Reflection for January 7, Thursday after Epiphany; Luke 4:14-22

Gospel: Luke 4:14-22

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you living and fulfilling your baptismal mission?

We have a mission for our existence, we are not mere vapors in this world we are human beings. We were anointed by the Sacrament of Baptism to continue the mission of Jesus. Have we shared His worlds in the bible, have we already helped the poor, the hungry the oppressed and the homeless?

It is very important that from time to time we have a self-evaluation of our lives in this world. For we may just be living our lives according to what this world dictates us to do. For example, the dictum of this world about self-gratification and wanton accumulation of material wealth.

What would happen to us if we embrace this world and we purposely forget the teaching of Jesus? We would end up like a walking dead person, walking and breathing in this world without a purpose.

God did not create us to become creatures of this world. He created us not to accumulate wealth! He created us so that we could share whatever material and intellectual wealth that we have.  God did not create us to live our life according to the dictates of this world. God created us to live our life according to the life of Jesus.

Let us therefore live the life of Jesus, let us spread His teachings. There are more rewards in doing this than embracing the dictates of this world. Worldly satisfactions are short lived and problem filled that is sugar coated with enticing pleasures. Pleasures that do not last, pleasures that only plunge us to deeper enslavement of the devil.

Are you living the teachings of Jesus or you are presently embracing the dictates of this world? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for January 6, Wednesday after Epiphany; Mark 6:45-52

Gospel: Mark 6:45-52

After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you have the habit of isolating yourself everyday to pray?

Due to the busyness and the hassle and bustle of life many of us have no more time to pray. Or if we have time we rarely pray with solemness and reflection we simply pray because we have to pray and it simply becomes routine and mechanical for many of us.

After feeding the more than five thousand people Jesus went to the mountain by himself to pray. Even if He is God the Son, Jesus recognized the importance of prayer in His life; Jesus perfectly knew that life without prayer is empty and shallow.

So He went to the mountain to pray and there He asked God for guidance and strength as He continues His ministry. Do you always prayerfully ask for guidance and strength from the Lord God as you face your daily challenges?

Everything that you do in this world no matter how important will pass you by. You will leave it behind even forgotten someday. But the prayers that you do everyday will carry you through as you proceed with the daily grind of life.

Then the same daily prayers will become the key to your passage to the doorway of heaven as you near the end of your life . – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for January 5, Tuesday after Epiphany; Mark 6:34-44

Gospel: Mark 6:34-44

When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you believe that Jesus can make the impossible possible? The disciples who were with Jesus in the gospel did not believe that Jesus can make the impossible possible. The disciples were worried that the vast crowd who were following Jesus would go hungry. So they want Jesus to dismiss the vast crowd for it was already getting late.

Yet, Jesus made the impossible possible, He fed the five thousand men and those who were with them. He fed them all and there were many more loaves and fish which they were not able to consume.

The disciples who were with Jesus during that time forgot the enormous power of Jesus. They were unable to remember that Jesus could make all things possible. Why did the disciples suddenly failed to remember the power of Jesus? Because they allowed themselves to be overwhelmed by the enormous number of people that were in front of them.     

What does this miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish tell you? It tells you that miracles are always possible with Jesus. It tells you that the impossible is always possible for Jesus. It tells you that there’s always a miracle waiting to happen for you if you would believe in the power of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for January 4, Monday after Epiphany; 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.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you know that you will be joyful and you will feel complete if you decide to follow Jesus?

The gospel tells us that great crowds followed Jesus for His healings, miracles and life changing words. And it is still the same today in our time: many of us follow Jesus to be healed by Him, to experience His miracles and to hear His life changing words. This is only the other side or the other half of Jesus.

The other side/half of Jesus is Jesus who suffered for us. Yes He is God and He could have avoided sufferings yet He chose to suffer out of His love for us. In His humanity there were times that He was praying to God that He be steered out of sufferings. But God prevailed upon Him. Therefore, Jesus humbly followed the mission given to Him by God and that is to die on the cross for our salvation.

Don’t only follow Jesus for your own selfish interest, follow Jesus because you want to partake of His sufferings too! By doing so you shall be deepening your friendship and communion with Him. Continue to follow Jesus in good times and in bad.

Go on with your journey with Jesus through your pains, heartaches and sufferings. In His own perfect time He surely will make things right for you. In His own perfect time He will cure all your pains, your heartaches and sufferings. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

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.

+ + + + + + + +

Reflection:

What can you give Jesus this year?

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.  

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 for 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 giving it away to the poor, the troubled and the unwanted for Jesus is always with them. 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 

Reflection for January 2, Saturday; Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors; 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.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you sometimes tempted to assume honor that is not for you? John had the opportunity 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 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 sidelines when you have all the opportunity to be in the frontlines?

 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 and unhidden motives.

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

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.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Today is the first day of the year 2016! 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.

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.

 Maybe 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. We 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 and gentleness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for December 31, Thursday; Seventh day 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.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Before the process of creation there was already God (Genesis Chapters 1 and 2) He is the same God who knocks in our hearts; who wants to permanently dwell in our lives, He is the same God who always tells us that we must always do good and be His light in this world.

John was the precursor for Jesus, he prepared the way for Jesus with all humility; he rightfully deflected all the attention that was being given to him when he said: "I am not the Christ and I am not even worthy to untie His sandals strap (John 1:27)."

Do we zealously follow the example of John?

  

It is always thru our daily lives that Jesus is best seen through us: The way we talk the way we behave. Most especially when nobody is looking at us and it is through these unguarded moments that Jesus is truly made visible through us.

John lived his life with one sole purpose and that is to prepare the way of the Lord. There was no pretension nor double speak he humbly lived his purpose driven life for Jesus.  As we near the end of this year and we begin the forthcoming year. We are challenged by the gospel to let the light of Christ shine brightly in our lives with no pretension and no ulterior motives.

Finally, before we depart 2015 let us reflect on the things that we’ve done to advance the mission of Jesus. Have we become His light in this world? Have we enlightened others about the true light that is Jesus?

May you all have a prosperous, meaningful and Christ filled 2016 and God bless you all! – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for December 30, Wednesday; Sixth day 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.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

What should we do to grow in wisdom about God? We should invest time with God. This is the secret on how to grow in wisdom about God. The prophetess Anna was eighty four years old, because of her advance age she could have simply stayed in their house, take things easy and do things her way but she did not.

She invested the remaining years of her life with God she stayed in the temple she fasted and prayed there. No wonder she was filled with wisdom about God, if she did not spend time with God she surely wouldn’t be wisdom filled.

Where do we spend most of our time in this world right now? Do we spend most our time by chasing the many pleasures of this world and we only give God a little of our time if at all we give God our time?

 When are we going to spend more time with God? When we are already sickly and old for the reason that we are already retired and in need of God for the reason of our sickness? Let us not wait to grow old before we take God seriously, let us not wait for us to get sickly before we invest time with God.  Let us give God our time right now while we are young and strong.

The mistake of many is they only go to God when they are already old and sickly. Some would even say this; I will serve God now because I am already retired and have nothing to do anymore. 

In our gospel the prophetess Anna was a constant presence in the temple she worshipped God day and night with fasting and prayer. Did she only give her time for God when she became old? Of course not! Even when she was younger she was already a fervent worshipper of God.

How about you when are you giving some of your precious time for God? The best time to invest with God is now not tomorrow, not in the coming days or months but now. For we don’t know what may happen to our tomorrow we have to seize the moment now and lean towards God now.  

Are you willing to give God some of your time right now? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for December 29, Tuesday; Fifth Day 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.”

 + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life?

Surely the Holy Spirit was with Simeon because he knew beforehand the destiny of Jesus. Not everyone is given the kind of wisdom that Simeon has. Let us take a look how the gospel reading described Simeon: “This man was righteous and devote (Luke 2:25).” We know now the hidden secret on how to have the grace of the Holy Spirit—we have to be righteous and devout.

Righteousness in terms of what? Righteousness in terms of how you live, you have to be morally upright at all times. You don’t have to do wrong or compromise with whatever is wrong.  This is hard to do initially but as you live and practice righteousness you would notice that it will become part of your system already. Thus you will now slowly but surely detest whatever forms of sin and evil.

You also have to be devout in the observance of your faith. When it’s time for Holy Mass you have to leave everything behind for your highest form of worship for God. Same as when it’s time for your private moment with God through personal and structured prayers. Your devoutness to your faith will always bring you closer to Jesus. Thus you will always feel the presence of Jesus in every minute of your life.

The Holy Spirit will not be upon you if you continue to sin and do things that are against the will of God. It is a gift that God the giver of the Holy Spirit freely gives to those who are open to receive it.

Aspire to be righteous and devout and see the positive transformation that it will create in your life and in the lives of those around you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Sunday December 27, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph; Luke 2:41-52

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

+ + + + + + + +

Reflection:

How’s your family today?

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family a very appropriate feast for our times today. The families of today are a lot more different from the families of yesteryear. I think there are more broken families today; I think the family of today is constantly under attack from various secular environments.

Father Patrick Peyton the famous rosary priest has beautifully said: “The family that prays together stays together.” This was more than fifthly (50) years ago when families were still conservative and closely knit. Today we seldom see families going to Mass together everyone in the family nowadays have their own personal activities that tend to destroy the close bond of the family.

Today there’s the influence of the internet everyone in the family now has its own smart phone and tablet that keeps family members selfish and busy. Fifthly, thirty or even twenty years ago there was no internet and smart phones families were so simple then; so unlike of the modern and complicated families of today.

So what should we do to bring back the close bond of the family and to prevent families from breaking apart?  We have to infuse back prayers and worship for God in the family. How many families are still praying the Rosary today? How many families are still worshipping Jesus at Holy Mass today?

The domestic church that is, our respective families are under attack today. By whom? By the devil disguised as a hi-tech gadget such as smart phones, tablets and the like. High tech gadgets are not evil per se, it becomes evil when we allow it to control and enslave us. 

We must do our humble share to re-energies our respective families and we could only do this if we will put Jesus at the center of our family. Nowadays many families are somewhat hesitant to put or adopt Jesus as a member of their family they instead willingly adopt the many inducement of the world. That is why there are many families that are breaking apart.

Let us invite Jesus to become a member of our family and the first step that we must do is to faithfully go to Holy Mass and live the valuable teachings that it bestows upon us.

How’s your family today? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for December 26, Saturday; Saint Stephen the first martyr; Matthew 10:17-22

Gospel: Matthew 10:17-22

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

 + + + + + +

Reflection:

During this season of Christmas we savor the many good things about life. Such as food, gifts and other beautiful things that will satisfy us. But there will come a time that we will be called to live our faith to the fullest. This simply means that we’ll have to witness for our love and faith for Jesus. This witness for Jesus may require us to pass through hard times or it may even require us to even give our very own life.

Saint Stephen the first martyr of the church whose martyrdom we remember today. Is one of those who witnessed for Jesus until the very end of his life. He advanced the faith and did great things in the name of Jesus. But he was eventually savagely killed for witnessing for Jesus.

In this modern time of internet and other modern gadgets we are still called to witness for our faith in Jesus. We are called to use every means available so that Jesus will become more relevant. More relevant in the hearts and minds of the modern people of today most especially the young ones for they are the future of the church.

Have we already witnessed for Jesus? Have we already been persecuted for our love for Jesus? Let us not be disheartened if we’ve been through these tests of faith for these are part and parcel of our witness and discipleship for Jesus. Let us make Jesus more relevant today as what Saint Stephen did during his time. Let us not be afraid of the severe consequences that may befall us.

We have nothing to fear if Jesus is with us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for December 25, Friday; Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord- Christmas Day; 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 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 Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

 + + + + + +

Reflection:

During Christmas there are two primary mindsets that are in our mind: The mindset of receiving and the mindset of giving or making a positive difference in the lives of others. The mindset of receiving creates a feeling of expectation and excitement.

The mindset of giving creates a burning desire within us which is fuelled by Jesus Himself. We give something that comes from our heart we give something that would be very useful and meaningful to the receiver. We don’t only give for the sake of giving.  

Today God gave us His Son Jesus the word that became flesh that dwelt amongst us. The light that shines in the darkness, the light that gives life, enlightenment and direction.

The true essence of Christmas is the mindset of giving; it doesn’t matter if we don’t receive anything for so long as we give. This is what God wants us to do; to learn how to give as He had given us His only begotten son so we must give. 

What a big difference will it make to a very poor family this Christmas if we will give them something to eat (not from our excess!). What a huge difference will it make if we will give them something to wear (not from our surplus!).

A few more hours Christmas Day will be over. Have you already given something very meaningful something that would bring the receiver closer to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for December 24, Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent; Luke 1:67-79

Gospel: Luke 1:67-79

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us.He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

 + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you acknowledge the many blessings that God has given you? For example: The air that you breathe, your loving family, the good health that you have and there are many more blessings that God showered you. Do you always remember to thank the Lord for all these blessings?  Or you are already used to these blessing that it becomes ordinary for you already.

The devil would always lure us to get busy with worldly things so that we would eventually forget God. So what are the results? We will not anymore fear God, we will lose our guilt of conscience. We will therefore mindlessly commit sin such as abortion,  infidelity and many more sins against God.

Zechariah was well aware of the many blessings that God has showered him and his family that’s why he praised Him. In good times and in bad he never walked away from God he remained faithful to Him. We must also be fully aware of the many blessings that God has been showering us. And we must always be grateful for all of these blessings by sharing it with those who are poor. – Marino J. Dasmarinas