Reflection for Monday July 3, Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle: John 20:24-29

Gospel: John 20:24-29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." 

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." 

Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

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Reflection:

What moves us to be present at Holy Mass? It’s our deep faith in Jesus, we allocate time and we prepare ourselves for this union with Jesus. But there are times that we get disappointed with the homily of the priest. So instead of going back to Mass some of us would purposely miss it and we will just be content on watching tv Mass. 

But is this correct? No it’s not! Whenever we purposely fail to voluntarily submit ourselves to the celebration of the Holy Mass. We also deny ourselves deeper intimacy with Jesus and as a result of this we miss the opportunity to further deepen our faith in the Lord. 

Thomas was nowhere to be found when Jesus made himself visible for the first time to His apostles. Where was he during that time? Perhaps he was just around the vicinity pondering about his faith and the role of Jesus in his life.  Perhaps he was also questioning his discipleship in Jesus. However, amidst the questioning and doubt he finally went to see Jesus.    

What made Thomas go to see Jesus this time? It was his deep faith and longing for his Lord and Master. May we all have this deep faith and longing for Jesus so that we would always be present at Holy Mass. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes Hulyo 3, Santo Tomas, apostol (Kapistahan): Juan 20:24-29

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:24-29

Ngunit si Tomas na tinaguriang Kambal, isa sa Labindalawa, ay wala roon nang dumating si Jesus. Kaya't sinabi sa kanya ng ibang alagad, "Nakita namin ang Panginoon!" Sumagot si Tomas, "Hindi ako naniniwala hangga't di ko nakikita ang butas ng mga pako sa kanyang mga kamay, at naisusuot dito ang aking daliri, at hangga't hindi ko naipapasok ang aking kamay sa kanyang tagiliran."
 

Makalipas ang walong araw, muling nagkatipon sa bahay ang mga alagad; kasama nila si Tomas. Nakapinid ang mga pinto, ngunit pumasok si Jesus at tumayo sa gitna nila. Sinabi niya, "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" Saka sinabi kay Tomas, "Tingnan mo ang aking mga kamay at ilapit dito ang iyong mga daliri. Ipasok mo ang iyong kamay sa aking tagiliran. Huwag ka nang magalinlangan, maniwala ka na." Sumagot si Tomas, "Panginoon ko at Diyos ko!" Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Naniniwala ka na ba sapagkat nakita mo ako? Mapapalad ang mga naniniwala kahit hindi nila ako nakita."

Reflection for Sunday July 2, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 10:37-42

Gospel: Matthew 10:37-42

Jesus said to his apostles: "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."

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Reflection:

A poor boy would always pass by a store in their neighborhood to ask for food that he could bring home to feed his sick father. He would always do this every day for the simple reason that the store owner is kindhearted.

After a few days had passed the store owner was wondering how come the boy was not passing by his store anymore. So he asked the people around the neighborhood about the boy and he was told that the boy’s family had transferred to the city to stay with a relative.

After twenty years the store owner is now old and sick thus he already closed the store because no one would tend to it anymore. One day a young rich man was looking for the man who owned the store. So the young man was brought to the former store owner.

There he introduced himself to be the boy who would ask for food that he could bring to his sick father. The eyes of the sick man glowed and he asked: Why are you here? The rich man said: “I am here to give back your kindness.” He therefore brought the sick man to the hospital and paid for all of his hospital bills. When he was discharged he invited the old man to stay with him for good.

In the gospel for this Sunday, Jesus talks about giving back to those who do good to his followers. What does this mean? This simply means that whatever good that we do to those who follow Jesus we will receive back a hundredfold.  

Of course we all know that Jesus doesn’t want us to limit our acts of goodness to His followers only. Jesus wants us to do good to anyone who is in need: To the poor loitering in the street, to the beggar asking for alms. To a relative who doesn't ask for help yet we know deep in our hearts that he/she is in need of our help and so on. We do good not because we want something in return someday. We do good because of our deep love for Jesus.  

When was the last time you did good to somebody in need? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 2, Ika – 13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 10:37-42

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 10:37-42

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Ang umiibig sa ama o sa ina nang higit sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. At ang umiibig sa anak na lalaki o babae nang higit sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. Ang hindi nagpapasan ng kanyang krus at sumusunod sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. Ang nag-iingat ng kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito, at ang nawawalan ng kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito, at ang nawawalan ng kanyang buhay dahil sa akin ay magkakamit nito."

"Ang tumatanggap sa inyo ay tumatanggap sa akin. Ang tumatanggap sa isang propeta dahil sa siya'y propeta ay tatanggap ng gantimpala ukol sa propeta. At ang tumatanggap sa isang taong matuwid dahil sa siya'y matuwid ay tatanggap ng gantimpalang nauukol sa taong matuwid. At sinumang magbigay ng isang basong tubig na malamig sa isang maliit na ito dahil sa ito'y alagad ko -- tinitiyak ko sa inyong tatanggap siya ng gantimpala."

Reflection for July 1, Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:5-17

Gospel: Matthew 8:5-17

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. 

For I too am a man 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 and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.  

I say to you, many will come from the east and the west and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven but the children of the Kingdom will be driven out into the outer darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion, “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you. And at that very hour his servant was healed. 

Jesus entered the house of Peter, and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, the fever left her, and she rose and waited on him. When it was evening, they brought him many who were possessed by demons, and he drove out the spirits by a word and cured all the sick, to fulfill what had been said by Isaiah the prophet: He took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.

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Reflection:

Why is Jesus a magnet to people most especially to those who are in need? This is for the reason that Jesus never refused anyone who asked for His help most especially those who are persistent. Jesus was always available, Jesus would always have time for them regardless of who they are and where they came from. 

The centurion/soldier in our gospel came from a faraway place and certainly not a follower of Jesus. But he knew Jesus and he heard of His miracles so he ventured to see Him. And when he saw Jesus he asked him to cure his servant. Jesus never had any second thought of helping the centurion; he even offered to go his house to personally cure his servant. 

This gospel episode invites us to reflect if we also make ourselves available to those who are in need of our help. Often we are not willing to help because it will disturb us. It will affect our personal finances and schedules and so forth. However, it’s not every day that we are asked for help. 

The best way to share our faith and to share Jesus is not though eloquent or bombastic preaching. The best way to share our faith and to share Jesus is when we make ourselves available most especially to those who are in need. And to those who cannot give back the help that we give them.        

Do you take time to make yourself available to those who are in need especially the poor? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 1, Sabado sa ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 8:5-17

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:5-17

Noong panahong iyon, pagpasok ni Hesus sa Capernaum, lumapit ang isang kapitang Romano at nakiusap sa kanya: “Ginoo, ang alipin ko po’y naparalisis. Siya’y nararatay sa amin at lubhang nahihirapan.” “Paroroon ako at pagagalingin siya,” sabi ni Hesus. Ngunit sumagot sa kanya ang kapitan, “Ginoo, hindi po ako karapat-dapat na puntahan pa ninyo sa aking bahay. Sabihin po lamang ninyo at gagaling na ang aking alipin.  

Ako’y nasa ilalim ng mga nakatataas na pinuno, at ako man ay may nasasakupang mga kawal. Kung sabihin ko sa isa, ‘Humayo ka!’ siya’y humahayo; at sa iba, ‘Halika!’ siya’y lumalapit; at sa aking alipin, ‘Gawin mo ito!’ at ginagawa niya.” Namangha si Hesus nang marinig ito, at sinabi niya sa mga taong sumusunod sa kanya, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo, na hindi ako nakatagpo kahit sa Israel ng ganito kalaking pananalig. 

Tandaan ninyo: marami ang darating buhat sa silangan at kanluran at dudulog sa hapag na kasalo nina Abraham, Isaac at Jacob sa kaharian ng langit. Ngunit marami sa lipi ng Israel ang itatapon sa kadiliman sa labas; doo’y mananangis sila at magngangalit ang kanilang ngipin.” At sinabi ni Hesus sa kapitan, “Umuwi na kayo; mangyayari ang hinihiling ninyo ayon sa inyong pananalig.” Noon di’y gumaling ang alipin ng kapitan. 

Pumunta si Hesus sa bahay ni Pedro at doo’y nakita niya ang biyenan nito, nakahiga at inaapoy ng lagnat. Hinawakan ni Hesus ang kamay ng babae at nawala ang lagnat nito. Pagkatapos, bumangon ito at naglingkod sa kanya. Nang gabing iyon, dinala kay Hesus ang maraming inaalihan ng mga demonyo. 

Sa isang salita lamang ay pinalayas niya ang masasamang espiritu, at pinagaling ang lahat ng may karamdaman. Ginawa niya ito upang matupad ang sinabi ni Propeta Isaias, “Kinuha niya ang ating mga kahinaan at binata ang ating mga karamdaman.”

Reflection for June 30, Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:1-4

Gospel: Matthew 8:1-4

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean. He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean. 

His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

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Reflection:

Who is this leaper who courageously approached Jesus to beg for His healing? 

We don’t know but one thing is certain the leper is a believer of Jesus. He must have heard about the healing prowess of Jesus. He must have been longing for an opportunity to interact with Jesus for him to be healed also. That’s why when the opportunity presented itself he took advantage of it by approaching Jesus. 

Have we also heard about the miracles that Jesus is capable of doing in our life? What would we do now if we heard about it? Should we remain static and do nothing or we become dynamic by hungering and thirsting for Jesus? 

The leper even if he was considered as an outcast had that dynamic attitude for he went to see Jesus. He did not allow his dreaded sickness to prevent him from having that personal encounter with his savior and healer. 

Do we also want to be healed from our sickness? Whatever our sickness may be let us humbly ask the Lord to heal us. For He would never refuse anyone who sincerely ask for his healing. He will never refuse anyone who would humbly approach Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 30, Biyernes sa ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 8:1-4

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:1-4

Nang makababa si Jesus mula sa bundok, sinundan siya ng napakaraming tao. Lumapit sa kanya ang isang ketongin at lumuhod sa harapan niya, "Ginoo," ang wika niya, "kung ibig po ninyo, ako'y inyong mapagagaling." 

Hinipo siya ni Jesus at sinabi, "Ibig ko, gumaling ka." At pagdaka'y nawala ang kanyang ketong. "Huwag mo itong sasabihin kaninuman," bilin ni Jesus. Pumunta ka't pasuri sa saserdote. Pagkatapos maghandog ka ng haing iniuutos ni Moises, bilang patotoo sa mga tao na magaling ka na."

Reflection for Thursday June 29, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles: Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

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Reflection:

Can we know Jesus deeply by our own effort and can we have deep friendship with Jesus by our own will? No, because everything that we know about Jesus and our faith is a gift from God. Through God’s own doing we know something about HIM and our faith, everything is grace and we are mere facilitators of this grace. 

When Simon Peter was able to point out the true identity of Jesus. He was subsequently told by Jesus that he know HIM because of the grace of God. Why did Jesus told Peter that what he knows about HIM is a gift from God? Perhaps it was Jesus way of telling Simon Peter that he must humbly use his knowledge about God to bring others to God and not to bring unto himself the glory that is due to God alone. 

Today is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Why are Saints Peter and Paul successful in thier mission to propagate the faith? This is for the reason that both of them remained humble in doing their ministry. Peter, did not raise himself to the altar of significance and prominence. Peter remained a humble missioner for Jesus same with Paul after his conversion.   

This is also a very good reminder for all of us who follow Jesus and who  share the words of God. When we share, preach or write about God let us always see to it that we don’t highlight anyone else except God alone.  As Saint John the Baptist said, I must decrease and HE must increase (John 3:30). – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Hunyo 29, San Pedro at San Pablo mga apostol (Dakilang Kapistahan) Mateo 16:13-19

 

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:13-19

Noong panahong iyon, dumating si Jesus sa Cesarea ng Filipos, tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad, "Sino raw ang Anak ng Tao, ayon sa mga tao?" At sumagot sila, "Ang sabi po ng ilan ay si Juan Bautista kayo. Sabi naman ng iba, si Elias kayo. At may nagsasabi pang si Jeremias kayo o isa sa mga propeta." "Kayo naman, ano ang sabi ninyo? Sino ako?" tanong niya sa kanila. 

 Sumagot si Simon Pedro, "Kayo po ang Cristo, ang Anak ng Diyos na buhay." Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Mapalad ka, Simon na anak ni Jonas! Sapagkat ang katotohanang ito'y hindi inihayag sa iyo ng ibang tao kundi ng aking Amang nasa langit. At sinasabi ko naman sa iyo, ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking simbahan, at hindi makapananaig sa kanya kahit sa kapangyarihan ng kamatayan. 

Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng kaharian ng langit: ang ipagbawal mo sa lupa ay ipagbabawal sa langit, at ang ipahintulot mo sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa Langit."

Reflection for Wednesday June 28, Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr: Matthew 7:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 

Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them."

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Reflection:

Mr. A is a preacher of the word of God he is very effective in his craft because he often makes people cry. And he knows how to connect with the emotions of his audience. But unknown to his followers Mr. preacher is a lover of luxury for he lives in style he owns lavish properties that can rival any business tycoon. 

There are real life preachers even priests who betrays their vocation. And the trust of their flock by splurging on expensive things and by living lives unfit to their vocation. For example, many years ago I saw on TV a preacher who walked-out of an interview. For the simple reason that the reporter asked him about his many properties. 

We must be careful of these people who pretend to speak for God but live lives contrary to what Jesus wants them to live it; we must not blindly follow them.  We must carefully observe them; once we observe that something is wrong with what they say and do. Let us not think twice and tell them that what they are doing is wrong so that they’ll know that they’re being carefully observed. 

After telling them and they persist with their improper lifestyle it’s about time that we stop following them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Hunyo 28, San Ireneo obispo at martir (Paggunita): Mateo 7:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:15-20

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Mag-ingat kayo sa mga bulaang propeta; nagsisilapit sila sa inyo na animo'y tupa, ngunit ang totoo'y mababangis na asong-gubat. Makikilala ninyo sila sa kanilang mga gawa. Napipitas ba ang ubas sa puno ng dawag, o ang igos sa puno ng aroma? 

Nagbubunga ng mabuti ang bawat mabuting punongkahoy, subalit nagbubunga ng masama ang masamang punongkahoy. Hindi maaaring magbunga ng masama ang mabuting punongkahoy, ni ng mabuti ang masamang punongkahoy. Ang bawat puno na di nagbubunga ng mabuti ay pinuputol at itinatapon sa apoy. Kaya nga, makikilala ninyo sa kanilang mga gawa ang mga bulaang propeta."

Reflection for June 27, Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Gospel: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces."Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was advised by his mother to stop going out with his friends that only brought troubles and problems into his life. He adamantly defended his friends and he continued with his friendship with his troublesome, drunkards and drug user friends. He continued this until they met an accident which resulted in him being paralyzed. 

In the gospel Jesus tells us to enter the narrow gate. What is this narrow gate? The narrow gate is the doorway to righteousness and the doorway to be friends with Jesus. The narrow gate is the well-meaning advices of our relatives and friends which many of us don’t follow. 

We often times refuse to enter this narrow gate because it curtails our earthly happiness and desires. We prefer to enter the wide gate because it gives us liberty to follow our earthly desires which only leads us to sin even destruction. 

When we decide to go through the narrow gate there surely would be some discomfort for the simple reason that we are not used to it. For example, from a hedonistic life we now decide to turn a new leaf and begin to live a clean life with Jesus.  

We surely would go through some humps and bumps along the way. However, it’s just temporary sooner we will find out that the narrow gate that leads to Jesus will give us true serenity, happiness and peace. 

Let us prefer the narrow gate that leads to Jesus no matter how hard and difficult it may seem. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 27, Martes ng Ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 7:6, 12-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:6, 12-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Huwag ninyong ibigay sa aso ang bagay na banal, sapagkat kayo'y babalingan at lalapain pagkatapos. Huwag ninyong ihagis sa mga baboy ang inyong mga perlas sapagkat yuyurakan lamang nila ang mga iyon." 

"Kaya gawin ninyo sa inyong kapwa ang ibig ninyong gawin nila sa inyo. Ito ang kahulugan ng Kautusan ni Moises at ng turo ng mga propeta." 

"Pumasok kayo sa makipot na pintuan; sapagkat maluwag ang pintuan at malapad ang daang patungo sa kapahamakan, at ito ang dinaraanan ng marami. Ngunit makipot ang pintuan at makitid ang daang patungo sa buhay at kakaunti lang ang nakasusumpong niyon."