Reflection for Sunday June 11, Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ: John 6:51-58

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 

Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.

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Reflection:   

The story is told about a drug addict who voluntarily submitted himself to a rehabilitation center. While in the center he was required to be present at Holy Mass everyday. Every Holy Mass this man would always partake of the Body of Christ and he would silently ask Jesus to heal and transform him. 

After six months of stay in the rehabilitation center the man was already free from addiction. When he was asked to whom he would attribute his successful healing and rehabilitation. He humbly said, to Jesus the living Bread of Life which I regularly received everyday for six months. 

Unlike regular bread that fills us and after a few hours make us hungry again. The living Bread of Life which we partake during Holy Communion fills and heals our emotional and spiritual hunger. And this healing is continuous for as long as we continue to reverently partake of the Body of Christ. 

Perhaps many will not believe that regular partaking of the Body of Christ would fill and heal our emotional and spiritual hunger. But if we try it and be humble and docile to the will of Jesus, we would also feel His transforming power working within us. 

Nevertheless at the end of the day our healing and transformation are still dependent on how docile and humble we are before God. The Lord in His infinite wisdom has given us the freedom to allow or not to allow the living Bread of Life to heal us. This is the reason why many of us who partake of the Body of Christ, are not healed or transformed, because we are not docile and humble before Jesus. 

If only we would learn to always be docile and humble. If only we would allow the will of God to direct our lives. Transformation and healing would also happen to us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 11, Dakilang Kapistahan ng Kabanal-banalang Katawan at Dugo ng Panginoon Juan 6:51-58

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:51-58

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao: "Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay na bumaba mula sa langit. At ang pagkaing ibibigay ko sa ikabubuhay ng sanlibutan ay ang aking laman." Dahil dito'y nagtalu-talo ang mga Judio. "Paanong maibibigay sa atin ng taong ito ang kanyang laman upang kanin natin?" tanong nila. 

Kaya't sinabi ni Jesus, "Tandaan ninyo: malibang kanin ninyo ang laman ng Anak ng Tao at inumin ang kanyang dugo, hindi kayo magkakaroon ng buhay. Ang kumakain ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay may buhay na walang hanggan, at muli ko siyang bubuhayin sa huling araw. Sapagkat ang aking laman ay tunay na pagkain, at ang aking dugo, tunay na inumin. 

Ang kumakain ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay nananahan sa akin, at ako sa kanya. Buhay ang Amang nagsugo sa akin, at ako'y nabubuhay dahil sa kanya. Gayon din naman, ang sinumang kumakain sa akin ay mabubuhay dahil sa akin. Ito ang pagkaing bumaba mula sa langit; ang kumakain nito'y mabubuhay magpakailanman. Hindi ito katulad ng kinain ng inyong mga magulang sa ilang; namatay sila bagamat kumain sila niyon."

Reflection for June 10, Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:38-44

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation." 

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. 

Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a rich man who suddenly died, when he was about to enter the heavenly gates. Jesus appeared before him and told him, you’re not destined to be here. The rich man said to Jesus, why my Lord? I regularly gave large amount of money to the church! I built many churches during my lifetime! I gave to the poor! The Lord said to him, Yes you did all of those things but you did it so that you would be praised and hailed as generous.    

In giving to the church or giving in general the best way to do it is to give from the heart and to give without anybody knowing it. We do not give out of our surplus and we don’t give because we want others to admire and praise us. 

The rich and powerful in our gospel who gave large amount of money to the treasury seems to be generous on the surface. But they are not for the reason that they gave from their surplus wealth or wealth that is not useful to them anymore. 

In contrast here is a poor and powerless widow who gave two small coins worth a few cents (Mark 12:42). This poor but truly generous widow gained the admiration of Jesus since she gave from her heart. The widow gave it all, no pretensions and no desire for earthly praise whatsoever. 

When we give to the church and when we give in general, let us give from our hearts. Let us not publicize our generosity and let us not seek praise and admiration in our giving. Let us also not count the cost of giving because what we give comes back to us in so many ways. 

When we are truly generous, we will not run out of things to give. In fact the more that we are truly generous the more that we would receive blessing from God. The more that we forget ourselves and our own needs for the welfare and need of others the more that Jesus would bless us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 10, Sabado ng Ikasiyam na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:38-44

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:38-44

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang pagtuturo, "Mag-ingat kayo sa mga eskriba na mahilig maglalakad nang may mahahabang kasuutan at natutuwang pagpugayan sa mga liwasan. Ang ibig nila'y ang mga tanging luklukan sa mga sinagoga, at mga upuang pandangal sa mga piging. Inuubos nila ang mga kabuhayan ng mga babaing balo, at ang sinasangkala'y ang pagdarasal ng mahaba! Lalo pang bibigat ang parusa sa kanila.!" 

Umupo si Jesus sa tapat ng hulugan ng mga kaloob doon sa templo, at pinagmasdan ang mga taong naghuhulog ng salapi. Maraming mayayamang naghulog ng malalaking halaga. Lumapit naman ang isang babaing balo at naghulog ng dalawang kusing na katumbas ng isang pera. 

Tinawag ni Jesus ang kanyang mga alagad at kanyang sinabi, "sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang dukhang balong iyon ay naghulog ng higit sa kanilang lahat. Sapagkat ang iba'y nagkaloob ng bahagi lamang ng hindi na nila kailangan, ngunit ibinigay ng balong ito na dukhang-dukha ang buo niyang ikabubuhay."

Reflection for June 9, Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:35-37

Gospel: Mark 12:35-37

As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, “How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said: The Lord said to my lord,‘Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.’ David himself calls him ‘lord’; so how is he his son?”The great crowd heard this with delight.

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Reflection:

Son of David, Messiah and Christ these three names have a common denominator one way or the other it means Savior. And who else is this savior? It’s none other than Jesus but unlike our common notion of a savior who comes in with swashbuckling powers ala avengers. Jesus our savior has none of their powers. 

His power is derived in His being powerless and His heroic action is not shown with swaggering super human exploits. It is rather shown in his humility and self-sacrifice. Let us reflect and ponder on the powerless Jesus on the cross and let us discover His power underneath it.  

During the time of Jesus, the scribes were Jewish scholars and teachers of the law they didn’t believe that Jesus was both human and divine. To them Jesus was only human and as they claim the human Jesus is the Son of David or descendant of King David. 

But David inspired by the Holy Spirit called Him Lord, Jesus was indirectly telling the Jews that if David called Him Lord. Then they should also believe in Him as the Son of God not as a son of David. 

There are many more who are not fully aware of Jesus’ humanity and divinity: we are therefore being challenged by the Lord to help Him spread His teachings. Would we help the Lord spread His teachings? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 9, Biyernes ng Ikasiyam na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:35-37

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:35-37

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang nagtuturo si Jesus sa templo, sinabi niya, "Paanong masasabi ng mga eskriba na ang Mesias ay anak ni David? Si David na rin, nang kasihan ng Espiritu Santo, ang nagpahayag ng ganito: 

'Sinabi ng Panginoon sa aking Panginoon, maupo ka sa aking kanan, hanggang lubusan kong mapasuko sa iyo ang mga kaaway mo.' Si David na rin ang tumawag sa kanya ng Panginoon; paano magiging anak ni David ang Mesias?" At nakinig na mabuti sa kanya ang maraming tao.

Reflection for June 8, Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:28-34

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  

The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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Reflection:

Why did Jesus give us these two timeless and greatest commandments about love? Because we need these two instructions about love to heal the world of its many sufferings. For example, if only there’s authentic love for God in our hearts there would be no more sufferings. 

But many of us don’t have the love of God in our hearts that’s why many are suffering. We love to obey our selfish wants rather than follow what God wants us to do which is to exercise unconditional love.

Let us hear the command of God to us: Let us love Him with all our heart, mind and soul. Let us also allow God to use us as his vehicle so that those who are alien to the love of God would feel it through us. And those who don’t know God will come to know God because of our unconditional love for them. 

Let us little by little conquer the enmity of this world with our love for God and for our neighbors. And let us not only love those who will love us back or those who are lovable to our eyes. 

Let us also love even those who have hurt us deeply and those who have been making life difficult for us because it’s through our exercise of unconditional love for them they would be enlightened of God’s love.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 8, Huwebes ng Ikasiyam na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:28b-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:28-34

Noong panahong iyon, isa sa mga eskriba ay lumapit kay Jesus at nagtanong, "Alin pong utos ang pinakamahalaga?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Ito ang pinakamahalagang utos, 'Pakinggan mo, Israel! Ang Panginoon na ating Diyos -- siya lamang ang Panginoon. Ibigin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buong puso, nang buong kaluluwa, nang buong pag-iisip, at nang buong lakas.' 

Ito naman ang pangalawa, 'Ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili.' Wala ng ibang utos na hihigit pa sa mga ito." Tama po, Guro!" wika ng eskriba. "Totoo ang sinabi ninyo. Iisa ang Diyos at wala nang iba liban sa kanya. At ang umiibig sa kanya nang buong puso, buong pag-iisip, at buong lakas, at ang umiibig sa kapwa gaya ng kanyang sarili ay higit na mahalaga kaysa magdala ng lahat ng handog na susunugin, at iba pang mga hain." 

