Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 3 Miyerkules sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 6:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:1-6

1Pagkaalis ni Jesus sa lugar na iyon, pumunta siya sa kanyang bayan, kasama ng kanyang mga alagad. 2 Nang sumapit ang Araw ng Pahinga, nagsimula siyang magturo sa sinagoga. Namangha silang lahat at nagsabi: “Ano’t nangyari sa kanya ang lahat ng ito? Saan kaya galing ang karunu¬ngang ito na ipi¬nagkaloob sa kanya, at saan din kaya galing ang mga himalang ito na nagagawa ng kanyang mga kamay? Di ba’t siya ang karpintero? Ang anak ni Maria at kapatid nina Jaime, Jose, Simon at Judas? Hindi ba’t narito sa piling natin ang lahat niyang kapatid na babae?” At bulag sila tungkol sa kanya.

4 Sinabi naman sa kanila ni Jesus: “Sa kanyang sariling bayan lamang, sa sari¬ling kamag-anakan at sambahayan hinahamak ang isang propeta.” 5 At hindi niya nakayang gumawa ng himala roon. Ilang may¬sakit lamang ang pinaga¬ling niya sa pag¬papatong ng kamay. 6  At namang¬ha siya sa kawalan nila ng pa¬niniwala.

Reflection for February 2 Tuesday Feast of the Presentation of the Lord: Luke 2:22-40

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."  

The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."  

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.  

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

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Reflection:

Do you always bring your children to church for Mass? Do you present them to the Lord and say: “I offer my children to you take care of them my Lord and savior Jesus.  

For the reason of our busyness and perhaps because many of us were not brought up by our parents to be always present at Mass every Sunday. We forget also to bring our children to attend Mass and we forget to introduce to them the importance of Holy Mass in their lives. If this is how we are now we must correct this.  

We must first of all bring our children closer to Jesus for the reason that this is our primary duty as parents. We must introduce them to Jesus by reading and sharing to them His life in the bible and we must imbed in their minds the importance of regularly reading the bible.  

What will it profit our children if they have the best material things in this world yet they don’t have in their hearts Jesus? Nothing! Just try observing the behavior of children brought up with the teachings and values of Jesus vis-a-vis children brought up with worldliness and materialism. What would we find out? We would find out that those children brought up alongside the values and teachings of Jesus live more peaceful and contented lives.   

As Joseph and Mary brought the child Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord. Parents are also strongly encouraged to bring their children to church for Holy Mass. But we are in the era of Covid-19 and children are not yet allowed to roam around outside. There is a temporary alternative to this none other the Celebration of Online Holy Mass.  

Do you gather your children every Sunday to watch online Holy Mass? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 2 Martes Ang Pagdadala kay Jesus sa Templo (Kapistahan): Lucas 2:22-40

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:22-40

22 Nang dumating na ang araw ng paglilinis nila ayon sa Batas ni Moises, dinala ang sanggol na si Jesus sa Jerusalem para iharap sa Panginoon – 23 tulad ng nasu­sulat sa Batas ng Panginoon: Lahat ng panganay na lalaki ay ituturing na banal para sa Panginoon. 24 Dapat din silang mag-alay ng sakripisyo tulad ng binabanggit sa Batas ng Panginoon: isang pares na batubato o dalawang inakay na kalapati.  

25 Ngayon, sa Jerusalem ay may isang taong nagngangalang Simeon; totoong matuwid at makadiyos ang taong iyon. Hinihintay niya ang pagpapaginhawa ng Panginoon sa Israel at sumasakanya ang Espiritu Santo. 26 Ipinaalam naman sa kanya ng Espi­ritu Santo na hindi siya mamamatay hangga’t hindi niya naki­kita ang Mesiyas ng Pangi­noon. 27 Kaya pumunta siya ngayon sa Templo sa pag­tutulak ng Espiritu, nang dalhin ng mga magulang ang batang si Jesus para tu­parin ang kaugaliang naa­ayon sa Batas tungkol sa kanya.  

28 Kinalong siya ni Simeon sa kanyang mga braso at pinuri ang Diyos, at sinabi: 29 “Mapayayaon mo na ang iyong utusan, Panginoon, nang may kapayapaan ayon na rin sa iyong wika; 30 pagkat nakita na ng aking mga mata ang iyong pagliligtas 31 na inihanda mo sa paningin ng lahat ng bansa, 32 ang liwanag na ibubunyag mo sa mga bansang pagano at ang luwalhati ng iyong bayang Israel.”  

33 Nagtataka ang ama at ina ng bata sa mga sinasabi tungkol sa kanya. 34 Pinag­pala naman sila ni Simeon at sinabi kay Mariang ina ng bata: “Dahil sa kanya, ba­bagsak o babangon ang mga Israelita at magiging tanda siya sa harap nila at ka­nilang sasalungatin. 35 Kaya mahaha­yag ang lihim na pag-iisip ng mga tao. Ngu­nit paglalagusan naman ng isang pun­yal ang puso mo.”  

36 May isa ring babaeng propeta, si Ana na anak ni Panuel na mula sa tribu ng Aser. Matandang-matanda na siya. Pag­kaalis sa bahay ng kanyang ama, pitong taon lamang silang nagsama ng kanyang asawa, 37 at nagbuhay-biyuda na siya at hindi siya umaalis sa Templo.  

Araw-gabi siyang sumasamba sa Diyos sa pag-aayuno at pana­nalangin. Wa­lum­pu’t apat na taon na siya. 38 Sa pag-akyat niya sa sandaling iyon, nagpuri rin siya sa Diyos at nag­pa­hayag tungkol sa bata sa lahat ng naghihintay sa katubusan ng Jeru­salem.  

39 Nang matupad na ang lahat ng ayon sa Batas ng Panginoon, umuwi sila sa kanilang bayan, sa Nazaret sa Galilea. 40 Lumalaki at lumalakas ang bata; napus­pos siya ng karunungan at sumasakanya ang kagandahang-loob ng Diyos.

Reflection for February 1 Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 5:1-20

Gospel: Mark 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. 

In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. 

Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory. 

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.” And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. 

As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. 

Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

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Reflection:

Do you fear the devil? If you have faith in Jesus you need not fear the devil! But human as we are many of us fear the devil, and what is the reason for this fear? It’s our feeble faith in Jesus. 

In the gospel there is this man violently possessed by an evil spirit he is so powerful that no one could subdue him. Perhaps the possessed man was briefly in control of himself after which he was again taken control by the evil spirit.  

In his brief moment of self-control he saw Jesus from a distance and he run to Him. To shortcut this long story the man was eventually freed by Jesus from evil possession.  

There are many evils that possesses us nowadays: the evil of greed, lust, pride, materialism, arrogance and many more evils that take control of us. Do you want to be healed from these evils? Humbly  pray to Jesus and ask Him to free you from these evils.  

Oftentimes we underestimate the power of Jesus to make a big impact in our lives; this is normally caused by our lack of faith and our lack of fidelity to His teachings. This is the main reason why many are still possessed by the many evils of this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 1 Lunes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 5:1-20

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 5:1-20

Dumating si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad sa lupain ng mga Geraseno.^[a] 2 Pagbaba ni Jesus sa bangka, sinalubong siya ng isang lalaking galing sa kwebang libingan. Ang lalaking itoʼy sinasaniban ng masamang espiritu, ³ at doon na siya nakatira sa mga libingan. Hindi siya maigapos ng matagal kahit kadena pa ang gamitin nila. ⁴ Ilang beses na siyang kinadenahan sa kamay at paa, pero nalalagot niya ang mga ito. Walang nakakapigil sa kanya. ⁵ Nagsisisigaw siya araw at gabi sa mga libingan at kaburulan, at sinusugatan ang sarili ng matatalas na bato.  

⁶ Malayo pa si Jesus ay nakita na siya ng lalaki. Patakbo siyang lumapit kay Jesus at lumuhod sa harapan niya. ^7-8 Sinabi ni Jesus sa masamang espiritu, “Ikaw na masamang espiritu, lumabas ka sa taong iyan!” Sumigaw ang lalaki, “Ano ang pakialam mo sa akin, Jesus na Anak ng Kataas-taasang Dios? Nakikiusap ako, sa pangalan ng Dios, huwag mo akong pahirapan!” ⁹ Tinanong siya ni Jesus, “Ano ang pangalan mo?” Sagot niya, “Kawan, dahil marami kami.” ¹⁰ At paulit-ulit na nagmakaawa ang masamang espiritu kay Jesus na huwag silang palayasin sa lupaing iyon.

¹¹ Sa di-kalayuan ay may malaking kawan ng mga baboy na nanginginain sa gilid ng burol. ¹² Nagmakaawa ang masasamang espiritu na kung maaari ay payagan silang pumasok sa mga baboy. ¹³ Kaya pinayagan sila ni Jesus. Lumabas ang masasamang espiritu sa lalaki at pumasok sa mga baboy. Nagtakbuhan ang may dalawang libong baboy pababa ng burol, nagtuloy-tuloy sa lawa at nalunod. 

¹⁴ Tumakbo ang mga tagapag-alaga ng baboy papunta sa bayan at ipinamalita roon at sa mga kalapit-nayon ang nangyari. Kaya pumunta roon ang mga tao para alamin ang tunay na nangyari. ¹⁵ Pagdating nila kay Jesus, nakita nila ang taong dating sinasaniban ng kawan ng masasamang espiritu. Nakaupo siya at nakadamit, at matino na ang pag-iisip. Kaya natakot ang mga tao. ¹⁶ Ikinuwento sa kanila ng mga nakakita kung ano ang nangyari sa taong iyon at sa mga baboy. ¹⁷ Kaya pinakiusapan nila si Jesus na umalis sa kanilang lugar.  

¹⁸ Nang sumasakay na si Jesus sa bangka, nakiusap sa kanya ang lalaking gumaling na isama siya. ¹⁹ Pero hindi pumayag si Jesus. Sa halip, sinabi niya sa lalaki, “Umuwi ka sa pamilya mo at sabihin mo sa kanila ang lahat ng ginawa sa iyo ng Panginoon at kung paano ka niya kinaawaan.” ²⁰ Kaya umalis ang lalaki at ipinamalita sa Decapolis, ang ginawa sa kanya ni Jesus. At namangha ang lahat ng nakarinig tungkol sa nangyari.

Reflection for Sunday January 31, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: 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:

Do you know how to maximize the power of your authority? 

Parents have a built-in authority over their children. However over the course of time this authority tends to wane until it lost its effect. This happens most especially when the parents are irresponsible in exercising it. For example if parents do not lead by example, if parents do not do what they say and if they don’t know how to impose discipline on their children.    

Perhaps, each and everyone of us have that hidden desire to exercise authority. Who wouldn’t want to take control of people?  Who wouldn’t want power and influence? 

Yet, when we don’t know how to properly exercise authority it is also like a time bomb that may explode on our face and destroy us. So how should we use authority? We must use it with temperance, gentleness and with humility. We must not abuse it or use it for power tripping and arrogance. 

Jesus did not only speak with authority, He also used it with temperance and humility.  He never abused nor used it for power/ego tripping and arrogance. Jesus knew that He had power and dominion over everyone but He never used it for selfish and arrogant reasons. He instead used His authority to gently heal those who were wounded to humbly guide those who were misguided and to give hope to those who were losing hope.  

Do you use your authority as the Lord used it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for January 30 Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 4:35-41

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. 

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

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Reflection:

Are you easily rattled when you pass through stormy episodes in your life? Or you remain calm amidst the storms because you know that Jesus is always there for you.  

The disciples were in a boat together with Jesus when it suddenly encountered a violent storm. They were terrified for they thought that the boat might not be able to withstand the storm.  Why were they terrified when Jesus was with them? Perhaps they were overtaken with fear that’s why they suddenly forgot that Jesus was with them.  

For as long as we exist in this world we would continue to encounter also our own share of storms and worrisome moments in our lives. But we have nothing to worry if we have faith in Jesus, we have nothing to worry if we have a personal relationship with Jesus.  

 We simply have to constantly be connected with Him for the reason that He will take care of everything. Jesus will calm us in the midst of our distressful storms. Jesus will make a way when there seems to be no way.  

 All He asks from us is to have faith and this we can have if we ask Him to give us the gift of faith. Because faith is a gift that Jesus gives to those who sincerely ask for it. 

Prayer:

O Lord in the midst of the many storms in our life we beseech you to give us the gift of faith. So that we would be able to withstand whatever worrisome situation that we may encounter. Forgive our feeble faith, forgive us for not trusting you and for not always recognizing that you’re with us with us. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 30, Sabado sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 4:35-41

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 4:35-41

35 Kinahapunan ng araw na iyon, sina­bi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Tumawid tayo sa kabilang ibayo.” 36 Kaya iniwan nila ang mga tao at namangka silang kasama ni Jesus sa bangkang inu­upuan niya. At may iba pang mga bangka na kasabay nila. 37 At nagkaroon ng malakas na ipu­­ipo. Hinampas ng mga alon ang bang­­ka at halos  lumubog na 38 samantalang tulog siya sa kutson sa hulihan. 

Kaya ginising nila siya at sinabi: “Guro, halos mamamatay na tayo at bale-wala sa iyo!”

39 Pagbangon niya, inutusan niya ang hangin at sinabi sa dagat: “Tahi­mik, huwag kumibo.” Nabawasan ang hangin at nag­karoon ng ganap na kapa­yapaan. 40 At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Napakatatakot ninyo! Bakit? Wala pa ba kayong pani­wala?” 

41 Ngunit lalo silang nasindak at nag-usap-usap: “Sino ito na pati hangin at dagat ay sumusunod sa kanya?”

Reflection for January 29 Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 4:26-34

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”  

He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade. With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

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Reflection:

Do you want to feel the kingdom of God in your life? Then you should open your life to God. In everyday of your life God showers you with every blessing that He could give you. But do you notice and acknowledge these blessings that God gives you?  

For example, the blessing of a new life when you wake up in the morning, the sunlight, the air that you breathe and so forth. Do you care to thank God for all of these blessings?  

Acknowledgement of God’s many blessings is the first step for you to feel the kingdom of God in your life. When you recognize the majesty and power of God you also open your life to His kingdom. And you let God come into your life; eventually you let God rule your life.  

Then little by little you let God take charge of your life and not you anymore taking charge of your own life. Thus, you would be able to avoid sin no matter how tempting. And you would be able to carefully discern right from wrong.  

This is where the kingdom of God begins to take root in your life. It grows little by little until it blooms wherein you would be able to fight temptation in whatever forms and shapes.   

Jesus in our gospel for this Friday mentions about the small mustard seed which is none other than Himself and His kingdom. This small mustard seed once acknowledged and recognized by the soil (Which is no other than you). Begins to sprout until it blooms and eventually grows bigger so that those who needs shelter can go there. 

Do you always acknowledge, recognize and discern the presence of God’s kingdom in your life? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 29, Biyernes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 4:26-34

 

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 4:26-34

 26 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao: “Maihahambing ang kaharian ng Diyos sa paghahasik ng isang tao ng buto sa lupa. 27 Tulog man siya o gising, sa gabi o araw, sumisibol ang binhi at lumalago nang hindi niya namama­layan. 28 Nagbu­bu­nga ang lupa sa ganang sarili nito: una’y ang usbong, saka ang uhay at ang butil na humihitik sa uhay. 29 At kapag nagbunga na ito, agad siyang mag­papadala ng karit sapagkat suma­pit na ang anihan.” 

• 30 At sinabi niya: “Sa ano natin ma­iku­kumpara ang kaharian ng Diyos? Sa anong talinhaga natin ito mai­pakikilala? 31 Natutulad ito sa paghahasik ng buto ng mustasa na pinakamaliit sa mga binhing inihahasik sa lupa. 32 Ngunit pag­­ka­hasik nito, tumataas ito at lumalaki na higit pa sa lahat ng gulay at nag­sa­sanga nang malaki hanggang sumilong sa kanyang lilim ang mga ibon ng langit.” 

33 Itinuro niya sa kanila ang lahat ng ito sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhagang gaya nito ayon sa kakayahan ng kani­lang isipan. 34 Hindi siya nag­turo sa ka­nila nang hindi guma­gamit ng mga ta­linhaga. Ngunit nilinaw niya ang lahat sa kanyang mga alagad nang sila-sila na lamang. 

Reflection for January 28 Thursday, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church (M): Mark 4:21-25

Gospel: Mark 4:21-25

Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.  

Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

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Reflection:

There was a man who had an enormous thirst for God. He reads his bible everyday in the process he could already remember majority of the bible verses. But he was selfish and not willing to share what he knew about the bible with his friends.  

He defends his selfishness by saying: How could they be encouraged to read the bible if I would share my knowledge with them? He further said that it would be better for them to invest some of their time in reading the bible also.  

But this is not what Jesus commands us Jesus doesn't want us to be stingy with whatever knowledge we know about Him. Jesus doesn’t want us to create self-serving reason to escape sharing what we know about God.  

Jesus wants us to be generous with our knowledge about Him. He wants us to share Him with others so that He can continue to change lives. Most importantly, Jesus wants us to live His teachings. So that it could spread even to the farthest corner of the world.  

When we share and live the teachings of Jesus we become like lighted lamps in the midst of darkness. This is the purpose why we are in this world; to be Christ light which brightly illuminates and enlightens those who are in darkness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 28, Huwebes Santo Tomas Aquino, pari at pantas ng Iglesya (Paggunita): Marcos 4:21-25

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 4:21-25

21 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao: “Dumarating ba ang ilaw para takpan ng salop o para ilagay sa ilalim ng higaan? Hindi! Inilalagay ito sa patungan! 22 Walang na­lilihim na di nabubunyag at walang tinatakpan na di malalantad. 23 Makinig ang may tainga!”  

24 At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Isip-isipin ninyo ang inyong naririnig. Sa sukatang ginamit ninyo, susukatin ang para sa inyo at higit pa ang ibibigay sa inyo. 25 Bibigyan pa nga ang meron na ­ngunit ang wala ay aagawain pa ng anumang nasa kanya.”

Reflection for January 27, Wednesday of the Third Week in OT: Mark 4:1-20

Gospel: Mark 4:1-20

On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land. And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, “Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.  Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”  

And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. He answered them, “The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.”  

Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no roots; they last only for a time.  

Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

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Reflection:

How can we become the seed that fell on rich soil? We have to attend Holy Mass as often as possible most especially on Sundays, we have to read the bible, we have to be prayerful, we have to ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit and we have to live our faith.  

Many of us go off course and do not become the seed that fell on rich soil for the simple reason that we don’t take seriously our faith. We attend Holy Mass, we read the bible but we don’t practice what we read and hear. We simply let it inside our ear and let it pass on the other side of our ear.  

What we have to do is to let what we hear go down to our hearts afterwards we let it go up to our brains. Thus, we would be able to live what we read and hear.  

There is a story of a man who goes to Mass every Sunday and who profess to be faithful to his wife. However, his wife discovered that she was not the only woman in his life. Why did it happen that he was not true to his profession of fidelity towards his wife? This is for the reason that his faith was superficial and many of us are like this man: We have superficial faith.  

How could we transform this superficial faith for it to become the seed which fell on rich soil and produced hundredfold of fruits?  

We have to be docile to the desire of the Holy Spirit and that is to transform us to become a faithful follower of Jesus. And this is very possible for the simple reason that nothing is impossible to our God. 

Is your faith in the Lord bearing fruit already? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 27, Miyerkules sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 4:1-20

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 4:1-20

1 Muling nagsimulang magturo si Jesus sa tabing-dagat at mara­mi ang nagkatipon sa kanya. Kaya su­makay siya sa bangka at naupo. Nasa dagat siya at nasa tabing-dagat naman ang lahat. 2 At marami siyang itinuro sa kanila sa tulong ng mga talinhaga. Si­nabi niya sa kanila sa kanyang pagtuturo: 

3 “Makinig kayo! Lumabas ang mang­ha­hasik para maghasik. 4 Sa kanyang paghahasik, may butong nahulog sa tabi ng daan. Dumating ang mga ibon at ki­nain ang mga iyon. 5 Nahulog na­man ang ibang buto sa batuhan at ma­babaw ang lupa roon. Madaling tumu­bo ang mga buto dahil hindi ma­lalim ang lupa. 6 Ngunit pagsikat ng araw, nasunog ito sa init at sapagkat walang ugat, natuyo ito. 7 Na­hulog ang iba pang buto sa mga tinikan. At nang lumago ang mga tinik, sinikil ng mga ito ang halaman at hindi namunga. 8 Nahulog naman ang iba sa matabang lupa at namunga sa paglaki at paglago. May nagbunga ng tat­lumpu, animnapu ang iba at sandaan ang iba pa.” 

9 At idinagdag ni Jesus: “Makinig ang may tainga!” 10 Nang wala na ang mga tao, tina­nong siya ng mga nakapalibot sa kanya, na kasama ng Labindalawa tung­­kol sa mga talinhaga: “Bakit sa pama­magitan ng mga talinhaga ka nagsasalita sa kanila?” 11 At sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Sa inyo ipinagkakaloob ang lihim ng kaha­rian ng Langit ngunit sa mga iyon na nasa labas, ang lahat ay sumasapit gaya ng talinhaga. 12 Kaya tumitingin sila pero di naka­kakita; nakaririnig pero di nakau­unawa kaya naman di sila nagbabalik-loob at di pinatatawad.” 

• 13 At sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Hin­di ninyo nauunawaan ang talinhagang ito, kayat paano ninyo mau­unawaan ang iba pa? 14 Ang Salita ang inihahasik ng mang­hahasik. 15 Ang mga nasa tabi ng daan ay ang mga nahasikan ng Salita, na pag­ka­rinig nila sa Salita ay agad na duma­ting ang Masama at inagaw ang nahasik sa kanila. 

16 Gayundin ang nahasik sa batu­han. Pagkarinig nila sa Salita, kaagad nila itong tinanggap nang buong kasi­yahan. 17 Ngunit hindi ito nag-ugat sa kanilang kalooban at panandalian lamang. Ka­pag nagkaroon ng pagsu­bok at pag-uusig dahil sa Salita, agad-agad silang natitisod. 18 May iba pang nahasik sa mga tini­kan. Ang mga ito ang nakarinig sa Salita. 19 Ngunit pinapasok ang mga ito ng mga makamundong kabalisahan, ng pandaraya ng kayamanan at ng iba pang mga pagnanasa. Sinikil ng mga ito ang Salita at hindi na nakapagbunga. 

20 Ang mga buto namang nahasik sa matabang lupa ay ang mga nakari­nig sa Salita at isinasagawa ito. At nag­bubunga sila ng sandaan, animnapu o tatlumpu.”