Reflection for January 15, Friday of the First Week: Mark 2:1-12

Gospel Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.  

Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. 

Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” –he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

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Reflection:

Are we humble enough to admit that we are sinners? 

We have in our gospel a paralytic who is also a sinner;   in the midst of great odds four men brought him to Jesus. It did not matter to them if they have to climb the roof and broke thru it. Knowing their own frailties the four men and the paralytic himself summoned every ounce of courage that they have to be in front of Jesus. What an expression of faith, what an expression of hunger to be forgiven by Jesus and what an expression of humility. 

The faith of the paralytic and also those who helped him eventually paid off for Jesus forgave him of his many sins. Not only that he was forgiven by Jesus he got a bonus because he was also physically healed of physical sickness.  

We may not be aware of this but our spirits longs to be forgiven and healed by Jesus as well through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We may not be aware also that the sins that we have committed are the ones that prevent us from receiving more blessings from Jesus.  

It takes great courage, effort and tons of humility to approach a priest and ask for his time in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If we humbly submit ourselves to this healing Sacrament we would receive enormous spiritual and physical blessings. Let us therefore be like the paralytic and his four companions who braved the great odds to approach Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 15, Biyernes sa Unang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 2:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 2:1-12

1 Pagkaraan ng ilang araw, pumasok si Jesus sa Capernaum. Nang maba­litang nasa bahay siya, 2 ma­rami ang nagtipon doon kaya wala nang lugar kahit sa may pintuan. At ipinahayag niya ang Salita. 3 May mga tao namang duma­ting at dinala sa kanya ang isang parali­tiko, na buhat-buhat ng apat. 

4 At nang hindi sila makalapit kay Jesus dahil sa dami ng tao, inalis nila ang mga tisa ng terasang nasa ibabaw ng kinaroroonan ni Jesus at pagka­bukas nila nito, inihugos nila ang pa­ralitiko na nasa higaan. 5 Nang makita ni Jesus ang kanilang pananalig, sinabi niya sa paralitiko: “Anak! Pinatawad na ang iyong mga kasa­lanan.” 

6 May ilang guro ng Batas naman na nakaupo roon at inisip nila: 7 “Ano itong sinasabi niya? Talagang iniinsulto niya ang Diyos. Sino ba ang may kapang­yari­hang magpatawad ng mga kasa­lanan? Di ba’t ang Diyos lamang?” 8 At agad na nalaman ni Jesus sa kan­yang espiritu na ganoon ang kani­lang mga niloloob na kaisipan. Kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ano ang mga kaisipan ninyong ito? 

9 Ano ba ang mas madaling sabihin sa paralitiko: ‘Pinatawad na ang iyong mga kasalanan’ o ‘Tumayo ka, kunin ang iyong higaan at lumakad’? 10 Dapat ninyong malaman na sa lupa ay may kapang­yarihan ang Anak ng Tao na magpatawad ng kasa­lanan.” 

At sinabi niya sa paralitiko: 11 “Ini­uutos ko sa iyo: bumangon ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan at umuwi.” 12 At bumangon nga ang tao, agad na kinu­ha ang higaan at lumabas na nakikita ng lahat. Lubhang namangha ang lahat at nagpuri sila sa Diyos sa pagsasabing “Kailanma’y hindi pa kami nakakakita ng ganito.”

Reflection for January 14, Thursday of the First Week: Mark 1:40-45

Gospel: Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean. Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean. The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 

Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them. The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

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Reflection:

Who does the leper represent today? It’s all of us who are sinners. When Jesus was approached by the leper Jesus did not run away from Him. He instead stayed, had pity on the leper, offered his healing hand to touch and clean him of his contagious disease.  

For the reason of their disease lepers were treated as outcast they were not allowed to mingle with the people. For fear that they may pass their sickness to those that they would be in touch with. Sounds familiar? Yes, very much like those who got sick with Covid-19 they are also being isolated so that they would not be able to infect others. But Jesus never run from the leper He instead did the contrary by offering His healing hand and right there the man was immediately healed. 

This is Jesus for all of us! Merciful, full of love and compassion for all of us. Never minding if we are sinners and never judgmental with the sins that we have committed. What is important for the Lord is we approach Him with humility, trust and repentance. 

We bare ourselves to Him and tell Him, “I strip myself of anything that makes me unworthy before you O Lord heal me and forgive me.” Let us remember that nothing is impossible for Jesus, He makes all things possible including the impossible. 

What are the sins that you have committed?  Do you think that you are already unworthy for the reason of your many sins? No, you are still worthy and precious in the eyes of Jesus. Humbly approach Him and please tell Him: Heal me O Lord! – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 14, Huwebes sa Unang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 1:40-45

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:40-45

40 Lumapit kay Jesus ang isang may­­ketong at nakiusap sa kanya: “Kung gusto mo, mapalilinis mo ako.” 41 Naha­bag si Jesus sa kanya, iniunat ang kanyang kamay, hinipo siya at sinabi: “Gusto ko, luminis ka!” 42 Nang oras ding iyon, iniwan ang lalaki ng kanyang ketong at luminis siya. 

43 Ngunit mahigpit siyang pinagbilinan ni Jesus sa kanyang pag-alis, 44 sinabi niya: “Mag-ingat ka, huwag mo itong sa­bihin kaninuman, kundi pu­munta ka sa pari para masuri ka niya at maialay alang-alang sa pagkalinis sa iyo ang handog na iniutos ni Moises upang magkaroon sila ng patunay.”  

45 Ngunit pagkaalis ng tao, sini­mulan niyang ipahayag ito kahit saan at ipa­malita ang pangyayaring ito. Dahil dito, hindi na lantarang maka­pasok sa bayan si Jesus kundi nanatili siya sa labas, sa mga ilang na lugar. Ngunit may dumarating pa rin sa kanya na kung saan-saan galing.

Reflection for January 13, Wednesday of the First Week: Mark 1:29-39

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. 

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”  So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

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Reflection:

How’s your relationship with your mother-in-law?

Many married couples are not in good terms with their mother-in-laws Why? Because they see their mother in laws as interventionist but not all mother-in-laws are like that. Many mother-in-laws are low profile and quite because they respect the privacy and independence of their married children. But they would always be there for their married children whenever they would need her. 

In our gospel Jesus was brought by Simon to their house to cure his mother-in-law. Why? Because Simon loved his mother-in-law. She must have been quite, low profile and not interventionist.   Simon saw his mother-in-law as a blessing and guiding light to his family otherwise Simon would have not asked Jesus to come by to their house and heal her.

Simon told Jesus about her sickness and entrusted her healing to Him. Jesus immediately went to her grasped her hand and she was immediately cured. That’s how big the love of Simon towards his mother-in-law and that’s how huge the trust of Simon toward Jesus.

Sometimes our problem is we trust more on ourselves rather than Jesus. We put more weight on our human effort rather than the divine effort of Jesus. This is perhaps the reason why many of us forget to bring first our sick to Jesus by way of our prayers before bringing them to those who could cure them.

What is it that is bothering you right now? Is it the harshness of life? Is it sickness? Is it unfulfilled dreams? Is it Psychological disturbance brought about by Covid-19? Is it family and personal problems? Please tell Jesus about it, be patient, don’t give up; continue to have hope and trust in Jesus. His help and healing will come to you sooner than you expect it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 13, Miyerkules sa Unang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 1:29-39

 

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:29-39

29 Pagkaalis niya sa sinagoga, tumuloy si Jesus sa bahay nina Pedro at Andres, kasama sina Jaime at Juan. 30 Doo’y nakahiga ang biyenan ni Pedro at may lagnat, at agad nila itong sinabi kay Jesus. 31 Kaya lumapit siya, hinawakan ito sa kamay at ibinangon. Ini¬wan ng lagnat ang babae at ito mismo ang nag¬lingkod sa kanila.

32 Pagkalubog ng araw, nang dumi¬dilim na, dinala nila kay Jesus ang lahat ng maysakit o inaalihan ng masa¬sa¬mang espiritu. 33 Nasa may pintuan nga ang buong bayan. 34 Maraming may iba’t ibang sakit ang pinagaling ni ¬Jesus at mara¬ming demonyo ang kanyang pinalayas; ngunit hindi niya sila pina¬hintulutang magsalita sapagkat alam nila kung sino siya.

35 Kinabukasan, maaga siyang bu¬mangon at umalis. Pumunta siya sa isang ilang na lugar at doon siya nana¬langin. 36 Hinanap siya nina Pedro, 37 at pag¬ka¬kita sa kanya ay kanilang sinabi: “Hi¬na¬hanap ka ng lahat.” 38 Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: “Tayo na sa ibang lugar, sa maliliit na karatig-nayon para maka¬pangaral din ako roon; dahil dito kaya nga ako lumabas.”

39 At naglibot siyang nangangaral sa kanilang mga sinagoga sa buong Galilea at nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo.

Reflection for January 12, Tuesday of the First Week: Mark 1:21-28

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” 

Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

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Reflection:

What would you get if you are taught by someone without authority? You get nothing from it. Would you still go and listen to him? Of course not! You would prefer to go and listen to the person who teaches with authority and conviction. 

Jesus teaches both with authority and conviction that’s why when He entered the synagogue and taught there. Everyone was captured in amazement and admiration. It was further reinforced when they saw Jesus rebuked and commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man whom it has possessed. 

Jesus still talks to you with authority and conviction up to this very moment it happens when you read the bible. If you would be serious in your bible readings/study you would be able to discern Jesus directly speaking to you. But the big question is do you read your bible? Or it is just gathering dust. 

The man possessed with an unclean spirit immediately sensed the presence of Jesus that’s why when Jesus said: “"Quiet! Come out of him!" It instantly convulsed and was immediately freed from evil possession.  

This is also what Jesus will do in our life if we would allow Him to speak to us by reading the bible. And if we would allow Him to speak to us through our pious presence at Holy Mass. 

He will drive out all the demons and sickness of this material world including the Covid-19 pandemic that is slowly enslaving many of us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 12, Martes sa Unang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 1:21-28

 

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:21-28

21 Pumunta si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad sa Capernaum. At nagturo siya sa sinagoga sa mga Araw ng Pahinga. 22 Nagulat ang mga tao sa kanyang pangangaral sapagkat nangaral siya nang may kapang­yari­han, hindi gaya ng mga guro ng Batas. 

• 23 May isang tao sa sinagoga na ina­alihan ng isang maruming espiritu. 24 Su­migaw ito: “Ano ang kailangan mo sa akin, Jesus na taga-Nazaret? Para ipahamak kami kaya ka dumating. Alam ko kung sino ka: ang Banal ng Diyos.” 

25 Ngunit iniutos sa kanya ni Jesus: “Tumahimik ka’t lumabas sa kanya.” 26 Matinding niyugyog ng espiritu ang taong iyon at pagkasigaw nang malakas ay saka lumabas. 

27 Talagang takang-taka ang lahat at nag-usap-usap sila: “Ano ito? Isang ba­gong pagtuturo na may kapang­ya­rihan! Inuutusan niya kahit maru­ruming espi­ritu at sinusunod nila siya.” 28 At luma­ganap ang katanyagan niya saan man sa buong lupain ng Galilea.

Reflection for January 11, Monday of the First Week: Mark 1:14-20

Gospel: Mark 1:14-20

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfilment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” 

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who dreamed that he died. Thus he dreamt being ushered into a dark and grisly environment wherein he heard people groaning in agony.  Then he saw the devil frighteningly smiling at him motioning him to go towards him. He suddenly run away as fast as he could and soon after he woke up from his horrible dream. The man incidentally was living a very sinful life. 

The horrifying dream led the man to church he prayed and ask Jesus’ forgiveness then he saw the confessional booth. He went there and confessed his sins to the priest and the priest advised him to repent and follow Jesus by faithfully practicing his faith. 

The story of this man is our own story of sinfulness too, we are sinful and we keep on sinning. Would we allow the devil to continue to enslave us by incessantly sinning? Would we allow the devil to bring us to hell by ignoring Jesus’ call of repentance? What if we die right now do we want to end up in hell and be in the possession of the devil? 

No one of us is wishing for hell, deep inside our beings we yearn for heaven and God, we yearn for peace and serenity in our life. And this is what God wants for us also; He wants to give us peace and calmness that He only can give us. But what must we do?  We must repent, believe in the gospel and follow Jesus. 

In the gospel for this Monday, the four fishermen (Simon, Andrew, James and John) heard this call of repentance of Jesus for they too were sinful just like all of us. Then after repenting they followed Jesus to become His disciples. 

Do you also hear Jesus’ call of repentance  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 11, Lunes sa Unang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 1:14-20

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:14-20

14 Pagkadakip kay Juan, pumunta si Jesus sa Galilea. Doon niya ipina­hayag ang magandang balita ng Diyos sa pagsa­sabing 15 “Sumapit na ang panahon; mag­bagong-buhay at mani­wala sa magandang balita; lumapit na nga ang Kaharian ng Langit.” 

16 Sa pagdaan ni Jesus sa pampang ng lawa ng Galilea, nakita niya si Simon ka­sama si Andres na kapatid niya na naghahagis ng mga lambat sa lawa; mga mangingisda sila. 17 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Halikayo, sumunod kayo sa akin at gagawin ko kayong mangingisda ng tao.” 18 Agad nilang iniwan ang kanilang mga lambat at sumunod sa kanya. 

19 Nagpatuloy pa siya nang kaunti, nakita naman niya ang magkapatid na Jaime at Juan na mga anak ni Zebedeo; nasa bangka sila at nagsusursi ng kani­lang lambat. 20 Tinawag sila ni ­Jesus. Agad nilang iniwan sa bangka ang kanilang amang si Zebedeo kasama ang mga tauhan nito, at umalis silang kasunod niya.

1Reflection for Sunday January 10, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord: Mark 1:7-11

Gospel: Mark 1:7-11

This is what John the Baptist 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."  

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

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Reflection:

Do you still remember the date of your baptism and the priest that administered your baptism? Perhaps you don’t remember it anymore for the simple reason that it was a long long time ago. But should you strive to remember the date of your baptism? You should because it is through your baptism that you became a member of the Catholic/Universal church. 

 Our Baptism is not only a rite or a Sacrament it is also a responsibility that we need to fulfill and what is the responsibility? The responsibility is to help Jesus spread the faith. Therefore, through baptism we become one with the mission of the church. 

In the gospel, Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan river it was not a mere ceremonial baptism. It was a baptism that signalled the beginning of the mission of Jesus. Thus, after baptism Jesus commenced His mission of salvation. 

We have to be gently reminded that we always share in the mission of Jesus by virtue of our baptism. Thus, we have to ask ourselves: Have I already shared the gospel of Christ and am I living right now the teachings of the gospel? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 10, Ang Pagbibinyag sa Panginoon (Kapistahan): Marcos 1:7-11

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:7-11

7 Ito ang sinabi ni Juan Bautista 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.” 

9 Nang panahong iyon, dumating si Jesus mula sa Nazaret ng Galilea at binin­yagan siya ni Juan sa Ilog Jordan. 10 At pagkaahon niya mula sa tubig, nakita niyang nahawi ang langit at parang kalapating bumababa sa kanya ang Espi­ritu ng Diyos. 11 At narinig mula sa langit: “Ikaw ang aking Anak, ang Minamahal, ikaw ang aking Hinirang.”

Reflection for January 9, Saturday after Epiphany: John 3:22-30

Gospel: John 3:22-30

Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. 

So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him.  

The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”

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Reflection:

Would you be willing to decrease so that Jesus should increase? Would you be willing to remain as a faceless worker in the vineyard of the Lord? 

John had no insecurities whatsoever towards Jesus for he knew where he stood in the plan of salvation. When he was told that Jesus was baptizing and everyone was coming to Him. He calmly said: “You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him (John 3:28).  

The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice (John 3:29). So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease (John 3:30).” 

John was never tempted to upstage Jesus even if there was an inviting opportunity to do so. John perfectly knew that his role was to be the best man for the bridegroom that is Jesus. John knew that his role is to simply prepare the way for Jesus. He therefore did it with utmost humility; John even said: “He must increase and I must decrease.” 

Are you like John?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 9, Sabado; pagkaraan ng Epifania: Juan 3:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:22-30

22 Pagkatapos nito, pumunta si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad sa lupain ng Judea, at tumigil siya roong kasama nila at nagbinyag. 23 Nagbi­binyag din noon si Juan sa Ainon na malapit sa Salim dahil maraming tubig doon, at may mga nag­sisidating at nagpapabinyag. 24 Hindi pa nabi­bilanggo noon si Juan. 

25 At nagkaroon ng pagtatalo ang mga alagad ni Juan at ang isang Judio tungkol sa paghuhugas. 26 Pinuntahan nila si Juan at sinabi sa kanya: “Rabbi, ang kasa-kasama mo sa ibayo ng Jordan, na pina­tunayan mo, nagbibinyag siya ngayon at sa kanya pumupunta ang lahat.” 27 Suma­got si Juan: “Walang anu­mang makukuha ang isang tao malibang ibigay ito sa kanya ng Langit. 

28 Kayo mismo ang maka­pagpa­patu­nay na sinabi kong ‘Hindi ako ang Mesiyas kundi sinugo akong manguna sa kanya.’ 29 Sa nobyo ang nobya. Naroon naman ang abay ng nobyo para makinig sa kanya at galak na galak siya sa tinig ng nobyo. Ganito ring lubos and aking kagalakan. 30 Dapat siyang humigit at ako nama’y lumiit.”