Reflection for December 15, Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent: Luke 7:18b-23

Gospel: Luke 7:18b-23

At that time, John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” When the men came to the Lord, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” 

At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. And Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

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Reflection:

The disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus, are you the one who is to come? Jesus did not directly answer this question from the messengers of John the Baptist. Instead of directly admitting that He was it Jesus told them about the miracles that He does for the people. 

We can only guess the reason why Jesus did not directly admit that He was the messiah. Perhaps we can attribute this to Jesus’ desire to maintain a low profile so that he could silently do His mission for the greater glory of God. 

Jesus could have easily admitted it and told the messengers that He is the awaited messiah. But He never did, Jesus simply mentioned the things that He does for the people. What if we are in the shoes of Jesus? How would we react to the tempting question? 

When we are faced with the same situation let us always follow what Jesus did. Let us never take advantage of the chance to be popular. Let us continue to be self-effacing, humble and always ready to fadeaway  for the greater glory of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 15 Miyerkules sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 7:18b-23

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 7:18b-23

Ibinalita ng mga alagad ni Juan ang lahat ng ito sa kanya kaya tinawag ni Juan ang dalawa sa kanyang mga alagad 19 at sinugo sila sa Panginoon para sabihin sa kanya: “Ikaw na ba ang Dumarating o maghihintay pa kami ng iba?” 20 Pagdating ng mga taong iyon kay Jesus, sinabi nila: “Ipinasasabi sa iyo ni Juan Bautista: Ikaw na ba ang Dumarating o maghihintay pa kami ng iba?” 

21 Nang mga sandali namang iyo’y marami siyang pinagaling sa mga sakit, mga karamdaman at masasamang  espiritu, at binigyan niya ng paningin ang mga bulag. 22 Kaya sumagot siya sa kanila: “Bumalik kayo at ibalita kay Juan ang inyong nakita at narinig: nakakakita ang mga bulag, nakakalakad ang mga pilay, lumilinis ang mga ketongin at nakakarinig ang mga bingi, nagigising ang mga patay, may mabuting balitang ipinahahayag sa mga dukha. 23 At napaka-palad niyang hindi natitisod dahil sa akin.”

Reflection for December 14, Tuesday Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church (M) Matthew 21:28-32

Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not, ' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, ‘but did not go. 

Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him."

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Reflection:

What would you do when you hear the voice of God calling you to walk away from sin? 

Do you simply hear it? Or you hear and then act and live your life once again worthy in the eyes of God. Many of us might be dismissive of this call of God to repentance, we might simply brush it aside and dismiss it as nothing or insignificant to our lives in this world. 

But God did not only create us for this world alone there is something higher that exist beyond this world. There is something that follows after our existence in this world is over and this is none other than heaven or hell.  

In our gospel there is this son who was asked by his father to work in his vineyard (Matthew 21:28). The son initially said that he will not go to his father’s vineyard but upon pondering about the order of his father. The son had a change of heart and went to the vineyard to work there (Matthew 21:29).   

God  is inviting us to conversion. We who are all sinners are being encouraged by God to go through a metanoia or change of heart so that we could walk away from our sinfulness. 

Let us not worry if for so many times we said no to the Lord’s offer of conversion. For He will not count the many times that we refused Him what is important for the Lord is the here and now and our yes to Him now. 

Are we all not yet tired of committing sin? Are we not tired yet of a noisy life, life without peace and serenity? The reality is sin has not brought us anything good except more problems and a life without peace of mind. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 14 Martes San Juan dela Cruz, pari at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita): Mateo 21:28-32

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:28-32

28 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga saserdote at matatanda ng bayan: “Ano sa palagay ninyo? May dalawang anak ang isang tao. Lumapit siya sa isa at sinabi: ‘Anak, pumunta ka ngayon at magtrabaho sa aking ubasan.’ 29 Sumagot ang anak: ‘Ayoko.’ Ngunit pagkatapos ay nagbagong-isip siya at pumunta.  

30 Pinuntahan din ng ama ang pangalawang anak at gayundin ang sinabi. Sumagot naman ang anak: ‘Opo.’ Pero hindi siya pumunta.” 31 At itinanong ni Jesus: “Sino sa dalawang anak ang tumupad sa gusto ng ama?” Sumagot sila: “Ang una.” At sinabi ni Jesus: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: mas nauuna sa inyo patungo sa kaharian ng Langit ang mga publi-kano at mga babaeng bayaran.  

32 Dumating nga si Juan para ipakita sa inyo ang daan ng kabutihan pero hindi kayo naniwala sa kanya, samantalang naniwala naman ang mga publikano at mga babaeng bayaran. Nakita ninyo ito at hindi kayo nagsisi o naniwala sa kanya.

Reflection for December 13, Monday Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr (M) Matthew 21:23-27

Gospel: Matthew 21:23-27

When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. 

Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him? But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

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Reflection:

Do you know of someone who is afraid to lose his authority? 

When our authority is threatened by someone else we normally resist those who threaten it.  We will do everything just to save our position of authority.  

The chief priest’s authority was being threatened by Jesus’ popularity among the masses. Naturally they wanted to keep their position of authority to protect their own interest so they plotted to kill Jesus.  

Why would we be threatened to lose our authority if we are not concealing something? Why would we be threatened if we are honest in our position of authority? Those who cling like leaches to their position of authority are those whose greed for power is insatiable.   

And why do they have that insatiable greed for power? Because they have done wrong hence they want to continuously have the authority to hide their wrongdoing. Otherwise, they would not be afraid to lose their authority.   – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 13 Lunes Santa Lucia , dalaga at martir (Paggunita): Mateo 21:23-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:23-27

23 Pagpasok ni Jesus sa Templo, luma­pit sa kanya ang mga punong-pari, mga guro ng Batas at mga Matatanda ng mga Judio, at nagtanong: “Ano ang karapa­tan mong gawin ang mga ito? Sino ang nagtalaga sa iyo?” 24 Sinagot sila ni Jesus: “Tatanungin ko rin kayo ng isang tanong. At kung may sagot kayo, sasagutin ko ka­yo kung sino ang nagtalaga sa akin para sa mga ito.  

25 Sa­an galing ang pagbi­binyag ni Juan, sa Diyos ba o sa tao?” At nag-isip-isip sila: “Kung isasagot nating galing sa Diyos, sasabihin niya: ‘Bakit di kayo naniwala sa kanya?’ 26 At kung sasabihin naman nating ‘Galing lamang sa tao ang pagbibinyag ni Juan,’ dapat tayong matakot sa bayan sapagkat akala nila’y tunay na propeta si Juan.” 27 Kaya sinabi nila kay Jesus: “Hindi namin alam.” At sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Hindi ko rin sasabihin sa inyo kung sino ang nagtalaga sa akin na gumawa ng mga ito.”

Reflection for Sunday December 12, Third Sunday of Advent: Luke 3:10-18

 

Gospel: Luke 3:10-18

The crowds asked John the Baptist, "What should we do?" He said to them in reply, "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He answered them, "Stop collecting more than what is prescribed." Soldiers also asked him, "And what is it that we should do?" He told them, "Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages." 

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a boy who was taught by his father that the only way to happiness is to accumulate wealth. He imbibed his father’s teachings so he studied very well and he eventually became one of the very rich in their town. But even if he was very rich already he was still not happy. 

So he went to a wise old man to ask for an advice. The wise old man gave him only one advice: Learn to share whatever you have for it is in sharing that you would find the elusive joy and happiness that you are seeking. He followed the wisdom filled advice and he finally experienced the joy and happiness that he was seeking.

In our gospel the crowds asked John the Baptist, "What should we do?" John said to them in reply, "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise." Perhaps John noticed the crowd were becoming self-centered already. They only cared for their own needs and never on the needs of their fellowmen. Hence, the advice of John to share.

Christmas is not about what we will receive. It is about what we can give because the real essence of Christmas is in giving not in receiving. Let us try to wholeheartedly share and we would feel the highest degree of joy and happiness that we would not be able to feel when we accept gifts.

On this third Sunday of advent John the Baptist message is loud and clear it is about learning to share no matter how little so long as it comes from the bottom of our hearts. Let us give to the poor, to those who are in need, let us share to those who cannot pay back our generosity.

