Reflection for December 4, Friday of the 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 compels you to go to church to attend Holy Mass? It’s your faith! When you are sick and in need of healing; what moves you to pray and ask Jesus to heal you? It is your deep faith! When you learn to ask with faith Jesus will certainly give it to you! 

Faith is the healing balm that we receive from God, but not everyone has this faith yet. Therefore, those who have faith must do something so that those who do not have faith will have it. And this we can do best if we learn to share our faith in Jesus and the many miracles that He has done in our life. 

The two blind men in our gospel obviously had faith for they shouted to Jesus, “Son of David have pity on us!” Who gave them faith? It was somebody who shared to them Jesus and in sharing Jesus with them they slowly but surely gained faith. 

Let us also have the courage to share our faith and friendship with Jesus. For it’s in sharing our faith that we grow in faith and it’s in sharing our faith that we make a positive difference in the lives of our fellow men and women. 

Have you already shared your faith? – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 4, Biyernes sa 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.

Reflection for December 3, Thursday Saint Francis Xavier, Priest (M): 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:

Who do you listen to in this world? Do you listen to Jesus and shut out what this world is trying to dictate upon you? When you always listen to Jesus you have an impregnable wall that nobody can destroy. Even the strongest of calamities will not be able to destroy much less discourage you for the simple reason that you have Jesus in your life. 

Often times we are defeated by our problems, worries and sickness because Jesus plays no role in our life. What rules our life are the many worldly attachments which only make our life in this world burdensome, problematic and heavy. So when we encounter trials many of us are not able to withstand it. 

Indulgence with the pleasures of this world makes us fragile physically and emotionally; it could even make us suicidal. We will be left with nothing except emptiness which will quickly lead us to nothingness. 

Try making Jesus the anchor of your life and you will see that not even the worst of problems can defeat you or bring you down. Even the worst sickness will not be able to conquer you, yes it may conquer your physical being but your spiritual being will remain strong.  And this is for the reason that Jesus is the rock solid foundation of your life. 

Is Jesus the foundation of your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 3, Huwebes San Francisco Javier, pari (Paggunita): 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!

Reflection for December 2, Wednesday of the 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:

What do you do when you see the poor? Do you go out of your way to give them something to alleviate their hunger? 

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.” 

Try closing your eyes and imagine that you’re with the disciples and meditate on these profound words of Jesus, imagine that the Lord is saying these words to you. Did you discern that Jesus is telling you to be His instrument in feeding and helping those who have nothing in life? 

In these hard times where hunger is commonplace because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jesus is also telling us that: “Your heart should also be moved with pity for those who are poor and hungry. For those who have nothing in life, for those who are being oppressed and for those who are weak and abandoned. 

It’s easy to say I will help or do something to help the poor and hungry. But the real test of discipleship is not with words. The real test is when we act and do something which are concrete and tangible. Let us not be afraid to help because this is what the Lord wants us to do. Let us also not worry because whatever help we give for as long as we give it from the heart will come back to us in manifold ways. 

Have you already extended help to the poor and hungry during this time of Covid-19 pandemic? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 2, Miyerkules sa 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.

1Reflection for December 1, Tuesday of the First Week of Advent: 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:

Do you have your regular communication time with God? 

Communication is an essential part with our relationship with God. The more communication time we have with god the more the we would get closer to Him. Thus, communication facilitates deeper friendship and relationship with God. 

Jesus in our gospel for today communicates through His prayer to God our Father the creator. He gives praise to the Father, Jesus did not only communicate to the Father to give praise. He communicated because he longs for His Father and it’s through this longing that He builds deeper oneness with Him. 

We too must always have this longing or thirst for God in every moment of our lives. We must always communicate with Him for He is our lifeline in this world. What would happen to us if we would not have our regular prayer moments with God? We become empty shells that look sturdy outside but deep inside are spiritually shallow.  

Let us always have our regular prayer moment with God in everyday of our lives. Let us give praise to Him let us thank Him for all of the blessings that He has been giving us. Let us not wait for the time to come wherein we will look for God because we are already in dire need of Him. 

Do you have your regular moment of communication with God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 1, Martes sa Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: 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.”

1Reflection for November 30, Monday; Saint Andrew, Apostle (Feast): 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:

Why did Jesus call Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John? Jesus wanted these four fishermen to share in His mission. There was no promise of riches, prosperity and power yet they responded. Their motivation to respond to Jesus call is very simple they just want to serve as Jesus served. No frills no publicity, as much as possible Jesus wanted it under the radar so that no one would know. 

So, these four selfless men followed Jesus they left everything even their  livelihood and trusted themselves under the care of Jesus. In these four men we get a valuable lesson on how to become true servants and followers of the Lord: Follow with full trust and confidence in the Lord! 

When you decide to follow Jesus you must be ready to leave everything for the sake of the Lord.  No looking back simply trust Him for He will take care of you. Take care of you not in the sense that you will financially and materially prosper as what many prosperity gospel preachers promote. Take care of you for He will make you rich spiritually so that you would be able to withstand the trials and rigors of your life and His mission.

You too is being called by the Lord to follow and trust Him. Follow where? Follow in His mission of evangelization; don’t worry about anything for He will take care of everything. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 30, Lunes; San Andres, apostol (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.

Reflection for Sunday November 29, First Sunday of Advent: Mark 13:33-37

Gospel: Mark 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. 

Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

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Reflection:

When the first case of Covid-19 was discovered in Wuhan China last year (December 2019) many countries were warned to be prepared, watchful and alert. Why? Because this disease could become a pandemic and could cause havoc, deaths and disruption to the world economy. A number of countries prepared immediately putting in place health and security protocols. But many countries did not prepare they even dismissed it as nothing. Thus, they dearly paid for their dismissive reaction.      

What does it mean to be watchful and alert? It means to always be prepared for anything that may happen or arrive. But why do we need to be watchful and alert? Why not simply become passive and complacent? We need to be watchful and alert because this is what Jesus wants us to do for He will manifest His presence to us at any moment of our lives. 

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent means coming or arrival of something very important. What is the significance of this command of Jesus for us? We too are being encouraged by Jesus to be watchful and prepared for His coming.  But how should we prepare? 

First is by submitting ourselves to the Healing Sacrament of Reconciliation. All of us are sinful; we sin through our Thoughts, Words and Actions. These many sins that we commit make us ill prepared for the coming of the Lord.    

Second is we have to forgive those who caused us pain no matter how severe the pain that they’ve caused us. This is very difficult to do but if we say that we know Jesus then we must be prepared to embody the infinite forgiveness of Jesus. By doing so we bring Jesus to them and who knows it may be through us that they will have an awareness of the living presence of Jesus. 

Third, we must renew our lives, we therefore have to walk away from anything that makes us sin. Sin by its mere appearance is actually attractive and enticing. But beneath its attractive and enticing appearance is a destructive force that can cost us enormously if we will not completely walk away from it.    

Are you already watchful and alert for the coming of the Lord?  - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Nobyembre 29, Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Marcos 13:33-37

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 13:33-37

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 33 Mag-ingat kayo at magpuyat: hindi nga ninyo alam kung kailan ang oras. 34 Ipagpalagay natin na nangingibang bayan ang isang tao. Iniiwan niya ang kanyang bahay at ipinagkakatiwala ang lahat sa kanyang mga utusan. 

May kanya-kanya silang tungkulin at inutusan niyang magbantay ang bantay pinto. 35 Kaya magbantay kayo sapagkat hindi ninyo alam ang oras ng pagdating ng may-ari, kung hapon o hating-gabi o madaling araw. 36 At baka bigla siyang du-mating, at madatnan kayong natutulog. 37 Kaya sinasabi ko rin sa lahat ang sinasabi kong ito sa inyo: Magbantay.”

Reflection for November 28, Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:34-36

Gospel: Luke 21:34-36

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. 

For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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Reflection:

What is the best protection against the uncertainties and anxieties of this world?  Our best protection is our connection with Jesus. Connection that will cost us nothing except a little of our time. We connect with Jesus when we pray, we talk and establish contact with Him through our fervent prayer life.   

What does prayer do to us? It gives us inner peace. We are always calm amidst the struggles and complexities of daily life. Active prayer life prepares us for whatever eventualities that life may bring us. 

Calamities, unforeseen disasters and the threat of wars happen every now and then and often times it catch us unexpectedly and it disturbs us. But if we are always prepared spiritually we would somehow learn to cope with it emotionally and we would still be calm. 

The world that we are in right now is so uncertain we don’t know what may happen next. For example, the covid-19 pandemic nobody expected it to happen but it happened. The threat of war and terrorism in many parts of the world is real and it’s happening. We therefore have to pray for peace and ask Jesus to make our world more peaceful.    

In the gospel for today Jesus told the disciples: “Pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).” – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Nobyembre 28 Sabado sa Ika-34 na Linggo ng Taon Lucas 21:34-36

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:34-36

sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 34 Mag-ingat kayo’t baka bumigat ang in¬yong mga isip sa mga bisyo, pag¬lalasing at mga intindihin sa buhay. 

At baka bigla kayong datnan ng araw na iyon. 35 Babagsak itong parang bitag sa lahat ng nasa lupa. 36 Kaya lagi kayong magbantay at manalangin para maging marapat na makatakas sa lahat ng mangyayaring ito at makaharap sa Anak ng Tao.”