Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Disyembre 26, Ang Banal na Mag-anak ni Jesus, Maria at Jose (Kapistahan) : Lucas 2:41-52

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:41-52

41 Pumupunta taun-taon sa Jerusalem ang mga magulang ni Jesus para sa Piyesta ng Paskuwa. 42 Kayat nang maglabindalawang taon na siya, umahon sila tulad ng nakaugalian para sa pagdiriwang. 43 Subalit nang umuwi na sila pagkatapos ng mga araw ng piyesta, naiwan sa Jeru-salem ang batang si Jesus nang hindi namamalayan ng kanyang mga magulang.

44 Sa pag-aakalang kasama siya ng iba pang mga kasamahan, maghapon silang nakipaglakbay at noon nila hinanap ang bata sa mga kamag-anakan nila’t mga kakilala. 45 Nang hindi nila siya matagpuan, bumalik sila sa Jerusalem sa pag-hahanap sa kanya. 46 At sa ikatlong araw, natagpuan nila siya sa Templo, nakaupong kasama ng mga guro at nakikinig at nagtatanong sa kanila. 47 At namangha sa kanyang talino at mga sagot ang mga nakarinig sa kanya.

48 Nagulat ang kanyang mga magulang pagkakita sa kanya, at sinabi sa kanya ng kanyang ina: “Anak, bakit mo naman ito ginawa sa amin? Nagdusa nga ang iyong ama at ako habang hinahanap ka namin.” 49 Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: “At bakit ninyo ako hinahanap? Hindi ba ninyo alam na dapat ay nasa bahay ako ng aking Ama?” 50 Pero hindi nila naintindihan ang sinabi niya sa kanila. 51 Kaya bumaba siyang kasama nila pa-Nazaret, at patuloy siya sa pagiging masunurin sa kanila. Iningatan naman ng kanyang ina ang lahat ng ito sa kanyang puso. 

• 52 At umunlad si Jesus sa karunungan at edad at kagandahang-loob sa paningin ng Diyos at ng mga tao.

Reflection for December 25, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord; Christmas Day: John 1:1-18

Gospel: John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.  

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.  

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do we perceive the presence Jesus in our life? Do we feel His abiding love and care? Jesus was born into this world for us today. God so love us that He became human like us. He walked in this world and mingled with the ordinary people of His time. For what reason did God do this? The reason is none other than love, God so love us dearly that He willingly gave His only begotten son for us.  

Jesus descended into this world through Mary to let us know that He is not a distant God. To let us know that He is a God amongst us, a God who walks with us and a God who is always there for us. 

If through His birth Jesus humbled Himself for us so that we may live and have life, in what way do we humble ourselves before God? Are we silently doing our share to help Jesus advance His mission in this world? Do we invite others to go to church for Holy Mass so that they too would feel the love of God?     

In this day of the birth of the Lord the church is usually full but not anymore because of our fear of Covid-19. Even so, we still have a mission to do which is to spread the love, mercy and humility of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 25 Sabado, Pasko ng Pagsilang ng Panginoon (Dakilang Kapistahan) Misa sa Araw: Juan 1:1-18

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:1-18

1 Sa simula’y naroroon na nga ang Wikang Sali­ta, at naroroong kaharap ng Diyos ang Salita,at Diyos ang Salita. 2 Naroroon na nga siyang kaharap ng Diyos sa simula. 3 Sa pamamagitan niya nayari tanang mga bagay, at hiwalay sa kanya’y walang anumang nayari. Ang niyari 4 ay sa kanya nagkabuhay, at ang buhay ang liwanag para sa mga tao. 5 Nagningning sa karimlan ang liwanag at di ito nasugpo ng karimlan.  

6 May taong sugo ang Diyos –Juan ang kanyang pangalan. 7 Dumating siya para sa pagpapatunay, para magpatunay tungkol sa Liwanag, upang makapanalig ang lahat sa pama­magitan niya. 8 Hindi siya mismo ang Liwanag, kundi para magpatunay tungkol sa Liwanag.  

9 Pagkat paparating noon sa mundo ang Liwanag na totoo na siyang nagliliwanag sa bawat tao. 10 Nasa mundo na nga siya, ang mundong nayari sa pamamagitan niya, at di naman siya kinilala ng mundo. 11 Sa sariling kanya siya dumating at hindi siya tinanggap ng mga kanya. 12 Ngunit sa lahat ng tumanggap sa kanya sa pananalig sa kanyang Pangalan, binigyang-kakayahan nga niya sila na maging mga anak ng Diyos. 13 Ipinanganak nga sila, hindi mula sa dugo, ni mula sa kagustuhan ng laman, ni sa kagustuhan ng lalaki kundi mula sa Diyos. 

14 At naging laman ang Wikang-Salita, at itinayo ang kanyang Tolda sa atin, at nakita natin ang kanyang Luwal­hati, Luwalhating mula sa Ama na bagay sa bugtong na Anak, lipos ng Kagandahang-loob at Katoto­hanan. 15 Nagpapatunay sa kanya si Juan at isinisigaw: “Siya ang sinabi kong ‘Nauna na sa akin ang dumating na kasunod ko, pagkat bago ako’y siya na’.” 16 Mula sa kanyang kapuspusan nga tumanggap tayong lahat – oo, abut-abot na kagandahang-loob.  

17 Sa pamamagitan ni Moises ibinigay ang Batas, sa pamamagitan naman ni Jesucristo dumating          ang Kagandahang-loob at Katotoha­nan. 18 Kailanma’y walang sinumang naka­kita sa Diyos; ang Diyos na Anak na bugtong siyang nasa kandungan ng Ama – ang nagpahayag sa kanya.

Reflection for December 25, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord; Christmas Midnight: Luke 2:1-14

Gospel: Luke 2:1-14

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is a manger? It’s a box where feeds for farm animals are placed, where is a manger located? It’s located in a barn, what is a barn? It’s a small place where farm animals are located or housed. God chose Jesus to be born in that lowly location for a reason and that reason is for us to appreciate that Jesus comes to our life in the humblest and simplest occurrence. 

God could have chosen Jesus to be born in a palace befitting his status but God chose Jesus to be born in a humble location so that he would be accessible to all of us. If God chose Jesus to be born in a palace he would be distancing Himself from many of us for palaces befit only the rich, royalties’ and kings. 

Jesus was born in a barn because no other place was available for them or no one was willing to let them in. They went knocking from door to door but to no avail. Perhaps they were all busy that’s why they have no time to open their house for the birth of Jesus.  

On this night of the birth of Jesus, He is knocking at the doors of our hearts as well. Let us open our hearts to Jesus let us let Him dwell there for there is no greater gift that we can ever receive this Christmas than Jesus Himself because if we have Jesus we already have everything.  

Would you open your heart to Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 25 Sabado, Pasko ng Pagsilang ng Panginoon (Dakilang Kapistahan) Misa sa Hatinggabi: Lucas 2:1-14

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:1-14

1 Nang mga araw na iyon, nagpalabas ng kautusan si Emperador    Augusto na magpalista ang buong imperyo. 2 Naganap ang unang sensong ito nang si Quirinio ang gobernador sa Siria. 3 Kaya kailangang maglakbay ang bawat isa para sa kanya-kanyang bayan magpalista. 4 Umahon din si Jose mula sa bayan ng Nazaret sa Galilea. Mula siya sa angkan at lahi ni David kaya pumunta siya sa Judea upang sa bayan ni David na tinatawag na Betlehem magpalista, 5 kasama si Maria na ipinagkasundo na sa kanya na nagdada-lantao noon. 

6 Habang naroon sila, dumating ang sandali ng panganganak ni Maria. 7 At nagsilang siya ng isang lalaki na kanyang panganay. Binalot ito ng lampin at inihiga sa sabsaban – dahil walang lugar para sa kanila sa bahay.

• 8 Sa lupain ding iyo’y may mga pastol na nasa silungan na halinhinan sa pagbabantay sa kanilang kawan sa gabi. 9 Biglang dumating sa kanila ang isang anghel ng Panginoon at nagningning sa paligid nila ang luwalhati ng Panginoon; gayon na lamang ang takot nila. 10 Ngunit sinabi sa kanila ng anghel: “Huwag kayong matakot, ipinahahayag ko nga sa inyo ang magandang balita na magdudulot ng ma-laking kagalakan sa lahat ng bansa. 11 Ngayo’y isinilang sa inyo sa bayan ni David ang Tagapagligtas na si Kristong Panginoon. 12 At ito ang magiging palatandaan ninyo: ma-kikita ninyo ang isang sanggol na nababalot ng lampin at nakahiga sa sabsaban.”  

13 Biglang-bigla namang lumitaw kasama ng anghel ang isang makapal na hukbo ng langit, na nagpupuri sa Diyos at sinasabi: 14 “Papuri sa Diyos sa kaitaasan at sa lupa’y kapayapaan sa mga tao na kanyang mahal.”

Reflection for December 24, Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:67-79

Gospel: Luke 1:67-79

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: 

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. 

He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. 

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

When do we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life? It’s when we make prayer part of our daily life. It’s when we have regular time reading the bible. It’s when we always make ourselves available for Holy Mass.  

Many of us do not pray often every day because we think that it takes time to pray, no it doesn’t take time to pray. We can even pray even for a few seconds because the efficacy of our prayer is not measured by its length it’s measured by our focus and intensity.  

Many of us don’t have anymore time to read the bible not knowing that the secret to a successful and worthy life in this world is in the bible. Many of us don’t attend Holy Mass regularly not knowing that Jesus is always present during Holy Mass. 

In our gospel we have Zechariah the father of John. He is not only a priest he is also a holy man and as such he is a prayerful man; he prays with focus and passion. Because of his prayerful life it was already automatic for Zechariah to be filled with God the Holy Spirit. 

The canticle of Zechariah was not only his own making it was also largely influenced by God the Holy Spirit whom he was always in touch with thru his prayerful life. It was the Holy Spirit who empowered Zechariah to compose his canticle or song of praise for God. 

Let us try to have an effective and passion filled prayer life. Let us try to have a regular time for reading of the bible and try to be always present during Holy Mass. And we would surely feel the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in our life. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 24 Biyernes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:67-79

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:67-79

67 Napuspos ng Espiritu Santo ang ama niyang si Zacarias at nagpro­pesiya nang ganito:  68 “Purihin ang Panginoon, ang Diyos ng Israel, dahil nilingap niya at tinubos ang kanyang bayan. 69 Mula sa sambahayan ni David na kanyang lingkod, ibinangon niya ang magliligtas sa atin, 70  ayon sa ipinangako niya noong una sa pamamagitan ng mga banal niyang propeta: 71 kaligtasan mula sa ating mga kaaway at sa kamay ng mga namumuhi sa atin.  

72 Nagpakita siya ng awa sa ating mga ninuno at inalaala ang banal niyang tipan, 73 ang pangakong sinumpaan niya sa ating amang si Abraham 74 na ililigtas tayo sa kamay ng ating mga kaaway, upang walang takot natin siyang mapag­ling­kuran, 75 nang may kabanalan at kataru­ngan sa harap niya sa buong buhay natin.  

76 At ikaw naman na munti pang anak ay tatawaging propeta ng Kataas-taasan. Mangunguna ka nga sa Panginoon para ihanda ang kanyang daan. 77 Ituturo mo ang kaligtasan sa kanyang bayan sa pagpapatawad niya sa kanilang mga sala. 78 Ito ang gagawin ng maawaain nating Diyos sa pagpapasikat niya sa atin ng araw na galing sa kaitaasan 79 upang liwanagan ang mga nananatili sa kadiliman at sa lilim ng kamatayan, at akayin ang ating mga yapak sa daan ng kapaya­paan.”

Reflection for December 23, Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:57-66

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 

But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 

Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What can our fidelity to the desire of God do to us? It can bring us blessings, it can free us from the bondage of sin, and it can heal us from sickness and there are countless more blessings for those who are faithful. 

Initially the new born baby was supposed to be named after his father Zechariah for it was the tradition during that time. But his mother Elizabeth intervened, she told them that he is to be named John for that was the desire of God. 

The relatives were not fully convinced with the desire of Elizabeth to name her child John. So they asked Zechariah and on a tablet he wrote the name John. And immediately Zechariah was freed from the bondage of not being able to speak. 

God has always a reward for those who are faithful to His desire and this desire is to follow at all times His will for us. You may ask, and what is the desire of God? God’s desire  is for us to  follow His ten commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and to follow Jesus’ two greatest commandments of love (Matthew 22:36-40).  

We may not become rich and powerful in the measurement of this world if we would follow God’s commands. But we will certainly have peace in our life, peace that this world will not be able to give us no matter how rich and powerful we become.  

Do you always strive to follow the desire of God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 23 Huwebes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:57-66

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:57-66

57 Nang sumapit na ang panga­­nga­nak ni Elizabeth, isang anak na lalaki ang isinilang niya. 58 Na­rinig ng mga kapit­bahay at mga ka­mag-anakan niya kung gaano nagdalang-awa sa kanya ang Pa­nginoon kayat nakigalak sila sa kanya. 

59 Nang ikawalong araw na, duma­­ting sila pa­ra tuliin ang sanggol at pa­nga­­­nga­lanan sana nila itong Zacarias gaya ng kanyang ama. 60 Su­magot naman ang kanyang ina: “Hindi, tatawagin siyang Juan.” 61 Pero sinabi nila sa kanya: “Wala ka na­mang ka­mag-anak na may ganyang pangalan.” 62 Kaya sumenyas sila sa ama ng sang­­gol kung ano ang gusto niyang itawag dito. 63 Humingi siya ng isang sulatan, at sa pagtataka ng lahat ay kanyang isinulat: “Juan ang pangalan niya.” 64 Noon di’y nabuksan ang kanyang bibig at nakalag ang kanyang dila. Na­ka­pagsa­lita siya at nagpuri sa Diyos. 

65 Kaya namayani ang banal na pag­katakot sa kanilang mga kapitbahay. At naging usap-usapan ang lahat ng pang­ya­­yaring ito sa buong mataas na lupain ng Juda. 66 Nag-isip-isip ang mga nakarinig at nagtanungan: “Ano na kaya ang mang­yayari sa sanggol na ito?” Dahil suma­sa­kanya ngang talaga ang kamay ng Panginoon.  

1Reflection for December 22, Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:46-56

Gospel: Luke 1:46-56

Mary said: 

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit.  

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.” Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Do you remember to proclaim the greatness of the Lord and does your spirit rejoice in God your savior? 

We may have different answers but the Blessed Mother pronounced these words (Magnificat) in the gospel with the purest of intentions. No double speak, it was pure rejoicing for her for she realized the great honor that God bestowed on her.        

Did the Blessed Mother still rejoice during the passion of her son Jesus? Of course in her humanity she did not but deep inside her she was also ready for it for she knew that her son was destined to become the savior of humanity.  

The Blessed Mother in her magnificat teaches us that we must proclaim and rejoice the greatness of Jesus we must thank Him for everything. In our triumphs and in our trials we must thank Him.  

 But do we always remember to thank the Lord for our triumphs and trials? And why should we also thank the Lord for our trials? For the simple reason that we also learn from our trials and there’s always silver lining behind every trial.  

Therefore, as Mary proclaimed the greatness of the Lord we too have to proclaim the Lord’s greatness most especially through our way of life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 22 Miyerkules sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:46-56

 

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:46-56

46 Sinabi ni Maria:

“Dinadakila ng aking kaluluwa ang Panginoon

47 at nagagalak ang aking espiritu sa Diyos na aking Tagapagligtas

48 dahil isinaalang-alang niya ang abang utu­san niya,

at mula ngayon, ituturing akong mapalad ng lahat ng salinlahi.

49 Dakila nga ang ginawa sa akin ng Ma­kapangya­rihan,

banal ang kanyang Pangalan.

50 Patuloy ang kanyang awa sa mga sali’t salinlahi

para sa mga may pitagan sa kanya.

51 Ipinakita niya ang lakas ng kanyang bisig,

ipinagtabuyan ang mga taong may ma­pagma­taas na balak.

52 Pinatalsik niya sa luklukan ang mga makapang­yarihan,

itinampok naman ang mga bale-wala.

53 Binusog niya ng mabubuting bagay ang mga na­gugutom

at itinaboy namang walang-wala ang maya­yaman.

54 Nilingap niya ang Israel na kanyang lingkod,

inalaala ang kanyang awa

55ayon sa ipinangako niya sa ating mga ninuno,

kay Abraham at sa kanyang angkan mag­paka­ilanman.”

56 Mga tatlong buwang nanatili si Ma­riang ka­sa­ma ni Elizabeth at saka nagbalik sa kanyang bahay. 

Reflection for Decembe 21 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:39-45

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about an adopted man who wanted to find out who was his real mother. So he asked his adoptive parents about the whereabouts of his biological mother. He was told that she lives in a faraway place. He told his parents; even if she lives in a faraway place I will go and find her for I owe my life to her. 

 So he went to the faraway place and there he found his mother, already very old and sickly. The son told his mother, I am your son, I am here to take care of you and I will never leave you alone from now on. The mother unabashedly cried and said, thank you for finding me and for bringing joy and hope into my life. 

Mary and Elizabeth must have been very close relatives and both may have known each other since childhood. Otherwise Mary would have not endeavored to go to a faraway place to visit and stay for six months with her cousin Elizabeth. 

In her visit to her cousin Elizabeth Mary imparts to us the importance of having concern for the welfare of others. Mary imparts to us that we should learn to forget our own needs in favor of those who are in great need of our help and care. 

Mary imparts to us the importance of reaching out and building bridges instead of walls. And last but certainly not the least Mary shows us the importance of giving Jesus to others. For this is the greatest gift of love that Mary brought to her cousin: She brought and gave Jesus to her. 

Let us think of our relatives or friends whom we have not seen or been in touch with for a long time. Why don’t we reach out to them? If our physical presence is not possible. We can reach out by communicating via the internet. A simple hello or how are you will surely lift their morale. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 21 Martes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:39-45

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-45

39 Nang mga araw ring iyo’y nag­mamadaling naglakbay si Maria pa­punta sa isang bayan sa mataas na lupain ng Juda. 40 Pumasok siya roon sa bahay ni Zacarias at binati si Eli­zabeth. 41 Nang marinig ni Elizabeth ang bati ni Maria, sumikad ang sanggol sa si­na­pupunan niya, at napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elizabeth 42 at mala­kas siyang sumigaw at sinabi: “Lubos kang pi­nagpala sa mga kababaihan. 

Pinag­pala rin ang bunga ng iyong sina­pu­punan! 43 Sino nga ba naman ako’t na­parito sa akin ang ina ng aking Pa­ngi­noon? 44 Nang umabot sa aking pan­dinig ang iyong pagbati, sumikad sa tuwa ang sanggol sa aking sina­pu­punan. 45 Pinagpapala ang naniniwa­lang magaganap ang mga sinabi sa kanya ng Pa­nginoon.”

Reflection for December 20, Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favor! The Lord is with you.' 

She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favor. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob forever and his reign will have no end. 

Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.' 

Mary said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.' And the angel left her.

 + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Do you always submit to the wisdom God? 

Sometimes there are situations in our lives that would disturb our peace, for example a sudden diagnoses of sickness. This kind of life event will surely bother us. But in the midst of this life disturbances let us not forget that the good Lord is always there for us. To heal us, to give us hope and to assure us that He will always be there for us. 

When the angel Gabriel appeared and greeted Mary she was naturally concerned about it. Perhaps the Blessed Mother asked herself, why did this angel appear to me? What would this angel bring me; a trial that is hard for me to bear? 

But the angel told the Blessed Mother that she would bear a son and His name is Jesus. The angel further said that she has nothing to worry because the Lord will take care of her. Thus, the Blessed Mother humbly accepted her destiny and entrusted herself to God. 

Whatever we are going through right now or we might go through in the future. Be it sickness or severe trial that may test our fidelity to Jesus, let us hold on to our deep faith in Jesus. For as long as we have faith there would be hope and deliverance from all of life’s challenges. 

As the Blessed Mother entrusted her fate to the good Lord we too must learn to submit to God’s will for ourselves. Let us never worry for God is always there for us and never will He abandon us. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas