Reflection for June 20, Saturday; Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 2:41-51

Gospel: Luke 2:41-51

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

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Reflection:

Have we experienced the feeling of fear and uncertainty?

Everyone of us perhaps has already experienced the feeling of fear and uncertainty. For example when a love one is brought to the hospital for an emergency; we feel fear and uncertainty of what may happen next. Amidst the anxiety and fear who gives us the confidence to calm down? it’s none other than God, we go to HIM in deep prayer.

When Saint Joseph and the Blessed Mother discovered that the child Jesus was not with them they must have felt fear and anxiety also. But in the middle of their feeling of fear and anxiety they remained peaceful for both of them were faithful worshippers of God. They knew perhaps that somehow they would soon find Jesus safe and sound. And so they went back to look for Jesus and they found HIM in the temple interacting with the Judaic teachers.      

Today is the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We remember her heart that is overflowing with love for her child and her spouse. Her Immaculate Heart that is overflowing with Humility and surrender to the will of God.

Let us pray that our hearts may be like the heart of the Blessed Mother. A heart that is overflowing with humility and trust in God. A heart that is ever willing to embrace suffering a heart that is deeply rooted in faith and love for God. And a heart that is immaculately clean for it doesn't keep a record of wrong and hatred.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 20, Sabado; Kalinis-linisang Puso ni Maria (Paggunita): Lucas 2:41-51

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:41-51

41 Pumupunta taun-taon sa Jeru­sa­lem ang mga magulang ni Jesus para sa Piyesta ng Paskuwa. 42 Kayat nang maglabindalawang taon na siya, umahon sila tulad ng nakaugalian para sa pagdiri­wang. 43 Subalit nang umuwi na sila pagkatapos ng mga araw ng piyesta, naiwan sa Jeru­salem ang ba­tang si Jesus nang hindi na­mamalayan ng kanyang mga magulang.

44 Sa pag-aakalang kasama siya ng iba pang mga kasamahan, maghapon si­lang nakipaglakbay at noon nila hina­nap ang bata sa mga kamag-anakan nila’t mga kakilala. 45 Nang hindi nila siya ma­tag­puan, bumalik sila sa Jeru­salem sa pag­hahanap sa kanya. 46 At sa ikatlong araw, natag­puan nila siya sa Templo, naka­upong kasama ng mga guro at naki­kinig at nagtatanong sa kanila. 47 At na­mangha sa kanyang ta­lino at mga sagot ang mga nakarinig sa kanya.

48 Nagulat ang kanyang mga magulang pagkakita sa kanya, at sinabi sa kanya ng kanyang ina: “Anak, bakit mo naman ito ginawa sa amin? Nag­dusa nga ang iyong ama at ako habang hinahanap ka namin.” 49 Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: “At bakit ninyo ako hinahanap? Hindi ba ninyo alam na dapat ay nasa bahay ako ng aking Ama?” 50 Pero hindi nila naintindihan ang sinabi niya sa kanila.

51 Kaya bumaba siyang kasama nila pa-Nazaret, at patuloy siya sa pagiging masunurin sa kanila. Iningatan naman ng kanyang ina ang lahat ng ito sa kanyang puso.

  

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for June 19, Friday; Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Matthew 11:25-30

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30  

At that time Jesus exclaimed: "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

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Reflection:

Do we want to grow in faith? God requires us only one thing; none other than to have the virtue of humility. Humility means that we trust God like how a little child trust his parents. Humility means that we don’t question the ways of God in our life even if HIS ways are sometimes not we would want it to be.

 We simply bow in submission and follow HIS own will for our lives. But, how would we know the will of God? We must at all times be humble for it’s though our humility that we are able to discerns God’s will for us. A person who is not humble would never discern God’s will; he will only know his own will for himself.

Who are those who go to Jesus to be relieve of the burdens of this world? Who are those who sincerely ask Jesus to help them carry their heavy loads in this world? Who are those who find their rest in Jesus alone? They all are the humble ones; they go to Jesus in humility and by doing so they find true rest they find someone who will help them find relief from the burdens of this world.

During this Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus let us reflect on Jesus' humble heart. Let us pray that the good Lord will also transform our hearts to become like the humble Sacred Heart of Jesus. For Humility is the gateway to know Jesus deeply and humility is the only means for Jesus to come into our life. 

