Reflection for April 18, Saturday in the Octave of Easter: Mark 16:9-15

Gospel: Mark 16:9-15

When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either.

But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

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Reflection:

Among the many to whom Jesus can appear, why to Mary Magdalene first a sinner who was formerly possessed by seven demons? Why not to anyone of His eleven apostles first who by the way were with Him for three years? Or why not appear first to His Mother Mary?

Why appear to Mary Magdalene first? We don’t know but what we know of Mary of Magdalene is she is a sinner who repented. A former prostitute who left behind her sinful life to become a follower of Jesus.

Perhaps the message to us is nobody is beyond reach of the love of God. The more sinful we are the more that Jesus desires to manifest Himself to us. The more that Jesus wants to convert us from sinner to become non sinner even saint. 

We should all remember that nothing is impossible with God. That God when He so desires can effect change into our lives no matter how dark our past. However, we must also cooperate with God’s plan of conversion for us.

This is for the reason that even if God desires to change us yet we don’t cooperate with His plan, then He can’t do anything. For He also gave us the freedom of will, if we would abide with His desire then we are assured of salvation.

Mary of Magdalene was docile to the desire of God to convert her that’s why she totally left behind her sinful life and became a follower of the Lord.

How about us? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 18, Sabado sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Marcos 16:9-15

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:9-15

9 Pagkabuhay ni Jesus sa unang araw ng sanlinggo, una siyang napakita kay Maria Magdalena na mula rito’y pitong demonyo ang pinalayas niya. 10 Umalis ito at nag­balita sa mga ka­sama ni Jesus na noo’y umiiyak at nag­luluksa. 11 Ngunit hindi sila naniwala sa kanya nang marinig nilang buhay si Jesus at napakita sa kanya.

12 Pagkatapos nito, napakita naman si Jesus sa ibang anyo sa dalawa sa kanila habang pa­punta sila sa labas ng bayan. 13 At pagbalik nila, ibina­lita rin nila ito sa iba pa pero hindi rin naniwala ang mga ito sa ka­nila. 14 Sa dakong huli, nang nasa hapag ang La­bing-isa, napakita sa kanila si Jesus at pinagsabihan sila dahil sa ka­wa­lang-paniwala nila at kati­gasan ng puso: hindi nga nila pinaniniwalaan ang mga nakakita sa kanya matapos siyang bu­hayin.

15 At sinabi sa kanila: “Pumunta kayo sa bu­ong daigdig at ipahayag ang ebang­helyo sa buong sangkinapal.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for April 17, Friday in the Octave of Easter: John 21:1-14

Gospel: John 21:1-14

Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."They said to him, "We also will come with you."

So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?" They answered him, "No." So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something."

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught."

So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast." And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel spiritually weak and empty? You’re not alone, everyone of us goes through this spiritual dryness. This is the reason why we sometimes feel spiritually weak and empty.

After the death of Jesus some of the apostles didn’t know that Jesus had already risen. So they went back to their former work feeling spiritually empty and weak nonetheless they have to move on with their lives. Feeling weak and empty they went fishing and they returned ashore without any catch at all.

Then afterwards, lo and behold the risen Christ appeared before them and He said to them, have you caught any fish? They said no, so Jesus told them to throw it once again onto the water, consequently they did. And they caught so many fish that they couldn’t bring it anymore to shore.

In their emptiness and weariness Jesus appeared to them to give them hope and to give them strength. To tell them that I am again here with you, I have risen, I have not abandoned you all even for a single second. I was with you as you struggle with my death on the cross as I was with you as you felt your emptiness and loneliness. Never have I abandoned you!

The same is what Jesus is telling us all today as we also struggle with our journey with Him. As we feel and face our own moments of emptiness, helplessness and loneliness caused by this horrifying Covid-19 pandemic. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 17, Biyernes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:1-14

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:1-14

1 Muling ibi­nunyag ni Jesus ang sarili sa mga alagad sa may Dagat ng Tiberias. Ganito ang kanyang pagbu­bunyag.  

2 Magkasamang naroon sina Simon Pedro, Tomas na tinaguriang Kambal, Natanael na taga-Cana ng Galilea, ang mga anak ni Zebedeo, at dalawa pa sa  mga alagad niya. 3 Sinabi sa kanila ni Simon Pedro: “Aalis ako para ma­ngisda.” Sinabi nila sa kanya: “Sasama kami sa iyo.” Lumabas sila at sumakay sa bang­ka nang gabing iyo’y wala silang nahuli.

4 Nang madaling-araw na, nakatayo si Jesus sa dalampasigan pero hindi naki­lala ng mga alagad na si Jesus iyon. 5 Tina­tawag sila ni Jesus: “Mga bata, wala ba kayong isda?” Sumagot sila sa kanya: “Wala!” 6 Kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “Iha­gis n’yo ang lambat sa bandang kanan ng bangka at ma­kakatagpo kayo.” Kaya ini­hagis nga nila at hindi na nila maka­yang hilahin iyon dahil sa dami ng isda.

7 Kaya sinabi kay Pedro ng alagad na iyon na mahal ni Jesus: “Ang Pangi­noon siya!” Nang marinig ni Simon Pedro na ang Panginoon iyon, ibinigkis niya ang [kanyang] damit dahil hubad siya, at saka tumalon sa dagat. 8 Dumating namang sakay ng maliit na bangka ang iba pang mga alagad pagkat hindi sila kala­yuan mula sa pampang kundi mga sandaang metro lamang. Hila-hila nila ang lambat ng mga isda.

9 At pagkalunsad sa lupa, nakita nilang may nagbabagang uling doon, na pinagiihawan ng isda, at may tinapay. 10 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Mag­dala kayo mula sa mga isdang nahuli n’yo ngayon.” 11 Kaya sumakay si Simon Pedro at hinila sa pampang ang lambat na puno ng sandaa’t limampu’t tatlong mala­laking isda. At kahit na napakarami’y hindi napunit ang lam­bat.

12 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Hali­kayo’t mag-almusal!” Walang maka­pangahas sa mga alagad na mag-usisa sa kanya: “Sino ba kayo?” dahil alam nilang ang Pangi­noon iyon. 13 Lumapit si Jesus at ku­muha ng tinapay at ipinamahagi sa kanila. Gayun­din sa isda. 14 Ito ngayon ang ikatlong pagbu­bunyag ni Jesus sa mga alagad matapos siyang ibangon mula sa mga patay.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for April 16, Thursday in the Octave of Easter: Luke 24:35-48

Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have." And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of baked fish;

he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

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Reflection:

Who moves and inspires us to go on when you feel spiritually/emotionally weary and tired? Of course it’s no other than Jesus! During these times of weariness and tiredness we earnestly pray to Him and we ask Him for help and strength. And the moment we sincerely do these prayers and petitions we would feel energized as such we are very much ready again to face the many trials in our life.

While the disciples of Jesus were feeling weary and down because they thought that Jesus had not risen. He suddenly stood in their midst and He greeted them, "Peace be with you and He said to them: “Why are you troubled?” And why do questions arise in your hearts? Jesus appeared to his followers once again to tell them that He had truly risen and that He is there for them.

Whether we admit it or not, we are often times like the disciples of Jesus. We doubt, we feel abandoned by Him and we sometimes question Him. If He is really there for us and if He is really real!

If He is there and if He is truly real then how come there are still difficult moments in our lives like this covid-19 pandemic that has killed thousands already? In the midst of these momentary difficulties let us persevere and let us continue to have faith in Jesus.

What does this gospel episode tells us? It tells us that we are never alone that the Risen Jesus is always by our side most especially when we pass through trials and problems. He is always there to help us and to strengthen us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 16, Huwebes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Lucas 24:35-48

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:35-48

35 Isinalaysay ng dalawang alagad ang nang­yari sa daan at kung paano nila siya nakilala sa pagpipiraso ng tinapay. 36 Habang pinag-uusapan nila ang mga ito, tumayo siya mismo sa gitna nila (at sinabi sa kanila: “Huwag ka­yong matakot, sumainyo ang kapaya­paan!”). 37 Nagulat nga sila at natakot, at akala’y nakakakita sila ng kung anong espiritu. 38 Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: “Bakit kayo naliligalig at puma­pasok ang alinla­ngan sa inyong isipan? 39 Ting­nan ninyo ang aking mga ka­may at mga paa, ako nga siya. Hipuin ninyo ako at unawain ninyo na walang laman at mga buto ang isang espiritu, at nakikita ninyo na meron ako.” (40 Matapos masabi ito, ipinakita niya sa kanila ang kanyang mga kamay at paa.)

41 Hindi sila makapaniwala sa labis na galak at nagtataka pa rin kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “May makakain ba kayo rito?” 42 At binigyan nila siya ng isang pirasong inihaw na isda (at pulot-puk­yutan). 43 Ki­nu­ha niya iyon at ku­main sa harap nila. 44 Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Sinabi ko na sa inyo ang mga ito nang kasama ninyo ako: kailangang matupad ang lahat ng nasusulat tungkol sa akin sa Batas ni Moises, Mga Propeta at Mga Salmo.”

45 At binuksan niya ang kanilang isipan para maunawaan nila ang mga Kasulatan. 46 Sinabi niya: “Ganito ang na­susulat: kailangang magdusa ang Mesiyas at pagkamatay niya’y buhayin sa ikatlong araw. 47 Sa ngalan niya ipahahayag sa lahat ng bansa ang pagsisisi at ang kapa­tawaran ng mga kasa­lanan – sa Jerusalem kayo mag­sisimula. 48 Kayo ang magiging mga saksi sa mga ito.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for April 15, Wednesday in the Octave of Easter: Luke 24:13-35

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days? And he replied to them, “What sort of things? They said to him, The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see. And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over. So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us? So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon! Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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Reflection:

A husband was always being urged by his wife to join his family to attend Sunday Mass. The husband would always say, I don’t want to go because I don’t understand what’s going on at Mass and I am also busy with other things.

His wife told him, don’t you know that you always have a personal encounter with Jesus whenever you are at Holy Mass?  Don’t you know that the words of Jesus are always proclaimed to you at Holy Mass? And don’t you know that you always partake of Jesus Body and Blood during Holy Communion?

In our gospel, while Cleopas and the other disciple were going to Emmaus, the risen Christ suddenly walked with them and conversed with them. They had no inkling that it was already the risen Christ who was with them. Why? This is for the reason that their focus was not on the risen Christ but on the Christ who died on the cross.

They walked-on until they reached Emmaus it was already night time so they invited Jesus to stay in their house. And while they were at a table Jesus took bread broke it said the blessings and shared it with the two of them. They immediately recognized that it was the risen Jesus who was with them. Because Jesus did the same sacred gesture before them and the apostles during the last supper in the upper room (Luke 22:19-20).

Cleopas and the other disciple are not alone in this predicament of not immediately recognizing the presence of Jesus in their midst. For we too are often guilty of not recognizing that Jesus is always present at Holy Mass.

And the reason behind not recognizing Jesus at Holy Mass is our lack of concentration and attention when we are at Mass. Our lack of interest with the Holy Mass readings and our failure to read Jesus life transforming words in the bible when we are in our home.

If only we would prioritize our presence at Holy Mass, if only we would focus our attention to what the priest does at Holy Mass. And if only we would find time to open and read the life giving words of Jesus in the bible every day. We would know and feel that Jesus is also walking with us and He is ever ready to introduce Himself to us.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 15, Miyerkules sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Lucas 24:13-35

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:13-35

13 Nang araw ng Linggo, dalawa sa mga alagad ang naglalakad pa-Emmaus na isang nayong mga labin­limang kilo­metro mula sa Jerusalem. 14 Pinag-uusapan nila ang mga nangyari. 15 Sa kanilang pag-uusap at pagtatalakayan, lumapit si Jesus at nakisabay sa paglakad nila 16 pero parang may kung anong hadlang sa kanilang mga mata at hindi nila siya nakilala.

17 Tinanong niya sila: “Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan ninyo sa daan?” Tumigil silang mukhang malungkot. 18 Suma­got ang isa sa kanila na nagnga­ngalang Cleofas: “Bakit, mukhang ikaw lang ang kaisa-isahan sa Jerusalem na di alam ang mga nangyari roon nitong mga ilang araw?” 19 Itinanong niya: “Ano?” Sumagot sila: “Tungkol kay Jesus na taga-Nazaret. Sa paningin ng Diyos at ng buong baya’y isa siyang propetang maka­pang­­yarihan sa gawa at salita.

20 Ngunit isinakdal siya ng aming mga punong-pari at mga pinuno para mahatulang mamatay at ipinako siya sa krus. 21 Uma­asa pa naman kaming siya ang tutubos sa Israel ngunit ikatlong araw na ngayon mula nang mangyari ang lahat ng ito. 22 Sa totoo’y ginulat kami ng ilang ba­baeng kasama namin. Maaga silang pu­munta sa libingan 23 pero hindi nila nakita ang kanyang katawan kaya du­mating sila at sinabi sa amin na naka­kita pa raw sila ng aparisyon ng mga anghel na nag­sabi sa kanila na buhay siya.

24 Nagpunta rin sa libingan ang ilan sa amin at natag­puan nga nila ang sinasabi ng mga babae pero hindi nila siya nakita.” 25 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Mga hin­di makaunawa at mapupurol ang isip para maniwala sa lahat ng ipina­hayag ng mga propeta. 26 Di ba’t kaila­ngang mag­dusa nang ganito ang Mesiyas bago pu­masok sa kanyang Lu­walhati?” 27 At sinimulan niyang ipa­liwanag sa kanila ang lahat ng sinasabi ng Kasulatan tungkol sa kanya, mula kay Moises hanggang sa lahat ng Pro­peta.

28 Nang malapit na sila sa nayong pu­puntahan nila, parang magpapatuloy pa siya ng paglakad. 29 Pero pinilit nila siya: “Manatili kang kasama namin dahil dapit­hapon na at lumulubog na ang araw.” Kaya pumasok siya at suma­ma sa kanila. 30 Nang nasa hapag na siyang kasalo nila, kumuha siya ng tinapay, nagpuri at piniraso ito at ibinigay sa kanila. 31 At noo’y nabuksan ang kanilang mga mata at nakilala nila siya, at nawala siya sa kanilang paningin. 32 Nag-usap sila: “Hindi ba’t nag-aalab ang ating puso nang kinakausap niya tayo sa daan at ipinali­liwanag sa atin ang mga Kasulatan?”

33 Noon di’y tumayo sila at nagbalik sa Jerusalem. Nakita nila roon na mag­ka­kasama ang Labing-isa at ang iba ni­lang kasamahan. 34 Sinabi ng mga iyon sa kanila: “Totoo ngang binuhay ang Panginoon at napakita siya kay Simon.” 35 At isinalaysay naman nila ang nang­yari sa daan at kung paano nila siya nakilala sa pagpipiraso ng tinapay.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for April 14, Tuesday in the Octave of Easter: John 20:11-18

Gospel: John 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him. When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?

Whom are you looking for? She thought it was the gardener and said to him,“ Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him. Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni, which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them,‘I am going to my Father and your Father to my God and your God.’Mary went and announced to the disciples,“I have seen the Lord, and then reported what he had told her.

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Reflection:

Do we always recognize the manifestation of Jesus in our life? Certainly in so many ways Jesus always manifest Himself to us in everyday of our life. We simply need to carefully discern it to feel His presence.

