Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 12, Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:17-37

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:17-37

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Huwag ninyong akalaing naparito ako upang pawalang-bisa ang Kautusan at ang aral ng mga propeta. Naparito ako, hindi upang pawalang-bisa kundi para ipaliwanag at ganapin ang mga iyon. Tandaan ninyo ito: magwawakas ang langit at ang lupa, ngunit ang kaliit-liitang bahagi ng Kautusan ay di mawawalan ng bisa hangga’t hindi nagaganap ang lahat.

Kaya’t sinumang magpawalang-halaga kahit sa kaliit-liitang bahagi nito, at magturo nang gayon sa mga tao, ay ibibilang na pinakamababa sa kaharian ng Diyos. Ngunit ang gumaganap ng Kautusan at nagtuturo na tuparin iyon ay ibibilang na dakila sa kaharian ng Diyos.

Sinasabi ko sa inyo: kung ang pagsunod ninyo sa kalooban ng Diyos ay tulad lamang ng pagsunod ng mga eskriba at mga Pariseo, hindi kayo makapapasok sa kaharian ng Diyos.

“Narinig ninyo na noong una’y iniutos sa mga tao, ‘Huwag kang papatay; ang sinumang makamatay ay mananagot sa hukuman.’ Ngunit ngayo’y sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang mapoot sa kanyang kapatid ay mananagot sa hukuman; ang humamak sa kanyang kapatid ay mananagot sa Sanedrin, at sinumang magsabi sa kanyang kapatid ‘ulol ka!’ ay mapapasaapoy ng impiyerno.

Kaya’t kung naghahandog ka sa Diyos, at maalaala mo na may sama ng loob sa iyo ang kapatid mo, iwan mo muna ang iyong handog sa harap ng dambana at makipagkasundo ka sa kanya. Saka ka magbalik at maghandog sa Diyos.

“Kung may magsakdal laban sa iyo sa hukuman, makipag-ayos ka sa kanya habang may panahon, bago ka niya iharap sa hukom. At kung hindi’y ibibigay ka niya sa hukom, na magbibigay naman sa iyo sa tanod, at ikaw ay mabibilanggo. Sinasabi ko sa iyo: hindi ka makalalabas doon hangga’t hindi mo nababayaran ang kahuli-hulihang kusing.”

“Narinig ninyo na noong una’y iniutos sa mga tao, ‘Huwag kang makikiapid.’ Ngunit ngayo’y sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang sinumang tumingin nang may mahalay na pagnanasa sa isang babae, sa isip niya’y nakiapid na siya sa babaing iyon. Kung ang mata mo ang siyang nagiging sanhi ng iyong pagkakasala, dukutin mo at itapon!

Sapagkat mabuti pang mawalan ka ng isang bahagi ng katawan kaysa buo ang iyong katawang itapon sa impiyerno. Kung ang iyong kamay ang siyang nagiging sanhi ng iyong pagkakasala, putulin mo at itapon! Mabuti pang mawalan ka ng isang bahagi ng katawan kaysa buo ang iyong katawang itapon sa impiyerno.

“Sinabi rin naman, ‘Kapag pinahiwalay ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa, ito’y dapat niyang bigyan ng kasulatan ng paghihiwalay.’ Ngunit ngayo’y sinasabi ko sa inyo: kapag pinahiwalay ng isang lalaki ang kanyang asawa nang hindi naman ito nangangalunya, at ito’y nag-asawang muli, ang lalaking iyo’y nagkasala – itinulak niya ang kanyang asawa sa pangangalunya. At sinumang mag-asawa sa babaing hiniwalayan ay nangangalunya.”

“Narinig pa ninyo na noong una’y iniutos sa mga tao, ‘Huwag kang sisira sa iyong pinanumpaang pangako bagkus ay tupdin mo ang iyong sinumpaan sa Panginoon.’ Ngunit ngayo’y sinasabi ko sa inyo: huwag na kayong sumumpa kung nangangako kayo. Huwag ninyong sabihing, ‘Saksi ko ang langit,’ sapagkat ito’y trono ng Diyos; o kaya’y ‘Saksi ko ang lupa,’ sapagkat ito’y tuntungan ng kanyang mga paa.

Huwag din ninyong sabihing, ‘Saksi ko ang Jerusalem,’ sapagkat ito’y lungsod ng dakilang Hari. Ni huwag mong sabihing, ‘Mamatay man ako,’ sapagkat ni isang buhok sa iyong ulo’y hindi mo mapapuputi o mapaiitim. Sabihin mo na lang na ‘Oo’ kung oo at ‘Hindi’ kung hindi; sapagkat buhat na sa masama ang anumang sumpang idaragdag dito.”

Reflection for February 11, Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:1-10

Gospel: Mark 8:1-10

In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.  

His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have? They replied, “Seven.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd.  

They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people. 

He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

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Reflection:

Do you know how it feels to be hungry? 

Having nothing to eat is an indescribable feeling of being weak. We cannot do the things that we would normally want to do. We may even limit our movement because the more we move the more that we feel the pain of hunger.  

In the gospel reading; Jesus speaks about the crowd without anything to eat: “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance (Mark 8:2-3)." 

Then, He asked His disciples, "How many loaves do you have (Mark 8:5)?" They replied, "Seven." He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Afterwards He gave thanks, broke them and gave them to the disciples to give to the crowd. The same happened to the few fish that they had; the four thousand people were able to eat and they still had seven basketfuls of excess bread and fish.  

What lesson does Jesus wants us to learn from the miracle of the loaves and fish? Perhaps Jesus wants us to learn how to give, why? For the simple reason that many are going hungry. Let us not worry of the cost of giving that would bring us because the more we give the more that we would receive. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Friday February 10, Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin: Mark 7:31-37

Gospel: Mark 7:31-37

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd.  

He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.  

He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

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Reflection:

Have you already witnessed a healing session? 

Some of us may have already seen healing sessions on TV wherein an individual on wheelchair is suddenly able to walk. The blind able to see and those who cannot speak are able to speak again. I don’t know if these healings are true because according to an exposé some of these healings are fake. The individuals who are sick are not actually sick; they just pretend to be sick and they are actually members of the sect that conducts the healing sessions. 

In the gospel we are presented with an authentic healing presided by Jesus. A deaf man who had a speech impediment is brought to Jesus for healing. To make a long story short Jesus healed the deaf man: he was able to hear and talk again. 

I’d like to zero in on the personal healing actions of Jesus. They walked away from the madding crowd and once they were both by themselves Jesus conducted the personal healing. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. 

This healing action of Jesus is very much opposite to what we see nowadays. Healers now want it to be publicized they want to be noticed they want to maximize their media exposure so to speak! I can only speculate of their true motives. 

Is it still possible for us to have this personal and one on one healing with Jesus now? Yes, a pious presence at Holy Mass or quite visit to our church’s Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel would do it for us. Jesus is there personally waiting for us to heal us of our sickness our personal hurts and pains. 

If only we would discover the healing and calming presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, if only we will learn to allocate a portion of our time to give Him a visit there. We would also have an Ephphatha experience. 

Our hearts and minds would also be opened to this personal and wondrous healing experience with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and with Jesus at Holy Mass. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for February 9, Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:24-30

Gospel: Mark 7:24-30

Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. 

He said to her, “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

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Reflection:

Are you persistent when you pray before The Lord? 

A Greek woman went to Jesus to ask Him to drive out a demon from her daughter. What is very significant here is the woman is an outsider, not a follower of Jesus not even a Jew. But with courage and faith she went to Jesus for help, her mind was focused on reaching out to Jesus. 

When she finally was able to reach Jesus, she told Him about her sick daughter. Jesus was reluctant at first to help. But she persisted and she humbled herself before Jesus after which her daughter was healed. 

We all have our own problems that we carry in our hearts and we surely have brought these problems to Jesus. Let us not lose heart if we have not yet received a response from Jesus. Let us continue to persist, continue to humble ourselves before Him and untiringly beseech His guidance and help. 

The woman never gave up until she got what she wanted from Jesus. So we too must never give up we must continue to badger Jesus with our humble and persistent prayers. Often times we don’t get what we want from Jesus because we easily give up. Same as with our ambitions in life; we don’t get what we want because we give up. 

What if we don’t give up? What if we continue to persist and humbly ask the Good Lord to grant us our prayer/s? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for February 8, Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:14-23

Gospel: Mark 7:14-23

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” 

When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 

“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

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Reflection:

Do we discern the voice of the Lord when it speaks to us? 

When Jesus said, “Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” The disciples were asking Him about the meaning of His statement. As if they were saying, Come again Lord, we do not understand what you’ve said. And perhaps in exasperation Jesus said, “Are even you likewise without understanding? 

In our walk with the Lord there would be times that we will not understand also the things that are happening in our lives. For example, we might ask the Lord, Why is this happening to me Lord? I don’t get your message; I don’t understand the reason of this event/s in my life. 

Why is it that we don’t understand? Because we don’t listen carefully to Him or we may listen but our attention is focused on something else. If only we would learn to carefully listen to the Lord and if only we would try to live to the fullest His teaching. 

But how are we going to listen to the Lord? We have to consistently go to Holy Mass. We also have to consistently read the bible which more often than not is not being read. We also have to be humble for the reason that humility is the key for us to discern the voice of the Lord.     

Then, we would know and we would understand that everything that happens in our life is for a good reason. We would discern that Jesus has a purpose why we are going through this and that trial. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Si Jesus at ang kanyang Makapangyarihang mga Pananalita - 3

 

Jesus’ Powerful and Life-Changing Words - 3

 

Reflection for February 7, Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:1-13

Gospel: Mark 7:1-13

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders.  

And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: 

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! 

For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

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Reflection:

Are we fond of insisting on a rule which we do not actually follow? 

Jesus criticized the Pharisees and scribes hypocrisy because they were insisting on following the tradition of washing their hands before eating. But Jesus knew them very well, He knew that they were only good at pushing people to follow their traditions and manmade laws. But the irony of it all is they themselves were not following the laws that they had crafted. 

What made Jesus an extraordinary leader? He led by example there was no hypocrisy in His system, He practiced what He preached. Are we not like the Pharisees and scribes sometimes or even oftentimes? 

We are good at telling people to do this and that, but we are not doing what we want others to do. For example in a family setting, many parents create rules and regulations for their children to follow. But they themselves do not subscribe to the rules that they’ve created. 

Many of us are not being respected because we don’t stand for what we say or we don’t live what we preach. We say something today and then we violate what we’ve said. We must always be like Jesus who always put to living actions His words and teachings. 

Thus, we would earn the respect that we richly deserve.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Monday February 6, Memorial of Sts. Pedro Bautista, Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs: Mark 6:53-56

Gospel: Mark 6:53-56

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.                  

They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

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Reflection:

Why do we pray to Jesus? Perhaps we pray because we want something from the Lord and we want to offer all our cares and worries to Him. 

In our gospel, people went to Him upon learning that Jesus was within their environment. They brought along their sick and possibly all of the problems that they’ve been keeping in their hearts. They wanted healing for their body and soul and Jesus did not disappoint them. 

Whenever we go to Jesus and we ask Him for something let us always expect that He will grant us what we want from Him. Physical healing, emotional healing, and any other healings that we want Him to grant us. If we believe that Jesus has already healed us then we are healed already! We have nothing to worry anymore; it’s all in our state of mind. 

But how about those who pray to Jesus for physical healing but are not healed? Yes, there are countless instances that we pray yet we don’t receive physical healing. Physical healing is only a minute/tiny part of the healing process that we receive from Jesus. What we have to always recognize and be thankful for is the emotional and spiritual healing that He generously gives us without fail whenever we go to Him. 

If we are not healed physically we need not worry! The faith that we have in our heart is more than enough for us to pull us through whatever worries and sickness that we may have. Let us Simply believe and have faith because Jesus will take control of the rest. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday February 5, fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:13-16

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 

Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

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Reflection:

How can we become salt and light in this world? We must become the extension of Jesus in this world. As Jesus became salt and light to this world for everyone of us so we too must become salt and light for our fellowmen. 

But this is easier said than done, perhaps we might say; before I become salt and light to my fellowmen I should take care of myself first. This is the me first mentality and this is what this world dictates upon us, to be a person for ourselves first before being a person for others. 

The teachings of Jesus are always in contrast to the teachings of this world and these teachings about salt and light is no exception. We know that salt preserves and it defines the taste of food. We know that light illuminates a dark environment, it drives out evil and light gives hope to a seemingly hopeless situation.  

As Jesus challenged HIS disciples to become living salt and light to their world. So we too are challenged by Jesus to become living salt and light to our world today. How would we proceed from this challenge of Jesus? 

Let us forget ourselves by discarding the I, Me and Myself first mindset and let us start to live and teach Jesus’ teachings. For this is the only way that we could become living salt and light of this world. 

Can we measure up to this challenge? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 5, Ikalimang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:13-16

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:13-16

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Kayo’y asin sa sanlibutan. Kung mawalan ng alat ang asin, paano pang mapananauli ang alat nito? Wala na itong kabuluhan kaya’t itinatapon na lamang at niyayapakan ng mga tao.

“Kayo’y ilaw sa sanlibutan. Hindi maitatago ang isang lungsod na nakatayo sa ibabaw ng burol. Walang nagsisindi ng ilaw at naglalagay nito sa ilalim ng takalan. Sa halip ay inilalagay ito sa talagang patungan upang matanglawan ang lahat ng nasa bahay. Gayun din naman, dapat ninyong paliwanagin ang inyong ilaw sa harapan ng mga tao, upang makita nila ang inyong mabubuting gawa, at luwalhatiin ang inyong Amang nasa Langit.”

Reflection for February 4, Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:30-34

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.  

People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was so focused in his career that he aimed to be the best n his chosen field. To make a long story short the man eventually reached the pinnacle of his ambition. In the process of focusing on his career, he forgot about the importance of God in his life.  

After working so hard to spread the good news of Jesus, the apostles were invited by Jesus to go to a quiet and deserted place. Why in a quiet and deserted place? Why not in a place full of food and joyfulness? We all know the reason why in a quiet place, Jesus wanted them to be fully charged spiritually and be connected with God. 

This is what many of us seem to forget, we tend to forget to go to our own quiet place every day.  A quiet place where we can be alone with God. We talk in silence to God; we unburden to God all our worries and we let Him direct us not us directing ourselves. 

 We oftentimes allow ourselves to be eaten by the dog-eat-dog culture and the rat race mentality of this world. But where would this lead us? It will lead us to nowhere; to an environment where there is no more God. To an environment where work, busyness, and hedonism are already our God, and soon after we become sinful creatures of this world.  

The danger of this modern world that we are presently in right now is it’s slowly taking us away from God. It tries very hard to substitute God with work, high-tech gadgets, social media, and material things but this will never give us peace and contentment. Only GOD will give us peace and contentment, only through GOD that we could discover a deeper and more meaningful life. 

There’s more to life than what this world offers you. And you could only discover it if you would have a regular quiet time with God. Do you have your own quiet time with God every day? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 3, Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:14-29

Gospel: Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah” still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets. But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” 

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. 

When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” 

He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 

The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

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Reflection:

Do you have the courage to denounce a wrongdoing or to be more specific an act of adultery? 

John courageously denounced the adulterous affair of King Herod and Herodias that is why he was imprisoned by King Herod. Not only that, John was imprisoned and after a period of time  was beheaded upon the request of Herodias. John paid dearly for speaking against immorality and for speaking about the sanctity of marriage. 

Many marriages right now are breaking apart, many immoral and adulterous relationships are ongoing for the simple reason that nobody dares to speak against it! We must speak against any form of immorality and adultery, against any attempt to violate the sacred vows of marriage no matter what it may cost us. We need not worry about the after effect of our righteous action for Jesus will take care of us. 

Some marriages fall apart because there are relatives and spouses who choose to be silent instead of speaking against it. Why? For the simple reason that they are afraid to offend or hurt the feelings of their relatives and spouses. They are afraid that it might create permanent separation and enmity. But why be afraid if what we do is right?  

We therefore have to strongly denounce immorality and adulterous affairs no matter what it may cost us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Thursday February 2, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord: Luke 2:22-40

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus

to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” 

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

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Reflection:

What can we offer the Lord? Would we be willing to offer our time for Lord? Perhaps, the Lord is not asking us to give all of our time to Him, even a little of our time will already suffice for the Lord. But have we dared yet to give even a little of our time to the Lord? 

Mary and Joseph in compliance with their Jewish faith brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. Many of us are afraid to give our time for the Lord for there’s no money in the service for the Lord. Yes, indeed there’s no money in the vineyard of the Lord but life is not all about earning money. There’s more to life than simply earning money, we can earn all the money in this world and we still end up with barren and empty lives. 

Have we thought of doing something for the Lord? Have we thought of doing something that would give meaning to our inner being no other than our soul? Material things are important for we also need it for our existence but it’s not the be all and end all of life. 

The be all and end all of life is God. For our earthly possessions no matter how enormous will pass us by. But God will not pass us by He will be with us here in this world. And He will still be with us beyond this world.  

What can you offer our Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas