Reflection for July 2 Friday the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:9-13

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

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

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

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Reflection:

Do you feel that Jesus is calling you to live a new life, a new life free  of sinfulness? 

Aside from Matthew whom Jesus called to follow Him we too are being called by the Lord. We may say that we are not worthy to follow Jesus but who amongst us are worthy? No one for we are all sinful creatures of this world. 

Matthew was called by Jesus to follow Him for the precise reason that he was a sinner. This is the character and mission of Jesus to call every sinner to follow Him. But why is it that even if we know that we are called to repentance we still continue to sin? We refuse to leave behind us our sinful ways. 

This is indeed very puzzling, why is it that many of us ignore Jesus call for us to follow Him? Does this mean that we love this world more than we love Jesus? Does this mean that Jesus is losing influence over us and the devil is slowly but surely gaining control of our lives that is why we refuse to heed Jesus’ call to a life of renewal and repentance? 

Why did Matthew follow Jesus call? Perhaps somebody had shared to him the love and unfathomable mercy of Jesus. Somebody had lived his faith in Jesus and Matthew heard and saw it, that’s why it was not anymore difficult for Matthew to recognize and follow Jesus. 

The challenge before us is to share and live our faith in Jesus to the many Matthews (Sinners) of our time. They may not have heard yet anything about Jesus that is why they keep on sinning until this very day. Why not share the mercy and love of Jesus? 

Would you share Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 2, Biyernes Ika-13 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 9:9-13

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:9-13

9 Sa paglalakad ni Jesus, nakita niya ang isang lalaking nagngangalang Mateo na nakaupo sa singilan ng buwis at sinabi niya rito: “Sumunod ka sa akin.” At tumayo si Mateo at sinundan siya. 10 At habang nasa hapag si Jesus sa bahay ni Mateo, maraming taga­singil ng buwis at iba pang makasa­la­nan ang lumapit at nakisalo kay Jesus at sa kanyang mga alagad. 

11 Nang makita ito ng mga Pariseo, tinanong nila ang kanyang mga alagad: “Bakit kumakaing kasama ng mga makasa­lanan at maniningil ng buwis ang inyong guro?” 12 Nang marinig ito ni Jesus, sinabi niya: “Hindi ang malulusog ang nanga­ngailangan ng doktor kundi ang mga maysakit! 13 Sige, matutuhan sana ninyo ang kahulugan ng ‘Awa ang gusto ko, hindi handog.’  Hindi ako pumarito para tawagin ang mabubuti kundi ang mga ma­kasalanan.”

Reflection for July 1 Thursday the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:1-8

Gospel: Matthew  9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, :Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men. 

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Reflection:

What does this story of the paralytic who was brought to Jesus tells us? It tells us that we too need to go to Jesus for Him to heal us and to forgive us of all our sins. This tells us as well that we also need to bring others to Jesus to be healed and forgiven by Him too. 

We all have a need for Jesus in our lives. We may not need Him now because we are in the pink of health and financially capable. But time will certainly come that we will go to Jesus even beg Jesus so that He could heal us also. 

Let us not anymore wait for that time to come when we are already sick before we go to Jesus. Let us go to Him now while we are still healthy, let us not delay for tomorrow may be late already.    

In like manner we too are encouraged by the gospel to bring others to Jesus. This we could do best through our acts of love, mercy and compassion. The reason behind is we can’t bring others to Jesus without loving them, without showing them our mercy and compassion. 

The Lord is always expecting us to bring our fellowmen to Him so that they too can experience the healing and forgiveness that we’ve received from Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 1, Huwebes Ika-13 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 9:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:1-8

1 Muling sumakay sa bangka si Jesus, tumawid sa lawa at bu­malik sa sariling bayan. 2 Dinala sa kanya roon ang isang paralitikong nakahiga sa papag. Nang makita ni Jesus ang kanilang pananalig, sinabi niya sa paralitiko: “Lakasan mo ang iyong loob, anak! Pinatawad na ang iyong mga kasalanan.” 

3 Noo’y inisip ng ilang guro ng Batas: “Iniinsulto ng taong ito ang Diyos.” 4 Alam ni Jesus ang kanilang mga niloloob, at sinabi niya: “Bakit kayo nag-iisip ng masama? 5 Ano ba ang mas madaling sabihin: ‘Pinatawad na ang iyong mga kasalanan’ o ‘Tumayo ka at lumakad’? 6 Dapat n’yong mala­man na may kapang­yarihan sa lupa ang Anak ng Tao na mag­pa­tawad ng kasalanan.” At sinabi niya sa parali­tiko: “Buma­ngon ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan at umuwi.” 7 At buma­ngon ang tao at umuwi. 8 Nang makita naman ito ng mga tao, napuno sila ng pagkamangha at nagpuri sa Diyos sa pagbibigay ng gayong kapangyarihan sa mga tao.

Reflection for June 30 Wednesday the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:28-34

Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34

When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” 

Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. 

The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.

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Reflection:

Are demons for real? 

Demons are for real it’s just around us waiting to pounce upon us the moment they see that our faith in Jesus is weak. But it’s not anymore the typical frightening figure for it has also evolved with time. It disguises itself now in so many ways that we can hardly recognize it until it captures us and eventually destroy us. 

It could disguise itself within us through our evil thoughts that comes to many us every once in a while. For example the feeling of lusting after someone even if it’s immoral or the strong desire to commit wrong.  We would not be able to recognize it until it’s too late already. 

In the secular world that we’re in the devil uses a lot of worldly things to keep our attention away from God.  This is the reason why many of us become sinners for the simple reason that we’ve allowed the devil to capture us.  

But let us not be fearful because there’s somebody who can easily defeat these demons and it’s no other that Jesus. So we must always be connected with Jesus by means of having an active prayer life and we must always ask His help and guidance. For the simple reason that Jesus is more powerful than all of the devils that exists in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 30, Miyerkules Ika-13 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 8:28-34

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:28-34

Pagdating ni Jesus sa lupain ng Gadara sa kabilang ibayo, sinalubong siya ng dalawang lalaking inaalihan ng demonyo, na galing sa mga libingan. Napakabangis nila kayat walang maka­­­­daan doon. 29 Bigla silang sumi­gaw: “Ano ang kailangan mo sa amin, ikaw na Anak ng Diyos! Puma­rito ka ba para pahirapan kami bago sumapit ang panahon?”  

30 Sa may di-kalayua’y maraming baboy na nanginginain. 31 Kaya hiniling sa kanya ng mga demonyo: “Kung palala­yasin mo kami, ipadala mo kami sa mga baboy.” 32 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Umalis kayo.” Kaya pagka­layas ng mga demonyo’y pumasok ang mga ito sa mga baboy – at hayun! nahulog sa bangin ang lahat ng baboy papuntang dagat, at nalunod na lahat.  

33 Tumakas naman ang mga nagba­bantay sa mga baboy. Pagdating nila sa bayan, ipinamalita nila ang lahat at kung ano ang nangyari sa mga ina­alihan ng mga demonyo. 34 Kaya luma­bas ang buong bayan para salubungin si Jesus; at pagkakita nila sa kanya, hiniling nilang umalis siya sa kanilang lugar.

Reflection for June 29 Tuesday Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (Solemnity): Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

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Reflection:

Who is Saint Peter? He is the first Pope, Jesus founded the church through him. Who is Saint Paul? Saint Paul was initially the number one persecutor of the early church. However God intervened and Paul became the first missionary of the church to the pagan nations. 

In our own little way we can be like Peter who waivered on his faith yet Jesus did not give up on him. We may once in a while fail on our faith on Jesus but we can trust that Jesus will not condemn us.  He will rather pick us up again and strengthen us. So we must not give up on our selves no matter how sinful we are so long as we desire to live a new life Jesus will always be there for us. 

Saint Paul gave it all he got to help Jesus advance the Christian faith, his courage to further the teachings of Jesus is something that we must emulate. But if we are not willing to follow his method of evangelization which involved preaching and going into pagan territories. The advance technology at our disposal such as internet/social media is available for us. 

Let us use it to our advantage to spread our faith and its good news. Let us share the words of God using the internet/social media by sharing bible readings, passages and verses or anything that would help advance our faith. We can do this by using our facebook and other social media accounts by doing so we are able to live and share our faith just like Saints Peter and Paul whose solemnity we remember today. The Good Lord would surely be happy if we do so. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:13-19

13 Pumunta si Jesus sa may dakong Cesarea ni Filipo. Tinanong niya ang kanyang mga ala­gad: “Ano ang Anak ng Tao para sa mga tao? Sino ako para sa kanila?” 14 Sumagot sila: “May nagsasa­bing si Juan Bautista ka; may iba pang nagsasabing si Elias ka o si Jeremias o isa sa mga propeta kaya.”  

15 Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ngunit sino ako para sa inyo?” 16 At sumagot si Simon Pedro: “Ikaw ang Mesiyas, ang Anak ng Diyos na Buhay.” 17 Sumagot naman si Jesus: “Mapalad ka, Simon Bar-Yona, hindi nga laman at dugo ang nagbunyag nito sa iyo kundi ang aking Amang nasa Langit. 

18 At ngayon sinasabi ko sa iyo: Ikaw si Pedro (o Bato) at sa batong ito ko itatayo ang aking Iglesya; at hinding-hindi ito madadaig ng kapangyarihan ng kama­tayan. 19 Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng kaharian ng Langit: ang itali mo dito sa lupa ay itatali rin sa Langit, at ang ka­lagan mo dito sa lupa ay kakalagan din sa Langit.”

Reflection for June 28 Monday Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (M): Matthew 8:18-22

Gospel: Matthew 8:18-22

When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”  

Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

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Reflection:

What will it cost us if we decide to follow Jesus? It will cost us everything that we love from this world. For example, if we decide to follow Jesus it simply means that we have to leave behind anything that makes us sin. But would we be willing to give it up for the Lord?  

It’s actually hard to follow or serve Jesus for we have to go through many sacrifices. But nothing to worry about because what we lose from this world for following Jesus is nothing compared to the blessings that Jesus will give us.  

For example, if we decide to follow Jesus the first blessing that we would receive from HIM is peace of mind that this world can’t give us. For the reason that we now trust in Jesus and not on this world anymore. What we have in this world such as power and riches will not give us peace of mind.  It will only disturb our peace and create multitude of worries for us.  

We are always winners if we decide to faithfully follow Jesus and if we decide to discard anything that makes us sin. Let us not be afraid therefore to follow the Lord for HE will make our life’s burdens bearable no matter how unbearable it may seem. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 28, Lunes San Ireneo, obispo at martir (Paggunita) : Mateo 8:18-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:18-22

Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ni Hesus ang makapal na tao sa kanyang paligid, iniutos niya sa mga kasama na maghandang tumawid sa ibayo. Nilapitan siya ng isang eskriba at sinabi sa kanya, “Guro, susunod po ako sa inyo saan man kayo pumaroon?” Sumagot si Hesus: “May mga lungga ang mga asong-gubat, at may mga pugad ang mga ibon, ngunit ang Anak ng Tao’y wala man lamang matulugan o mapagpahingahan.”  

Isa naman sa mga alagad ang nagsabi sa kanya, “Panginoon, maaari po bang umuwi muna ako upang ipalibing ang aking ama?” Ngunit sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Sumunod ka sa akin, at ipaubaya mo na sa mga patay ang paglilibing ng kanilang mga patay.”

Reflection for Sunday June 20, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 5:21-43

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live. He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.  

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 

Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to Jesus, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’ And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”  

 While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer? Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 

So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

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Reflection:   

What does an encounter with Jesus do to us? It gives us hope and it cures us. There’s a story of a woman who had a terminal sickness. She was told by her doctor that she only had two months to live. But this woman was a woman of faith. She attends Holy Mass every day and does other things to strengthen her faith in Jesus. 

When she was told that she had two months to live, she told her doctors, I will prove all of you wrong I’m going to beat this severe sickness with my faith in Jesus. True enough, after two months the woman of faith was still alive and totally free from her severe sickness. 

We have in our gospel two stories of faith, hope and healing coursed through an encounter with Jesus. The first one is the story  of Jairus a synagogue official whose daughter was in death throes. Jairus went to Jesus to plead Him to cure his young daughter. Seeing the faith of Jairus Jesus went to his house to cure and bring back to life Jairus’ daughter.  

The second story of faith hope and healing is an unnamed woman who for twelve long years had been suffering severe hemorrhages. She heard that Jesus would be passing by her way. It gave her hope and it further strengthened her faith. So she did her best to touch even the cloak of Jesus for she believed that by simply touching it she would be healed. And she was able to touch Jesus cloak and was indeed immediately healed.     

There could be a third story of faith, hope and healing by Jesus. And this third story could be your own story. What is your testimony of faith, hope and healing by Jesus? Share it so that others faith and hope in Jesus could be strengthened!  

All of us one way or the other have our own story of encounter with Jesus let us not keep this story within us. Let us share it so that others may know Jesus and hopefully have also an encounter with Him.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 27 Ika – 13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 5:21-43

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 5:21-43

21 Pagkatawid ni Jesus sa lawa na sakay sa bangka, pinagkalipumpunan siya ng maraming tao sa tabing-dagat. 22 At may dumating na isang pinuno ng sinagoga na nagngangalang Jairo. Nag¬patirapa ito sa kanyang paanan 23 at pilit na ipinakiusap sa kanya: “Nag¬¬hihingalo ang aking dalagita kaya ha¬lika para ma¬ligtas siya at mabuhay sa pagpapatong ng iyong mga kamay.”  

24 Kaya umalis si Jesus kasama niya at sumunod din sa kanya ang mga tao na gumigitgit sa kanya. 25 May isa namang babae na labin¬da¬lawang taon nang dinudugo. 26 Marami na ang tiniis niya sa kamay ng mga dok¬tor at nagastos na niya ang lahat ng meron siya pero hindi pa rin siya umigi kundi lumala pa ang lagay niya. 27 At nang mabalitaan niya ang tungkol kay Jesus, nilapitan niya ito sa likuran sa gitna ng mga tao at hinipo ang damit nito, 28 sapagkat naisip niya: “Kung mahi¬hipo ko lamang ang kanyang mga damit, ga¬galing na ako.”  

29 At agad na naampat ang pag-agos ng kanyang dugo at naramdaman ni¬yang gumaling na ang kanyang sakit. 30 Ngunit agad din namang nadama ni ¬Jesus na may lakas na lumabas sa kanya kaya lumingon siya sa gitna ng mga tao at nagtanong: “Sino ang hu¬mipo sa mga damit ko?” 31 Sumagot ang kanyang mga alagad: “Nakikita mo nang ginigitgit ka ng napakaraming tao. Bakit mo pa itata¬nong: Sino ang humipo sa akin?” 32 At patuloy siyang tumingin sa paligid para makita kung sino ang gu¬mawa nito. 33 Kaya lumapit na nangi¬ngi¬nig sa takot ang babae. Namamalayan nga nito ang nangyari kaya lumapit ito at nagpa¬tirapa sa harap niya at inamin sa kanya ang buong katotohanan.  

• 34 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Anak, iniligtas ka ng iyong pana¬nalig. Humayo kang mapayapa at ma¬ga¬ling ka na sa iyong sakit.” 35 Nagsasalita pa si Jesus nang may dumating galing sa bahay ng pinu¬no ng sinagoga, at sinabi nila: “Patay na ang iyong anak na babae. Bakit mo pa iniistorbo ngayon ang Guro?” 36 Ngu¬nit hindi sila inintindi ni Jesus at sinabi sa pinuno: “Huwag kang matakot, ma¬nam¬¬palataya ka lamang.” 37 At wala siyang pinayagang sumama sa kanya liban kina Pedro, Jaime at Juang kapa¬tid ni Jaime.  