For example, in our desire to follow Him there are times that we get lost and do things as what we want to do it. But somehow Jesus would always find a way to redirect our life to Him. He would straighten us and make us understand that He is always there for us to remind us that you need not lose hope for He’s there for us, we only need to trust Him.

Mary of Magdala was weeping outside the tomb for she did not found Jesus. Perhaps she thought that Jesus’ body was desecrated until Jesus manifested Himself to her. Instantly her feeling of hopelessness was immediately replaced by joyfulness and hope. And then she joyfully went to the disciples and told them that she met and had spoken with Jesus. 

Jesus our Rab-bo'ni (which means Teacher) has already risen therefore He is just around watching over us. Let us always call on His name and let us always ask Him to watch over us and  be with us as we continue our pilgrimage in this world. Most especially right now wherein the entire humanity is being gravely assaulted by the Covid-19 pandemic. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 14, Martes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 20:11-18

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:11-18

11 Nakatayo namang umiiyak sa labas si Maria sa may libingan. Sa kan­yang pag-iyak, yumuko siyang naka­tanaw sa libingan. 12 At may na­pansin siyang dalawang anghel na nakaputi na naka­upo, isa sa may ulu­nan at isa sa may paanan ng pinag­lagyan sa katawan ni Jesus.

13 Sinabi sa kanya ng mga iyon: “Ale, bakit ka umiiyak?” Sinabi niya sa ka­nila: “May kumuha sa Panginoon ko, at hindi ko alam kung saan siya inilagay.” 14 Pag­kasabi niya nito, tuma­likod siya at napan­sin niya si Jesus na nakatayo pero hindi niya nakilalang si Jesus iyon.

15 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Ale, bakit ka umiiyak? Sino’ng hinahanap mo?” Sa pag-aakala niyang iyon ang hardinero, sinabi niya sa kanya: “Ginoo, kung kayo ang nagdala sa kanya, sabihin n’yo sa akin kung saan n’yo siya inilagay at ku­kunin ko siya.”

16 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Maria!” Pagka­harap niya’y sinabi niya sa kanya sa Aramaiko: “Rabbouni!” (na ibig sabihi’y Guro). 17 Si­nabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Huwag kang humawak sa akin sapagkat hindi pa ako nakaaakyat sa Ama. Puntahan mo ang mga kapa­tid ko at sabihin sa kanila: ‘Paakyat ako sa Ama ko at Ama ninyo, sa Diyos ko at Diyos ninyo.’” 18 Pumunta si Maria Magdalena na ibinabalita sa mga alagad: “Nakita ko ang Panginoon.” At sinabi niya ang mga sinabi sa kanya.”

Reflection for April 13, Monday in the Octave of Easter: Matthew 28:8-15

Gospel: Matthew 28:8-15

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep. And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble. The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.

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Reflection:

Up to where are we willing to be manipulated by the many evils of money? Are we willing to lie for money? Are we willing to sacrifice our souls to the devil so that we can have dirty money? The problem with allowing money to manipulate and control us, is it will destroy us eventually.

Let us look at Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, what happened to him? He was eventually destroyed by his insatiable greed for money. Judas killed himself because he cannot anymore bear the guilt of his betrayal of Jesus.    

There are many more real life stories of men and women who allowed themselves to be controlled by the evils of money. They took pleasure and served the many evils of corrupted money yet eventually they were left with nothing except shame.

Here in our gospel there are soldiers who allowed themselves to be blinded by the evil glitters of money. The soldiers could have stood up to the chief priest and the elders. They could have told them, we will not lie, we will tell the true story of Jesus’ resurrection. But they failed to seize the moment to witness for the resurrected Christ.

Would we sacrifice our faith for the Lord for money? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 13, Lunes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Mateo 28:8-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 28:8-15

8 Agad na iniwan ng mga babae ang libingan na natatakot at labis na nagagalak, at tumakbo sila para balitaan ang kanyang mga alagad. 9 Nakasalubong nila sa daan si Jesus at sinabi niya: “Kapayapaan.” Paglapit sa kanya ng mga babae, niyakap nila ang kanyang mga paa at sinamba siya. 10 Si­nabi naman ni Jesus sa kanila: “Huwag kayong matakot. Humayo kayo at sabihin sa aking mga kapatid na pumunta sila sa Galilea; doon nila ako makikita.”

11 Samantalang pabalik ang mga babae, nagbalik naman sa lunsod ang ilang mga bantay at ibinalita sa mga punong-pari ang lahat ng nangyari. 12 Nakipag-usap naman ang mga ito sa mga Matatanda ng bayan kaya kumuha sila ng sapat na halaga at ibinigay sa mga sundalo, 13 at tinagubilinan silang “Sabihin nin­yong dumating nang gabi ang kan­yang mga alagad at ni­nakaw ang katawan habang natutulog kayo. 14 Kung mabalitaan ito ng gobernador, kami ang bahala sa kanya at hindi kayo magka­kaprob­lema.” 15 Tinanggap ng mga sundalo ang pera at ginawa ang itinuro sa kanila; at laganap pa hanggang ngayon ang kuwentong ito sa mga Judio.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Sunday April 12, Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord: John 20:1-9

Gospel: John 20:1-9

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

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Reflection:

How profound is our love for Jesus? Mary of Magdala, Peter and the beloved disciple loved Jesus deeply. Perhaps to say that the three of them were distressed is an understatement when Jesus’ body was buried. They certainly felt that a certain part of them had been taken away from them permanently. For this is how it feels when somebody we love deeply dies.

Therefore by the next day or in the early hours of the next day Mary of Magdala went to the tomb only to find out that Jesus’ body was not there anymore. She told Peter and the beloved disciple about the missing body of Jesus. So racing against time they went to see for themselves the empty tomb of Jesus. 

What does this gospel episode signify to us? Does it tell us that we too should look and long for Jesus? Surely it tells us that we too should have this ever present longing for Jesus. For the simple reason that the moment we long for the Lord we surely would soon find Him.

Jesus is alive and Jesus has risen yet many are not longing for Him. This is the sad truth: many are still not longing for Him. Why? Because many don’t care to share Him and many don’t care to live His teachings.

Let us therefore be different from those who don’t care to share Jesus. Let us humbly share the Resurrected Christ through our words and through our way of life. So that through us many will be enlightened and be blessed by our Risen Savior.

Would we care to share the risen Christ or we will continue to keep Him within us? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Abril 12, Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay : Juan 20:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:1-9  

1 Pagkatapos ng Araw ng Pahinga, habang madilim pa, maagang pumunta sa libingan si Maria Magdalena, nang makita niyang tanggal ang bato mula sa libingan, 2 patakbo siyang pumunta kay Simon Pedro at sa isa pang alagad na mahal ni Jesus. Sinabi niya sa kanila: “May kumuha sa Pangi­noon mula sa libingan, at hindi namin alam kung saan nila siya inilagay.”

3 Kaya lumabas si Pedro at ang isa pang alagad, at pumunta sa libingan. 4 Sabay na tumakbo ang dalawa. Ngu­nit mas mabilis tumakbo kay Pedro ang isa pang alagad, at unang naka­rating sa libingan. 5 Pagkayuko niya’y nakita niyang nakala­tag ang mga telang linen pero hindi siya pumasok.

6 Dumating namang kasunod niya si Simon Pedro, at pumasok sa libingan. Napansin niya ang mga telang linen na nakalatag, 7 at ang panyo namang naka­­talukbong sa ulo niya ay di kasa­ma sa mga telang linen na nakalatag kundi hiwalay na nakabilot sa mis­mong lugar nito. 8 Pumasok noon ang isa pang alagad, ang unang nakarating sa libi­ngan, at nakita niya at siya’y naniwala. 9 Sapag­kat hindi pa nila alam ang Kasu­latan na kailangan siyang mag­ba­ngon mula sa mga patay.