Reflection for Friday June 3, Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs: John 21:15-19

Gospel: John 21:15-19

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16 A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"  

He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."  

Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." 19 (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."

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Reflection:

A young man told a young woman: I love you. The woman said to the man: Marry me to prove your declaration of love. So he married her and they lived as husband and wife only to separate after a few years. Why did they separate? For the reason that they were not able to withstand the turbulence and trials of married life.   

Perhaps, I love you; is the most abused phrase today; we often say it without thinking how profound and meaningful this phrase is. This is the reason why when married life is tested by turbulence, the phrase I love you now becomes I don’t love you anymore. Then after a period of time it deteriorates to become I want to separate from you.  

In our gospel for today, Jesus wants us to know that the phrase I love you is always loaded with accountability and responsibility. This is the reason why when Jesus asked Peter, Do you love me (three times!)? HE attached it with threefold responsibilities (Feed my lambs, Tend my sheep, Feed my sheep).  

Let us pause and think for we may have loosely said the phase I love you without taking into consideration its responsibility and accountability. Let us pause and think for we may have loosely said the phase I love you to simply satisfy our carnal desires. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita: Biyernes Hunyo 3 San Carlos Lwanga at mga kasama, mga martir (Paggunita): Juan 21:15-19

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:15-19

Nang muling napakita si Hesus sa mga alagad niya at nang makakain sila, tinanong ni Jesus si Simon Pedro, "Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako nang higit kaysa mga ito?" "Opo, Panginoon, nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo," tugon niya. Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Pakanin mo ang aking mga batang tupa." 

Muli siyang tinanong ni Jesus, "Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako?" Sumagot si Pedro, "Opo, Panginoon, nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo." Ani Jesus, "Pangalagaan mo ang aking mga tupa." Pangatlong ulit na tinanong siya ni Jesus, "Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako?" Nalungkot si Pedro sapagkat makaitlo siyang tinanong: "Iniibig mo ba ako?" At sumagot siya, "Panginoon, nalalaman po ninyo ang lahat ng bagay; nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo."  

Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Pakanin mo ang aking mga tupa. Tandaan mo: noong kabataan mo pa, ikaw ang nagbibihis sa iyong sarili at lumalakad ka kung saan mo ibig. Ngunit pagtanda mo, iuunat mo ang iyong kamay at iba ang magbibihis sa iyo at dadalhin ka kung saan hindi mo ibig." Sinabi niya ito upang ipakilala kung papaano mamamatay si Pedro at sa gayo'y mapararangalan niya ang Diyos. Pagkatapos, sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Sumunod ka sa akin!"

1Reflection for June 2, Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 17:20-26

Gospel: John 17:20-26

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.  

Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

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Reflection:

What would happen if the love of Jesus is present in a family? There is unity and there is an unbreakable bond that exists no matter what happen inside that family.  On the other hand what would happen if the love of God is not present in a family? There would be disunity, human created problems and dysfunctionality which would eventually lead to the disintegration of the family. 

Jesus love for God and God’s love for Jesus is the only love that can bind and unify members of family.  It’s a love that is humble and persevering; no wonder Jesus remained faithful to HIS mission of salvation. Jesus humbled Himself even if HE is equal to  God and He persevered to fulfill HIS salvific mission even at the cost of HIS life.  

If spouses want their family to remain united in love forever they must also have the same humility and perseverance. The children should have an active prayer life taught by their parents and anchored on their wisdom filled shepherding as well. Thus, it will not fall to the trap of the devil who always incite for the dismemberment of the family.  

Let us reflect if we have the love of Jesus and God inside our own family. Let us reflect if we breathe humility and perseverance for the sake of the wellbeing of our children. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita: Hunyo 2 Huwebes sa Ika-7 na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 17:20-26

Mabuting Balita: Juan 17:20-26

Noong panahong iyon, tumingala si Hesus at nanalangin, “Amang banal, hindi lamang ang aking mga alagad idinadalangin ko, kundi pati ang mga mananalig sa akin dahil sa kanilang pahayag. Maging isa nawa silang lahat, Ama. Kung paanong ikaw ay nasa akin at ako'y nasa iyo, gayun din naman, maging isa sila sa atin upang maniwala ang sanlibutan na ikaw ang nagsugo sa akin.  

Ang karangalang ibinigay mo sa akin ay ibinigay ko sa kanila upang sila'y maging ganap na isa, gaya nating iisa; ako'y nasa kanila at ikaw ay nasa akin, upang lubusan silang maging isa. At sa gayon, makikilala ng sanlibutan na sinugo mo ako, at sila'y inibig mo katulad ng pag-ibig mo sa akin.  

"Ama, nais kong makasama sa aking kinaroroonan ang mga binigay mo sa akin, upang mamasdan nila ang karangalang bigay mo sa akin, sapagkat inibig mo na ako bago pa nilikha ang sanlibutan. Makatarungang Ama, hindi ka nakikilala ng sanlibutan, ngunit nakikilala kita, at nalalaman ng mga ibinigay mo sa akin na ikaw ang nagsugo sa akin. Ipinakilala kita sa kanila, at ipakikilala pa, upang ang pag-ibig mo sa akin ay sumapuso nila at ako nama'y sumakanila."

1Reflection for Wednesday June 1, Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr: John 17:11b-19

Gospel: John 17:11b-19

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:“Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.  

But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One.  

They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them so that they also may be consecrated in truth.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a husband and wife who wanted to adhere to the teachings of the church that marriage is for life. So they thought of ways on how they would go about it. In their reflection they thought of making prayer as an agent that would bind them together until they breathe their last. To make a long story short they made prayer part of their married life. Thus, they remained married until the end.  

As Jesus was about to be arrested, He prayed to God for His disciples. That they may continually be united as one in their mission, united for the reason that they would not succeed without unity.  Isn’t this true also inside a family and married life? A family needs unity for it to succeed, what are the fruits of unity inside the family/marriage? The fruits are: Humility, Honesty, Forgiveness and many more positive attributes.  

Every family/marriage that succeeds spiritually is a praying family and a praying family is a united family. Let us therefore not devalue the powerful miracle of prayer inside the family/marriage. Because the family that prays as one would remain united until the end.    

Is prayer already part of the culture of our life, family and marriage? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita: Miyerkules Hunyo 1 San Justino, martir (Paggunita): Juan 17:11b-19

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-56

Noong panahong iyo, si Hesus ay tumingala sa langit, nanalangin at ang wika: Amang banal, ingatan mo sila sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng iyong pangalan, pangalang ibinigay mo sa akin, upang sila'y maging isa, kung paanong tayo'y iisa. Habang kasama nila ako, iningatan ko sila sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng iyong pangalang ibinigay mo sa akin.  

Inalagaan ko sila at ni isa'y walang napahamak, liban sa taong humanap ng kanyang kapahamakan, upang matupad ang Kasulatan. Ngunit ngayon, ako'y papunta na sa iyo; at sinasabi ko ito habang ako'y nasa sanlibutan upang mapuspos sila ng aking kagalakan. Naibigay ko na sa kanila ang iyong salita; at kinapootan sila ng sanlibutan, sapagkat hindi na sila makasanlibutan, tulad kong hindi makasanlibutan.  

Hindi ko idinadalanging alisin mo sila sa sanlibutan, kundi iligtas mo sila sa Masama! Hindi sila makasanlibutan, tulad kong hindi makasanlibutan. Italaga mo sila sa pamamagitan ng katotohanan; ang salita mo'y katotohanan. Kung paanong sinugo mo ako sa sanlibutan, gayon din naman, sinusugo ko sila sa sanlibutan. At alang-alang sa kanila'y itinalaga ko ang aking sarili, upang maitalaga rin sila sa pamamagitan ng katotohanan."

Reflection for Tuesday May 31, Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:39-56

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

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.”  

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on 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 has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.” 

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

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Reflection:

How does it feel to be visited by the Blessed Mother? Nobody of us knows about it, however; in our gospel we read about the reaction of her cousin 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 (Luke 1:39-42). 

Elizabeth’s humility is very evident through her acknowledgement of the presence of the Blessed Mother. Same as with Mary’s humility through her acknowledgement of the Lord’s majesty and greatness. 

The lesson that we can derive from this visit  of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth is the   Holy Spirit dwells within the humble. Mary and her cousin Elizabeth lived and gave a human face to this humility. And through their humility the Holy Spirit dwelt upon them.  

Do you also want to feel the presence of God the Holy Spirit in your life? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita: Martes Mayo 31 Pagdalaw ng Mahal na Birheng Maria (Kapistahan): Lucas 1:39-56

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-56

Si Maria'y nagmamadaling pumunta sa isang bayan sa kaburulan ng Juda. Pagdating sa bahay ni Zacarias, binati niya si Elisabet. Nang marinig ni Elisabet ang bati ni Maria, naggagalaw ang sanggol sa kanyang tiyan. Napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elisabet, at buong galak na sinabi, "Pinagpala ka sa mga babae, at pinagpala rin ang dinadala mo sa iyong sinapupunan!  

Sino ako upang dalawin ng ina ng aking Panginoon? Sapagkat pagkarinig ko ng iyong bati ay naggagalaw ang sanggol sa tuwa sa aking tiyan. Mapalad ka sapagkat nanalig kang matutupad ang ipinasasabi sa iyo ng Panginoon!"  At sinabi ni Maria, "Ang puso ko'y nagpupuri sa Panginoon, at nagagalak ang aking espiritu dahil sa Diyos na aking Tagapagligtas.  

Sapagkat nilingap niya ang kanyang abang alipin! At mula ngayon, ako'y tatawaging mapalad ng lahat ng salinlahi. Dahil sa mga dakilang bagay na ginawa sa akin ng Makapangyarihan -- Banal ang kanyang pangalan!  

Kinahahabagan niya ang mga may takot sa kanya, sa lahat ng sali't-saling lahi. Ipinakita niya ang lakas ng kanyang mga bisig, pinangalat niya ang mga palalo ang isipan. ibinagsak niya ang mga hari mula sa kanilang trono, at itinaas ang mga nasa abang kalagayan.  

Binusog niya ng mabubuting bagay ang mga nagugutom, at pinalayas niyang wala ni anuman ang mayayaman. Tinulungan niya ang kanyang bayang Israel, bilang pagtupad sa pangako niya sa ating mga magulang, kay Abraham at sa kanyang lahi, magpakailanman!"  

Tumira si Maria kina Elisabet nang may tatlong buwan, at saka umuwi.

1Reflection for May 30, Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 16:29-33

Gospel: John 16:29-33

The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.  

Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who aimed for worldly riches and greatness in his chosen field of endeavour. By his hard work he was able to achieve his aims. He thought that it would be the crowning glory of his life but he aimed for more riches. In doing so, he had no peace and contentment, he became worldly and a slave of this world.  

Jesus tells us in the gospel for this Monday, You will have peace in me, in this world you will have trouble (John 16:33). Many of us allow ourselves to be enslaved by this world up to this very moment. Until we get sick, until we are near death and the reason behind is we keep on chasing the temporal riches and power of this world. Which in reality will not give us good health, peace and contentment.  

Jesus offers us His peace. Peace that no one can give us, peace that money can't buy, peace even in the midst of the many worries of this world and peace that we can have even beyond this world.

Let us wholeheartedly accept this and the moment we do we would begin to free ourselves from the possession of this world. In doing so, we will not live for this world anymore and we will not be concerned anymore about others opinion toward us. For the simple reason that we already have the peace of Jesus in our hearts.  

Would you accept the peace that Jesus is offering you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 30 Lunes sa Ika- 7 na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 16:29-33

Mabuting Balita: Juan 16:29-33

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ng kanyang mga alagad kay Hesus, "Ngayon po'y tuwiran na ang inyong pangungusap sa amin at hindi na patalinghaga! Alam na naming batid ninyo ang lahat ng bagay, at hindi na kailangang tanungin ninuman. Dahil dito, naniwala kaming kayo'y mula sa Diyos." Sumagot si Jesus, "Naniniwala na ba kayo ngayon?  

Darating ang oras -- at ngayon na nga -- na magkakawatak-watak kayo, magkakanya-kanyang lakad kayo, at iiwan ninyo ako. Gayunma'y hindi ako nag-iisa sapagkat kasama ko ang Ama. Sinasabi ko ito sa inyo upang kayo'y magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa pakikipag-isa sa akin. Mayroon kayong kapighatian dito sa sanlibutan; ngunit lakasan ninyo ang inyong loob! Napagtagumpayan ko na ang sanlibutan!"

Reflection for Sunday May 29, Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord: Luke 24:46-53

Gospel: Luke 24:46-53

Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.

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Reflection:

Did Jesus have a perfect goodbye to his disciples when he ascended to heaven? 

Not all goodbyes are perfect like Jesus, for example when we finally say goodbye to this world. A few of us may somehow have a perfect goodbye like that of Jesus. But many of us shall have incomplete parting and this could happen to anyone of us. We can suddenly leave this world without having closures with our relatives and friends. 

When Jesus said goodbye to His disciples thru his ascension it was a perfect goodbye because it was finally mission accomplished for Jesus. He accomplished His mission to perfection. There was no void and no remaining question about His earthly journey. Jesus finally ascended to heaven triumphant over all the challenges and trials that He encountered.  

Beneath the Ascension of the Lord to heaven is a lesson for us all that we have to remember and do. The lesson that we have to remember and do is to continue the mission of Jesus. We therefore have to do good always, to share and live our faith, to not betray anyone of their trust, to be loving and caring, to listen more and not to judge anyone and to be humble at all times. 

So that when it’s time for our own goodbye it would be a perfect goodbye like Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Mayo 29, Pag-akyat ng Panginoon (Dakilang Kapistahan): Lucas 24:46-53

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:46-53

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Ganito ang nasusulat: kinakailangang magbata ng hirap at mamatay ang Mesiyas at muling mabuhay sa ikatlong araw. Sa kanyang pangalan, ang pagsisisi at kapatawaran ng mga kasalanan ay dapat ipangaral sa lahat ng bansa, magmula sa Jerusalem. Kayo ang mga saksi sa mga bagay na ito. Tandaan ninyo: susuguin ko sa inyo ang ipinangako ng aking Ama, kaya’t huwag kayong aalis sa lungsod hanggang hindi kayo napagkakalooban ng kapangyarihan mula sa itaas.”

  

Pagkatapos, sila’y isinama ni Hesus sa labas ng lungsod. Pagdating sa Betania, itinaas niya ang kanyang mga kamay at pinagpala sila. Samantalang iginagawad niya ito, siya nama’y lumalayo paakyat sa langit. Siya’y sinamba nila; pagkatapos, sila’y nagbalik sa Jerusalem, taglay ang malaking kagalakan. Palagi sila sa templo at doo’y nagpupuri sa Diyos.

Reflection for May 28, Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:23b-28

Gospel: John 16:23b-28

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.  

“I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. 

For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

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Reflection:

A  woman asked Jesus to make her rich, so she prayed for it. After three months of asking and praying the woman never received his prayer petition. She was deeply puzzled why she has not received what she wanted.  

 Until she had a dream wherein Jesus told her this, “You did not receive what you prayed for because you just relaxed in your house. You never exerted effort to realize what you want. So the next day the  woman prayed once again and she coupled her prayer with action and after a period of time she was able to achieve what she was asking from the Lord.  

Our petitions for Jesus must not end with our vocal prayers only. We must see to it that we follow it up with actions. For example, we desire something, of course we have to pray and it must not end with our prayers. We must work very hard to realize what we are praying for.  

Jesus will generously help us achieve what we want to happen in our lives for as long as we will exert every ounce of effort to have it. In other words it must always be prayers with actions and not prayers alone. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 28 Sabado sa Ika- 6 na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 16:23b-28

Mabuting Balita: Juan 16:23b-28

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Tandaan ninyo: anumang hingin ninyo sa Ama sa aking pangalan ay ibibigay niya sa inyo. Hanggang ngayo'y wala pa kayong hinihingi sa kanya sa pangalan ko; humingi kayo at kayo'y tatanggap, upang malubos ang inyong kagalakan."  

"Ang mga ito'y sinabi ko sa inyo ng patalinghaga. Subalit darating ang panahon na hindi na ako magsasalita sa inyo ng gayon; tuwiran ko nang sasabihin sa inyo ang tungkol sa Ama. Sa araw na yao'y hihingi kayo sa kanya sa aking pangalan; at hindi ko sinasabi sa inyo na dadalangin ako sa Ama para sa inyo, sapagkat iniibig nga kayo ng Ama. Iniibig niya kayo sapagkat ako'y iniibig ninyo at naniniwala kayong ako'y nagmula sa Diyos. Ako'y mula sa Ama at naparito sa sanlibutan; ngayo'y aalis ako sa sanlibutan at babalik sa Ama."