Nakita ni Jesus na matalino ang kanyang sagot, kaya't sinabi niya, 'Malapit ka nang mapabilang sa pinaghaharian ng Diyos." At wala nang nangahas magtanong kay Jesus mula noon. 

Reflection for June 7, Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:18-27

Gospel: Mark 12:18-27

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. 

Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants. So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants and the third likewise. And the seven left no descendants. Last of all the woman also died. 

At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. 

As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled.”

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Reflection:

What is your idea of the afterlife? Jesus gives us a glimpse of what life is in the afterlife. He tells us that there’s no more human activity in heaven such as marriage for we all will be like angels there (Mark 12:25). But are we going to heaven after our lives are over and done with in this world?  Nobody is sure about this, only God knows where we would end up after we cease breathing. 

But on hindsight even if we don’t hold our destiny after our life is over we also have to do our part. We have to live our life pleasing to the eyes of the Lord and not pleasing to our own eyes.  What does it mean to make our lives pleasing to the eyes of God? We have to live the teachings of God and not the teachings of this world. 

If we decide to follow Jesus let us follow Him until the end of our lives. We should not allow sin or anything that contradicts the teachings of God to momentarily derail us. It must be authentic discipleship for Jesus all the way until we stop breathing! 

Let us therefore make it a part of our prayers to ask Jesus to bring us to heaven when our time comes. Let us ask Him to shower us His infinite mercy for we all have fell short of His expectations. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 7, Miyerkules ng Ikasiyam na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:18-27

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:18-27

Noong panahong iyon, may ilang Saduceo na lumapit kay Jesus. Ang Saduceo ay naninindigan na hindi na muling bubuhayin ang mga patay. "Guro," anila, "naglagda po si Moises ng ganitong batas para sa amin: 'Kung mamatay ang isang lalaki at maiwang walang anak ang kanyang asawa, ang kapatid ng lalaki'y dapat pakasal sa balo upang magkaanak sila para sa namatay.' 

May pitong magkakapatid na lalaki. Nag-asawa ang panganay, at namatay na walang anak. Napakasal sa balo ang pangalawa, at namatay na wala ring anak. Gayun din ang nangyari sa pangatlo at sa mga sumunod pa" isa-isang napangasawa ng babae ang pitong magkakapatid, at sila'y namatay na walang anak. 

Sa kahuli-huliha'y namatay rin ang babae. Ngayon, sino po sa pito ang kikilalanin niyang asawa sa muling pagkabuhay, yamang napangasawa silang lahat?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Maling-mali kayo. alam ninyo kung bakit? Hindi ninyo nababatid ang mga Kasulatan ni ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos. Sapagkat sa muling pagkabuhay, ang mga tao'y hindi na mag-aasawa; sila'y magiging tulad ng mga anghel sa langit. 

Tungkol naman sa muling pagkabuhay -- hindi pa ba ninyo nababasa sa aklat ni Moises ang tungkol sa nagliliyab na mababang punongkahoy? Ganito ang nasusulat na sinabi ng Diyos kay Moises. 'Ako ang Diyos ni Abraham, ang Diyos ni Isaac at ang Diyos ni Jacob.' Ngunit ang Diyos ay hindi Diyos ng mga patay, kundi ng mga buhay. Maling-mali kayo!"

Reflection for June 6, Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:13-17

Gospel: Mark 12:13-17

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at. They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this? They replied to him, “Caesar’s. So Jesus said to them “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. They were utterly amazed at him.

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Reflection:

Do you always do what is right and just? The Pharisees and the Herodians were testing Jesus about the just payment of tax to Caesar. Jesus knew about their evil scheming so He simply told them, “Whose image is in the coin?” And they told Jesus that it was Caesar’s image that is imprinted on the coin. 

Thus, Jesus told them that they should pay to Caesar for the simple reason that he is the governing authority. And then Jesus told them to give to God what belongs to God (Mark 12:17). 

The million-dollar question now is, what belongs to God or what is for God? What belongs to God that we must give Him is the time that we have to freely give Him. Such as our daily time for prayer: upon waking up in the morning and before retiring at night. 

The weekly time that we have to freely give Him during Sundays at Holy Mass. And other forms of worship and service to our church and its people these we have to give to God as well. 

Then we may ask, what then would we receive in giving God what is due to God? We will receive peace of mind and we will be in heaven when our journey in this world comes to end. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Hunyo 6, Martes ng Ikasiyam na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 12:13-17

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:13-17

Noong panahong iyon, ilang Pariseo at ilang kampon ni Herodes ang pinapunta kay Jesus upang siluin siya sa kanyang pananalita. Lumapit sila sa kanya at ang sabi, "Guro nalalaman po naming kayo'y tapat at walang pinangingimian, sapagkat pareho ang pagtingin ninyo sa lahat ng tao. At itinuturo ninyo kung ano ang kalooban ng Diyos sa mga tao. 

Naaayon po ba sa Kautusan ang pagbabayad ng buwis sa Cesar? Dapat ba kaming bumuwis o hindi?" Ngunit batid ni Jesus na sila'y nagkukunwari, kaya't sinabi niya sa kanila, "Bakit ba ibig ninyo akong siluin? Bigyan ninyo ako ng isang denaryo. Titingnan ko." At kanilang binigyan siya. 

 "Kaninong larawan at pangalan ang nakaukit dito?" tanong ni Jesus. "Sa Cesar po," tugon nila. Sinabi ni Jesus, "Ibigay ninyo sa Cesar ang sa Cesar, at sa Diyos ang sa Diyos." At sila'y namangha sa kanya.

Reflection for Monday June 5, Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr (M): Mark 12:1-12

Gospel: Mark 12:1-12

Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard. 

But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant. And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed. He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’  

But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, put the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture passage: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?” 

They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.

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Reflection:

The story told of a high and mighty government official who was asked by the people to resign from his post. For the reason that he engaged in high stakes corruption and abuse of authority. Instead of voluntarily resigning he clung to his post because according to him there is still much more money to be stolen in the coffers of his government office. 

Since he was not willing to resign he was investigated and was found guilty it resulted in the forfeiture of all his government benefits. This high government official was so greedy that it became the instrument for his disgrace. 

In our gospel the tenant farmers are the greedy characters, they were the religious leaders of Israel, they were not willing to give what was due to God which was represented by the owner of the vineyard. They killed all of the messengers (prophets) even the only begotten son of the owner they killed as well. At the end, because of their greed the tenant farmers were severely punished by the owner.   

It doesn’t pay to greedily amass immoral wealth and power. For whatever we have now that is born out of our greed will eventually be taken away from us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Lunes Hunyo 5, San Bonifacio Obispo at martir (Paggunita): Marcos 12:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, nagsimulang magsalita si Hesus sa mga punong saserdote, mga eskriba, at matatanda ng bayan sa pamamagitan ng mga talinghaga. Sinabi niya, “May isang taong nagtanim ng ubas sa kanyang bukid, at binakuran niya ito. Humukay siya ng pisaan ng ubas, at nagtayo ng isang mataas na bantayan. Pagkatapos, iniwan niya ang ubasan sa mga kasama, at siya’y nagtungo sa ibang lupain. 

Nang dumating ang panahon ng pitasan, pinapunta niya ang isa niyang utusan upang kunin sa mga kasama ang kanyang kaparte. Ngunit sinunggaban ng mga kasama ang utusan, binugbog, at pinauwing walang dala. Ang may-ari’y nagpapunta uli ng ibang utusan, ngunit kanilang pinukpok ito sa ulo, at dinusta. Nag-utos na naman siya sa isa pa, ngunit pinatay nila ang utusang iyon. 

Gayun din ang ginawa nila sa marami pang iba: may binugbog at may pinatay. Iisa na lang ang natitira na maaaring papuntahin sa kanila – ang kanyang minamahal na anak. Ito ang kahuli-hulihang pinapunta niya. ‘Igagalang nila ang aking anak,’ wika niya sa sarili. Ngunit ang mga kasama’y nag-usap-usap, ‘Ito ang tagapagmana. Halikayo, patayin natin at nang mapasaatin ang kanyang mamanahin.’’ Kanilang sinunggaban siya, pinatay at itinapon sa labas ng ubasan. 

“Ano ngayon ang gagawin ng may-ari ng ubasan? Paroroon siya at papatayin ang mga kasamang iyon, at ang ubasa’y ibibigay sa iba. Hindi pa ba ninyo nababasa ang nasasaad sa Kasulatan? ‘Ang batong itinakwil ng mga tagapagtayo ng bahay ang siyang naging batong panulukan. 

Ginawa ito ng Panginoon, At ito’y kahanga-hanga!’” Tinangka ng mga pinuno ng mga Judio na dakpin si Hesus, sapagkat nahalata nilang sila ang pinatatamaan sa talinghagang iyon. Ngunit takot naman sila sa mga tao; kaya’t hindi nila siya inano at sila’y umalis.