Reflection for September 5, Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 4:31-37

Gospel: Luke 4:31-37

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? 

Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. 

They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.

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Reflection:

Many years ago, while I was walking to our house. I saw a group of people and I also heard a very loud groaning voice within their group. Out of curiosity I walked going to them to simply see what they were looking at and to find out where that groaning sound was coming from. 

There, I saw a man with evil eyes being held on by a number of men. When the man was asked who was he answered with a frightening voice that he was the devil. Afterwards somebody came (I don’t know if it was a priest or a pastor) who said a very powerful prayer and afterwards he sprinkled holy water upon the possessed man while invoking the name of Jesus. As this was being administered the man was violently resisting and shouting until he calmed down and he passed out soon after. 

In our gospel we read about Jesus exorcising a demon from a possessed man. After Jesus exorcised the possessed man the crowd said, what is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out (Luke 4:36). 

The crowd did not know Jesus that’s why they marvelled about the power and authority of His word. Unlike the crowd in the gospel who did not know, we know Jesus; we know where His power and authority is coming from. Let us therefore take advantage of our knowledge of Jesus. Let us dive deeper into it by regularly reflecting upon His powerful words in the bible, by our prayerful life and by our regular presence at Holy Mass. 

By doing these acts of faith we permanently immunize ourselves from the possession of the devil. The devil who tries to possess us in manifold ways up to this very moment.  The devil is very real! 

He is just hovering around the moment we sense that the devil is near us through the many kinds of temptations and sins. We have to immediately invoke the mighty and powerful name of Jesus and walk away immediately! Otherwise it would possess us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Setyembre 5, Martes ng Ika-22 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 4:31-37

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 4:31-37

Noong panahong iyon, nagpunta si Jesus sa Capernaum, Galilea. Nagturo siya sa mga tao sa Araw ng Pamamahinga at nagtaka sila sa kanyang pagtuturo, sapagkat may kapangyarihan kung siya'y magsalita. Naroon sa sinagoga ang isang lalaking inaalihan ng demonyo o isang masamang espiritu. Sumigaw siya nang malakas: "Ano ang pakialam mo sa amin, Jesus na taga-Nazaret?   

Naparito ka ba upang puksain kami? Alam ko kung sino ka -- ikaw ang Banal ng Diyos." Subalit pinagwikaan siya ni Jesus, "Tumahimik ka! Lumayas ka sa taong iyan!" At sa harapan ng lahat, ang tao'y inilugmok ng demonyo at iniwan nang hindi man lamang sinaktan. 

Nanggilalas silang lahat at nagsabi sa isa't-isa, "Anong uri ng pangungusap ito? Makapangyarihan at mabisa! Pinalalayas niya ang masasamang espiritu, at sumusunod naman sila!" At kumalat ang balita tungkol kay Jesus sa buong lupaing iyon.

Do You Know the Health Benefits of eating Banana Blossoms?/Alam Mo ba ang mga Benepisyo ng Pagkain ng Puso ng Saging?

 

Reflection for September 4, Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 4:16-30

Gospel: Luke 4:16-30

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. 

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” 

He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’ And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. 

 It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian. 

When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes envy the success of others? 

Acceptance of somebody who achieved something is sometimes hard to accept for many of us. Most especially if we know the person and his/her background pretty well. We sometimes are unbelieving and scornful of them. 

This behavior of non-acceptance happened also to Jesus when He went back to Nazareth, the town where he grew up. Jesus’ town mates did not accept Him even if it was very obvious that he was very exceptional. 

Their hearts were hardened already for Jesus. The worst part is they even tried to kill him. This is human behavior at its worst! But why is it that we can’t accept? There’s no other reason but pride, envy and arrogance. 

Our pride, envy and arrogance will not bring us any good. It will only hasten our downfall! And if we allow these negative emotions to rule our hearts no good will ever happen to us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Setyembre 4, Lunes ng Ika-22 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 4:16-30

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 4:16-30

Noong panahong iyon, umuwi si Jesus sa Nazaret na kanyang nilakhan. Gaya ng kanyang kinagawian, pumasok siya sa sinagoga nang Araw ng Pamamahinga. Tumindig siya upang bumasa; at ibinigay sa kanya ang aklat ni Propeta Isaias. Binuksan niya ang aklat sa dakong kinasusulatan ng ganito:

"Sumasaakin ang Espiritu ng Panginoon,

Sapagkat hinirang niya ako upang ipangaral sa mga dukha ang Mabuting Balita.

Sinugo niya ako upang ipahayag sa mga bihag na sila'y lalaya.

At sa mga bulag na sila'y makakikita;

Upang bigyang-kaluwagan ang mga sinisiil,

At ipahayag ang pagliligtas ng Panginoon." 

Binalumbon niya ang Kasulatan, at matapos na isauli sa tagapaglingkod, siya'y naupo. Nakatitig sa kanya ang lahat ng nasa sinagoga. At sinabi niya sa kanila: "Natupad ngayon ang bahaging ito ng Kasulatan samantalang nakikinig kayo." Pinuri siya ng lahat, at namangha sila sa kanyang napakahusay na pananalita. "Hindi ba ito ang anak ni Jose?" tanong nila. 

Kaya't sinabi ni Jesus, "Walang pagsalang babanggitin ninyo sa akin ang kawikaang ito: 'Doktor, gamutin mo ang iyong sarili!' Sasabihin din ninyo sa akin, "Gawin mo naman sa iyong sariling bayan ang mga nabalitaan naming ginawa mo sa Capernaum.' " At nagpatuloy ng pagsasalita si Jesus, "Tandaan ninyo: walang propetang kinikilala sa kanyang sariling bayan. 

Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: maraming babaing balo sa Israel noong kapanahunan ni Elias nang hindi umulan sa loob ng tatlong tao't kalahati at nagkaroon ng taggutom sa buong lupain. Subalit hindi sa kaninuman sa kanila pinapunta si Elias kundi sa isang babaing balo sa Sarepta, sa lupain ng Sidon. 

Sa dinami-dami ng ketongin sa Israel noong kapanahunan ni Eliseo, walang pinagaling isa man sa kanila; si Naaman pang taga-Siria ang pinagaling." Galit na galit ang lahat ng nasa sinagoga nang marinig ito. Nagtindigan sila, at ipinagtabuyan siyang palabas, sa taluktok ng burol na kinatatayuan ng bayan, upang ibulid sa bangin. Ngunit dumaan siya sa kalagitnaan nila at umalis.

Do You Know the Health Benefits of eating Garlic?/Alam Mo ba ang mga Benepisyo ng Pagkain Bawang?

 

Reflection for Sunday September 3, 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 16:21-27

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.  You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?

Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”

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Reflection:

When do we have a true encounter with Jesus? It's when we are burdened by the worries and sufferings of this world. This is when we experience a personal encounter with our Lord. We would never have such an encounter while merely enjoying the fruits of this world. It's through our worries and sufferings that we discern the presence of Jesus in our life.

When Jesus told the disciples that he would go to Jerusalem, suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, Peter adamantly protested. He even said to Jesus, 'God forbid, Lord! Such a thing should never happen to you.' 

Why did Peter oppose this statement of Jesus about his suffering? Was he concerned about Jesus’ safety? Or was Peter afraid that if Jesus were to suffer and eventually die, they too would experience suffering because Jesus would no longer be with them.

Nonetheless, Jesus told them that if they truly want to follow Him, they must be prepared to suffer and embrace suffering as well. For it is only through suffering that they would be able to develop a deep intimacy with Jesus. 

The same with us, we would never develop a personal encounter with our Lord if we are averse to suffering and if we are simply enjoying life's hedonism. But sad to say, many of us would rather enjoy life than suffer for Jesus.

It’s through our sufferings and trials that Jesus comes into our life. It’s through our moments of defeat and persecution that the abiding presence of Jesus becomes clearer to us. 

It’s when we carry our own cross that we feel Jesus walking with us and helping us to bear it. Let us never be afraid to face our sufferings and to carry our cross, no matter how heavy and difficult it may be. We can overcome all these sufferings and crosses if we invite Jesus to help us. 

Are you going through a difficult moment in your life right now? Invite Jesus to come into your life and ask Him to help you. He will never refuse you. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Setyembre 3, Ika-22 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 16:21-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:21-27

Noong panahong iyon, sinimulang ipaalam na ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad na dapat siyang magtungo sa Jerusalem at magbata ng maraming hirap sa kamay ng matatanda ng bayan, ng mga punong saserdote at mga eskriba, at kanilang ipapatay siya. Ngunit sa ikatlong araw siya'y muling mabubuhay. 

Niyaya siya ni Pedro sa isang tabi at pinagsabihan ng ganito: "Panginoon, huwag nawang itulot ng Diyos! Hindi po dapat mangyari ito sa inyo." Ngunit hinarap siya ni Jesus at sinabihan, "Lumayo ka, Satanas! Hadlang ka sa aking landas. Ang iniisip mo'y hindi sa Diyos kundi sa tao." 

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Kung ibig ninumang sumunod sa akin, limutin niya ang ukol sa kanyang sarili, pasanin ang kanyang krus at sumunod sa akin. Ang naghahangad na magligtas ng kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito; ngunit ang mag-alay ng kanyang buhay alang-alang sa akin ay siyang magkakamit noon. 

Ano nga ang mapapala ng isang tao, makamtan man niya ang buong daigdig kung ang katumbas naman nito'y ang kanyang buhay? Ano ang maibabayad ng tao para mabalik sa kanya ang kanyang buhay? Sapagkat darating ang Anak ng Tao na taglay ang dakilang kapangyarihan ng kanyang Ama at kasama ang kanyang mga anghel. Sa panahong iyon ay gagantihan niya ang bawat tao ayon sa kanyang ginawa.

Do You Know the Health Benefits of Eating Bamboo Shoots?/Alam Mo ba ang mga Benepisyo ng pagkain ng Labong?

 

Reflection for September 2, Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 25:14-30

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. 

After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 

Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ 

His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”

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Reflection:

What are you doing with the talent/s that was entrusted to you by the Lord?   

Unlike the first and second servants who were productive. The third servant was not, he was simply lazy to grow what was entrusted to him.  He could have invested it, he could have done something to make it grow but he never did. If we allow laziness to conquer us it will eventually paralyze us and it will prevent us from becoming fruitful followers of God. 

Each and everyone of us was given by the Good Lord talents according to our abilities. Let us make the most of this talent/s that He has given us by using it for His greater glory. Let us not be discouraged by our limitations and struggles for God is always there to guide and help us.    

Let us not say that we can’t do anything to help Jesus advance his teachings in this world. This is for the reason that we can really do our share most of us are just lazy or we don’t make time for it. However, we would desire it we can, if there’s a will there’s a way that is how plain and simple it is. 

What are the talents that the Good Lord entrusted to you? Use it not only for your own advancement, use it not only to gain riches in this world. Use it also to advance His kingdom in this world for this is the best action that you can ever do with your entrusted talent/s. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Setyembre 2, Sabado ng Ika-21 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 25:14-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 25:14-30

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad ang talinghagang ito: “Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay maitutulad dito: May isang taong maglalakbay, kaya tinawag niya ang kanyang mga alipin at ipinagkatiwala sa kanila ang kanyang ari-arian. Binigyan niya ng salapi ang bawat isa ayon sa kanya-kanyang kakayahan: binigyan niya ang isa ng limang libong piso, ang isa nama’y dalawang libong piso, at ang isa pa’y isang libong piso.   

Pagkatapos, siya’y umalis. Humayo agad ang tumanggap ng limang libong piso at ipinangalakal iyon. At nagtubo siya ng limang libong piso. Gayun din naman, ang tumanggap ng dalawang libong piso ay nagtubo ng dalawang libong piso. Ngunit ang tumanggap ng isang libong piso ay humukay sa lupa at itinago ang salapi ng kanyang panginoon.   

Pagkaraan ng mahabang panahon, bumalik ang panginoon ng mga aliping iyon at pinapagsulit sila. Lumapit ang tumanggap ng limang libo. Wika niya, ‘Panginoon, heto po ang limang libo na bigay ninyo sa akin. Heto pa po ang limang libo na tinubo ko.’ Sinabi sa kanya ng panginoon, ‘Magaling! Tapat at mabuting alipin! Yamang naging tapat ka sa kaunting halaga, pamamahalain kita sa malaking halaga. Makihati ka sa aking kagalakan!’   

Lumapit din ang tumanggap ng dalawang libo, at ang sabi, ‘Panginoon, heto po ang ibinigay ninyong dalawang libo. Heto naman po ang dalawang libong piso na tinubo ko.’ Sinabi ng kanyang panginoon, ‘Magaling! Tapat at mabuting alipin! Naging tapat ka sa kaunting halaga, kaya pamamahalain kita sa malaking halaga. Makihati ka sa aking kagalakan.’   

At lumapit naman ang tumanggap ng isang libong piso. ‘Alam ko pong kayo’y mahigpit,’ aniya. ‘Gumagapas kayo sa hindi ninyo tinamnan, at nag-aani sa hindi ninyo hinasikan. Natakot po ako, kaya’t ibinaon ko sa lupa ang inyong salapi. Heto na po ang isang libo ninyo.’ ‘Masama at tamad na alipin!’ tugon ng kanyang panginoon. ‘Alam mo palang gumagapas ako sa hindi ko tinamnan at nag-aani sa hindi ko hinasikan!   

Bakit hindi mo iyan inilagak sa bangko, di sana’y may nakuha akong tubo ngayon? Kunin ninyo sa kanya ang isang libong piso at ibigay sa may sampung libo. Sapagkat ang mayroon ay bibigyan pa, at mananagana; ngunit ang wala, kahit ang kakaunting nasa kanya ay kukunin pa. Itapon ninyo sa kadiliman sa labas ang aliping walang kabuluhan. Doo’y tatangis siya at magngangalit ang kanyang ngipin.’”

Do You Know the Health Benefits Of eating Sweet Potatoes?/Alam Mo ba ang mga Benepisyo ng pagkain ng Kamote?

 

Reflection for September 1, Friday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 25:1-13

Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  

The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’   

Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’  

While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

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Reflection:

What is the advantage of being prepared? We are always ready for what may happen during any time of the day.  

Jesus said to his disciples: stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour (Matthew 25:13). Indeed, nobody knows the moment of the Lord’s coming, that’s why it is a must that we are always prepared by following The Lord’s teachings. We must avoid doing things that would make us sin.  

It is very easy to say that we are always prepared for His coming but sometimes it is only lip service without real conviction to do so. We are easily tempted to sin again, to hurt people again, to ignore those who are in need again most especially the poor. And to be egoistic and have that superiority mindset again.   

Many of us are like that, we are only prepared for a short period of time and then we sin again. Why is this so and what must we do to avoid backsliding to our sinful behaviors again? We must have a continuous encounter with Jesus through our attendance at Holy Mass, through our prayers, through reading the Bible. For this is the only way for us to keep ourselves from backsliding into sinfulness again.  Hence, we would always be prepared.  

In the gospel, we read about the ten virgins, five of them were foolish and five were wise. Those who were wise came prepared by bringing along extra flask of oil. So that their lamps would be lighted if ever the bridegroom would arrive late.  

And true enough the bridegroom came in late for the wedding feast. But the five wise virgins had no problem because they had an extra flask of oil for their lamps.   For this reason, the five wise virgins were allowed entry to the wedding feast to witness the ceremony. What happened to the other five who were foolish? They were not allowed entry by the bridegroom. Why? Because they were not prepared.  

Our continuous engagement with sin makes us unprepared for the coming of the Lord. The same continuous engagement with sin will not allow us entry into heaven when our time is up in this world.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Setyembre 1, Biyernes ng Ika-21 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 25:1-13

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 25:1-13

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad ang talinghagang ito: "Dito maitutulad ang pagpasok sa kaharian ng Diyos: may sampung dalagang lumabas upang sumalubong sa lalaking ikakasal. Bawat isa'y may dalang ilawan. 

Ang lima sa kanila'y hangal at ang lima'y matalino. Ang mga hangal ay nagdala ng ilawan ngunit hindi nagbaon ng langis. Subalit ang matatalino'y nagdala ng langis bukod pa sa kanilang ilawan. Nabalam ang dating ng lalaking ikakasal, kaya't inantok silang lahat at nakatulog. 

"Ngunit nang hatinggabi na'y may sumigaw: 'Narito na ang lalaking ikakasal! Salubungin ninyo!' Agad nagbangon ang sampung dalaga at inayos ang kanilang ilawan. Sinabi ng mga hangal sa matatalino, 'Bigyan naman ninyo kami ng kaunting langis. Aandap-andap na ang aming mga ilawan, e!' 'Baka hindi magkasya ito sa ating lahat,' tugon ng matatalino. ' 

Mabuti pa'y pumunta muna kayo sa nagtitinda at bumili ng para sa inyo.' Kaya't lumakad ang limang hangal na dalaga. Samantalang bumibili sila, dumating ang lalaking ikakasal. Ang limang nakahanda ay kasama niyang pumasok sa kasalan, at ipininid ang pinto. 

"Pagkatapos, dumating naman ang limang hangal na dalaga. 'Panginoon, papasukin po ninyo kami!' sigaw nila. Ngunit tumugon siya, 'Sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi ko kayo nakikilala.' Kaya, magbantay kayo, sapagkat hindi ninyo alam ang araw ni ang oras."