Reflection for Saturday January 28, Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church: Mark 4:35-41

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.  

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

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Reflection:

Are we easily rattled when we pass through stormy episodes in our life? Or we remain calm amidst the storms because we know that Jesus is always there for us.   

The disciples were in a boat together with Jesus when their boat suddenly encountered a violent storm. They were terrified for they thought that the boat might not be able to withstand the storm.  Why were they terrified when Jesus was with them? Perhaps they were overtaken by fear. 

For as long as we exist in this world, we would continue to encounter also our own share of storms and worrisome moments in our life. But let us not fear it, let us keep calm in the midst of our life storms. Let us learn to always trust the Lord for He knows what is best for us. The Lord will not let us down, the Lord will always be there for us to save us.   

We simply have to constantly be connected with the Lord for the reason that He will take care of everything. Jesus will calm us in the midst of our distressful storms. Jesus will make a way when there seems to be no way.   

 All He asks from us is to have faith and this we can have if we ask Him to give us the gift of faith. Because faith is a gift that Jesus gives to those who sincerely ask for it. 

Prayer:

O Lord in the midst of the many storms in our life we beseech you to give us the gift of faith. So that we would be able to withstand whatever worrisome situation that we may encounter. Forgive our feeble faith, forgive us for not trusting you and for not always recognizing that you’re always with us. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Sabado Enero 28, Santo Tomas de Aquino, pari at pantas ng Simbahan: Marcos 4:35-41

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 4:35-41

Noong araw na iyon, habang nagtatakip-silim na, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Tumawid tayo sa ibayo." Kaya't iniwan nila ang mga tao, at sumakay sa bangkang kinalululanan ni Jesus upang itawid siya. May kasabay pa silang ibang mga bangka. Dumating ang malakas na unos. Hinampas ng malalaking alon ang bangka, anupa't halos mapuno ito ng tubig.  

Si Jesus nama'y nakahilig sa unan sa may hulihan ng bangka at natutulog. Ginising siya ng mga alagad, "Guro," anila, "di ba ninyo alintana? Lulubog na tayo!" Bumangon si Jesus at iniutos sa hangin, "Tigil!" At sinabi sa dagat, "Tumahimik ka!" Tumigil ang hangin at tumahimik ang dagat.  

Pagkatapos, sinabi niya sa mga alagad, "Bakit kayo natatakot? Wala pa ba kayong pananampalataya?" Sinidlan sila ng matinding takot at panggigilalas, at nagsabi sa isa't isa, "Sino nga kaya ito, at sinusunod maging ng hangin at ng dagat?"

Reflection for January 27, Friday of the Third Week of Ordinary Time: Mark 4:26-34

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: "This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come."  

He said, "To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade." With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

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Reflection:

Do you know that God has scattered the seeds of faith in your heart? 

Our knowledge of God always starts with a little idea in our minds. For example, when we were young we know that there’s a God but as to who is this God and what is the role of this God in our life we don’t know it yet. As we mature we nurture this idea by thinking  about God. By going to Holy Mass, by reading the scriptures and by researching about our faith on the internet. 

By doing all these things the little idea that God has given us would now grow bigger until God becomes the stronghold of our life. God now becomes our safe refuge that we always look for during our time of distress.  

However, not all nurture their idea about God and not all seek refuge in God. Many of us seek refuge in our vices and with our friends. Only to discover later that the refuge that they provide are short lived and passing. The only refuge that is forever is God all other refuges that others seek during their time of distress are all tied with the passing of time.  

What is our part in this scheme of scattering of seeds by God? Our part is to help this seeds grow in the hearts of our fellowmen. This we can best do by sharing what we know about God, by living the teachings of God. And by encouraging others to read the scriptures and to attend Holy Mass. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Enero 27, Biyernes ng Ikatlong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 4:26-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 4:26-34

Noong panahong iyon, Sinabi ni Jesus, "Ang paghahari ng Diyos ay maitutulad sa isang naghahasik ng binhi sa kanyang bukid. Pagkatapos niyon, magpapatuloy siya sa kanyang pang araw-araw na gawain, tutubo at lalago ang binhi nang hindi niya nalalaman kung paano. Ang lupa'y siyang nagpapasibol at nagpapabunga ng mga pananim: usbong muna, saka uhay na pagkatapos ay mahihitik sa mga butil. Pagkahinog ng mga butil, agad itong ipagagapas sapagkat dapat ng anihin."  

"Sa ano natin ihahambing ang paghahari ng Diyos?" sabi pa ni Jesus. "Anong talinghaga ang gagamitin natin upang ilarawan ito? Tulad ito ng butil ng mustasa na siyang pinakamaliit sa lahat ng binhi. Kapag natanim at lumago, ito'y nagiging pinakamalaki sa lahat ng puno ng gulay; nagkakasanga ito nang malalabay, anupat ang mga ibon ay nakapamumugad sa mga sanga nito."  

Ang Salita'y ipinangaral ni Jesus sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng maraming talinghaga tulad nito, ayon sa makakaya ng kanilang pang-unawa. Hindi siya nangaral sa kanila nang hindi gumagamit ng talinghaga; ngunit ipinaliwanag niya nang sarilinan sa kanyang mga alagad ang lahat ng bagay.

Reflection for Thursday January 26, Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops: Luke 10:1-9

Gospel: Luke 10:1-9

The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.  

Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves payment.  

Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”

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Reflection:

Are you doing something to share the teachings of Jesus? 

Like the seventy two which Jesus sent ahead of Him. We too are laborers in the vineyard of the Lord, what is the implication of this to our life? We are also called to share and live the teachings of Jesus. 

Jesus told the disciples: “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” This is very true until to this very day. The harvest indeed is plentiful but the laborers are so few. Therefore in our own little way let us also be laborers like the seventy two. Let us spread and live the teachings of Jesus, let us not be afraid for God will be with us.  

Many of us invest so much of our time in laboring for this world alone that we forget to labor in the vineyard of the Lord. But where would our labors for this world bring us? Only here in this world but if we labor for the Lord we go to the Lord’s kingdom after the end of our journey in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Jesus’ Powerful and Life-Changing Words - 2

 

Si Jesus at ang kanyang Makapangyarihang mga Pananalita - 2

 

Reflection for Wednesday January 25, Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle: Mark 16:15-18

Gospel Mark 16:15-18

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.  

These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

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Reflection:

Do you know of someone who was formerly a critic of the church that eventually converted to become a follower of Jesus?

Sometimes it’s hard to believe how a persecutor of Jesus becomes a follower of Jesus. Often times we are skeptical about them, we don’t believe that they’ve turned a new page in their lives. But nothing is impossible for Jesus; He can do miracles in our lives He can convert us to become His followers. 

Today is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. Saul who became Paul is a former persecutor of Jesus and the church that He built. He had nothing but hatred and scorn for the church and its people until Jesus converted Him. 

While he was on a journey going to Damascus he saw a blinding light and he heard a voice that asked him: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me (Acts 9:3-4)?” This encounter with Jesus on the road of Damascus was the beginning of Saul’s conversion and it culminated when he regain his sight. 

Everyone of us has a dark past yet the good Lord is always there for us ever ready to convert us. What He only asks from us is our willingness to leave behind our sinful lives and start a new journey with the Lord for the rest of our life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Miyerkules Enero 25, Ang Pagbabagong-buhay ni San Pablo, apostol (Kapistahan): Marcos 16:15-18

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:15-18

Noong panahong iyon, nagpakita si Hesus sa Labing-isa at sinabi sa kanila, “Humayo kayo sa buong sanlibutan at ipangaral ninyo sa lahat ang Mabuting Balita. Ang sumasampalataya at magpabinyag ay maliligtas, ngunit ang hindi sumampalataya ay parurusahan.  

Ang mga sumampalataya ay magtataglay ng ganitong tanda ng kapangyarihan: sa pangalan ko’y magpapalayas sila ng mga demonyo at magsasalita sila ng mga demonyo at magsasalita ng ibang wika; sila’y hindi maaano dumampot man ng ahas o uminom ng lason; at gagaling ang mga maysakit na mapatungan ng kanilang kamay.” 

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