Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 13 Martes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:7b-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:7b-15

Sinabi ni Jesus kay Nicodemo 7 Huwag kang magtaka dahil sinabi ko sa iyong kailangan kayong isilang mula sa itaas. 6 Umihip ang hangin kung saan nito nais, at naririnig mo ang ihip nito pero hindi mo alam kung saan ito galing at kung saan ito patungo. Gayon din nga ang bawat isinilang mula sa Espiritu.” 

9 Sumagot sa kanya si Nicodemo: “Paano pupuwede ang mga ito?” 10 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Ikaw ang guro ng Israel at hindi mo alam ang mga ito?  • 11 Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa iyo: ang alam namin ang aming sinasabi at ang nakita namin ang aming pinatu­tunayan, at hindi naman n’yo tinatanggap ang aming patunay. 

12 Mga bagay na nga sa lupa ang sinasabi ko sa inyo at hindi kayo naniniwala, kaya paano kayo maniniwala kapag mga bagay sa langit ang sasabihin ko sa inyo. 13 Walang umakyat sa langit mali­ban sa bumaba mula sa langit – ang Anak ng Tao. 14 At kung paanong itinaas ni Moises ang ahas sa disyerto, gayundin dapat itaas ang Anak ng Tao 15 upang mag­karoon ng buhay magpakailanman ang bawat nananalig sa kanya.

Reflection for April 12 Monday of the Second Week of Easter: John 3:1-8

Gospel: John 3:1-8

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot re-enter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”  

Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

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Reflection:

Are you already born again? Every catholic who is faithful to the faith is born again. Being born again means we practice the sacred teachings and rituals of our faith and we are faithful to our fidelity to Jesus. We have already been born again by virtue of our baptism this means that we are new individuals in Christ. As such we have to do good all the time and we have to follow the teachings of the church. 

If we are a fair-weather catholic we have not yet been born again. Therefore, we need to be born again by having a personal relationship with our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ. This personal relationship with Jesus will facilitate our being born again in our faith. 

In our gospel, Nicodemus took literally the meaning of being born again. This is the reason why he told this to Jesus, Surely he cannot re-enter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he (John 3:4)?” Yet Jesus reminded Nicodemus that the essence of being born again is to be born of water and spirit which actually is our baptism. 

By virtue of our baptism all of us had been born again already that was years and years ago. There’s no need for anyone of us to change our religion to be born again. What we need is to have a personal encounter with Jesus inside and within our Roman Catholic Church. 

How would we do this? We go to Holy Mass faithfully and we humbly beg God the Holy Spirit to enlighten us. So that we would understand what goes on inside the celebration of the Holy Mass. We visit the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel as often as possible, we speak to Jesus there and we ask Him renew us according to His will. And we open and read our bible so that we will have a personal encounter with the very words and life of Jesus. 

Are you already a born again catholic? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 12 Lunes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:1-8

 

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:1-8

1 May isang taong kabilang sa mga Pariseo – Nicodemo ang panga­lan niya – pinuno siya ng mga Judio. 2 Isang gabi, pinuntahan niya si Jesus at sinabi sa kanya: “Rabbi, alam namin na guro kang galing sa Diyos. Sapagkat walang makagagawa ng mga tandang ginagawa mo kung hindi sumasakanya ang Diyos.” 

3 Sumagot si Jesus sa kanya: “Tala­gang-talagang sinasabi ko sa iyo, walang makakakita sa paghahari ng Diyos kung hindi siya isisilang na muli mula sa itaas.” 4 Sinabi sa kanya ni Nicodemo: “Paano maisisilang ang isang taong matanda na? Di ba’t hindi siya makapapasok sa sinapupunan ng kanyang ina para isilang uli?” 

5 Sumagot si Jesus: “Talagang-tala­gang sinasabi ko sa iyo, walang maka­papasok sa kaharian ng Diyos kung hindi siya isisilang mula sa tubig at Espiritu. 6 Laman ang isinilang mula sa laman, at espiritu ang isinilang mula sa Espiritu. 7 Huwag kang magtaka dahil sinabi ko sa iyong kailangan kayong isilang mula sa itaas. 

6 Umihip ang hangin kung saan nito nais, at naririnig mo ang ihip nito pero hindi mo alam kung saan ito galing at kung saan ito patungo. Gayon din nga ang bawat isinilang mula sa Espiritu.”

1Reflection for Sunday April 11, Second Sunday of Easter Sunday of Divine Mercy: John 20:19-31

Gospel: John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”  

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”  

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”  

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

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Reflection:

Where was Thomas when Jesus appeared to His disciples in the upper room? We don’t know we can only surmise that he was doing something that made him miss their fellowship. Was his activity during that night more important than to pray with his fellow disciples?  

By missing their fellowship Thomas subsequently missed also the sacred presence of the risen Christ.  He missed being blessed by the presence Jesus and Thomas missed being imparted the  blessing of peace by Jesus. What a missed opportunity for Thomas! If only he knew beforehand that their Lord and Master would be making a miraculous appearance in their fellowship he would have not dared miss it. 

Some of us may see ourselves in Thomas we who oftentimes miss to go to church for Holy Mass. We who put our Sunday fellowship with the Lord at the backseat in favor of our many worldly preoccupations.  

However, because of government restrictions caused by covid-19 we cannot be at church for Holy Mass right now. So what we have to do is watch Holy Mass online. If we have no internet connection we have to read the Sunday gospel and reflect upon the words of the Lord there. If we have no copy of the Sunday gospel we have to pray deeply.   This Covid-19 pandemic opens our eyes to the reality that nothing is permanent in this world and that we can go out of this world anytime. What if we have no interaction with the Lord what would happen to our souls when our time comes?  

What do we miss when we absent ourselves for Holy Mass? We miss to be with Jesus, we miss to partake of His Body and Blood. We miss to be blessed by His powerful and blessings filled words. We miss to be in powerful prayer fellowship with our brothers and sisters in faith. We also miss to receive His healing and blessing of peace which He silently gives to us every time we are at Mass.  

Thomas learned his lesson that’s why he made himself available in their second fellowship. We too should learn our lesson by always prioritizing our sacred meeting with the Lord at Holy Mass.  

Do you always try your very best not to miss your fellowship with the Lord during Sunday Mass/Sunday online Mass? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 11 Linggo Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay at Linggo ng Banal na Awa ng Panginoon: Juan 20:19-31

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:19-31

Agaw-dilim na noon sa unang araw na iyon ng sanlinggo at nakasara ang mga pinto sa kinaroroonan ng mga alagad dahil sa takot sa mga Judio, dumating si Jesus at pumagitna. At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Kapayapaan sa inyo!”  

20 Pagkasabi nito, ipinakita niya sa kanila ang mga kamay at ang tagiliran. Kaya nagalak ang mga alagad pagka­kita nila sa Panginoon. 21 At muli niyang sinabi sa kanila: “Kapa­­yapaan sa inyo! Kung paanong isinugo ako ng Ama, ipinadadala ko rin kayo.” 22 At pagkasabi nito, hiningahan niya sila at sinabi: “Tanggapin ang Espi­ritu Santo! 23 Patatawarin ang mga kasa­lanan ninu­man na inyong patawarin; at pana­natiliin naman sa sinuman ang in­yong panatiliin.” 

24 Hindi nila kasama si Tomas na tina­guriang Kambal, na isa sa Labin­dalawa, nang du­mating si Jesus. 25 Kaya sinabi sa kanya ng iba pang mga alagad: “Nakita namin ang Pangi­noon!” Sinabi naman niya: “Maliban lamang na ma­kita sa kanyang mga kamay ang tatak ng mga pako at maipasok ang aking daliri sa pinag­lagusan ng mga pako at maipasok ang aking kamay sa tagiliran niya, hinding-hindi ako mani­niwala!”  

26 Makaraan ang walong araw, mu­ling nasa loob ang kanyang mga ala­gad at kasa­ma nila si Tomas. Dumating si Jesus ha­bang nakasara ang mga pinto at puma­gitna. At sinabi niya: “Kapa­yapaan sa inyo!” 27 At sinabi niya kay Tomas: “Ilapit mo rito ang daliri mo at tingnan ang aking mga kamay. At ilapit ang kamay mo at ipasok sa aking tagiliran at huwag tumangging maniwala kundi ma­niwala!” 

28 Sumagot si Tomas sa kanya: “Pangi­noon ko at Diyos ko – ikaw!” 29 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Dahil ba sa nakita mo ako kaya ka naniniwala? Mapapalad ang mga hindi nakakita at naniniwala.” Konklusyon 30 Ngayon, marami pang ibang tan­dang ginawa si Jesus sa harap ng kanyang mga alagad, na hindi naman nasusulat sa kasulatang ito. 31 Isinulat naman ang mga ito upang maniwala kayo na si Jesus ang Kristo, ang Anak ng Diyos. At sa pani­niwala ninyo’y magkaroon kayo ng buhay sa bisa ng kanyang Pangalan. 

1Reflection for April 10 Saturday in the Octave of Easter: Mark 16:9-15

Gospel: Mark 16:9-15

When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.  

After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

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Reflection:

What can you do to influence others to believe that Jesus is risen? You have to proclaim the gospel through your way of life. What does this mean? You have to live the life and behavior of Jesus since this is the only way for others to be convinced that Jesus is risen.  

In the gospel, Mary Magdalene told her companions that Jesus is alive however nobody believed her. Jesus also appeared to the disciples and these disciples in turn told the other disciples about the appearance of the risen Christ but they did not believe as well.  

The most concrete manifestation that Jesus is risen and alive is us! It is through us that others would believe about the risen Christ. What are we going to do so that those that we encounter would believe that Jesus is real, risen and alive?  

We have to become another Jesus for them. We have to be humble as Jesus is humble, we  have to be helpful as Jesus is helpful. We have to be loving and forgiving as Jesus is loving and forgiving.  

We have to know how to empathize for Jesus knows how to empathize. We have to stop judging and condemning others as Jesus did not judge neither condemned anyone. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 10 Sabado sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Marcos 16:9-15

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:9-15

9 Pagkabuhay ni Jesus sa unang araw ng sanlinggo, una siyang napakita kay Maria Magdalena na mula rito’y pitong demonyo ang pinalayas niya. 10 Umalis ito at nag­balita sa mga ka­sama ni Jesus na noo’y umiiyak at nag­luluksa. 11 Ngunit hindi sila naniwala sa kanya nang marinig nilang buhay si Jesus at napakita sa kanya.  

12 Pagkatapos nito, napakita naman si Jesus sa ibang anyo sa dalawa sa kanila habang pa­punta sila sa labas ng bayan. 13 At pagbalik nila, ibina­lita rin nila ito sa iba pa pero hindi rin naniwala ang mga ito sa ka­nila. 14 Sa dakong huli, nang nasa hapag ang La­bing-isa, napakita sa kanila si Jesus at pinagsabihan sila dahil sa ka­wa­lang-paniwala nila at kati­gasan ng puso: hindi nga nila pinaniniwalaan ang mga nakakita sa kanya matapos siyang bu­hayin. 

15 At sinabi sa kanila: “Pumunta kayo sa bu­ong daigdig at ipahayag ang ebang­helyo sa buong sangkinapal.

1Reflection for April 9 Friday in the Octave of Easter: John 21:1-14

Gospel: John 21:1-14

Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing. They said to him, “We also will come with you. So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 

When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” 

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 

When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” 

And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you? because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel abandoned by Jesus? There are times that we go through some arid stages in our lives. We feel abandoned by our friends, relative and even Jesus, But does Jesus abandon us? Perhaps our friends and relatives would abandon us especially when they become rich or achieve an exalted status in life. But Jesus abandoning us? Never will He abandon us! 

With the death of Jesus the disciples had no other option but to go back to their former way of life: none other than fishing. It must have been hard for them to go back fishing for they’ve been detached from it for three long years. Perhaps they even thought that they would never go back to fishing but something tragic happened to their Lord and Master. 

Therefore there was no other choice for them but to go back to their former job as fishermen. From being fishermen they became fishers of men and now they go back again to being real fishermen. After three long years they went fishing for the very first time, it must have been very hard for them. Perhaps when they were at sea they were still thinking of Jesus and terribly longing for His presence. That’s why they failed to concentrate on fishing in the process they caught nothing. 

Then the feeling of weariness, loneliness and the feeling of being abandoned was immediately replaced by joy and hope when they saw Jesus waiting for them ashore. Jesus asked them, have you caught anything? They said none, then Jesus told them put once again your nets at sea where you are right now. No need for you to go far, drop it where you are right now. And then the miracle happened they caught an enormous number of fish.     

Relating this gospel with our personal journey with Jesus. There would also be episodes of weariness, loneliness and perhaps feeling of abandonment. But in the midst of these episodes let us stay the course for Jesus will make His way back to us when we least expect it. Never will  He leave much less abandon us for He will always be there for us.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 9 Biyernes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:1-14

 

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:1-14

1 Muling ibi­nunyag ni Jesus ang sarili sa mga alagad sa may Dagat ng Tiberias. Ganito ang kanyang pagbu­bunyag.   

2 Magkasamang naroon sina Simon Pedro, Tomas na tinaguriang Kambal, Natanael na taga-Cana ng Galilea, ang mga anak ni Zebedeo, at dalawa pa sa  mga alagad niya. 3 Sinabi sa kanila ni Simon Pedro: “Aalis ako para ma­ngisda.” Sinabi nila sa kanya: “Sasama kami sa iyo.” Lumabas sila at sumakay sa bang­ka nang gabing iyo’y wala silang nahuli. 

4 Nang madaling-araw na, nakatayo si Jesus sa dalampasigan pero hindi naki­lala ng mga alagad na si Jesus iyon. 5 Tina­tawag sila ni Jesus: “Mga bata, wala ba kayong isda?” Sumagot sila sa kanya: “Wala!” 6 Kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “Iha­gis n’yo ang lambat sa bandang kanan ng bangka at ma­kakatagpo kayo.” Kaya ini­hagis nga nila at hindi na nila maka­yang hilahin iyon dahil sa dami ng isda. 

7 Kaya sinabi kay Pedro ng alagad na iyon na mahal ni Jesus: “Ang Pangi­noon siya!” Nang marinig ni Simon Pedro na ang Panginoon iyon, ibinigkis niya ang [kanyang] damit dahil hubad siya, at saka tumalon sa dagat. 8 Dumating namang sakay ng maliit na bangka ang iba pang mga alagad pagkat hindi sila kala­yuan mula sa pampang kundi mga sandaang metro lamang. Hila-hila nila ang lambat ng mga isda. 

9 At pagkalunsad sa lupa, nakita nilang may nagbabagang uling doon, na pinagiihawan ng isda, at may tinapay. 10 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Mag­dala kayo mula sa mga isdang nahuli n’yo ngayon.” 11 Kaya sumakay si Simon Pedro at hinila sa pampang ang lambat na puno ng sandaa’t limampu’t tatlong mala­laking isda. At kahit na napakarami’y hindi napunit ang lam­bat.  

12 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Hali­kayo’t mag-almusal!” Walang maka­pangahas sa mga alagad na mag-usisa sa kanya: “Sino ba kayo?” dahil alam nilang ang Pangi­noon iyon. 13 Lumapit si Jesus at ku­muha ng tinapay at ipinamahagi sa kanila. Gayun­din sa isda. 14 Ito ngayon ang ikatlong pagbu­bunyag ni Jesus sa mga alagad matapos siyang ibangon mula sa mga patay.

Reflection for April 8 Thursday in the Octave of Easter: Luke 24:35-48

Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?  

Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

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Reflection:

What if the disciples did not recount their experience with the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread to their fellow disciples? Perhaps Jesus would have not appeared in their midst. Perhaps Jesus would have just said, I will not show myself to them anymore, anyway they’ve easily forgotten me.  

But Cleopas and his companion hearts were still aflame with desire in sharing their experience with Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Perhaps this was one of the reason why Jesus appeared in their midst and this gave Him enough reason to give them His greeting of peace.  

How often do we talk about Jesus with our friends and family members? Perhaps not very often, maybe we just hear and talk about Jesus when we are at church for Holy Mass. However, when we are at home or living our lives in the secular world we never talk about Jesus.  

Why is it that we rarely talk about Jesus when we are out of church? Are we ashamed of Jesus? Are we afraid that we would be disliked by our friends and they would perceive us as someone who is not in touch with the realities of life?  

Let us not think twice to talk about the Lord or to share our personal experiences on how the Lord has manifested himself in our lives. By doing so we bring others closer to the Lord and who knows we might be the bridge to their conversion.  

Have you shared your personal experience about the movement of the Lord in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 8 Huwebes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Lucas 24:35-48

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:35-48

35 Isinalaysay ng dalawang alagad ang nang­yari sa daan at kung paano nila siya nakilala sa pagpipiraso ng tinapay. 36 Habang pinag-uusapan nila ang mga ito, tumayo siya mismo sa gitna nila (at sinabi sa kanila: “Huwag ka­yong matakot, sumainyo ang kapaya­paan!”). 37 Nagulat nga sila at natakot, at akala’y nakakakita sila ng kung anong espiritu. 38 Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: “Bakit kayo naliligalig at puma­pasok ang alinla­ngan sa inyong isipan? 39 Ting­nan ninyo ang aking mga ka­may at mga paa, ako nga siya. Hipuin ninyo ako at unawain ninyo na walang laman at mga buto ang isang espiritu, at nakikita ninyo na meron ako.” (40 Matapos masabi ito, ipinakita niya sa kanila ang kanyang mga kamay at paa.)  

41 Hindi sila makapaniwala sa labis na galak at nagtataka pa rin kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “May makakain ba kayo rito?” 42 At binigyan nila siya ng isang pirasong inihaw na isda (at pulot-puk­yutan). 43 Ki­nu­ha niya iyon at ku­main sa harap nila. 44 Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Sinabi ko na sa inyo ang mga ito nang kasama ninyo ako: kailangang matupad ang lahat ng nasusulat tungkol sa akin sa Batas ni Moises, Mga Propeta at Mga Salmo.”  

45 At binuksan niya ang kanilang isipan para maunawaan nila ang mga Kasulatan. 46 Sinabi niya: “Ganito ang na­susulat: kailangang magdusa ang Mesiyas at pagkamatay niya’y buhayin sa ikatlong araw. 47 Sa ngalan niya ipahahayag sa lahat ng bansa ang pagsisisi at ang kapa­tawaran ng mga kasa­lanan – sa Jerusalem kayo mag­sisimula. 48 Kayo ang magiging mga saksi sa mga ito.

Reflection for April 7 Wednesday in the Octave of Easter: Luke 24:13-35

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.  

He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" And he replied to them, "What sort of things?"  

They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive.  

Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see." And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.  

As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.  

Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?" So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!" Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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Reflection:

How would you feel if somebody close to you dies?  

We all feel very sad when somebody very important to us dies. The feeling is as if a big important part of us has been taken off from our lives. Cleopas and his companion had this feeling of sadness as they were walking towards Emmaus. They felt that a big part of their lives had been taken from them with the death of Jesus. 

However, as they were journeying going to Emmaus they did not recognize that the Risen Christ was already walking and conversing with them. So, while walking going to Emmaus Jesus asked them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk (Luke 24:17)?" They told Him their story and seemingly false expectations about Himself (Jesus).  

Why false expectation? Because Cleopas and company were expecting Jesus to redeem Israel from the Jewish ruling class.  Jesus was already their hero, who would not consider Jesus as hero when He can make the lame walk, when He can make the blind see again etc. They thought that it was now all bed of roses for them since they were now following Jesus. Therefore, they were terribly disappointed with the death of Jesus.  

What is the lesson for us in this gospel episode? This tells us that we must not expect that everything would be turning out right for us since we are now followers of Jesus. There would still be trials, persecutions and disappointments for these are part of the test of our faith in Jesus.  

When they arrived at Emmaus they asked Jesus to stay with them. While there at a table with them He took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them (Luke 24:30). After doing it in front of them they recognized that it was the Risen Christ who was with them, that it was Jesus who was conversing with them while they were walking going to Emmaus. 

Where is Emmaus now in this smart phones, smart gadgets and social media driven times? Emmaus is certainly not located within your high-tech gadgets. Emmaus is the  church specifically located inside your church. When you go to your church to attend Holy Mass you go to Emmaus. 

There you have to hold in highest regard the words of God as it is proclaimed to you. There you reverently accept Jesus' Body and Blood as it is given to you by the priest or the Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion. But the intensifying case of covid-19 prevents us from going to church to attend Holy Mass.  

So, where would Emmaus be? Your home becomes Emmaus when you encourage your family to piously watch the celebration of Holy Mass online. Do you always make yourself and your family available for online Holy Mass? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 7 Miyerkules sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Lucas 24:13-35

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:13-35

13 Nang araw ng Linggo, dalawa sa mga alagad ang naglalakad pa-Emmaus na isang nayong mga labin­limang kilo­metro mula sa Jerusalem. 14 Pinag-uusapan nila ang mga nangyari. 15 Sa kanilang pag-uusap at pagtatalakayan, lumapit si Jesus at nakisabay sa paglakad nila 16 pero parang may kung anong hadlang sa kanilang mga mata at hindi nila siya nakilala.  

17 Tinanong niya sila: “Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan ninyo sa daan?” Tumigil silang mukhang malungkot. 18 Suma­got ang isa sa kanila na nagnga­ngalang Cleofas: “Bakit, mukhang ikaw lang ang kaisa-isahan sa Jerusalem na di alam ang mga nangyari roon nitong mga ilang araw?” 19 Itinanong niya: “Ano?” Sumagot sila: “Tungkol kay Jesus na taga-Nazaret. Sa paningin ng Diyos at ng buong baya’y isa siyang propetang maka­pang­­yarihan sa gawa at salita. 

20 Ngunit isinakdal siya ng aming mga punong-pari at mga pinuno para mahatulang mamatay at ipinako siya sa krus. 21 Uma­asa pa naman kaming siya ang tutubos sa Israel ngunit ikatlong araw na ngayon mula nang mangyari ang lahat ng ito. 22 Sa totoo’y ginulat kami ng ilang ba­baeng kasama namin. Maaga silang pu­munta sa libingan 23 pero hindi nila nakita ang kanyang katawan kaya du­mating sila at sinabi sa amin na naka­kita pa raw sila ng aparisyon ng mga anghel na nag­sabi sa kanila na buhay siya.  

24 Nagpunta rin sa libingan ang ilan sa amin at natag­puan nga nila ang sinasabi ng mga babae pero hindi nila siya nakita.” 25 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Mga hin­di makaunawa at mapupurol ang isip para maniwala sa lahat ng ipina­hayag ng mga propeta. 26 Di ba’t kaila­ngang mag­dusa nang ganito ang Mesiyas bago pu­masok sa kanyang Lu­walhati?” 27 At sinimulan niyang ipa­liwanag sa kanila ang lahat ng sinasabi ng Kasulatan tungkol sa kanya, mula kay Moises hanggang sa lahat ng Pro­peta.  

28 Nang malapit na sila sa nayong pu­puntahan nila, parang magpapatuloy pa siya ng paglakad. 29 Pero pinilit nila siya: “Manatili kang kasama namin dahil dapit­hapon na at lumulubog na ang araw.” Kaya pumasok siya at suma­ma sa kanila. 30 Nang nasa hapag na siyang kasalo nila, kumuha siya ng tinapay, nagpuri at piniraso ito at ibinigay sa kanila. 31 At noo’y nabuksan ang kanilang mga mata at nakilala nila siya, at nawala siya sa kanilang paningin. 32 Nag-usap sila: “Hindi ba’t nag-aalab ang ating puso nang kinakausap niya tayo sa daan at ipinali­liwanag sa atin ang mga Kasulatan?”  

33 Noon di’y tumayo sila at nagbalik sa Jerusalem. Nakita nila roon na mag­ka­kasama ang Labing-isa at ang iba ni­lang kasamahan. 34 Sinabi ng mga iyon sa kanila: “Totoo ngang binuhay ang Panginoon at napakita siya kay Simon.” 35 At isinalaysay naman nila ang nang­yari sa daan at kung paano nila siya nakilala sa pagpipiraso ng tinapay.

1Reflection for April 6 Tuesday in the Octave of Easter: John 20:11-18

Gospel: John 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.  

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for? She thought it was the gardener and said to him,“ Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him. Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni, which means Teacher.  

Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them,‘I am going to my Father and your Father to my God and your God.’Mary went and announced to the disciples,“I have seen the Lord, and then reported what he had told her.

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Reflection:

How does it feel to lose a close friend or relative? It feels like an important part of you has been taken permanently away from you. This was how Mary Magdalene felt when she was near the tomb of Jesus. She was forlorn, who would not be? Anyone who loses somebody close to him/her would feel the same way.  

In the midst of her melancholy Jesus appeared to Mary and told her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them,‘I am going to my Father and your Father to my God and your God (John 20:17).  

When Jesus told Mary stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Perhaps, Jesus wanted to tell Mary this: Let go of the memory of my violent death for I have resurrected already. Instead announce the good news of my resurrection which Mary did after Jesus appeared to her.  

How does this gospel speak to you? Do you feel Jesus speaking to you and telling you to move and share the good news? To have courage to share His teachings through your works and actions?  

Humans as we are we yield every once in a while to discouragement and sadness. Most especially right now caused by this destructive Covid-19 pandemic which has been creating havoc in our country for more than a year now. Yet we must not forget that Jesus has risen, that Jesus abiding presence is with us and He always always walks with us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas