Reflection for Thursday February 6, Sts. Pedro Bautista, Paul Miki and Companions: 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:

What is the advantage of not being attached to worldly things? We learn to trust on the providence of God and we learn that the things of this world do not matter for its temporary and fleeting. We learn that our faith in God is more than enough to compensate for our lack of worldly things.  

Come to think of it, how much money do we need to earn in our lifetime that there are people who work their butts out to earn money? Money that if we are not discerning could even contribute to our being sick! And then at the end this same money that we’ve earned so hard may not even be enough to pay for our hospital bills!

In the gospel, when Jesus told His disciples not to bring, food, money and the like. He was essentially telling them not to worry for He would provide for them. If God can provide for the birds and other animals will He not provide for us whom He created in His image (Genesis 1:27)?

Many of us are so concerned with the material and physical aspect of life such as the clothes that we wear. The high-tech gadgets that we have but in close retrospection we actually can live even without these material things.

Our problem is we allow this world to dictate upon us. This is the reason why many of us punish ourselves to work so hard to earn money. For what? So that we could show off how wealthy we’ve become?

Jesus invites us to rethink our style of living for we may have already become slaves of this world. Rather than become His faithful and trusting followers. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Pebrero 6, San Pedro Bautista, San Pablo Miki at mga Kasama: Marcos 6:7-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:7-13

Naglibot naman si Jesus sa mga nayon sa paligid sa kanyang pagtu¬turo. 7 At tinawag niya ang Labin¬dalawa at sinimulang isugo sila nang dala-¬dalawa. Binigyan niya sila ng kapang¬yarihan sa mga maruming espiritu. 8 At sinabihan niya silang huwag magdala ng anuman para sa paglalakbay kundi tungkod la¬mang. Walang pagkain, wa¬lang pitaka o pera sa sinturon. 9 Nakasandalyas at may isang damit lang.

10 At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Pagtuloy ninyo sa isang bahay, manatili kayo roon hanggang sa pag-alis ninyo mula roon. 11 Kung may lugar na hindi tatang¬gap o makikinig sa inyo, umalis kayo roon at ipagpag ang alikabok sa inyong mga paa bilang sakdal sa ka¬nila.”

12 At pag-alis nila, ipinangaral nila ang pagbabalik-loob. 13 Maraming demonyo ang kanilang pinalayas at marami ring maysakit ang pinagaling nila sa pagpapahid ng langis.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Wednesday February 5, Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr: 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:

Was Jesus expecting to be treated like a powerful celebrity when He went back to His hometown? No, because it was not in His character to flaunt Himself. As much as possible Jesus wanted to be treated like an ordinary person, never did He desire publicity and recognition. Jesus did miracles without any fanfare and hype and we attribute this to His humility.  

Let us think about us as individuals, don’t we desire recognition and don’t we crave to be listened?  We love it the moment we hear people recognizing the things that we do and this is due to our yearning to satisfy our bloated egos. Isn’t possible for us to be humble and low profile like Jesus?

As we do good things or anything that we do for God let us not seek to be recognized let us simply fade away. Let us not seek adulation for those who crave adulation are also abandoned like a hot potato. Those who crave for admiration ultimately ends up in disgrace.

Let us not be disheartened if we will not be recognized or honored for these are just temporal honor/s given by temporal humans like us. In everything let us seek the humility of Jesus, Let us seek the silent recognition of Jesus rather than the noisy, fake and temporal recognition of this world. –  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Pebrero 5, Santa Agata, dalaga at martir: Marcos 6:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:1-6

¹Pagkaalis ni Jesus sa lugar na iyon, pumunta siya sa kanyang bayan, kasama ng kanyang mga alagad. ² Nang sumapit ang Araw ng Pahinga, nagsimula siyang magturo sa sinagoga. Namangha silang lahat at nagsabi: “Ano’t nangyari sa kanya ang lahat ng ito? Saan kaya galing ang karunu­ngang ito na ipi­nagkaloob sa kanya, at saan din kaya galing ang mga himalang ito na nagagawa ng kanyang mga kamay? Di ba’t siya ang karpintero? Ang anak ni Maria at kapatid nina Jaime, Jose, Simon at Judas? Hindi ba’t narito sa piling natin ang lahat niyang kapatid na babae?” At bulag sila tungkol sa kanya.

4 Sinabi naman sa kanila ni Jesus: “Sa kanyang sariling bayan lamang, sa sari­ling kamag-anakan at sambahayan hinahamak ang isang propeta.” 5 At hindi niya nakayang gumawa ng himala roon. Ilang may­sakit lamang ang pinaga­ling niya sa pag­papatong ng kamay. 6  At namang­ha siya sa kawalan nila ng pa­niniwala.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Marino J. Dasmarinas @Mary Immaculate Parish, Don Lauro Avenue Levitown Estate Bicutan, Betterliving, Parañaque City (Feb. 2, 2020)

1Reflection for Tuesday February 4, 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.

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 him, “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:

Do you have a prayer before Jesus? Pray for it never give up and continue to badger Jesus with your prayer. For this is the secret for you to have what you wish for from Jesus. Everything should start with faith and once we start our interaction with Jesus with faith. Everything will simply fall into place including what we wish for from Jesus.

But how can we grow in faith? We should humbly ask Jesus to give us the gift of faith not only that we ask Jesus for the gift of faith. We also should reach out to Jesus through our prayers, our presence at Holy Mass and by reading the most precious book of all books which is the Holy bible.

The woman in our gospel has been bleeding for twelve long years she went to anyone who could cure her to no avail. Then she heard about this healer named Jesus and from thereon she started to have faith in Jesus. And her faith impelled her to reach out to Jesus she even said to herself, If only I could touch a portion of His clothes I would be healed.

All of us have heard about Jesus but not all of us are praying for this gift of faith. Not all of us are constantly reaching out to Jesus by means of our prayers and pious presence at Holy Mass. Not all of us have a habit of reading and reflecting on the words of Jesus in the bible.

Some of us may even say, I’m very busy I have no more time to do these acts of faith. How then can we grow in faith? How then can we be friends with Jesus? How then can we recieve healing from Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Pebrero 4, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 5:21-43

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 5:21-43

21 Pagkatawid ni Jesus sa lawa na sakay sa bangka, pinagkalipumpunan siya ng maraming tao sa tabing-dagat. 22 At may dumating na isang pinuno ng sinagoga na nagngangalang Jairo. Nag­patirapa ito sa kanyang paanan 23 at pilit na ipinakiusap sa kanya: “Nag­­hihingalo ang aking dalagita kaya ha­lika para ma­ligtas siya at mabuhay sa pagpapatong ng iyong mga kamay.”

24 Kaya umalis si Jesus kasama niya at sumunod din sa kanya ang mga tao na gumigitgit sa kanya. 25 May isa namang babae na labin­da­lawang taon nang dinudugo. 26 Marami na ang tiniis niya sa kamay ng mga dok­tor at nagastos na niya ang lahat ng meron siya pero hindi pa rin siya umigi kundi lumala pa ang lagay niya. 27 At nang mabalitaan niya ang tungkol kay Jesus, nilapitan niya ito sa likuran sa gitna ng mga tao at hinipo ang damit nito, 28 sapagkat naisip niya: “Kung mahi­hipo ko lamang ang kanyang mga damit, ga­galing na ako.”

29 At agad na naampat ang pag-agos ng kanyang dugo at naramdaman ni­yang gumaling na ang kanyang sakit. 30 Ngunit agad din namang nadama ni ­Jesus na may lakas na lumabas sa kanya kaya lumingon siya sa gitna ng mga tao at nagtanong: “Sino ang hu­mipo sa mga damit ko?” 31 Sumagot ang kanyang mga alagad: “Nakikita mo nang ginigitgit ka ng napakaraming tao. Bakit mo pa itata­nong: Sino ang humipo sa akin?” 32 At patuloy siyang tumingin sa paligid para makita kung sino ang gu­mawa nito. 33 Kaya lumapit na nangi­ngi­nig sa takot ang babae. Namamalayan nga nito ang nangyari kaya lumapit ito at nagpa­tirapa sa harap niya at inamin sa kanya ang buong katotohanan.

• 34 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Anak, iniligtas ka ng iyong pana­nalig. Humayo kang mapayapa at ma­ga­ling ka na sa iyong sakit.” 35 Nagsasalita pa si Jesus nang may dumating galing sa bahay ng pinu­no ng sinagoga, at sinabi nila: “Patay na ang iyong anak na babae. Bakit mo pa iniistorbo ngayon ang Guro?” 36 Ngu­nit hindi sila inintindi ni Jesus at sinabi sa pinuno: “Huwag kang matakot, ma­nam­­palataya ka lamang.” 37 At wala siyang pinayagang sumama sa kanya liban kina Pedro, Jaime at Juang kapa­tid ni Jaime.

• 38 Pagdating nila sa bahay, nakita niya ang kaguluhan: may mga nag-iiya­kan at labis na nagtataghuyan. 39 Pu­masok si Jesus at sinabi: “Bakit nag­­ka­kagulo at nag-iiyakan? Hindi pa­tay ang bata kundi natutulog lang.” 40 At pinagtawanan nila siya. Ngunit pinalabas ni Jesus ang lahat, at ang ama at ina lamang nito ang isinama at ang kanyang mga kasamahan. 41 Pag­pasok niya sa kinaroroonan ng bata, hinawakan niya ito sa kamay at sinabi: “Talita kum”, na ibig sabihi’y “Nene, sinasabi ko sa iyo, bumangon ka.”

42 At noon di’y bumangon ang bata at nagsimulang maglakad. (Labindalawang taon na nga siya.) At nagkaroon ng pag­ka­mangha, malaking pagka­mangha. 43 Ma­hig­pit na iniutos ni Jesus sa kanila na huwag itong sabihin ka­ninuman, at sinabi sa kanila na bigyan ng makakain ang bata.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Marino J. Dasmarinas (February 2020)

1Reflection for Monday February 3, 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:

Do you plead Jesus to change you and make you a better person?

The man possessed by the legions of devil pleaded to Jesus not to drive them away from the territory instead they wanted Jesus to send them into the herd of pigs. So Jesus did what they wanted: He allowed them to enter the group of swine/pigs. However the herd rushed into the sea where they drowned.

Why did Jesus did not annihilate the legion (evils) instantly instead He allowed them to transfer to the herd of swine only to die by drowning? Perhaps, Jesus acceded to their request because Jesus wanted them to convert and get rid of their evil ways, but they did not.

In our own life we would always encounter life changing occurrences. Such as survive a major health problem, an accident or a problem in the family. And it serves as our wake-up call from God to change our ways and leave behind sinfulness. There are some of us who get an awareness of this life changing episode so we change and leave behind our sinfulness. However there are also those who refuse to change and so they move forward with their sinful ways.

What would happen to those who refuse to leave behind sinfulness? To those who continue to ignore God’s call to conversion? To those who were given by God a second chance but refused to embrace it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Pebrero 3, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 5:1-20

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 5:1-20

Dumating si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad sa lupain ng mga Geraseno.^[a] 2 Pagbaba ni Jesus sa bangka, sinalubong siya ng isang lalaking galing sa kwebang libingan. Ang lalaking itoʼy sinasaniban ng masamang espiritu, ³ at doon na siya nakatira sa mga libingan. Hindi siya maigapos ng matagal kahit kadena pa ang gamitin nila. ⁴ Ilang beses na siyang kinadenahan sa kamay at paa, pero nalalagot niya ang mga ito. Walang nakakapigil sa kanya. ⁵ Nagsisisigaw siya araw at gabi sa mga libingan at kaburulan, at sinusugatan ang sarili ng matatalas na bato.

⁶ Malayo pa si Jesus ay nakita na siya ng lalaki. Patakbo siyang lumapit kay Jesus at lumuhod sa harapan niya. ^7-8 Sinabi ni Jesus sa masamang espiritu, “Ikaw na masamang espiritu, lumabas ka sa taong iyan!” Sumigaw ang lalaki, “Ano ang pakialam mo sa akin, Jesus na Anak ng Kataas-taasang Dios? Nakikiusap ako, sa pangalan ng Dios, huwag mo akong pahirapan!” ⁹ Tinanong siya ni Jesus, “Ano ang pangalan mo?” Sagot niya, “Kawan, dahil marami kami.” ¹⁰ At paulit-ulit na nagmakaawa ang masamang espiritu kay Jesus na huwag silang palayasin sa lupaing iyon.

¹¹ Sa di-kalayuan ay may malaking kawan ng mga baboy na nanginginain sa gilid ng burol. ¹² Nagmakaawa ang masasamang espiritu na kung maaari ay payagan silang pumasok sa mga baboy. ¹³ Kaya pinayagan sila ni Jesus. Lumabas ang masasamang espiritu sa lalaki at pumasok sa mga baboy. Nagtakbuhan ang may dalawang libong baboy pababa ng burol, nagtuloy-tuloy sa lawa at nalunod.

¹⁴ Tumakbo ang mga tagapag-alaga ng baboy papunta sa bayan at ipinamalita roon at sa mga kalapit-nayon ang nangyari. Kaya pumunta roon ang mga tao para alamin ang tunay na nangyari. ¹⁵ Pagdating nila kay Jesus, nakita nila ang taong dating sinasaniban ng kawan ng masasamang espiritu. Nakaupo siya at nakadamit, at matino na ang pag-iisip. Kaya natakot ang mga tao. ¹⁶ Ikinuwento sa kanila ng mga nakakita kung ano ang nangyari sa taong iyon at sa mga baboy. ¹⁷ Kaya pinakiusapan nila si Jesus na umalis sa kanilang lugar. 

¹⁸ Nang sumasakay na si Jesus sa bangka, nakiusap sa kanya ang lalaking gumaling na isama siya. ¹⁹ Pero hindi pumayag si Jesus. Sa halip, sinabi niya sa lalaki, “Umuwi ka sa pamilya mo at sabihin mo sa kanila ang lahat ng ginawa sa iyo ng Panginoon at kung paano ka niya kinaawaan.” ²⁰ Kaya umalis ang lalaki at ipinamalita sa Decapolis,^[b] ang ginawa sa kanya ni Jesus. At namangha ang lahat ng nakarinig tungkol sa nangyari.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday February 2, Feast of the 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 Band 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:

The story is told about a mother who was wondering how come her children have no proper values and no love for God. Many parents are perhaps in the same boat, they are puzzled how their children grew up in such manner.

But parents should not look far to discover the cause of their children’s negative behavior. They simply have to face the mirror and they surely would discover the person behind their children’s negative behavior.

Parents are the basic formators of their children as such they are the foremost teachers of their children.  If they reared their children with love for God they would mature as lovers of God. If they reared them with discipline and right manners they would grow up as such as well.

Aside from fulfilling the Jewish law that says that the firstborn must be brought to the temple. And the child’s mother must go to the temple to offer sacrifice to purify herself after childbirth. The Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph ensured that the child Jesus would also grow up to become someone who would love God dearly.

This is the reason why they took time to present Jesus to God in the temple. Joseph and Mary knew the important role of love for God in a child’s life. Both of them knew how to properly mold their only child Jesus so that He would grow as a man who loves God.

Even if we are very busy, let us not forget to find time to bring our children to the Lord to attend Holy Mass. Let us not forget to introduce Jesus to them and to teach them about our faith for it will surely bear fruit someday.

Do you always bring your children to Holy Mass? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 2, Kapistahan ng Pagdadala kay Jesus sa Templo: Lucas 2:22-40

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:22-40

22 Nang dumating na ang araw ng paglilinis nila ayon sa Batas ni Moises, dinala ang sanggol na si Jesus sa Jerusalem para iharap sa Panginoon – 23 tulad ng nasu­sulat sa Batas ng Panginoon: Lahat ng panganay na lalaki ay ituturing na banal para sa Panginoon. 24 Dapat din silang mag-alay ng sakripisyo tulad ng binabanggit sa Batas ng Panginoon: isang pares na batubato o dalawang inakay na kalapati.

25 Ngayon, sa Jerusalem ay may isang taong nagngangalang Simeon; totoong matuwid at makadiyos ang taong iyon. Hinihintay niya ang pagpapaginhawa ng Panginoon sa Israel at sumasakanya ang Espiritu Santo. 26 Ipinaalam naman sa kanya ng Espi­ritu Santo na hindi siya mamamatay hangga’t hindi niya naki­kita ang Mesiyas ng Pangi­noon. 27 Kaya pumunta siya ngayon sa Templo sa pag­tutulak ng Espiritu, nang dalhin ng mga magulang ang batang si Jesus para tu­parin ang kaugaliang naa­ayon sa Batas tungkol sa kanya.

28 Kinalong siya ni Simeon sa kanyang mga braso at pinuri ang Diyos, at sinabi: 29 “Mapayayaon mo na ang iyong utusan, Panginoon, nang may kapayapaan ayon na rin sa iyong wika; 30 pagkat nakita na ng aking mga mata ang iyong pagliligtas 31 na inihanda mo sa paningin ng lahat ng bansa, 32 ang liwanag na ibubunyag mo sa mga bansang pagano at ang luwalhati ng iyong bayang Israel.”

33 Nagtataka ang ama at ina ng bata sa mga sinasabi tungkol sa kanya. 34 Pinag­pala naman sila ni Simeon at sinabi kay Mariang ina ng bata: “Dahil sa kanya, ba­bagsak o babangon ang mga Israelita at magiging tanda siya sa harap nila at ka­nilang sasalungatin. 35 Kaya mahaha­yag ang lihim na pag-iisip ng mga tao. Ngu­nit paglalagusan naman ng isang pun­yal ang puso mo.”

36 May isa ring babaeng propeta, si Ana na anak ni Panuel na mula sa tribu ng Aser. Matandang-matanda na siya. Pag­kaalis sa bahay ng kanyang ama, pitong taon lamang silang nagsama ng kanyang asawa, 37 at nagbuhay-biyuda na siya at hindi siya umaalis sa Templo.

Araw-gabi siyang sumasamba sa Diyos sa pag-aayuno at pana­nalangin. Wa­lum­pu’t apat na taon na siya. 38 Sa pag-akyat niya sa sandaling iyon, nagpuri rin siya sa Diyos at nag­pa­hayag tungkol sa bata sa lahat ng naghihintay sa katubusan ng Jeru­salem.

39 Nang matupad na ang lahat ng ayon sa Batas ng Panginoon, umuwi sila sa kanilang bayan, sa Nazaret sa Galilea. 40 Lumalaki at lumalakas ang bata; napus­pos siya ng karunungan at sumasakanya ang kagandahang-loob ng Diyos.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Saturday February 1, 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:   

The story is told about a man who was so afraid of darkness. He feared darkness because he imagines evil things coming out from it. For the same reason, when sleeping time comes in the evening he tells his wife not to turn off the lights.

For many of us evening or darkness depicts uncertainty, it registers fears in our hearts. Notice when there’s brownout in the community. Everyone would look for their flashlights, candles or anything that could defeat darkness.

It was evening when Jesus and His disciples were crossing to the other side of the lake. They were in a boat and darkness pervades their environment, when out of the blue they suddenly encountered a violent storm. All of them were running scared (who wouldn’t be?) the fear of the violent storm coupled with darkness made them momentarily forgot that Jesus was with them.

And then they remembered that Jesus (the light of their lives and our lives too!) was with them. He was soundly asleep (notwithstanding the violent storm) in the stern on a cushion. So they woke Him up and they asked Jesus for help. And right in front of them Jesus rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm (Mark 4:39).

All of us pass thru certain stretches of darkness and storms in our life and we naturally fear it. Many of us would want to avoid these stretches of darkness and storms. Yet we cannot avoid it for these are part and parcel of our life.

So what are we going to do when we pass thru these episodes of storms and darkness? We always have to remember that Jesus the light of our lives is always with us. We always have to remember that no storms or darkness can break us down. For we have Jesus walking with us and lighting our paths.

Do you always call on Jesus when you pass thru storms and darkness in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Pebrero 1, Ikatlong Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 4:35-41

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 4:35-41

• 35 Kinahapunan ng araw na iyon, sina­bi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Tumawid tayo sa kabilang ibayo.” 36 Kaya iniwan nila ang mga tao at namangka silang kasama ni Jesus sa bangkang inu­upuan niya. At may iba pang mga bangka na kasabay nila. 37 At nagkaroon ng malakas na ipu­­ipo. Hinampas ng mga alon ang bang­­ka at halos  lumubog na 38 samantalang tulog siya sa kutson sa hulihan.

Kaya ginising nila siya at sinabi: “Guro, halos mamamatay na tayo at bale-wala sa iyo!”

39 Pagbangon niya, inutusan niya ang hangin at sinabi sa dagat: “Tahi­mik, huwag kumibo.” Nabawasan ang hangin at nag­karoon ng ganap na kapa­yapaan. 40 At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Napakatatakot ninyo! Bakit? Wala pa ba kayong pani­wala?”

41 Ngunit lalo silang nasindak at nag-usap-usap: “Sino ito na pati hangin at dagat ay sumusunod sa kanya?”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.