• 38 Pagdating nila sa bahay, nakita niya ang kaguluhan: may mga nag-iiya¬kan at labis na nagtataghuyan. 39 Pu¬masok si Jesus at sinabi: “Bakit nag¬¬ka¬kagulo at nag-iiyakan? Hindi pa¬tay ang bata kundi natutulog lang.” 40 At pinagtawanan nila siya. Ngunit pinalabas ni Jesus ang lahat, at ang ama at ina lamang nito ang isinama at ang kanyang mga kasamahan. 41 Pag¬pasok niya sa kinaroroonan ng bata, hinawakan niya ito sa kamay at sinabi: “Talita kum”, na ibig sabihi’y “Nene, sinasabi ko sa iyo, bumangon ka.”  

42 At noon di’y bumangon ang bata at nagsimulang maglakad. (Labindalawang taon na nga siya.) At nagkaroon ng pag¬ka¬mangha, malaking pagka¬mangha. 43 Ma¬hig¬pit na iniutos ni Jesus sa kanila na huwag itong sabihin ka¬ninuman, at sinabi sa kanila na bigyan ng makakain ang bata.

Reflection for June 26 Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:5-17

Gospel: Matthew 8:5-17

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

For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it. When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.  

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

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

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Reflection:

Are you always available to those who are in need of your help?  

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

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

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

The best way to share our faith and to share Jesus is not through eloquent or bombastic preaching. The best way to share our faith and to share Jesus is when we make ourselves available most especially to those who are in need. And to those who can’t give back the help that we will give them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas        

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 26, Sabado sa Ika-12 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 8:5-17

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:5-17

5 Pagdating ni Jesus sa Caper­naum lumapit sa kanya ang isang kapitan at nakiusap sa kanya: 6 “Ginoo, nakahiga sa bahay ang aking katulong. Lumpo siya at sobra na ang paghihirap…” 7 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Paroroon ako at paga­galingin ko siya.”

 8 Sumagot ang kapitan: “Hindi ako karapat-dapat para tumuloy ka sa bahay ko. Mag-utos ka lang at gagaling na ang aking katulong. 9 May nag-uutos sa akin at may inuutusan din ako, at pag sinabi ko sa isa sa mga kawal na nasa ilalim ko: ‘Pumaroon ka,’ pumaparoon siya. At sinasabi ko naman sa isa pa: ‘Pumarito ka,’ at pumaparito siya; at sa aking katulong: ‘Gawin mo ito,’ at ginagawa niya ito.” 

10 Nang marinig ito ni Jesus, humanga siya at sinabi sa mga sumu­sunod sa kanya: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo, wala pa akong natagpuang ganitong paniniwala sa Israel. 11 Sinasabi ko sa inyo: marami ang darating mula sa silangan at sa kanluran para makisalo kina Abraham, Isaac at Jacob sa kaha­rian ng Langit. 12 At itatapon naman sa kadiliman ang mga taga­pag­mana ng Kaha­rian; at doon ang iyakan at pag­nga­ngalit ng mga ngipin.”  

13 At sinabi ni Jesus sa kapitan: “Umuwi ka at mangyayari ang pina­niniwalaan mo.” At gumaling ang katulong sa oras ding iyon. 14 Pagpasok naman ni Jesus sa bahay ni Pedro, nakita niya ang biyenan ni Pedro na may lagnat at naka­higa. 15 Hinawakan niya ito sa kamay at nawala ang lagnat nito. Kaya bumangon ito at nagsimulang mag­lingkod sa kanya. 

16 Pagkalubog ng araw, dinala nila kay Jesus ang mga taong inaalihan ng masasamang espiritu, at sa isang salita lamang ay napalayas niya ang mga ito. Pinagaling din niya ang mga maysakit. 17 Sa ganitong paraan natupad ang sinabi ni Propeta Isaias: Kinuha niya ang ating mga sakit at pinasan ang ating mga karamdaman.

Reflection for June 25 Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:1-4

Gospel: Matthew 8:1-4

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

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

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was scheduled for a sensitive operation. Before going thru the operation she  was advised by a relative to go first to a priest. So that she could first be conferred with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. 

After a few days the operation went on smoothly and the woman eventually recovered and she resumed her normal life. Jesus heals us through the hand of the priest who confers to us the Sacrament of Anointing of the sick. Jesus heals us also through our time spent with Him in prayer and in reading His life changing words in the bible. 

There is always a healing experience whenever we seek the presence of Jesus in our lives. We may not immediately experience this healing but it’s always there being conferred to us by the Lord, it’s either physical or spiritual. He confers it to us through the Sacrament for the Sick and through our prayerful encounter with Him. 

In our gospel a person sick with leprosy approached Jesus, did him homage, and prayerfully said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 25, Biyernes sa Ika-12 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 8:1-4

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:1-4

1 Pagkababa ni Jesus mula sa bundok, maraming tao ang su­mu­­­nod sa kanya. 2 Lumapit sa kanya ang isang may ketong, at paluhod na nagsabi: “Ginoo, kung gusto mo, mapalilinis mo ako.”  3 Iniunat ni Jesus ang kanyang kamay, hinipo siya at sinabi: “Gusto ko, luminis ka!” 

Nang oras ding iyo’y gumaling ang lalaki sa kanyang ketong. 4 At sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya: “Mag-ingat ka, huwag mong sasabihin ito kanino man, kundi pumunta ka sa pari para suriin ka niya at ialay ang handog na iniutos ni Moises upang magkaroon sila ng pa­tunay.”

Reflection for June 24 Thursday Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist: Luke 1:57-66, 80

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." 

But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 

Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be?" For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a middle-aged married couple who was finally blessed by God with a child. They were so happy for they thought that they would not have a child anymore. Therefore, the married couple promised God that they would properly take care of this child. They also said to God that they would teach this child how to be simple and humble and they would introduce this child to Him by bringing the child with them whenever they would attend Holy Mass.  

What does a new born child brings to a family? It brings unfathomable joy and rejoicing. This was how the couple Elizabeth and Zechariah felt during that time. The new born child did not only bring joy to his parents, he also brought healing to his father Zechariah who had problem with speaking. 

Do you properly take care of your child? This child that is given to you as a blessing by God? Do you teach your child about God and your faith? Do you teach this child to be humble and to live simply? Do you bring this growing child to church for Holy Mass? 

What can we learn from the nativity of Saint John the Baptist? We learn that there is a reward that awaits for parents who are faithful to the will of God. We learn that when a child is taught about values of simplicity and humility the child would grow up to be simple and humble as well. 

John grew up as a simple and humble man, he grew up faithful to God’s will for him. We cannot only attribute these virtues of John to God alone. Both Elizabeth and Zechariah (his parents) played also an important role in instilling him these virtues of humility and simplicity. Zechariah and Elizabeth did not only teach John about simplicity and humility. They spent time with the child John and both of them lived humility and simplicity also.    

Many children today are being pampered and spoiled by their parents. They buy their children the newest gadgets to supposedly show their love. However, giving them the latest gadgets is not a show of love. 

It’s in fact a testament of parent’s lack of real and unconditional love towards their children.  Real and unconditional love is when you spend time with your children and you don’t count the cost of the time that you spend with them. You simply savor and treasure that time for you know that the time spent with your children is a time well-spent which no money or gadgets can replace. 

Do you still bond with your children by giving them your time? Do you live the virtues of humility and simplicity and do you teach your child how to be humble and simple?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 24, Pagsilang ni San Juan Bautista (Dakilang Kapistahan): Lucas 1:57-66, 80

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:57-66, 80

56 Mga tatlong buwang nanatili si Ma­riang ka­sa­ma ni Elizabeth at saka nagbalik sa kanyang bahay.  57 Nang sumapit na ang panga­­nga­nak ni Elizabeth, isang anak na lalaki ang isinilang niya. 58 Na­rinig ng mga kapit­bahay at mga ka­mag-anakan niya kung gaano nagdalang-awa sa kanya ang Pa­nginoon kayat nakigalak sila sa kanya.  

59 Nang ikawalong araw na, duma­­ting sila pa­ra tuliin ang sanggol at pa­nga­­­nga­lanan sana nila itong Zacarias gaya ng kanyang ama. 60 Su­magot naman ang kanyang ina: “Hindi, tatawagin siyang Juan.” 61 Pero sinabi nila sa kanya: “Wala ka na­mang ka­mag-anak na may ganyang pangalan.” 62 Kaya sumenyas sila sa ama ng sang­­gol kung ano ang gusto niyang itawag dito. 63 Humingi siya ng isang sulatan, at sa pagtataka ng lahat ay kanyang isinulat: “Juan ang pangalan niya.” 64 Noon di’y nabuksan ang kanyang bibig at nakalag ang kanyang dila. Na­ka­pagsa­lita siya at nagpuri sa Diyos.  

65 Kaya namayani ang banal na pag­katakot sa kanilang mga kapitbahay. At naging usap-usapan ang lahat ng pang­ya­­yaring ito sa buong mataas na lupain ng Juda. 66 Nag-isip-isip ang mga nakarinig at nagtanungan: “Ano na kaya ang mang­yayari sa sanggol na ito?” Dahil suma­sa­kanya ngang talaga ang kamay ng Panginoon.  

80 Habang lumalaki ang bata, pinatatag siya ng espiritu. Nanirahan siya sa dis¬yerto hanggang sa araw ng kanyang pagkakahayag sa Israel. 

Reflection for June 23 Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 7:15-20

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

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

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Reflection:

What is the culture of our world today? It’s the culture of materialism, we tend to have a bias for those who have material wealth. For example, if we are made to choose between a rich and a poor person. We many of us would surely choose the rich because their wealth is their advantage. The poor one will not be chosen even if he is virtues because of his appearance.  

Jesus warns us in the gospel that we must not allow ourselves to be swayed by mere appearance for its often fake and it doesn’t truly represent a person’s true color. Whether we admit it or not, many of us fall into this trap of judging or favoring by mere impression by what is outside and by what we see.  

Let us be discernful and let us not judge by mere appearance for appearance is always deceiving. Let us rather try to be observant even to those who are poor for they are like diamonds in the rough. Their glowing wisdom is not immediately obvious in fact it’s always hidden unless we take time to personally know them.   

Lest we forget that the true worth or character of a person is not measured by his/her material wealth. It’s rather measured by his/her little acts of kindness and love which are always done with the purest of intention. And anybody could do this including the poor ones; they who are always close to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 23, Miyerkules sa Ika-12 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 7:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:15-20

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 15 Mag-ingat sa mga bulaang propeta na lumalapit sa inyo na parang mga tupa pero mababagsik na mga asong-gubat naman sa loob. 16 Maki­kilala ninyo sila sa kanilang mga bunga. Makapi­pitas ba ng ubas sa tini­kan o ng igos sa dawagan?  

17 Namumunga ng mabuti ang mabu­­ting puno, at namumunga naman ng ma­sa­ma ang masamang puno. 18 Hindi maka­pa­mumunga ng masama ang ma­bu­­ting puno, at ang masamang puno naman ay hindi makapamu­munga ng mabuti. 19 Pinuputol ang anumang puno na hindi namumunga ng mabuting bunga at itinatapon sa apoy. 20 Kaya makikilala ninyo sila sa kanilang bunga.

Reflection for June 22 Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Gospel: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

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

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

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Reflection:

What is the difference between the narrow gate and the wide gate? It’s hard to enter the narrow gate, you may have to twist your body so that you could pass through it. How about the wide gate? You simply can walk through it no twisting and no discomfort whatsoever.  

You may ask, what is the relationship of the narrow gate with Jesus? The narrow gate is the gateway to knowing Jesus. The narrow gate is the gateway toward having a personal encounter with Jesus. In what way would this narrow gate lead you to Jesus? This narrow gate will entail for you to make some sacrifices. It will entail for you to do things that you are not normally used of doing.  

For example, in fulfilling your Sunday Holy Mass obligation, in abhorring sin or in reading the Holy Bible. You may not be comfortable  of doing this because this requires effort and time. Yet if you dare do this it will lead you to Jesus and it will lead you to know more about the many truths concerning the Catholic church.  

If you want to find the true meaning and purpose of your life and if you want to know Jesus more deeply. You have to pass thru this narrow gate for this is the way that would lead you to a life of purpose with Jesus. Forget the wide gate which consist of the many sinful worldly enjoyment, it will lead you nowhere it will even lead you to shame and self-destruction.  

Will you dare enter this narrow gate that leads to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 22, Martes sa Ika-12 Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 7:6, 12-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:6, 12-14

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: Huwag ibigay ang banal sa mga aso o itapon ang inyong perlas sa mga baboy, at baka yapakan nila ito at balikan kayo at lapain. 

12 Kaya gawin ninyo sa iba ang gusto ninyong gawin sa inyo, ito ang nasa Batas at Mga Propeta.13 Pumasok sa makipot na pinto sapagkat malapad ang pintuan at malawak ang daan papunta sa kapariwaraan, at marami ang pumapasok doon. 14 Napa­­kakipot naman ang pintong papunta sa buhay at mabalakid ang daan at kakaunti ang mga naka­ka­tagpo rito.

1Reflection for June 21 Monday, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious (M): Matthew 7:1-5

Gospel: Matthew 7:1-5

Jesus said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? 

How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.”

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Reflection:

Why is it easy for others to judge? This is for the reason that they feel superior than the person that they are judging or they have this attitude of dominance or even arrogance. Otherwise if they don’t feel superior they would not dare judge anyone. 

Very clearly in our gospel for today we hear Jesus telling us to stop judging. This is difficult to follow for those who have superiority complex but easy to follow for those who are docile, and humble. 

It’s always very tempting to be judgmental most especially if the person whom we are judging is at fault. However, what would we get from judging others? Nothing except to increase the value of our arrogance and to increase the worth of our egos. Instead of judging, why not simply advice and impart words that heals rather than words that condemn?   

When we perceive that someone is a sinner let us always think that we are sinners too! So that we would not be tempted to judge them. The reality of life is we are all sinners that is why we have no right to condemn or to judge our fellowmen. 

We can only bring others to Jesus when we are not judgmental, when we are compassionate, loving and forgiving. For who are we to judge? Even Jesus doesn’t judge, therefore; we have no right to judge as well.  

There are sinners that find it hard to get over their sinfulness because many of us do not dare impart and live Jesus’ compassion, forgiveness and love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 21, Lunes San Luis Gonzaga, relihiyoso (Paggunita): Mateo 7:1-5

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:1-5

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 1 Huwag humatol at hindi kayo hahatulan. 2 Kung paano kayo humatol sa inyong kapwa, gayon din kayo hahatulan, at susukatin kayo sa sukatang ginamit ninyo. 3 Bakit mo tini­tingnan ang puwing sa mata ng iyong kapatid? At di mo pansin ang troso sa iyong mata. 

4 Paano mo masasabi sa iyong kapatid: ‘Halika, at aalisin ko ang puwing sa iyong mata,’ kung may troso naman sa iyong mata? 5 Mapag­kunwari! alisin mo muna ang troso sa iyong mata, at saka mo makikita kung paano aalisin ang puwing sa mata ng iyong kapatid.

 

 

1Reflection for Sunday June 20, Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 4:35-41

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.  

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still! The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

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Reflection:

Was Jesus only testing the faith of His disciples when He allowed them to go through severe storm? If He was, then Jesus found out that His disciples were terribly wanting in faith. Jesus calmed the violent storm to assure His disciples that He was in control of everything.  

We too will encounter storms in our life. How would we handle these life storms? Would we allow these storms to defeat us and prevent us from living our normal life? For example, the present covid-19 pandemic that we are going through right now or the sickness that we may have how are we handling these life storms? Do we allow it to disturb our normal way of life? Or we continue to become calm under duress?  

The obvious answer is we will continue to be calm no matter how difficult the storm/s that we will be encountering. For the reason that we have Jesus in our life, we know that Jesus will take care of every life storm that we have right now and the future life storms that we will be encountering.  

We are often times easily rattled by our life storms because many of us are lacking in faith. If only we would learn to trust the Lord more than we trust on ourselves. If only we would not lean on our own finite understanding but learn to trust in the infinite wisdom of the Lord.  

We would then be able to discover how mightily powerful Jesus is. That the Good Lord is more than enough to defeat any kind of life storms that we would be encountering in our lives. - Marino J. Dasmarinas