1Reflection for December 16 Wednesday 1st day of Misa de Gallo (Simbang Gabi), in the Philippines: John 5:33-36

Gospel: John 5:33-36

(Jesus said to the Jews,) You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. 

But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.

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Reflection:

Do you know John? 

The people during Jesus’ time thought that John was the promised messiah but John humbly told them that he’s not. After John was beheaded Jesus started His three years public ministry. Jesus called for repentance, Jesus’ healed the sick, gave hope to the hopeless and the like. 

But they still found fault and did not believe. This is due to the scheming of the high priest and those who were in position of authority. In this season of advent Jesus calls us to believe in Him, to learn from Him, to have hope and to give hope on His behalf and to repent from our sins. 

As we witness for Jesus the devil will temp us to put ourselves prominently in front than Jesus. The devil will temp us to own for ourselves the wisdom that we have. But let us fight these temptations by looking at John, by following his humility and fidelity towards Jesus.  

As John has said: It is necessary that He must increase and I must decrease (John 3:30). This must also be our guiding principle Jesus must always shine brightly in our life. How about us? Never mind, let us simply fade away and let Jesus take the center stage so that the faith that He gave us will continue to grow and bear much fruit . – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 16 Miyerkules Simula ng Simbang gabi: Juan 5:33-36

Mabuting Balita: Juan 5:33-36

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Judio 33 Nagpasugo kayo kay Juan at binigyang-patunay niya ang katotohanan. 34 Ipinaaalaala ko ito para maligtas kayo; ngunit hindi ko hangad ang patunay mula sa tao. 35 Siya nga ang ilaw na may sindi at nagniningning, at ginusto n’yong magalak pansaman­tala sa kanyang liwanag. 

36 May patunay naman ako na higit pa kaysa kay Juan – ang mga gawang bigay sa akin ng Ama upang tuparin ko ang mga iyon. Ang mga gawa mismong ginagawa ko ang nagpapatunay na sinugo ako ng Ama.

 

1Reflection for December 15 Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent: Matthew 21:28-32

 

Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. 

Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.

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Reflection:

What is the meaning of this parable? 

Jesus directs the parable of the two sons to the chief priests and elders of the people. For the reason that they did not listen to the exhortation of John to change their self-righteous ways. Then He praised the tax collectors and prostitutes the usual sinners at that time because they listened and believed the exhortation of John to change their ways thus they henceforth walked away from their sinfulness. 

This parable of the two sons is for us as well, we who superficially listens to the word of God. We who are faithful in our church obligations yet we don’t live what we learn from our church. 

How quickly do we judge our fellowmen because of their appearance and the clothes that they wear? How quickly do we judge them because of their faith and the friends that they keep?  How quickly do we judge them because of their behavior and status in life? 

We quickly judge by what we see not minding our own shortcomings and sinfulness. By doing so we personify the second son who said yes but did not go to the vineyard we also stand for the chief priest and elders of the people who did not heed the call of John to renew their lives. 

The tax collectors and prostitutes were favored by Jesus for the simple reason that they heeded the call of John. Yes they were sinners but the moment they heard the preaching of John they listened, believed and walked away from their sinfulness. Thus they represent the first son who initially said no but later on had a change of heart and humbly went to work in the vineyard.      

We who are sinners and self-righteous are being called by Jesus to humble ourselves before Him. Too have a change of heart and to completely walk away from our sinfulness. Just like what the first son did and the sinful tax collectors and prostitutes who listened to John. 

Would you respond to this call of Jesus? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 15 Martes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 21:28-32

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:28-32

28 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga saserdote at matatanda ng bayan: “Ano sa palagay ninyo? May dalawang anak ang isang tao. Lumapit siya sa isa at sinabi: ‘Anak, pumunta ka ngayon at magtrabaho sa aking ubasan.’ 29 Sumagot ang anak: ‘Ayoko.’ Ngunit pagkatapos ay nagbagong-isip siya at pumunta. 

30 Pinuntahan din ng ama ang pangalawang anak at gayundin ang sinabi. Sumagot naman ang anak: ‘Opo.’ Pero hindi siya pumunta.” 31 At itinanong ni Jesus: “Sino sa dalawang anak ang tumupad sa gusto ng ama?” Sumagot sila: “Ang una.” At sinabi ni Jesus: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: mas nauuna sa inyo patungo sa kaharian ng Langit ang mga publi-kano at mga babaeng bayaran. 

32 Dumating nga si Juan para ipakita sa inyo ang daan ng kabutihan pero hindi kayo naniwala sa kanya, samantalang naniwala naman ang mga publikano at mga babaeng bayaran. Nakita ninyo ito at hindi kayo nagsisi o naniwala sa kanya.

Reflection for December 14 Monday, Saint John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the Church (M): Matthew 21:23-27

Gospel: Matthew 21:23-27

When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” 

They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’  But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

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Reflection:

Are you in a position of authority? Yes you are in your own little way you occupy a position of authority.

Authority is synonymous with power and there are many who do not know how to properly use their authority. They use their authority to oppress, bully, corrupt and to look down to those who are powerless and poor. 

The chief priests were like that they were always at the back of Jesus watching his every move so that they could humiliate Him. Aside from the fact that they are threatened by Jesus popularity among the ordinary people. They also perceived Jesus as powerless and lowly that’s why they make it a habit to oppress Him. 

Jesus has the greatest authority that anyone of us could ever have but how did He used it? He used it with humility, He used it to cure, He used it to comfort people, He used it to give hope and to serve. Never did He boast about it, never did He told anyone to worship Him because of His authority. 

If you are a parent, how do you exercise your authority in your home? If you are a manager/leader, how do you exercise your authority in your sphere of environment? If you are a politician, how do you exercise your authority on your constituency? If you are a priest, how do you exercise your authority in your parish? If you are a teacher, how do you exercise your authority to your students? 

The best model on how to exercise authority is the model of Jesus: Authority used with humility, authority used with compassion and authority used for the greater glory of God. And this is the exercise of authority that we have to follow. 

How do you exercise your authority? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 14 Lunes San Juan dela Cruz, pari at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita): Mateo 21:23-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:23-27

23 Pagpasok ni Jesus sa Templo, luma­pit sa kanya ang mga punong-pari, mga guro ng Batas at mga Matatanda ng mga Judio, at nagtanong: “Ano ang karapa­tan mong gawin ang mga ito? Sino ang nagtalaga sa iyo?” 24 Sinagot sila ni Jesus: “Tatanungin ko rin kayo ng isang tanong. At kung may sagot kayo, sasagutin ko ka­yo kung sino ang nagtalaga sa akin para sa mga ito. 

25 Sa­an galing ang pagbi­binyag ni Juan, sa Diyos ba o sa tao?” At nag-isip-isip sila: “Kung isasagot nating galing sa Diyos, sasabihin niya: ‘Bakit di kayo naniwala sa kanya?’ 26 At kung sasabihin naman nating ‘Galing lamang sa tao ang pagbibinyag ni Juan,’ dapat tayong matakot sa bayan sapagkat akala nila’y tunay na propeta si Juan.” 27 Kaya sinabi nila kay Jesus: “Hindi namin alam.” At sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Hindi ko rin sasabihin sa inyo kung sino ang nagtalaga sa akin na gumawa ng mga ito.”

 

Reflection for Sunday December 13, Third Sunday of Advent: John 1:6-8, 19-28

 

Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. 

And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, "Who are you?" He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, "I am not the Christ." So they asked him, "What are you then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." So they said to him, "Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? 

What do you have to say for yourself?" He said: "I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, 'make straight the way of the Lord,'" as Isaiah the prophet said." Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?" 

John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

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Reflection:

Are you feeling sad and somewhat weary because of the many trials that you went through this 2020? You are not alone because we’ve all been through a lot of trials this 2020 and foremost of this trial is the current covid-19 pandemic that is causing havoc in our lives. 

However, amidst the trials there is still something important that we have to be joyful and that is the coming birth of our savior Jesus Christ. 

In the gospel we read about John who prepared the way of the Lord with joy. John was certainly joyful as he did his assigned task as the precursor of the Lord. Otherwise John would have not been successfully able to fulfill the task assigned to him by God. 

The lesson that John imparts to us is no matter how hard life is right now there is still a brighter future that awaits us all for as long as we have the mindset of joyfulness.  Everything and every successful activity or journey no matter how difficult becomes easier to do when we embrace the mindset of joyfulness. 

We therefore have to rejoice and be joyful no matter the trials that we’ve been through or currently we are going through. How we live our life is always a matter of choice. If we choose to live life with joyfulness and hopefulness amazing, positive and limitless success and great things will be upon us soon. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Disyembre 13, Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Juan 1:6-8, 19-28

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:6-8, 19-28

6 May taong sugo ang Diyos – Juan ang kanyang pangalan. 7 Dumating siya para sa pagpapatunay, para magpatunay tungkol sa Liwanag, upang makapanalig ang lahat sa pama­magitan niya. 8 Hindi siya mismo ang Liwanag, kundi para magpatunay tungkol sa Liwanag. 

19 Ito ang pagpapatunay ni Juan nang papuntahin sa kanya ng mga Judio ang ilang mga pari at Levita mula sa Jerusalem para tanungin siya: “Sino ka?” 20 Inako niya di ipinagkaila, inako nga niyang “Hindi ako ang Kristo.” 21 At tinanong nila siya: “Ano ka kung gayon? Si Elias ka ba?” At sinabi niya: “Hindi.” “Ang Propeta ka ba?” Isinagot naman niya: “Hindi” 22 Kaya sinabi nila sa kanya: “Sino ka ba? Para may mai­sagot kami sa mga nagpapunta sa amin. Ano ba ang masasabi mo tungkol sa ‘yong sarili?”  

23 Sumagot siya gaya ng sinabi ni Propeta Isaias: “Tinig ako ng isang sumisigaw sa disyerto: Tuwirin ang daan ng Panginoon.” 24 May mga pinapunta mula sa mga Pariseo. 25 At tinanong nila siya: “Eh, ba’t ka nagbibinyag kung hindi ikaw ang Kristo, ni si Elias, ni ang Propeta?” 26 Sina­got sila ni Juan: “Sa tubig ako nag­bibin­yag ngunit may nakatayo sa piling ninyo na hindi n’yo kilala. 27 Siya ang dumating na kasunod ko pero hindi ako karapat-dapat magkalag ng panali ng kanyang panyapak.”  

28 Sa Betaraba nangyari ang mga ito, sa kabilang-ibayo ng Jordan na pinag­bi­binyagan ni Juan.

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