Saturday, November 23, 2013

My Reflection for November 24, Solemnity of Christ the King, Luke 23:35-43


http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112413.cfm
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My Reflection:
Who among us would want to follow the kingship of Jesus?  He is an image of human weakness, He hangs on the cross blooded ang dying. The rulers sneered at Him even the soldiers taunted Him. Jesus on the cross was seemingly helpless and it seems that God has forsaken Him already.

If we were present during that time of His crucifixion we would not dare also touch Him with a ten foot pole. We would have also silently walked away like the others who were disappointed with Jesus show of human weakness.

What if Jesus projected the image of king David in our first reading (warrior, conqueror and leader) of course everyone would have flocked to His side. But Jesus did not show any warrior like demeanor, instead He showed a defeated behavior that His followers did not want to see from Him. That’s why in His most trying times everyone who followed Him eventually deserted Him.

 But during His moment of human weakness someone recognized His kingship. It was the criminal hanging on the cross beside Him. What made the criminal recognize His power and kingship? That he even asked Jesus to remember him when He is in His kingdom. It was the criminal’s humility and unwavering faith in Jesus. We may ask, is it possible for a criminal to be humble and is it possible for a criminal to have an unwavering faith in Jesus? Yes it is very possible!

How could this gospel help us to have a firmer grasp of the kingship of Jesus? We must always humble ourselves before Him. For example, we always go to Mass and we humbly submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as possible. We must not forget also to always ask Jesus to increase our faith.

But sad to say, many of us are situational followers of Jesus only. …   

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

As we see now the devastation brought about by the 7.2 quake which hit Bohol, Cebu and nearby towns yesterday October 15, is beyond human comprehension. Let us continue to include them in our PRAYERS AND MASS INTENTIONS. Let us also extend whatever HELP we can give them.

As we see now the devastation brought about by the 7.2 quake which hit Bohol, Cebu and nearby towns yesterday October 15, is beyond human comprehension. Let us continue to include them in our PRAYERS AND MASS INTENTIONS. Let us also extend whatever HELP we can give them.

Monday, October 7, 2013

I conduct and facilitate Recollections and Retreats.

I conduct talks and facilitate Recollections. For more details please get in touch at: mjdasma@yahoo.com or mjdasma@gmail.com. 
Tel no. 046-4303668

Sunday, August 11, 2013

My Reflection for August 11, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Luke 12:35-40

My Reflection:
There is a story of a holy man who would always find time for God and his fellowmen. When he was asked why he was like that he would always tell them that this is his way of preparing for the coming of the Lord. He would compare the coming of the lord with death which comes to us without warning at all.  

Jesus in our gospel for this Sunday tells us to always be prepared and vigilant servant of the Lord. To be like the Israelites in our first reading who patiently waited with faith and courage for God to liberate them from the bondage of the Egyptians.  

How could we become vigilant and prepared servant of the Lord? By serving and obeying the Lord without any reservation. By having faith in HIM faith that is alive and working. This is the only way wherein we could be prepared and vigilant servant of the Lord.

If death will come to us which will certainly happen on God’s appointed time. Then, we are prepared we have nothing to fear for we will be in heaven with God.

What if we are not prepared and not vigilant servants? Where will we end up?  


Saturday, June 15, 2013

My Reflection for June 16, Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 7:36-8:3

My Reflection:
A young lady who had five children from five different men was already labeled as an immoral sinner by her siblings and parents.  Her family has already given-up on her even if deep in her heart she was telling herself that she was ready to live a renewed life which is very different from her sinful past.

In our first reading for this Sunday we have King David who committed sin against God by coveting the wife of his soldier Uraih. He purposely feed Uriah to their enemies. So that he would be killed and hence possess his wife without any complications. The action of King David was sinful but notwithstanding his sin he was forgiven by God because he humbly admitted his sinfulness before God almighty.

Similarly, we have in our gospel a sinful woman who humbly went to Jesus to honor Him by kissing His feet and anointing it with ointment. She cried before Jesus as if begging Jesus for forgiveness and second chance. Jesus saw her humility and her honest desire to start a new life. That’s why despite of her grave sins she was forgiven by Jesus.

There is always hope and forgiveness for us sinners no matter how grave the sins that we have committed against Jesus. …      

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Why do we shout in anger at each other... ? Author Unknown

A saint who was visiting river Ganges to take a bath found a couple on the banks, shouting in anger at each other. He turned to his disciples smiled and asked.

'Why do people shout in anger shout at each other?'

The disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our temper, we shout.'

'But, why should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can as well tell him what you have to say in a soft manner.' asked the saint.

The disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the other disciples.
Finally the saint explained.

'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other to cover that great distance.

What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is either nonexistent or very small.

The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'

He looked at his disciples and said.

'So when you argue do not let your hearts get distant, Do not say words that distance each other more, Or else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return. …

Monday, March 18, 2013

My Reflections for March 19, Tuesday Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Mathew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Gospel: Mathew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
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My Reflections:
When Saint Joseph discovered that Mary was already pregnant he decided to quietly divorce the Blessed Mother. Why quietly divorce? Why not broadcast it to their whole community so that Mary will be embarrassed and severely punished by stoning to death.

Joseph decided to quietly divorce Mary because deep in his heart he already loved the Blessed Mother. Deep in his humble and righteous heart Joseph already loved the baby in the womb of Mary. That is why Joseph wanted to quietly divorce Mary so that Mary and the baby Jesus would avoid the punishment of death by stoning. But his plan did not push through for the simple reason that Joseph listened to the angel of the Lord. Who told him that the Blessed Mother conceived by the grace of the Holy Spirit.  

The love that Saint Joseph exercised towards the Blessed Mother and the baby Jesus must also be the love that we must always give to our family. We must at all times first take into consideration the welfare of our family more than our own selfish interest.

In his heart Saint Joseph was always quietly praying for guidance and enlightenment. This may be the reason why he never said a single word. He was always waiting for the voice of God to tell him what to do during that critical moment of his life. Humility, selfless love, obedience and prayerful silence these are the values of Saint Joseph.

Are we like Saint Joseph? Or do we have some of these values of Saint Joseph?

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

My Reflections for March 8, Friday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 12:28-34

Gospel: Luke 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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My Reflections:
A homeless man was basically alien to the word love of God and neighbor until someone pitied him. The good Samaritan helped the homeless man by means of teaching him how to love God and neighbor through his selfless actions.

Many are like the homeless man but only a few of us are like the Good Samaritan. We are averse to be in contact with the homeless and those who stray in the streets. Thus they don’t know how to love God and neighbor.

If only we would listen to Jesus two greatest commandments about love. …