Reflection for January 13, Wednesday of the First Week; Mark 1:29-39

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”  So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

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Reflection:

How’s your relationship with your mother-in-law?

They say that mother-in-laws are the scourge of married couples but they are not. Mother-in-laws are blessings to married couples, they are the guiding light that always illuminates couples whenever they go through humps and bumps in their married life.     

In our gospel Jesus was brought by Simon to their house to cure his mother-in-law. Why? Because his mother-in-law is a blessing and guiding light to his family otherwise Simon would have not asked Jesus to come by to their house and heal her.

Simon told Jesus about her sickness and entrusted her healing to Him. Jesus immediately went to her grasped her hand and she was immediately cured. That’s how big the love of Simon towards his mother-in-law and that’s how huge the trust of Simon toward Jesus.

Sometimes our problem is we trust more on ourselves rather than Jesus. We put more weight on our human effort rather than the divine effort of Jesus. This is perhaps the reason why many of us forget to bring first our sick to Jesus by way of our prayers before bringing them to those who could cure them.

What is it that is bothering you right now? Is it the harshness of life? Is it sickness? Is it unfulfilled dreams? Is it family and personal problems? You tell Jesus about it, be patient, don’t give-up; continue to have hope and trust in Jesus. His help and healing will come to you sooner than you expect it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 12, Tuesday of the First Week; Mark 1:21-28

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

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Reflection:

What would we get if we are taught by someone without authority? We get nothing from it. Would we still go and listen to him? Of course not! We would prefer to go and listen to the person who teaches with authority and conviction.

Jesus teaches both with authority and conviction that’s why when He entered the synagogue and taught there. Everyone was captured in amazement and admiration. It was further reinforced when they saw Jesus rebuked and commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man whom it has possessed.

Jesus still talks to us with authority and conviction up to this very moment it happens when we read the bible specially His proclamations. If we would be serious in our bible readings/study we would be able to discern Jesus directly speaking to us. But the big question is do we read our bibles? Or it is just in the corner gathering dust.

The man possessed with an unclean spirit immediately sensed the presence of Jesus that’s why when Jesus said: “"Quiet! Come out of him!" It instantly convulsed and was immediately freed from evil possession.

This is also what Jesus will do in our life if we would allow Him to speak to us by reading the bible.  If we would allow Him to speak to us through our pious presence at Holy Mass.

He will drive out all the demons of this material world that is slowly enslaving us. These demons/unclean spirit are the following: Our greed, our lust for the flesh our egotism and the like. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for January 11, Monday of the First Week; Mark 1:14-20

Gospel: Mark 1:14-20

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfilment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

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Reflection:

A man had a dream of a death experience. Thus he dreamt being ushered into a dark and grisly environment wherein he heard people groaning in agony.  Then he saw the devil frighteningly smiling at him motioning him to go towards him. He suddenly run away as fast as he could and soon after he woke-up from his horrible dream. The man incidentally was living a very sinful life.

The horrifying dream led the man to church he prayed and ask Jesus’ forgiveness then he saw the confessional booth. He went there and confessed his sins to the priest and the priest advised him to repent and to sincerely follow Jesus by faithfully practicing his faith.

The story of this man is our own story of sinfulness too, we are sinful and we keep on sinning. Would we allow the devil to continue to enslave us by incessantly sinning? Would we allow the devil to bring us to hell by ignoring Jesus’ call of repentance? What if we die right now do we want to end up in hell and be in the possession of the devil?

No one of us is wishing for hell, deep inside our beings we yearn for God, we yearn for peace and serenity in our life. And this is what God wants for us also; He wants to give us peace and calmness that He only can give us. But what must we do?  We must repent, believe in the gospel and follow Jesus.

In the gospel for this Monday, the four fishermen (Simon, Andrew, James and John) heard this call of repentance of Jesus for they too were sinful just like all of us. Then after repenting they followed Jesus to become His disciples.

When are you going to repent from your sinfulness? When are you going to faithfully follow Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday January 10, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

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Reflection:

A man wanted to become a member of the Universal/Catholic church so he inquired on how he would go about his own membership. He was told that he needs to be baptized first, he was further told that he needs to walk away from his life of sinfulness. And he should be ready to help Jesus carry his cross.  

Before the baptismal scene in the gospel, John first called for repentance of sins as a means of preparing the way for Jesus. Those who responded to his call of repentance went to the river Jordan to be baptized by him and they soon after became John’s followers.

After they were all baptized Jesus too was baptized by John and during the process of Jesus baptism the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended upon Him. Why did Jesus submit Himself to the baptism of John when he could have easily avoided it? He’s the Son of God anyway! Jesus went through baptism because it was the will of God. By His baptism Jesus also showed that He was in solidarity with the people who also went through the same baptism courtesy of John.

Jesus through His baptism was actually reaching out to us, he wanted to tell us that though he could easily avoided being baptized. He still went through it as a way of immersing Himself with us and to make Himself accessible for us. After Jesus baptism He also commenced with His ministry which called for Him to go through sufferings, persecutions and eventual harrowing death on the cross.

By Jesus’ baptism we too are reminded about our own baptism. Baptism which call upon us to walk away from all forms of sinfulness. Baptism which reminds us to courageously spread and share our faith. Baptism which reminds us that like Jesus we should also be ready to go through the process of sufferings and sacrifices if need be. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 9, Saturday after Epiphany; John 3:22-30

Gospel: John 3:22-30

Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”

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Reflection:

Would you be willing to decrease so that Jesus should increase? Would you be willing to remain as a faceless worker in the vineyard of the Lord?

John has no insecurities whatsoever towards Jesus for he knew where he stood in the plan of salvation. When he was told that Jesus was baptizing and everyone was coming to Him.

He calmly said: “You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him (John 3:28). The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice (John 3:29). So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease (John 3:30).”

John was never tempted to upstage Jesus even if there was an inviting opportunity to do so. John perfectly knew that his role was to be the best man for the bridegroom that is Jesus. John knew that his role is to simply prepare the way for Jesus. He therefore did it with utmost humility; John even said: “He must increase and I must decrease.”

How about us? Are we not often guilty of narcissistic behavior? Don’t we often crave for attention and recognition? Don’t we always want to be noticed and to always be in front? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for January 8, Friday after Epiphany; Luke 5:12-16

Gospel: Luke 5:12-16

It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

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Reflection:

How do you ask Jesus when you want something from Him?

In today’s gospel we have a man sick with leprosy; he told the Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean (Luke 5:12).” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately (Luke 5:13).

The man sick with leprosy got what he wanted from Jesus for the reason that he humbled himself before Him. He did not only humble himself before Jesus, he also mustered enough courage to approach Jesus even if he was sick with a very contagious disease.

To have leprosy during that time was to have a dreaded disease, a sickness that isolate’s a person from the company of others. But it did not prevent the man sick with leprosy from going to Jesus, his sickness even fuelled him to go to Jesus. Where do you go when you are sick? Do you first go in prayer to Jesus and ask for His healing before going to somebody who could cure you?    

Sickness is part and parcel of our life, for as long as we live we will also get sick. Therefore when we are sick let us not forget to first go in prayer to Jesus. Let us approach Jesus with humility and total surrender.

In sickness and in health in good times and in bad let us always humbly go to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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