Reflection for January 4, Monday Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet  might be fulfilled: 

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. 

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. 

His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

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Reflection:

When does the Kingdom of heaven comes to you? It’s when you have a personal relationship with Jesus. Personal relationship with Jesus means that He becomes your friend, your savior and the rock solid foundation of your life. When Jesus is an integral part of your lives the Kingdom of heaven is already within you even while you are still in this world. 

To many of us heaven is the literal heaven that we all know about. It’s upstairs in the skies where God, His angels and other Holy companions are located. And we would only be able to go there after we die. But it’s very much possible for all of us to have a taste of heaven while we are still alive in this world if only we would learn to abide by the teachings of Jesus.   

Jesus in our gospel preached to the people of His time to repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. And who is the Kingdom of Heaven that is at hand? That Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus is talking about is no other than Himself. Jesus was literally offering Himself to the people of His time to have heaven. 

Many listened to this call of repentance by Jesus that’s why they followed Him and their lives were never the same again. They felt heaven in the company of Jesus, they were fed by Jesus, they were healed by Jesus they were given hope by Jesus; they were forgiven of their many sins and the like. 

How about you? Will you listen to this call of repentance by Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 4, Lunes; Santa Isabel Ana Seton: Mateo 4:12-17, 23-25

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 4:12-17, 23-25

12 Nang marinig ni Jesus na dinakip si Juan, lumayo siya pa-Galilea. 13 Hindi siya tumigil sa Nazaret, kundi sa Capernaum nanirahan, sa may baybayin ng lawa ng Galilea, sa teritoryo ng Zabulon at Neftali. 14 Kaya natupad ang salita ni Propeta Isaias: 15 “Makinig kayo, mga lupain ng Zabulon at Neftali, mga daang patungo sa Dagat, kabilang ibayo ng Jordan; pa­-king­gan ako, Galileang lupain ng mga pagano. 

16 Nakakita na ng malaking liwa­nag ang mga lugmok sa kadiliman. Sumikat na ang liwanag sa mga nasa anino ng kamatayan.”  17 At magmula noon, sinimulang ipa­hayag ni Jesus ang kanyang mensahe: “Magbagong-buhay; lumapit na nga ang Kaharian ng Langit.” 23 Nagsimulang maglibot si Jesus sa buong Galilea. Nagturo siya sa kani­lang mga sinagoga, ipinahayag ang Mabu­ting Balita ng Kaharian at pina­galing ang kung anu-anong klase ng sakit at kapansanan ng mga tao. 

24 Lumaganap sa buong Siria ang ba­li­ta tungkol sa kanya. Kaya dinala sa kan­ya ang mga may karamdaman, ang lahat ng naghihirap dahil sa sakit, ang mga ina­alihan ng demonyo, ang mga nasisi­raan ng bait, ang mga para­litiko, at pina­galing niya silang lahat. 25 Sinun­dan siya ng maraming taong galing sa Galilea, sa Sampung Lunsod, sa Jerusalem, sa Judea at sa kabilang ibayo ng Jordan.

Reflection for Sunday January 3, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord: Matthew 2:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” 

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.  

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

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Reflection:

What can you give Jesus this 2021? 

Perhaps the best gift you could give Jesus is your complete trust and faith in Him.  Another gift that you can give Jesus is your continuous hunger for Him. You may say that you already know Him but it’s not enough. So long as you live you must endlessly continue to search and hunger for Jesus. This is for the reason that the more that you hunger for Him the more that you would discover more about Him.  And the more that you hunger for Him the more that you become closer to Him. 

The Magi did not stop their search for the baby Jesus until they found Him. Surely, there were obstacles but it did not deter them. And upon finding Him, they did Him homage and prostrated themselves before Him and offered Him gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. 

Continue your search for Jesus until you find Him and when you find Him let Him dwell in your heart forever. You will surely find Him if you would search for Him. Then when you find Jesus, give the best that you could ever give Him. Do it in silence and humility, see to it that nobody will know about it except you and Jesus only. 

If you’re a parent, what is the best gift that you could give Jesus? The best gift that you could give Jesus is to direct your children towards Him. Bring them all to the celebration of the Holy Mass and help them encounter Jesus through the Bible; teach them also how to pray the Holy Rosary. 

What else can you give Jesus? You can give Jesus your time and your treasures by helping the poor, the troubled and the unwanted for Jesus is always with them. What else can you give Jesus? You can offer Jesus your life by walking away from your sins and from anything that makes you sin. What else can you do for Jesus? You can also bring others to Him by sharing Him and by living His teachings.   

What else can you do and give to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 3, Ang Pagpapakita ng Panginoon (Dakilang Kapistahan): Mateo 2:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 2:1-12

1 Pagkapanganak kay Jesus sa Betlehem sa Judea, sa panahon ni Haring Herodes, dumating sa Jerusalem ang ilang pantas mula sa Silangan. 2 Nag­tanong sila: “Nasaan ang bagong silang na hari ng mga Judio? Nakita namin ang pagsikat ng kanyang tala sa Silangan at naparito kami para sambahin siya.” 3 Nang marinig ito ni Herodes, na­ligalig siya at ang buong Jerusalem. 4 Ipinatawag niya kaagad ang buong kaparian at ang mga dalubhasa sa Batas, at itina­nong sa kanila kung saan ipanganganak ang Me­siyas. 

5 At sinabi nila: “Sa Betlehem ng Juda sapagkat ito ang isinulat ng Propeta: 6 “At ikaw, Betlehem, sa lupain ng Juda, hindi ikaw ang pinakaaba sa mga angkan ng Juda, sapagkat sa iyo magmumula ang isang pinuno: siya ang magiging pastol ng aking bayang Israel.” 7 Kaya lihim na tinawag ni Herodes ang mga pantas at hiningi sa kanila ang mga impormasyon tungkol sa sumikat na tala. 8 At saka niya sila pina­punta sa Betlehem at sinabi: “Pumunta kayo at alamin ang tung­kol sa bata. Pagkakita ninyo sa kan­ya, bumalik kayo sa akin para maka­punta rin ako sa kanya at makasamba.” 

9 Umalis sila pagkarinig nila sa hari. Nagpauna sa kanila ang tala na nakita nila sa Silangan, at tumigil ito sa itaas ng lugar na kinaroroonan ng sanggol. 10 Labis na natuwa ang mga pantas nang makita nilang muli ang tala! 11 Pumasok sila sa bahay at nakita nila ang sanggol kasama ni Mariang kan­yang ina. Lumu­hod sila at sumam­ba, at binuksan ang kanilang mga mama­haling dala at hinandugan siya ng mga regalong ginto, kamanyang at mira. 12 At nag-iba sila ng daan pag-uwi nila sa kanilang lupain dahil binilinan sila sa pana­ginip na huwag nang bumalik kay Herodes.

Reflection for January 2, Saturday Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church (M): John 1:19-28

Gospel: John 1:19-28

This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 

So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?”  

John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

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Reflection:

Are you sometimes tempted to assume honor that is not for you? John had the opportunity to assume who he was not but he did not succumb to the temptation of fleeting power, adulation and popularity. 

We cannot compare to John the Baptist in every aspect of his virtuous life. His humility is beyond question; his steadfastness to fight for what is right and moral is worthy of our emulation. John remained true to his mission as the humble precursor of Jesus. 

How about you? Are you humble enough to let others take credit for an endeavor which was partly realized with your help? Are you humble enough to simply be on the sideline when you have all the opportunity to be in the frontline? 

 It’s very tempting to ego trip and take credit for something that is not for us. But the gospel is telling us that we must be humble at all times. We must not bestow upon ourselves our own achievements we should rather let others bestow it upon us and humbly accept it. 

John teaches us that true greatness before the Lord is only possible through humility no other way but through humility only. Never mind the adulation or praises of the crowd for these are intoxicating, temporary and passing. 

Never mind if others are taking credit for the good that you’ve done for God is not sleeping anyway. God sees everything that we do we cannot hide anything from Him. Not only that God sees us; He also knows our hidden motives. 

Always be humble if you want to be close to Jesus, always be humble if you want to grow in faith and always be humble if you want others to respect you.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 2, Sabado; San Basilio Magno at San Gregorio Nasianseno, mga Obispo at mga pantas (Paggunita) Juan 1:19-28

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:19-28

19 Ito ang pagpapatunay ni Juan nang papuntahin sa kanya ng mga Judio ang ilang mga pari at Levita mula sa Jerusalem para tanungin siya: “Sino ka?” 20 Inako niya di ipinagkaila, inako nga niyang “Hindi ako ang Kristo.” 21 At tinanong nila siya: “Ano ka kung gayon? Si Elias ka ba?” At sinabi niya: “Hindi.” “Ang Propeta ka ba?” Isinagot naman niya: “Hindi” 22 Kaya sinabi nila sa kanya: “Sino ka ba? Para may mai­sagot kami sa mga nagpapunta sa amin. 