Are we humble? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 19, Biyernes; Kamahal-mahalang Puso ni Jesus (Dakilang Kapistahan): Mateo 11:25-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:25-30

25 Nagsalita si Jesus sa pagkaka­taong iyon: “Pinu­puri kita Amang Panginoon ng Langit at lupa, sapag­kat itinago mo ang mga bagay na ito sa matatalino at marurunong, at ipinamulat mo naman sa mga karaniwang tao. 26 Oo, Ama, ito ang ikinasiya mo. 27 Ipinagkatiwala sa akin ng aking Ama ang la­hat. Walang nakakakilala sa Anak kundi ang Ama, at wa­lang nakakakilala sa Ama kundi ang Anak at ang sinu­mang gustuhing pagbun­yagan ng Anak.

28 Lumapit sa akin, lahat kayong nahi­hirapan at may pinapasan, at pagi­gin­hawahin ko kayo. 29 Kunin ninyo ang aking pamatok at matuto sa akin, akong mahinahon at ma­babang-loob, at maka­ka­tagpo kayo ng ginhawa para sa inyong kaluluwa. 30 Sapagkat mahu­say ang aking pamatok at magaan ang aking pasanin.”

  

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for June 18, Thursday; Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

What is the prayer that reaches God? Its prayer that comes from the heart and a prayer made in the silence of our heart. It could be a long or short prayer that comes straight from our heart.

Jesus gives us the perfect prayer called the Our Father. This is called the perfect prayer because it comes from Him and Jesus gave it to us. Jesus Himself taught us to pray it.  Do we pray this with our hearts or we simply pray it with our minds wandering elsewhere?

Recall when we are at Holy Mass, how do we pray the Our Father or the Lord’s Prayer? Do we pray it with closed eyes or with open eyes? The best way to pray this perfect prayer is with closed eyes.  Because when we close our eyes we shut ourselves from any form of distraction.    

Deep in our heart we seek to connect with God and we hunger and thirst for our God. Most especially when we pass through moments of loneliness, trial and disillusionment.  Why? Because God alone gives meaning to our life.  

How do we pray the Our Father? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 18, Huwebes; Sa Ika-11 Taon: Mateo 6:7-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:7-15

7 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad pag mananalangin kayo, huwag ka­yong magsalita nang magsalita gaya ng ginagawa ng mga pagano; nani­niwala nga sila na mas paki­kinggan sila kung marami silang sina­sabi. 8 Huwag kayong tumulad sa kanila. Alam ng inyong Ama ang mga panganga­ila­ngan ninyo bago pa man kayo humingi.

9 Kaya, ganito kayo manalangin: Ama naming nasa Langit, sambahin ang Ngalan mo, 10 dumating ang Kaharian mo, sundin ang loob mo         dito sa lupa para nang sa Langit. 11 Bigyan mo kami ngayon ng aming kakanin sa araw-araw, 12 patawarin mo ang aming mga pagkakautang          gaya ng pagpapatawad namin sa mga nagkakautang sa amin.

13 Huwag mo kaming dalhin sa tukso, at iligtas mo kami sa Masama. 14 Kung patatawarin ninyo ang mga nag­kasala sa inyo, patatawarin din kayo ng inyong Amang nasa Langit. 15 At kung hindi ninyo patatawarin ang mga nag­ka­sala sa inyo, hindi rin kayo patatawarin ng inyong Ama.

  

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for June 17, Wednesday; Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

(Jesus said to his disciples) “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

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Reflection:

What does Jesus teach us today? It’s about humility and modesty, keep your every acts of piety in secret and don’t trumpet it to the whole wide world including the world of social meadia for HE knows everything. But the world that we are in now is influencing us to discard this teaching of Jesus and embrace publicity and self-proclamation.

Just look at the many vehicles of publicity in the internet such as facebook, instagram, twitter and the like. What are they dictating to us? It dictates us to publicize almost everything that we do, including our acts of piety.

Nothing’s wrong to embrace these social media platforms if we use it to advance our advocacies with other motives but to help. Yet it becomes wrong when we use it to proudly show to the whole wide world the good that we do. Perhaps Jesus is telling us not to worry if nobody would notice our acts of kindness and piety for HE knows it already.

What is important is we do everything for Jesus and for the greater good of HIS people. It doesn’t matter anymore if we would be noticed or not if people would compliment us or not. What is important is we know that we have a God who knows everything including our unpublicized acts of love, charity and goodness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 17, Miyerkules; Sa Ika-11 Taon: Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18

1 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad  pag-ingatang huwag maging pakitang-tao lamang ang in­yong mabubuting gawa. Kung ganito ang ga­gawin ninyo, wala na kayong gantimpala sa inyong Amang nasa langit. 2 Kaya pag nagbibigay ka ng limos, huwag pahipan ang trumpeta sa unahan gaya ng gina­gawa ng mga mapagkunwari sa sinagoga at sa mga daan; gusto nilang mapuri ng mga tao. Sinisiguro ko sa inyo na nagan­timpala­an na sila nang husto.

3 Kaya kung ikaw naman ang magbi­bigay ng limos, huwag ipaalam sa iyong kaliwang kamay ang ginagawa ng iyong kanang kamay; 4 at mananatiling lihim ang iyong pagli­limos at ang iyong Amang nakakakita sa mga lihim ang siyang ga­gantimpala sa iyo.

5 Kung mananalangin kayo, huwag nin­yong tularan ang mga mapagkunwari. Gustung-gusto nilang tumayo sa mga sinagoga o sa mga daan para manala­ngin nang nakikita ng marami. Sinisi­guro ko sa inyo na nagantimpa­laan na sila nang husto. 6 At kung ikaw naman ang mana­nalangin, pumasok sa iyong silid, isara ang pinto at mana­langin sa iyong Ama na kasama mo nang lihim; at ang iyong Ama na naka­kakita sa ipinag­lilihim ang gagantimpala sa iyo.

16 Pag mag-aayuno kayo, huwag magpakita ng lungkot sa mukha gaya ng mga mapagkunwari. Nagpapakita sila ng lungkot sa mukha para makita ng tao na nag-aayuno sila. Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na nagantimpalaan na sila nang husto. 17 Kung ikaw naman ang mag-aayuno, maghilamos at ayusin ang sarili 18 sapagkat hindi ka nag-aayuno para pakitang-tao lamang kun­di para sa iyong Amang naka­kakita sa lahat. At gagantimpalaan ka ng iyong Amang nakakakita sa lahat ng lihim.

  

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for June 16, Tuesday; Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:43-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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Reflection:

Would we obey the command of Jesus to love and pray for our enemy?

Who are we to not obey the command of Jesus to love even our enemy? We are mere mortals and sinful beings of God. If God loves us unconditionally, why can’t we do the same to our fellowmen and women?

Our problem is we give so much importance on our high sense of ourselves, on our egos. That’s why we often times say, “If you don’t love me I will not love you also.”, “If you’re angry with me, then I would be angry with you also.” These kinds of reasoning are reasoning of a person who is so full of himself. 

The call of Jesus for us it to do away with our very high regard of ourselves and this would only be possible if we would become humble. Humility therefore is the key factor for us to be able to follow this command of Jesus: To love even to our enemies.

Let be humility an integral part of our way of life. Let us always learn to reach out, let us always be forgiving and let us not harbor ill feelings to those who’ve wronged us. If we’re able to do these, we can now say that we would be able to love and pray for everyone… even our enemies.

Can we love our enemy? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 16, Martes; Sa Ika-11 Taon: Mateo 5:43-48

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:43-48

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 43 Narinig na ninyo na sinabi: Ma­ha­lin mo ang iyong kapwa at kamuhian ang iyong kaaway. 44 Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: Mahalin ninyo ang inyong ka­away, at ipagdasal ang mga umuusig sa inyo. 45 Sa ganito kayo magi­ging mga anak ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Sa­pagkat pinasisikat niya ang araw sa kap­wa ma­sama at mabuti, at pinapapatak niya ang ulan sa kapwa makatarungan at di-maka­tarungan.

46 Kung mahal ninyo ang nagma­mahal sa inyo, bakit kayo gagantim­palaan? Di ba’t ginagawa rin ito ng mga kolektor ng buwis? 47 At kung ang mga kapatid ninyo lamang ang inyong bina­bati, ano ang na­iiba rito? Di ba’t gina­gawa rin ito ng mga pagano? 48 Kaya maging ganap kayo gaya ng pagiging ganap ng inyong Amang nasa langit.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon. 

1Reflection for June 15, Monday; Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:38-42

Gospel: Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus said to his disciples: You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

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Reflection:

Do you know that exacting revenge against someone who did you wrong will not do you any good? For example you discovered that your spouse is unfaithful to you and you get back at her/him by being unfaithful as well. Do you know that you’re only enveloping yourself with sin if you do so?

There’s a psychological study that says that when a person is at the height of his anger that person momentarily loses his rationality. This is the reason why a person commits sin that is unthinkable for that person to do.

In the gospel passage this Monday Jesus told the disciples: “offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles (Matthew 5:39-41).

Jesus did not retaliate for all the punishments and insults that His persecutors did to Him, He was always meek and humble. May we always be meek and humble also to those who sin against us most especially sins inside the marriage covenant.

May we learn to turn the other cheek, hand our cloak and learn to walk some more miles for the sake of peace and eventual harmony inside the marriage covenant.

Instead of retaliating with the betrayal of the marriage covenant which will only make us sin. Why not engage in dialogue, prayer and forgiveness? Or why not simply walk-away and live a quiet and solitary life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 15, Lunes; Sa Ika-11 Taon: Mateo 5:38-42

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:38-42

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang nga alagad, • 38 Narinig na ninyo na sinabi: Mata sa mata at ngipin sa ngipin. 39 Ngunit sina­sabi ko sa inyo: Huwag ninyong laba­nan ng masama ang masama. Kung sam­palin ka sa kanang pisngi, ibaling ang mukha at iharap ang kabilang pisngi. 40 Kung may magdemanda sa iyo para kunin ang iyong sando, ibigay mo pati ang iyong kami­seta. 41Kung may pumilit sa iyong suma­ma sa kanya nang  isang  kilometro,  dala­wang kilometro ang la­ka­rin mong kasama niya. 42 Bigyan ang nanghi­hingi at huwag talikuran ang may hinihiram sa iyo.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon. 

Reflection for Sunday June 14, Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ: John 6:51-58

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

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Reflection:

How can we live forever? We have to eat what Jesus offers us today none other than HIS Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Where do we receive this selfless offering of Jesus? We receive HIM at Holy Mass during Holy Communion. Hard to believe that we would be sustained by the Body and Blood of Jesus yet this is true! If we always receive HIM with utmost reverence we will notice something different and life changing within us.

Our faith will increase, we will be lead by Jesus to people who will help us grow in faith. And our eyes of faith will be opened to the rich resources available for us to grow in faith. However, before all of these life changing moments change us. We must receive HIM first at Holy Mass with deep reverence.   

But in this era of Covid-19 pandemic majority of us can’t still attend Holy Mass. So, what would we do? We have to reverently attend online Holy Mass and we have to say with reverence the prayer of Spiritual Communion. 

We become what we eat and we are transformed by what we eat, for example if we regularly eat food that makes us fat such as sweet and sugary food we will surely be fat. If we regularly eat salty and processed food this will also make us fat.  And the side effect of eating sugary, processed and fatty foods is it will eventually bring us sickness.

In the same manner if we will regularly partake reverently of the Body and Blood of Jesus it will not only transform and sustain us it will also cleanse us of anything that makes us sinful. This is the miracle of the Body and Blood of Christ that we reverently receive during Holy Communion/Spiritual Communion.

However, do we receive the Body of Christ with reverence and do we pray to Jesus to Heal, Renew and Change us as we fall in line/queue with social distancing for Holy Communion? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 14, Katawan at Dugo ni Kristo (Dakilang Kapistahan) Juan 6:51-58

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:51-58

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Judio,  51 Ako siyang tinapay na buhay, na pumanaog mula sa Langit. Kung may kakain ng tinapay na ito, mabubuhay siya magpa­kailanman. At ang laman ko ang tinapay na aking ibibigay alang-alang sa ikabu­buhay ng mundo.

52 Kaya nagtalu-talo ang mga Judio at nagsalita: “Paano tayo mabi­bigyan ng taong ito ng laman para ka­inin?” 53 Sinabi naman ni Jesus sa kanila: “Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, kung hindi n’yo kakanin ang laman ng Anak ng Tao at iinu­min ang kanyang dugo, wala kayong buhay sa inyong sarili. 54 May buhay magpakailanman ang ngumu­nguya ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo, at itatayo ko siya sa huling araw.

55 Sapagkat totoong pagkain ang aking laman at totoong inumin ang aking dugo. 56 Ang ngumunguya ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay namamalagi sa akin at ako naman sa kanya. 57 Sinugo nga ako ng Amang buhay at buhay ako dahil sa Ama, gayundin naman dahil sa akin mabu­buhay ang ngumunguya sa akin.

58 Ito ang tinapay na pumanaog mula sa Langit, hindi gaya sa inyong mga ninuno na kumain at nangamatay pa rin. Mabu­buhay naman magpakailan­man ang ngu­munguya ng tinapay na ito.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.