Words of Wisdom - 10

 

Reflection for Sunday April 23, Third Sunday of Easter: Luke 24:13-35

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.  

He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" And he replied to them, "What sort of things?"  

They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive.  

Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see." And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.  

As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.  

Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?" So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!" Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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Reflection:

Do you always have an awareness of the presence of Jesus in your life?

Cleopas and his companion were walking going to Emmaus, they were downcast, sad and lonely. However, as they were going to Emmaus they did not recognize that the Risen Christ was already walking and conversing with them. 

So, Jesus asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" (Luke 24:17)  They told Him their story and false expectations about Jesus.   

Why false expectation? Because Cleopas and his companion were expecting Jesus to liberate the people from the oppression of the powerful religious leaders.  Jesus was already their superhero so to speak. Who would not consider Jesus as superhero when He can make the lame walk, when He can make the blind see again and so forth. They thought that it was now all bed of roses for them since they were now following Jesus. But it was not meant to be that way. 

Because Jesus their superhero became a helpless captive who was eventually killed with the instigation of the powerful religious leaders. 

What is the lesson for us in this gospel episode? This tells us that we should not expect that everything would be turning out right for us since we are now followers of Jesus. There would still be trials, persecutions and disappointments for these are part of our walk of faith with Jesus.  

Let us learn to persevere because sooner or later redemption will come to us also. Our feelings of loneliness will be replaced by happiness, our feelings of lowness of spirit will be replaced by an indisputable feeling of hope.  Why? Because Jesus will come to us as well just like when the Lord appeared to Cleopas and his companion as they were walking going to Emmaus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Abril 23, Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Lucas 24: 13-35

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:13-35

Nang araw ding iyon, ang dalawa sa mga alagad ay patungo sa isang nayong tinatawag na Emaus, may labing-isang kilometro ang layo sa Jerusalem. Pinag-uusapan nila ang mga pangyayari. Samantalang nag-uusap sila at nagtatanungan, lumapit si Hesus at nakisabay sa kanila.  

Siya'y nakita nila, ngunit hindi nakilala agad. Tinanong sila ni Hesus, "Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan ninyo?" At tumigil silang nalulumbay. Sinabi ng isa na ang ngala'y Cleopas, "Kayo po lamang yata ang dayuhan sa Jerusalem na hindi nakaaalam sa mga bagay na katatapos pa lamang nangyari roon." "Anong mga bagay?" tanong niya. At sumagot sila, "Tungkol kay Hesus na taga-Nazaret, isang propetang makapangyarihan sa gawa at sa salita, maging sa harapan ng Diyos at ng mga tao.  

Isinakdal siya ng aming mga punong saserdote at mga pinuno upang mahatulang mamatay, at siya'y ipinako sa krus. Siya pa naman ang inaasahan naming magpapalaya sa Israel. Hindi lamang iyan. Ikatlong araw na ngayon mula nang mangyari ito, nabigla kami sa ibinalita ng ilan sa mga babaing kasamahan namin. 

Maagang-maaga raw silang nagpunta sa libingan, at di nila natagpuan ang kanyang bangkay. Nagbalik sila at ang sabi'y nakakita raw sila ng isang pangitain -- mga anghel na nagsabing buhay si Hesus. Pumunta rin sa libingan ang ilan sa mga kasama namin at gayon nga ang natagpuan nila, ngunit hindi nila nakita si Hesus."  

Sinabi sa kanila ni Hesus, "Kay hahangal ninyo! Ano't hindi ninyo mapaniwalaan ang lahat ng sinabi ng mga propeta? Hindi ba't ang Mesias ay kailangang magbata ng lahat ng ito bago niya kamtan ang kanyang marangal na katayuan?" At ipinaliwanag sa kanila ni Hesus ang lahat ng nasasaad sa Kasulatan tungkol sa kanyang sarili, simula sa mga aklat ni Moises hanggang sa sinulat ng mga propeta. 

Malapit na sila sa nayong kanilang patutunguhan, at si Hesus ay waring magpapatuloy pa ng lakad. Ngunit siya'y pinakapigil-pigil nila. "Tumuloy na po kayo rito sa amin," anila, "sapagkat palubog na ang araw at dumidilim na." Kaya't sumama nga siya sa kanila. Nang siya'y kasalo na nila sa hapag, dumampot siya ng tinapay at nagpasalamat sa Diyos, saka pinaghati-hati at ibinigay sa kanila.  

Nabuksan ang kanilang paningin at nakita nila si Hesus, subalit ito'y biglang nawala. At nawika nila, "Kaya pala gayon ang pakiramdam natin habang tayo'y kinakausap sa daan at ipinapaliwanag sa atin ang mga Kasulatan!" 

Noon di'y tumindig sila at nagbalik sa Jerusalem. Naratnan nilang nagkakatipon ang Labing-isa at ang ibang mga kasama nila na nag-uusap-usap, "Muli ngang nabuhay ang Panginoon! Napakita kay Simon!" At isinalaysay naman ng dalawa ang nangyari sa daan, at kung paano siyang nakilala nang paghati-hatiin niya ang tinapay.

Reflection for April 22, Saturday of the Second Week of Easter: John 6:16-21

Gospel: John 6:16-21

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.   

The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.

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Reflection:

Do you fear the unknown? Do you fear darkness? The disciples in the gospel were fearful of both the unknown and darkness. They were at sea in pitch darkness and being tossed by the waves, perhaps it was just fair for them to be fearful. 

In total darkness and coupled with stormy seas. The disciples in the gospel were afraid when they saw Jesus walking towards their boat. Why were they afraid considering that they know Jesus? Perhaps they did not recognize Jesus at sea walking towards them thus they mistakenly labelled Jesus as a ghost.   

There would be trials and problems that we will encounter for as long as we exist in this world. But in the midst of our trials, problems and fears we are also always assured of Jesus abiding presence in our lives. He is always with us notwithstanding the waves of trials, fears and problems that we’re going through. 

All we need to do is to call upon Him, aspire to have a deep friendship with Him and we will be alright. We will not anymore fear the unknown and even the darkness we will not fear either. For the simple reason that we have Jesus who is ever ready to help and save us whenever we pass though the many trials, darkness and trepidations of life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 22, Sabado sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:16-21

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:16-21

Nang nagtatakipsilim na, ang mga alagad ay pumunta sa tabi ng lawa, sumakay sa bangka, patawid sa Capernaum. Madilim na'y wala pa si Jesus. Lumakas ang hangin at lumaki ang alon. Nang makagaod sila nang lima o anim na kilometro, nakita nila si Jesus na lumalakad sa ibabaw ng tubig, palapit sa bangka. 

At sila'y natakot. Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila, "Huwag kayong matakot, ako ito!" Tuwang tuwa nilang pinasakay si Jesus sa bangka; at pagdaka'y sumadsad ang kanilang bangka sa kanilang patutunguhan.

Reflection for April 21, Friday of the Second Week of Easter: John 6:1-15

Gospel: John 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” 

He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” 

Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” 

So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

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Reflection:

Do we thirst for the spotlight after we’ve done something important? More often than not it’s yes! We all want to be in the spotlight to be the one holding the starring role. In other words we want attention and honor given to us. 

But how did Jesus handle Himself after miraculously feeding the five thousand who were following Him?  Not minding the adulation and spotlight, Jesus simply walked away from them all and went to the mountain to be alone with God. 

Jesus was supposed to be proclaimed king by those He fed. But Jesus did not want that kind of worldly honor and attention. What was important for Jesus was He did what was expected of Him. Jesus is so unlike with all of us, we who always thirst for honor and recognition.  

By His action of shunning recognition and honor Jesus is teaching us humility. He is teaching us that after we have done our part for the greater glory of God it’s time to move on. It’s time to silently evaporate from the prying eyes of the crowd and be alone with God so that God could strengthen us and make us humbler. 

Let us not look for the spotlight when we serve God or when we do things for God. Let us be content to silently fade away and let the goodness of God create a lasting impression in the hearts of those that we serve.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 21, Biyernes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:1-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:1-15

Noong panahong iyon, tumawid si Jesus sa ibayo ng Lawa ng Galilea, na tinatawag ding Lawa ng Tiberias. Sinundan siya ng napakaraming tao sapagkat nakita nila ang mga kababalaghang ginawa niya sa pagpapagaling sa mga maysakit. Umahon si Jesus sa burol kasama ang kanyang mga alagad at naupo roon. Malapit na noon ang Pista ng Paskua ng mga Judio. 

Tumanaw si Jesus, at nakita niyang dumarating ang napakaraming tao. Tinanong niya si Felipe, "Saan tayo bibili ng tinapay upang makakain ang mga taong ito?" Sinabi niya ito upang subukin si Felipe, sapagkat alam ni Jesus ang kanyang gagawin. Sumagot si Felipe, "Kahit na po halagang dalawandaang denaryong tinapay ang bilhin ay di sasapat para makakain ng tigkakaunti ang mga tao." 

Sinabi ng isa sa kanyang mga alagad, si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro, "Mayroon po ditong isang batang lalaki na may dalang limang tinapay na sebada at dalawang isda. Ngunit gaano na ito sa ganyang karaming tao?" "Paupuin ninyo sila," wika ni Jesus. Madamo sa lugar na yaon. Umupo ang lahat -- humigit-kumulang sa limang libo ang mga lalaki.  

Kinuha ni Jesus ang tinapay at matapos magpasalamat sa Diyos ay ipinamahagi sa mga tao; gayon din ang ginawa niya sa isda. Binigyan ang lahat hangga't gusto nila. at nang makakain na sila, sinabi niya sa mga alagad, "Tipunin ninyo ang mga lumabis para hindi masayang." Gayon nga ang ginawa nila, at nakapuno sila ng labindalawang bakol.  

Nang makita ng mga tao ang kababalaghang ginawa ni Jesus, sinabi nila, "Tunay na ito ang propetang paririto sa sanlibutan!" Nahalata ni Jesus na lalapit ang mga tao at pilit siyang kukunin upang gawing hari, kaya muli siyang umalis na mag-isa patungo sa kaburulan.

Mga salita ng puno ng Aral at Karunungan - 12

 

Reflection for April 20, Thursday of the Second Week of Easter: John 3:31-36

Gospel: John 3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.  

For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

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Reflection:

What would happen to us if we would detach ourselves from Jesus? We become citizens of this world everything that we do in this world is anchored in this finite world alone. Many people live for this world alone they think that there’s no God and there’s no heaven and hell.  

So when trials or problems come along their way they have no other recourse but to solve their trials based on what this world has taught them to do. And when they are not able to solve their trials. They begin to lose hope in this world and in themselves as well and it seems that it is the end of the world for them already. And sad to say some of them would choose to end their lives.  

What would happen to us if we have Jesus in our lives? We would be full of hope even if the situation around us seem hopeless. This is the great difference of having Jesus in our lives. We would be full of hope and we would see things differently as opposed to someone who doesn’t have Jesus in his/her life.  

In our gospel for this Thursday it says: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.  

The choice is ours to take, if we would allow Jesus to come into our lives or we would continue to shut the doors of our hearts to Jesus.  Let us say that we allow Jesus to become part of our lives, we would always have hope even if the world around us seems hopeless. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 20, Huwebes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:31-36

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:31-36

Ang mula sa itaas ay dakila sa lahat; ang mula sa lupa ay taga lupa at nagsasalita tungkol sa mga bagay sa lupa. Ang mula sa langit ay dakila sa lahat. Pinatototohanan niya ang kanyang nakita at narinig, ngunit walang maniwala sa kanyang patotoo. Ang naniniwala sa kanyang patotoo ay nagpapatunay na tapat ang Diyos.  

Sapagkat ang sinugo ng Diyos ay nagpapahayag ng salita ng Diyos; at walang sukat ang kanyang pagkakaloob ng Espiritu Santo. Minamahal ng Ama ang Anak, at ibinigay sa kanya ang kapamahalaan ng lahat ng bagay. Ang nananalig sa Anak ay may buhay na walang hanggan; ngunit ang hindi tumatalima sa Anak, hindi magkakaroon ng buhay -- mananatili sa kanya ang poot ng Diyos.

Reflection for April 19, Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter: John 3:16-21

Gospel: John 3:16-21

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.  

And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

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Reflection:

Can you measure God’s love for you? No you cannot. God loves you infinitely that He even gave His only begotten son for you. How about you can God measure your love for Him? Of course! If God’s love for us is infinite, our love for God is finite it has boundaries. It only extends up to a certain point, once that point is reached our love for God starts to decline also.  

But why do we limit our love for God? Why can’t we love God as He loves us? This is for the reason that we are afraid to lose our earthly liberty for God. To love God infinitely is to follow the teachings of God without any preconditions. 

However, the paradox of infinitely loving God is we also have to begin to hate many of the things that this world offers us. Number one on the list that we must hate from this world is sin. Number two is our very high regard for ourselves for we always want to be above everyone else. We often look down on those whom we perceive to be inferior, weak and those not in our level. These are but a few of the things that prevent us from loving God infinitely. 

Come to think of it, if God loves us infinitely then we must be prepared to do the same. We must reciprocate God’s love for us by loving those who are difficult to love such as those who’ve hurt us badly. Loving them means forgiving them of the many hurts that they’ve carved in our lives. 

Are you prepared to reciprocate God’s infinite love for you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 19, Miyerkules sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:16-21

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:16-21

Gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sanlibutan, kaya ibinigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na Anak, upang ang sumampalataya sa kanya ay hindi mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. Sapagkat sinugo ng Diyos ang kanyang Anak, hindi upang hatulang maparusahan ang sanlibutan, kundi upang iligtas ito sa pamamagitan niya.  

"Hindi hinahatulang maparusahan ang nananampalataya sa Anak ng Diyos; ngunit hinatulan nang parusahan ang hindi nananampalataya sa kanya. Hinatulan sila sapagkat naparito sa sanlibutan ang ilaw, ngunit inibig pa ng tao ang dilim kaysa liwanag, sapagkat masama ang kanilang mga gawa.  

Ang gumagawa ng masama ay ayaw sa ilaw, at hindi lumalapit dito upang hindi mahayag ang kanyang mga gawa. Ngunit ang namumuhay sa katotohanan ay lumalapit sa ilaw; sa gayon, nahahayag na ang kanyang mga ginagawa'y pagsunod sa Diyos. 

Reflection for April 18, Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter: John 3:7b-15

Gospel: John 3:7b-15

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?  

Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

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Reflection:

Who is Nicodemus and how does his situation relate with us?  He is a Pharisee, a secret faithful follower of Jesus; He visited Jesus during night time (John 3:1–21). Nicodemus also appeared after the Crucifixion of Jesus to provide the embalming ingredients for the body of Jesus. He also assisted Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus (John 19:39–42).  

Like Nicodemus we too must become a faithful follower of Jesus. A follower who is averse to sin. A follower in words and in deeds and a follower who will stay with Jesus no matter how strong the temptation to betray him.    

We should aspire to become a modern day Nicodemus who will support Jesus. Who will work for Jesus and who will do things for Jesus even outside of the glare of lights. For this is the challenge before us who are followers of the Lord.    

But are we really His true followers? Or we are followers in good times only but when the testing of our faith comes. We easily betray Jesus in favor of the many sinful enticements of this world. Like Nicodemus, are we also followers who are ever ready to leave behind everything in favor of Jesus?  

Leave everything behind this means everything that made you sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 18, Martes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:7b-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:7b-15

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus kay Nicodemo: Huwag kayong magtaka sa sinabi ko sa inyo, 'Lahat ay kailangang ipanganak na muli.' Umiihip ang hangin kung saan ibig at naririnig ninyo ang ugong nito, ngunit hindi ninyo alam kung saan nanggagaling at kung saan naparoroon. 

Gayon din ang bawat ipinanganak sa Espiritu." "Paano pong mangyayari ito?" tanong ni Nicodemo. Sumagot si Jesus, "Guro pa naman kayo sa Israel ay hindi ninyo nauunawaan ang bagay na ito? Tandaan ninyo: ang aming nalalaman ang sinasabi namin, at ang aming nasaksihan ang pinatototohanan namin, ngunit hindi ninyo tinatanggap ang aming patotoo. 

Kung hindi ninyo paniniwalaan ang sinasabi ko tungkol sa mga bagay sa sanlibutang ito, paano ninyo paniniwalaan kung ang sabihin ko'y tungkol sa mga bagay sa langit? Walang umakyat sa langit kundi ang bumaba mula sa langit -- ang Anak ng Tao."

"At kung paanong itinaas ni Moises ang ahas doon sa ilang, gayon din naman, kailangang itaas ang Anak ng Tao, upang ang sinumang sumasampalataya sa kanya ay magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan.