Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 18 Ikatlong Linggo 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 17 Saturday of the Second Week of Easter: John 6:16-21

Gospel: John 6:16-21

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.   

The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.

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Reflection:

Do you fear the onslaught of this covid-19 pandemic? Do you fear the unknown? Do you fear darkness? The disciples in the gospel were fearful of both the unknown and darkness. They were at sea in pitch darkness and being tossed by the waves, perhaps it was just fair for them to be fearful. 

In total darkness and coupled with stormy seas. The disciples in the gospel were afraid when they saw Jesus walking towards their boat. Why were they afraid considering that they know Jesus? Perhaps they did not recognize Jesus at sea walking towards them thus they mistakenly labelled Jesus as a ghost.   

There would be trials and problems that we will encounter for as long as we exist in this world. But in the midst of our trials, problems and fears we are also always assured of Jesus abiding presence in our lives. He is always with us notwithstanding the waves of trials, fears and problems that we’re going through such as this destructive and disruptive covid-19 pandemic. 

All we need to do is to call upon Him, aspire to have a deep friendship with Him and we will be alright. We will not anymore fear the unknown and even the darkness we will not fear either. For the simple reason that we have Jesus who is ever ready to help and save us whenever we pass though the many trials, darkness and trepidations of life. 

Fear is all in the mind when you always have Jesus in your heart and mind. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 17 Sabado sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:16-21

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:16-21

16 Nang magtakipsilim na, lumu­song sa aplaya ang kanyang mga alagad, 17at pag­ka­sakay sa bangka ay nagpaka­bilang-ibayo ng dagat pa-Capernaum. Dumilim na at wala pa sa kanila si Jesus: 18 at magalaw ang dagat sa mala­kas na ihip ng hangin.  

19 Pagkasagwan nila nang may lima o anim na kilometro, napansin nilang naglalakad si Jesus sa dagat at palapit sa bangka. Nasindak sila. 20 Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ako siya; huwag kayong ma­takot.” 21 Nang isasakay na nila sa bangka, bigla namang nasa pampang na na pupuntahan nila ang bangka.

1Reflection for April 16 Friday of the Second Week of Easter: John 6:1-15

Gospel: John 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”  

He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough  for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”  

Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”  

So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

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Reflection:

How strong is your faith in Jesus? A person of faith would always say, everything is possible for Jesus but a person who has no faith would fail to see the infinite power of Jesus.  

In our gospel Jesus saw the large crowd that was after Him. Jesus tested the faith of Philip by saying to him, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” Philip answered him, "Two hundred days?' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.'" With his negative reply Philip failed his own test of faith.  

Soon after, Philip saw the miracle of the loaves and fish before his very eyes. With five barley loaves and two fish Jesus nourished the famished five thousand people. As if to say to Philip to begin to have faith because He makes things possible for those who have faith.  

Let us always walk by our faith and not by our sight in our discipleship with the Lord. If we desire something that is noble and worthy and we think that it’s very impossible for us to achieve it. Let us reflect on it and let us check our faith meter it may be very low already if this is so, let us pray to Jesus for the grace of increase of faith.  

For whatever we want from the Lord we will have as long as we have faith. Let us not forget that Jesus fed the five thousand with five barley loaves and two fish. Thus, Jesus makes all things possible for those who have faith.  

How’s your faith in the Lord?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 16 Biyernes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:1-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:1-15

1 Nagpunta si Jesus sa kabilang ibayo ng dagat ng Galilea sa may Tiberias. 2 Sinusun­dan siya ng makapal na tao dahil napansin nila ang mga tandang ginagawa niya sa mga maysakit. 3 Uma­hon si Jesus sa bundok at naupo siya roon kasama ang kanyang mga alagad. 4 Malapit na ang Paskuwa na piyesta ng mga Judio.  

5 Kaya pagkatunghay ni Jesus at pag­ka­kita niyang marami ang taong pumu­punta sa kanya, sinabi niya kay Felipe: “Saan kayo makabi­bili ng tinapay para makakain ang mga ito?” 6 Sinabi niya ito bilang pagsubok sa kanya dahil alam na niya kung ano ang napipinto niyang ga­win. 7 Sumagot sa kanya si Felipe: “Dala­wandaang denar­yong tinapay ay hindi sapat sa kanila para makakuha ng tigka­kaunti ang bawat isa.”  

8 At sinabi naman sa kanya ng isa sa kanyang mga alagad na si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro: 9 "May maliit na bata rito na may limang tinapay na sebada at dalawang isda. Ano ito para sa pagkarami-raming tao?” 10 Madamo sa lugar na iyon kaya sinabi ni Jesus: “Paupuin n’yo ang mga tao.” Kaya nag-upuan sila, halos liman­libo ang mga lalaki.  

11 Kaya kinuha ni Jesus ang mga tina­pay at pagkapagpasalamat, at ipi­na­bigay sa mga nakaupo. Gayundin naman sa mga isda – ga­ano man ang gustuhin nila. 12 Nang busog na sila, sinabi niya sa kanyang mga ala­gad: “Tipunin ninyo ang natirang mga piraso para walang masa­yang.” 13 Kaya tini­pon nila ang mga tira ng mga pinakain, at labindalawang bakol ang napuno ng mga pira-piraso mula sa limang tinapay na sebada.  

14 Pagkakita sa tandang ginawa ni Jesus, sinabi ng mga tao: “Ito ngang talaga ang Propeta parating sa mundo.” 15 At alam ni Jesus na parating sila upang agawin siya para gawing hari kaya lumigpit siyang muli na siya lamang mag-isa sa bulubundukin. 

Reflection for April 15 Thursday of the Second Week of Easter: John 3:31-36

Gospel: John 3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.  

For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

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Reflection:

What would happen to us if we would detach ourselves from Jesus? We become citizens of this world everything that we do in this world is anchored in this finite world alone. Many people live for this world alone they think that there’s no God and there’s no heaven and hell.  

So when trials or problems come along their way they have no other recourse but to solve their trials based on what this world has taught them to do. And when they are not able to solve their trials. They begin to lose hope in this world and in themselves as well and it seems that it is the end of the world for them already. And sad to say some of them would choose to end their lives.  

What would happen to us if we have Jesus in our lives? We would be full of hope even if the situation around us seem hopeless. This is the great difference of having Jesus in our lives. We would be full of hope and we would see things differently as opposed to someone who doesn’t have Jesus in his/her life.  

In our gospel for this Thursday it says: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.  

The choice is ours to take, if we would allow Jesus to come into our lives or we would continue to shut the doors of our hearts to Jesus.  This we have to bear in mind: if we have Jesus we would always have hope. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 15 Huwebes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:31-36

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:31-36

Sinabi ni Jesus kay Nicodemo 31 Walang kapantay ang naparirito mula sa itaas. Makalupa naman ang mula sa lupa at makalupa rin ang sina­sabi niya. Walang kapantay ang naparirito mula sa langit. 32 Pinatutuna­yan niya ang kanyang nakita at narinig ngunit wala ngang tuma­tanggap sa kanyang patunay.  

33 Pinag­tibay naman ng tumanggap sa kanyang patunay na totoo ang Diyos. 34 Sinasabi nga ng sinugo ng Diyos ang mga salita ng Diyos sapagkat walang sukat na ibini­bigay sa kanya ang Espiritu. 35 Mahal nga ng Ama ang Anak, at ipinagkatiwala sa kanyang mga kamay ang lahat. 36 May buhay magpakailan­man ang nananalig sa Anak. Hindi naman nakikita ng ayaw manalig sa Anak ang buhay kundi nama­malagi sa kanya ang galit ng Diyos.

1Reflection for April 14 Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter: John 3:16-21

Gospel: John 3:16-21

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 

Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. 

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

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Reflection:

Can we be saved by simply believing in Jesus? Is it enough to believe and not live that belief? 

We must believe and we must live and give substance to what we believe by making a positive difference in the lives of others and by detesting sin. For example, if we say that we love Jesus but we ignore the cry for help of those who are in need what then is the use of saying we believe in Jesus? If we say that we believe yet we continue to allow ourselves to sin and be captured by the devil. What then is the use of our profession of belief in Jesus? 

When we say we believe we should firmly stand by our word by detesting sin in whatever forms and shapes. For the simple reasons that this is the only way to Jesus, we are simply fooling ourselves if we say we believe yet we continue to sin. 

There are many of us who continue to say that we believe in Jesus but when testing comes around. We push aside the light of Jesus to plunge into the darkness to be in the company of the devil. And then what comes after that are the many punishments that we impose upon ourselves thru our engagement with sin and the devil. 

So, why go with sin and the devil when Jesus is always there for us patiently asking us to leave sin and the devil? We therefore have to leave behind our sinful lives so that the Lord can embrace us with His forgiveness and love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 14 Miyerkules sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:16-21

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:16-21

16 Ganito nga kamahal ng Diyos ang mundo! Kayat ibinigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na anak upang hindi na ma­wala ang bawat nananalig sa kanya kundi magkaroon ng buhay magpa­kailanman.  

17 Hindi nga sinugo ng Diyos sa mundo ang Anak upang hukuman ang mundo kundi upang maligtas ang mundo sa pamamagitan niya. 18 Hindi hinuhukuman ang nananalig sa kanya. Ngunit hinu-kuman na ang hindi nana­nalig pagkat hindi siya nananalig sa Ngalan ng bugtong na Anak ng Diyos. 

19 Ito ang paghuhukom: dumating sa mundo ang liwanag pero mas minahal pa ng mga tao ang karimlan kaysa liwanag sapagkat masasama ang kanilang gawa. 20 Ang gumagawa ng masama’y napopoot nga sa liwanag at hindi lumalapit sa liwanag, at baka malantad ang kanyang mga gawa. 21 Lumalapit naman sa liwanag ang gumagawa ng katotohanan upang mabunyag na sa Diyos ginagawa ang kanyang mga gawa. 

Reflection for April 13 Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter: John 3:7b-15

Gospel: John 3:7b-15

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘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.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? 

Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

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Reflection:

Who is Nicodemus and how does his situation relate to us?  He is a Pharisee, a secret faithful follower of Jesus; He visited Jesus during night time (John 3:1–21). Nicodemus also appeared after the Crucifixion of Jesus to provide the embalming ingredients for the body of Jesus. He also assisted Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus (John 19:39–42). 

Like Nicodemus we too must become a faithful follower of Jesus. A follower who is averse to sin. A follower in words and in deeds and a follower who will stay with Jesus no matter how strong the temptation to betray him.   

We should aspire to become a modern day Nicodemus who will silently support Jesus. Who will silently work for Jesus and who will do things for Jesus even outside of the glare of lights. For this is the challenge before us who are followers of the Lord.   

But are we really His true followers? Or we are followers in good times only but when the testing of our faith comes. We easily betray Jesus in favor of the many sinful enticements of this world. Like Nicodemus, are we also followers who are ever ready to leave behind everything in favor of Jesus? 

Leave everything behind for Jesus because He will never abandon you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

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