1Reflection for July 9 Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 10:16-23

Gospel: Matthew 10:16-23

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.  

When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.  

Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you ready to give your life for the mission of Jesus? This is a very hard question to answer but there are many already who dared to willingly give their lives for the mission of Jesus. What fuels them to give their lives when they have a choice not to give it?  

 It’s their burning desire to witness for Jesus. The same Jesus who strengthens them to endure and continue with their mission even at the cost of their lives. To be a real follower of Jesus is easier said than done. It’s easy to say I am a Christian but to live this Christian pronouncement is another story altogether. How about you? Are you willing to give your life for the mission of Jesus?    

When you give your life to Jesus you will face persecution as well. But what is consoling here is the midst of your trials and persecution you also will feel the abiding presence of Jesus in your life. For the reason that Jesus has never abandoned anyone who gave his/her life for His mission in this world.  

Be not afraid to give your life for the mission of Jesus. For when you decide to do so you will soon after find the real purpose of your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Hulyo 9, Ika-14 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 10:16-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 10:16-23

Sinabi ni Jesus sa labindalawa  Isinusugo ko kayo ngayon na pa­rang mga tupa sa gitna ng mga asong- gubat. Maging matalino nawa kayo gaya ng mga ahas at walang-malay na parang mga kalapati. 17 Mag-ingat sa mga tao; ibibigay nga nila kayo sa mga sang­gu­nian at hahagu­pitin kayo sa kanilang mga sinagoga. 18 Dadalhin din nila kayo sa mga pinuno at mga hari dahil sa akin, at dapat kayong mag­bigay-­patotoo sa ka­nila at sa mga pagano. 

19 Pag nilitis naman kayo, huwag mag-alala sa inyong sasabihin; sa oras na iyo’y ibibigay nga sa inyo ang inyong sasabihin. 20 Sapagkat hindi kayo ang magsasalita kundi ang Espi­ritu ng inyong Ama ang magsasalita sa pamamagitan ninyo. 21 Ipapapatay ng kapatid ang sari­ling kapatid, ng ama ang kanyang anak; at isasakdal ng mga anak ang kanilang mga magulang at ipapapatay sila. 22 Ka­mu­muhian kayo ng lahat dahil sa akin, ngunit ang mananatiling matatag hanggang wakas ang siyang mali­ligtas. 

23 Pag inusig kayo sa isang bayan, tumakas kayo sa iba. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, bago ninyo matapos daanan ang lahat ng bayan sa Israel, darating na ang Anak ng Tao.

1Reflection for July 8 Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 10:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 10:7-15

Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. 

The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. 

Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words— go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than for that town.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do we expect to receive something in return for the things that we do for God? We better not expect because when our expectations are not meet we would be disappointed. Let’s just do good and be content with the fact that we’ve done good to our fellowmen. 

Money rules they say, but for those who follow Jesus money does not rule and money doesn’t dictate. It’s Jesus who rules and dictates, when we allow Jesus to rule and dictate our life. We are free from worries that emanates from this world and we are not beholden to anybody in this world.    

When Jesus was sending off his twelve apostles to their mission. One of His specific declarations for them is this: not to let money or anything that is worldly rule over them. Jesus instead wanted His apostles to let Him rule their lives. 

When we let Jesus rule our lives we would not anymore care about worldly possessions. We instead will be satisfied with what we have no matter how meager the things that we have. This is for the reason that we already believe that the essence and fullness of life is not measured by material ownership. 

Let us therefore seek Jesus in our lives for when we have Jesus we have everything. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Hulyo 8, Ika-14 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 10:7-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 10:7-15

Sinabi ni Jesus sa labimdalawa: 7 Ipahayag ang mensaheng ito sa in¬yong paglalakbay: ‘Palapit na ang kaha¬rian ng Langit.’ 8 Pagalingin ang maysakit, buhayin ang patay, linisin ang mga may-ketong at palayasin ang mga demonyo. Tinanggap ninyo ito nang walang bayad kaya ibigay rin ninyo nang walang bayad.

9 Hu¬wag magdala ng ginto, pilak o pera sa inyong mga bulsa. 10 Huwag magdala ng balutan o sobrang damit o sandal¬yas o tungkod, sapagkat may kara¬patan ang mang¬gagawa sa kanyang ikabubuhay. 11 Pagdating ninyo sa isang bayan o baryo, maghanap ng isang taong karapat-dapat at makituloy sa kanya hanggang sa inyong pag-alis.

12 Pagpasok ninyo sa isang tahanan, dasalan ito ng kapayapaan. 13 Kung kara¬pat-dapat ang sambahayang ito, sasa¬kanila ang kapayapaang dinasal ninyo; kung hindi naman karapat-dapat, babalik sa inyo ang inyong dasal.

14 At kung may bahay o bayang hindi tatanggap sa inyo o makikinig sa inyong mga salita, lumabas sa bahay o bayang iyon at ipagpag ang alikabok sa inyong mga paa. 15 Sinasabi ko sa inyo, mas ma¬giging magaan pa sa araw ng pag¬hu¬¬hu¬kom para sa mga taga-Sodom at Gomorra kaysa bayang iyon.

1Reflection for July 7 Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 10:1-7

Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. 

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Where does The Kingdom of Heaven lies? 

It lies within us and it has been with us since we’ve been baptized. But we may say, if the kingdom of heaven is within us, why is it that life is still full of challenges and problems? This is for the reason that we refuse to live our life according to God’s will for us. 

Thus, we live our life according to our own will and not according to God’s will. For example, there is a temptation to sin; instead of confronting that sin so that it would not temp us again we instead allow that temptation to capture us. 

So what happens when we live our life according to our own terms? We open our life to many problems, problems that we could actually avoid if we only live our life according to the will of God. 

It’s not difficult to know God’s will for us, by going to Holy Mass we will begin to discern God’s will for our life. By reading our bible we will discern the will of God for us. By our frequent interactions with Jesus through our prayers we will discern the will of God. And we would have a deeper friendship with the Lord.   

Many of us are lost in this world and we don’t have an awareness of the kingdom of heaven because we are not always in touch with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Hulyo 7, Ika-14 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 10:1-7

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 10:1-7

1 Tinawag ni Jesus ang labindalawa niyang alagad at bi­nigyan sila ng kapangyarihan sa maruruming  espiritu para palayasin ang mga ito at pagalingin ang lahat ng sakit at ka­ram­daman. 

2 Ito ang mga pangalan ng labindalawang apostol: una, si Simong tinatawag na Pedro, at ang kanyang kapatid na si Andres; si Jaime na anak ni Zebedeo, at ang kapatid nitong si Juan; 3 sina Felipe at Bartolome, Tomas at Mateo, na tag­a­si­ngil ng buwis; si Jaimeng anak ni Alfeo, at si Tadeo; 4 si Simong Kananeo, at si Judas Iskariote na magkakanulo sa kanya. 

5 Sinugo ni Jesus ang labindalawang ito at pinagbilinan: “Huwag ka­yong lumiko papunta sa mga pagano at huwag pumasok sa bayang Sama­ritano. 6 Hana­pin ninyo ang nawawa­lang tupa ng sambayanan ng Israel. 7 Ipahayag ang mensaheng ito sa in­yong paglalakbay: ‘Palapit na ang kaha­rian ng Langit.

1Reflection for July 6 Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:32-38

Gospel: Matthew 9:32-38

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.” 

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How does the gospel speaks to us today? Does it tell us that we need to do something for the kingdom of God? Jesus tells the disciples in our gospel and He tells this to us too! “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37)”.

Indeed, the harvest is abundant yet those who venture to volunteer their time for God’s kingdom are still few. We don’t know the reason behind but perhaps we could guess that it’s our worldly preoccupations. So we forget that there is a much greater purpose and glory beyond this world that awaits us and that is the kingdom of God.  

When we are near death already the labors that we have given to this world will not matter anymore. We will not think about how big our bank accounts. We will not think about our many worldly achievements. What we will be thinking about is the status of our soul and where it would be after we die. 

This is what confronts a dying person: The status of his/her soul after it departs from his/her body. Therefore to avoid this dilemma let us do something for the advancement of the kingdom of God in this world. 

Any effort that we do today for God no matter how small for so long as we sincerely do it for His greater glory. Will be permanently remembered by God and will become our passport to heaven when our departure time comes. 

We therefore have to do something no matter how insignificant it may seem to help the Lord advance the faith. Let us not worry for the Good Lord will be with us and we would richly be rewarded someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Hulyo 6, Ika-14 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 9:32-38

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:32-38

Noong panahong iyon 32  may nagdala naman kay Jesus ng isang lala­king pipi na inaalihan ng demonyo. 33 Nang mapalayas niya ang demonyo, nakapag­salita ang pipi kaya namangha ang mga tao at kanilang sinabi: “Wala pang nang­yaring ganito sa Israel.” 34 Ngu­nit sinabi naman ng mga Pariseo: “Nagpapalayas siya ng demonyo sa tulong ng pinuno ng mga demonyo.”  

• 35 At nilibot ni Jesus ang mga bayan at mga nayon; nagtuturo siya sa kanilang mga sinagoga, nagpapahayag ng Mabu­ting Balita ng Kaharian at nagpapagaling ng lahat ng sakit at karamdaman. 36 Nang makita niya ang makapal na tao, naawa siya sa kanila sapagkat hirap sila at lu­pay­pay na parang mga tupang walang pastol. 37 At sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad: “Marami nga ang aanihin at ka­kaunti naman ang mga manggagawa. 38 Ida­langin ninyo sa panginoon ng ani na magpadala siya ng mga manggagawa sa kanyang ani.”

1Reflection for July 5 Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 9:18-26

Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. 

A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. 

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping. And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you believe that Jesus can cure you of whatever sickness that you have? The woman who had been bleeding for twelve years believed that she would be healed by Jesus. She believed that the moment she touched even the tassel of Jesus cloak she would be healed. What a display of deep faith!  

Sometimes we don’t get what we wish from the Lord because we doubt. We allow the devil to disturb our faith thus we don’t get what we want. We see in the gospel a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages she obviously has deep faith. Faith that is willing to overcome whatever obstacles that are put in front of her.  Do you have the same deep faith as this woman in the gospel?  

When Jesus noticed this woman of faith, He told her, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you (Matthew 9:22).” And the result was immediate healing for the woman. 

Are we suffering from any form sickness right now? Let us pray to the Lord and let us ask Him to heal us! Let us beseech the Lord to give us the same healing that He gave the woman in the gospel. Jesus will surely heal us for He will not refuse anyone who approaches Him with deep faith and humility. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Hulyo 5, Ika-14 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 9:18-26

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:18-26

18 Habang nagsasalita si Jesus sa kanila, lumapit sa kanya ang isang pangulo ng sinagoga at paluhod na sinabi: “Kamamatay nga lamang ng aking anak na babae, pero halika at ipatong ang iyong mga kamay at siya’y mabubuhay.” 19 Kaya tumayo si Jesus at sumama sa kan­ya, pati na ang kanyang mga alagad. 

20 Nilapitan naman siya mula sa likuran ng isang babaeng labindalawang taon nang dinudugo, at hinipo nito ang layla­yan ng damit ni Jesus. 21 Sapagkat naisip niya: “Kung mahi­hipo ko lamang ang lay­la­yan ng kan­yang damit, gagaling na ako.” 22 Lumi­ngon naman si Jesus, nakita niya siya at sinabi: “Lakasan mo ang iyong loob, anak ko, pinagaling ka ng iyong pananalig.” At gumaling ang babae sa sandaling iyon.  

23 Pagdating ni Jesus sa bahay ng pangulo, nakita niya ang mga tumutugtog ng plauta at ang maraming taong nagkakaingay. 24 At sinabi niya: “Umalis kayo! Hindi patay ang dala­gita kundi tulog.” Pinagtawanan nila siya. 25 Ngunit pagkaalis ng mga tao, puma­sok siya, hina­wakan ang bata sa kamay at buma­ngon ito. 26 Luma­ganap ang balitang ito sa buong lupa­ing iyon.

Reflection for Sunday July 4, Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:1-6

 

Gospel: Mark 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? 

What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.  

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

What is the feeling of a person who will be going back to the place where he devoted almost thirty years of his life? Of course it’s a mix feeling of excitement and anticipation. This must have been the feeling of Jesus while He was on His way to Nazareth: His native place.  

Unfortunately He got a rude welcome from His town mates, He was mocked, some even took offense at Him. Perhaps they were envious of Jesus sudden fame with the masses; perhaps they cannot accept that Jesus had become an eloquent and charismatic speaker and healer.  

As a consequence of their unbelieving attitude Jesus did not make any spectacular healings there for He was amazed at their lack of faith. Lack of faith in God could cost us a lot too. For example because our faith in God is lacking we would trust more on ourselves more than we trust God.  

And when we encounter trials many of us would question God rather than continue to trust and have faith. His townsfolk lack of faith invites us also to examine our own faith in Jesus. Is it still strong? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hulyo 4 Ika – 14 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 6:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:1-6

Pagkaalis ni Jesus sa lugar na iyon, pumunta siya sa kanyang bayan, kasama ng kanyang mga alagad. ² Nang sumapit ang Araw ng Pahinga, nagsimula siyang magturo sa sinagoga. Namangha silang lahat at nagsabi: “Ano’t nangyari sa kanya ang lahat ng ito? Saan kaya galing ang karunu­ngang ito na ipi­nagkaloob sa kanya, at saan din kaya galing ang mga himalang ito na nagagawa ng kanyang mga kamay? Di ba’t siya ang karpintero? Ang anak ni Maria at kapatid nina Jaime, Jose, Simon at Judas? Hindi ba’t narito sa piling natin ang lahat niyang kapatid na babae?” At bulag sila tungkol sa kanya. 

4 Sinabi naman sa kanila ni Jesus: “Sa kanyang sariling bayan lamang, sa sari­ling kamag-anakan at sambahayan hinahamak ang isang propeta.” 5 At hindi niya nakayang gumawa ng himala roon. Ilang may­sakit lamang ang pinaga­ling niya sa pag­papatong ng kamay. 6  At namang­ha siya sa kawalan nila ng pa­niniwala.

Reflection for July 3 Saturday Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle: John 20:24-29

Gospel: John 20:24-29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."  

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."

Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you need to see an explicit evidence before you believe in Jesus?  

Thomas did not believe that Jesus had appeared to the other disciples unless he see and experience it for himself. His wish was granted by Jesus when He appeared to them for the second time. During His second appearance Jesus invited Thomas to put his fingers into his side and to see His wounded hands. Having that experience Thomas finally believed.  

Many of us are like Thomas, full of unbelief and doubts that Jesus will make a difference in our lives unless we see and experience His miracles. Jesus is challenging us to always walk by our faith and not by our sight. That’s why at the end of the gospel reading Jesus said: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.  

Doubting Thomas is how we normally call the apostle Thomas who doubted unless he sees the risen Jesus in the flesh. But did he really doubt or Thomas simply wants to have a confirmation about the news that Jesus had risen?  

There’s absolutely no wrong when we simply want to confirm what we believe. For the reason that when we want to confirm what we believe it simply means that we are thirsting for something that will further reinforce our faith and belief. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hulyo 3, Sabado Santo Tomas, apostol (Kapistahan): Juan 20:24-29

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:24-29

24 Hindi nila kasama si Tomas na tina¬guriang Kambal, na isa sa Labin¬dalawa, nang du¬mating si Jesus. 25 Kaya sinabi sa kanya ng iba pang mga alagad: “Nakita namin ang Pangi¬noon!” Sinabi naman niya: “Maliban lamang na ma¬kita sa kanyang mga kamay ang tatak ng mga pako at maipasok ang aking daliri sa pinag¬lagusan ng mga pako at maipasok ang aking kamay sa tagiliran niya, hinding-hindi ako mani¬niwala!” 

26 Makaraan ang walong araw, mu¬ling nasa loob ang kanyang mga ala¬gad at kasa¬ma nila si Tomas. Dumating si Jesus ha¬bang nakasara ang mga pinto at puma¬gitna. At sinabi niya: “Kapa-yapaan sa inyo!” 27 At sinabi niya kay Tomas: “Ilapit mo rito ang daliri mo at tingnan ang aking mga kamay. At ilapit ang kamay mo at ipasok sa aking tagiliran at huwag tumangging maniwala kundi ma¬niwala!” 

28 Sumagot si Tomas sa kanya: “Pangi¬noon ko at Diyos ko – ikaw!” 29 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Dahil ba sa nakita mo ako kaya ka naniniwala? Mapapalad ang mga hindi nakakita at naniniwala.”

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.”

+ + + +  + + +

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   

1Reflection 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. 

+ + + + + + +

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.

+ + + + + + +

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."

+ + + + + + +

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