Reflection for December 4, Wednesday; First Week of Advent: Matthew 15:29-37

Gospel: Matthew 15:29-37  

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

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

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was sick of cancer. Before going to her doctor she would first never forget to pray to the Lord for her healing. It was always like that for many years until she got cured of her cancer.

What do you do when you are sick? Of course you go to the doctor, but have you thought of going to Jesus first? To ask Him to cure you with His mighty healing power. Many of us perhaps have forgotten already that Jesus is the greatest healer who ever walked on this earth. That’s why we sometimes forget to go to Him first in deep prayer before we go to the doctor. 

  

In our gospel, great crowds went to Jesus, with them were the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many more sick people. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them all. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.

Whenever we are sick: Whatever it may be and no matter how grave it may be. Let us not forget to remember to go to Jesus first in deep prayer and let us ask Him to heal us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Disyembre 4, Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 15:29-37

Mabuting Balita: Mateo  15:29-37

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

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

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

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for December 3, Tuesday; Saint Francis Xavier, Priest: Luke 10:21-24

Gospel: Luke 10:21-24

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

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

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Reflection:

What do we need to do to fully grasp the grace of the Holy Spirit in our life? We need to be humble, we need to be childlike for such is the life of Jesus: full of humility and full of childlike trust.

The Holy Spirit would reveal itself to us once we become humble and childlike. Thus, the Holy Spirit will give us something that others don’t have and that is the enlightenment to discern the workings of God in our life.

Notice the childlike excitement of those who volunteer their time for church to be present at Mass. Observe their intense longing to submit themselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession. Yet, not everyone has this gift of feeling the profound presence of God in their lives. This is given free without any cost by the Holy Spirit to those who strive to dive deeper into our Catholic faith.

We impede the grace of the Holy Spirit into our lives when we trust more on our wealth instead of God. When we are self-righteous, when we are corrupt, when we curse, when we say profanities and swearwords. When we seek pornography and other forms of sinful actions. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Disyembre 3, San Francisco Javier, pari: Lucas 10:21-24

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:21-24

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

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

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for December 2, Monday; First Week of Advent: Matthew 8:5-11

Gospel: Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.

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Reflection:

How deep is your faith in Jesus?

Aside from learning about the centurion’s deep faith in God what else do we learn from our gospel today? We learn how to deeply care and be concerned for our fellowmen no matter who they may be and regardless of their standing in our society.

The centurion is not an ordinary soldier. He is an officer but he was very concerned of his servant that he went to Jesus with faith and asked for His healing. Considering his stature the centurion could have simply sent some of his underlings to Jesus. But he went personally to Jesus, his action speaks volumes of his goodness.

How many of us are caring enough for those who are lowly and poor; they are both neglected people of our society. How many of us truly care for our servants? Would we still care for our servant even if they cannot serve us anymore?  

On this Advent season perhaps Jesus is inviting our attention thru this gospel reading. To take a closer look on the plight of the less fortunate: the poor, the hungry and those neglected by our society. They’re everywhere and they badly need our help.

Would you help them as well like the centurion? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Disyembre 2 , Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 8:5-11

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:5-11

5 Pagdating ni Jesus sa Caper­naum lumapit sa kanya ang isang kapitan at nakiusap sa kanya: 6 “Ginoo, nakahiga sa bahay ang aking katulong. Lumpo siya at sobra na ang paghihirap…” 7 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Paroroon ako at paga­galingin ko siya.”

8 Sumagot ang kapitan: “Hindi ako karapat-dapat para tumuloy ka sa bahay ko. Mag-utos ka lang at gagaling na ang aking katulong. 9 May nag-uutos sa akin at may inuutusan din ako, at pag sinabi ko sa isa sa mga kawal na nasa ilalim ko: ‘Pumaroon ka,’ pumaparoon siya. At sinasabi ko naman sa isa pa: ‘Pumarito ka,’ at pumaparito siya; at sa aking katulong: ‘Gawin mo ito,’ at ginagawa niya ito.”

10 Nang marinig ito ni Jesus, humanga siya at sinabi sa mga sumu­sunod sa kanya: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo, wala pa akong natagpuang ganitong paniniwala sa Israel. 11 Sinasabi ko sa inyo: marami ang darating mula sa silangan at sa kanluran para makisalo kina Abraham, Isaac at Jacob sa kaha­rian ng Langit.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday December 1, First Sunday of Advent: Matthew 24:37-44

Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44

Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

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Reflection: 

What would you do if there is an occasion in your house and you are expecting visitors? What you do is you thoroughly clean your house for it to be worthy in the eyes of your coming visitors.

