1Reflection for Sunday January 21, Feast of the Sto. Nino; Mark 10:13-16

Gospel: Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child* will not enter it. Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

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Reflection:

A story is told about a man who wanted to know God on his own terms and intelligence. So, he read books that would help him know God but to no avail. He be friended people from his church’s parish yet there still was no development of his knowledge about God.

Finally, a wise man advised him to humbly abandon himself like a child before God. So he did and thereupon began pouring all the wisdom that he would need to know God deeply.

Today we celebrate the feast of Sto. Nino, this is one of the most well attended and most popular feasts of the church here in the Philippines. Many also are devotees of Sto. Nino in fact we see the image of Sto. Nino in almost all of the catholic families here in the Philippines.

There are also images of Sto. Nino in government/private offices; majority of politicians are devotees of the Sto. Nino. For the reason that the Sto. Nino is present everywhere it may seem that our country is morally upright. Better think again, the country is still mired in corruption, immorality, arrogance and killings.

Where is the influence of the Sto. Nino then? Do we allow our devotion to the Sto. Nino change us for the better? Certainly not and this is our big problem. We are fond of displaying images of our faith but the irony of it is this: Our faith remains on exterior display and it ends there.

There is no conversion and change of heart. If only we would learn to imbibe and internalize the virtues of the Sto. Nino who is a little child that is always humble and honest. Who doesn’t know how to cheat, kill and lie. Who doesn’t know how to compromise with wrong. Then, our devotion to the child Jesus or Sto. Nino is not in vain.

In the gospel, Jesus is angry with His disciples for they were preventing the children to go to Him. So Jesus told them: “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (Mark 10:14)

Is Jesus speaking here of the literal children only? Of course not! Jesus is also speaking here of the adult ones which includes us. Adult ones who have childlike virtues such as: Humility, simplicity, forgiveness, honestly and the like. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Sunday, January 21, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time; 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 fulfillment. 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 father would always call his children to go home for lunch as they play in front of their house. The moment the children hears his voice they would immediately pack things up to respond to his call. Why? For the simple reason that she is their mother the one who takes care of them, who feeds them and who gives her time for them.

The four disciples knew something that we don’t know. That’s why they responded to Jesus’ call. Jesus did not promise them anything verbally but perhaps Jesus was silently talking to them in their hearts. That if they would respond they would have a new perspective about life and the afterlife.  And if they would respond He would take care of them for the rest of their lives.

What is it that keeps us from responding to the call of Jesus? Are we afraid to lose our financial security? Are we afraid to leave behind our family and friends? Are we afraid to leave behind our vices and sinfulness? We are on a temporary journey in this world, whatever worldly things that we presently have are temporary and passing.

Jesus is calling us to follow Him and leave whatever worldliness and sinfulness that we have for Him. For example, the call would go this way: Follow me and leave behind your sinful life, follow me and begin to live a fulfilled, peaceful and meaningful life.

Perhaps, Jesus is not asking us to leave our present environment and be with Him in another place. Perhaps Jesus is telling us this: Follow me where you are today by living behind whatever sinfulness that you are in right now. Never worry when you do so for I will take care of you and will never leave you alone. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for January 20, Saturday of the Second Week; Mark 3:20-21

Gospel: Mark 3:20-21

Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.

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Reflection:

What happens when we get to serious with our vocation for the Lord? They normally would label us as someone who is out of his/her mind. For example, when we prioritize God over money, when we shun friends even relatives from our environment friends/relatives who do not bring us any good. and instead we focus our time and energy for the glory of God. They would really label us as somebody who is out of his/her mind.

But come to think of it, who is out of his/her mind? Those who focus their time and energy for the greater glory of God or those who focus their time and energy to this world only? If you focus your attention to this world what would happen to you when you die? Where would you end up if you allow yourself to be possessed by this world? 

Jesus is labeled as out of His mind for the reason that He is very zealous in His mission for the Lord. He allowed Himself to be possessed by His mission for the Lord rather than embrace worldliness.

There really are people who will not understand us for the things that we do for the greater glory of God. We must move on nevertheless and continue doing our mission for Jesus. Let us just pray for the enlightenment of those who do not understand or refuse to understand what we do for the Lord.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for January 19, Friday of the Second Week; Mark 3:13-19

Gospel: Mark 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

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Reflection:

What is your responsibility as a follower of Jesus?

Your responsibility is to help Jesus spread the faith; to share it with humility through your words and actions.  This is what the twelve apostles did and we must follow it. Every now and then God constantly reminds us of this responsibility. That we need to do something in our lifetime to spread our faith for the simple reason that it’s not hard anymore to do this now.

We have the technology at our disposal to make a difference and reach out to those who are not properly schooled about our faith. We have our family (Our domestic church) to share our faith and we have our extended relatives and close friends to share it with.  

What have you done so far to be like the apostles who fearlessly shared the faith? Are you living the faith with humility? Have you invited your dormant catholic family and friends to reignite the fire of their faith by shepherding them to church for Mass?

You have to do something to spread the faith for you to live a meaningful life in this world. Enough of chasing the riches of this world for it will not give you contentment. Enough of living a worldly and sinful life for it will never ever give you peace. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for January 18, Thursday of the Second Week; Mark 3:7-12

Gospel: Mark 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." He warned them sternly not to make him known.

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Reflection:

Why do you follow Jesus? Many were pressing themselves towards Jesus because of His healing touch. Do you also follow Jesus for the reason of the miracles that you can get from Him? But it’s not all the time that Jesus would heal you. There would be times that you will still be sick no matter how hard you push yourself towards Jesus.

Let us not lose faith in Jesus even if He doesn’t heal us physically He has His own reasons. Perhaps it’s a test of our faith; perhaps Jesus wants us to journey with Him in His suffering towards Calvary. The more that healing seems elusive that more that we must intensely follow Jesus.

How about the miraculous healings of Jesus? Does Jesus wants His miraculous healings publicized? No! Jesus would never want publicity from His miracles and healings. The more that His actions are unknown the more the He likes it, the more that He is not given credit the more that He appreciates it.

This is attributed to Jesus’ Humility and Self-effacing behavior. Let us therefore forget about prestige and honor and let us not fret if we are not given honor for the things that we do. It’s already enough that we do silent acts of kindness with no one noticing it. 

Would you want to emulating the humility and self-effacing attitude of Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Wednesday January 17, Saint Anthony, Abbot; Mark 3:1-6

Gospel: Mark 3:1-6

Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

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Reflection:

What would you do if you see a sick man?

Jesus had two choices when He saw a man with a withered hand in the synagogue. The first choice was to simply ignore the sick man because it was the Sabbath day. The other choice was to cure the man and in the process ignore the Sabbath day.

Jesus chose to heal the man and disregarded the Sabbath day. For Jesus it’s the welfare of the sick man first before the observance of the Sabbath law. In that instance Jesus chose to give priority to His ministry of healing rather than observe the Sabbath law.

Jesus is a healer and His healing power is not bounded by anything be it criticism by His perceived enemies. His healing power is not solely restricted with physical healing; He heals us more spiritually and emotionally.

But Jesus requires something from us also and that is our faith in Him. Just like the faith of David when he defeated Goliath. The same faith also of this man with a withered hand that was cured by Jesus on the Sabbath.

Let us therefore hold on to Jesus with faith no matter how hazy the horizon that is in front of us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for January 16, Tuesday of the Second Week; Mark 2:23-28

Gospel: Mark 2:23-28

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath? He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest  and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions? Then he said to them “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

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Reflection:

Why was Jesus so popular with the common people of His time? This is for the reason that He violates some religious norms of the Pharisees for the greater good of the people that He loves so dearly.  For example, the picking of grain during Sabbath day, doing this was prohibited based on the Jewish religion. But Jesus dared to violate this law for the good of His disciples.

Laws or religious norms are good for the reason that it teaches us obedience and discipline. But there are times that we have to violate it so that it could serve a higher and nobler purpose. In the gospel the nobler or higher purpose why Jesus violated the Sabbath law was to feed the hungry stomachs of His disciples.

Jesus violated the Sabbath law for the reason that humans are more important that laws. We  can amend a law or extinguish the life of a law but are we willing to extinguish the life of a human being to serve the law?

In a deeper sense Jesus is teaching us that the important need of a person (In this case the need for food) is far more important than any law. For Jesus it’s always the good of His people than the observance of any kind of religious law/s.

This norm of Jesus stands until today we are His priority more than any other rule/law in this world. How about you? Is Jesus your priority more than any other undertaking in this world? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 15, Monday of the Second Week; Mark 2:18-22

Gospel: Mark 2:18-22

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast? Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them and then they will fast on that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”

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Reflection:

What is Jesus desire for you? It’s to transform you so that you could become fresh wineskin so that He could pour Himself into you. Jesus is the new wine and you are the old wineskin but Jesus doesn’t want you to become old wineskin which cannot accept His renewing presence. He wants you to be renewed or to be the fresh wineskin so that He could come into your life.

What makes us old wineskins or what makes us unworthy for the presence of Jesus? It’s our many sins, these many sins make us unworthy to Jesus. Nevertheless, Jesus is also offering Himself to us so that he could cleanse us and make us new once again

Will you let Jesus into your life so that He could make things new for you? Or you will continue to shut your heart to Jesus? The choice is yours, if you want to remain contained in the old wineskin of sin or you allow Jesus to renew you and liberate you from sin.

The correct choice is always to allow Jesus entry into your life and to allow Jesus to make things new in your life once again. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Sunday, January 14, Second Sunday of Ordinary Time; John 1:35-42

Gospel: John 1:35-42

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.

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Reflection:

What are you looking for in this world? Are you looking for popularity and riches? Are you looking for power and influence? What are you looking for?

We look for so many things in this world to find our happiness and those things that would satisfy us. Only to find out later that it couldn’t satisfy us, so we look again and again. And it seems that the looking for mantra seems endless.

Why? For the simple reason that we are looking for the wrong things that will not satisfy us and give us contentment. For example, can money, power and other earthly things satisfy us? These worldly things will never satisfy us and it will never give us peace and contentment.

In this Sunday’s gospel, Andrew and Simon Peter were looking for something that would not only give them peace and contentment. They were looking for something that would complete both of them and they found it in Jesus.

Therefore, when Jesus saw the two of them, He said: "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.  (John 1:38-39)

If you want to finally find that elusive peace and contentment and if you want someone who will protect you from all the worries of this world. You only need to look for Jesus you will certainly find Him if you will look for Him.

Are you looking for Jesus in your life right now? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for January 13, Saturday of the First Week; Mark 2:13-17

Gospel: Mark 2:13-17

Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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Reflection:

How could we convert sinners to become followers of Jesus? Of course we must approach them and be friends with them. Then as we become friends with them we also show the light of Jesus to them. With the hope that they would eventually be converted, thus; let us be patient with them. Let us show them our goodness and gentleness and then after doing what we have to do to change their lives. Let us pray and hope for their eventual conversion.

Jesus is a man of interactions He goes to sinners, interacts with them and even dines with them. Jesus always chose to interact with sinners for obvious reasons. How about us, do we interact with sinners? Do we mingle with them? And do we forgive them when they ask for forgiveness?

There are people who prefer to stay in their ivory towers. They look down and despise sinners as if they are not sinners also. They quickly judge them as good for nothing and dangerous. But if we avoid sinners how could we convert them?

If Jesus avoided Levi and the other tax collectors, He could not have converted them. They would have go on sinning until they die. But Jesus chose to interact with them for He knew that this was the only way to convert them. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 12, Friday of the First Week; Mark 2:1-12

Gospel: Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him.

After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” –he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

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Reflection:

The four men who helped the paralytic to be with Jesus were extraordinary men. They have merciful hearts, hearts that are not only concerned for their own wellbeing. Just imagine the hardship that they have to go through so that they could bring the paralytic to Jesus.

Surely, the four selfless men went home very happy with the thought in mind that they’ve done something noble and worthy.  How many of us are like these four altruistic and selfless men? How many of us will take time to visit the sick and to bring the sick to church for Holy Mass or to the hospital?

Let us recall if we have been indifferent to the plight of the sick. Let us recall if we have let a golden opportunity to slip out our hands by not helping those who are in dire need of our help. It’s not yet late to reverse this cycle of indifference to the sick, poor and the underprivileged.

The greatest reward that we could ever receive in this world is not money for it's passing and temporary. Not even self-serving honors for it will be forgotten. The greatest reward is to help someone who cannot pay us back. Who will simply pray for us and who will silently thank God for the help that they’ve received from us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 11, Thursday of the First Week; Mark 1:40-45

Gospel: Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean. Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean. The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them. The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

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Reflection:

Who does the leper represent today? It’s all of us who are sinners! When Jesus was approached by the leper Jesus did not run away from Him. He instead had pity on the leper, offered his healing hand to touch and clean him of his contagious disease. 

For the reason of their disease lepers were treated us outcast they were not allowed to mingle with the people. For fear that they may pass their sickness to those that they would be in touch with. But Jesus never run from the leper He instead did the contrary by offering His healing hand and right there the man was immediately healed.

This is Jesus for all of us! Merciful, full of love and compassion for all of us. Never minding if we are sinners and never judgmental with the sins that we have committed. What is important for Jesus is we approach Him with humility, trust and repentance.

We bare ourselves to Him and tell Him, I strip myself of anything that makes me unworthy before you O Lord heal me and forgive me. Let us remember that nothing is impossible for Jesus, He makes all things possible including the impossible.

What are the sins that you have committed?  Do you think that you are already unworthy for the reason of your many sins? You are still worthy and precious in the eyes of Jesus. Humbly approach Him and tell Him: Heal me O Lord! – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for January 10, 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:

There are three kinds of sickness that will bother us in our lifetime; one is physical sickness which is very visible and can easily be seen, spiritual sickness (not necessarily possession by an evil spirit). And the other one is emotional sickness this kind of sickness is subtle and not visible unless we talk to the person. 

In our gospel, after healing all who were ill or possessed by demons Jesus rose up early before dawn. He left, went off to an idle place there He prayed and then went off to other towns to heal and preach.

However there were still many who were looking for Him in the village. Does this mean that Jesus is inconsiderate and He simply abandoned those who were still in deep need of His healings? No I don’t think so.

Perhaps, those people who were still looking for His healings were those who were sick emotionally. Emotional sickness is the kind of ailment that can be cured by the person himself.

With strong faith in Jesus and will power this sickness can easily be defeated by each and everyone of us. So Jesus left them for He must have concluded that their faith on Him was already enough to defeat their emotional sickness.    

This happens to all of us sometimes we feel sick because of certain emotional low-downs. We can easily defeat this through our strong faith in Jesus and through our positive outlook in life.

Do you feel emotionally sick today? Take courage, have faith for Jesus will heal you. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 9, 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:

There’s a story of a man who was trying very hard to straighten his life. He would often say to himself that he would not womanize anymore. But he would always fall down and succumb to the enticement of the devil. This became a vicious cycle for him: He would promise to himself not to hurt his wife only to fall once again.

Evil possession is a reality of life it is always there hovering around waiting for the right moment to pounce on us. Evil possession is also not solely limited through diabolical possession. It now hides itself through our ego or high sense of self and through our other undesirable motives, thoughts and actions.

Very clearly we have in the gospel the one who can defeat the devil and it’s no other than Jesus. By His authority Jesus drove out the evil spirit possessing the man. And it is also surprising that the evil spirit knew who Jesus was.  This simply means that Jesus was marked as their number one enemy for He alone can defeat them permanently.

Jesus is still the same today as He was yesterday and as He shall be in the future. The evil spirit still trembles before His presence; He is our sole antidote to Satan’s evil scheming. Let us therefore hear His voice crying out for us and let us not harden our hearts for Him. Instead let us open our hearts to Him.

Do you hear the voice of Jesus and would you open your heart to Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas