Reflection for February 7, Wednesday of the Fifth Week; Mark 7:14-23

Gospel: Mark 7:14-23

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) “But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

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Reflection:
There’s a story about a married man who had an adulterous relationship with his officemate. The wife told him, “I never thought that you would be capable of doing that to me because we always go to Holy Mass every Sunday and we practice our catholic faith.

It’s really hard to comprehend why many of us commit sin and don’t live our faith. Yes, we go to church for Holy Mass and yes we practice our catholic faith. Yet when tempted to sin we easily sin. Why is this so? I don’t know why? Perhaps, this is brought about by our weak and superficial faith thus, we embrace the devil and we set aside Jesus.

Jesus in the gospel mentions that nothing that enters us make us sin but what comes out of us makes us sin. We therefore have to be careful and discerning about the things that we do. If we think that our actions would make us sin then by all means we should not do it.

If there’s a strong temptation to sin, we should run away from it before it captures us. The problem with sin is it will never stop until it completely destroys us. For example, the sin of adultery, couples who are into this would continue to engage in this adulterous relationship until they are caught.

They enjoy this sin very much for the simple reason that this is made more attractive by the devil in their eyes.  Since they are already under the spell of the devil they continue to do it without guilt of conscience The same devil whose hidden and only desire is to destroy them.

Come to think of it, why is it that even if we know that what we are doing is sinful many of us still agree to do it? The simple answer is many of us choose to embrace the devil than Jesus. Many of us choose to gamble our very lives with the devil than invest it with Jesus.

When you choose to be with the devil you will be destroyed by it sooner or later. However, when you choose to walk away from it and you choose to be with Jesus. Jesus will never stop until He rids you of all of your sinfulness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Tuesday February 6, Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs; Mark 7:1-13

Gospel: Mark 7:1-13

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban” (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

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Reflection:

Why is Jesus a revolutionary leader? Because Jesus’ dares to violate established rules to benefit the people. For Jesus it’s always the greater good of the people before the observance of any rules or laws. Which by the way was created to serve the whims and caprices of the ruling class (The Pharisees and scribes).

Jesus violates the rules created by the ruling class because some were restrictive and oppressive. It makes the ordinary people servants of the ruling class. Ruling class who are good only with utterance of their laws but visibly wanting in human compassion. Truth to tell, the ruling class (Pharisees and scribes) sacrifice human compassion in exchange for the observance of their self-serving created laws.

Case in point is the washing of hands before eating which was mentioned by the ruling class in the gospel. They asked Jesus: “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands (Mark 7:5)?” Jesus answered them by simply pointing at their hypocrisy, their lack of interior transformation and compassion toward the ordinary people.

If we want our fellowmen to truly respect and follow us we should not be imposing, we should not be dictators. Because if we are like this our people will rebel against us, they may externally show their respect towards us but it’s a respect devoid of substance and spirit.  Instead we should always live the gentleness and compassion of Jesus.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday February 5, Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr; Mark 6:53-56

Gospel: Mark 6:53-56

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurry about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

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Reflection:

 Do you have the habit of touching the image of Jesus in your house or when you are at church? Then as you touch His image you say your silent prayer of petition and thanksgiving to Jesus. Continue doing it because that is a good habit it signifies your humility and surrender to the mighty power of Jesus.

The healing crusade of Jesus continues in our gospel. Wherever He goes those who are in need of His healing go also. The moment they get the information that Jesus is near them they hurry to go to Him to have this healing encounter with Him. They never mind if they are not able to talk to Jesus. It’s enough for them that they’re able touch any part of His clothes. Or to have a glimpse of Him is already enough for them to be healed by the mighty power of Jesus.

Up to this very moment this mighty healing power of Jesus is very much present in our midst. For He’s just a prayer away, His very image is within our reach. Look at the cross in your house or in your church the image of Jesus is there. Touch Him and as you touch Him ask Him to heal you, ask Him to change you ask Him to make you more gentle, humble and patient.     

Surely, Jesus will never disappoint anyone who humbles and surrenders himself/herself before Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday, February 4, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time; 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 is a story of a family who had a bedridden mother. Being in such situation her husband and children confined her to a room within their house. The mother was wondering, why they isolated her when she doesn’t have a contagious sickness? Deep in her heart she was wishing for a daily small talk with her family or even a quick peek from her husband and children. But they rarely did she eventually died not from her sickness but from her loneliness.

When Jesus was told that Simon’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever, He immediately approached her and grasp her hand. As if to say that I’m here for you and I’m concerned with your wellbeing.  Then she was healed by Jesus before they left her.

What is Jesus telling us this Sunday? Jesus is telling us that we have to visit the sick. We have to talk to them and we have to let them know that we are here for them. Many of us don’t visit the sick because we are so busy with our daily undertakings. Or we don’t visit the sick because we have no money to help them.

But there’s more to life than our daily undertakings and there’s certainly more to life than having money. Life is all about touching lives! It’s making a person feel special more so if she/he is sick. Just imagine if a sick person would see you, it certainly would lighten her face and boost her sagging morale.

Nevermind if you cannot give financial help since your mere presence is more than enough to help her get well. Your mere presence is like saying, I’m here for you, you can count on me and I love you more than words can say.

We must never underestimate the power of a visit or even a quick visit to a sick relative or friend. It could do wonders for their wellness of course we are not Jesus thus we would not be able to cure them physically, but who knows? Nonetheless, it still can do wonders for them on the level of their emotions and morale.

Jesus is showing us the way on what to do when somebody is sick we therefore have to follow the way of Jesus. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for February 3, Saturday of the Fourth Week; Mark 6:30-34

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and 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.

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Reflection:

To whom can we compare Jesus in this world?

We can somehow compare Jesus to our parents. Try recalling how patient our parents were in teaching us the basics about life. Try recalling how hard they’ve tried to provide the very best for us.

Try recalling the many family bondings that they’ve planned to further strengthen the family’s union. Try to recall the countless shepherding or guiding moments that we’ve received from them. And try to recall when they comfort and motivate us when we were feeling weary and tired.   

In essence Jesus is like a parent to the apostles and to those who followed Him He was a unifying factor for them. He motivated them, He bonded with them, He guided them, He healed them, He empathized with them and most of all He was a good shepherd to them.

In our gospel, after doing their mission and after telling Jesus what they have done the apostles were naturally exhausted. Jesus told them to go to a deserted place to rest for a while to recharge their weary bodies and minds. Perhaps Jesus also wanted to give an inspirational talk to His apostles so that He could further strengthen their resolve to continue their mission. Isn’t this what worthy parents would normally do the moment they see their children tired and weary from doing something commendable and important?  

Finally, when Jesus arrived on the supposed to be deserted place the vast crowd who have been following Him were already there waiting for Him. Instead of telling them to go away because He wants privacy. He was moved with pity for them for they were like sheep without a shepherd. And being a good shepherd himself Jesus began to teach them many things.

The shepherding that Jesus gave to His apostles and followers during that time is still very much alive up to this very moment and He is offering it to us right now. If we are tired and weary with the challenges and burdens of life let us go to Jesus for He will always be there to tell us to come let us go to a quiet place and let us rest, there for I (Jesus) will be there to shepherd and strengthen you. 

You have in Jesus the personification of a good parent and shepherd who has nothing but the very best for you. Always go to Him and always desire to be with Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Friday, February 2, Presentation of the Lord; Luke 2:22-40

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses. Mary and Joseph took Jesus 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: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go  in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for 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.”

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

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

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Reflection:

There is a story of a dying man who had one fervent wish before he dies. His fervent wish was to see Jesus in the flesh and to talk to Him even for a short while. Unfortunately, his wish did not become a reality for he died without seeing Jesus. Is there a magic word for us to see Jesus? Or is there a secret for us to see Jesus?

When the child Jesus was brought into the temple to present Him before the Lord. It was in fulfillment of the Jewish law which states that a child should be brought into the temple to present him before God forty days after its birth.”

We have in our gospel a Holy man named Simeon who had one wish before he dies and that is to see Jesus. And Simeon was very blessed to see and hold in his arms the child Jesus. Was it pure luck that he was able to be with Jesus and His parents up close and personal? No, luck has nothing to do with Simeon’s meeting with the Holy family. Simeon as stated in our gospel was a righteous and devout man.

He was a good man; he was a man who wholeheartedly strived to follow the teachings of his faith. That’s why God through the Holy Spirit gifted Simeon the very rare opportunity to be with the child Jesus in the temple before he dies. What a way to die! Isn’t this our wish also before we die? We would want to see Jesus and we would want to hold the hand of Jesus as we take our last gasp of breath?

When a person is near death, he/she would normally say that he is already seeing his departed relatives around him. Rarely would we hear a dying person say that he now see Jesus by his side.

By the life of Simeon, we now know the secret as to how we would be able to see Jesus as we fade out of this world. We have to be righteous and we have to be devout followers of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for February 1, Thursday of the Fourth Week; Mark 6:7-13

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them. So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

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Reflection:

Do you share in the mission of Jesus and the apostles?

According to a written commentary in Judaism there is a need for two witnesses to attest to the reality of a completed accomplishment. That’s why Jesus sent the apostles two by two to serve as witness to each other’s good deeds.

But more than that I think the twelve were sent two by two to be of help to each other, to strengthen each other whenever they feel like giving up in their mission of evangelization.

Jesus emphasized to the apostles that they should have complete trust and confidence on Him because He will provide for them. That’s why He said: “Take nothing with you except for your walking stick: “No food, no sack, no money in your belts.”

By our Baptism we also share in the mission of Jesus and the twelve apostles. We are also being commissioned by Jesus to heal those who are emotionally and spiritually wounded. And this is brought about by the harsh realities of life.

There’s a lot of them nowadays maybe they’re our poor siblings, parents, neighbor or even a complete stranger just passing by. Let’s not worry about ourselves Jesus will take care of us in return as what He did for the apostles. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Wednesday, January 31, Saint John Bosco, Priest; Mark 6:1-6

Gospel: Mark 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

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Reflection:

Envy and lack of faith are negative emotions that deprives us of peace of mind it also deprives us of unfathomable blessings from God. For example, if we envy our neighbor because they have a higher status in life. We would normally try very hard to also match their lifestyle even at the expense of our own financial shortcomings.

When Jesus went back to His native place He was met with scorn by His town mates because they envied Him. They were surprised of the miracles that He does they questioned His miracles and they even belittled him.

They did this to Jesus because they know Him well as someone who was ordinary like them; they grew up with him they only focused on this aspect of Jesus’ life: His being human like them. They purposely closed their eyes on His God given abilities. Even if they were aware of it they refused to acknowledge the many miracles of Jesus.

What happened to them? Because of their doubt and unbelief Jesus was not able to perform mighty deeds for them. This is what happens to us also once we start to doubt on our faith on Jesus. We sometimes endeavor to do something we are full of motivation at the onset. Then due to our lack of faith on God and on ourselves we are suddenly enveloped with doubt thus, we fail.

Our faith and belief in Jesus will always be rewarded with something beautiful it may not come on the time that we want it. However, if we would be patient, if we will be willing to wait and never give up to work for it there will be abundant reward that awaits us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 30, Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time; Mark 5:21-43

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live. He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to Jesus, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’ And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

 While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer? Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.

So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

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Reflection:

If faith is all that we have, we must hold on to it and never ever let go of it for it will save us. It will cure us if not physically it will certainly cure us spiritually and it will give us hope.

In the gospel we have two stories of faith: Jairus whose daughter has died; he went to Jesus with faith. He begged Jesus to go to his house and cure his dying daughter.  There is also this hemorrhaging woman she went up to Jesus and with great faith she touched the end of His clothes.

Both Jairus and the sick woman got what they wanted from Jesus because they both had faith. Indeed, faith is the secret formula in having what we want from Jesus.     

But how can we have faith when we don’t have a regular prayer life? How can we have faith when we treat Jesus like a medicine that we only get in touch with when we are in dire need of him? How can we have faith when we seldom attend Holy Mass? How can we have faith when we rarely read our bible? How can we have faith when we are so taken by the things of this world?

Therefore, detachment from this world and attachment to Jesus is the key for us to have faith. Would you be willing to slowly detach yourself from this world and begin as well to attach yourself to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for January 29, Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time; Mark 5:1-20

Gospel: Mark 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory.

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.” And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

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Reflection:

Is there anyone in this world that is more powerful than Jesus? No one for the simple reason that  even demons and unclean spirits are afraid of Him. If this is so; how come not everyone of us gravitate towards Him? Because the power of Jesus is not of this world;  and besides we normally equate power with position of influence and money.

Does Jesus occupy a position of influence? Does Jesus have money? Jesus has none of these worldly trappings! If we would follow Jesus He would dislodge us from our corrupt and worldly comfort zones and many who are already enslaved by this world will not like this.

Jesus power is something that we feel in our hearts; it is something that He gives us freely and oftentimes something that is not felt and seen by worldly people. And people who love this present life more than the real life after this present life is over and done with already.

How about you? You who profess to know Jesus and you who say that Jesus is in your heart. What are you going to do? You have to find time to share Jesus no matter how busy you are. Thus, you would be able to share the miracle of Jesus which has transformed you to become who you are today. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Sunday, January 28, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time; 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 is a story of a married man who succumb to an adulterous relationship with his
 equally married officemate. The man would always attend Holy Mass with his wife every Sunday. Yet, he still surrendered to the enticement of the devil acting through his married officemate by jumping with reckless abandon into that adulterous relationship. 

Why was he overpowered by the woman who was doing it on behalf of the devil? This is for the simple reason that he had superficial faith, he did not allow Jesus to take control of his life. He instead allowed the devil through the woman who was ostensibly nice and accommodating to her to seduce, control and manipulate him. 

When Jesus went to the synagogue He encountered a man with an unclean spirit or a man possessed by a demon. Then after conversing with the unclean spirit Jesus drove it away from the man.

Everyone, of us is susceptible to be possessed by a demon that is if our faith in Jesus is weak and if we don’t live our faith. Therefore, we are easily tempted by the devil to commit sin no matter how severe without guilt of conscience. This is what the evil one does to us he uses people to probe our faith. And if it’s weak and shallow it would never stop until it capture, ravage and destroy us.

Unclean spirit and evil spirit are very real it hides deep in our being it only comes out when the environment is conducive for it to come out. For example, when there’s temptation for us to do something immoral, adulterous and sinful. When the opportunity presents itself the demon that hides within us would now suddenly take control of us until it accomplishes its evil will for us.

Why does the presence of the evil one hide within us? It hides for the reason that we give it space, in other words it hides within us because we consent to it. Most especially when the situation to sin and do evil is favorable.

However, if we really desire to completely extricate ourselves from any form of evil possession and unclean spirit. We actually could with the help of Jesus, how would we do it? We must get closer to Jesus we must always ask Jesus to weed out and to completely overpower, defeat and eliminate the evil that resides within us.

And of course we also have to do our part. We have to permanently avoid and distance ourselves from the human representative of the devil which ostensibly appear to be nice and accommodating to us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 27, Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time; Mark 4:35-41

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: "Let us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"

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Reflection:

Was Jesus only testing the faith of His disciples? If He was, then Jesus found out that His disciples was terribly wanting in faith. Jesus calmed the violent sea storm to assure them all that He was in control of everything.

We too will encounter storms in our lives. How would we handle these storms? Would we allow these storms to defeat us and prevent us from living our lives? Or we continue to become calm under duress caused by these life storms?

The obvious answer is we will continue to be calm no matter how difficult the storm/s that we would be encountering. For the reason that we already have Jesus.

We are often times easily rattled by our life storms or problems because we are lacking in faith. If only we will learn to trust Jesus more than we trust on ourselves. If only we will not lean on our own finite understanding.

We would then be able to discover how mightily powerful Jesus is. That Jesus is more than enough to defeat any kind of life storms that we will be encountering in our lives. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Friday January 26, Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops; Mark 4:26-34

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade. With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

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Reflection:

Do you want to feel the kingdom of God in your life? Then you should open your life to God. In everyday of your life God showers you with every blessing that He could give you. But do you notice and acknowledge these blessings that God gives you?

For example, the blessing of a new life when you wake up in the morning, the sunlight, the air that you breathe and so forth. Do you care to thank God for all of these blessings?

Acknowledgement of God’s many blessings is the first step for you to feel the kingdom of God in your life. When you recognize the majesty and power of God you also open your life to His kingdom. And you let God come into your life; eventually you let God rule your life.

Then little by little you let God take charge of your life and not you anymore taking charge of your own life. Thus, you would be able to avoid sin no matter how tempting. And you would be able to carefully discern right from wrong.

This is where the kingdom of God begins to take root in your life. It grows little by little until it blooms wherein you would be able to fight temptation in whatever forms and shapes.  others can take shelter and comfort. 

Jesus in our gospel for this Friday mentions about the small mustard seed which is none other than Himself and His kingdom. This small mustard seed once acknowledged and recognized by the soil (Which is no other than you). Begins to sprout until it blooms and eventually grows bigger so that those who are in need can take shelter.

Do you always acknowledge, recognize and discern the presence of God’s kingdom in your life? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Thursday January 25, the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle; Mark 16:15-18

Gospel: Mark 16:15-18

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

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Reflection:

There is a story of a woman who would always share pictures of herself on social media. Her husband who was a pastor would always tell her to share instead bible quotations so that she could inspire others to know more about God and in the process share in the mission of Jesus as well.

Transmission of communication nowadays is very fast, for example if we post something on the internet. And if the content of what we post is good, we could be assured that it will go viral, it could reach the farthest corner of the world.

During the time of Jesus transmission of communication was on a word of mouth basis. No internet and other high-end form of communication. It was simple word of mouth only. And yet the gospel was able to spread until it reached us. The key element in the spread of the gospel were the committed apostles and Saint Paul whose conversion we celebrate today.

The desire of Jesus today is for us to become the modern day apostles and Saint Paul to whom he could entrust the mission of evangelization. He trusts us that we could also proclaim the gospel using the many forms of social media mode of communication today.  

There’s no more excuse for us not to help Jesus spread the gospel because we have in our fingertips the internet. Let us exploit the use of this technology to reach as many humans as possible.

For example, if you’ve been posting updates about yourself using facebook, twitter, instagram and other forms of internet vehicles. Why not post quotations from the bible instead? Why not post something that would inspire others to take seriously their faith?  By doing this you inspire others and you perpetuate the teachings of Jesus.  

What are you doing to spread Jesus and your faith using the internet? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas