Reflection for Friday August 21 Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope: Matthew 22:34-40

Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"  

He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told of a middle-aged, wealthy woman who was always present in church for worship. She considered this her way of showing others that she lived the commandment of loving God with all her heart, soul, and mind. Near the house where she lived was a community of poor people.

One day, as the pious woman was passing by, the leader of the poor community saw her and remembered her as the woman who was always in church. So he said to himself, “I will ask this prayerful woman for help, for I know that she will not fail me.”

He approached her and asked for her help in whatever way she could. But the supposedly pious and prayerful woman said no. She even had the temerity to scold the poor man.

Obviously, the woman was not true to her self-proclaimed love for God. Her love for God was merely a charade. For how can we claim to love God when we ignore the poor and needy who come to us asking for our help?

In the Gospel, Jesus gives us the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbor. These two commandments are inseparable. We cannot truly love God while closing our hearts to our brothers and sisters who are in need. Our love for God must always find expression in the way we love, serve, forgive, and care for others.

Sometimes, we may find it easy to worship God, to pray, to attend Mass, and to speak about our faith. But the real test of our love for God is often found outside the church—in the people whom we encounter every day, especially those who are poor, struggling, forgotten, or in need of our compassion.

If we profess our love for God through our worship, God desires that this love overflow into the lives of our neighbors. Our prayers should lead us to compassion. Our worship should lead us to service. Our faith should lead us to forgiveness. And our love for God should open our hearts to those whom He places in our path.

It is possible for us to be present in church yet absent from the needs of our neighbors. We can lift our hands in worship yet fail to extend them to someone who needs our help. We can speak beautifully about loving God yet harbor resentment, refuse to forgive, or become irritated by those who continually disturb our peace.

When this happens, perhaps the Lord is gently reminding us that our worship must not end when we leave the church. True worship continues when we encounter the hungry, the poor, the lonely, the hurting, the inconvenient, and even those whom we find difficult to love.

Let us therefore ask the Holy Spirit to transform our love for God into concrete acts of love for one another. May our prayers become compassion, our faith become service, and our worship become a life offered for others. May we never allow our love for God to remain only on our lips or within the walls of our churches. May it overflow from our hearts into the lives of the people around us.

For in the end, the question is not simply whether we worship God, but whether our worship has changed the way we love.

Can the people around us see, through the way we love, forgive, serve, and care for them, that we truly love God—or is Jesus inviting us today to open our hearts wider and let our love for Him overflow into the lives of those who need us most?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Biyernes Agosto 21 Paggunita kay San Pio X, papa: Mateo 22:34-40

 

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 22:34-40

Noong panahong iyon, nagtipun-tipon ang mga Pariseo nang mabalitaan nilang napatahimik ni Hesus ang mga Saduseo. At isa sa kanila, isang dalubhasa sa Kautusan, ang nagtanong kay Hesus upang subukin ito: “Guro, alin po ang pinakamahalagang utos sa Kautusan?” 

Sumagot si Hesus, “Ibigin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buong puso, nang buong kaluluwa, at nang buong pag-iisip. Ito ang pinakamahalagang utos. Ito naman ang pangalawa: “Ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili. Sa dalawang utos na ito nakasalalay ang buong Kautusan ni Moises at ang turo ng mga propeta.”

+ + + + + + +

Repleksyon:

May isang kuwentong tungkol sa isang mayamang babae na palaging dumadalo sa Banal na Misa. Para sa kanya, ito ang paraan ng pagpapakita sa iba na isinasabuhay niya ang utos na mahalin ang Diyos nang buong puso, buong kaluluwa, at buong pag-iisip. Malapit sa kanyang tahanan ay may isang komunidad ng mga mahihirap.

Isang araw, habang naglalakad ang babae, nakita siya ng pinuno ng komunidad ng mga mahihirap. Nakilala niya ito bilang ang babaeng palaging nasa simbahan. Kaya sinabi niya sa kanyang sarili, “Hihingi ako ng tulong sa babaeng ito na palaging nananalangin, sapagkat alam kong hindi niya ako bibiguin.”

Lumapit siya sa babae at humingi ng tulong sa anumang paraan na maaari nitong maibigay. Ngunit tumanggi ang babae atpinagalitan pa niya ang mahirap na lalaki.

Maliwanag na hindi naging tapat ang babae sa kanyang ipinagmamalaking pag-ibig sa Diyos. Naging tila palabas lamang ang kanyang sinasabing pag-ibig sa Diyos. Sapagkat paano natin masasabi na tunay nating mahal ang Diyos kung ipinipikit naman natin ang ating mga mata sa mga mahihirap at nangangailangan na lumalapit sa atin para humingi ng tulong?

Sa Ebanghelyo, ibinibigay sa atin ni Jesus ang dalawang pinakadakilang utos: mahalin ang Diyos at mahalin ang ating kapwa. Hindi natin maaaring paghiwalayin ang dalawang utos na ito. Hindi natin tunay na mamahalin ang Diyos kung isinasara naman natin ang ating puso sa ating mga kapatid na nangangailangan. Ang ating pag-ibig sa Diyos ay kailangang makita sa paraan ng ating pagmamahal, paglilingkod, pagpapatawad, at pagkalinga sa iba.

Kung minsan, madali para sa atin ang magsimba, manalangin, umawit ng papuri, at magsalita tungkol sa ating pananampalataya. Ngunit ang tunay na pagsubok ng ating pag-ibig sa Diyos ay madalas nating nakikita hindi lamang sa loob ng simbahan kundi sa labas nito—sa mga taong nakakasalamuha natin araw-araw, lalo na sa mga mahihirap, nahihirapan, nakakalimutan, nasasaktan, at nangangailangan ng ating malasakit.

Kung ipinapahayag natin ang ating pag-ibig sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng ating pagsamba, nais ng Diyos na ang pag-ibig na ito ay umapaw sa buhay ng ating kapwa. Ang ating panalangin ay dapat humantong sa pagkahabag. Ang ating pagsamba ay dapat humantong sa paglilingkod. Ang ating pananampalataya ay dapat humantong sa pagpapatawad. At ang ating pag-ibig sa Diyos ay dapat magbukas ng ating puso sa mga taong inilalagay Niya sa ating landas.

Posibleng palagi tayong nasa simbahan ngunit hindi natin napapansin ang pangangailangan ng ating kapwa. Maaari nating itaas ang ating mga kamay sa pagpupuri ngunit hindi natin maiabot ang mga ito sa isang taong nangangailangan ng tulong. Maaari tayong magsalita nang maganda tungkol sa pagmamahal sa Diyos ngunit puno naman ng sama ng loob ang ating puso, ayaw nating magpatawad, o naiirita tayo sa mga taong paulit-ulit na nakagagambala sa ating kapayapaan.

Kapag nangyayari ito sa ating buhay, marahil ay mahinahon tayong pinapaalalahanan ng Panginoon na hindi dapat natatapos ang ating pagsamba paglabas natin ng simbahan. Ang tunay na pagsamba ay nagpapatuloy kapag tinutulungan natin ang nagugutom, mahirap, malungkot, nasasaktan, nangangailangan, at maging ang mga taong nahihirapan tayong mahalin.

Kaya hilingin natin sa Banal na Espiritu na baguhin ang ating pag-ibig sa Diyos upang maging konkretong pag-ibig para sa isa’t isa. Nawa’y maging malasakit ang ating mga panalangin, maging paglilingkod ang ating pananampalataya, at maging handog para sa iba ang ating pagsamba. Huwag nating hayaang manatili lamang sa ating mga labi o sa loob ng simbahan ang ating pag-ibig sa Diyos. Nawa’y umapaw ito mula sa ating puso patungo sa buhay ng mga taong nakapaligid sa atin.

Sapagkat sa huli, hindi lamang ang tanong kung tayo ba ay sumasamba sa Diyos. Ang mas mahalagang tanong ay: Binabago ba ng ating pagsamba ang paraan ng ating pagmamahal?

Makikita ba ng mga taong nakapaligid sa atin—sa paraan ng ating pagmamahal, pagpapatawad, paglilingkod, at pagkalinga—na tunay nating minamahal ang Diyos? O inaanyayahan tayo ni Jesus ngayon na buksan pa nang higit ang ating puso upang ang pag-ibig natin sa Kanya ay umapaw tungo sa mga taong higit na nangangailangan sa atin?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Thursday August 20 Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 22:1-14

Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. 

A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.  

The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ 

The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. 

Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told of a man who died. A few moments after his death, he saw two places. One was a fiery place where souls were in terrible torment. The other was a bright and heavenly place filled with joyous souls. A booming voice asked him, “Where would you choose to be?” The man quickly replied, “I choose the bright and heavenly place.”

When he was about to enter the pearly gates, however, he was barred from entering. Then a loud voice boomed again and said, “Why are you so desperate to enter now? Do you remember when you were still alive? I invited you to church countless times, but you did not give any importance to My invitations. You gave greater priority to your temporal and worldly activities.”

How many times has God invited us to come closer to Him, yet we allowed ourselves to become too busy to listen? How many times has He gently called us through the people around us, through His Word, through the celebration of the Holy Mass, through prayer, or even through the quiet promptings of our hearts—but we chose to attend to other things instead?

In our Gospel, Jesus gives us a parable about a wedding feast. The king ordered his servants to invite the chosen guests, but they were all busy, so they ignored the invitation. Instead, they went about their usual daily activities. One went to his farm, while another went to his business. Others who were invited even had the temerity to kill the king’s messengers.

The king represents God, and the wedding banquet reminds us of the heavenly banquet to which God lovingly invites all of us. In a special way, we experience this invitation whenever we gather for the celebration of the Holy Mass. Every time we hear the Word of God proclaimed, every time we receive an invitation to pray, every time someone encourages us to return to church, and every time our hearts are moved to seek God, we are being reminded of His loving invitation.

God does not invite us because He needs something from us. He invites us because He desires us. He wants us to know Him, love Him, walk with Him, and remain close to Him. He wants to share with us the joy of His presence. His invitation is not meant to burden us; it is an invitation to a deeper relationship with Him.

But what is our response to His perpetual invitation?

Oftentimes, we ignore it because we are so busy with the concerns and activities of this temporary world. We make time for our work, our businesses, our families, our entertainment, our plans, and countless other concerns. These things are not necessarily wrong, but they can become distractions when they leave little or no room for God in our lives.

Sometimes, we tell ourselves that we will pray later, attend Mass another time, read the Bible when we are less busy, or return to God when our circumstances become more difficult. We keep postponing our response until we become conscious of our own mortality. Only when sickness, suffering, or the thought of death comes close do we suddenly realize how deeply we need God.

And perhaps this is one of the greatest ironies of our lives: we can find time for so many things, yet we struggle to find time for God. Why should we wait until we are already sick, weak, or near death before we respond to His invitation? Why wait until our strength is gone before we begin seeking the One who has been patiently seeking us all along?

God is inviting us today. He is calling us while we still have the strength to walk toward Him, the time to pray, the opportunity to attend Holy Mass, the freedom to open His Word, and the grace to change our lives.

Let us not wait for tomorrow to give God what we can give Him today. Let us not wait for a crisis before we remember the One who has never forgotten us. Let us not allow the temporary things of this world to make us miss the eternal banquet that God lovingly prepares for us.

His invitation is before us. His door is open. His grace is being offered. Will we continue to make excuses and remain too busy for God, or will we finally stop, listen to His loving call, and say, “Yes, Lord, I accept Your invitation”?

If God is inviting us today, what is keeping us from saying “yes” to Him—and what are we willing to change now so that we will never have to say, “I wish I had responded when He was calling me”?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Huwebes Agosto 20 Paggunita kay San Bernardo, abad at pantas ng Simbahan: Mateo 22:1-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 22:1-14

Noong panahong iyon, muling nagsalita sa mga punong saserdote at matatanda ng bayan si Hesus sa pamamagitan ng talinghaga. Sinabi niya, “Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: naghandog ng isang piging ang isang hari sa kasal ng kanyang anak na lalaki.

Sinugo niya ang kanyang mga alipin upang tawagin ang mga inanyayahan ngunit ayaw nilang dumalo. Muli siyang nagsugo ng ibang mga alipin at kanyang pinagbilinan, ‘Sabihin ninyo sa mga inanyayahan na naihanda ko na ang aking piging: napatay na ang aking mga baka at mga pinatabang guya, at handa na ang lahat ng bagay. Halina kayo sa piging!’

Ngunit hindi ito pinansin ng mga inanyayahan. Humayo sila sa kani-kanilang lakad; ang isa’y sa kanyang bukid at sa kanyang pangangalakal naman ang isa. Sinunggaban naman ng iba ang mga alipin, hinamak at pinatay. Galit na galit ang hari. Pinaparoon niya ang kanyang mga kawal, ipinapuksa ang mga mamamatay-taong iyon at ipinasunog ang kanilang lungsod.

Sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alipin, ‘Nakahanda na ang piging, ngunit hindi karapat-dapat ang mga inanyayahan. Kaya’t pumunta kayo sa mga langsangang matao, at inyong anyayahan sa kasalan ang lahat ng makita ninyo.’ Lumabas nga sa mga pangunahing lansangan ang mga alipin at isinama ang lahat ng natagpuan, masasama’t mabubuti, anupat napuno ng mga panauhin ang bulwagang pangkasalan.

“Pumasok ang hari upang tingnan ang mga panauhin, at nakita niya roon ang isang taong hindi nakadamit pangkasalan. ‘Kaibigan, bakit ka pumasok dito nang hindi nakadamit pangkasalan?’ tanong niya. Hindi nakaimik ang tao. Kaya’t sinabi ng hari sa mga katulong, ‘Gapusin ninyo ang kanyang kamay at paa at itapon siya sa kadiliman sa labas. Doo’y mananangis siya at magngangalit ang kanyang ngipin.’ Sapagkat marami ang tinatawag, ngunit kakaunti ang nahihirang.”

+ + + + + + +

Repleksyon:

May isang kuwento ang tungkol sa isang lalaking namatay. Ilang sandali matapos ang kanyang kamatayan, nakita niya ang dalawang lugar. Ang isa ay isang nagliliyab na lugar kung saan ang mga kaluluwa ay nasa matinding pagdurusa. Ang isa naman ay isang maliwanag at makalangit na lugar na puno ng masasayang kaluluwa. Isang malakas na tinig ang nagtanong sa kanya, “Saan mo nais na mapunta?” Agad niyang sumagot, “Pinipili ko ang maliwanag at makalangit na lugar.”

Nang malapit na siyang pumasok sa pintuan ng langit, hinarangan siya sa pagpasok. Muling umalingawngaw ang isang malakas na tinig: “Bakit ngayon ay desperado kang makapasok? Naaalala mo ba noong ikaw ay nabubuhay pa? Maraming beses kitang inanyayahang makibahagi sa Banal na Misa, ngunit hindi mo binigyan ng halaga ang Aking mga paanyaya. Mas binigyan mo ng higit na pagpapahalaga ang mga bagay na panandalian at makamundo.”

Ilang beses na kaya tayong inaanyayahan ng Diyos na lumapit sa Kanya, ngunit napakaabala natin upang Siya ay mapansin? Ilang beses na Niya tayong tinatawag sa pamamagitan ng mga taong nasa ating paligid—ngunit pinipili nating unahin ang ibang mga bagay?

Sa ating Ebanghelyo, isinasalaysay ni Jesus ang talinghaga tungkol sa isang piging ng kasalan. Inutusan ng hari ang kanyang mga lingkod na anyayahan ang mga napili niyang panauhin. Ngunit abala silang lahat kaya binalewala nila ang paanyaya. Sa halip, ipinagpatuloy nila ang kanilang mga karaniwang gawain. Ang isa ay pumunta sa kanyang bukid, samantalang ang isa naman ay nag-asikaso ng kanyang negosyo. Ang iba pang mga inanyayahan ay umabot pa sa puntong pinatay ang mga sugo ng hari.

Ang hari ay kumakatawan sa Diyos, at ang piging ng kasalan ay nagpapaalala sa atin tungkol sa makalangit na piging na buong pagmamahal na inihahanda ng Diyos para sa ating lahat. Sa isang natatanging paraan, nararanasan natin ang paanyayang ito sa tuwing nagtitipon tayo para sa pagdiriwang ng Banal na Misa.

Sa bawat pagkakataong naririnig natin ang Salita ng Diyos, sa tuwing may nag-aanyaya sa atin na manalangin, sa tuwing may humihikayat sa ating muling magsimba, at sa bawat pagkakataong nararamdaman nating inaakay tayo ng Diyos na hanapin Siya, ipinapaalala sa atin ang Kanyang mapagmahal na paanyaya.

Hindi tayo inaanyayahan ng Diyos dahil may kailangan Siya mula sa atin. Inaanyayahan Niya tayo dahil nais Niya tayong mapalapit sa Kanya. Nais Niya tayong makilala Siya, mahalin Siya, lumakad kasama Niya, at manatiling malapit sa Kanya. Nais Niyang ibahagi sa atin ang kagalakan ng Kanyang presensya. Ang Kanyang paanyaya ay hindi isang pasanin; ito ay paanyaya tungo sa isang mas malalim na pakikipag-ugnayan sa Kanya.

Ngunit ano nga ba ang ating tugon sa Kanyang patuloy na paanyaya?

Madalas, binabalewala natin ito dahil abala tayo sa mga alalahanin at gawain ng mundong ito na panandalian lamang. Nakakahanap tayo ng oras para sa ating trabaho, negosyo, pamilya, libangan, mga plano, at napakarami pang ibang bagay. Hindi naman masama ang mga ito. Ngunit maaari silang maging sagabal kapag halos wala na tayong naiiwang panahon para sa Diyos.

Kung minsan, sinasabi natin sa ating sarili na mamaya na tayo mananalangin, sa ibang araw na tayo magsisimba, kapag hindi na tayo gaanong abala saka tayo magbabasa ng Bibliya, o kapag dumating ang matinding pagsubok saka na lamang tayo muling lalapit sa Diyos.

Patuloy nating ipinagpapaliban ang ating pagtugon hanggang sa maharap tayo sa ating sariling kahinaan at mortalidad. Kapag dumating ang karamdaman, matinding pagdurusa, o ang takot sa kamatayan, saka lamang natin napagtatanto kung gaano natin kailangang-kailangan ang Diyos.

At marahil, ito ang isa sa pinakamalaking kabalintunaan ng ating buhay: nakakahanap tayo ng panahon para sa napakaraming bagay, ngunit nahihirapan tayong maglaan ng panahon para sa Diyos.

Bakit pa natin hihintaying tayo ay manghina, magkasakit, o malapit na sa kamatayan bago tayo tumugon sa Kanyang paanyaya? Bakit pa natin hihintaying maubos ang ating lakas bago natin hanapin ang Diyos na buong tiyagang naghahanap sa atin?

Inaanyayahan tayo ng Diyos ngayon. Tinatawag Niya tayo habang mayroon pa tayong lakas upang lumapit patungo sa Kanya, upang manalangin, makibahagi sa Banal na Misa, buksan at basahin ang Kanyang Salita.

Huwag nating hintayin ang bukas upang ibigay sa Diyos ang maaari nating ibigay sa Kanya ngayon. Huwag nating hintayin ang isang malaking krisis bago natin maalala ang Diyos na kailanman ay hindi nakakalimot sa atin.

Huwag nating hayaang ang mga panandaliang bagay ng mundong ito ang maging dahilan upang mawalan tayo ng pagkakataong makibahagi sa walang hanggang piging na buong pagmamahal na inihahanda ng Diyos para sa atin.

Ang Kanyang paanyaya ay nasa harapan natin. Bukas ang Kanyang pintuan. Iniaalok Niya sa atin ang Kanyang biyaya.

Patuloy ba nating bibigyan ng dahilan ang ating sarili at sasabihing napakaabala natin para sa Diyos, o hihinto tayo sandali, pakikinggan ang Kanyang mapagmahal na pagtawag, at buong pagpapakumbabang sasabihin, “O Panginoon, tinatanggap ko ang Iyong paanyaya”?

Kung tinatawag tayo ng Diyos ngayon, ano ang humahadlang sa atin upang magsabi ng “oo” sa Kanya? At ano ang handa nating baguhin ngayon upang hindi dumating ang araw na sasabihin natin, “Sana ay tumugon ako noong tinatawag pa Niya ako”?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 19 Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 20:1-16

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’   

So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’  

When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’  

He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Can we measure the breadth and depth of God’s love for us?

No, because God’s love for us is not bound by any human measure. God loves us infinitely, no matter who we are, no matter how far we may have wandered, and no matter what sins we have committed.

The landowner in our Gospel represents God, who solicitously invited workers on many occasions to work in His vineyard. He did not concern Himself with the time at which they presented themselves for work. What mattered to the landowner was that they responded to his invitation to work in his vineyard.

How beautiful it is to realize that God does not stop calling us simply because we have been late in responding to Him. His invitation remains open. Whether we have followed Him for many years or are only beginning to seek Him, He lovingly calls us to enter His vineyard and share in His work.

God’s love for us is so immense that He wants us to come to Him, regardless of who we are or what we have done. He continuously invites us to a new life with Him. We are precious to God, and we are dearly loved by Him. Even when we feel unworthy, lost, broken, or burdened by our past, God does not turn His back on us. His invitation continues to reach out to us because His mercy is greater than our sinfulness.

Many of us may sometimes think that we are no longer worthy of God’s immense love because of our sins. But God’s love is not something we earn through our worthiness. It is a gift of grace and mercy. The more conscious we become of our sinfulness, the more deeply we should recognize our need for Him. God does not call us because we are perfect; He calls us because He loves us and desires to transform our lives.

Therefore, let us not allow our past sins, failures, or feelings of unworthiness to keep us from responding to God’s invitation. Let us enter His vineyard with humble and repentant hearts. Let us leave behind whatever keeps us from Him and allow His grace to renew us. No matter how late we think we are, it is never too late to return to God.

God’s invitation is before us today. His vineyard is waiting. His mercy is calling. His love is reaching out to us.

Will we respond to God’s invitation today, leave behind what keeps us from Him, and allow His boundless love and mercy to transform our lives?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Agosto 19, Miyerkules ng Ika-20 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 20:1-16

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 20:1-16

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad ang talinghagang ito: "Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: lumabas ng umagang-umaga ang may-ari ng ubasan upang humanap ng mga manggagawa.

Nang magkasundo na sila sa upa na isang denaryo maghapon, sila'y pinapunta niya sa kanyang ubasan. Lumabas siyang muli nang mag-iikasiyam ng umaga at nakakita siya ng iba pang tatayu-tayo lamang sa liwasang-bayan.  

Sinabi nya sa kanila, 'Pumaroon din kayo at magtrabaho sa aking ubasan, at bibigyan ko kayo ng karampatang upa. At pumaroon nga sila. Lumabas na naman siya nang mag-iikalabindalawa ng tanghali at nang mag-iikatlo ng hapon, at gayon din ang ginagawa niya. Nang mag-iikalima ng hapon, siya'y lumabas uli at nakakita pa ng mga ibang wala ring ginagawa.

Sinabi niya sa kanila, 'Bakit kayo tatayu-tayo lang dito sa buong maghapon?' 'Wala pong magbigay sa amin ng trabaho, e!' sagot nila. At sinabi niya, 'Kung gayun, pumaroon kayo at gumawa sa aking ubasan.' 

"Pagtatakip-silim, sinabi ng may-ari ng ubasan sa kanyang katiwala, 'Tawagin mo na ang mga manggagawa at sila'y upahan, magmula sa huli hanggang sa unang nagtrabaho.' Ang mga nagsimula ng mag-iikalima ng hapon ay tumanggap ng tig-iisang denaryo. At nang lumapit ang mga nauna, inakala nilang tatanggap sila ng higit doon; ngunit ang bawat isa'y tumanggap din ng isang denaryo. 

Pagkatanggap nito, nagreklamo sila sa may-ari ng ubasan. Sabi nila, 'Isang oras lang pong gumawa ang mga huling dumating, samantalang maghapon kaming nagpagal at nagtiis ng nakapapasong init ng araw. Bakit naman po ninyo pinagpare-pareho ang upa sa amin?' At sinabi niya sa isa sa kanila, 'Kaibigan, hindi kita dinadaya. Hindi ba't nagkasundo tayo sa isang denaryo? 

Kunin mo ang ganang iyo, at umalis ka na. Maano kung ibig kong upahan ang nahuli nang tulad ng upa ko sa iyo? Wala ba akong karapatang gawin ang aking maibigan sa ari-arian ko? O naiinggit ka lang sa aking kabutihang loob?' Kaya't ang nahuhuli ay mauuna, at ang nauuna ay mahuhuli."

+ + + + + + +  

Repleksyon:  

Masusukat ba natin ang lawak at lalim ng pag-ibig ng Diyos para sa atin?

Hindi, sapagkat ang Kanyang pag-ibig sa atin ay hindi kayang saklawin ng anumang sukat ng tao. Walang hanggan ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa atin, anuman ang ating pagkatao, gaano man tayo kalayo sa Kanya, at anuman ang mga kasalanang ating nagawa.

Ang may-ari ng ubasan sa ating Ebanghelyo ay kumakatawan sa Diyos. Sa maraming pagkakataon, buong malasakit niyang inanyayahan ang mga manggagawa na magtrabaho sa kanyang ubasan. Hindi niya binigyang-halaga kung anong oras sila dumating upang magtrabaho. Ang mahalaga sa kanya ay tumugon sila sa kanyang paanyaya na maglingkod at magtrabaho sa kanyang ubasan.

Napakaganda nating pagnilayan na hindi tumitigil ang Diyos sa pagtawag sa atin dahil lamang nahuli tayong tumugon sa Kanya. Nananatiling bukas ang Kanyang paanyaya. Maging matagal na man tayong sumusunod sa Kanya o nagsisimula pa lamang tayong maghanap at lumapit sa Kanya, buong pagmamahal Niya tayong inaanyayahang pumasok sa Kanyang ubasan at makibahagi sa Kanyang gawain.

Napakalawak at napakalalim ng pag-ibig ng Diyos sa atin kaya nais Niyang lumapit tayo sa Kanya, anuman ang ating pagkatao at anuman ang ating nagawa. Patuloy Niya tayong inaanyayahan tungo sa isang bagong buhay na kasama Siya. Mahalaga tayo sa Diyos at lubos Niya tayong minamahal.

Kahit kung minsan ay nadarama nating hindi na tayo karapat-dapat, naliligaw, sugatan, o nabibigatan sa ating nakaraan, hindi tayo tinatalikuran ng Diyos. Patuloy na umaabot sa atin ang Kanyang paanyaya sapagkat higit na dakila ang Kanyang awa kaysa sa ating mga kasalanan.

Marami sa atin ang maaaring magsabi na hindi na tayo karapat-dapat sa napakalaking pag-ibig ng Diyos dahil sa ating mga kasalanan. Ngunit ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ay hindi isang bagay na kailangan nating paghirapan upang maging karapat-dapat dito.

Ito ay biyaya at kaloob ng Kanyang awa. Habang higit nating kinikilala ang ating pagiging makasalanan, lalo nating nauunawaan ang ating pangangailangan sa Diyos. Hindi tayo tinatawag ng Diyos dahil perpekto tayo; tinatawag Niya tayo dahil mahal Niya tayo at nais Niyang baguhin at baguhin muli ang ating buhay.

Kaya huwag nating hayaang ang ating mga nakaraang kasalanan, kabiguan, o damdamin ng pagiging hindi karapat-dapat ang maging hadlang sa pagtugon natin sa paanyaya ng Diyos. Pumasok tayo sa Kanyang ubasan nang may mapagpakumbaba at nagsisising puso.

Iwanan natin ang anumang bagay na naglalayo sa atin sa Kanya at hayaan nating baguhin at panibaguhin tayo ng Kanyang biyaya. Gaano man tayo katagal na nalayo sa Diyos, hindi kailanman huli ang lahat upang manumbalik sa Kanya.

Ang paanyaya ng Diyos ay nasa harapan natin ngayon. Hinihintay tayo ng Kanyang ubasan. Tinatawag tayo ng Kanyang awa. Inaabot tayo ng Kanyang pag-ibig.

Ngayong araw, tutugon ba tayo sa paanyaya ng Diyos, iiwan ang anumang naglalayo sa atin sa Kanya, at buong pagpapakumbabang hahayaan ang Kanyang walang hanggang pag-ibig at awa na baguhin at panibaguhin ang ating buhay?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 18 Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 19:23-30

Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples:“ Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”  

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?”  

Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Is there a reward for following Jesus?

Yes, there is! What, then, is the reward? Is it material riches? No. It is something far more profound than anything this world can offer—something that no amount of worldly wealth, no matter how enormous, could ever buy.

Many of us may measure the reward of following Jesus in terms of material riches, expecting Him to bless us with wealth the moment we decide to follow Him. But this is a great misconception, for Jesus does not call us to pursue materialism. He invites us to seek something far greater: a life centered on God, a heart detached from worldly possessions, and a faith that treasures what is eternal above what is temporary.

The devil can entice us to become greedy for material possessions. When we allow greed and the love of wealth to take control of our hearts, they can slowly destroy us, our relationships, and even our families. Wealth may give us comfort, but it can never give us the lasting peace, joy, and fulfillment that only God can provide.

So, what is the true reward of following Jesus? It is eternal life (Matthew 19:29). This promise is not merely something we hope to receive at the end of our earthly journey. Its grace can already begin to shape our lives today. As we faithfully follow Jesus, we can experience a deep sense of peace and serenity even amid trials and difficulties. Our problems may not disappear, but our hearts can remain anchored in hope because we have placed our faith, trust, and confidence in the Lord.

There are moments when we may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or afraid. Yet when we remain close to Jesus, we discover that His presence gives us strength to carry our burdens and courage to face each new day. The peace He gives is not dependent on our circumstances. It flows from knowing that we are never alone and that our lives are safely held in God's loving hands.

Then, when our earthly journey finally comes to an end, our story will not end there. Like seeds planted in fertile soil, we will rise again to new life. We will leave behind this temporal world and enter into the fullness of life with God, in the loving presence of our Lord and in the company of His holy angels.

This is the greater reward of following Jesus. It is not wealth that fades, possessions that perish, or achievements that eventually disappear. It is the gift of eternal life with God, a treasure that no earthly fortune can purchase and no power in this world can take away.

May we, therefore, examine our hearts. Are we following Jesus because of what we hope to receive from Him, or are we following Him because we have come to realize that He Himself is our greatest treasure? When the things of this world can no longer satisfy us, will we still choose to remain faithful to Him?

Are we ready to follow Jesus wholeheartedly—not for the riches He may give us, but because He alone can lead us to the treasure that never fades: eternal life with God?—Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Agosto 18 Martes ng Ika-20 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 19:23-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:23-30

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: napakahirap mapabilang ang mayayaman sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos! At sinasabi ko rin sa inyo: madali pang makaraan ang kamelyo sa butas ng karayom kaysa pasakop sa paghahari ng Diyos ang isang mayaman.” 

Nagtaka ang mga alagad nang marinig ito, kaya’t naitanong nila. “Kung gayun, sino po ang maliligtas?” Tinitigan sila ni Hesus at sinabi, “Hindi ito magagawa ng tao, ngunit magagawa ng Diyos ang lahat ng bagay.”   

At nagsalita si Pedro, “Tingnan po ninyo: iniwan namin ang lahat at kami’y sumunod sa inyo. Ano po naman ang para sa amin?” Sinabi sa kanila ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo ito: kapag nakaluklok na ang Anak ng Tao sa kanyang maringal na trono sa bagong daigdig, kayong sumunod sa akin ay luluklok din sa labindalawang trono upang hukuman ang labindalawang lipi ng Israel.   

At ang sinumang magtiis na iwan ang tahanan, mga kapatid na lalaki at babae, ama, ina, mga anak, o mga lupain alang-alang sa akin ay tatanggap ng makasandaang ibayo, at pagkakalooban ng buhay na walang hanggan. Ngunit maraming una na magiging huli, at maraming huli na magiging una.”

+ + + + + + +   

Repleksyon:

May gantimpala ba ang pagsunod kay Jesus?

Oo, mayroon! Ano, kung gayon, ang gantimpalang ito? Kayamanan ba sa materyal na bagay? Hindi. Ito ay isang bagay na higit na malalim at makahulugan kaysa sa anumang maiaalok ng mundong ito—isang bagay na hindi kailanman mabibili ng anumang halaga ng kayamanang pangmundo, gaano man ito kalaki.

Marami sa atin ang maaaring nasusukat ang gantimpala ng pagsunod kay Jesus ayon sa materyal na kayamanan. Marahil iniisip natin na pagpapalain Niya tayo ng maraming salapi at ari-arian sa sandaling magpasya tayong sumunod sa Kanya. Ngunit ito ay isang maling pananaw.

Hindi tayo tinatawag ni Jesus upang habulin ang materyalismo. Inaanyayahan Niya tayong hanapin ang isang bagay na higit na dakila: isang buhay na nakasentro sa Diyos, isang pusong hindi alipin ng mga bagay na makamundo, at isang pananampalatayang higit na nagpapahalaga sa walang hanggan kaysa sa mga bagay na panandalian.

Maaaring tuksuhin tayo ng diyablo na maging sakim sa kayamanan at mga materyal na bagay. Kapag hinayaan nating ang kasakiman at labis na paghahangad sa kayamanan ang mamayani sa ating mga puso, unti-unti nitong maaaring sirain ang ating sarili, ang ating mga relasyon, at maging ang ating mga pamilya.

Maaaring magbigay sa atin ng kaginhawahan ang kayamanan, ngunit hindi nito kailanman maibibigay ang tunay at pangmatagalang kapayapaan, kagalakan, at kaganapan na Diyos lamang ang makapagbibigay.

Kung gayon, ano ang tunay na gantimpala ng pagsunod kay Jesus? Ito ay buhay na walang hanggan (Mateo 19:29). Ang pangakong ito ay hindi lamang isang bagay na inaasahan nating matatanggap sa pagtatapos ng ating buhay dito sa lupa. Ang biyaya nito ay maaari nang magsimulang humubog sa ating buhay ngayon.

Habang tapat tayong sumusunod kay Jesus, maaari nating maranasan ang malalim na kapayapaan at kapanatagan kahit sa gitna ng mga pagsubok at paghihirap. Maaaring hindi agad mawala ang ating mga problema, ngunit maaari tayong manatiling matatag sa pag-asa sapagkat inilagay natin kay Jesus ang ating pananampalataya, pagtitiwala, at buong buhay.

May mga pagkakataong tayo ay mabibigatan, malilito, o matatakot. Ngunit kapag nananatili tayong malapit kay Jesus, natutuklasan nating ang Kanyang presensya ang nagbibigay sa atin ng lakas upang dalhin ang ating mga pasanin at tapang upang harapin ang bawat bagong araw. Ang kapayapaang ibinibigay Niya ay hindi nakasalalay sa ating kalagayan. Nagmumula ito sa katiyakang hindi Niya tayo iniiwan at ang ating buhay ay ligtas sa mapagmahal na mga kamay ng Diyos.

At kapag dumating na ang wakas ng ating paglalakbay dito sa lupa, hindi doon magtatapos ang ating buhay. Tulad ng binhing itinatanim sa matabang lupa, tayo ay muling babangon tungo sa bagong buhay. Iiwan natin ang panandaliang mundong ito at papasok sa kaganapan ng buhay na kasama ang Diyos, sa mapagmahal na presensya ng ating Panginoon at sa piling ng Kanyang mga banal na anghel.

Ito ang higit na dakilang gantimpala ng pagsunod kay Jesus. Hindi ito kayamanang kumukupas, mga ari-ariang nasisira, o mga tagumpay na lilipas. Ito ay ang kaloob na buhay na walang hanggan kasama ang Diyos—isang kayamanang hindi mabibili ng anumang yaman sa lupa at hindi maaagaw ng anumang kapangyarihan sa mundong ito.

Kaya marahil ay panahon na upang suriin natin ang ating mga puso. Sinusundan ba natin si Jesus dahil sa mga bagay na inaasahan nating matatanggap mula sa Kanya, o sinusundan natin Siya dahil napagtanto nating Siya mismo ang ating pinakadakilang kayamanan? Kapag hindi na tayo kayang bigyang-kasiyahan ng mga bagay ng mundong ito, mananatili pa rin ba tayong tapat sa Kanya?

Handa ba tayong sumunod kay Jesus nang buong puso—hindi dahil sa materyal na kayamanang maaari Niyang ibigay sa atin, kundi dahil Siya lamang ang makapagdadala sa atin sa kayamanang hindi kailanman kumukupas: ang buhay na walang hanggan kasama ang Diyos?—Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Reflection for August 17 Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 19:16-22

Gospel: Matthew 19:16-22

A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher,  what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 

He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told of a man who was searching for peace within himself. Because he was wealthy, he thought that his riches would give him peace of mind, but they did not. One day, he saw an advertisement on his smartphone that said, “Follow Jesus if you want to find peace in your life.” He took these words to heart, set aside his attachment to his wealth, and followed Jesus. And true enough, the man finally found the peace of mind he had been longing for all along.

Are our possessions in this world becoming our sole obsession in life? The young man in our Gospel was deeply attached to his possessions, and he could not give them up in exchange for a life of discipleship with Jesus. He seemed to be a good man, but why couldn’t he let go of his wealth?

He had followed the commandments and appeared to be living a good life, yet his possessions still had a hold on his heart. When Jesus invited him to leave everything behind and follow Him, he could not take that final step.

Perhaps this young man represents many of us today. There are times when we, too, can become enslaved by wealth and material possessions. We may do good things, but sometimes we do them because we want others to notice and praise us.

When no one is watching, we can easily return to our attachment to wealth, possessions, status, and worldly success. We work hard to accumulate riches, and some of us may even sacrifice our honor and principles for the sake of wealth, as if money and possessions could give us lasting peace, contentment, and happiness.

Yet, deep within our hearts, we know that no amount of wealth can completely satisfy the deepest longing of our souls. We may have comfortable homes, good possessions, financial security, and everything that this world considers valuable, but if our hearts are far from God, something will still be missing. The world can offer us many things, but it cannot give us the peace that only God can place within our hearts.

Who, then, can truly give us peace, happiness, and contentment in this world? It is Jesus. He alone can give us the peace and contentment that our hearts deeply desire. When we allow Him to become the center of our lives, we discover that true richness is not measured by what we possess but by how deeply we allow ourselves to be possessed by God's love.

The rich young man in the Gospel failed to recognize this. He stood before Jesus, who was offering him something far greater than material wealth, yet he chose to hold on to what he possessed. In doing so, he missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to follow Jesus more closely. His possessions were not merely things he owned; they had become things he could not let go of.

And perhaps this is where the Gospel gently speaks to each one of us. What are the things we find difficult to surrender to God? Is it our money, possessions, career, success, reputation, comfort, or desire for recognition? What occupies our hearts so deeply that we struggle to place God above it?

Let us remember that everything we have is temporary, but God's love for us is eternal. Wealth can disappear, possessions can be lost, status can fade, and earthly achievements can be forgotten. But when we choose Jesus, we gain a treasure that no earthly wealth can ever equal.

May we have the courage to loosen our grip on the things of this world and open our hands and hearts to God. May we never allow our possessions to possess us. And may we always remember that the greatest treasure we can ever have is not what we own, but Jesus, who alone can give our hearts the peace, joy, and contentment for which we long.

How about us? If Jesus were standing before us today and asking us to let go of the one thing that keeps us from following Him wholeheartedly, what would we be unwilling to surrender—and are we ready to let it go so that we may gain the treasure that can never be taken away: Jesus Himself?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Agosto 17 Lunes ng Ika-20 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 19:16-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:16-22

Noong panahong iyon, may isang lalaking lumapit kay Hesus at nagtanong, "Guro, ano pong kabutihan ang kailangan kong gawin upang magkamit ng buhay na walang hanggan?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Bakit mo ako tinatanong kung ano ang mabuti? Iisa lamang ang mabuti. Kung ibig mong magkamit ng buhay, sundin mo ang mga utos."

"Alin-alin po?" tanong niya. Sumagot si Jesus, "Huwag kang papatay; huwag kang mangangalunya; huwag kang magnanakaw; huwag kang magsisinungaling sa iyong pagsaksi; igalang mo ang iyong ama at ina; at ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa, gaya nang pag-ibig mo sa iyong sarili."

Sinabi ng binata, "Tinutupad ko na pong lahat iyan. Ano pa po ang dapat kong gawin?" "Kung ibig mong maging ganap, humayo ka, ipagbili mo ang iyong ari-arian at ipamahagi sa mga dukha ang pinagbilhan. Kapag ginawa mo iyan, magkakaroon ka ng kayamanan sa langit.

Pagkatapos, bumalik ka at sumunod sa akin." sagot ni Jesus. Pagkarinig nito, malungkot na umalis ang binata, sapagkat siya'y napakayaman.

+ + + + + + +

Repleksyon:

May isang kuwento tungkol sa isang lalaking naghahanap ng kapayapaan sa kanyang kalooban. Dahil siya ay mayaman, inakala niyang ang kanyang mga kayamanan ang magbibigay sa kanya ng kapanatagan ng isip, ngunit hindi pala. Isang araw, nakakita siya ng isang patalastas sa kanyang smartphone na nagsasabing, “Sundin mo si Hesus kung nais mong matagpuan ang kapayapaan sa iyong buhay.”

Pinagnilayan niya ang mga salitang ito, unti-unting binitiwan ang kanyang labis na pagkakapit sa kayamanan, at sinundan si Hesus. At tunay nga, sa huli ay natagpuan niya ang kapayapaang matagal nang hinahanap ng kanyang puso.

Ang ating mga ari-arian ba sa mundong ito ang unti-unting nagiging tanging sentro ng ating buhay? Ang mayamang binata sa ating Ebanghelyo ay labis na nakakapit sa kanyang mga ari-arian at hindi niya kayang talikuran ang mga ito upang lubusang sumunod kay Hesus. Sa unang tingin, mabuti siyang tao. Sinunod niya ang mga utos at tila maayos ang kanyang pamumuhay. Ngunit nang anyayahan siya ni Hesus na iwan ang lahat at sumunod sa Kanya, hindi niya magawa ang huling hakbang.

Marahil, ang binatang ito ay kumakatawan din sa marami sa atin ngayon. May mga pagkakataong tayo rin ay maaaring maging alipin ng kayamanan at mga materyal na bagay. Gumagawa tayo ng mabuti, ngunit kung minsan ay ginagawa natin ito upang mapansin at mapuri ng iba. Kapag wala nang nakakakita sa atin, madali tayong bumabalik sa ating pagkakapit sa kayamanan, ari-arian, katayuan, at tagumpay sa mundong ito.

Nagsisikap tayong mag-ipon at yumaman, at may ilan sa atin na maaaring isakripisyo maging ang ating dangal at mga prinsipyo para sa kayamanan, na para bang ang pera at mga ari-arian ang makapagbibigay sa atin ng tunay at pangmatagalang kapayapaan, kapanatagan, at kaligayahan.

Ngunit sa kaibuturan ng ating puso, alam nating walang anumang halaga ng kayamanan ang lubos na makapupuno sa pinakamalalim na uhaw ng ating kaluluwa. Maaari tayong magkaroon ng maginhawang tahanan, maraming ari-arian, sapat na salapi, seguridad sa buhay, at lahat ng itinuturing na mahalaga ng mundo.

Ngunit kung malayo naman ang ating puso sa Diyos, may bahagi pa rin sa atin na mananatiling walang laman. Maraming bagay ang maaaring ibigay sa atin ng mundo, ngunit hindi nito kayang ibigay ang kapayapaang tanging Diyos lamang ang makapagkakaloob sa ating puso.

Kung gayon, sino ang tunay na makapagbibigay sa atin ng kapayapaan, kaligayahan, at kapanatagan sa mundong ito? Si Hesus. Siya lamang ang makapagbibigay ng kapayapaan at kapanatagang tunay na hinahangad ng ating puso.

Kapag hinayaan nating maging sentro ng ating buhay si Hesus, matutuklasan natin na ang tunay na kayamanan ay hindi nasusukat sa dami ng ating pag-aari, kundi sa lalim ng ating pagtanggap sa pag-ibig ng Diyos.

Hindi ito nakita ng mayamang binata sa ating Ebanghelyo. Nasa harapan niya si Hesus, na nag-aalok sa kanya ng isang bagay na higit na mahalaga kaysa sa anumang kayamanan sa mundo, ngunit pinili niyang panghawakan ang kanyang mga ari-arian.

Dahil dito, pinalampas niya ang isang natatanging pagkakataong sumunod nang higit na malalim kay Hesus. Ang kanyang mga ari-arian ay hindi lamang mga bagay na pag-aari niya; naging mga bagay na hindi na niya kayang bitawan.

At marahil, dito marahang nakikipag-usap sa atin ang Ebanghelyo. Ano ang mga bagay na nahihirapan tayong isuko sa Diyos? Ang ating pera ba, mga ari-arian, trabaho, tagumpay, reputasyon, kaginhawaan, o ang ating pagnanais na mapansin at mapuri? Ano ang labis nating kinakapitan na nagiging dahilan upang mahirapan tayong unahin ang Diyos?

Alalahanin natin na ang lahat ng mayroon tayo ay pansamantala lamang, ngunit ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa atin ay walang hanggan. Maaaring mawala ang kayamanan, masira o mawala ang mga ari-arian, lumipas ang katayuan sa buhay, at malimutan ang mga tagumpay sa mundo. Ngunit kapag pinili natin si Hesus, natatamo natin ang kayamanang hindi kailanman kayang tumbasan ng anumang yaman sa lupa.

Nawa’y magkaroon tayo ng lakas ng loob na luwagan ang ating pagkakahawak sa mga bagay ng mundong ito at buksan ang ating mga kamay at puso sa Diyos. Nawa’y huwag nating hayaang ang ating mga ari-arian ang siyang umari sa ating puso.

At higit sa lahat, nawa’y lagi nating tandaan na ang pinakadakilang kayamanang maaari nating taglayin ay hindi ang anumang bagay na mayroon tayo, kundi si Hesus—Siya na tanging makapagbibigay sa ating puso ng kapayapaan, kagalakan, at kapanatagang tunay nating hinahanap.

Kumusta naman tayo? Kung si Hesus ay nakatayo sa harapan natin ngayon at hinihiling Niya sa atin na bitawan ang isang bagay na humahadlang sa ating buong pusong pagsunod sa Kanya, ano ang bagay na pinakamahirap nating isuko? Handa ba natin itong bitawan upang matanggap ang kayamanang kailanman ay hindi mananakaw o mawawala—ang presensya at pag-ibig ni Hesus sa ating buhay?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for August 16 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 15:21-28

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."  

He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman came and did him homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs."

She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed from that hour.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told of woman, who would always kneel in prayer on one of the church’s pews, asking Jesus to heal her. She did this patiently and perseveringly for almost two years until she finally received the healing she had been praying for.

How strong is our faith in Jesus?

Our faith is often revealed through our patience, perseverance, and persistence. There are moments when we pray for something deeply important to us, yet the answer does not come when we expect it. At times, God may seem silent, and we may wonder whether He hears the cries of our hearts. But perhaps those moments are also invitations for us to trust Him more deeply.

This is exemplified by the Canaanite woman who never gave up asking Jesus to heal her daughter, who was tormented by a demon (Matthew 15:22–28). Despite what seemed like rejection, she continued to plead with Jesus. She did not allow discouragement to overcome her faith. Her persistence revealed the depth of her trust, and Jesus recognized and praised her great faith.

What if she had given up? What if she had allowed rejection and discouragement to silence her prayer? She could have walked away, but she chose to remain at the feet of Jesus. Her faith held on even when she could not yet see the answer she desperately desired.

We, too, have our own petitions before God. Perhaps some of us have been praying for healing, restoration, peace, provision, reconciliation, or a breakthrough for a long time. Perhaps we have repeatedly brought the same prayer before Jesus, yet nothing seems to change. In those moments, let us remember the Canaanite woman. Let us not allow delayed answers to become reasons for us to abandon our faith.

Let us continue to pray. Let us be patient. Let us persevere. Let us keep seeking God's guidance and place our deepest desires in His hands. We may not always receive the answer we expect, in the way we expect, or at the time we expect. Yet we can trust that God hears us, loves us, and works according to His perfect wisdom and loving will.

Faith does not mean that we will never experience doubt, disappointment, or discouragement. Faith means that even in those moments, we choose to remain at the feet of Jesus. We continue to trust when we cannot understand. We continue to pray when we cannot see the way forward. We continue to hope because we know that our Lord has never abandoned us.

Let us also do our part. Let us faithfully work for the things we hope to achieve while entrusting the outcome to God. Let us not give up simply because the journey is difficult or the answer seems delayed. Our waiting can become a sacred time when God strengthens our hearts, deepens our faith, and teaches us to surrender more completely to Him.

May our prayers never become merely requests for what we want. May they also become expressions of trust: “Lord, I may not understand Your ways, but I choose to trust You. I may not see the answer yet, but I will continue to place my hope in You.”

Let us therefore persevere in prayer and remain faithful. For even when God seems silent, He is never absent. Even when we cannot see what He is doing, He is still at work. And even when the answer takes longer than we hoped, His love remains constant. 

Are we willing to remain at the feet of Jesus even when our prayers seem unanswered—and when the answer is delayed, will we choose to give up, or will we hold on to Him with the same persistent faith of the Canaanite woman?— Marino J. Dasmarinas