1Reflection for May 4 Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter: John 14:27-31a

Gospel: John 14:27-31a

Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.  

And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

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Reflection:

Do you allow the peace of Jesus to reign in your heart?  

There are cynical people whose thoughts are always on the negative side of life. They always have their own negative interpretations for every incident that happens. For us believers regardless of what unfolds we will be calm and always at peace because we have Jesus. There may be incidents that will temporarily jolt us but after a while we will be back to our normal peaceful selves.  

In the gospel Jesus told his disciples: “I leave with you; my peace I give to you not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid (John 14:27).  

 In this gospel episode Jesus is telling his disciples that whatever things that may happen to him in the unfolding days. They need to be calm and peaceful because he is still with them. The invincible presence of Jesus within them gives them calmness and peace. Calmness and peace that this world could not give them.   

The peace that Jesus gives is something that you will also experience. If you’re always connected with Jesus by means of frequent attendance at Holy Mass/online Holy Mass, frequent reception of the Body of Christ,  frequent and humble submission to the Sacrament of Confession, Through your frequent reading of Jesus life story in the bible  and through your regular prayer life. 

Do you already have peace in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for May 3 Monday Saints Philip and James, Apostles (Feast): John 14:6-14

Gospel: John 14:6-14

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” 

 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. 

The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

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Reflection:

Do you want to know God? You first have to know Jesus for it’s only through Jesus that you will know God. But how would you know Jesus? Prayer should be an integral part of your lifestyle. And you have to ask Jesus to give you the grace of knowing Him deeper and the grace of having a personal relationship with Him. 

How else would we have a personal encounter with Jesus? We have to read His life in the bible we have to attend Holy Mass most especially during Sundays. And then whatever we learn about Jesus we have to live and share. 

It’s usually through Jesus that we would have an awareness of the presence of God the Father in your life. For Jesus is the gateway to knowing more about God and through Jesus our eyes will be opened to the many truths about our faith.   

Do you want to know the way, do you want to know the many real truths about life and do you want to find the real meaning of your life? You have to ask Jesus and you have to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you more about Jesus. 

To have Jesus is to have life, to have Jesus is to find the real way that leads to peace and contentment. To have Jesus is to discover the real meaning of life a life that is very much different from the life that this world is forcing us to accept.   

In our gospel, Jesus tells Thomas and us too, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him (John 14:6-7).” 

Would you invest some of your precious time to know more about Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday May 2, Fifth Sunday of Easter: John 15:1-8

Gospel: John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. 

Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. 

Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about two neighbors: one had a bright and positive disposition in life the other one was always gloomy and negative in whatever aspects of life that he deals with. Delving deeper into their lifestyles, the positive one always makes it a point to attend Holy Mass and he has a healthy prayer life. The other one was a non-believer. 

Jesus says in the gospel that he is the true vine and God is his vine grower, he tells us to remain in him so that he would remain in us and we will bear much fruit if we would always be with him (John 15:4). 

If we would observe the lives of our fellow men and women we will obviously notice that those who have incorporated a lifestyle that is always attuned and connected with God regardless of his religious affiliations and social standing are those that live peaceful and serene lives. Those who are not connected with God are those that lead complicated and problematic lives. 

As we pass through this temporary life it is a must that that we are always connected with our true vine that is Jesus. Of course there would still be challenges, disappointments and even sufferings once in a while. Why? Because all of these are part and parcel of our lives. Amidst all of these Jesus is assuring us that He would always be there for us if we would consciously make an effort to always be connected with Him. 

Do you always see to it that you are always connected with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 1 Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter: Matthew 13:54-58

Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 

Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

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Reflection:

Do we sometimes have a selective treatment of our fellow men and women?  The town mates of Jesus treated Him with disdain. Why because they could not believe Him speaking with wisdom in their synagogue. They knew Him as one coming from a family of laborers thus they couldn’t believe that Jesus would be able to do such an outstanding lecture in their synagogue. 

Instead of welcoming Him they treated Him with disdain. For they cannot accept that this man whom they know very well is now able to talk with wisdom. What drove them to belittle the Lord? It was their arrogance and high sense of themselves. Jesus town mates could not accept that this son of a carpenter could now become an exceptional preacher in their synagogue. 

Our arrogance and high regard of ourselves will do us no good. It even deprives us of so many blessings from Jesus. Just like what happened to His town mates who were deprived of many blessing from Jesus when they did not accept Him. 

Instead of being arrogant let us be humble, be respectful and always treat everyone with respect no matter their educational attainment and status in life. Let us not try hard to raise ourselves in the consciousness of others too. Let us let Jesus do it for us if we do so we would earn the respect of everybody. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for April 30 Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 14:1-6

Gospel: John 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.  

Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

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Reflection:
Do you want to find meaning in your life?

It may seem that life is just a routine. Wake up in the morning, go to work or work from home and end the day, then the next morning we do the same once again. As if we live like robots in this world; there is no clear path that would point us to something meaningful and profound.  

In our gospel for today Jesus gives us a revelation on how to have a meaningful and profound life amidst the many disturbance thrown at us by this world. Jesus tells us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).” What does this statement of Jesus represent to us? Does this impel us to hunger for Him daily? Or there is no effect at all and there’s no feeling of urgency to know more about the Lord Jesus Christ.  

When Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. He was ingeniously telling His disciples to follow Me and you’ll know the truth about life. That the true meaning of life has nothing to do with anything of this world. What you cling now in this world is nothing compared to what you’ll receive if only you would decide to follow me. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 29 Thursday Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (M): John 13:16-20

Gospel: John 13:16-20

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. 

I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

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Reflection:

What is the weakness of many followers of Jesus? It’s to act and behave as if they are bigger than Jesus. This is the failing of many who are followers of Jesus. But a true follower doesn’t aspire to become somebody, doesn’t aspire to raise himself in the pedestal of prominence. 

He/she is simply content to become a nobody in the vast ocean of humanity who follow Jesus. He/she works tirelessly and silently with the end in mind that he/she has to advance the  teachings and goodness of Jesus in this world. 

In the gospel, Jesus washed His disciple’s feet. Was the washing of His disciples feet a simple ritual done by Jesus? Or there was a silent message for His disciples and for us as well. What lies beneath the act of washing His disciple’s feet is the message of humility. For they would not be productive in their mission without humility. And they would not be able to attract others to the faith without humility. 

If we say that we are followers of Jesus it is also expected that we would be humble at all times. Never arrogant, never overbearing but always humble even if others are not. For the virtue of humility is what separates true followers from fake and fair-weather followers of Jesus. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for April 28 Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 12:44-50

Gospel: John 12:44-50

Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. 

Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.  And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a sinful man who was always being pleaded by his mother to leave behind his sinful life. After many years of patiently pleading the man finally renewed his life. And he eventually became very successful in his life.   

Based on His pronouncements in the gospel for today, patience is a word that we can always attribute to Jesus. He tells us this: “If anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. (John 12:47)” These are profound words that give us hope no matter how sinful we are and no matter who we are. 

Jesus doesn’t look at our sinfulness no matter how grave or severe it is! For He became man not to judge us but to save us. If we are quick to condemn Jesus doesn’t condemn. If we are quick to judge Jesus is not quick to judge because Jesus is always patient with us. 

Instead of condemning and judging our fellow men and women let us give them hope, motivation and let us forgive them for the bad things that they’ve done to us. No one deserves to be judged or condemned for the reason that everyone of us is sinful and everyone of us is within reach of the mercy and love of God.   

Let us therefore reflect and try to recall if we have undeservingly heaped judgment and condemnation on our fellow men and women. Let us pause for a few seconds and humbly ask Jesus to forgive our condemning and judgmental minds. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for April 27 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:22-30

Gospel: John 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”  

Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

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Reflection:

How can we make others believe in Jesus as our Messiah/Savior? We have to share our faith in Jesus and we have to live His teachings. 

For example, if we say that we follow Jesus what comes after that is an honest to goodness self-examination about ourselves. Are we humble? Are we forgiving? Are we simple? Do we live and practice the faith? 

In our gospel for this Tuesday, the Jews gathered around Jesus and they said to HIM, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly (John 10:24)." They’re obviously unbelievers/non-followers, yes they know Jesus but they don’t believe in Jesus. 

From the time of Jesus let us fast forward today; our present technology driven times. Many are still unbelievers today, yes they know Jesus but it ends there. There’s no personal encounter and relationship with Jesus and there’s no living faith in Jesus. What are we going to do about this? 

The challenge before us all is so plain and so simple, we have to learn to share and live our faith in Jesus. So that those who don’t believe will now believe, those who don’t know Jesus will know Jesus and those who don’t have faith will now have faith. Why? Because we dared to share and live our faith in the Lord. 

Will you share your faith in Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for April 26 Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:1-10

Gospel: John 10:1-10

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  

When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.  

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who tried very hard to provide for her three children. She worked very hard for them and she taught them also about the role of God in their lives. Her three children eventually became very successful courtesy of her proper shepherding.  

Jesus wants nothing but the best for us as well this is the reason why He patiently shepherds us. And His end objective is for us to live our lives according to what He desires it for us. However, many of us still veer away from the shepherding of Jesus.  

So what happens to us when we veer away from the shepherding of the Lord? We endlessly labor for this world to acquire its temporal things. Temporal thing that amounts to nothing at the end for the simple reason that it will not satisfy us.  

In our gospel Jesus tells us this: “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture (John 10:9).” If only we would deeply reflect on this statement of the Lord we would find out that it is only thru the Lord that we would discover that it’s only through the shepherding of the Lord that we would find the real meaning of life.  

Would you allow Jesus to shepherd your life from here on? – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for Sunday April 25, Fourth Sunday of Easter/Good Shepherd Sunday: John 10:11-18

Gospel: John 10:11-18

Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.  

I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a father who tried his very best to provide for the spiritual and material needs of his family. The father would always work hard for the wellbeing of his family and he would never neglect to bring his family every Sunday to church for Mass. When he retired the father received nothing but love, praises and affection from his family. Why? Because he took care of his family. 

This father in our story is a good shepherd to his family and he is like Jesus who gave His life for our welfare. Do we completely trust our lives to Jesus our good shepherd? In our lifetime many would  appear in our lives so that they can shepherd us but they are false shepherds.  

For example, the lure of material wealth or power is a false shepherd. Why? Because this would not bring us peace neither contentment the more that we allow these worldly ambitions to shepherd us the more that peace and contentment becomes elusive for us.  

However, the moment we allow Jesus to shepherd us we also begin our journey to peace, contentment and spiritual enlightenment. Material blessings may not present itself to us if we make Jesus our good shepherd. But who needs material things when it gives us nothing but false hope, security and happiness? Many have commited the mistake of allowing the things of this world to shepherd them only to end with emptiness in the end.   

We would never go wrong in this world if we allow Jesus to shepherd us.Why? Because the Lord will lead us to paradise someday, paradise which we can actually experience right now if we allow Jesus to shepherd us.  

Is it the Lord who is shepherding you right now? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for April 24 Saturday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:60-69

Gospel: John 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 

It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” 

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

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Reflection:

How is your faith in Jesus right now? Is it still solid as a rock or feeble as a sand castle? 

After extensively telling His followers that He is the Bread of Life and anyone that drinks His blood and eats His bread would never anymore thirst or hunger. It was now time to weigh up the disciples faith on Jesus. Unfortunately many did not believe the Bread of Life discourse of Jesus. So they went back to their old lives, therefore they disconnected themselves from actively following Jesus. 

If we are made to choose between Jesus and the trappings of this world. Many of us would also choose to be with this world rather than to be with Jesus. Why? What does this world offer us that we love it more than we love our God? This world offers us temporal power, wealth, influence and the like. 

Why is it that many of us have chosen to embrace worldliness? Perhaps we have not yet experienced the power of Jesus in our lives. Otherwise if we have already felt the power of God in our lives. We would surely leave behind all forms of worldliness and sin for God. 

Would it be possible to have the best of both sides (We follow God and we follow also this world). No, we have to choose which one we want to embrace. It’s either we embrace this  temporal world or we embrace our infinite God. The righteous choice is always to be with God and never to be with this world. 

What would it benefit you if you gain all the power and riches of this temporal world but you don’t have God?  Nothing except emptiness and more emptiness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 23 Friday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:52-59

Gospel: John 6:52-59

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you.  

Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.  

This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

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Reflection:

Are you a regular Sunday Mass goer or even a daily Mass goer? How do you feel if you fail to be at Holy Mass? Do you feel that something is lacking in your system of being? If your answer is yes, you have this feeling not because you miss a routinary activity.  

Truth be told, you have this feeling because you miss to be with Jesus. And you miss to partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus which (you may not know) is the source of your every Sunday and daily nourishment.  

How many times have you been to Holy Mass without paying attention to what’s going on during the celebration? Perhaps countless times already, what do you do after noticing that your attention was not in the Mass? Do you say sorry to Jesus and then make it a point to be attentive again?  

In every Holy Mass/online Mass that we attend we should see to it that our full attention is in the sacred celebration. So that when the part comes that we are about to partake of His body our focus is centered on what we are about to receive. Which is no other than the most precious bread in the entire world because we receive the life giver, Jesus Himself.  

Perhaps you may not believe this now because you are still young, healthy and perhaps you have money and power. And these temporal things serve as your security blanket right now. However when the time comes that you are already old and sickly. You will know that nothing matters anymore except the Bread of life, Jesus Himself. You will not desire anything except to partake of His Body which will become the source of your daily nourishment.  

Why wait for that time to come in the future? When you can already desire to be close to Jesus by faithfully partaking of His Body and Blood now and onwards?  Why make the temporal things of this world your security blanket? When you can make the Body of Christ your security blanket now? Yes now. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for April 22 Thursday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:44-51

Gospel: John 6:44-51

Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.  

Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”

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Reflection:

How could you have eternal life?  You have to regularly receive the Body of Christ at Holy Mass. Always receive it with reverence and piety never doubt and don’t  think of it as a simple bread because what you receive is Jesus Himself.  

Just imagine the enlightenment and unfathomable blessing that it will bring you if you would always partake of the body of Christ. Just imagine the countless spiritual blessing that it would bring you if you would believe that Jesus is the Consecrated Host that you receive during Holy Communion.  

Your belief and faith in the bread of life will open your mind to the many truths about Jesus and the church that He founded. Things that are hard to explain but is real and felt by the heart, all you have to do is to believe and have faith.  

For without faith and belief you will not fully comprehend how this small and ordinary bread becomes the body of Jesus after it is consecrated by the priest. How this ordinary bread becomes your life and your reason for existing in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for April 21 Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:35-40

Gospel: John 6:35-40

Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. 

And this is the will of the one who sent me,  that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”

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Reflection:

Is Jesus the bread of our lives? When we make Jesus the bread of our lives we are already assured of heavenly dwelling someday. But how are we going to make Jesus the Bread of our lives? We have to receive Him at Holy Communion whenever we attend Holy Mass.

We have to read the life story of Jesus in the Holy Bible and we have to allow Jesus to transform us. We also have to have a daily quality and quite time with Jesus every day of our lives. In our daily quite and quality time with the Lord we have to allow Him to talk to us.

In our gospel for today Jesus tells us this, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. Jesus further tells us, I will not reject anyone who comes to me.

This bread of life discourse of Jesus invites us also to reflect on our own life in this world. Have we already touched lives as Jesus touched lives? Have we given hope to the hopeless as Jesus has given hope to the hopeless? Are our hearts always on fire to help those who come to us? – Marino J. Dasmarinas