Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 5, Linggo ng Pentecostes: Juan 20:19-23

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:19-23

Kinagabihan ng Linggo ding iyon, ang mga alagad ay nagkakatipon. Nakapinid ang mga pinto ng bahay na kanilang pinagtitipunan dahil sa takot nila sa mga Judio. Dumating si Jesus at tumayo sa gitna nila. "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" sabi niya. Pagkasabi nito, ipinakita niya ang kanyang mga kamay at ang kanyang tagiliran.  

Tuwang-tuwa ang mga alagad nang makita ang PKnginoon. Sinabi na naman ni Jesus, "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan! Kung paanong sinugo ako ng Ama, gayon din naman, sinusugo ko kayo." Pagkatapos, sila'y hiningahan niya at sinabi, "Tanggapin ninyo ang Espiritu Santo. Ang patawarin ninyo sa kanilang mga kasalanan ay pinatawad na nga; ang hindi ninyo patawarin ay hindi nga pinatawad.

1Reflection for June 4, Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 21:20-25

Gospel: John 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you? When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him? Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me. So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? 

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did but if these were to be described individually I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

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Reflection:

Are you sometimes too inquisitive about things that do not even concern you? 

In today’s Gospel, Peter shows a similar tendency—he becomes too curious about something that is not his concern. He asks Jesus about the beloved disciple, and we may wonder why. What was going through Peter’s mind at that moment? 

We may never know for sure. But one thing is clear: Peter was not fully focused on Jesus’ personal call for him to “Follow Me.” 

Like Peter, we too can sometimes lose focus. When we decide to follow Jesus, we are called to fix our eyes on Him—not on the lives of others in the parish, or even on the affairs of our neighbors. Rather, we are invited to reflect on our own journey, our own family, and the life God has entrusted to us. 

Many conflicts and misunderstandings begin when we allow ourselves to be overly involved in other people’s lives. Gossip, judgment, and comparisons only distract us from the peace and grace the Lord offers. 

So today, let us resolve to focus on our own walk with Christ. Let us allow others the space to live their lives in peace, free from our meddling or unsolicited opinions. 

Instead of wasting time speaking about others or prying into matters that do not help us grow spiritually, let us use our energy to deepen our relationship with Jesus. Let us spend more time in prayer, in quiet service, and in seeking how we can faithfully and silently follow the Lord—just as He calls us to do. 

May we always remember: Jesus does not compare us with others. He simply says to each of us, “Follow Me.” – Marino J. Dasmarinas

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

Reflection 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."

Reflection 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

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

Reflection 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

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."

Reflection for May 27, Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:20-23

Gospel: John 16:20-23

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.  

So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”

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Reflection:

A good man was wondering about how difficult his life was. He was in debt and his house was possessed by a bank due to unpaid loans. He was now questioning the Lord about his very difficult life. After a few days he won in a lottery and he was able to pay everything and he had more to spare and save.  

Jesus was telling the disciples that they would go through difficult moments in their lives while others are rejoicing. Nonetheless, Jesus was also assuring His disciples that for as long as you stay with me you all will be able to pull through all of your difficulties.  

We must always remember that the life that we have chosen with Jesus will not always be a walk in the park or a bed of roses. There shall be drought and loneliness once in a while, we may even feel alone. However, we will be able to pull through all of these difficulties because we continue to hold and rest our destiny upon Christ Jesus.  

Let us never hold on to this world for it will never help us solve our problems/difficulties in life. Let us rather hold on to Jesus for HE has the words of eternal life (John 6:68).  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Thursday May 26, Saint Philip Neri, Priest: John 16:16-20

Gospel: John 16:16-20

Jesus said to his disciples: "A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me."So some of his disciples said to one another, "What does this mean that he is saying to us, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?" 

So they said, "What is this 'little while' of which he speaks? We do not know what he means." Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Are you discussing with one another what I said, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy."

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Reflection:

Are you baffled by the mystery of life or life is just ordinary for you?  

For many of us life is quite simple: we get busy with our smart phones, we eat, sleep, work and do our daily ordinary routines. But for some life is mysterious also, we live today but we will not know what may happen next. This is life, very simple yet mysterious also.      

The disciples in our gospel for today were not able to comprehend this cryptic statement of Jesus: “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.” (John 16:16) Of course Jesus is referring here of His impending arrest and His resurrection and reappearance to them.  Perhaps even if we were present during that time we would also fail to understand the deeper meaning of Jesus statement.  

As we continue with our earthly journey there would be life events that will be very hard for us to understand. For example, the diagnosis of an unexpected sickness or an unexpected problem.  Thus, we may reach a point to contemplatively ask God, “Why is this happening to me?”  

Nonetheless, we must continue to believe that there’s a God who is in control. And we must continue to trust that things happen for a deeper reason that only God knows. – Marino J. Dasmarinas