Ano ba ang masasabi mo tungkol sa ‘yong sarili?” 23 Sumagot siya gaya ng sinabi ni Propeta Isaias: “Tinig ako ng isang sumisigaw sa disyerto: Tuwirin ang daan ng Panginoon.” 24 May mga pinapunta mula sa mga Pariseo. 25 At tinanong nila siya: “Eh, ba’t ka nagbibinyag kung hindi ikaw ang Kristo, ni si Elias, ni ang Propeta?” 

26 Sina­got sila ni Juan: “Sa tubig ako nag­bibin­yag ngunit may nakatayo sa piling ninyo na hindi n’yo kilala. 27 Siya ang dumating na kasunod ko pero hindi ako karapat-dapat magkalag ng panali ng kanyang panyapak.” 28 Sa Betaraba nangyari ang mga ito, sa kabilang-ibayo ng Jordan na pinag­bi­binyagan ni Juan.

Reflection for January 1, Friday Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God: Luke 2:16-21

 

Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

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Reflection:

Today is the first day of the year 2021! We celebrate today the Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God, this is also a holiday of obligation here in the Philippines. Thus we are all required to attend Holy Mass today but due to the Covid-19 pandemic many of us will not be able to be at Holy Mass personally. However, there’s a remedy for the time being and that is our pious attendance in an online Holy Mass. 

Amidst the joy of the people around her the Blessed Mother just kept silent and she deeply reflected on the miracle that has unfolded before her. Surely, one of the things being reflected by the Blessed Mother was her being chosen as the Mother of God. 

 Perhaps she was asking herself: “Why was I given this great honor to become the mother of the Messiah?” Perhaps this is also what is in our minds; among the many women during her time why Mary and not other women? 

God works in mysterious ways; He does things by His will. 

Sometimes this also happens to us, for example in our career pathing or in our personal lives. We may wonder why we are in a certain arena of life when we did not even consider being in that field, not even in our wildest dreams. God has put us in our vocation or God has put us where we are today for a good reason. Therefore we need to do right and make a big difference in the lives of others. 

Upon deep reflections the Blessed Mother realized her enormous responsibilities. Thus she lived and imbibed it with all her heart and she therefore raised Jesus to become a Man for others and not a man only for himself. 

We may be in different field of endeavors in the vineyard of the Lord or in other field of life. However like the Blessed Mother we too are called to realize our enormous responsibilities. We are called to live and imbibe this not with arrogance and brashness but with humility, obedience and gentleness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 1, Biyernes; Maria Ina ng Diyos (Dakilang Kapistahan) Lucas 2:16-21

 

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:16-21

16 Nag mamadaling pumunta ang mga pastol sa betlehem at natag­puan nila si Maria at si Jose at ang sang­gol na nakahiga sa sabsaban. 17 Pagkakita rito, pinatotohanan nila ang pahayag na binig­kas sa kanila tungkol sa batang ito. 18 Namangha rin ang mga nakarinig sa mga sinasabi ng pastol sa kanila. 

19 Iningatan naman ni Maria ang mga ito at pinagnilay-nilay sa kanyang puso. 20 Umuwi ang mga pastol na nilu­luwalhati at pinupuri ang Diyos dahil na­kita nila ang lahat ng kanilang na­rinig ayon sa ipinasabi sa kanila. 21 Pagsapit ng ikawalong araw, kaila­ngan nang tuliin ang bata; noon siya pinangalanang Jesus, ang itinawag sa kan­ya ng anghel bago pa siya ipinag­lihi.

Reflection for December 31, Thursday within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord: John 1:1-18

Gospel: John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.  

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth. 

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

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Reflection:

Who is the word that is mentioned in the gospel? 

Jesus is the word that became flesh that dwelt amongst us and He became one with us. This is the mystery of the Incarnation: Jesus the word became like us with flesh and blood. 

This word that became flesh and blood which is Jesus shares with our pains and sufferings; He cures us from our sickness. He lightens our burdens because He walks with us and helps us carry our loads no matter how heavy. But in spite of His incarnation there are still many who don’t know him. Some of us know Jesus but we refuse to accept Him as our Lord and Savior. We continue to ignore His call of conversion. 

So what happens is we are beset with problems; we don’t have peace of mind and we continue to be enslaved by money, worries and other worldly things. This coming year, let us learn to lean and have hope in Jesus the word that became flesh. Let us allow Him to be our guiding light this 2021. 

The moment we allow Jesus to dwell into our hearts our lives this 2021 will be full of hope, positivity and we would be able to survive the many challenges that we would be facing this 2021 including the current Covid-19 pandemic. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 31, Huwebes; Ikapitong Araw sa Pagdiriwang ng Pasko: Juan 1:1-18

 

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:1-18

1 Sa simula’y naroroon na nga ang Wikang Sali­ta, at naroroong kaharap ng Diyos ang Salita,at Diyos ang Salita. 2 Naroroon na nga siyang kaharap ng Diyos sa simula. 3 Sa pamamagitan niya nayari tanang mga bagay, at hiwalay sa kanya’y walang anumang nayari. Ang niyari 4 ay sa kanya nagkabuhay, at ang buhay ang liwanag para sa mga tao. 5 Nagningning sa karimlan ang liwanag at di ito nasugpo ng karimlan. 

6 May taong sugo ang Diyos –Juan ang kanyang pangalan. 7 Dumating siya para sa pagpapatunay, para magpatunay tungkol sa Liwanag, upang makapanalig ang lahat sa pama­magitan niya. 8 Hindi siya mismo ang Liwanag, kundi para magpatunay tungkol sa Liwanag. 

9 Pagkat paparating noon sa mundo ang Liwanag na totoo na siyang nagliliwanag sa bawat tao. 10 Nasa mundo na nga siya, ang mundong nayari sa pamamagitan niya, at di naman siya kinilala ng mundo. 11 Sa sariling kanya siya dumating at hindi siya tinanggap ng mga kanya. 12 Ngunit sa lahat ng tumanggap sa kanya sa pananalig sa kanyang Pangalan, binigyang-kakayahan nga niya sila na maging mga anak ng Diyos. 13 Ipinanganak nga sila, hindi mula sa dugo, ni mula sa kagustuhan ng laman, ni sa kagustuhan ng lalaki kundi mula sa Diyos. 

14 At naging laman ang Wikang-Salita, at itinayo ang kanyang Tolda sa atin, at nakita natin ang kanyang Luwal­hati, Luwalhating mula sa Ama na bagay sa bugtong na Anak, lipos ng Kagandahang-loob at Katoto­hanan. 15 Nagpapatunay sa kanya si Juan at isinisigaw: “Siya ang sinabi kong ‘Nauna na sa akin ang dumating na kasunod ko, pagkat bago ako’y siya na’.” 16 Mula sa kanyang kapuspusan nga tumanggap tayong lahat – oo, abut-abot na kagandahang-loob. 

17 Sa pamamagitan ni Moises ibinigay ang Batas, sa pamamagitan naman ni Jesucristo dumating          ang Kagandahang-loob at Katotoha­nan. 18 Kailanma’y walang sinumang naka­kita sa Diyos; ang Diyos na Anak na bugtong siyang nasa kandungan ng Ama – ang nagpahayag sa kanya.

Reflection for December 30, Wednesday within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord: Luke 2:36-40

Gospel: Luke 2:36-40

There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

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Reflection:

Do you observe that those who are always at church for prayers and Holy Mass are women most especially senior citizens and retired but not tired women? These women of faith are always at church offering their humble prayers before God. I think they are always at church not anymore to pray for themselves but to pray for those whom they love and care.  

What lesson do these women of faith convey to us? They convey to us that we too have to be prayerful, we too have to be present at church most especially during Holy Mass and we too have to always pray for those whom we love and care. 

In the gospel, we read about the prophetess Anna, a widower and well advance in her years; she’s eighty four years old (84) to be exact. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. Why did Anna worship night and day with fasting and prayer? Because our prayers bring us closer to God, the God that is distant to us becomes the God that is within us. When we are prayerful we have this unique awareness of the presence of God within us. 

Anna’s prayers were also coupled with fasting. Why? Because fasting makes us more reliant on God and not on ourselves, fasting opens ourselves to the many graces that God wants to shower us. Fasting also shields us from the many evils of this world. Why? Because when we fast we focus our whole beings to God alone and we shut ourselves to whatever earthly, self-centered and evil disturbance.  

Are you always prayerful and do you often practice fasting? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 30, Miyerkules; Ikaanim na Araw sa Pagdiriwang ng Pasko: Lucas 2:36-40

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:36-40

36 May isa ring babaeng propeta, si Ana na anak ni Panuel na mula sa tribu ng Aser. Matandang-matanda na siya. Pag­kaalis sa bahay ng kanyang ama, pitong taon lamang silang nagsama ng kanyang asawa, 37 at nagbuhay-biyuda na siya at hindi siya umaalis sa Templo. 

Araw-gabi siyang sumasamba sa Diyos sa pag-aayuno at pana­nalangin. Wa­lum­pu’t apat na taon na siya. 38 Sa pag-akyat niya sa sandaling iyon, nagpuri rin siya sa Diyos at nag­pa­hayag tungkol sa bata sa lahat ng naghihintay sa katubusan ng Jeru­salem.  

39 Nang matupad na ang lahat ng ayon sa Batas ng Panginoon, umuwi sila sa kanilang bayan, sa Nazaret sa Galilea. 40 Lumalaki at lumalakas ang bata; napus­pos siya ng karunungan at sumasakanya ang kagandahang-loob ng Diyos.

 

1Reflection for December 29, Tuesday within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord: Luke 2:22-35

Gospel: Luke 2:22-35

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: 

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” 

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

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Reflection:

Are you a parent? 

Parents play a very vital role in the formation of values of their children, where the parents go so their child. 

For example, if the parents seldom brings to church for Holy Mass their children there’s a big chance that when they grow up they will also rarely go to church for Holy Mass. If parents do not lead worthy lives there’s a big chance as well that children would be also. In other words the fruit would almost be the same with the tree. 

In our gospel, Mary and Joseph both devoted to their Jewish faith brought the child Jesus to the temple in compliance with their Jewish law. They were leading by example on how it is to be faithful to the laws of God; they were forming the child Jesus to be like them. 

It always pays to be good and godly parents because it helps mold the mind of the child to be good and to be godly as he/she matures. On the other hand we can just imagine a child being brought up by irresponsible parents and parents who do not recognize the vital role of God in their life. 

Though it does not assure 100%  that the fruit will always be like the tree. Yet when we always model good and godly behavior to our children we are already conditioning their minds to always do what is good and godly. 

Therefore this modelling of good behavior will surely help them become good and law abiding individuals in the future. But the big question mark is, are we good role models to our children? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 29, Martes; Ikalimang Araw sa Pagdiriwang ng Pasko: Lucas 2:22-35

 

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:22-35

22 Nang dumating na ang araw ng paglilinis nila ayon sa Batas ni Moises, dinala ang sanggol na si Jesus sa Jerusalem para iharap sa Panginoon – 23 tulad ng nasu­sulat sa Batas ng Panginoon: Lahat ng panganay na lalaki ay ituturing na banal para sa Panginoon. 24 Dapat din silang mag-alay ng sakripisyo tulad ng binabanggit sa Batas ng Panginoon: isang pares na batubato o dalawang inakay na kalapati. 

25 Ngayon, sa Jerusalem ay may isang taong nagngangalang Simeon; totoong matuwid at makadiyos ang taong iyon. Hinihintay niya ang pagpapaginhawa ng Panginoon sa Israel at sumasakanya ang Espiritu Santo. 26 Ipinaalam naman sa kanya ng Espi­ritu Santo na hindi siya mamamatay hangga’t hindi niya naki­kita ang Mesiyas ng Pangi­noon. 27 Kaya pumunta siya ngayon sa Templo sa pag­tutulak ng Espiritu, nang dalhin ng mga magulang ang batang si Jesus para tu­parin ang kaugaliang naa­ayon sa Batas tungkol sa kanya. 

28 Kinalong siya ni Simeon sa kanyang mga braso at pinuri ang Diyos, at sinabi: 29 “Mapayayaon mo na ang iyong utusan, Panginoon, nang may kapayapaan ayon na rin sa iyong wika; 30 pagkat nakita na ng aking mga mata ang iyong pagliligtas 31 na inihanda mo sa paningin ng lahat ng bansa, 32 ang liwanag na ibubunyag mo sa mga bansang pagano at ang luwalhati ng iyong bayang Israel.” 

33 Nagtataka ang ama at ina ng bata sa mga sinasabi tungkol sa kanya. 34 Pinag­pala naman sila ni Simeon at sinabi kay Mariang ina ng bata: “Dahil sa kanya, ba­bagsak o babangon ang mga Israelita at magiging tanda siya sa harap nila at ka­nilang sasalungatin. 35 Kaya mahaha­yag ang lihim na pag-iisip ng mga tao. Ngu­nit paglalagusan naman ng isang pun­yal ang puso mo.”