Reflection for April 30, Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter: John 14:27-31a

Gospel: John 14:27-31a

(Jesus said to his disciples) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 

And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

What is this peace that Jesus mentions to us in the gospel? It’s the peace that no one in this world can ever give us. We cannot find this peace with worldly power or riches. Because the more worldly power and riches we have the more that we’ll have no peace in our hearts. 

Many of us think that we will have peace by having power and wealth that’s why we aspire for it! We don’t even care if we sin as long as we could have this corrupted wealth and power. But we must be wary for the reason that the devil has always a concession for us to have immoral wealth and power and the concession is sin.  And by accepting the offer of the devil we are permanently under the devil’s devious spell until we die and we end up in hell. 

On the contrary, Jesus offers us His peace. Peace that no amount of worldly power and wealth could measure up.  Peace that will keep us permanently away from sin and peace that will plant contentment in our hearts. Therefore, we must embrace this peace that Jesus offers us. 

Do you already have the peace of Jesus in your heart? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Abril 30 Martes Ikalimang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 14:27-31a

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:27-31a

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Kapayapaan ang iniiwan ko sa inyo. Ang aking kapayapaan ang ibinibigay ko sa inyo; hindi ito katulad ng ibinibigay ng sanlibutan.

Huwag kayong mabalisa; huwag kayong matakot. Sinabi ko na sa inyo, 'Ako'y aalis, ngunit babalik ako.' Kung iniibig ninyo ako, ikagagalak ninyo ang pagpunta ko sa Ama, sapagkat dakila ang Ama kaysa akin. Sinasabi ko na ito sa inyo bago pa mangyari upang kung mangyari na, kayo'y manalig sa akin.

Hindi na ako pakahahaba ng pagsasalita sa inyo, sapagkat dumarating na ang pinuno ng sanlibutang ito. Wala siyang kapangyarihan sa akin, subalit dapat makilala ng sanlibutan na iniibig ko ang Ama at ang ginagawa ko'y ang iniuutos niya sa akin."

Reflection for Monday April 29, Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church: John 14:21-26

Gospel: John 14:21-26

Jesus said to his disciples: "Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him." Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, "Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" 

Jesus answered and said to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. 

"I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name— he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you deeply love Jesus? 

Love begets love, for example if a husband will show his love for his wife he gets love in return from his wife. As the marriage move on the love between spouses flounders it passes through stormy waters. And it will take humility and forgiveness for both spouses to triumphantly pass through that turbulence.  

The love of Jesus for us is unconditional He loves us even if we have betrayed Him so many times. It is not even attached to any actions that we do for God has already forgiven us for the many betrayals that we’ve caused Him. 

However, even if Jesus has forgiven us already it is still our obligation to always humble ourselves before Him. We show Jesus that we love Him deeply when we humbly say sorry to Him for the many hurts that we’ve caused Him. This we do when we humbly submit ourselves to the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

When was your last you’ve been through the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Would you want to show your love for Jesus by humbly submitting yourself to this healing Sacrament? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes, Abril 29, Santa Catalina de Siena, dalaga at pantas ng Simbahan (Paggunita): Juan 14:21-26

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:21-26

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Ang tumatanggap sa mga utos ko at tumutupad nito ang siyang umiibig sa akin. Ang umiibig sa akin ay iibigin ng aking Ama; iibigin ko rin siya, at ako'y lubusang magpapakilala sa kanya." Tinanong siya ni Judas hindi ang Iscariote, "Panginoon, bakit po sa amin lamang kayo magpapakilala nang lubusan at hindi sa sanlibutan?" 

Sumagot si Jesus, "Ang umiibig sa akin ay tutupad ng aking mga salita; iibigin siya ng aking ama, at kami'y sasakanya at mananahan sa kanya. Ang hindi umiibig sa akin ay hindi tumutupad sa aking mga salita. Hindi akin ang salitang narinig ninyo, kundi sa Amang nagsugo sa akin. 

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo ang mga bagay na ito samantalang kasama pa ninyo ako. Ngunit ang Patnubay, ang Espiritu Santo na susuguin ng Ama sa pangalan ko, ang siyang magtuturo sa inyo ng lahat ng bagay at magpapaalaala ng lahat ng sinabi ko sa inyo.

Reflection for Sunday April 28, Fifth Sunday of Easter: John 15:1-8

Gospel: John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. 

Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. 

Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Where does life lead us without Jesus? It leads us to nowhere and nothingness. Our life is without meaning without Jesus. We are like a boat being buffeted by waves that has nowhere to go.

Life is meaningless without our connection to Jesus. We may possess abundance in worldly goods, yet these are all temporary; one day, we will leave them behind. Worldly possessions cannot provide peace of mind; instead, they often disturb our inner peace.

Jesus, through the gospel for this Sunday, tells us: 'You will never bear fruit unless you remain in me' (John 15:4). Yet, Jesus also tells us that we will bear much fruit if only we decide to remain in Him.

Therefore, let us always decide to be connected with Jesus through our presence at Holy Mass, through the Sacraments, through our visits to the Adoration chapel, and through reading His words in the Bible.

Let us not let go of Jesus even when life brings us numerous trials. For no trial is insurmountable for Jesus; if we are connected to Him, nothing can defeat us. No one could dampen our spirits, for His abiding presence is with us.

As the branch cannot survive without its connection to the vine. We too will not be able to survive without our connection with Jesus.  Are you always connected to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para Linggo Abril 28, Ikalimang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 15:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Juan 15:1-8

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Ako ang tunay na puno ng ubas at ang aking Ama ang tagapag-alaga. Pinuputol niya ang bawat sangang hindi namumunga; at kanya namang pinuputulan at nililinis ang bawat sangang namumunga upang lalong dumami ang bunga. 

Nalinis na kayo sa pamamagitan ng salitang sinabi ko sa inyo. Manatili kayo sa akin at mananatili ako sa inyo. Hindi makapamumunga ang sangang hindi nananatiling nakakabit sa puno. Gayon din naman, hindi kayo makapamumunga kung hindi kayo mananatili sa akin.

"Ako ang puno ng ubas, kayo ang mga sanga. Ang nananatili sa akin, at ako sa kanya, ang siyang namumunga ng sagana; sapagkat wala kayong magagawa kung kayo'y hiwalay sa akin. 

Ang hindi nananatili sa akin ay itatapon at matutuyo, gaya ng sanga. Ang gayong mga sanga ay titipunin at susunugin. Kung nananatili kayo sa akin at nananatili sa inyo ang mga salita ko, hingin ninyo ang inyong maibigan, at ipagkakaloob sa inyo. Napararangalan ang Ama kung kayo'y namumunga nang sagana at sa gayo'y napatutunayang mga alagad ko kayo.

Reflection for April 27, Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 14:7-14

Gospel: John 14:7-14

Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? 

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. 

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Whenever I go for a vacation in our province, I would always reunite with my relatives and friends. They would always say that they are reminded of my father because of how I look and sound. I always reply with a thank you and a smile in return. 

In the gospel Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father (John 14:9).” The two personalities or the Trinity is revealed by Jesus, him and God the Father and they are acting as one person. Jesus further told them whoever believes in me will do the works that I do (John 14:12). 

There is a great responsibility on us when we say that we are followers of Christ because Jesus tells us that if we are believers we must do the works that he did in other words we must emulate him if we profess to be His followers. 

If we are true followers of Jesus we have no other choice but to do His works in the process we will be closer to Him. And whenever others would see us they will be reminded of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 27 Sabado sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 14:7-14

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:7-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Kung ako'y kilala ninyo, kilala na rin ninyo ang aking Ama. Mula ngayon ay kilala na ninyo siya at inyong nakita."  

Sinabi sa kanya ni Felipe, "Panginoon, ipakita po ninyo sa amin ang Ama, at masisiyahan na kami." Sumagot si Jesus, "Matagal na ninyo akong kasama, Felipe! Diyata't hindi mo pa ako nakikilala? Ang nakakita sa akin ay nakakita na sa Ama. Bakit mo sinasabing ; 'Ipakita mo sa amin ang Ama'? Hindi ka ba naniniwalang ako'y sumasa-Ama at ang Ama'y sumasaakin?  

Ang mga salitang sinasabi ko ay hindi ko sinasabi sa ganang aking sarili. Ang Amang sumasaakin ang gumaganap ng kanyang mga gawain. Maniwala kayo sa akin: ako'y sumasa-Ama at ang Ama'y sumasa-akin. Kung ayaw ninyong maniwala sa sinasabi ko maniwala kayo dahil sa mga gawang ito.  

Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang nananalig sa akin ay makagagawa ng ginagawa ko at higit pa rito, sapagkat pupunta na ako sa Ama. At anumang hingin ninyo sa Ama sa aking pangalan ay gagawin ko, upang maparangalan ang Ama sa pamamagitan ng Anak. Gagawin ko ang anumang hihilingin ninyo sa pangalan ko."

Reflection for April 26, Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 14:1-6

Gospel: John 14:1-6

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. 

Where [I] am going you know the way. Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth* and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you know where would you go after your journey in this world is over? 

Perhaps many of us may lose sleep by mere mention of death, we don’t want to die at this point because we are not yet prepared. But who is prepared to die? Nobody, we are not prepared to die. Why? For the simple reason that majority of us still love to be in this world and enjoy whatever it can still offer us.

Nevertheless, Jesus is telling us in the gospel not to be troubled. For as long as we have faith in Him we would be OK even if we die. For our faith and friendship with Jesus is more than enough to conquer our fear of death. 

Therefore, we have to do our part to get close to Jesus for as long as we live. If we are close to Jesus we have nothing to fear, even death we will not fear. Jesus Himself assures us with these words: Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places (John 14:1-2). - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 26 Biyernes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 14:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:1-6

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Huwag kayong mabalisa; manalig kayo sa Diyos at manalig din kayo sa akin. Sa bahay ng aking Ama ay maraming silid; kung hindi gayun, sinabi ko na sana sa inyo. At paroroon ako upang ipaghanda ko kayo ng matitirhan.

Kapag naroroon na ako at naipaghanda na kayo ng matitirhan, babalik ako at isasama kayo sa kinaroroonan ko. At alam na ninyo ang daan patungo sa pupuntahan ko.” Sinabi sa kanya ni Tomas, “Panginoon, hindi po namin alam kung saan kayo pupunta, paano naming malalaman ang daan?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Ako ang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang makapupunta sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko."

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Abril 25, Kapistahan ni San Marcos, manunulat ng Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:15-20

Noong panahong iyon, nagpakita si Hesus sa Labing-isa at sinabi sa kanila, "Humayo kayo sa buong sanlibutan at ipangaral ninyo sa lahat ang Mabuting Balita. Ang sumasampalataya at mabinyagan ay maliligtas, ngunit ang hindi sumampalataya ay parurusahan.  

Ang mga sumasampalataya ay magtataglay ng ganitong tanda ng kapangyarihan: sa pangalan ko'y magpapalayas sila ng mga demonyo at magsasalita ng ibang wika; sila'y hindi maaano dumampot man ng ahas o uminom ng lason; at gagaling ang mga may sakit na mapatungan ng kanilang kamay." 

Pagkatapos magsalita sa kanila, ang Panginoong Jesus ay iniakyat sa langit, at lumuklok sa kanan ng Diyos. Humayo nga ang mga alagad at nangaral sa lahat ng dako. Tinulungan sila ng Panginoon sa gawaing ito. Pinatotohanan niya ang Salitang kanilang ipinangangaral sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihang gumawa ng himala, na ipinagkaloob niya sa kanila.

Reflection for Thursday April 25 Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist: Mark 16:15-20

Gospel: Mark 16:15-20

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons,they will speak new languages. 

They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you take time to share in whatever way possible what you know about Jesus? 

The gospel speaks is the end of the earthly ministry of Jesus and the start of the ministry of the apostles. We all know that the apostles were very successful in their mission of evangelization. But it was not easy for they worked very hard and except for one all of them died for their mission.    

It’s so easy to remain in our comfort zones and just live the lifestyle that we want. We do everything for ourselves and we tend to forget God and our mission to spread the gospel as well.  Then, when we are at the sunset of our lives we will find out that nothing really matters except God. Yes, at the end nothing really matters except God alone: Money will not matter influence and power will not matter either. 

God wants us to spread the good news in whatever way possible. He wants us to proclaim our faith not necessarily by words alone but through our actions as well.  If we can proclaim our faith thru our actions that would be much better since actions speaks volumes than words.  

As the Lord ascends to heaven He is gently reminding you about your baptismal mission. Which is to help the Lord spread the faith through your words and actions. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Wednesday April 24 of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 12:44-50

Gospel: John 12:44-50

Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. 

Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.  And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you know somebody who is sinful? Don’t give up on that sinful person continue to stretch your patience and pray for his/her conversion. 

There are countless stories of conversion in the scripture/bible and foremost of these is the conversion story of Saul. Saul or Saint Paul was formerly the number one persecutor of the church. He in fact had a hand in the killing of many followers of Jesus yet Jesus did not judge Saul. In His infinite wisdom and mercy Jesus converted Saul/Paul to become the number one propagator of the Christian faith to the gentiles.   

What is the message of these conversion stories for us? The message is, there is hope for all of us no matter how sinful we are. And no matter how grave the sins that we have committed there is still hope for us! Jesus even said: for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world (John 12:47).

Jesus is not interested on the sins that we have committed He is rather very much interested in our conversion so that we can become His follower and soon after partner in His mission. He is interested to bring us to the light so that we can become His light for others.                     

This is our mission in this world to become bearers of Jesus’ light.  Do we open ourselves to this desire of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Abril 24, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 12:44-50

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:44-50

Noong panahong iyon, malakas na sinabi ni Jesus,"Ang nananalig sa akin ay hindi lamang sa akin nananalig, kundi sa nagsugo sa akin. At ang nakakita sa akin ay nakakita sa kanya. Ako'y naparito bilang ilaw ng sanlibutan, upang hindi manatili sa kadiliman ang nananalig sa akin.

Kung mapakinggan ninuman ang aking salita ngunit hindi niya tuparin ito, hindi ko siya hahatulan. Sapagkat naparito ako hindi upang hatulan ang sanlibutan kundi upang iligtas ito. May hahatol sa sinumang magtakwil sa akin at hindi tumanggap sa aking mga salita; ang salitang ipinahayag ko ang hahatol sa kanya sa huling araw.

Sapagkat hindi ako nagsalita sa ganang sarili ko lamang, kundi ang Amang nagsugo sa akin ang siyang nag-utos kung ano ang aking sasabihin at ipahahayag. At alam kong ang kanyang utos ay nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan. Kaya't ang ipinasasabi ng Ama ang siya kong sinasabi."

Reflection for April 23, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:22-30

Gospel: John 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.  

The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How can we have an encounter with Jesus? We have to abide with what Jesus tells us in the scripture/bible. If He tells us that He and the Father are one we have to believe it without any doubt. For the simple reason that all of Jesus pronouncements are not empty, it is solidly supported by other passages in the bible.  

What separates those who believe and those who don’t? Those who believe receive the full graces of the power that emanates from Jesus. For example, their lives are changed, their faith is strengthened, and they themselves become agents of positive change in their own respective environments.

Those who do not believe or who take Jesus nonchalantly are left out in terms of spiritual graces, their individual faith life is not strengthened. They are more vulnerable to the many forces of evil and they don’t have the spiritual strength that faithful believers have.  

What is the secret for us to believe? We have to humble ourselves before Jesus. We have to accept with faith every word that He tells us in the scripture/bible and we have to be present during Holy Mass most especially Sunday Holy Mass. The moment we do so, this would be the beginning of our renewed life with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Abril 23, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 10:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:22-30

Taglamig na noon. Kasalukuyang ipinagdiriwang sa Jerusalem ang Pista ng Pagtatalaga ng templo. Naglalakad si Jesus sa templo, sa Portiko ni Solomon. Pinaligiran siya ng mga Judio at sinabi sa kanya, "Hanggang kailan mo kami pag-aalinlanganin? 

Kung ikaw ang Cristo, sabihin mo na nang tiyakan." Sumagot si Jesus, "Sinabi ko na sa inyo, ngunit ayaw ninyong maniwala. Ang mga ginagawa ko sa ngalan ng aking Ama ay nagpapatotoo tungkol sa akin. Ngunit ayaw ninyong maniwala, sapagkat hindi kayo kabilang sa aking mga tupa.  

Nakikinig sa akin ang aking mga tupa; nakikilala ko sila, at sumusunod sila sa akin. Binibigyan ko sila ng buhay na walang hanggan, at kailanma'y hindi sila mapapahamak; hindi sila maaagaw sa akin ninuman. Ang aking Ama, na nagbigay sa kanila sa akin, ay lalong dakila sa lahat at hindi sila maaagaw ninuman sa aking Ama. Ako at ang Ama ay iisa."

Reflection for April 22, Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:1-10

Gospel: John 10:1-10

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 

When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. 

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a poor family. The husband had an ordinary low paying job and the wife was a housewife they had six (6) children. Because of the meager salary of the husband they could barely survive and they always borrow money from their relatives. 

Despite of their poor financial standing this family was faithful to Jesus and the church; they would always attend Sunday Holy Mass. The parents introduced their children to Jesus and they educated their children the values of the faith. The mother would always lead in the prayer of the Holy Rosary and the father would always be there to join them. 

Eventually all of their children became very successful in their respective field of endeavors. Hence, they’ve given back the love and guidance that their parents gave them. Obviously the parents were Good shepherds for they introduced their children to the gate of life that is Jesus. 

Jesus in the gospel tells the crowd that He is the good shepherd that desires only the best for them. Jesus also tells them that He is the gate of life but they did not believe Him.It is said that:  “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Thus, we know for a fact that Jesus is really our Good Shepherd. 

We believe and feel in our hearts this declaration of Jesus. He desires nothing for us but our wellbeing. This is the reason why Jesus wants us to follow Him and make Him our Good Shepherd. We also know that He is our only gateway to the many truths about our faith. He too is our gateway towards life beyond this world and without Him in our lives there would be no life beyond this world. 

There are still many who do not know about Jesus as the Good Shepherd. There are still many who do not know that Jesus is the gateway to the many truths of our faith. There are still many who do not know that Jesus is the gateway to a life beyond this world. Why? Because they do not allow Jesus to be their Good Shepherd. They instead allow worldliness and the many lies of Satan to shepherd them thus they are enslaved by money, power and sin.    

Who is shepherding you right now? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes, Abril 22, Lunes sa Ikaapat Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 10:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:1-10

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo ito: ang pumasok sa kulungan ng mga tupa nang hindi sa pinto nagdaraan, ay magnanakaw at tulisan. Ngunit ang nagdaraan sa pintuan ay siyang pastol ng mga tupa. Pinapapasok siya ng bantay-pinto, at pinakikinggan ng mga tupa ang kanyang tinig. 

Tinatawag niya ang kanyang mga tupa sa kani-kanilang pangalan, at inilalabas sa kulungan. Kapag nailabas na, siya’y nangunguna sa kanila at sumusunod naman ang mga tupa sapagkat nakikilala nila ang kanyang tinig. Hindi sila sumusunod sa iba, bagkus pa nga’y patakbong lumalayo, sapagkat hindi nila nakikilala ang kanyang tinig.”

Sinabi ni Hesus ang talinghagang ito, ngunit hindi nila naunawaan ang ibig niyang sabihin.

Kaya’t muling sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo: ako ang pintuang dinaraanan ng mga tupa. Ang mga nauna sa akin ay mga magnanakaw at mga tulisan, ngunit hindi sila pinakinggan ng mga tupa. Ako ang pintuan. Ang sinumang pumapasok sa pamamagitan ko’y maliligtas.

Papasok siya’t lalabas, at makatatagpo ng pastulan. Kaya lamang pupunta rito ang magnanakaw ay upang magnakaw, pumatay, at magwasak. Naparito ako upang ang mga tupa’y magkaroon ng buhay – isang buhay na ganap at kasiya-siya.”

Reflection for Sunday April 21, Fourth Sunday of Easter: John 10:11-18

Gospel: John 10:11-18

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. 

This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. 

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

A husband and his six children were left behind by his wife for another man. To assure his children of his guidance and protection, he gathered them, looked each of them in the eye, and told them: 'I will take care of you regardless of whatever difficulties we may face. I will see you through, and I will be with you until the end no matter what.

Jesus, in the gospel, tells us that He is our good shepherd who will give His very life for us, so that He could find and save us no matter how sinful we are. What have we done to merit this love and shepherding from Jesus? Nothing, we have even offended Him for countless times; nevertheless, His infinite love and shepherding are always there for us.

We will sin for as long as we live in this world, but the infinite love of Jesus, our good shepherd, is always there for us. Let us therefore not be deaf to His search and longing for us. He wants us back in His loving and unconditional embrace. 

Many of us continuously loiter in the abyss of sinfulness; we purposely turn a blind eye to Jesus' search for us. But at what cost? For the cost of our own life? We would sin and continuously sin until it cost us our life? Jesus our good shepherd is knocking at the door of our hearts, let us open our hearts to Him. 

Would you open the door of your heart to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Linggo Abril 21, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 10:11-18

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:11-18

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus, Ako ang mabuting pastol. Iniaalay ng mabuting pastol ang kanyang buhay para sa mga tupa. Ang upahan ay tumatakas, kapag nakikitang dumarating ang asong-gubat. Iniiwan niya ang mga tupa, palibhasa'y hindi siya pastol at hindi kanya ang mga tupa. Kaya't sinisila ng asong-gubat ang mga ito, at pinangangalat. 

Tumatakas siya palibhasa'y upahan lamang at walang malasakit sa tupa. Ako ang mabuting pastol. Kung paanong nakikilala ako ng Ama at siya'y nakikilala ko, gayon din naman, nakikilala ko ang aking mga tupa at ako nama'y nakikilala nila. At iniaalay ko ang aking buhay para sa mga tupa. 

Mayroon akong ibang tupa na wala sa kulungang ito. Kinakailangang sila'y alagaan ko rin; pakikinggan nila ang aking tinig. Sa gayo'y magiging isa ang kawan at isa ang pastol. "Dahil dito'y minamahal ako ng Ama, sapagkat iniaalay ko ang aking buhay, upang ito'y kunin kong muli. 

Walang makakukuha nito sa akin; kusa ko itong ibinibigay. Mayroon akong kapangyarihang ibigay ito at kunin uli. Ito ang utos na tinanggap ko sa aking Ama.

Reflection for April 20, Saturday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:60-69

Gospel: John 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 

It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” 

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

How is your faith in Jesus right now? Is it still solid as a rock or feeble as a sand castle? 

After extensively telling His followers that He is the Bread of Life. It was now time for Jesus to weigh up the disciples faith on Him. Unfortunately, many did not believe the Bread of Life discourse of Jesus. So they went back to their old lives, therefore they disconnected themselves from actively following Jesus. 

If we are made to choose between Jesus and the trappings of this world such as power, wealth and the like. Many of us would also choose to be with this world rather than to be with Jesus. Why? What does this world offer us that we love it more than we love the Lord? This world offers us temporal power, wealth, influence and the like. 

Why is it that many of us have chosen to embrace worldliness? Perhaps we have not yet experienced the power of Jesus in our lives. Otherwise if we have already felt the power of God in our lives. We would surely leave behind all forms of worldliness and sin for God. 

Would it be possible to have the best of both sides (We follow God and we follow also this world). No, we have to choose which one we want to embrace. It’s either we embrace this temporal world or we embrace our infinite God. The righteous choice is always to be with God and never to be with this world. 

What would it benefit you if you gain all the power and riches of this temporal world but you don’t have God?  Nothing else except emptiness and more emptiness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 20 Sabado sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:60-69

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:60-69

Noong panahong iyon, marami sa mga alagad ni Jesus ang nagsabi, "Mabigat na pananalita ito; sino ang makatatanggap nito?" Alam ni Jesus na nagbubulung-bulungan ang kanyang mga alagad tungkol dito, kaya't sinabi niya, "Dahil ba rito'y tatalikuran na ninyo ako? Gaano pa kaya kung makita ninyong umaakyat ang Anak ng Tao sa dati niyang kinaroroonan? 

Ang espiritu ang nagbibigay-buhay; hindi ito magagawa ng laman. Ang mga salitang sinabi ko sa inyo ay Espiritu at buhay. Ngunit may ilan sa inyong hindi nananalig sa akin. " Sapagkat talastas ni Jesus buhat pa noong una kung sinu-sino ang hindi nananalig sa kanya. Idinugtong pa niya, "Iyan ang dahilan kaya ko sinabi sa inyo na walang makalalapit sa akin malibang loobin ito ng Ama."  

Mula noo'y marami sa kanyang mga alagad ang tumalikod at hindi na sumama sa kanya. Kaya't tinanong ni Jesus ang Labindalawa, "Ibig din ba ninyong umalis?" Sumagot si Simon Pedro, "Panginoon, kanino po kami pupunta? Nasa inyo po ang mga salitang nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan. Naniniwala kami at ngayo'y natitiyak naming kayo ang Banal ng Diyos."

Reflection for April 19, Friday of the third Week of Easter: John 6:52-59

Gospel: John 6:52-59

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.” These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

+ + + + + + +       

Reflection:

Are you a regular Sunday Mass goer or even a daily Mass goer? How do you feel if you fail to be at Holy Mass? Do you feel that something is lacking in your system of being? If your answer is yes, you have this feeling not because you miss a routinary activity.  

Truth be told, you have this feeling because you miss to be with Jesus. And you miss to partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus which (you may not know) is the source of your every Sunday and daily nourishment.  

How many times have you been to Holy Mass without paying attention to what’s going on during the celebration? Perhaps countless times already, what do you do after noticing that your attention was not in the Mass? Do you say sorry to Jesus and then make it a point to be attentive again?  

In every Holy Mass that we attend we should see to it that our full attention is in the sacred celebration. So that when the part comes that we are about to partake of His body our focus is centered on what we are about to receive. Which is no other than the most precious bread in the entire world because we receive the life giver, Jesus Himself.  

Perhaps you may not believe this now because you are still young, healthy and perhaps you have money and power. And these temporal things serve as your security blanket right now. However when the time comes that you are already old and sickly. You will know that nothing matters anymore except the Bread of life, Jesus Himself. You will not desire anything except to partake of His Body which will become the source of your daily nourishment.  

Why wait for that time to come in the future? When you can already desire to be close to Jesus by faithfully partaking of His Body and Blood now and onwards?  Why make the temporal things of this world your security blanket? When you can make the Body of Christ your security blanket now? Yes now. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 19 Biyernes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:52-59

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:52-59

Noong panahong iyon, 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 ay tunay na inumin. Ang kumakain ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay mananahan sa akin at ako sa kanya. 

Buhay ang Amang nagsugo sa akin, at ako'y nabubuhay dahil sa kanya. Gayon din naman, ang sinumang kumain sa akin ay mabubuhay dahil sa akin. Ito ang pagkaing bumaba mula sa langit; ang kumain nito'y mabubuhay magpakailanman. Hindi ito katulad ng kinain ng inyong mga magulang sa ilang; namatay sila bagamat kumain niyon." Sinabi ito ni Jesus nang siya'y nagtuturo sa sinagoga sa Capernaum. 

Reflection for Thursday April 18 of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:44-51

Gospel: John 6:44-51

Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.  

Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.  

I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. 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.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you afraid to die? 

 There are many reasons why many are afraid to die; foremost amongst these reasons is we are not prepared yet. We still have our own worldly preoccupation that we must take care of first. But we all know that at a time that we don’t expect, we have to go and leave this world permanently.  

In today’s gospel Jesus gives us an ironclad protection against our fear of death. He enjoins us to regularly partake of the living bread that is available to us during Holy Communion no other than Himself. This is the same bread that is given to those who are sick and not anymore able to go to church for Holy Mass.      

Why don’t we try to regularly partake of His Body during Holy Communion? And see how it will form, change and make us fearless of mortal death. We will not die anymore if we are with Jesus and we will not fear death anymore if we reverently partake of Him at Holy Mass during Holy Communion.   

Our marching order therefore is to bring others to Holy Mass. So that they will also be blessed, nourished and enlightened by Jesus Christ. 

Have you been able to bring someone to church for Holy Mass, so that they too can come to know Jesus more deeply and not fear anything that may happen to them in this world? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Abril 18, Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:44-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:44-51

Noong mga panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao, "Walang makalalapit sa akin malibang dalhin siya ng Amang nagsugo sa akin. At ang lalapit sa akin ay muli kong bubuhayin sa huling araw. Nasusulat sa aklat ng mga propeta, 'At silang lahat ay tuturuan ng Diyos.' 

Ang bawat nakikinig sa Ama at natututo ay lalapit sa akin. Hindi ito nangangahulugang may nakakita na sa Ama; yaong nagmula sa Diyos ang tanging nakakita sa Ama. "Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang nananalig sa akin ay may buhay na walang hanggan. Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay buhay. Kumain ng manna ang inyong mga ninuno nang sila'y nasa ilang, gayuma'y namatay sila.

Ngunit ang sinumang kumain ng pagkaing bumaba mula sa langit ay hindi mamamatay. Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay na bumaba mula sa langit. Mabubuhay magpakailanman ang sinumang kumain nito. At ang pagkaing ibibigay ko sa ikabubuhay ng sanlibutan ay ang aking laman."