Reflection for December 12 Saturday, Our Lady of Guadalupe Patroness of the Philippines (M): Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his Kingdom there will be no end.  

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man? And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative has also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren for nothing will be impossible for God.”  

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

Today is the memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe. This is a Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with a series of five Marian apparitions at Tepeyac, a hill northwest of Mexico City to a farmer named Juan Diego in December 1531. 

Do you bow in humility to the will of the Lord? For example, you want to focus on something that you want to become your lifelong career. Yet in your heart you also feel that the Holy Spirit is leading you to something which is for the Lord. Do you listen to this leading of the Holy Spirit in your life or you listen only to what you want for yourself?  

Mary listened to the voice of the Lord God, Mary listened to the Holy Spirit who spoke to her heart. Mary had her own plan yet she subordinated her plan for God’s plan for her which is to become the mother of Jesus. 

When you obey the voice of God who is continuously speaking to you, your life will change for the better. You may not gain the material wealth that you want this world to offer you but the moment you say yes to the voice of God. You will gain peace in your life; peace that you have never experienced before and peace that no material wealth could give you. 

The Blessed Mother did this, she listened to the voice of God thru the angel Gabriel and she listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit which was already speaking to her heart. Thus, she gained peace and serenity in her life. 

Listen to the voice of God and listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It may be telling you to reconcile with someone close to you. It may be telling you to reach out in humility to a friend or it may be telling you to forgive and forget an offense done against you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for December 11, Friday of the Second Week of Advent: Matthew 11:16-19

Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’ 

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.

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Reflection:

Are you familiar with the word repentance? 

The word repentance is perhaps the most ignored word. For example we would often call on people close to us to repent and change their ways for the better. Most often than not this call is ignored and they would reason out that they have nothing to repent. 

We often don’t see our sinfulness until a person close to us tells us about it and we don’t normally like to be told about our sins. But the reality of it all is we are sinners we sin by our words, thoughts and actions. 

John the Baptist called for repentance asceticism was his lifestyle he wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt on his waist his food was locust and wild honey. He prepared the way for Jesus by calling the sinners of his time to repent. 

Jesus’ approach was different, He mingled with sinners, He healed the sick, He preformed miracles and conducted life changing sermons in that process He called them all to repentance. 

This season of Advent the call to repentance intensifies to a crescendo for us to be more worthy of the coming birth of our savior. But only few of us give it an ear, we chose to ignore it. Why not listen to this call? Why not change our ways for the better? Why not humbly submit ourselves to the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation? 

If today you hear His voice harden not your hearts. (Hebrew 3:15) – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 11, Biyernes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 11:16-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:16-19

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao 16 Ngayon, kanino ko ikukumpara ang mga tao sa kasalukuyan? Para silang mga batang nakaupo sa mga plasa at nagka­kantahan, at nagrereklamo ang ilan sa kanila: 17 ‘Tinugtog namin ang plauta para sa inyo pero ayaw ninyong sumayaw, at nang uma­wit naman kami ng malungkot na awit, ayaw din nin­yong umiyak!’ 

18 Ganito rin ang nangyari: Duma­ting muna si Juan na nag-aayuno, at sabi ng mga tao: ‘Inaalihan siya ng demon­yo.’ 19 At saka dumating ang Anak ng Tao na kumakain at umiinom, at ang sabi ng mga tao: ‘Laseng­go at mata­kaw, ka­ibigan ng mga publikano at mga makasalanan!’ Gayon pa man, mapatutunayang tama ang karunu­ngan ng Diyos sa mga gawa nito.”

Reflection for December 10, Thursday of the Second Week of Advent: Matthew 11:11-15

Gospel: Matthew 11:11-15

Jesus said to the crowds: “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. 

All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

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Reflection:

What are you going to do if you see that something is wrong in your family or in the community where you belong? Of course you are going to create order and make things right. 

John the Baptist did this when he called for the people to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand (Matthew 3:2). John saw firsthand the sinfulness of the people of his time. Thus he called for repentance and renewal. 

John also gave his life for the sake of what is right. This occured when he criticized King Herod for coveting Herodias the wife of his brother Philip (Matthew 14:1-12). Someone has to take the cudgels for God and it is John the Baptist. John was the messenger sent by God to create order and bring once again righteousness. John courageously faced the powers that be during his time even at the cost of his life. 

As we live our lives we may be witness to immorality, corruption and the countless evils of our society. Let us not think twice to denounce it, to speak out for what is moral and right. Even if it will bring us trouble, if temporal trouble would be the result for speaking out for what is right and moral, so be it. 

Evil pervades in this world because we choose to bow and kowtow to the scheming of evil people. We choose to be cowed instead of being courageous. To defeat evil we therefore have to make a stand and speak out whatever it may cost us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 10, Huwebes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 11:11-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:11-15

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao 11 Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, walang sinuman sa mga kilalang tao ngayon ang mas dakila pa kay Juang tagapagbinyag, pero mas dakila sa kanya ang pinakamaliit sa kaharian ng Langit. 12 Mula sa pana­­hon ni Juan Bautista hanggang nga­yon, ang kaha­rian ng Langit ay kaila­ngang agawin, at ang mga buo ang loob ang umaagaw nito.  

13 Pagpopropesiya nga lamang ang panahon ng Mga Propeta at ng Batas hanggang kay Juan. 14 At kung gusto ninyo itong tanggapin, si Juan ang Elias na darating. 15 Makinig ang may tainga.

Reflection for December 9, Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent: Matthew 11:28-30

Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said to the crowds: “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:

The story is told about a very rich man who was so burdened by his problems. He tried many ways to solve it, he thought his money would help him solve his problems, to no avail. He went to his friends and indulge in drinking sessions and vices yet it did not solve his problems either. 

He was living like a ship without a rudder aimlessly drifting to nowhere, he didn’t know it but he was slowly wasting his life. Until he meet a relative who was an active member of the church. He opened up to him and the relative listened. 

At the end the relative had only one advice: “Go and spend time with Jesus in the adoration chapel. Then, don’t miss Sunday Mass and when you are at Mass be attentive and listen to every word being spoken for many of it will speak to you. You also read your bible for Jesus will also speak to you there. To cut short a long story, he made a devotion to the adoration chapel, went to Holy Mass as often as he could. And regularly read his bible. 

After a few weeks he already had a normal life. Yes, from time to time there were still problems that need to be sorted out. But he knew now where to go. Not to his vices, not to his money not even to his friends. But to Jesus in the adoration chapel, to Jesus in the Holy Mass and to Jesus  in the Holy bible. 

In the gospel Jesus said: “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. 

Why does Jesus invites us to go to him? We who are sinful and we who are beset by our many burdens. This is for the reason that Jesus loves us dearly, Jesus doesn’t want us to waste our life by finding earthy solutions to our burdens. 

Take this offer of Jesus by surrendering your life to Him. And see for yourself the miracle that He will create in your life the moment you surrender your life to Him. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 9, Miyerkules sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 11:28-30

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:28-30

Sinabi ni Jesus 28 Lumapit sa akin, lahat kayong nahi¬hirapan at may pinapasan, at pagi¬gin¬hawahin ko kayo. 29 Kunin ninyo ang aking pamatok at matuto sa akin, akong mahinahon at ma-babang-loob, at maka¬ka¬tagpo kayo ng ginhawa para sa inyong kaluluwa. 30 Sapagkat mahu¬say ang aking pamatok at magaan ang aking pasanin.”

Reflection for December 8, Tuesday; The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Principal Patroness of the Philippines (Solemnity): Luke 1:26-38

 

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” 

But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 

And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” 

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

Do you accept the will of the Lord for your life or you contradict it? 

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This was defined by Pope Pius IX in Ineffabilis Deus and was promulgated on December 8, 1854, it states that Mary, through God's grace, was conceived free from the stain of original sin through her role as the Mother of God. 

The Gospel tells us that God thru the Angel Gabriel had chosen the Blessed Mother to be the Mother of Jesus, of all women why the Blessed Mother? We don’t know the answer but the Blessed Mother’s humility, docility and abandonment to the will of God speaks volumes about her. 

The Blessed Mother humbly followed God’s desire and will when she said: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38)." 

Like the Blessed Mother, are you willing to humble yourself before the Lord? Are you willing to abandon your life to the will of God? And do you always discern the desire of the Holy Spirit in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

1Reflection for December 7, Monday Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (M): Luke 5:17-26

Gospel: Luke 5:17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” 

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 

He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.

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Reflection:

Do you always ask Jesus to increase your faith? 

We all have our own set of sickness: physical and emotional sickness. Whatever sickness that we may have Jesus can cure it all, all He ask from us is to have faith.  The same faith as the four men who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus. 

We always have to remember that nothing is impossible for Jesus. He can make all things possible including the impossible! What He only asks from us is to have faith, faith that endures and faith that is willing to wait. 

The four men and the paralyzed man had that enduring faith. They braved the crowd and the difficulties before them so that they could go through Jesus. How many of us have that kind of faith? 

We therefore must not forget to always ask the Good Lord to increase our faith for the simple reason that we are feeble and weak. In this difficult and tortuose jungle called life there are times that we tend to be overtaken by our own set of life challenges. Nevertheless, we have to move on and think  and hope that everything will be over well soon.  

       

Prayer:

Dear God we ask you to increase our faith, we are weak and susceptible to the challenges of life. We know that you are always there for us ever ready to help us conquer our challenges. Give us the same faith of the four men who brought the paralytic to you. Give us the same patience and endurance of the paralytic as well. 

We ask this in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus. Amen. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 7, Lunes San Ambrosio, Obispo at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita) : Lucas 5:17-26

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:17-26

17 Isang araw, nagtuturo siya at na­kaupo naman ang mga Pariseo at mga guro ng Batas na galing sa iba’t ibang bayan ng Galilea at Judea at mula sa Jerusalem. Gumagawa ang kapangya­rihan ng Panginoon sa kanya na mag­pagaling. 18 May mga lalaking du­mating na dala sa isang papag ang isang lala­king paralitiko. 

Sinikap nilang dalhin siya at ilagay sa harapan ni Jesus. 19 Nang hindi nila makita kung paano nila mada­dala ang paralitiko dahil sa dami ng tao, umakyat sila sa bubungan at sa bubong nila siya idinaan pababa na nasa kanyang papag hanggang sa gitna sa harap ni Jesus. 

20 Nang makita niya ang kanilang pana­nalig, sinabi niya: “Kaibigan, pinatatawad ka sa iyong mga kasalanan.” 21 Nagsimula noong mag-isip-isip ang mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo: “Talagang iniinsulto ng taong ito ang Diyos. Sino ba ang may kapang­yari­hang magpatawad ng mga kasalanan? Di ba’t ang Diyos lamang?” 

22 Ngunit alam ni Jesus ang kanilang mga pag-iisip kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ano ang mga ka­isipan ninyong ito? 23 Ano ba ang mas madaling sabi­hin: ‘Pinatatawad ka sa iyong mga kasa­lanan’ o ‘Tumayo ka’t lumakad’? 

 24 Da­pat ninyong malaman na may kapang­yarihan sa lupa ang Anak ng Tao na magpatawad ng mga kasala­nan.” At sinabi niya sa paralitiko: “Sinasabi ko sa iyo: bumangon ka, dal­hin ang iyong higaan at umuwi.” 25 At kapag­daka’y tumayo siya sa harap nila, kinuha ang kan­yang higaan at umu­wing nagpu­puri sa Diyos. 

26 Namangha ang lahat at nagpuri sa Diyos. Nasindak nga sila at sinabi: “Naka­kita tayo ng mga kagila-gilalas na bagay sa araw na ito!”

Reflection for Sunday December 6, Second Sunday of Advent: Mark 1:1-8

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." 

John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. 

John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who lived simply and who attends Holy Mass everyday. He lived in a small and simple house, he lived a simple lifestyle and he wore simple clothes. His neighbors were wondering why he chose to live this kind of life when he can actually afford to live the life of a rich man. 

So, his neighbors asked him: “Why do you choose to live a simple life considering that you have the wealth to live an affluent life?” The man replied, “I choose to live a simple life because I want you all to know that there is more to life than all the trappings that surrounds it and that is your faith, friendship and personal relationship with God.” 

In the gospel for the second Sunday of advent we read about John who lived a simple life. John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. John also fed on locusts and wild honey. Before descending to be with the people John lived a simple life or even a hermit’s life in the desert. 

As a result of living a simple life John became an effective herald/messenger for the coming of the Lord. What if John chose to live his life in affluence and worldliness? Would he still become an effective herald for the coming of the Lord? Of course not! Why? Because it’s only in the simplicity of our lives that we become effective heralds/messengers of the Lord.  

How are you living your life during this time of covid-19 and are you already an effective herald/messenger for the coming of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Disyembre 6, Ikalawang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Marcos 1:1-8

 Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:1-8

1 Ito ang simula ng Ebanghelyo (o Magandang Balita) ni Jesu­cristo, Anak ng Diyos. 2 Nasusulat sa Propeta Isaias: “Ipinadadala ko ngayon ang aking sugo na mauuna sa iyo para ayusin ang iyong daan. 3 Naririnig ang sigaw sa disyerto: ‘Ihanda ang daan para sa Panginoon, ituwid ang kanyang landas’.” 

4 Kaya may nagbibinyag sa disyerto – si Juan – at ipinahahayag niya ang binyag na may kasamang pagsisisi para sa kapatawaran ng mga kasa­lanan. 5 Nag­pun­tahan sa kan­ya ang lahat ng taga-Judea at mga naninirahan sa Jerusalem. Inamin nila ang ka­nilang mga kasalanan at bininyagan sila ni Juan sa Ilog Jordan. 

6 May balabal na balahibong-kamelyo at pang-ibabang damit na katad si Juan, at mga balang at pulot-puk­yutang-gubat ang kina­kain. 7 At ito ang sinabi niya sa kanyang panga­ngaral: “Parating na kasunod ko ang gagawa nang higit pa sa akin. Hindi nga ako karapat-dapat yumuko para magkalag ng tali ng kanyang panya­pak. 8 Sa tubig ko kayo binin­yagan, at sa Espiritu Santo naman niya kayo bibin­yagan.”

1Reflection for December 5, Saturday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8

 

Matthew  9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples,  The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” 

Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

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Reflection:

What is your fulfilment in life? 

To amass wealth and to have power is already a fulfillment for many of us. Some even make it their life’s mission but this is not our fulfilment neither this is our life’s mission. True fulfillment and true mission in life is when we make a positive difference in the lives of our fellow men and women. We become this when we are able to share and introduce Jesus to them.  

When Jesus summoned His twelve disciples He did not instruct them to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and make money out of them. He rather told them: “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons.” In other words make a big difference in their lives without expecting anything in return. 

Material things come and go but the help that we make in the lives of our fellowmen creates a lasting impact that they will forever remember. However, some of us will say: “Life is hard right now, how can I help when I have barely enough for me?”  

We must not restrict the word help with money or anything that is material. For the reason that we can give help even without using money. For example, we can share Jesus, we can listen to emotional burdens and we can always share the gentleness and love of God.  

When was the last time that you extended help to someone who was emotionally burdened?– Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 5, Sabado sa Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo  9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8 

35 Nilibot ni Jesus ang mga bayan at mga nayon; nagtuturo siya sa kanilang mga sinagoga, nagpapahayag ng Mabu­ting Balita ng Kaharian at nagpapagaling ng lahat ng sakit at karamdaman. 36 Nang makita niya ang makapal na tao, naawa siya sa kanila sapagkat hirap sila at lu­pay­pay na parang mga tupang walang pastol. 37 At sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad: “Marami nga ang aanihin at ka­kaunti naman ang mga manggagawa. 38 Ida­langin ninyo sa panginoon ng ani na magpadala siya ng mga manggagawa sa kanyang ani.” 

10: 1 Tinawag ni Jesus ang labindalawa niyang alagad at bi­nigyan sila ng kapangyarihan sa maruruming  espiritu para palayasin ang mga ito at pagalingin ang lahat ng sakit at ka­ram­daman. Sinugo ni Jesus ang labindalawang ito at pinagbilinan: 6 Hanapin ninyo ang nawawalang tupa ng sambayanan ng Israel. 

7 Ipahayag ang mensaheng ito sa inyong paglalakbay: ‘Palapit na ang kaharian ng Langit.’ 8 Pagalingin ang maysakit, buhayin ang patay, linisin ang mga may ketong at palayasin ang mga demonyo. Tinanggap ninyo ito nang walang bayad kaya ibigay rin ninyo nang walang bayad.