Reflection for Sunday February 7, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: 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.

 + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you share or talk about Jesus to as many people as possible? 

Jesus is an itinerant Healer and Preacher He is always on the go He wants to cover as much land as He could so that He could touch more lives. This is what the people in the gospel don’t understand. 

They wanted to keep Jesus to themselves and Jesus would have none of their selfish attitudes. So after healing a lot of people including the mother in-law of Simon Jesus moved on to other towns to share His healing ministry to as many people as possible. 

Our gift of knowing Jesus must not only rest within us. We must share Him whoever they may be.  Share Jesus in what way? Share Him through our words and actions. If we are not good with words let us share Him through our acts of kindness, love, forgiveness and gentleness. 

Many have superficial idea of Jesus because we don’t care to teach and live His teachings. What a blessing it would be for us and those that we interact with if we would care to share Jesus. 

Lest we forget, we are called to humbly work in the vineyard of the Lord no matter who we are and no matter the sins that we have committed. Our sinful past is immaterial already we simply have to learn from it, move on and hope for the best. What is of primary importance for Jesus is our present, our here and now and our future journey with Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 7, Ikalimang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: 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 dumidilim na, dinala nila kay Jesus ang lahat ng maysakit o inaalihan ng masasamang espiritu. 33 Nasa may pintuan nga ang buong bayan. 34 Maraming may iba’t ibang sakit ang pinagaling ni Jesus at maraming demonyo ang kanyang pinalayas; ngunit hindi niya sila pinahintulutang magsalita sapagkat alam nila kung sino siya.

• 35 Kinabukasan, maaga siyang bumangon at umalis. Pumunta siya sa isang ilang na lugar at doon siya nanalangin. 36 Hinanap siya nina Pedro, 37 at pagkakita sa kanya ay kanilang sinabi: “Hinahanap ka ng lahat.” 38 Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: “Tayo na sa ibang lugar, sa maliliit na karatig-nayon para makapangaral 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 February 6 Saturday Saints Pedro Bautista, Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs (M): Mark 6:30-34

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. 

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you always have time for Jesus? 

In the gospel, after working so hard to spread the gospel Jesus noticed that the apostles were tired from doing their mission. Thus, He told the apostles to be with Him in a place by themselves to rest. 

Why to be with Him and not to be alone by themselves? Because it’s only through Him that they could have complete recovery from their physical and spiritual tiredness. If they go alone to a quite place by themselves they surely could reinvigorate themselves physically. But how could they reenergize their spirits without Jesus?    

In our materially driven world we are always on the move, always busy with work and other things. So we get tired naturally and to ease this tiredness some of us go on vacation to recharge our tired and weary bodies. But that was before Covid-19. Now that there’s Covid-19 our focus is to avoid getting sick of Covid-19. There’s no more vacation and other forms of recharging after a hard day’s work.  This is still OK nonetheless because it gave us more time to think about our relationship with God. I believe that the coming of Covid-19 made us more prayerful, we seek and think of God more today than before. 

We need to have more time for Jesus so that He could restore and strengthen our weary spirits. Why? Because we are not only citizens of this world we are also to become citizens of heaven in the future time appointed by God. Thus, we need to have our regular, quite and solemn time for Jesus so that we can deepen our friendship with Him. 

In what way can we have a deeper friendship with Jesus so that He could nourish us? We can go to Mass if this is not possible we can attend online Holy Mass so that we can listen to His words being proclaimed in the readings. We can also receive HIM during the prayer of Spiritual Communion. 

We can have our quite time with Jesus in the Adoration chapel and allow HIM to embrace us with His unconditional love. We can read the bible and meditate on His very words that can transform us anytime. We can also attend online recollection and feel the presence of God there. These are simple ways on how we can spend time with God and be in quite place with HIM. 

But sad to say many of us forget it because we are fearful of the Covid-19. We allow ourselves to be engulfed by our fears and the things and activities of this world which in reality are temporary and passing. We forget the eternal that is Jesus. 

Let us not forget Jesus, let us spend more quite time with Him.   – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 6 Sabado San Pedro Bautista, San Pablo Mikki at mga kasama, mga martir (Paggunita): Marcos 6:30-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:30-34

30 Pagbalik ng mga apostol kay Jesus, isinalaysay nila sa kanya ang lahat nilang ginawa at itinuro. 31 Sinabi naman niya sa kanila: “Tayo na sa isang ilang na lugar para mapag-isa tayo at makapag¬pa¬hinga kayo nang kaunti.” Sapagkat doo’y marami ang paroo’t parito at hindi  man lamang sila makakain. 32 Kaya lumayo sila at namangka na sila-sila lang patungo sa ilang na lugar.

33 Ngunit nakita silang umalis ng ilan at nabalitaan ito ng marami. Kaya nagtakbuhan sila mula sa kani-kanilang bayan at nauna pang dumating na lakad kaysa kanila. 34 Pagdating ni Jesus sa pampang, nakita niya ang maraming taong nag¬kakatipon doon at naawa siya sa kanila sapagkat para silang mga tupang wa¬lang pastol. At nagsimula siyang mag¬turo sa kanila nang matagal.

Reflection for February 5 Friday Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr (M): Mark 6:14-29

Gospel: Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. 

Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 

The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

There’s always a price attached for speaking out against wrongdoing and evil. For example in a family setting, if a wife notices that her husband is playing around with fire. Of course the wife has to call the attention or even confront her philandering husband. 

But this kind of boldness sometimes comes with a heavy price. Either there will be conflict in their marriage or it may even lead to estrangement. But even if there’s a heavy price to pay we still must speakout otherwise we are consenting to what is wrong and immoral.       

John the Baptist paid a very heavy price for speaking out against adultery; he was beheaded for speaking the truth. Such is the irony sometimes of life. We speak the truth yet we still suffer for doing so. But how could we correct a wrongdoing if we would not denounce it? 

True followers of Jesus are those who are not afraid to speakout regardless of what the consequence/s. And John the Baptist is one of the best if not the best model of how it is to become a true follower of Jesus. 

How would you react if there shall come a time that you pass through this kind of predicament? Should you just keep quiet and consent to what is wrong or you correct it by speaking your mind out?- Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 5 Biyernes Santa Agata, dalaga at martir (Paggunita): Marcos 6:14-29

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:14-29

14 Nabalitaan din ni Haring Herodes ang tungkol kay Jesus sapagkat tumanyag na ang kanyang pangalan. May nag­sasabing nabuhay si Juan Bautista mula sa mga patay kaya nagkakabisa sa kanya ang makalangit na kapang­yarihan. 15 Si­nabi naman ng iba: “Si Elias nga ito,” at ng iba pa: “Ito ay isang propeta gaya ng mga propeta noon.” 16 Nang mabalitaan ito ni Herodes ay sinabi niya: “Nabuhay nga sa mga patay si Juan na pinapugutan ko ng ulo.”  

17 Si Herodes nga ang nagpahuli kay Juan, at ipinakadena ito sa kulungan dahil kay Herodias na asawa ng kanyang kapatid na si Felipe. Pinakasalan ni Herodes si Herodias 18 at sinabi ni Juan kay Herodes: “Hindi mo puwe­deng kasamahin ang asawa ng iyong kapatid.” 19 Talaga ngang matindi ang galit ni Hero­dias kay Juan at gusto niya itong patayin pero hindi niya ma­gawa. 20 Iginagalang nga ni Herodes si Juan dahil itinuturing niya itong mabuti at banal na tao, kaya pinanatili niya itong buhay. Nalilito siya matapos ma­kinig kay Juan, gayunma’y gusto pa rin niyang marinig ito.  

21 At nagkaroon ng pagkakataon sa kaarawan ni Herodes nang maghanda siya para sa kanyang mga opisyal, mga pinuno ng hukbo at mahalagang tao ng Galilea. 22 Pagpasok ng anak ni Herodias, nagsayaw ito at nasiyahan naman sa kanya si Herodes at lahat ng nasa handaan. Sinabi ng hari sa dalagita: “Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang anu­mang hingin mo.” 23 At sinumpaan pa niya ang pa­ngakong ito: “Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang anumang hingin mo, kahit na ang kala­hati ng aking kaha­rian.” 24 Lu­mabas ang anak at tinanong ang kanyang ina: “Ano ang hihingin ko?” At sumagot naman ito: “Ang ulo ni Juan Bautista.” 25 Agad niyang pinuntahan ang hari at sinabi: “Gusto kong ibigay mo agad sa akin ang ulo ni Juan Bautista sa isang bandeha.”  

26 Nabalisa ang hari ngunit ayaw niyang tumanggi dahil sa sinumpaan niyang pangako sa harap ng mga bisita. 27 Kaya iniutos ng hari sa isa niyang guwar­diya na dalhin ang ulo ni Juan. Pinu­gutan nito si Juan sa kulu­ngan, 28 inilagay sa isang bandeha ang kanyang ulo, ibinigay sa dalaga, at ibinigay naman ito ng dalaga sa kanyang ina. 29 Nang mabalitaan ito ng mga alagad ni Juan, dumating sila para kunin ang kanyang katawan at ini­libing.

Reflection for February 4 Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:7-13

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.  

He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:   

A young man was considering a career in writing for God. But he was hesitant for he knows deep in his heart that he will not intellectually measure up to such a huge responsibility. And this is for the reason that he doesn’t have any background in writing.  

He told a friend about his desire and his intellectual shortcoming. The advice of his friend was to move forward and follow his desire. He was also told by his friend not to be disturbed by his intellectual shortcoming for God will fill whatever he was lacking.   

The twelve apostles who were sent by Jesus to their mission are like many of us. Many of them were ordinary fishermen who became fishers of men courtesy of Jesus. Perhaps when they were about to be sent by Jesus to their mission areas many of them were asking themselves this question; “Will I measure-up with this huge responsibility?” Perhaps, some were even thinking of backing out and then simply return to their old livelihoods. But Jesus was there to assure them of His support so they went ahead with their mission.  

Jesus gave them full authority over unclean spirit (Mark 6:7). Jesus instructed them to take nothing for their journey except for a walking stick (Mark 6:8). As if Jesus was telling them to simply follow and not be bothered by their inherent weaknesses and shortcomings. For He will fill up whatever is lacking in them.  

They followed the order of Jesus and trusted their mission to His guidance. Therefore they became successful in their mission. They drove out many demons and they cured the sick upon their anointment of holy oil (Mark 6:13).  

Often times we don’t achieve what Jesus wants us to do for Him because we don’t trust Him and we lack faith in Him. For the same reason we are also afraid to take the first step towards the realization of our mission for God. Therefore we get stuck and we fail to not only move forward we also fail to achieve our mission for Christ.  

If you desire to follow Jesus you have to follow Him with faith and you have to learn to fully trust Him. Do you always have faith  and trust in Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 4 Huwebes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 6:7-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:7-13

Naglibot naman si Jesus sa mga nayon sa paligid sa kanyang pagtuturo. 7 At tinawag niya ang Labin¬dalawa at sinimulang isugo sila nang dala-dalawa. Binigyan niya sila ng kapangyarihan sa mga maruming espiritu. 8 At sinabihan niya silang huwag magdala ng anuman para sa paglalakbay kundi tungkod lamang. Walang pagkain, walang pitaka o pera sa sinturon. 9 Nakasandalyas at may isang damit lang.  

10 At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Pagtuloy ninyo sa isang bahay, manatili kayo roon hanggang sa pag-alis ninyo mula roon. 11 Kung may lugar na hindi tatanggap o makikinig sa inyo, umalis kayo roon at ipagpag ang alikabok sa inyong mga paa bilang sakdal sa kanila.” 

12 At pag-alis nila, ipinangaral nila ang pagbabalik-loob. 13 Maraming demonyo ang kanilang pinalayas at marami ring maysakit ang pinagaling nila sa pagpapahid ng langis.

Reflection for February 3 Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:1-6

Gospel: Mark 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him?  

What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:   

A successful man that died was being given lavish praises by his relatives and friends during his wake. Lavish praises that he richly deserved for he was a good and humble man. Lavish praises that they purposely did not tell him while he was still alive for they envied him.  

When Jesus went back to the place where he grew up in Nazareth. He went to their Synagogue to give a lecture and He did it with wisdom and eloquence. Yet Jesus did not receive any congratulatory acknowledgement not even a simple handshake. Or a gesture of recognition from his former town mates.  

Instead Jesus received from them derision and scorn. Because they could not accept that a former carpenter could speak to them with so much wisdom and eloquence. A former carpenter whom they knew very well would someday speak in their house of worship.  So they belittled Jesus instead of giving Him a well-deserved recognition.  

Don’t we also act often times like the town mates of Jesus? Many of us are very quick to judge and belittle our fellowmen and even our relatives who achieved a certain degree of success in their lives.  

Why are we very quick to belittle? Why are we very quick to give unjust judgment? This is because of envy, our very high regard for ourselves and perhaps this is brought about by our status in life.  

We place ourselves in a pedestal so high that we cannot anymore bend our knees in humility. We cannot anymore recognize worthy achievement because our eyes are already clouded with the cataract of our egos and self-image. If we are quick to draw judgment and scorn we also open ourselves to the same judgment and scorn.  

Let us not judge, let us not envy let us instead be happy for those who achieve success.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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.

+ + + + + + +

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.

+ + + + +  + +

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.