The first Sunday of Advent ushers a new year in the in the church’s Liturgical calendar. Advent means Coming and this is the time wherein we prepare for the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The gospel talks about the preparation for the Lord’s coming. On the first part of the Gospel the people during Noah’s time failed to prepare. They were so busy with sin and other worldly things until God’s judgment came and they were wiped out on the face of the earth. (Genesis 7:22) Only Noah and his companions survived because they were the select few who were prepared.

The Lord calls us to “Stay awake” to be prepared so that if the Son of Man will come we are ready. How are we preparing for the coming birth of Jesus? Is it centered towards materials things such as buying of gifts, decorating of the house and the like?

Nothing is wrong with these kinds of preparation. However, The Lord wants us also to undergo a much deeper and meaningful preparation for his forthcoming birth. And what is this? It is a preparation centered within ourselves.

Such as repentance from our many sins thus we worthily prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord and Savior. Repentance from our many sins means that we allow the Sacrament of Confession to clean us from the dirt of sin.

When was your last Confession? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo, Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 24:37-44

Mabuting Balita: Mateo  24:37-44

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 37 Katulad ng nangyari sa panahon ni Noe, gayundin sa pagdating ng Anak ng Tao. 38 Noong mga araw na iyon bago dumating ang Baha, kuma­kain at umi­inom ang mga tao at nag-aasawa, hang­gang sa araw na puma­sok si Noe sa da­ong.

39 Ngunit wala silang alam hanggang dumating ang baha at tina­ngay silang lahat. Ganoon din sa pag­dating ng Anak ng Tao. 40 Sa dalawang lalaking nasa bukid, kukunin ang isa at iiwan ang isa. 41 Sa dalawang babaeng gumigiling ng trigo, kukunin ang isa at iiwan ang isa.

42 Kaya magbantay kayo sapagkat hindi ninyo alam ang araw ng pag­dating ng inyong Panginoon. 43 Isipin ninyo ito: kung alam ng may-ari ng bahay kung anong oras ng gabi dara­ting ang magnanakaw, magbabantay siya at hindi niya pababayaang pasu­kin ang bahay. 44 Kaya maging handa kayo sapagkat sa oras na hindi ninyo inaasahan darating ang Anak ng Tao.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for November 30, Saturday; Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle: Matthew 4:18-22

Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

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Reflection:

Are you ready to respond to Jesus’ call?

Jesus called ordinary fishermen to help Him advance the gospel, ordinary folks just like you and me. What is striking  in the gospel reading is their immediate response to the call of Jesus. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew they immediately left their nets (their livelihood) and they both became a follower of Jesus.

The same occurrence happened when Jesus called the brothers Zebedee and John. Upon hearing the call of Jesus they left their boat and their father to immediately become a follower. 

Let us take a closer look at the gospel for today because this is for us also. The four of them were ordinary fishermen, they were expert with their craft but they have no formal education about the faith. 

What does this mean to us? This simply means that a formal education about the faith is not a requirement to become an effective follower. What is important is the desire and willingness to respond to Jesus. For as long as we are ready to respond we all can have a humble role in the mission of Jesus. 

Let us not worry if we have no formal education about our faith because this is not the requirement of Jesus. What Jesus wants from us first is for us to respond to His call, this is perhaps the first requirement responsiveness to His call. 

Jesus is always calling us to follow Him every second, every minute and hour that pass by. Let us respond to this call of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Nobyembre 30, San Andres (Kapistahan): Mateo 4:18-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 4:18-22

18 Sa paglalakad ni Jesus sa pampang ng lawa ng Galilea, nakita niya ang  mag­kapatid na Simon na tinawag na Pedro at Andres na naghahagis ng mga lambat dahil mga mangingisda sila. 19 Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Halikayo, sumunod kayo sa akin, at gagawin ko kayong mangingisda ng tao.”

20 Agad nilang iniwan ang kanilang mga lambat at sumunod sa kanya. 21 Nagpatuloy siya sa paglakad at na­kita naman niya ang magkapatid na Jaime at Juan na mga anak ni Zebedeo. Nasa bangka sila kasama ng kani­lang amang si Zebedeo at nagsu­sursi ng kani­lang lambat. Tinawag sila ni Jesus. 22 Agad nilang iniwan ang bangka nila at ang ka­nilang ama, at nag­simulang sumunod sa kanya.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for November 29, Friday; Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:29-33

Gospel: Luke 21:29-33

Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

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Reflection:

A man was asked, what is your greatest fear? The man replied, I fear death for I don’t know what would happen to me when I die.

We all have our own set of fears, we fear losing somebody we love, and we fear losing our job. And the worst fear perhaps is the same as with the man who was asked about his greatest fear.  However why fear when Jesus is always there to soothe and take away our fear?

Many of us have so many fears for the reason that we don’t have Jesus in our life and we don’t have a personal relationship with Him.  This is basically the reason why we have so many fears. But, why don’t we try to discover more about Jesus through our faithful presence at Holy Mass? Why don’t we try to discover more about Jesus by reading about His life in the bible? Surely, all our fears will disappear if we do so.

Jesus in our gospel tells us that heaven and earth will pass away but His words will not pass away (Luke 21:33). Indeed, everything will pass away or we may pass away first before everything pass away. Nevertheless whatever happens and whomever passes away first we have nothing to fear for as long as we have Jesus in our lives.

Do you already have Jesus in your life? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 29, Biyernes: Sa Ika-34 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 21:29-33

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:29-33

sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila ang isang talinhaga: “Tingnan ninyo ang pu­nong-igos at ang ibang mga puno. 30 Pagkakita ninyong nagdadahon na ang mga ito, alam ninyong malapit na ang tag-init. 31 Gayundin naman, pag napansin ninyo ang mga ito, alamin ninyong malapit na ang pag­hahari ng Diyos. 32 Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na hindi lilipas ang salinlahing ito at mangyayari ang lahat ng ito. 33 Lilipas ang langit at lupa ngunit hindi lilipas ang aking mga salita.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for November 28, Thursday; Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:20-28

Gospel: Luke 21:20-28

Jesus said to his disciples: “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the Scriptures are fulfilled. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of the end times?

The talk of end times always sends shivers to many most especially to those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. This topic is something that they always want to avoid as much as possible.

However, if God is in your heart; who can be against you? If God is with you nothing can distress you no matter how horrifying the signs of the times are.

For those who are losing hope; for those who continue to live in sin, for those who do not give space for God in their lives the end times is within their reach already. But there still hope for them. And this hope is given to them by Jesus; they simply have to allow Jesus to come into their life.

For those who steadfastly believe in God, who faithfully follow His commands. Who continuously remain hopeful notwithstanding the discouraging signs of the times. Redemption from any fear is upon them already.

Why don’t we change our ways and why don’t we get closer to Jesus and invite Him to come into our lives? So that whatever happens to this world we’ll have neither worries nor fears for we know that we are always in God’s loving embrace.

Let us change our ways, let us listen to the voice of God calling us all to repent through the Sacrament Confession/Reconciliation. Let us always remember that the indifference of the people of Jerusalem to Jesus resulted in their destruction. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 28, Huwebes: Sa Ika-34 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 21:20-28

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:20-28

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, 20 Kung makita ninyong nakubkob na ng mga hukbo ang Jerusalem, alamin ninyong sumapit na ang kanyang pagka­wasak. 21 Kaya tumakas pa-bundok ang mga nasa Judea, umalis ang mga nasa lunsod, at huwag nang bumalik doon ang mga nasa bukid.

22 Sapagkat ito ang mga araw ng  paghihiganti sa kanya para matupad ang lahat ng nasa Kasu­latan. 23 Sawimpalad ang mga nagdadalantao o mga inang nagpapasuso sa mga araw na iyon. Sapagkat matindi ang sasapit na kapa­hamakan sa lupain at ang galit sa bayang ito. 24 Mamamatay sila sa tabak, dadal­hing bihag sa lahat ng bansa, at yuyu­ra­kan ng mga bansang pagano ang Jerusalem hanggang mabuo ang pana­hon ng mga bansa.

25 Magkakaroon ng mga tanda sa araw, buwan at mga bituin. Sa lupa’y manga­ngamba ang mga bansa dahil sa ugong at alon ng dagat, at wala silang maga­gawa. 26 Hihimatayin ang mga tao dahil sa takot at pagkabahala sa mga sasapitin ng sanlibutan sapagkat mayayanig ang mga puwersa ng san­libutan. 27 At makikita nila ang Anak ng Tao na dumarating na nasa ulap na may Kapangyarihan at ganap na Luwalhati.

28 Kung magsimula nang maganap ang mga ito, tumindig kayo at tumunghay dahil palapit na ang inyong katubusan.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.