Ang Mabuting Balita para Huwebes Disyembre 29 Ikalimang Araw ng Pagdiriwang ng Pasko ng Pagsilang: Lucas 2:22-35

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:22-35

Nang dumating ang araw ng paglilinis sa kanila, ayon sa Kautusan ni Moises, sila'y pumunta sa Jerusalem. Dala nila ang sanggol upang iharap sa Panginoon, sapagkat ayon sa Kautusan, "Ang bawat Panganay na lalaki ay nakatalaga sa Panginoon." At naghandog sila, ayon sa hinihingi ng Kautusan ng Panginoon: "Mag-asawang batu-bato o dalawang inakay na kalapati."  

May isang tao noon sa Jerusalem, ang pangala'y Simeon. Matapat at malapit sa Diyos ang lalaking ito at naghihintay ng katubusan ng Israel. Sumasakanya ang Espiritu Santo na nagpahayag sa kanya na hindi siya mamamatay hangga't hindi niya nakikita ang Mesias na ipinangako ng Panginoon.  

Sa patnubay ng Espiritu, pumasok siya sa templo. At nang dalhin doon ng kanyang mga magulang ang sanggol na si Jesus upang gawin ang hinihingi ng Kautusan, siya'y kinalong ni Simeon. Ito'y nagpuri sa Diyos, na ang wika, "Kunin mo na, Panginoon, ang iyong abang alipin. Ayon sa iyong pangako, yamang nakita na ng aking mga mata ang iyong pagliligtas, na inihanda mo para sa lahat ng bansa: liwanag itong tatanglaw sa mga Hentil, at magbibigay-karangalan sa iyong bayang Israel."  

Namangha ang ama't ina ng sanggol dahil sa sinabi ni Simeon, at sinabi kay Maria, "Tandaan mo, ang batang ito ay nakatalaga sa ikapapahamak o ikaliligtas ng marami sa Israel, isang tanda mula sa Diyos ngunit hahamakin ng marami kaya't mahahayag ang kanilang iniisip. Dahil diyan, ang puso mo'y para na ring tinarakan ng isang balaraw."

Reflection for Wednesday December 28 Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs: Matthew 2:13-18

Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. 

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.

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Reflection:

Do you believe in angels? 

What if Joseph did not listen to the command of the angel of the Lord? 

The child Jesus would have been killed by the minions  of King Herod. But Joseph was a good, humble and obedient man of the Lord.  So, he listened and in the process he helped save the life of the child Jesus. 

Angels who act as messengers of God abound in this world and they are not the winged ones anymore. They are humans like us who would always advise us to avoid doing what is not good and sinful. Or they would advise us to do good always even if others are not doing good to them. Therefore, we have to listen because if we would not listen we would eventually be in a problematic situation.  

As Saint Joseph listened to the command of the angel of the Lord. We too have to listen to the wisdom filled advice/s being given to us by people who have nothing but concern and love for us. Because it is in listening and acting on what we have listened that we would be spared from many problems. 

Do you always listen to meaningful advice or counsel? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para Miyerkules Disyembre 28 Mga Banal na Sanggol na walang Kamalayan, mga martir (Kapistahan): Mateo 2:13-18

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 2:13-18

Pagkaalis ng mga Pantas, napakita kay Jose sa panaginip ang isang anghel ng Panginoon. Sinabi sa kanya, "Magbangon ka, dalhin mo agad sa Egipto ang mag-ina. At huwag kayong aalis doon hangga't hndi ko sinasabi sa iyo. Sapagkat hahanapin ni Herodes ang sanggol upang patayin." Kaya dali-daling bumangon si Jose at nang gabing iyo'y dinala sa Egipto ang mag-ina. Doon sila tumira hanggang mamatay si Herodes. Nangyari ito upang matupad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng propeta, "Tinawag ko ang aking Anak mula sa Egipto." 

Galit na galit si Herodes nang malamang siya'y napaglalangan ng mga Pantas. Kaya't ipinapatay niya ang mga batang lalaki sa Betlehem at mga palibot na pook-- lahat na may gulang na dalawang taon pababa, alinsunod sa paglitaw ng tala na natiyak niyang sa mga Pantas.  

Sa gayo'y natupad ang sinabi ni Propeta Jeremias: "Narinig sa Rama ang malakas na panaghoy. Tinatangisan ni Raquel ang kanyang mga anak. Hindi siya maaliw sa tindi ng kalungkutan dahil sa pagkamatay nila."

Reflection for Tuesday December 27 Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist: John 20:1a, 2-8

Gospel: John 20:1a, 2-8

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.  

They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes have this feeling wherein you look for God and you hunger for Him yet you cannot find Him? Don’t give up for if you will not give up you will be able to find Him.  Yet if you want to easily find God and make Him your friend and daily companion you have to do the following: 

1. Always find time to be present in the celebration of the Holy Mass. 

2. Have a daily habit of prayer at least twice a day, preferably upon waking up in the morning and before retiring at night.  

3. Have a daily habit of planned reading the Holy Bible: Start with the first four gospels of the New  Testament. 

4. Discover the immense spiritual blessing of praying the Holy Rosary. 

5. Have the hunger for the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Confession. 

If you do all of these, God would always be by your side. In the gospel, Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter and the other disciple went to the tomb of Jesus. Only to find out that He was not there anymore for He had resurrected already. 

But surely it was only the physical presence of Jesus that they were missing.  Deep in their hearts Jesus was also with them for all of them were very close to the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas        

Ang Mabuting Balita para Martes Disyembre 27 San Juan, apostol at manunulat ng Mabuting Balita (Kapistahan): Juan 20:1, 2-8

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:1, 2-8

Nang unang araw nga ng sanglinggo ay naparoong maaga sa libingan si Maria Magdalena, madilim-dilim pa nang araw ng Linggo, patakbong pumunta si Maria Magdalena kay Simon Pedro at sa alagad na mahal ni Hesus, at sinabi sa kanila, “Kinuha sa libingan ang Panginoon at hindi namin alam kung saan dinala!” Kaya’t si Pedro at ang nasabing alagad ay nagpunta sa libingan. Kapwa sila tumakbo ngunit si Pedro’y naunahan ng kasamang alagad.  

Yumuko ito at sumilip sa loob. Nakita niyang nakalagay ang mga kayong lino, ngunit hindi siya pumasok. Kasunod niyang dumating si Simon Pedro at tuluy-tuloy itong pumasok sa libingan. Nakita niya ang mga kayong lino, at ang panyong ibinalot sa ulo. Hindi ito kasama ng mga kayong lino, kundi hiwalay na nakatiklop sa isang tabi. Pumasok din ang alagad na naunang dumating; nakita niya ito at siya’y naniwala.

 

Reflection for Monday December 26 Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr: Matthew 10:17-22

Gospel: Matthew 10:17-22

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say.  

You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

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Reflection:

What fuels a person to give his life to Jesus? It’s the fidelity to the mission of Jesus and it’s the love for Jesus. For many of us it’s hard to think that there are people who are willing to give their life for Jesus. But there really are unsung heroes who will willingly give their life for the mission of Jesus.  

Another reality of life is this, those who humbly continue the mission of Jesus are often times persecuted also. Let us think about the many martyrs of the church who shed their blood for Jesus’ mission. There are many of them some became saints and some silently went to heaven. They never wavered in their fidelity to the mission of Jesus, they continued amidst the hardship and persecution. 

Let us say for example, what if we would also be called to witness for Jesus inside our respective families? Can we take the risk of speaking about the teachings of Jesus even if it’s unpopular to the majority of our family members?  

A faithful follower will never be afraid to speak about Jesus, for to speak for Jesus teachings is always right. But we must also do it in such a way that we do it with a mindset of humility, gentleness and love. Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to successfully share Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Ang Mabuting Balita para Lunes Disyembre 26 San Esteban, unang martir (Kapistahan): Mateo 10:17-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 10:17-22

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Mag-ingat kayo, sapagkat may mga taong magkakanulo sa inyo sa mga hukuman; at hahagupitin nila kayo sa mga sinagoga. Dahil sa akin, ihaharap kayo sa mga gobernador at mga hari, at magpapatotoo kayo sa harapan nila at ng mga Hentil. 

Kapag nililitis na kayo, huwag kayong mabalisa tungkol sa sasabihin ninyo o kung paano ninyo sasabihin. Pagdating ng oras, ito'y ipagkakaloob sa inyo. sapagkat hindi kayo ang magsasalita kundi ang Espiritu ng inyong Ama ang magsasalita sa pamamagitan ninyo. 

"Ipagkakanulo ng kanyang kapatid ang kanyang kapatid upang ipapatay; gayon din ang gagawin ng ama sa kanyang anak. Lalabanan ng mga anak ang kanilang mga magulang, at ipapapatay. Kapopootan kayo ng lahat dahil sa akin; ngunit ang manatiling tapat hanggang wakas ang siyang maliligtas.

Reflection for Sunday 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-begotten 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-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

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Reflection:

Have you done something to bring someone closer to the Lord? John brought people to the Lord by his way of life.  John humbly prepared the way for Jesus. John brought people closer to Jesus, John never told the people of his time to stay with him. He pointed to Jesus as the one that they should follow and not himself. 

Are you up to the task of guiding others to Jesus by your way of life? And do you have the motivation to gently speak about Jesus to your fellowmen? By simply living the life of Jesus  you can already point others to Jesus. 

Some of us may say that to share Jesus is not my job it’s for the exclusive domain of the people of the church. But no, by virtue of our baptism we have already been empowered to share whatever we can share about Jesus and our faith. But have we already shared Jesus and our faith? 

It’s not yet late to share Jesus because for as long as we live it is our duty and mission to share the Lord.   Let us not be afraid to share the Lord for He will be with us and the Holy Spirit who makes everything possible will be with us also.

Today is Christmas day and this is the most conducive day to share Jesus by giving something to those who are in need. We give not from our excess, we give from our sincere desire to share from the bottom of our hearts.

So that those who are in darkness and those who are losing hope because of the harshness of life will see the light of the Lord through our acts of goodness and generosity. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

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

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:1-18

Ang simula ng Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon ayon kay San Juan

Sa pasimula pa’y naroon na ang Salita. Kasama ng Diyos ang Salita at ang Salita ay Diyos. Kasama na siya ng Diyos sa pasimula pa. Sa pamamagitan niya nilikha ang lahat ng bagay, at walang anumang nalikha nang hindi sa pamamagitan niya. Mula sa kanya ang buhay, at ang buhay ay siyang ilaw ng sangkatauhan. Nagliliwanag sa kadiliman ang ilaw, at hindi ito kailanman nagapi ng kadiliman.

Sinugo ng Diyos ang isang tao na nagngangalang Juan. Naparito siya upang magpatotoo tungkol sa ilaw at manalig sa ilaw ang lahat dahil sa patotoo niya. Hindi siya ang ilaw kundi naparito siya upang magpatotoo tungkol sa ilaw. Ang tunay na ilaw na tumatanglaw sa lahat ng tao ay dumarating sa sanlibutan.

Nasa sanlibutan ang Salita. Nilikha ang sanlibutan sa pamamagitan niya ngunit hindi siya nakilala ng sanlibutan. Naparito siya sa kanyang bayan ngunit hindi siya tinanggap ng kanyang mga kababayan. Ngunit ang lahat ng tumanggap at nanalig sa kanya ay pinagkalooban niya ng karapatang maging anak ng Diyos. Sila nga’y naging anak ng Diyos, hindi dahil sa isinilang sila ayon sa kalikasan, ni sa pita ng laman o sa kagagawan ng tao. Ang pagiging anak nila ay buhat sa Diyos.

Naging tao ang Salita at siya’y nanirahan sa piling natin. Nakita namin ang kanyang kapangyarihan at kadakilaan, puspos ng pag-ibig at katapatan. Tinanggap niya mula sa Ama ang kapangyarihan at kadakilaang ito bilang bugtong na Anak.

Nagpatotoo si Juan tungkol sa kanya. At ganito ang kanyang sigaw, “Siya ang tinutukoy ko nang aking sabihin, ‘Ang darating na kasunod ko’y higit sa akin, sapagkat siya’y siya na bago pa ako ipanganak.’”

Dahil sa siya’y puspos ng pag-ibig, tayong lahat ay tumanggap mula sa kanya ng abut-abot na kaloob. Sapagkat ibinibigay ang Kautusan sa pamamagitan ni Moises ngunit ang pag-ibig at ang katotohanan ay dumating sa pamamagitan ni Hesukristo. Kailanma’y walang nakakita sa Diyos, subalit ipinakilala siyang bugtong na Anak – siya’y Diyos – na lubos na minamahal ng Ama.

Reflection for Sunday 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.”

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Reflection:

What is the meaning of Christmas to you? 

People nowadays are fond of shortcuts even the solemn celebration of Jesus’ birth has not been spared. For example, many of us today use the greeting Merry X-Mas instead of Merry Christmas. What does this signify? This signifies that many of us are slowly losing sight of the true meaning of Christmas. 

Christmas is not about material things. Christmas is about the great love of God for us. We must not keep this love in our hearts we must express this love through our words and actions. Thus Christ love is made alive through us. 

For example; if it so happen that you see a poor stranger. What would you do? Would you just stand and be insensitive to his/her needs? We must not be insensitive we must do something to extend Christ love and blessing. We must pay forward the real essence and blessing of Christmas which is the birth of our savior. 

The birth date of Jesus every year should also be the birth of Christ love in our hearts every year. And we must not keep this selfless love we must plant this love in others hearts too by being a blessing to them with the hope that it will also bear much fruit in their hearts. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:1-14

Noong panahong iyon, iniutos ng Emperador Augusto na magpatala ang lahat ng nasasakupan ng Imperyo ng Roma. Ang unang pagpapatalang ito’y ginawa nang si Cirenio and gobernador ng Siria. Kaya’t umuwi ang bawat isa sa sariling bayan upang magpatala.  

Mula sa Nazaret, Galilea, si Jose’y pumunta sa Betlehem, Judea, ang bayang sinilangan ni Haring David, sapagkat siya’y mula sa angkan at lahi ni David. Kasama niyang umuwi upang magpatala rin si Maria na kanyang magiging asawa na noo’y kagampan. Samantalang naroroon sila, dumating ang oras ng panganganak ni Maria at isinilang niya ang kanyang panganay at ito’y lalaki. Binalot niya ng lampin ang sanggol at inihiga sa isang sabsaban, sapagkat wala nang lugar para sa kanila sa bahay-panuluyan.  

Sa lupain ding yaon ay may mga pastol na nasa parang, nagpupuyat sa pagbabantay ng kanilang mga tupa. Biglang lumitaw sa harapan nila ang isang anghel ng Panginoon at lumaganap sa paligid nila ang nakasisilaw na kaningningan ng Panginoon.  

Natakot sila nang gayun na lamang, “Huwag kayong matakot! Ako’y may dalang mabuting balita para sa inyo na magdudulot ng malaking kagalakan sa lahat ng tao. Sapagkat isinilang ngayon sa bayan ni David ang inyong Tagapagligtas, ang Kristong Panginoon. Ito ang palatandaan: matatagpuan ninyo ang isang sanggol na nababalot ng lampin at nakahiga sa sabsaban.”  

Biglang lumitaw sa tabi ng anghel ang isang malaking hukbo ng kalangitan, na nagpupuri sa Diyos: “Papuri sa Diyos sa kaitaasan, at sa lupa’y kapayapaan sa mga taong kinalulugdan niya!”

Reflection for December 24 Saturday 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.”

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Reflection:

Do we acknowledge the many blessings that God has given us? For example: The new life that God gives us every morning, the family that we have, the good health that we have and there are many more blessings that God has been showering us. Do we always remember to thank God for all these blessings?  Or we are already used to these blessing that it becomes ordinary for us already.  

The devil would always lure us to get busy with worldly things so that we would eventually forget God. So what are the results? We will not anymore love God, we will lose our guilt of conscience. We will therefore mindlessly commit sin such as abortion, adultery and many more sins against our fellowmen and God. 

Zechariah was well aware of the many blessings that God had showered him and his family that’s why he praised Him. In good times and in bad he never walked away from God he remained faithful to God. We must also be fully aware of the many blessings that God has been showering us. And we must always be grateful for all of these blessings by sharing it with those who are in need most especially the poor. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Disyembre 24 Sabado Ika-4 na Linggo sa Panahon ng Pagdating ng Panginoon: Lucas 1:67-79

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:67-79

Noong panahong iyon, napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Zacarias na ama ni Juan at nagpahayag ng ganito: 

“Purihin ang Panginoong Diyos ng Israel!

Sapagkat nilingap niya at pinalaya ang kanyang bayan, at nagpadala siya sa atin ng isang makapangyarihang Tagapagligtas, mula sa lipi ni David na kanyang lingkod. Ipinangako niya sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga banal na propeta noong una, na ililigtas niya tayo sa ating mga kaaway, at sa kamay ng lahat ng napopoot sa atin. Ipinangako rin niya na kahahabagan ang ating mga magulang at aalalahanin ang kanyang banal na tipan. 

Iyan ang sumpang binitawan niya sa ating amang si Abraham, na ililigtas tayo sa ating mga kaaway, upang walang takot na makasamba sa kanya, at maging banal at matuwid sa kanyang paningin, habang tayo’y nabubuhay. Ikaw naman, anak, ay tatawaging propeta ng Kataas-taasan; sapagkat mauuna ka sa Panginoon upang ihanda ang kanyang mga daraanan, at ituro sa kanyang bayan ang landas ng kaligtasan, ang kapatawaran ng kanilang mga kasalanan. 

Sapagkat lubhang mahabagin ang ating Diyos; magbubukang-liwayway sa atin ang araw ng kaligtasan upang magbigay-liwanag sa mga nasa kadiliman at nasa lilim ng kamatayan, at patnubayan tayo tungo sa daan ng kapayapaan.”

Reflection for December 23 Friday 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.”

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Reflection:

Do you have a prayer before the Lord? Do you follow the will of the Lord for your life?  

The pious couple of Zechariah and Elizabeth had a prayer before God and their prayer was for them to have a child. After a long period of time their prayer was granted by God for they were given the gift of a child. Thus, it was an answered prayer for the pious couple.  

But that is not the end of the story, the good Lord through an angel told the couple to name the child John. And so they named him John contradicting the wishes of their relatives and perhaps the custom of naming a child after their parents. The pious couple of John and Elizabeth followed the will of the Lord and named the child John which means gracious gift of God.  

What is the implication of the gospel for your life? 

You have to be persevering and persistent in your prayer. And you should not waver for God rewards those who persevere and those who are persistent. It may take time for your prayers to be granted but it surely will be granted not based on your own time but based on God’s time.   

Oftentimes you want to chart your own destiny, your own personal journey and somehow through your hard work you were able to achieve what you want. Yet there is still that void and emptiness. Why? This is for the reason that you carved your own destiny, your own personal journey. You did not follow God’s will for you, the God who has been manifesting in your life. The same God who has been silently speaking to you though the events of your life.   

If only you would learn to be persevering in your prayer. If only you would follow God’s will for you. There surely will be no more emptiness in your life and you will not be longing for anything more in your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas