Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Hunyo 6, Ang Mahal na Birheng Maria Ina ng Sambayanan (Paggunita): Juan 19:25-34

Mabuting Balita: Juan 19:25-34

Noong panahong iyon: Nakatayo sa tabi ng krus ni Hesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae nitong si Maria, na asawa ni Cleopas. Naroon din si Maria Magdalena. Nang makita ni Hesus ang kanyang ina, at ang minamahal niyang alagad sa tabi nito, kanyang sinabi, “Ginang, narito ang iyong anak!” At sinabi sa alagad, “Narito ang iyong ina!” Mula noon, siya’y pinatira ng alagad na ito sa kanyang bahay.  

Alam ni Hesus na naganap na ang lahat ng bagay; at bilang katuparan ng Kasulatan ay sinabi niya, “Nauuhaw ako!” May isang mangkok doon na puno ng maasim na alak. Itinuhog nila rito ang isang espongha, ikinabit sa sanga ng isopo at idiniit sa kanyang bibig. Nang masipsip ni Hesus ang alak ay kanyang sinabi, “Naganap na!” Iniyukayok niya ang kanyang ulo at nalagot ang kanyang hininga.  

Noo’y Araw ng Paghahanda, ay ayaw ng mga Judio na manatili sa krus ang mga bangkay sa Araw ng Pamamahinga sapagkat dakila ang araw ng Pamamahingang ito. Kaya’t hiniling nila kay Pilato na ipabali nito ang mga binti ng mga ipinako sa krus, at alisin doon ang mga bangkay.  

Naparoon nga ang mga kawal at binali ang mga binti ng dalawang ipinakong kasabay ni Hesus. Ngunit pagdating nila kay Hesus at makitang patay na siya, hindi na nila binali ang kayang binti. Subalit inulos ng sibat ng isa sa mga kawal ang tagiliran ni Hesus, at biglang dumaloy ang dugo at tubig.

Reflection for Sunday June 5, Solemnity of Pentecost: John 20:19-23

Gospel: John 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. 

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

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Reflection:

An old man was wondering how he could have an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life. He was often murmuring to himself, “I’m already old but I still don’t feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.” This old man is not alone in this predicament because many of us have no awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

What is the secret for us to become aware that the Holy Spirit is alive and working in our life? The secret to unleash the presence of the Holy Spirit is a prayerful life. Is not an intermittent prayer life but a life disposed to daily prayer. Perhaps we can allocate five to ten minutes every day for prayers and meditations. Then slowly but surely the Holy Spirit will manifest its presence within us.   

In our first reading we read about the disciples and the Blessed Mother who were together  in one place. What were they doing there? They were praying (Acts 1:14) until God the Holy Spirit blessed them with its indwelling presence in their lives (Acts 2:1-4).

The same occurrence happened in our gospel. The disciples were in one room because of their fear of the Jews and they were praying. Then suddenly Jesus appeared to them. He greeted them with peace; afterwards He breathed on them and gave them the  presence of the Holy Spirit.

If we want to have an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit there’s no other way for us to do but to have a regular prayerful life. So that we would be blessed by its presence and gifts such as: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Strength, Knowledge and Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).  

Are you already aware of the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

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.

Reflection 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 the things that do not even concern you? Peter in our gospel is like that, too curious about things that does not even concern him. Why did Peter ask about the beloved disciple?  

We don’t know what was going on in peter’s mind when he asked about John the beloved disciple of Jesus. But one thing was sure during that time: Peter was not paying attention to the instruction of Jesus to follow Him.  

If we decide to follow Jesus, let us not be nosy about the lives of others in the parish. Or even the lives of our neighbors; let us rather focus on our very own life or family. Many troubles start from our being intrusive with the lives of others and misunderstanding and quarrels may start from it.  

Therefore, let us focus solely on our own lives. Let others live their own lives in peace without us meddling or gossiping. Instead of wasting our time meddling or talking about the lives of others which bring us no good. 

Let us use our time and energy on thinking of how we can further improve our  personal lives. And on thinking of ways on how we can focus more on our desire to silently follow Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 4 Sabado sa Ika-7 Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:20-25

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:20-25

Noong panahong iyon, lumingon si Pedro at nakita niyang sumusunod ang alagad na minamahal ni Jesus - yaong humilig sa dibdib ni Jesus nang sila'y naghahapunan at nagtanong, "Panginoon, sino po ang magkakanulo sa inyo?" Nang makita siya ni Pedro, tinanong nito si Jesus, "Panginoon, ano po naman ang mangyayari sa taong ito?"  

Sumagot si Jesus, "Kung ibig kong mabuhay siya hanggang sa pagbabalik ko, ano sa iyo? Sumunod ka sa akin!" Kumalat sa mga kapatid ang balitang hindi mamamatay ang alagad na ito, bagama't hindi sinabi ni Jesus na hindi siya mamamatay, kundi, "Kung ibig kong mabuhay siya hanggang sa pagbabalik ko, ano sa iyo?"  

Ito nga ang alagad na nagpapatotoo tungkol sa mga bagay na ito; siya rin ang sumulat ng mga ito, at alam naming tunay ang kanyang patotoo. At marami pang ginawa si Jesus na kung susulating lahat, inaakala kong hindi magkakasya kahit sa buong daigdig ang mga aklat na masusulat. 

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