1Reflection for December 7, Monday Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (M): Luke 5:17-26

Gospel: Luke 5:17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” 

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 

He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.

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Reflection:

Do you always ask Jesus to increase your faith? 

We all have our own set of sickness: physical and emotional sickness. Whatever sickness that we may have Jesus can cure it all, all He ask from us is to have faith.  The same faith as the four men who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus. 

We always have to remember that nothing is impossible for Jesus. He can make all things possible including the impossible! What He only asks from us is to have faith, faith that endures and faith that is willing to wait. 

The four men and the paralyzed man had that enduring faith. They braved the crowd and the difficulties before them so that they could go through Jesus. How many of us have that kind of faith? 

We therefore must not forget to always ask the Good Lord to increase our faith for the simple reason that we are feeble and weak. In this difficult and tortuose jungle called life there are times that we tend to be overtaken by our own set of life challenges. Nevertheless, we have to move on and think  and hope that everything will be over well soon.  

       

Prayer:

Dear God we ask you to increase our faith, we are weak and susceptible to the challenges of life. We know that you are always there for us ever ready to help us conquer our challenges. Give us the same faith of the four men who brought the paralytic to you. Give us the same patience and endurance of the paralytic as well. 

We ask this in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus. Amen. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 7, Lunes San Ambrosio, Obispo at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita) : Lucas 5:17-26

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:17-26

17 Isang araw, nagtuturo siya at na­kaupo naman ang mga Pariseo at mga guro ng Batas na galing sa iba’t ibang bayan ng Galilea at Judea at mula sa Jerusalem. Gumagawa ang kapangya­rihan ng Panginoon sa kanya na mag­pagaling. 18 May mga lalaking du­mating na dala sa isang papag ang isang lala­king paralitiko. 

Sinikap nilang dalhin siya at ilagay sa harapan ni Jesus. 19 Nang hindi nila makita kung paano nila mada­dala ang paralitiko dahil sa dami ng tao, umakyat sila sa bubungan at sa bubong nila siya idinaan pababa na nasa kanyang papag hanggang sa gitna sa harap ni Jesus. 

20 Nang makita niya ang kanilang pana­nalig, sinabi niya: “Kaibigan, pinatatawad ka sa iyong mga kasalanan.” 21 Nagsimula noong mag-isip-isip ang mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo: “Talagang iniinsulto ng taong ito ang Diyos. Sino ba ang may kapang­yari­hang magpatawad ng mga kasalanan? Di ba’t ang Diyos lamang?” 

22 Ngunit alam ni Jesus ang kanilang mga pag-iisip kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ano ang mga ka­isipan ninyong ito? 23 Ano ba ang mas madaling sabi­hin: ‘Pinatatawad ka sa iyong mga kasa­lanan’ o ‘Tumayo ka’t lumakad’? 

 24 Da­pat ninyong malaman na may kapang­yarihan sa lupa ang Anak ng Tao na magpatawad ng mga kasala­nan.” At sinabi niya sa paralitiko: “Sinasabi ko sa iyo: bumangon ka, dal­hin ang iyong higaan at umuwi.” 25 At kapag­daka’y tumayo siya sa harap nila, kinuha ang kan­yang higaan at umu­wing nagpu­puri sa Diyos. 

26 Namangha ang lahat at nagpuri sa Diyos. Nasindak nga sila at sinabi: “Naka­kita tayo ng mga kagila-gilalas na bagay sa araw na ito!”

Reflection for Sunday December 6, Second Sunday of Advent: Mark 1:1-8

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." 

John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. 

John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who lived simply and who attends Holy Mass everyday. He lived in a small and simple house, he lived a simple lifestyle and he wore simple clothes. His neighbors were wondering why he chose to live this kind of life when he can actually afford to live the life of a rich man. 

So, his neighbors asked him: “Why do you choose to live a simple life considering that you have the wealth to live an affluent life?” The man replied, “I choose to live a simple life because I want you all to know that there is more to life than all the trappings that surrounds it and that is your faith, friendship and personal relationship with God.” 

In the gospel for the second Sunday of advent we read about John who lived a simple life. John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. John also fed on locusts and wild honey. Before descending to be with the people John lived a simple life or even a hermit’s life in the desert. 

As a result of living a simple life John became an effective herald/messenger for the coming of the Lord. What if John chose to live his life in affluence and worldliness? Would he still become an effective herald for the coming of the Lord? Of course not! Why? Because it’s only in the simplicity of our lives that we become effective heralds/messengers of the Lord.  

How are you living your life during this time of covid-19 and are you already an effective herald/messenger for the coming of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Disyembre 6, Ikalawang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Marcos 1:1-8

 Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:1-8

1 Ito ang simula ng Ebanghelyo (o Magandang Balita) ni Jesu­cristo, Anak ng Diyos. 2 Nasusulat sa Propeta Isaias: “Ipinadadala ko ngayon ang aking sugo na mauuna sa iyo para ayusin ang iyong daan. 3 Naririnig ang sigaw sa disyerto: ‘Ihanda ang daan para sa Panginoon, ituwid ang kanyang landas’.” 

4 Kaya may nagbibinyag sa disyerto – si Juan – at ipinahahayag niya ang binyag na may kasamang pagsisisi para sa kapatawaran ng mga kasa­lanan. 5 Nag­pun­tahan sa kan­ya ang lahat ng taga-Judea at mga naninirahan sa Jerusalem. Inamin nila ang ka­nilang mga kasalanan at bininyagan sila ni Juan sa Ilog Jordan. 

6 May balabal na balahibong-kamelyo at pang-ibabang damit na katad si Juan, at mga balang at pulot-puk­yutang-gubat ang kina­kain. 7 At ito ang sinabi niya sa kanyang panga­ngaral: “Parating na kasunod ko ang gagawa nang higit pa sa akin. Hindi nga ako karapat-dapat yumuko para magkalag ng tali ng kanyang panya­pak. 8 Sa tubig ko kayo binin­yagan, at sa Espiritu Santo naman niya kayo bibin­yagan.”

1Reflection for December 5, Saturday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8

 

Matthew  9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples,  The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” 

Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

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Reflection:

What is your fulfilment in life? 

To amass wealth and to have power is already a fulfillment for many of us. Some even make it their life’s mission but this is not our fulfilment neither this is our life’s mission. True fulfillment and true mission in life is when we make a positive difference in the lives of our fellow men and women. We become this when we are able to share and introduce Jesus to them.  

When Jesus summoned His twelve disciples He did not instruct them to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and make money out of them. He rather told them: “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons.” In other words make a big difference in their lives without expecting anything in return. 

Material things come and go but the help that we make in the lives of our fellowmen creates a lasting impact that they will forever remember. However, some of us will say: “Life is hard right now, how can I help when I have barely enough for me?”  

We must not restrict the word help with money or anything that is material. For the reason that we can give help even without using money. For example, we can share Jesus, we can listen to emotional burdens and we can always share the gentleness and love of God.  

When was the last time that you extended help to someone who was emotionally burdened?– Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 5, Sabado sa Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo  9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8 

35 Nilibot ni Jesus ang mga bayan at mga nayon; nagtuturo siya sa kanilang mga sinagoga, nagpapahayag ng Mabu­ting Balita ng Kaharian at nagpapagaling ng lahat ng sakit at karamdaman. 36 Nang makita niya ang makapal na tao, naawa siya sa kanila sapagkat hirap sila at lu­pay­pay na parang mga tupang walang pastol. 37 At sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad: “Marami nga ang aanihin at ka­kaunti naman ang mga manggagawa. 38 Ida­langin ninyo sa panginoon ng ani na magpadala siya ng mga manggagawa sa kanyang ani.” 

10: 1 Tinawag ni Jesus ang labindalawa niyang alagad at bi­nigyan sila ng kapangyarihan sa maruruming  espiritu para palayasin ang mga ito at pagalingin ang lahat ng sakit at ka­ram­daman. Sinugo ni Jesus ang labindalawang ito at pinagbilinan: 6 Hanapin ninyo ang nawawalang tupa ng sambayanan ng Israel. 

7 Ipahayag ang mensaheng ito sa inyong paglalakbay: ‘Palapit na ang kaharian ng Langit.’ 8 Pagalingin ang maysakit, buhayin ang patay, linisin ang mga may ketong at palayasin ang mga demonyo. Tinanggap ninyo ito nang walang bayad kaya ibigay rin ninyo nang walang bayad.

Reflection for December 4, Friday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 9:27-31

Gospel: Matthew 9:27-31

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. 

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.

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Reflection:

What compels you to go to church to attend Holy Mass? It’s your faith! When you are sick and in need of healing; what moves you to pray and ask Jesus to heal you? It is your deep faith! When you learn to ask with faith Jesus will certainly give it to you! 

Faith is the healing balm that we receive from God, but not everyone has this faith yet. Therefore, those who have faith must do something so that those who do not have faith will have it. And this we can do best if we learn to share our faith in Jesus and the many miracles that He has done in our life. 

The two blind men in our gospel obviously had faith for they shouted to Jesus, “Son of David have pity on us!” Who gave them faith? It was somebody who shared to them Jesus and in sharing Jesus with them they slowly but surely gained faith. 

Let us also have the courage to share our faith and friendship with Jesus. For it’s in sharing our faith that we grow in faith and it’s in sharing our faith that we make a positive difference in the lives of our fellow men and women. 

Have you already shared your faith? – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 4, Biyernes sa Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 9:27-31

Mabuting Balita: Mateo  9:27-31

27 Pag-alis ni Jesus sa lugar na iyon, sumunod sa kanya ang dalawang bulag na lalaki na sumisigaw: “Anak ni David, tulungan mo kami!” 28 Pagda­ting niya sa bahay, inabutan siya ng mga bulag at sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Naniniwala ba kayo na may kapang­ya­rihan ako para gawin ang gusto ninyong mangyari?” At su­magot sila: “Oo, Ginoo!” 

29 Hinipo ni Jesus ang kanilang mga mata at sinabi: “Mangyari sa inyo ang inyong paniwala.” 30 At nabuksan ang kanilang mga mata. Mahigpit naman silang tinagubilinan ni Jesus: “Mag-­ingat kayo at huwag sabihin ito kani­no man.” 31 Ngunit pagkaalis nila, ipinahayag nila siya sa buong bayan.

Reflection for December 3, Thursday Saint Francis Xavier, Priest (M): Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Gospel: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.  

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.  But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.

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Reflection:

Who do you listen to in this world? Do you listen to Jesus and shut out what this world is trying to dictate upon you? When you always listen to Jesus you have an impregnable wall that nobody can destroy. Even the strongest of calamities will not be able to destroy much less discourage you for the simple reason that you have Jesus in your life. 

Often times we are defeated by our problems, worries and sickness because Jesus plays no role in our life. What rules our life are the many worldly attachments which only make our life in this world burdensome, problematic and heavy. So when we encounter trials many of us are not able to withstand it. 

Indulgence with the pleasures of this world makes us fragile physically and emotionally; it could even make us suicidal. We will be left with nothing except emptiness which will quickly lead us to nothingness. 

Try making Jesus the anchor of your life and you will see that not even the worst of problems can defeat you or bring you down. Even the worst sickness will not be able to conquer you, yes it may conquer your physical being but your spiritual being will remain strong.  And this is for the reason that Jesus is the rock solid foundation of your life. 

Is Jesus the foundation of your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 3, Huwebes San Francisco Javier, pari (Paggunita): Mateo 7:21, 24-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo  7:21, 24-27

21 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga alagad hindi lahat ng nagsasabi sa akin ng ‘Panginoon! Panginoon!’ ay papasok sa kaharian ng Langit kundi ang nagsa­sagawa sa kalooban ng Diyos ang siyang papasok sa kaharian ng Langit. 

24 Kaya kung may nakikinig sa mga salita ko at sumusunod dito, matutulad siya sa isang matalinong nagtayo ng bahay sa batuhan. 25 Bumagyo at bumaha ang ilog at humangin nang malakas, ngunit hindi nagiba ang bahay sapagkat itinayo ito sa batuhan. 26 At ang sinumang nakakarinig sa aking mga salita at hindi nagsasagawa nito, matutulad siya sa isang hangal na nag­tayo ng bahay sa buhangin. 27 Bu­mag­yo at bumaha ang ilog at huma­ngin nang malakas, at bumagsak ang bahay at kay laking kapahamakan!

Reflection for December 2, Wednesday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 15:29-37

Gospel: Matthew 15:29-37

At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. 

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

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Reflection:

What do you do when you see the poor? Do you go out of your way to give them something to alleviate their hunger? 

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.” 

Try closing your eyes and imagine that you’re with the disciples and meditate on these profound words of Jesus, imagine that the Lord is saying these words to you. Did you discern that Jesus is telling you to be His instrument in feeding and helping those who have nothing in life? 

In these hard times where hunger is commonplace because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jesus is also telling us that: “Your heart should also be moved with pity for those who are poor and hungry. For those who have nothing in life, for those who are being oppressed and for those who are weak and abandoned. 

It’s easy to say I will help or do something to help the poor and hungry. But the real test of discipleship is not with words. The real test is when we act and do something which are concrete and tangible. Let us not be afraid to help because this is what the Lord wants us to do. Let us also not worry because whatever help we give for as long as we give it from the heart will come back to us in manifold ways. 

Have you already extended help to the poor and hungry during this time of Covid-19 pandemic? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 2, Miyerkules sa Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 15:29-37

 

Mabuting Balita: Mateo  15:29-37

29 Umalis doon si Jesus at pumunta sa pampang ng lawa ng Galilea, at pagka­akyat sa burol ay naupo. 30 Mara­ming tao ang lumapit sa kanya, dala-dala ang mga pipi, bulag, pilay, mga may kapansanan, at mga taong may iba’t ibang karam­daman. Inilagay sila ng mga tao sa pa­a­nan ni Jesus, at  pina­galing niya sila. 31 Ka­ya namangha ang lahat nang makita nilang nagsa­sa­lita ang mga pipi, lumalakad ang mga pilay, guma­galing ang mga may kapansanan at nakakakita ang mga bulag; kaya pinuri nila ang Diyos ng Israel. 

32 Tinawag ni Jesus ang kanyang mga alagad at sinabi sa kanila: “Labis akong naaawa sa mga taong ito, pangatlong araw ko na silang kasama at wala na silang makain. Ayaw kong paalisin silang gutom at baka mahilo sila sa daan.” 33 Sinabi ng mga alagad sa kan­ya: “At saan naman tayo haha­nap ng sapat na tinapay sa ilang na ito para ipa­kain sa mga taong iyan?” 34 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Ilan bang tinapay meron kayo?” Sumagot sila: “Pito, at kaunting maliliit na isda.” 

35 Pinaupo ni Jesus sa lupa ang mga tao, 36 kinuha niya ang pitong tinapay at ang maliliit na isda, at nag­pasalamat sa Diyos. Hinati-hati niya ang mga ito at ibi­nigay sa kanyang mga alagad, at ibi­nigay rin nila sa mga tao. 37 Kumain silang lahat at nabusog at inipon ang mga natirang pira-piraso – pitong punong bayong.

1Reflection for December 1, Tuesday of the First Week of Advent: Luke 10:21-24

Gospel: Luke 10:21-24

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

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Reflection:

Do you have your regular communication time with God? 

Communication is an essential part with our relationship with God. The more communication time we have with god the more the we would get closer to Him. Thus, communication facilitates deeper friendship and relationship with God. 

Jesus in our gospel for today communicates through His prayer to God our Father the creator. He gives praise to the Father, Jesus did not only communicate to the Father to give praise. He communicated because he longs for His Father and it’s through this longing that He builds deeper oneness with Him. 

We too must always have this longing or thirst for God in every moment of our lives. We must always communicate with Him for He is our lifeline in this world. What would happen to us if we would not have our regular prayer moments with God? We become empty shells that look sturdy outside but deep inside are spiritually shallow.  

Let us always have our regular prayer moment with God in everyday of our lives. Let us give praise to Him let us thank Him for all of the blessings that He has been giving us. Let us not wait for the time to come wherein we will look for God because we are already in dire need of Him. 

Do you have your regular moment of communication with God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 1, Martes sa Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 10:21-24

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:21-24

21 Nang sandaling iyo’y nag-umapaw sa galak sa Espiritu Santo si Jesus at sinabi niya: “Pinupuri kita, Ama, Panginoon ng langit at lupa, dahil inilihim  mo ang mga bagay na ito sa marurunong at matatalino, at ipinamulat mo naman sa maliliit. Oo, Ama, naging kalugud-lugod ito sa iyo. 22 Ipinagkatiwala sa akin ng aking Ama ang lahat. Walang nakaka­kilala kung sino ang Anak kundi ang Ama, at kung sino ang Ama kundi ang Anak at ang sinumang gustuhing pagbunyagan ng Anak.” 

23 Pagkatapos ay bumaling si Jesus sa mga alagad at sinabi sa kanila nang sari­linan: “Mapalad ang mga matang nakaka­kita ng inyong nakikita. 24 Sinasabi ko sa inyo na maraming propeta at hari ang nagnais makita ang inyong nakikita pero hindi nila nakita, at ma­rinig ang inyong naririnig pero hindi nila narinig.”