Author: Rogelio V. Mañanita

MATTHEW 5:27-32 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 12, 2020)

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 5:27-32 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 12, 2020)

You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery.  But tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has committed adultery with her in his heart. So, if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body, than to have your whole body thrown into hell. If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away!  It is better for you to lose a part of your body, than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

It was also said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce. But what I tell you is this: if a man divorces his wife, except in the case of unlawful union, he causes her to commit adultery.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

There are two major classification of sins, the sin of commission and sin of omission. The sin of commission is committed by doing something that should not be done. While the sin of omission is committed by not doing something that should be done.

Chances of sin are always with us, human. It is easy to get into sin even if a person does not mean it. It can even be committed without the physical gesture via emotion and some odd feelings before the wit of our rational being. In fact, one can get into sin by a mere play of his emotion. Why because the world is a maze of life  in the wilderness which might lead to nowhere.

Though this gospel uses a woman as an object of lust (sin) cannot be taken against man for the main idea embedded in here is to make us aware that our very own desire of this world alone might be the gateway to hell. It is not wrong to have a burning desire but needs to be careful not to be dragged into the ways of darkness in the process of pursuit or in the rudiment of achieving it. An overwhelming worldly desire becomes a winning ground of darkness inside, in disguise of personal success and satisfaction. 

The gift of talent we have from the Father is the seed capital of treasure but when use not in the pure intent of the Father may become an eye mask of popularity losing sight unto the Lord. The chances of sinning would be prevalent which could be noticed in the later time. Brothers and sisters, be  on our guard for many are the ways by which we could be deceived out of our worldly desire, as woman was referred to in this gospel reading.

In general, the “woman” in this gospel is not an object of sin, but a typical representation of the world which could excite a man in so much desire of material things, success and satisfaction. It becomes an eye mask and disguise to the gateway of hell. Watch out brothers and sisters! Don’t get stuck into this world for Christians are not of this world but in heaven.

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MATTHEW 5:17-19 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 11, 2020)

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Gospel Reading

I tell you if your sense of right and wrong is not keener than that of the lawyers and the Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

You have heard, that it was said to our people in the past: Do not commit murder; anyone who murders will have to face trial. But now, I tell you: whoever gets angry with a brother or sister will face trial.  Whoever insults a brother of sister is liable, to be brought before the council. Whoever calls a brother or a sister “fool!” is liable, of being thrown into the fire of hell. So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar, and you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there, in front of the altar; go at once, and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God. Don’t forget this: be reconciled with your opponent quickly when you are together on the way to court. Otherwise he will turn you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, who will put in jail. There, you will stay, until you have paid the last penny.

POINT OF REFLECTION

The gospel of yesterday did mention a complete obedience of the law as modeled by Jesus saying that “I have not come to annul the laws and the prophet but to fulfill them.” Meaning He emphasizes how important for as Christians  to obey the laws and the words of the prophets. However, today’s gospel warned us not to overly interpret the laws and the words of the prophets. It might compromise our relationship with the community folks and the Father in heaven.

As we have learn from the writings in the Bible and today’s ways of proclaiming  God’s word, many would tend to fall into arguments about cannon laws citing verses  to support the merit of their argument.  They hung up themselves from the very details of the laws and words of the prophets but did not recognize the value and meaning beyond mere obedience to the details of actual spirit and meaning that are embedded in them.

The heart of the Laws and words of the Prophets is the true and meaningful relationship with God who has given us the law and sent to us the Prophets. Be reminded that such relationship with God can only be achieved through intimate relationship with our fellow Christians in the community and to the Father.

We could not imagine what life would become without Law.  However, this gospel cautioned us to implement the Laws with love and compassion to promote serious relationship to the people in the community and to the Father in heaven.

Views: 86

CALENDAR OF LEARNING COMPETENCY FOR SY 2020-2021 BASE ON M0ST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCIES (MELC)

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Education Updates

Calendar of competency is A list of all competencies per subject area to be covered within the school days of a curriculum year. This could be best prepared per quarter according to the the number of teaching days with the corresponding dates from which the competency objective/s are to be delivered.

This is presented in head row labeled Week of the Quarter/ Grading period, Target Competency, Objectives, Specific dates of the Teaching Years and the MOV’s as to availability of the Learning Plan, Instructional Materials and Learning Module. The leading column is labeled in teaching weeks per quarter.

SAMPLE CALENDAR OF COMPETENCY CRAFTED BY MASTER TEACHER CYRIL Q. BITOON EVALUATED BY THE AUTHOR.

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MARK 12:35-37 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 5, 2020)

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Gospel Reading

MARK 12:35-37 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 5, 2020)

Jesus was teaching in the temple, he said “The teacher of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David. How could that be? For David, Himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, declared: The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet! If David, himself, calls him Lord, in what way can he be his son?” Many people came to Jesus, and listened to him gladly.

POINT OF REFLECTION

Before Jesus began His teaching in the synagogue, masters of the laws were authority figures to be consulted on matters found perplexing in the Bible. But sad to note, that they were not better than ordinary Christian of today. That is why when Jesus started teaching, people came and listened in great joy. Through His teaching the mystery of life unfold which guide Christian followers in their journey of faith and love. Through His teaching, people came to know the Father who made all things under man’s stewardship.

Jesus has given His followers important aid of faith and spiritual life. These included: the Scripture which serves as the manual of life and the compass guide in a journey of a life time.. The second is the Church which serves as the house of the Eucharist which in turns assures us the ever presence of Jesus. The Church is the spiritual   community duly sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit. And allowing this aid of faith and spiritual life to lead us assures everlasting life unto the father.

In conclusion, the Scripture, the Eucharist and the Church are today’s aid of faith and spiritual life so that when seriously attended would lead a life in the comfort and security of the Holy Spirit.

Views: 91

MARK 12:28-34 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 4, 2020)

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Gospel Reading

A teacher of the law had been listening to this discussion and admired how Jesus answered them.  So he came up and asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?”

Jesus answered, “The first is: Hear, Israel! The Lord, our God, is One Lord; and you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with your entire mind and with all your strength. And after this comes a second commandment: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these two.”

The teacher of the law said to him, “well spoken, Master; you are right when you say that he is one, and there is no other besides him. To love him with all our heart, with all our understanding and with all our strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves is more important than any burnt offering or sacrifices.”

Jesus approved this answer and said, “you are not far from the kingdom of God,” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

POINT OF REFLECTION

Jesus’ life on earth was all but teaching. The teacher of the laws on the other hand, keep on following Jesus not mainly to learn from Him but to wait for opportune time to trap him for some accusation but this time they  listened  and even appreciated and admired the teaching of Jesus regarding the question about the first two greatest commandments of God.

As Jesus had told, we need to love God in four ways: Loving God with all our heart, Loving God with all our soul, Loving God with our entire mind, and Loving God with all our strength. When we say loving God with all our heart is another way of saying that we need to love God with the fullness of life. When we say loving God with all our soul is giving Him a love that cut across life on earth and life after death. This is a love that is untouched by the occasion of death. We are also to love God with our entire mind and our strength. In this loving, we need to love God with all the reasons and use our strength to best serve God throughout life. The second of this greatest commandment: loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. This is the real picture of unselfish love. You can do this by giving to others what you want to give to yourself.  Make it happen to others what we really want for ourselves. In conclusion, we can fulfill the will of the Father by doing the first and the second of His greatest commandments that is, loving God with  all  our hearts, all our soul and all our mind and strength. And the second is loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Views: 95

MARK 12:18-27 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 3, 2020)

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Gospel Reading

The Sadducees also came to Jesus. Since they claim that there is no resurrection, they questioned him in this way, “Master, in the Scriptures Moses gave us this law: If anyone dies and leaves his wife but no children, his brother must take the woman, and, with her, have a baby,  who will be considered the child of his deceased brother. Now, there were seven brothers. The first married a wife, but he died without leaving any children. The second took the wife, and he also died, leaving no children. The same thing happened to the third. In fact, all seven brothers died, leaving no children. Last of all, the woman died. Now, in the resurrection, to which of them will she be wife? For all seven brothers had her as wife.” Jesus replied, “ is this not the reason you are mistaken, you do not understand  the Scriptures or the power of God?  When they rise from the dead, men and women do not marry, but are like the angels in heaven. Now, about the resurrection of the dead, have you never had thoughts about the burning bush in the book of Moses? God said to Moses: I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. He is the God, not of the dead, but of the living. You are totally wrong.”

POINT OF REFLECTION

The pick-up points of this gospel reading is quite perplexing and needs prior understanding about the social standing and beliefs of the Sadducees. Sadducees were group of early elites that do not believe in resurrection after the physical death, anchored their beliefs on Torah, the first five books of the Bible, and values good relationship with the ruler to further their beliefs and tradition. This group is the liberal version of Pharisees deep stuck on the three major areas: Their of tradition, their view of supernatural, and their views on divine sovereignty and human responsibilities.

In the first place, the gospel is a question of resurrection to loosen the credit of Jesus as He immerse into the lives of human almost completely enslave of sins. They wanted to remove Jesus’ crown of popularity by letting people see that Jesus teaching is moot and not in accordance with the Laws, Torah. In other words, this somehow tries to drag Jesus down of the perplexing level of their question. Who return answer that truly caught them by surprise?

Because Sadducees does not believe resurrection, they question Jesus whose wife would a woman become after resurrection having married all the seven brothers here on earth? Jesus answer was so direct telling they were wrong and did not understand the Bible or the power of God. The logical thinking of the Sadducees was limited only on “the here and now” because they do not believe life after death. Their understanding on the Mosaic Law in the time of Moses which allowed the second brother to take the woman with no child of the first was a perpetuation of the Israelite’s tribe by way of the child. They never taught of life after death. That is why Jesus said they were wrong.

In this gospel, resurrection is real not even in the accounts of the New Testament but even more in the account of the Old Testament which was maliciously interpreted by the Sadducees in favor of their beliefs, practices and traditions. Jesus clearly speak to us, Christians, that there is life after death in Him. The mind of the Sadducees was contained in the loop of a single age and life tomorrow is a continuation of today.

There are two important ages to consider in this regard, the so called as “this age” and “that ages.” The “this age” is our life here and now. While the “that ages” is the resurrected life as the son of God.  Sadducees mind was loop on “this age” and does not understand life on “that age.”

Death is the gate way of resurrection unto Jesus as the son of the Father in heaven. Notice that early believer happily give-up their lives in the works of Jesus because they knew that they would be resurrected back to life like angels of God in heaven.

Finally, while Sadducees was trying to fall down Jesus using very difficult question that even them does understand, Jesus made it not into their favor. Instead, He turns it into an opportunity to further the cause of the Father’s kingdom by clarifying and assuring the reality that death is the gateway of resurrection.

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MARK 12:13-17 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 2, 2020)

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Gospel Reading

They sent to Jesus to some Pharisees with the members of Herod’ party, with the purpose of trapping him by his own words. They came and said to Jesus, ” Master we knew that you are truthful; you are nit influence by anyone, and your answers do not vary according to who is listening  to you, but truly teach God’s way. “Tell us, is it against the law to pay taxes to Caesar? Should we pay them or not!” 

But Jesus saw through their trick and answered, ” Why are you testing me?  Being me a silver coin and let me see it.” They brought him one and Jesus asked, Whose image is this, and whose name?

They answered, ” Caesar’s.” Then Jesus said, ” Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God, what is God’s.”  and they were greatly astonished.

Wisdom of men is foolishness to God, Book of Kings

POINTS OF REFLECTION

The Pharisees wanted to trick Jesus so that he would end up saying that could damage and ruin his name against authorities. But as they carefully present their logic Jesus knew it was a trick and Jesus said “give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”  

They  were caught in  great astonishment and leave Him upon hearing His response. In deed  Jesus was able to keep himself from the pitfalls of planned destruction or self demolition.

What is the meat of the gospel? We are living in a deceitful and judgmental world. Many of those who are around  waited for a perfect timing like lion ready to lark its prey. Others are judgmental, giving and publicizing their impartialities without  the merit of the due process of law. 

Furthermore, the tax collection of silver coin reminded us to get our income from a legitimate source only. Honest income is hard to spend. Wise spending brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to be prudent in  our daily spending. Do not spend more than your earning because you may find it hard to meet both ends causing you to go around helplessly and vulnerable to financial sharks. In this case, you will end up into serious financial trouble in the future which will make life more difficult to paddled on.

PRAYER

Lord, holy is your name and great is your love.  Thank you for the teaching and wisdom of  the day. Forgive my trespasses as I forgive those who  trespassed against me. Grant me oh God courage and wisdom to review my ways of living and spending and reprogram according to your light and guidance to better my ways of living ahead. Amen

Views: 96

Mark 12:1-12 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 1, 2020)

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Gospel Reading

Using parables, Jesus went on to say, “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press and built a watch tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenants and went abroad. In due time, he sent a servant to receive from the tenants the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized the servant, struck him and sent him back empty-handed. Again, the man sent another servant. They also struck them on the head and treated them shamefully. He sent another, and they killed him. In the same way they treated many others: some they beat up and others they killed. One was still left, his beloved son. And so, the last of all, he sent him to the tenants, for he said, ‘They will respect my son.  But those tenants said to one another,’ This is the one to inherit the vineyard. Let’s kill him and the property will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. Now, what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”And Jesus added, “Have you not read this text in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected has become the keystone; this is the Lord’s doing, and they marvel at it?” They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

The world is a  wonderful and amazing creation of God jam-packed with abundance. In Genesis 1:28 “ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply,  and replenish the earth, and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”It is clear that God created man to dominate upon the earth. We are given the authority to take control of the things around us and return to God his share for the promotion of his kingdom in heaven.

This is about being the steward of God’s  gifts to all of us.  We came from nothing and we really are nothing without God who created us in his image and likeness. When someone  is totally hook into the world because of  owning success and taking so much pride of it, tendency is, he/she might forget that what he/she has is not actually  his/her  but owned by the Father. We come into this world with nothing and nothing we will bring when life come to its end.  

The parable of the vineyard, teach us not to forget that God owns everything in us including our position. There are times that God would ask us something in return of all the blessing we have enjoyed and consumed  in this life.  Thou shall not refuse or steal from God what is intended for Him for he might punish and take everything in favor of others who faithfully give their share to the Lord for the glory of his kingdom.

Many look at these things in the material perspective but do not forget that God has given us the three T’s –time, talent and treasure. Many would say “How could I give for I do not have much in this life? That thing is a third only of what God has given us. We still have time and talent which are the maker of treasure. If we cannot give material things, then I am sure we can share our time and talent if we want to. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we can share our time in  service to the Lord. We can use some of our time to proclaim his word. And if we are blessed with a good voice, we can sing to the Lord. If we can dance well, then go worship and dance to the lord. It is said that while God has given us a lot of everything including time and talent,  let be our way of honing these talents our gift to God. How we used it to further God’s kingdom is an  important share God really wants from us.  

Views: 93

Mark 12:1-12 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 1, 2020)

by Rogelio V. Mañanita, posted in Gospel Reading

Using parables, Jesus went on to say, “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press and built a watch tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenants and went abroad. In due time, he sent a servant to receive from the tenants the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized the servant, struck him and sent him back empty-handed. Again, the man sent another servant. They also struck them on the head and treated them shamefully. He sent another, and they killed him. In the same way they treated many others: some they beat up and others they killed. One was still left, his beloved son. And so, the last of all, he sent him to the tenants, for he said, ‘They will respect my son.  But those tenants said to one another,’ This is the one to inherit the vineyard. Let’s kill him and the property will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. Now, what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”And Jesus added, “Have you not read this text in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected has become the keystone; this is the Lord’s doing, and they marvel at it?” They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

The world is a  wonderful and amazing creation of God jam-packed with abundance. In Genesis 1:28 “ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply,  and replenish the earth, and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”It is clear that God created man to dominate upon the earth. We are given the authority to take control of the things around us and return to God his share for the promotion of his kingdom in heaven.

This is about being the steward of God’s  gifts to all of us.  We came from nothing and we really are nothing without God who created us in his image and likeness. When someone  is totally hook into the world because of  owning success and taking so much pride of it, tendency is, he/she might forget that what he/she has is not actually  his/her  but owned by the Father. We come into this world with nothing and nothing we will bring when life come to its end.  

The parable of the vineyard, teach us not to forget that God owns everything in us including our position. There are times that God would ask us something in return of all the blessing we have enjoyed and consumed  in this life.  Thou shall not refuse or steal from God what is intended for Him for he might punish and take everything in favor of others who faithfully give their share to the Lord for the glory of his kingdom.

Many look at these things in the material perspective but do not forget that God has given us the three T’s –time, talent and treasure. Many would say “How could I give for I do not have much in this life? That thing is a third only of what God has given us. We still have time and talent which are the maker of treasure. If we cannot give material things, then I am sure we can share our time and talent if we want to. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we can share our time in  service to the Lord. We can use some of our time to proclaim his word. And if we are blessed with a good voice, we can sing to the Lord. If we can dance well, then go worship and dance to the lord. It is said that while God has given us a lot of everything including time and talent,  let be our way of honing these talents our gift to God. How we used it to further God’s kingdom is an  important share God really wants from us.  

Views: 78