ang iba'y nagkaloob ng bahagi lamang ng hindi na nila kailangan, ngunit ibinigay ng balong ito na dukhang-dukha ang buo niyang ikabubuhay."

Reflection for June 9, Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:35-37

Gospel: Mark 12:35-37

As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, “How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said: The Lord said to my lord,‘Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.’ David himself calls him ‘lord’; so how is he his son?”The great crowd heard this with delight.

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Reflection:

Son of David, Messiah and Christ these three names have a common denominator one way or the other it means Savior. And who else is this savior? It’s none other than Jesus but unlike our common notion of a savior who comes in with swashbuckling powers ala avengers. Jesus our savior has none of their powers. 

His power is derived in His being powerless and His heroic action is not shown with swaggering super human exploits. It is rather shown in his humility and self-sacrifice. Let us reflect and ponder on the powerless Jesus on the cross and let us discover His power underneath it.  

During the time of Jesus, the scribes were Jewish scholars and teachers of the law they didn’t believe that Jesus was both human and divine. To them Jesus was only human and as they claim the human Jesus is the Son of David or descendant of King David. 

But David inspired by the Holy Spirit called Him Lord, Jesus was indirectly telling the Jews that if David called Him Lord. Then they should also believe in Him as the Son of God not as a son of David. 

There are many more who are not fully aware of Jesus’ humanity and divinity: we are therefore being challenged by the Lord to help Him spread His teachings. Would we help the Lord spread His teachings? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 9, Biyernes ng Ikasiyam na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:35-37

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:35-37

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang nagtuturo si Jesus sa templo, sinabi niya, "Paanong masasabi ng mga eskriba na ang Mesias ay anak ni David? Si David na rin, nang kasihan ng Espiritu Santo, ang nagpahayag ng ganito: 

'Sinabi ng Panginoon sa aking Panginoon, maupo ka sa aking kanan, hanggang lubusan kong mapasuko sa iyo ang mga kaaway mo.' Si David na rin ang tumawag sa kanya ng Panginoon; paano magiging anak ni David ang Mesias?" At nakinig na mabuti sa kanya ang maraming tao.

Reflection for June 8, Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:28-34

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  

The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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Reflection:

Why did Jesus give us these two timeless and greatest commandments about love? Because we need these two instructions about love to heal the world of its many sufferings. For example, if only there’s authentic love for God in our hearts there would be no more sufferings. 

But many of us don’t have the love of God in our hearts that’s why many are suffering. We love to obey our selfish wants rather than follow what God wants us to do which is to exercise unconditional love.

Let us hear the command of God to us: Let us love Him with all our heart, mind and soul. Let us also allow God to use us as his vehicle so that those who are alien to the love of God would feel it through us. And those who don’t know God will come to know God because of our unconditional love for them. 

Let us little by little conquer the enmity of this world with our love for God and for our neighbors. And let us not only love those who will love us back or those who are lovable to our eyes. 

Let us also love even those who have hurt us deeply and those who have been making life difficult for us because it’s through our exercise of unconditional love for them they would be enlightened of God’s love.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 8, Huwebes ng Ikasiyam na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:28b-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:28-34

Noong panahong iyon, isa sa mga eskriba ay lumapit kay Jesus at nagtanong, "Alin pong utos ang pinakamahalaga?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Ito ang pinakamahalagang utos, 'Pakinggan mo, Israel! Ang Panginoon na ating Diyos -- siya lamang ang Panginoon. Ibigin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buong puso, nang buong kaluluwa, nang buong pag-iisip, at nang buong lakas.' 

Ito naman ang pangalawa, 'Ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili.' Wala ng ibang utos na hihigit pa sa mga ito." Tama po, Guro!" wika ng eskriba. "Totoo ang sinabi ninyo. Iisa ang Diyos at wala nang iba liban sa kanya. At ang umiibig sa kanya nang buong puso, buong pag-iisip, at buong lakas, at ang umiibig sa kapwa gaya ng kanyang sarili ay higit na mahalaga kaysa magdala ng lahat ng handog na susunugin, at iba pang mga hain." 

Nakita ni Jesus na matalino ang kanyang sagot, kaya't sinabi niya, 'Malapit ka nang mapabilang sa pinaghaharian ng Diyos." At wala nang nangahas magtanong kay Jesus mula noon. 

Reflection for June 7, Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:18-27

Gospel: Mark 12:18-27

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. 

Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants. So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants and the third likewise. And the seven left no descendants. Last of all the woman also died. 

At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. 

As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled.”

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Reflection:

What is your idea of the afterlife? Jesus gives us a glimpse of what life is in the afterlife. He tells us that there’s no more human activity in heaven such as marriage for we all will be like angels there (Mark 12:25). But are we going to heaven after our lives are over and done with in this world?  Nobody is sure about this, only God knows where we would end up after we cease breathing. 

But on hindsight even if we don’t hold our destiny after our life is over we also have to do our part. We have to live our life pleasing to the eyes of the Lord and not pleasing to our own eyes.  What does it mean to make our lives pleasing to the eyes of God? We have to live the teachings of God and not the teachings of this world. 

If we decide to follow Jesus let us follow Him until the end of our lives. We should not allow sin or anything that contradicts the teachings of God to momentarily derail us. It must be authentic discipleship for Jesus all the way until we stop breathing! 

Let us therefore make it a part of our prayers to ask Jesus to bring us to heaven when our time comes. Let us ask Him to shower us His infinite mercy for we all have fell short of His expectations. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 7, Miyerkules ng Ikasiyam na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:18-27

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:18-27

Noong panahong iyon, may ilang Saduceo na lumapit kay Jesus. Ang Saduceo ay naninindigan na hindi na muling bubuhayin ang mga patay. "Guro," anila, "naglagda po si Moises ng ganitong batas para sa amin: 'Kung mamatay ang isang lalaki at maiwang walang anak ang kanyang asawa, ang kapatid ng lalaki'y dapat pakasal sa balo upang magkaanak sila para sa namatay.' 

May pitong magkakapatid na lalaki. Nag-asawa ang panganay, at namatay na walang anak. Napakasal sa balo ang pangalawa, at namatay na wala ring anak. Gayun din ang nangyari sa pangatlo at sa mga sumunod pa" isa-isang napangasawa ng babae ang pitong magkakapatid, at sila'y namatay na walang anak. 

Sa kahuli-huliha'y namatay rin ang babae. Ngayon, sino po sa pito ang kikilalanin niyang asawa sa muling pagkabuhay, yamang napangasawa silang lahat?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Maling-mali kayo. alam ninyo kung bakit? Hindi ninyo nababatid ang mga Kasulatan ni ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos. Sapagkat sa muling pagkabuhay, ang mga tao'y hindi na mag-aasawa; sila'y magiging tulad ng mga anghel sa langit. 

Tungkol naman sa muling pagkabuhay -- hindi pa ba ninyo nababasa sa aklat ni Moises ang tungkol sa nagliliyab na mababang punongkahoy? Ganito ang nasusulat na sinabi ng Diyos kay Moises. 'Ako ang Diyos ni Abraham, ang Diyos ni Isaac at ang Diyos ni Jacob.' Ngunit ang Diyos ay hindi Diyos ng mga patay, kundi ng mga buhay. Maling-mali kayo!"