Reflection for Tuesday January 24, Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Mark 3:31-35

Gospel: Mark 3:31-35

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” 

But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

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Reflection:

Would you want to be a relative of Jesus? 

Jesus has a very simple requirement for us to become His brother, sister and mother and this is to do the will of God. What does this mean to us? We must feed the hungry, we must help those who need help, we must forgive and pray for those who’ve hurt us. And there are many more selfless actions that we can do, so that we can be called relatives of Jesus.  

It seems simple by reading through it but to live what Jesus wants us to do is another story. Do we really feed the hungry? Are we really quick to forgive? Are we really selfless? The challenge for all of us is to live our faith to the hilt. This means that we must at all times be like Jesus: through our actions, words and through our way of life.  

However, this is easier said than done, yet God in His infinite mercy gives us the opportunity everyday for us to become part of Him. He presents us life situations wherein we could always live what we have learned from Him. 

The reality of life is it’s hard to be a relative of Jesus because many of us don’t undress ourselves with everything that makes us creatures of this world. Such as self-centeredness, arrogance, greed and a lot more negative attitudes. Which makes us relatives of the evil one rather than a relative of Jesus.   

But all is not lost yet, if we want to be a relative of Jesus we must strive to be like Him: His humility, His acts of kindness and His countless selfless actions.  These are the challenges that we must ponder if we want be a true relative of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Martes Enero 24, Sa Francisco de Sales, Obispo at pantas ng Simbahan (Paggunita): Marcos 3:31-35

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:31-35

Noong panahong iyon, dumating ang ina at mga kapatid ni Hesus. Sila’y nasa labas ng bahay at ipinatawag siya. Noon nama’y maraming taong nakaupo sa palibot ni Hesus, at may nagsabi sa kanya, “Nariyan po sa labas ang inyong ina at mga kapatid; ipinatatawag kayo.”  

“Sino ang aking ina at mga kapatid?” ani Hesus. Tumingin siya sa mga nakaupo sa palibot niya at nagwika: “Ito ang aking ina at mga kapatid! Sapagkat ang sinumang tumatalima sa kalooban ng Diyos; ay siya kong ina at mga kapatid.” 

Reflection for January 23, Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 3:22-30

Gospel: Mark 3:22-30

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 

And if a house is divided against itself that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man.  

Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin. For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.

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Reflection:

What is the antidote to evil possession or who can defeat the devil? It’s our faith in Jesus, only Jesus can defeat the devil. Before we only attribute the presence of the devil to evil possession.  But not anymore today!  

The devil of today doesn’t only present itself by way of evil possession. It presents itself in manifold ways such as: greed, lust, covetousness, enslavement to the modernity of time and so forth. Who can defeat the devil today? It’s still Jesus the same Jesus that defeated the devil in our gospel.    

Jesus doesn’t change He is the same Jesus yesterday, today and tomorrow. His power to defeat the devil is still present today as it was present in the gospel. But do we allow Jesus to dwell in our lives? Do we still have time for Him in this era of internet and high-tech gadgets?    

We must at all times give time for Jesus so that we could always ward off the devil from our midst. If we always have Jesus in our life we give no room for the devil to dwell in our life. How do we give time for Jesus? We have to read the inspiring life of Jesus in the bible, we have to be present at Holy Mass as often as we can. And we have to have our personal prayer time for Jesus every day.    

Do you give time for Jesus even for only a minute every day? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para Enero 23, Lunes ng Ikatlong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 3:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:22-30

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ng mga eskribang dumating mula sa Jerusalem, “Inaalihan siya ni Beelzebul, ang prinsipe ng mga demonyo. Ito ang nagbigay sa kanya ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng mga demonyo!” Kaya’t pinapalapit ni Hesus ang mga tao at sinabi sa kanila ang ilang talinghaga: “Paano mangyayaring palayasin ni Satanas si Satanas?” 

Kapag naglaban-laban ang nasasakupan ng isang kaharian, hindi mananatili ang kahariang iyon. At kapag naglaban-laban ang magkakasambahay, hindi mananatili ang sambahayang iyon. Gayun din naman, kapag naghimagsik si Satanas laban sa kanyang sarili at naglaban-laban ang kanyang nasasakupan, hindi magtatagal at darating ang kanyang wakas. 

“Walang makapapasok sa bahay ng isang taong malakas at makaaagaw ng kanyang ari-arian, malibang gapusin muna niya ang taong iyon. Saka pa lamang niya malolooban ang bahay na iyon. 

“Tandaan ninyo ito: maaaring ipatawad sa mga tao ang lahat ng kasalanan at panlalait nila sa Diyos, ngunit ang sinumang lumait sa Espiritu Santo ay hindi mapatatawad. Ang kanyang kasalanan ay hindi mapapawi kailanman.” Sinabi ito ni Hesus sapagkat ang sabi ng ilan, “Inaalihan siya ng masamang Espiritu.”

The Life Changing and Powerful Words of Jesus - 1

 

Ang Nakapagbabago ng buhay at Makapangyarihang mga pananalita ni Jesus - 1

 

Reflection for Sunday January 22, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 4:12-23

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.

They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

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Reflection:

Have you had an experience of a call from Jesus which facilitated a much deeper friendship with the Lord? For example, you have read something about the words of Jesus in the bible and thereafter you felt that He was already directly speaking to you. Calling you to renew your life and become His faithful follower.  

Perhaps the four apostles (Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John) have already heard about Jesus. They might have heard about His baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17). Until they saw and heard Jesus up close and personal, calling them to follow Him. That encounter with Jesus resulted to a lifetime discipleship. 

The four apostles were veteran fishermen but deep in their hearts there was still that empty space and they were yearning for something that would finally fill that empty space.

Until their yearning for fulfillment was addressed by their personal encounter with Jesus. After which their lives were never the same again and from thereon they lived their lives with deeper meaning and purpose.

Are you yearning for something meaningful in your life? Yes, you may be financially secure already, but deep inside; you are still looking for that something that is still lacking within you. 

That something is no other than Jesus, the same Jesus who called Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 22, Ikatlong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 4:12-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 4:12-23

Noong panahong iyon, nabalitaan ni Hesus na ibinilanggo si Juan, kaya’t bumalik siya sa Galilea. Ngunit hindi na siya sa Nazaret nanirahan kundi sa Capernaum. Ang bayang ito ay nasa baybayin ng Lawa ng Galilea, sa mga hangganan ng Zabulon at Neftali. Sa gayo’y natupad ang sinabi ni Propeta Isaias:

“Ang lupain ng Zabulon at lupain ng Neftali daanan sa gawing dagat sa ibayo ng Jordan, Galilea ng mga Hentil! Itong bayang nag-apuhap sa gitna ng kadiliman sa wakas ay nakakita ng maningning niyang ilaw!

Liwanag na taglay nito’y siya ngayong tumatanglaw sa lahat ng nalugami sa lilim ng kamatayan!” Magmula noon ay nangaral na si Hesus. Ang sabi niya, Pagsisihan ninyo’t talikdan ang inyong mga kasalanan, sapagkat malapit nang maghari ang Diyos.”

Sa paglalakad ni Jesus sa pampang ng lawa ng Galilea, nakita niya ang  magkapatid na Simon na tinawag na Pedro at Andres na naghahagis ng mga lambat dahil mga mangingisda sila. Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Halikayo, sumunod kayo sa akin, at gagawin ko kayong mangingisda ng tao.”

Agad nilang iniwan ang kanilang mga lambat at sumunod sa kanya. Nagpatuloy siya sa paglakad at nakita naman niya ang magkapatid na Jaime at Juan na mga anak ni Zebedeo. Nasa bangka sila kasama ng kanilang amang si Zebedeo at nagsusursi ng kanilang lambat.

Tinawag sila ni Jesus. 22 Agad nilang iniwan ang bangka nila at ang kanilang ama, at nag-simulang sumunod sa kanya. Nilibot ni Hesus ang buong Galilea. Nagtuturo sa mga sinagoga at ipinangangaral ang Mabuting Balita tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos. Pinagaling din niya ang mga tao sa kanilang mga sakit at karamdaman.

Reflection for Saturday January 21, Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr: Mark 3:20-21

Gospel: Mark 3:20-21

Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again, the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

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Reflection:

Are you quick to judge based on what you see? Jesus was called as someone who is out of His mind by His relatives. Why? Because Jesus dared to do something out of the ordinary. Just imagine instead of enjoying an ordinary life as a carpenter Jesus did the extra-ordinary.  

 Jesus ventured into something that is totally alien to His environment and background. Jesus left His comfort zone to become a nomad, a healer and itinerant preacher. And Jesus relatives couldn’t believe and accept His unorthodox decision.  

This is perhaps the reason why they called Him as someone who is out of His mind. Did Jesus’ relatives really know who He was during that time? Yes, perhaps they knew Him as the son of Mary and Joseph but they had no idea about His true identity. 

They judged Jesus based on their superficial knowledge about Him. The trouble with judging others is it blinds us of our own faults and shortcomings as if we are perfect, as if we don’t sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Sabado Enero 21, Santa Agnes, dalaga at martir (Paggunita): Marcos 3:20-21

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:20-21

Noong panahong iyon, pag-uwi ni Jesus, muling nagkatipon ang napakaraming tao, anupa't hindi man lamang makuhang kumain ni Jesus at ng kanyang mga alagad. Nang mabalitaan ito ng kanyang mga kasambahay, sila'y pumaroon upang kaunin siya, sapagkat ang sabi ng mga tao, "Nasisiraan siya ng bait!"

Reflection for January 20, Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 3:13-19

Gospel: Mark 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

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Reflection:

Do you have regular solemn moments of reflection in your life? Solemn moment of reflections concerning your relationship with God, your family and an honest to goodness assessment of your life’s true purpose in this world. 

Jesus had those solemn moments, every now and then He would go to the mountain primarily to pray and commune with God. Then after His private moments in the mountain He would make important decisions. In the gospel, after going to the mountain He called and appointed the twelve apostles.   

We should also have our own private moments with God for us to reflect and know our deeper purpose in this fragile world. We should not allow ourselves to be eaten by the frenetic pace of this world. Otherwise before we know it we are not anymore in touch  with God and God has no more say in our life. This is very dangerous because the moment that God is not anymore in our life that’s also when the devil comes in to temp and eventually destroy our life.  

We therefore must always allocate our daily private moments with God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para Enero 20, Biyernes ng Ikalawang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 3:13-19

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:13-19

Noong panahong iyon, umahon si Hesus sa kaburulan, kasama ang kanyang mga pinili. Humirang siya ng labindalawa na tinawag niyang mga apostol upang maging kasa-kasama niya, suguing mangaral, at bigyan ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng mga demonyo.  

Ito ang labindalawang hinirang niya: Si Simon na tinagurian niya ng Pedro, Si Santiago at si Juan, na mga anak ni Zebedeo, sila’y tinagurian niyang Boanerges, na ibig sabihi’y mapupusok; sina Andres, Felipe, Bartolome, Mateo, Santiago na anak ni Alfeo, at Tadeo; si Simon na makabayan, at si Judas Iscariote na siyang nagkanulo sa kanya.

Reflection for January 19, Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 3:7-12

Gospel: Mark 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.   

He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." He warned them sternly not to make him known.

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Reflection:

Why do you follow Jesus? Many were pressing themselves towards Jesus because of His healing touch. Do we also follow Jesus for the reason of the miracles that we can receive from Him? But it’s not all the time that Jesus would heal us. There would be times that we will still be sick no matter how hard we push ourselves towards Jesus. 

Let us not lose faith in Jesus even if He doesn’t heal us physically because the Lord has His own reasons. Perhaps it’s a test of our faith; perhaps Jesus wants us to journey with Him in His suffering towards Calvary. The more that healing seems elusive that more that we must intensely follow Jesus. 

How about the miraculous healings of Jesus? Does Jesus wants His miraculous healings publicized? No! Jesus would never want publicity from His miracles and healings. The more that His actions are unknown the more the He likes it, the more that He is not given credit the more that He appreciates it.  

This is attributed to Jesus’ Humility and Self-effacing behavior. Let us therefore forget about prestige and honor and let us not fret if we are not given honor for the things that we do. It’s already enough that we do silent acts of kindness with no one noticing it.   

Would you want to emulating the humility and self-effacing attitude of Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Enero 19, Huwebes ng Ikalawang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 3:7-12

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:7-12

Noong panahong iyos, umalis si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad at nagpunta sa tabi ng lawa. Sinundan siya ng maraming tao buhat sa Galilea. Nagdatingan din naman ang napakaraming tao mula sa Judea, sa Jerusalem, sa Idumea, sa ibayo ng Jordan, at sa palibot ng Tiro at Sidon nang mabalitaan nila ang lahat ng ginawa ni Jesus.  

Nagpahanda si Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad ng isang bangkang magagamit niya, upang hindi siya maipit ng mga taong dumaragsa. Marami na siyang pinagaling, kaya't pinagdumugan siya ng lahat ng maysakit upang mahipo man lamang nila. Bawat inaalihan ng masamang espiritu na makakita sa kanya ay nagpapatirapa sa harapan niya at sumisigaw, "Ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos!" At mahigpit silang pinagbawalan ni Jesus; ayaw niyang ipasabi kung sino siya.