1Reflection for December 6, Friday; First Week of Advent: Matthew 9:27-31

Gospel: Matthew 9:27-31

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us! When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith. And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this. But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.

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Reflection:

What are you willing to do to receive healing from God? Are you willing to humble yourself and kneel before God and ask Him to give you the gift of healing? Healing is a gift that Jesus freely gives to those who have faith. Even if you will not ask for it Jesus will give it to you for as long as you humble yourself and have faith in front of Him.

In the gospel for this Friday we have two humble blind men with rock-solid faith who cried to Jesus for healing.  Why did they cry when they could have shouted at Jesus to get His attention? They cried because they saw hope, mercy and healing from Jesus. For the two blind men Jesus was their only hope to have the gift of sight.

Let us also ask Jesus to give us the gift of Healing for nothing is impossible for those who humble themselves before God. Even the impossible is very much possible for as long as we have faith.   

Whatever that you’re going through right now, believe that Jesus will heal you. And believe that He will answer your prayers for nothing is impossible for Jesus. This is best exemplified by the two incredible blind men of deep faith in our gospel.

How’s your faith in Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Disyembre 6, Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 9:27-31

Mabuting Balita: Mateo  9:27-31

27 Pag-alis ni Jesus sa lugar na iyon, sumunod sa kanya ang dalawang bulag na lalaki na sumisigaw: “Anak ni David, tulungan mo kami!” 28 Pagda­ting niya sa bahay, inabutan siya ng mga bulag at sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Naniniwala ba kayo na may kapang­ya­rihan ako para gawin ang gusto ninyong mangyari?” At su­magot sila: “Oo, Ginoo!”

29 Hinipo ni Jesus ang kanilang mga mata at sinabi: “Mangyari sa inyo ang inyong paniwala.” 30 At nabuksan ang kanilang mga mata. Mahigpit naman silang tinagubilinan ni Jesus: “Mag-­ingat kayo at huwag sabihin ito kani­no man.” 31 Ngunit pagkaalis nila, ipinahayag nila siya sa buong bayan.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for December 5, Thursday; First Week of Advent: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Gospel: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

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Reflection:

There is a story about an old man who was always at church, he attends Mass, and he was always present during novena prayers. However, he also had a domineering attitude, he thinks highly of himself and he treats everyone in the church as someone who is not within his level.

After a few years he died, therefore, he was expecting a smooth passage to heaven but Saint Peter did not allow him to enter the pearly gates. So he asked: “Why are you not allowing me to gain entry to heaven, I was always at church leading the novena prayers, I was always at Mass!” Saint Peter replied: “Yes you were always in the church but you did not change your ways, it was all for show.”

Like the old man, there are many who are active in the church but they refuse to let go of their boorish behavior. They think highly of themselves simply because they are active in the church rich and educated. Then they carry these domineering behaviors into their homes and workplace.

Could they gain entry into heaven with this behavior? Can they be compared to the wise man in the gospel who built his house upon a sturdy rock? Not certainly, to be like the wise man who built his house on a solid rock they need to walk their talk, they need to be humble and they need to live what they preach.

In the gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21).” – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Disyembre 5, Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 7:21, 24-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo  7:21, 24-27

21 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga alagad hindi lahat ng nagsasabi sa akin ng ‘Panginoon! Panginoon!’ ay papasok sa kaharian ng Langit kundi ang nagsa­sagawa sa kalooban ng Diyos ang siyang papasok sa kaharian ng Langit.

24 Kaya kung may nakikinig sa mga salita ko at sumusunod dito, matutulad siya sa isang matalinong nagtayo ng bahay sa batuhan. 25 Bumagyo at bumaha ang ilog at humangin nang malakas, ngunit hindi nagiba ang bahay sapagkat itinayo ito sa batuhan. 26 At ang sinumang nakakarinig sa aking mga salita at hindi nagsasagawa nito, matutulad siya sa isang hangal na nag­tayo ng bahay sa buhangin. 27 Bu­mag­yo at bumaha ang ilog at huma­ngin nang malakas, at bumagsak ang bahay at kay laking kapahamakan!

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

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.