Reflection for Thursday September 21, Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist: Matthew 9:9-13

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.  

The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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Reflection:

Why does Jesus calls us to follow Him?  

He calls us out of His great love for us. Jesus doesn’t want any of us to be lead astray by the many sins of this world. Jesus doesn’t want any of us to suffer in hell after our mortal life in this world is over already.

We have in our gospel a man named Matthew a corrupt tax collector who was called by Jesus to follow Him. Even if Matthew is a sinner deep in his heart he knows Jesus. Matthew knows deep in his heart that in Jesus he would find healing, forgiveness and a new life. Matthew knows deep in His heart that in Jesus he has somebody who will not condemn him but would be very much willing to listen to his desire to repent and become His follower.  

Therefore, when Jesus told Matthew to follow Him (Matthew 9:9) he immediately left everything behind him and followed the Lord. When Matthew heard Jesus telling him to follow Him, Matthew heard the sweetest words that he could ever hear in his entire life. 

The call from Jesus made Matthew whole once again for he had been broken by sin throughout his adult life. Perhaps Matthew burst into tears when he heard Jesus told him to come and follow Him. It was tears of unexplained happiness, tears of relief and freedom from the enslavement of the devil.  

 Do you also want to feel how Matthew felt during that very day when Jesus called him to come and follow Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Setyembre 21, San Mateo, apostol at manunulat ng Mabuting Balita (Kapistahan): Mateo 9:9-13

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:9-13

Noong panahong iyon, umalis si Jesus sa lugar na iyon. Sa kanyang paglalakad, nakita niya ang isang taong ang pangala'y Mateo; nakaupo ito sa paningilan ng buwis. Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya, "Sumunod ka sa akin." Tumindig si Mateo at sumunod sa kanya. 

Nang si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad ay nasa bahay ni Mateo, dumating ang maraming publikano at mga makasalanan. At sila'y magkakasalong kumain. Nang makita ito nang mga Pariseo, tinanong nila ang kanyang mga alagad, "Bakit sumasalo sa mga publikano at sa mga makasalanan ang inyong guro?" 

Narinig ito ni Jesus at siya ang sumagot, "Ang mga maysakit ang siyang nangangailangan ng manggagamot, hindi ang mga walang sakit. Humayo kayo at unawain ang kahulugan nito, 'Habag ang ibig ko at hindi hain.' Sapagkat naparito ako upang tawagin ang mga makasalanan, hindi ang mga banal.

Reflection for Wednesday September 20, Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs: Luke 7:31-35

Gospel: Luke 7:31-35

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.

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Reflection:

The  story is told about a Priest who was newly installed in his new parish of jurisdiction. Unlike his predecessor he was strict and conservative in his views and actions.

One of the many reforms that he instituted was during Mass he required the parishioners to quitely fall in line during Holy Communion. He instituted other reforms that shocked the rebellious minds of some of the parishioners.

They called him names that were very painful to hear, they even wrote a petition letter to their bishop asking him to replace the said priest. All of their actions failed to deter the priest from instituting further reforms.

When he was about to end his six-year tenure, all of the parishioners were asking him to stay longer for they saw the beautiful fruits of his labors: the orderly communion lines during Mass, the elegant church that he helped build and the many other positive transformations in the parish.

Jesus and John were unfairly labeled by the people of their time. Jesus was labelled as a glutton of food and wine, friend of tax collectors and sinners even evil. John was called possessed by a demon both of them were called names not fit for their stature. Yet, at the end they were vindicated by their steadfast commitment to their mission of salvation.

Often times we too are guilty of being presumptuous and judgmental because we often prejudge our fellowmen by how they look and act. But these simply are the external seen by the naked eye. It hides the beautiful, gentle and selfless interior. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Setyembre 20, San Andres Kim Taegon, pari, San Pablo Chong Hasang at mga Kasama, mga martir (Paggunita): Lucas 7:31-35

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 7:31-35

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ng Panginoon, “Sa ano ko nga ihahambing ang mga tao ngayon? At ano ang nakakatulad nila? Katulad sila ng mga batang nakaupo sa plasa at sumisigaw sa kanilang mga kalaro: ‘Tinugtugan namin kayo ng plauta, ngunit hindi kayo sumayaw! Nanambitan kami, ngunit hindi kayo tumangis!

Sapagkat naparito si Juan Bautista na nag-aayuno at hindi umiinom ng alak, at sinasabi ninyo, ‘Inaalihan siya ng demonyo.’ Naparito naman ang Anak ng Tao, na kumakain at umiinom tulad ng iba, at sinasabi ninyo, ‘Masdan ninyo ang taong ito! Matakaw at maglalasing, kaibigan ng mga publikano at ng mga makasalanan!’ Gayunman, ang karunungan ng Diyos ay napatutunayang matuwid sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga anak.”

Reflection for September 19, Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:11-17

Gospel: Luke 7:11-17

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. 

A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” 

The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, crying out “A great prophet has arisen in our midst, “ and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

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Reflection:

Do you want to feel the compassion and mercy of Jesus? 

Jesus compassion is undeniably supreme in our gospel reading today. Upon seeing the widow He was moved with compassion and sympathy for her. Jesus has compassion for all of us also, we who are struggling with life, Jesus is always with us, HE feels our loneliness, brokenness and our emptiness.

Jesus saw a widow crying over the death of her only son When Jesus saw her; he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” And then Jesus did the unthinkable, He raised the widow's only son to life.

How many times has Jesus made miracles in our life that we are not aware of? In the daily grind of life let us not forget that Jesus is always by our side making little and big miracles for us. Let us not forget about it, let us always be grateful to Him.

Just like the widow in the gospel, perhaps you’ve also passed through a stage of sorrow, loneliness and even brokenness. How were you able to triumph over it?  Did you ask help from the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Setyembre 19, Martes ng Ika-24 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 7:11-17

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 7:11-17

Noong panahong iyon, pumunta si Hesus sa isang bayang tinatawag na Nain. Sumama sa kanya ang kanyang mga alagad at ang napakaraming tao. Nang malapit na siya sa pintuan ng bayan, nasalubong niya ang libing ng kaisa-isang anak na lalaki ng isang babaing balo. 

Marami ang nakikipaglibing. Nahabag ang Panginoon nang makita ang ina ng namatay, at sinabi sa kanya, “Huwag kang tumangis.”  Lumapit siya at hinipo ang kinalalagyan ng patay at tumigil naman ang mga may dala nito. Sinabi niya, “Binata, bumangon ka!” 

Naupo ito at nagsalita; at siya’y ibinigay ni Hesus sa kanyang ina. Sinidlan ng takot ang lahat at sila’y nagpuri sa Diyos. Sabi nila, “Dumating sa atin ang isang dakilang propeta! Nilingap ng Diyos ang kanyang bayan!” At kumalat sa buong Judea at sa palibot na lupain ang balitang ito tungkol sa kanya.

Reflection for September 18, Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: 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 always favor your rich relatives and friends?

The concern of the centurion/military officer for his slave was very admirable; just imagine he went to Jesus to ask for healing for his very sick slave. The centurion/military officer’s concern for his slave was very pleasing to Jesus that’s why Jesus granted his pleading.

To whom can we compare the slave today? The slaves of our time are the poor people that we know, whose status in life is way, way below us. Oftentimes our concern for the poor is very different from those who are rich.

In fact, many of us have two sets of standards of concern for our friends who are poor and rich. Many of us lean towards our rich relatives and friends for this are what is normal for us: go for the rich relatives and friends first.

Jesus would always want us to help and pray for those who are in need specially the poor for they are closest to His heart. This doesn’t mean that we neglect the rich but if there would be a choice to whom would we extend help first.

 It’s no brainer that we go to the poor first, we have to prioritize them over the rich. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Setyembre 18, Lunes ng Ika-24 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 7:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 7:1-10

Noong panahong iyon, nang maituro ni Hesus sa mga tao ang kanyang aral, siya’y pumasok ng Capernaum. Doo’y may isang kapitang Romano na may aliping mahal sa kanya. May sakit ang aliping ito at nasa bingit ng kamatayan. Nang mabalitaan ng kapitan ang ginagawa ni Hesus, nagpasugo siya sa ilang matatanda sa mga Judio upang ipakiusap kay Hesus na puntahan at pagalingin ang alipin.  

Nang makita nila si Hesus, taimtim silang nakiusap sa kanya, “Siya’y karapat-dapat na pagbigyan ninyo sapagkat mahal niya ang ating bansa,” wika nila. ”Ipinagpatayo pa niya tayo ng isang sinagoga.” Kaya’t  sumama sa kanila si Hesus. Nang malapit na siya sa bahay, ipinasalubong siya ng kapitan sa kanyang mga kaibigan at ipinasabi ang ganito: “Ginoo, huwag na po kayong magpakapagod. Hindi ako karapat-dapat na puntahan ninyo sa aking tahanan. Ni hindi rin po ako karapat-dapat na humarap sa inyo.  

Ngunit magsalita po lamang kayo at gagaling na ang aking alipin. Sapagkat ako’y isang taong nasa ilalim ng mga nakatataas na pinuno, at may nasasakupan din po akong 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!’ ito’y ginagawa niya.” 

Namangha si Hesus nang marinig ito, at humarap sa makapal na taong sumusunod sa kanya. Sinabi niya, “Kahit sa Israel ay hindi ako nakakita ng ganito kalaking pananalig.” Pagbabalik sa bahay, naratnan ng mga sinugo na magaling na ang alipin.

Reflection for Sunday September 17, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:21-35

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him,“ Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times? Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.  

When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.  

Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe. 

Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back. But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.  

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant as I had pity on you? Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

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Reflection:

Are you forgiving?  

In the gospel, a servant asked to be forgiven for the huge amount he owed his king, and he was granted forgiveness. However, when he encountered someone who owed him a smaller amount, he demanded repayment of the debt.

Perhaps many of us would be able to relate to this servant who asked for forgiveness from his Lord and Master. We ask for forgiveness from Jesus for all our sins; yes, many of us even submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But do we truly live out this forgiveness that we have received from Jesus? Do we forgive those who have wronged us as we have been forgiven by the Lord?

When we forgive, we free ourselves from the imprisonment of anger and hatred. Just imagine, if we harbor anger in our hearts, we carry this burden that does no good to us except to raise our blood pressure. 

Why can't we let bygones be bygones, or forgive and forget, and move on without harboring a heavy burden in our hearts? We are only punishing ourselves if we don't forgive. And we are only leaving a space for Satan to dwell when we don't forgive.

We, therefore, have to be forgiving because forgiveness is not just for those who wronged us; forgiveness is primarily for us, the ones who have been wronged. Forgiveness heals our whole being it makes us emotionally and mentally strong and it ushers us to a new avenue of life for us to begin anew without the burden of hatred. 

Let us always learn from Jesus, who is always forgiving. Let us learn from Jesus, who doesn't keep any record of wrong in His heart. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Setyembre 17, Ika-24 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 18:21-35

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:21-35

Noong panahong iyon, lumapit si Pedro at nagtanong kay Hesus, “Panginoon, makailan kong patatawarin ang aking kapatid na paulit-ulit na nagkakasala sa akin? Makapito po ba?” Sinagot siya ni Hesus, “Hindi ko sinasabing makapito, kundi pitumpung ulit pa nito. 

Sapagkat ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: ipinasiya ng isang hari na pagbayarin ang kanyang mga lingkod na may utang sa kanya. Unang dinala sa kanya ang isang may utang na sampung milyung piso. Dahil sa siya’y walang ibayad, iniutos ng hari na ipagbili siya, ang kanyang asawa, mga anak, at lahat ng ari-arian, upang makabayad. 

Nanikluhod ang taong ito sa harapan ng hari at nagmakaawa: ‘Bigyan pa ninyo ako ng panahon, at babayaran ko sa inyo ang lahat.’ Naawa sa kanya ang hari kaya ipinatawad ang kanyang mga utang at pinayaon siya. “Ngunit pagkaalis niya roon ay nakatagpo niya ang isa sa kanyang kapwa lingkod na may utang na limandaang piso sa kanya. 

Sinunggaban niya ito at sinakal, sabay wika: ‘Magbayad ka ng utang mo!’ Naglumuhod iyon at nagmakaawa sa kanya: ‘Bigyan mo pa ako ng panahon at babayaran kita.’ Ngunit hindi siya pumayag; sa halip ipinabilanggo niya ang kanyang kapwa lingkod hanggang sa ito’y makabayad. Nang makita ng kanyang mga kapwa lingkod ang nangyari, sila’y labis na nagdamdam; pumunta sila sa hari at isinumbong ang nangyari. 

Kaya’t ipinatawag siya ng hari. ‘Ikaw – napakasama mo!’ Sabi niya. ‘Pinatawad kita sa utang mo sapagkat nagmakaawa ka sa akin. Nahabag ako sa iyo; hindi ba dapat ka ring mahabag sa kapwa mo?’ At sa galit ng hari, siya’y ipinabilanggo hanggang sa mabayaran niya ang kanyang utang. Gayun din ang gagawin sa inyo ng aking Amang nasa langit kung hindi ninyo patatawarin ang inyong kapatid.

Reflection for Saturday September 16, Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs: 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:

Why do many Catholics embrace other Christian faiths? The reason is their very weak foundation on the basics of the faith like the catechism and apologetics.

If only they know of the rich history of this church that was founded by Jesus through Saint Peter. If only they know that we don’t worship anyone in the church except God. 

If only they know the critical roles of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints in the advancement of our faith. If only they know that images of the saints are allowed and has biblical basis. I’m sure that they would have not dared leave the church which Jesus Himself founded.

Perhaps those who left the church are like the person in the gospel who built his house without foundation, when the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.

We must build our faith on a rock solid foundation; we must not solely rely on the learnings that we hear from the Priest’s Homily during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Through our own initiative we must have that hunger to learn more about our faith.

We must ask the Holy Spirit to help us become more enlightened of the many truths of our church. By doing so we would have a very strong foundation about our church. And we will choose to remain no matter the many controversies and scandals that it may encounter. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Sabado Setyembre 16, San Cornelio, papa at San Cipriano, obispo, mga martir (Paggunita): Lucas 6:43-49

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:43-49

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Walang mabuting punongkahoy na namumunga ng masama, at walang masamang punongkahoy na namumunga ng mabuti. Nakikilala ang bawat punongkahoy sa pamamagitan ng kanyang bunga.

Sapagkat hindi nakapipitas ng igos sa puno ng aroma, at di rin nakapipitas ng ubas sa puno ng dawag. Ang mabuting tao ay nakapagdudulot ng mabuti sapagkat tigib ng kabutihan ang kanyang puso; ang masamang tao ay nakapagdudulot ng masama, sapagkat puno ng kasamaan ang kanyang puso. Sapagkat kung ano ang bukambibig siyang laman ng dibdib.   

“Tinatawag ninyo ako ‘Panginoon, Panginoon,’ ngunit hindi naman ninyo ginagawa ang sinasabi ko. Ipakikilala ko sa inyo kung kanino natutulad ang bawat lumalapit sa akin, nakikinig ng aking mga salita, at nagsasagawa ng mga ito. Katulad siya ng isang taong humukay nang malalim at sa pundasyong bato nagtayo ng bahay.

Bumaha, at ang tubig ay bumugso sa bahay na iyon, ngunit hindi natinag, sapagkat matatag ang pagkakatayo. Ngunit ang nakikinig ng aking mga salita at hindi nagsasagawa nito ay katulad ng isang taong nagtayo ng bahay na walang pundasyon. Bumaha, nadaanan ng tubig ang bahay na iyon at pagdaka’y bumagsak. Lubusang nawasak ang bahay na iyon!”

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

Gospel: John 19:25-27

But 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 whom he loved standing near, 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 to his own home.

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Reflection:

How can we put flesh to the command of Jesus to John: “Behold your mother.” It’s to respect and take care of our universal mother and our biological mother. The Blessed Virgin Mary  must be respected and venerated by all of us, in what way? By giving her honor the way the church honors her. 

We must follow what the church teaches us about the veneration and respect that we must give the Blessed Mother. For example in the praying of the Holy Rosary, the church encourages us to make the rosary as our family prayer because this will keep the family together. And this is true! 

How about the love, respect, and care that are due to our own mothers? Do we give them love, respect, and care? Many mothers are silently suffering because they are not properly taken care of; they are not respected and loved anymore. 

We must always give our mothers what is due them, we must always express our love for them while they’re still here in this world. We all know that they are in the twilight of their years already so we must give to them what they truly deserve. 

Let your mother feel that you love her, you respect her and you care for her. Be patient also with her for she is in the twilight of her years. Be forgiving also to her because she commits mistakes every now and then for she is getting old. 

When will you give your love, respect and care for your mother? When she’s not anymore able to hear it, feel it and respond to it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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

Mabuting Balita: Juan 19:25-27

Nakatayo sa tabi ng krus ni Jesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae nitong si Maria, na asawa ni Cleopas. Naroon din si Maria Magdalena. 

Nang makita ni Jesus ang kanyang ina, at ang minamahal niyang alagad sa tabi nito, kanyang sinabi, "Ginang, narito ang iyong anak!" At sinabi sa alagad, "Narito ang iyong ina!" Mula noon, siya'y pinatira ng alagad na ito sa kanyang bahay.