1Reflection for August 14, Saturday Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr (M): Matthew 19:13-15

Gospel: Matthew 19:13-15

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

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Reflection:

In a faraway village lived two families with five children each. Family number one was a devout catholic; they always attend Sunday Holy Mass. The parents lead their children in reflecting the words of Jesus in the bible and they regularly pray the Holy Rosary. On the other hand, family number two is the complete opposite of family number one.  

Twenty years after, the children of family number one were all successful and respected in their respective communities. The children of family number two were again the opposite of the children of family number one.  

Many parents today forget the primacy of God over everything that this world offers us. They are always very busy with their worldly undertakings. They forget to gather their children during Sundays to watch online Holy Mass. They forget to share to their children the words of Jesus in the bible. They forget to teach their children about the faith.  

We all know that as children grow up they would encounter their own share of problems. Where would they go to unburden their problems if they don’t know God?  

In the gospel, Jesus tells us, “Let the children come to me (Matthew 19:14)”. Why? For the simple reason that the Good Lord wants to ensure a Bright, Good and Godly future for our children.  

Have you already introduced your children to the Lord and are they friends with Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 14 Sabado San Maximiliano Maria Kolbe: Mateo 19:13-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:13-15

Noong panahong iyon, may nagdala ng mga bata kay Jesus upang hilinging ipatong niya sa mga ito ang kanyang kamay at ipanalangin.  

Ngunit pinagwikaan sila ng mga alagad. Datapwat sinabi ni Jesus, "Hayaan ninyong lumapit sa akin ang mga bata. Huwag ninyo silang hadlangan, sapagkat sa katulad nila naghahari ang Diyos." Ipinatong niya sa kanila ang kanyang mga kamay, saka umalis.

 

1Reflection for August 13, Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 19:3-12

Gospel: Matthew 19:3-12

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?  

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate. They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.  

His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry. He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.

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Reflection:

How’s your married life?  

From the beginning up until this very moment separation is never in the agenda of God. God’s desire for married couples is to remain married until death. Yet, some contradict this agenda of God by introducing separation in the marriage. Some contradict this agenda of God by betraying the sacred marriage vows, not once, not twice but many times.  

But come to think of it, why do married couples separate? They separate because there is an absence of God in their marriage. They separate because they allow the temptations of the devil to overpower God and His command to make marriage Sacred and Holy.  This is the primary reason otherwise they wouldn’t separate if there’s an active presence of God in their marriage.  

When God is left out of the marriage or the teaching of God is not taken seriously. The devil is given the opportunity to create havoc in the couple’s married life. And the devil will never stop until it finally destroys the marriage covenant of the couple.   

Therefore, make Jesus an active player in your marriage.  How are you going to do this? Have time for Holy Mass as a family. Have time for prayer as a family and have time for reading and afterwards reflection of the words of Jesus in the bible as a family.  

Is Jesus an active member in your marriage? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 13 Biyernes sa Ika-19 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 19:3-12

 

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:3-12

3 Lumapit kay Jesus ang ilang Pariseo na hangad siyang subukan, at tinanong nila siya: “Pinahihintu­lutan bang diborsiyuhin ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa sa anumang dahi­lan?” 

4 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi ba ninyo na­basa na sa simula’y ginawa sila ng May­kapal na lalaki at babae, 5 at sinabi rin nitong iiwanan ng lalaki ang kanyang ama at ina, at pipisan sa kan­yang asawa, at magiging iisang katawan ang dalawa? 6 Kung gayo’y hindi na sila dalawa kundi iisang katawan lamang; kaya huwag pag­hiwalayin ng tao ang pinagbuklod ng Diyos.” 

7 At sinabi nila: “Kung gayon, bakit ini­utos ni Moises na bigyan ang babae ng kasulatan ng diborsiyo bago siya pa­alisin?” 8 Sinabi naman niya sa kanila: “Alam ni Moises na matigas ang inyong puso kaya pinayagan kayong diborsiyuhin ang inyong mga asawa, ngunit hindi ganito sa simula. 9 At sinasabi ko naman sa inyo: kung may magpaalis sa kanyang asawa, mali­ban kung dahil sa pag­tataksil, at saka magpakasal sa iba, naki­apid na siya.” 

10 Sinabi naman ng mga alagad: “Kung iyan ang itinatadhana para sa lalaking may-asawa, walang pakinabang sa pag-aasawa.” 11 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Hindi matatanggap ng lahat ang salitang ito, kundi ng mga pinagkalooban lamang nito. 12 May ilang ipina­nganak na hindi maka­pag-aasawa. May iba namang ipinakapon ng tao. At may iba ring tuma­likod sa pag-aasa­wa alang-alang sa kaha­rian ng Langit. Tanggapin ito ng puwe­deng tumanggap.”

Reflection for August 12, Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:21-19:1

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-19:1

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. 

When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ 

Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 

But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! 

I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” 

When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a philandering husband who was finally caught by his wife. The husband realized his mistake so he asked for forgiveness.  After days of contemplation the wife finally forgave his unfaithful husband. 

In the gospel, Jesus talks about forgiveness. Jesus forgiveness is a wholesale kind of forgiveness a forgiveness without trace of bitterness and hatred. A forgiveness that is ever willing to erase our dark past and replace it with bright and pastel colors for the future. 

But in hindsight, are we capable of forgiving like Jesus? Perhaps many of us would say that we are not capable. But why? For the simple reason that we are only humans and Jesus is God, we are finite and Jesus is infinite. However, if this is our argument we have to remember that He not only forgave us, Jesus even gave His very life for us. 

Who is your role model when it comes to forgiveness is it Jesus or the unforgiving servant in the gospel? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 12 Huwebes sa Ika-19 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 18:21-19:1

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:21-19:1

 21 Nagtanong si Pedro: “Pa¬nginoon, gaano kadalas ko naman dapat patawarin ang mga pagku-kulang ng aking kapatid? Pitong be¬ses ba?” 22 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi, hindi pitong beses kundi pitumpu’t pitong beses.  23 Tungkol sa kaharian ng Langit ang kasaysayang ito. Isang hari ang nag¬pasyang pagbayarin ng utang ang kanyang mga utusan. 24 Nang simulan niyang suriin ang kuwenta, ini¬harap sa kanya ang isang may utang na sampung libong baretang ginto. 25 Dahil walang ma¬ibayad sa kanya ang tao, iniutos ng panginoon na ipagbili at maging alipin siya kasama ng kan¬yang asawa, mga anak at mga ari-arian bilang bayad-utang.

26 At nagpatirapa sa paanan ng hari ang opisyal at sinabi: ‘Bigyan mo pa ako ng panahon, at ba¬bayaran kong lahat ang utang ko.’ 27 Naawa sa kanya ang hari at hindi lamang siya pinalaya kundi kinansela pa ang kanyang utang.28 Pagkaalis ng opisyal na ito, nasa¬lu¬bong ni¬ya ang isa sa kanyang mga kasamahan na may utang namang sandaang barya sa kanya. Si¬nung¬gaban niya ito sa leeg at halos sakalin habang sumisigaw ng ‘Bayaran mo ang utang mo!’ 29 Nagpa¬tirapa sa paanan niya ang kanyang kasamahan at nag¬sabi: ‘Big¬yan mo pa ako ng panahon, at baba-yaran kong lahat ang utang ko sa iyo.’ 30 Ngunit tumanggi siya at ipina¬kulong ito hanggang maka¬bayad ng utang.

31 Labis na nalungkot ang iba nilang kapwa-lingkod nang makita ang nang¬yari. Kaya pinuntahan nila ang kani¬lang panginoon at ibinalita ang buong pang¬yayari. 32 Ipinatawag naman niya ang opisyal at sinabi: ‘Masamang utusan, pinatawad ko ang lahat ng iyong utang nang maki¬usap ka sa akin. 33 Di ba dapat ay naawa ka rin sa iyong kasamahan gaya ng pagkaawa ko sa iyo?’ 34 Galit na galit ang panginoon kaya ibinigay niya ang kanyang utusan sa mga tagapag¬pa¬hirap hang¬gang mabaya¬ran nito ang lahat ng utang.”

35 Idinagdag ni Jesus: “Ganito rin ang gagawin sa inyo ng aking Ama sa Langit kung hindi pata-tawarin ng bawat isa sa inyo mula sa puso ang kanyang kapatid.”   19     1 Nang tapos na si Jesus sa mga aral na ito, umalis siya sa Galilea at pu¬munta sa probinsya ng Judea sa kabilang ibayo ng Ilog Jordan. 

Reflection for August 11, Wednesday Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin: Matthew 18:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

(Jesus said to his disciples) “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 

If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  

Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a mother who would always shout at her daughter whenever she commits mistake. This was her behavior until her child grew up, eventually the child learned to answer back. Thus, whenever the mother would shout at her, she would shout at her also to reciprocate the insult. When the daughter matured she became aloof and distant toward her mother.  

What is the importance of having a one on one talk with someone who offended you or someone who is at fault? You signify your sincerity to correct the person who is at fault. And you send a message that you want to immediately contain and solve the problem without grandstanding  and without offending anyone. By doing so you create a sincere message that you want to build bridges and not walls.  

Many of us commit the mistake of correcting a person in front of a crowd but this will not help heal a wayward behavior. This would only create a deeper emotional injury to the person who is at fault. Hence, instead of bringing him/her closer to correction, healing and reconciliation we instead are creating an emotional wound that may permanently injure the person.  

This teaching of Jesus on how to privately correct a person is very useful for all of us. For the reason that there are times that we let ourselves be taken over by our arrogance rather than our kindness and gentleness. What is the use of power if it will only divide and create deeper emotional injury? What is the use of correcting a person in full view of the public if it would only create deep-seated feeling of hatred that might result to something untoward?  

The way of Jesus in solving conflict is always the way of diplomacy, fraternal correction and gentleness. Never through arrogance and power tripping to propel one’s authority and influence. 

How do you exercise your power and authority? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 11 Miyerkules Santa Clara, dalaga (Paggunita): Mateo 18:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:15-20

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 15 Kung nagkasala sa iyo ang iyong kapatid, puntahan mo siya at kausapin nang sarilinan; at kung makinig siya sa iyo, tinubo mo na ang iyong kapatid. 16 Kung hindi naman siya makinig sa iyo, magsama ka ng dalawa o tatlo para luta­sin ang kaso sa pagsaksi ng da­lawa o tatlo. 17 Kung tatanggi siyang makinig sa kanila, sabi­hin ito sa Iglesya; at kung hindi pa rin siya ma­kikinig sa Iglesya, itu­ring siyang pagano o publikano.  

18 Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang talian ninyo sa lupa ay matatali rin sa Langit, at ang kalagan ninyo dito sa lupa ay kakalagan din sa Langit. 19 Sinasabi ko rin sa inyo: kung dito sa lupa ay may dalawa sa inyo na nagka­­­kaisang humihingi ng anuman, gagawin ito para sa kanila ng aking Amang nasa Langit. 20 Sapagkat kung saan may dala­wa o tatlong nagkakatipon sa Ngalan ko, kapiling nila ako.” 

Reflection for August 10, Tuesday Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr (Feast): John 12:24-26

Gospel: John 12:24-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.  

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

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Reflection:

What does it mean to hate your life in this world?  

It’s to give your life in the service of Jesus so that through you others may know Jesus. When you do not give your life for the mission of Jesus and just keep it to yourself you will not grow in wisdom and faith. Yes, you will grow in worldliness and perhaps riches but eventually your life will come to a halt and that’s basically the end of it.  

When you choose to give your life for the mission of Jesus you will not anymore enjoy this world as you enjoyed it before.  Yet you will also discover a more profound and deeper meaning in your life that only Jesus can give you.  

 Why? Because you chose to give your life for the mission of Jesus. You chose to throwaway your life away from worldliness going to the direction of Jesus so that you could walk hand in hand with Him.  

As Jesus gave away His very own life on the cross so that God’s kingdom in this world could grow and flourish. We too should not be afraid to give away our life for the sake of the kingdom of God for this is where we can find the true essence and meaning of life.  

Have you already found the true essence and meaning of life with Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 10 Martes San Lorenzo diyakono at martir (Kapistahan): Juan 12:24-26

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:24-26

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 24 Talagang-talagang sina­sabi ko sa inyo, nama­malaging nag-iisa ang butil ng trigo kung hindi ito nama­matay pag­kahulog sa lupa. Ngunit kung mama­tay ito, nagdudulot ito ng mara­ming bunga.  

25 Nagpapahamak ng kanyang sarili ang umiibig dito ngunit iingatan naman ito para sa buhay magpakailanman ng napopoot sa kanyang sarili sa mun­dong ito. 26 Patuloy akong sundan ng nagli­lingkod sa akin at kung nasaan ako, naroon din ang aking lingkod. Kung may nagli­­lingkod sa akin, parara­ngalan siya ng Ama.

Reflection for August 9 Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 17:22-27

Gospel: Matthew 17:22-27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.  

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes,” he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?   

From their subjects or from foreigners?” When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.”

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Reflection:

Do you generously give to the church? Because of the covid-19 pandemic the church’s finances and its charitable projects have also been affected that’s why we need to be generous to the church. 

The gospel speaks about the payment of the temple tax. Even if they were exempted from paying the temple tax Jesus still instructed Peter to pay the temple tax. Perhaps Jesus did this for the reason that He wants to contribute something for the maintenance of the church and its facilities.  

This generous payment of the temple tax by Jesus invites us to examine our generosity to our church as well.  Are we generous to our church? Do we give generously during offertory?  

We have to be generous to our church so that it can have funds not only for the maintenance of its facilities. But also for the welfare of those who are working for the church. The money that we give to the church is not only for the church it is also for the poor.  

We may not know this but the church takes care of the poor, the church doesn’t blare it but it silently helps the poor and those who are in need. Therefore, we have to generously give to our church and whatever we give to our church will come back to us a hundredfold.    

What may come back to us may not necessarily be through financial rewards. It can be peace and harmony in the family; it can be good health and many more blessings that do not involve money.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Agosto 9 Lunes sa Ika-19 na Linggo ng Taon: Mateo 17:22-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 17:22-27

22 Minsan nang maglakbay si Jesus sa Galilea kasama ang Labindalawa, sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ibibigay ang Anak ng Tao sa kamay ng mga tao. 23 Papa­tayin nila siya ngunit babangon siya sa ikatlong araw.” Kaya lubha silang nalungkot. 

24 Nang makapasok na sila ng Capernaum, lumapit kay Pedro ang mga tagakolekta sa Templo at tina­nong nila siya: “Nagbabayad ba ng buwis ang guro ninyo?” 25 Sumagot siya: “Siyem­pre.”At pumasok si Pedro sa bahay ngunit agad siyang tinanong ni Jesus: “Ano sa palagay mo, Simon? Sino ang nagba­ba­yad ng buwis o parangal sa mga hari ng mundo: ang mga anak ba o ang iba?” 

26 Sumagot si Pedro: “Ang iba.” At sinabi ni Jesus: “Kung gayon, di-saklaw ang mga anak. 27 Ngunit hindi rin natin dapat saktan ang mga taong ito kaya pumunta ka sa dagat, maghagis ng bingwit at  buksan ang bibig ng unang isdang iyong mahu­huli. May pera kang matatagpuan doon, kunin mo iyon at magbayad ka para sa iyo at sa akin din.”

Reflection for Sunday August 8, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 6:41-51

Gospel: John 6:41-51

The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven, ” and they said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Stop murmuring among yourselves. 

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:   

What were the Jews murmuring all about?

The bone of contention of their murmuring was the statement of Jesus that He is the bread that came down from heaven. Perhaps they were murmuring this: “How can it be that He is the bread that came down from heaven when he is just human like us?” The Jews find it hard to understand or accept what Jesus was saying to them for the reason that they were full of unbelief and scorn towards Jesus.

Unbelief or unstable faith is the wall that prevents us from truly understanding the real identity of Jesus. On the other hand our firm faith in Jesus is the catalyst that will open our minds regarding HIS true identity. And it is thru the grace of the Holy Spirit that we begin to comprehend the real Jesus: HIS Humanity and Divinity.

Without a doubt Jesus is the true bread that came down from heaven. He is the same bread that we receive during Holy Communion when we are at Holy Mass. He is the same Bread that is always in the tabernacle. We need to believe this because our belief is the key that would open the door of infinite enlightenment from God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Agosto 8 Ika – 19 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Juan 6:41-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:41-51

Noong panahong iyon, 41 nagbulung-bulungan ang mga Judio tungkol sa kanya dahil sinabi niyang: “Ako siyang tinapay na puma­naog mula sa Langit.” 42 At sinabi nila, “Di ba’t ito si Jesus na anak ni Jose? Di ba’t kilala natin ang kanyang ama at ina? Pa­ano niya ngayong masasabing ‘Mula sa Langit ako pumanaog?”        

43 Sumagot si Jesus at sinabi sa kanila: “Huwag na kayong magbulung-bulu­ngan pa sa isa’t isa. 44 Walang ma­ka­lala­pit sa akin kung hindi siya aakitin ng Amang nagpadala sa akin. At itatayo ko siya sa huling araw. 45 Na­susulat sa Mga Propeta: Tuturuan nga silang lahat ng Diyos. Kaya lumalapit sa akin ang bawat nakarinig at tinuruan ng Ama. 

46 Wala ngang nakakita sa Ama liban sa kanya na galing sa Diyos; siya ang naka­kita sa Diyos. 47 Talagang-tala­gang sina­sabi ko sa inyo, may buhay magpaka­ilanman ang naniniwala. Katawan ni Kristo, tinapay ng buhay • 48 Ako siyang tinapay ng buhay. 49 Ku­main nga ng manna sa disyerto ang inyong mga ni­nuno at nangamatay pa rin. 

50 Narito naman ang tinapay na puma­panaog mula sa Langit, upang maka­kain nito ang sinuman at di ma­matay. 51 Ako siyang tinapay na buhay, na pumanaog mula sa Langit. Kung may kakain ng tinapay na ito, mabubuhay siya magpa­kailanman. At ang laman ko ang tinapay na aking ibibigay alang-alang sa ikabu­buhay ng mundo.