Reflection for August 1, Saturday; Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 14:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him. Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him “It is not lawful for you to have her. Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist. The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

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Reflection:

There is a saying that, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” King Herod is an example of a man who was corrupted by his absolute power. He allowed his power to rule over him and not him ruling over his power. Otherwise if King Herod was in control of his power he would have not ordered the beheading of John.

When a leader allows his power to get into his head he would do many foolish things. For example, he may act as if he is more powerful than God by saying words and doing things that are inconceivable for a normal person to say and do.

In the gospel we have a character named King Herod he is a perfect example of a leader who is drunk with power. His power made him arrogant and it made him act as if he is more powerful than God for the reason that he ordered the killing of John. But we also know that those who arrogantly abuse power suffers defeat at the end.   

So what is the lesson for us here? Simple, we should not abuse the power that we hold otherwise we will have to pay for it someday. As they say, “What goes around comes around.” In other words this simply tells us that whatever evil that we do today brought about by our abuse of power will eventually catch up with us someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 1, Sabado ; San Alfonso Ligorio Obispo at pantas ng Iglesia: Mateo 14:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 14:1-12

1 Umabot kay Haring Herodes ang katanyagan ni Jesus. 2 At sinabi niya sa kanyang mga kasambahay: “Si Juan Bautista siya. Nabuhay si Juan mula sa mga patay kaya nagkakabisa sa kanya ang maka­langit na kapangyarihan.”

3 Si Herodes nga ang nagpahuli kay Juan, at nag-utos na ikadena ito at iku­long dahil kay Herodias na asawa ng kanyang kapatid na si Felipe. 4 Sapagkat sinabi ni Juan kay Herodes: “Hindi mo siya puwe­deng ma­ging asawa.” 5 Talaga ngang gusto ni Herodes na patayin siya, pero takot siya sa mga tao na kumi­­kilala kay Juan bilang isang propeta.

6 Kaarawan ni Herodes at nagsayaw ang anak na babae ni Herodias, at nasiyahan si Herodes sa kanya. 7 Kaya si­numpaan niya ang isang pangako na ibi­bigay sa kanya ang anumang hingin niya. 8 At sinabi ng babae ayon sa turo ng kan­yang ina: “Ibigay mo rito sa akin ang ulo ni Juan Bautista sa isang bandeha.”

9 Nasaktan ang hari ngunit napanum­paan na niya ang pangako sa harap ng mga bisita kaya iniutos niya na ibigay iyon sa kanya. 10 At  pinapugutan niya ng ulo si Juan sa kulu­ngan; 11 inilagay sa isang plato ang kanyang ulo at ibinigay sa babae, at dinala ito ng babae sa kanyang ina. 12 At pagkatapos ay dumating naman ang mga alagad ni Juan at kinuha ang kanyang katawan at inilibing. At pagka­tapos ay ibinalita ito kay Jesus.

Reflection for July 31, Friday; Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest: Matthew 13:54-58

Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

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Reflection:

Let us imagine ourselves experiencing rejection. How would we feel about that rejection done to us? We will surely feel bad.

Jesus was rejected and belittled when He returned to Nazareth: His native place. Jesus did not do anything offensive, He even taught at their synagogue. Yet He was rejected and the sole reason for His rejection is they knew Him only as the son of a carpenter. His town mates were too familiar with Him and His family.

They can’t accept the fact that He had an extra-ordinary wisdom and power. For these reasons they rejected Him. But why reject when they could have welcomed Him with open arms? They rejected Jesus because they were envious of Him. Envious of His gift of healing, intelligence and the adulation given to Him by the people. So, they rejected someone who could have helped them.

We will not get anything good if we have envy in our hearts. We are in fact closing our hearts to the many blessings that Jesus wants to shower us. Instead of being envious, why not simply be happy with our fellow men and women’s success?  - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 31, Biyernes; San Ignacio ng Loyola, pari (Paggunita): Mateo 13:54-58

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:54-58

54 Pumunta si Jesus sa kanyang bayan at nagturo sa mga tao sa kanilang sinagoga. Namangha silang lahat at nag­sabi: “Saan kaya galing ang kanyang karunu­ngan at natatanging kapang­yarihan? 55 Di ba’t siya ang anak ng karpintero? Di ba’t si Maria ang kanyang ina at sina Jaime, Jose, Simon at Judas ang kanyang mga kapatid? 56 Hindi ba’t narito sa piling natin ang lahat niyang kapatid na babae? Ano’t nangyari sa kanya ang lahat ng ito?” 57 At bulag sila tungkol sa kanya.

Sinabi naman sa kanila ni Jesus: “Sa kanyang sariling bayan lamang at sambahayan hinahamak ang isang propeta.” 58At kaunti lamang ang ginawa niyang himala roon sapagkat kulang sila sa pana­nampalataya.

Reflection for July 30, Thursday; the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:47-53

Gospel: Matthew 13:47-53

Jesus said to the disciples:“The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

“Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a middle-aged man who was often wondering as to where would he end up when he dies. He often ask himself: Would I end up in heaven or hell? One night he had a dream he heard the booming voice of God which told him that he must turn a new leaf and completely repent from all the sins that he had committed otherwise he will surely be in hell.

In the gospel Jesus mentioned that at the end of age there shall be separation between the righteous and the wicked. The wicked will be thrown into the fiery furnace where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth and this is actually a very frightening scenario.

 However, Jesus is a God of love, mercy and forgiveness, he will do everything for us not to be in that fiery place. That’s why He sends people to us and He creates opportunities disguised as life’s difficulties for us to walk away from our sinfulness.

But at the end of the day, we are still in charge of our destiny, we have the freedom if we would walk away from sin or we stay with sin. If we walk away from sin we would be freeing ourselves from the enslavement of the devil. If we continue to sin we must be prepared for the fiery consequence that will befall us.

Jesus is offering us His Mercy, Love and Forgiveness, what are we waiting for? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 30, Huwebes; sa Ika-17 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:47-53

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:47-53

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao: 47 Naihahambing din ang kaharian ng Langit sa isang malaking lambat na inihagis sa dagat at nakahuli ng kung anu-ano. 48 Nang puno na ang lambat, hinila ito papunta sa pampang. At saka naupo ang mga tao at tinipon ang mabu­buting isda sa mga timba at iti­napon ang mga walang kuwenta. 49 Ganito ang mangya­yari sa kata­pusan ng mundo. Lalabas ang mga anghel para ihiwalay ang masasama sa mabu­buti; 50 at itatapon sila sa nagliliyab na pugon kung saan may iyakan at pag­ngangalit ng mga ngipin.”

51 At itinanong ni Jesus: “Nauuna­waan ba ninyo ang lahat ng ito?” “Oo,” ang sagot nila. 52Kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “Kaya bawat guro ng Batas na tinuruan tungkol sa Kaharian ay katulad ng isang ama ng tahanan na may tabihan, at laging may bago at luma sa tuwing kukuha siya.”

53 Nang matapos ni Jesus ang mga talinhagang ito, umalis siya sa lugar na iyon.

Reflection for July 29, Wednesday; Memorial of Saint Martha: Luke 10:38-42

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.

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Reflection:

Are we anxious and worried about many things? This story of Martha is our story also.

Are we not too busy with the daily grind of this temporary life that we don’t have anymore time to pray and listen to Jesus? Many of us are somewhat like  Martha very busy with worldliness and what happens when we have no more time to listen to Jesus?

There’s disintegration in the family simply because we have no more time to listen to Jesus. There is still life after this present life that we are in and we can best prepare ourselves to go there if we will always take time to listen and be one with Jesus thru the celebration of the Holy Mass.   

Many modern parents today are often very busy with their own worldly activities. They hardly have time to take care and counsel their children. Thus, they try to compensate their lack of personal interactions with their children by giving them money and the latest gadgets that do more harm than good to them.

What would happen to us if upon waking-up in the morning we storm-out of bed, eat our breakfast and be busy with our daily activities? We become citizens of this world that are distant from Jesus.

How about if we take time first to thank Jesus for His many blessings? We pray and listen to Him even for a brief moment? We can always create time for God if we would want to and if we do so. This would surely make us closer to Jesus, we will learn more from Him and we will become more sensitive to what He wants us to do for Him.

When Jesus entered the village and subsequently went to the house of Mary and Martha. It was Mary who took time to sat beside at His feet to listen to Him. Thus Mary imbibed everything that Jesus wanted to tell her. By listening to Jesus she learned from Him and developed a much deeper friendship with Him.

Martha on the other hand was very busy preparing food for Jesus she forgot that Jesus was not after what she was doing. Jesus wanted her to be like Mary, He wanted her to also listen to Him.

By listening to Jesus we learn from Him and we develop a much deeper friendship with Him. Do we always take time daily even for a brief moment to pray and listen to our Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for July 28, Tuesday; the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:36-43

Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

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Reflection:

Do we know that the good Lord is patiently waiting for us to embrace Him?

In the beginning of our lives God sowed to us all that are good. For example, through the Sacrament of Baptism He sowed in us our faith. Yet as we mature in this world the Devil also does his own thing, sowing nothing but evil oftentimes disguised as pleasures.

Many of us unfortunately succumb to the pleasurable seeds sown by the Devil.  As a result of this we led lives that are chaotic, disturb and problematic. However, we have nobody to blame but ourselves.  Our lives are in turmoil and without peace for the simple reason that we embraced the Devil.

We refuse to heed the many advices of well-meaning friends and family we instead follow our fleeting and sinful worldly desires. As such many of us exist in this world without peace. However, for as long as we breathe in this world there is hope. Hope to feel the unconditional love of Jesus. Hope that there is salvation if we would permanently walk away from anything that is sinful and evil.

The good Lord is so patient with us that He is very much willing to wait for us to have a change of heart. until when would the good Lord wait for us? Until our last breath in this world. The good Lord will never give up on us no matter how sinful we are and no matter who we are.

For as long as we breathe there is hope: Hope of redemption, hope of forgiveness and hope of unconditional love from the good Lord. Let us therefore walk away from anything that makes us sin before it’s too late.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 28, Martes; Sa-17 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:36-43

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:36-43

36 At pinaalis ni Jesus ang mga tao at saka pumasok sa bahay. Lumapit noon sa kanya ang kanyang mga alagad at nagtanong: “Ipaliwanag mo sa amin ang talinhaga ng mga trigo sa bukid.” 37 Su­magot si Jesus: “Ang nagtanim ng ma­buting buto ay ang Anak ng Tao. 38 Ang bukid naman, ang daigdig; ang mabuting buto, ang mga tao ng Kaha­rian; at ang masasamang damo, ang mga tauhan ng demonyo. 39 Ang kaaway na naghasik sa kanila ay ang demonyo; ang pag-aani ay ang kata­pusan ng mundo, at ang mga mang­gagawa ay ang mga anghel.

40 Kung paanong tinitipon ang masa­samang damo at sinusunog sa apoy, ga­nito rin ang mangyayari sa katapusan ng mundo. 41 Ipadadala ng Anak ng Tao ang kanyang mga anghel at titipunin nila sa kanyang kaharian ang mga eskandalo at ang mga guma­gawa ng masama. 42 At itatapon ang mga ito sa nagliliyab na pugon kung saan may iyakan at pagnga­ngalit ng ngipin. 43 At pagkatapos nito, magni­ningning ang mga makatarungan tulad ng araw sa Kaharian ng kanilang Ama. Makinig ang may tainga!

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 27, Monday; The Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:31-35

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.”

He spoke to them another parable. “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.” All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:

I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world. illustrate the same point: the amazing contrast between the small beginnings of the kingdom and its marvelous expansion.

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Reflection:

How does the kingdom of God starts in our heart? It starts small, then if we nurture it with prayers, by reading the bible and our faithful presence at Holy Mass. It slowly grows little by little until it fully blooms so that it can bless those around us.

But not everyone has this kind of experience. To many of us the kingdom begins small also yet it does not grow it instead dies. Why? Because we don’t exert an effort to nurture it, we don’t ask Jesus to bless our faith so that it could grow.

The mustard seed parable in our gospel is an allusion of Jesus’ desire to help us grow in faith. This seed of faith that He initially gives us during our baptism. And as we grow Jesus also desires that we also grow in faith so that others can learn from us.

How’s the seed of faith that Jesus sowed in our hearts during our baptism? Did we allow it to grow by nurturing it and by asking Jesus to help you grow in faith? If it grew, has anyone been blessed by it already? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 27, Lunes; Sa-17 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:31-35

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:31-35 

31 Binigyan sila ni Jesus ng isa pang talinhaga: “Naikukumpara ang kaharian ng Langit sa isang buto ng mustasa na kinuha ng isang lalaki at inihasik sa kan­yang bukid.

32 Pinakamaliit ito sa mga buto ngunit paglaki’y mas malaki ito sa mga gulay, at parang isang puno – duma­rating ang mga ibon ng langit at dumadapo sa mga sanga nito.” 33 At sinabi ni Jesus ang iba pang talin­haga: “Naikukumpara ang kaha­rian ng Langit sa lebadurang kinuha ng isang ba­bae at ibinaon sa tatlong takal ng harina hanggang umalsa ang buong masa.”

• 34 Itinuro ni Jesus ang lahat ng ito sa mga tao sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhaga; hindi siya nagturo sa kanila na hin­di gumagamit ng mga talinhaga. 35 Kaya natupad ang sinabi ng Propeta: “Magsa­salita ako sa talinhaga. Magpapahayag ako ng mga bagay na natago mula pa sa simula ng daigdig.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday July 26, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:44-46

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a rich man who left everything of his material wealth to serve in the church. When she was asked why she is doing it, she simply replied: “I have found the greatest treasure and the most precious pearl that anyone can ever possess in this world and that is Jesus.” 

Every now and then we hear news of rich, powerful and famous people committing suicide. We can’t help but ask, Why did they end their lives? They almost have everything, this is what we normally think from outside looking in: They almost have everything; but do they really have everything?

If they have everything why would they end their lives? They may have everything that this temporal world could offer them. But in hindsight, a very important component of their lives is missing and it is the Kingdom of heaven.

Many of us aspire to be materially rich, powerful and famous. However, when we get rich and almost have everything that this world could offer us. We find out that something is still missing in our life. Who or what is this missing piece in our life? This missing piece is Jesus and to find HIM is to find our greatest treasure and most precious pearl.

But how could we find Jesus if we are always busy with our many worldly undertakings? How could we find Jesus if we seldom listen to HIM in the silence of our hearts? How could we find Jesus if we seldom read the bible if at all we read it? How could we find Jesus if we hardly attend Holy Mass? How could we find Jesus if we are slaves of facebook? 

One of the frightening reality of life is it could end anytime. Most especially right now wherein Covid-19 is creating so much disorder, mental imbalance and unease among us. What if we get sick of it and afterwards succumb to it? 

What would happen to our souls if we are so enslave by this world? If we have not found yet the greatest treasure and the most precious pearl which is none other than Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 26, Ika-17 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 13:44-46

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:44-46

"Ang kaharian ng langit ay katulad ng kayamanang nakabaon sa isang bukid. Nahukay ito ng isang tao ngunit agad itong tinabunan. Tuwang-tuwa siyang umalis at ibinenta ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian upang bilhin ang bukid na iyon."  Ang kaharian ng langit ay katulad din ng isang negosyante na naghahanap ng mga mamahaling perlas. Nang makakita siya ng isang perlas na napakahalaga, umuwi siya't ipinagbili ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian at binili ang perlas na iyon."

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for July 25, Saturday; Feast of Saint James, Apostle: Matthew 20:20-28

Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28

The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.”

He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Reflection:

Who is an exemplary leader?

An exemplary leader leads by example, he does not aspire to that position of leadership to be popular. To be seen and to give orders while he/she is enjoying the trappings of his position. He ascends to that position of leadership because he wants to be a person for others and to serve even at the cost of his life.

In the gospel today we see a mother asking a favor from Jesus (If her two sons could seat beside Jesus) but the mother has no full comprehension of the destiny that awaits Jesus. If only she knew she would not have asked Jesus that favor.

Why is it that many are attracted to serve in the church?  They want to serve because it’s an opportunity for them to be seen, to be in the spotlight. However, after they are given their work they have this realization that this is not what they wanted to do because it involves sacrifice and humility. And for obvious reasons they don’t last in their ministry.

To serve in the church alongside Jesus always involves sacrifice and humility. We don’t serve because we want to be influential, to be popular and powerful. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 25, Sabado; San Santiago, apostol (Kapistahan): Mateo 20:20-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 20:20-28 

20 Lumapit noon kay Jesus ang ina nina Jaime at Juan kasama ng dalawa niyang anak, at lumuhod sa harap niya para makiusap. 21 Tinanong siya ni Jesus: “Ano ang ibig mo?” At sumagot siya: “Narito ang dalawa kong anak. Iutos mong maupo ang isa sa iyong kanan at ang isa naman sa iyong kaliwa sa iyong Kaharian.”

22 Sinabi ni Jesus sa magkapatid: “Hindi ninyo nalalaman ang inyong hinihingi. Ma­iinom ba ninyo ang kalis na iinumin ko?” Sumagot sila: “Kaya namin.” 23 Suma­got si Jesus: “Totoong iinom din kayo sa aking kalis, ngunit wala sa akin ang pag­papaupo sa aking kanan o kaliwa. Para sa mga hinirang ng Ama ang mga lugar na iyon.”

24 Nang marinig ito ng sampu, nagalit sila sa magka­patid. 25 Kaya tinawag sila ni Jesus at sinabi: “Alam ninyo na sinusupil ng mga naghahari ang kani­lang mga bansa at inaapi ng mga nasa kapang­yarihan. 26 Hindi naman ganito sa inyo: ang may gus­tong maging dakila, siya ang maging lingkod ninyo; 27 ang may gustong mauna sa inyo, siya ang maging alipin ninyo. 28 Gayun­din naman, duma­ting ang Anak ng Tao hindi para pag­ling­kuran kundi para mag­lingkod at ibigay ang kanyang buhay bilang pantubos sa marami.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for July 24, Friday; Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:18-23

Gospel: Matthew 13:18-23   

Jesus said to his disciples: "Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."

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Reflection:

Would we allow Jesus to bear fruit in our life so that we would become the seed sown on rich soil?

Four seeds were sown on four different surfaces: On the path, rocky ground, sown among thorns and rich soil. The seeds are the word of God and the disciples represent the four environments.

Jesus’ wanted the disciples to be the rich soil at all times (to hear the word, understand it and live it). But God has also given them the freedom of choice to choose what surface they would be.

The parable of the sower is a parable that depicts our individual response to Jesus’ call for us to follow Him.  Many of us don’t give this call serious thought. Quite a few embrace this call; thus, they let it grow in their hearts by means of sharing their faith through their words and actions. Jesus obviously wants us all to become the rich soil so that we could be fruitful and useful followers.

We all have the freedom of choice to choose where we would be among the four environments. However, as far as Jesus is concerned He always wants us to be the rich soil. We may ask for what reason? The answer here is very simple: God wants us to be at His bosom in heaven when our earthly journey is over someday.

Let us begin to become fruitful by sharing and living our faith and the words of Jesus. Let us take courage and not be afraid of the obstacles. We simply follow Jesus’ desire for our life for He will take care of everything.

Would we follow the Lord in our words and deeds? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 24, Biyernes; Ika-16 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 13:18-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:18-23

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 18 Makinig kayo ngayon sa talinha­ga ng maghahasik. 19 Pag may nakakarinig sa salita ng Kaharian ngunit hindi naman niya inu­unawa, dumarating ang Masama at ina­agaw ang nahasik sa kanyang puso. Ito ang butong nahulog sa tabi ng daan.

20 Ang buto namang nahulog sa batu­han ay para sa taong nakarinig sa salita at ka­agad itong tinanggap nang buong kasiyahan. 21 Ngunit hindi ito nag-ugat sa kanyang kalooban at panandalian lamang. Kapag nag­karoon ng pagsubok at pag-uusig dahil sa salita, agad-agad siyang natitisod.

22Ang butong nahulog sa mga tini­kan ang nakarinig sa salita ngunit sini­kil ito ng mga makamundong kabalisahan at ng pandaraya ng kayamanan, at hindi naka­pagbunga ang salita. 23 Ang buto namang nahasik sa matabang lupa ang nakakarinig sa salita at umuunawa rito; nagbubunga siya at nag­bibigay ng sandaan, animnapu o tatlum­pu.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for July 23, Thursday; Saint Bridget, religious: Matthew 13:10-17

Gospel: Matthew 13:10-17

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables? He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:

You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

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Reflection:

What is the key to unlock the hidden message of the parables of Jesus? The key is to become a follower like the disciples. Many of us do not decipher the hidden message/s of the parable/s for the reason that we don’t follow.

For example, our every Sunday Holy Mass obligation. We all know that it’s a must for all Catholics to go to Holy Mass every Sunday. So that we could be with Jesus up close and personal. But do we always make ourselves available even for just one hour during Sunday? Sundays are supposed to be the Lord’s Day but do we make it sacred by going to Holy Mass?

However, because of the Covid-19 pandemic many of us are still not able to physically attend Holy Mass. As a temporary alternative we therefore have to make time to attend online Sunday Mass or watch Sunday TV Mass.

The moment we decide to find time for Jesus. We would also feel that our minds are slowly being opened to the many truths about Jesus and our faith. Our mind will also be opened to fully understand the hidden message/s of the parables. Thus, we would not only grow in knowledge about Jesus we would also deepen our personal relationship with the Lord.

Let us endeavor therefore to always ask Jesus to increase our faith and do our part as well by following the discipline of the church. Then, we would see for ourselves the many graces that would be showered upon us. Including the grace of understanding the hidden message/s of Jesus’ parables.      

   

Do we still regularly find time for Jesus in the middle of the many disruptions created by this Covid-19 pandemic? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 23, Huwebes; Santa Brigida, relihiyosa: Mateo 13:10-17

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:10-17

10 Lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad at nagtanong: “Bakit sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhaga ka nag­sasalita sa kanila?”

11 Sumagot si Jesus: “Sa inyo ipinag­ka­loob na malaman ang mga lihim ng kaha­rian ng Langit, ngunit hindi sa kanila. 12 Sa­pagkat ang meron ay bibigyan pa at sasagana pa siya. Ngunit ang wala ay aagawan pa ng nasa kanya na. 13 Kaya nagsasa­lita ako sa kanila nang patalinhaga sapag­kat tumi­tingin sila pero wa­lang nakikita, nakari­rinig sila pero hindi nakikinig o nakaka­unawa.

14 Sa kanila natutupad ang mga salita ni Propeta Isaias: “Makinig man kayo nang makinig, hindi kayo nakaka­una­wa; tumi­ngin man kayo nang tumingin, hindi kayo naka­kakita. 15 Pinatigas nga ang puso ng mga taong ito. Halos walang naririnig ang kanilang mga tainga at walang nakikita ang kani­lang mata. At baka makakita ang kani­lang mata at makarinig ang kanilang tainga at makaunawa ang kanilang puso, upang bu­malik sila at pagalingin ko sila.”

16 Ngunit mapapalad ang inyong mga mata na nakakakita at ang inyong mga tainga na nakakarinig. 17 Sinasabi ko nga sa inyo na mara­ming propeta at mabubuting tao ang may gustong makita ang nakikita ninyo ngayon pero hindi nila nakita, at mari­nig ang inyong naririnig pero hindi nila na­rinig.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.