There are many of them. For example, the poor and homeless that we come across in the street. Those who are sick including  those who got sick of covid-19. Let us give to them without expecting anything in return so that we would experience the true joy and happiness that only Jesus can give us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Disyembre 12 Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 3:10-18

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 3:10-18

10 Tinatanong si Juan Bautista ng maraming tao: “Ano ngayon ang aming gagawin?” 11 Su­magot si Juan sa kanila: “Ang may dalawang balabal ay magbigay sa taong wala, at gayon din ang gawin ng may pagkain.”

12 Pinuntahan siya pati ng mga mani­ningil ng buwis para magpa­binyag at si­nabi sa kanya: “Guro, ano ang aming gagawin?” 13 At sinabi ni Juan: “Huwag kayong maningil ng higit sa ipinag-uutos sa inyo.” 14 Nagta­nong din sa kan­ya ang mga sundalo: “Ano naman ang gagawin namin?” At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Huwag kayong mangikil o magparatang nang di totoo kanino man; masiyahan na kayo sa inyong suweldo.”  

• 15 Nananabik noon ang mga tao at nag-isip-isip ang lahat kung hindi nga kaya si Juan ang Mesiyas. 16 At suma­got si Juan sa pagsasabi sa ka­nilang lahat: “Nagbibinyag ako sa inyo sa tu­big pero dumarating na ang isang mas makapang­yarihan sa akin. Ni hindi ako karapat-dapat magkalag ng tali ng kanyang mga panyapak. Sa Espiritu Santo at apoy niya kayo bi­binyagan. 17 Siya ang nakahandang mag­tahip sa lahat ng butil ng trigo. Iipunin niya ang lahat ng butil sa kanyang kamalig pero susu­nugin ang mga ipa sa apoy na walang hanggan.”

18 Sa pamamagitan nito at sa iba pang pangangaral nagturo si Juan sa bayan.

Reflection for December 11, Saturday of the Second Week of Advent: Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

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Reflection:

Why is it that often times we don’t recognize or feel God in our lives? It’s because we don’t listen to the advices of well-meaning people who wants to introduce Jesus to us. It’s because of our inadequate prayer life. 

 For example there are times that we are advised to go to church for Holy Mass or we are counselled to discard bad habits and friends. But we normally don’t listen; we continue to do things our way until we sin and completely drift away from God. 

Both Elijah and John the Baptist one way or the other adviced the people of their time to leave behind their sinful lives. And embrace the teaching of Jesus, both of them prepared the way for Jesus. Both of them devoted their lives to help advance the teachings of God. 

We too have this unique capacity to be like Elijah and John. In our own humble way we too can prepare the way of Jesus. We do this by living and sharing His teachings this is always the challenge that confronts us as followers of Jesus Christ: To live and share the Lord’s life and teachings. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 11 Sabado sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Adbiyento : Mateo 17:9a, 10-13

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 17:9a, 10-13

9 At sa pagbaba nila mula sa bundok, tinanong si Jesus ng mga alagad: “Bakit sinasabi ng mga guro ng Batas na dapat munang pumarito si Elias?” 11 At sumagot si Jesus: “Dapat nga munang dumating si Elias para ayusin ang lahat ng bagay.   

12 Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo na dumating na si Elias pero hindi nila siya nakilala, at pinakitunguhan nila siya ayon sa kanilang kagustuhan. At sa gayon ding paraan magdurusa ang Anak ng Tao sa kamay nila.” 1 3 At naunawaan ng mga alagad na si Juan Bautista ang tinutukoy ni Jesus. 

Reflection for December 10, Friday of the Second Week of Advent: Matthew 11:16-19

Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’ 

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”

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Reflection:

Back when I was a child I was always excited whenever it’s Christmas season.  Not because of the forthcoming birth of Jesus but because of Santa Clause and the gifts. This is what I always looked forward to whenever its Christmas time back then. As I matured my mind was enlightened by the real meaning of Christmas it's none other than the birth of our savior Jesus. 

Here in our gospel we have two important personalities that points us the true essence of Christ birth. Personality number one is John the Baptist, what does he teaches us about Christmas? For John Christmas is about preparing ourselves to the forthcoming birth of our savior Jesus Christ. 

John also tells us that it’s not enough that we properly prepare ourselves. It’s also a must that we properly prepare others about the real essence of Jesus’ birth into this world. And how should we prepare? It’s to prepare with simplicity and humility because John is the epitome of simplicity and humility. 

Personality number two is Jesus himself, what does Jesus tells us about Christmas? It’s OK for Jesus to celebrate Christmas with merry making for so long as we do it properly. For example, it’s Ok to have celebration during this Christmas but we must do it to honor Jesus. Not to satisfy our own egos and selves we can best do this by helping the poor because Jesus is always with them. By doing this we emphasize that Christmas is about Jesus and certainly not about ourselves. 

For Jesus, His forthcoming birth is also about sharing and mingling. We share whatever we could share not for our fellowmen to know that we are good Samaritans. But for them to know that along with what we share comes the message of the birth of Jesus. We also mingle with our friends and relatives during this season not solely to acquaint ourselves with what’s going on with our lives.  We mingle or we come together for the reason that we want to bring to them Jesus. 

The same Jesus who is always in our hearts yesterday, today and forever. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 10 Biyernes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Adbiyento : Mateo 11:16-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:16-19

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao 16 Ngayon, kanino ko ikukumpara ang mga tao sa kasalukuyan? Para silang mga batang nakaupo sa mga plasa at nagka­kantahan, at nagrereklamo ang ilan sa kanila: 17 ‘Tinugtog namin ang plauta para sa inyo pero ayaw ninyong sumayaw, at nang uma­wit naman kami ng malungkot na awit, ayaw din nin­yong umiyak!’  

18 Ganito rin ang nangyari: Duma­ting muna si Juan na nag-aayuno, at sabi ng mga tao: ‘Inaalihan siya ng demon­yo.’ 19 At saka dumating ang Anak ng Tao na kumakain at umiinom, at ang sabi ng mga tao: ‘Laseng­go at mata­kaw, ka­ibigan ng mga publikano at mga makasalanan!’ Gayon pa man, mapatutunayang tama ang karunu­ngan ng Diyos sa mga gawa nito.” 

Reflection for December 9, Thursday of the Second Week of Advent: Matthew 11:11-15

Gospel: Matthew 11:11-15

Jesus said to the crowd: Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. 

And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.

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Reflection:

Do you know John the Baptist? 

John the Baptist called for the people to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand (Matthew 3:2). John also gave his life for the sake of righteousness when he criticized King Herod for coveting Herodias the wife of his brother Philip (Matthew 14:1-12). To follow Jesus faithfully is not easy because to follow Him is tantamount to be at war with this world. 

We see this in the lifestyle and behavior of John. John is the walking advertisement of humility, simplicity and righteousness. John refused to kowtow to the dictates of this world. He stood for the values and teachings of God and this eventually led to his violent death. 

Up to this very day the forces of Evil are still very much active. It hovers around and it will try to snatch us from the embrace of Jesus. We must never allow ourselves to be deceived by the devil for he is a walking advertisement of evil and violence. Let us always be like John who remained simple and who stood against evil even at the cost of his very life. 

We only pass in this world once let us take full advantage of it by making a stand for what is right as what John the Baptist did during his time. Let us never be discouraged if the people of this world will condemn us for not embracing this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 9 Huwebes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Adbiyento : Mateo 11:11-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:11-15

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao 11 Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, walang sinuman sa mga kilalang tao ngayon ang mas dakila pa kay Juang tagapagbinyag, pero mas dakila sa kanya ang pinakamaliit sa kaharian ng Langit. 12 Mula sa panahon ni Juan Bautista hanggang ngayon, ang kaharian ng Langit ay kailangang agawin, at ang mga buo ang loob ang umaagaw nito.   

13 Pagpopropesiya nga lamang ang panahon ng Mga Propeta at ng Batas hanggang kay Juan. 14 At kung gusto ninyo itong tanggapin, si Juan ang Elias na darating. 15 Makinig ang may tainga.