Reflection for Tuesday May 2, Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: John 10:22-30

Gospel: John 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”   

Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

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Reflection:

How can we make others believe in Jesus as our Messiah/Savior? We have to share our faith in Jesus and we have to live His teachings. For example, if we say that we follow Jesus what comes after that is an honest to goodness self-examination about ourselves. Are we humble? Are we forgiving? Are we simple? Do we live and practice the faith?  

In our gospel for this Tuesday, the Jews gathered around Jesus and they said to HIM, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly (John 10:24)." They’re obviously unbelievers/non-followers, yes they know Jesus but they don’t believe in Jesus.  

From the time of Jesus let us fast forward today; our present technology driven times. Many are still unbelievers today, yes they know Jesus but it ends there. There’s no personal encounter and relationship with Jesus and there’s no living faith in Jesus. What are we going to do about this?  

The challenge before us all is so plain and so simple, we have to learn to share and live our faith in Jesus. So that those who don’t believe will now believe, those who don’t know Jesus will know Jesus and those who don’t have faith will now have faith. Why? Because we dared to share and live our faith in the Lord.  

Would you share and live your faith in Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Martes Mayo 2, San Atanasio, Obispo at pantas ng Simbahan (Paggunita): Juan 10:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:22-30

Taglamig na noon. Kasalukuyang ipinagdiriwang sa Jerusalem ang Pista ng Pagtatalaga ng templo. Naglalakad si Jesus sa templo, sa Portiko ni Solomon. Pinaligiran siya ng mga Judio at sinabi sa kanya, "Hanggang kailan mo kami pag-aalinlanganin? 

Kung ikaw ang Cristo, sabihin mo na nang tiyakan." Sumagot si Jesus, "Sinabi ko na sa inyo, ngunit ayaw ninyong maniwala. Ang mga ginagawa ko sa ngalan ng aking Ama ay nagpapatotoo tungkol sa akin. Ngunit ayaw ninyong maniwala, sapagkat hindi kayo kabilang sa aking mga tupa.  

Nakikinig sa akin ang aking mga tupa; nakikilala ko sila, at sumusunod sila sa akin. Binibigyan ko sila ng buhay na walang hanggan, at kailanma'y hindi sila mapapahamak; hindi sila maaagaw sa akin ninuman. Ang aking Ama, na nagbigay sa kanila sa akin, ay lalong dakila sa lahat at hindi sila maaagaw ninuman sa aking Ama. Ako at ang Ama ay iisa."

Reflection for May 1, Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter: Matthew 13:54-58

Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son' Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas' Are not his sisters all with us' Where did this man get all this?" 

And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

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Reflection:

Are you quick to disrespect your fellowmen based on what you know about them? 

Disrespect had been the feeling of Jesus’ townmates toward Him because they were familiar with Him. To them He was just a carpenter’s son; they knew Him so well that‘s why they belittled Him. 

But looking deeper into their hearts we may also see that they were full of envy and hatred toward Jesus. They were envious of the adulation that Jesus received from the people. Envy and hatred are harmful emotion that darkens our judgment. It prevents us from achieving total wellness in both mind and body. 

Jesus knew of His townmates envy, disdain and lack of faith in Him that’s why He did not do miracles in His native place. If only they were not disrespectful and judgmental of Jesus. If only they were not lacking in faith, they could have received many miracles and healings from Jesus. 

Do you sometimes act like the town mates of Jesus? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Mayo 1, Lunes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Mateo 13:54-58

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 13:54-58

Noong panahong iyon, umuwi si Hesus sa kanyang bayan at nagturo sa sinagoga. Nagtaka ang mga nakarinig sa kanya. Sabi nila, “Saan kumuha ng karunungan ang taong ito? Paano siya nakagagawa ng kababalaghan? Hindi ba ito ang anak ng karpintero? Hindi ba si Maria ang kanyang ina, at sina Santiago, Jose, Simon, at Judas ang kanyang mga kapatid na lalaki?  

At dito nakatira ang kanyang mga kapatid na babae, hindi ba? Saan niya natutunan ang lahat ng ito?” At ayaw nilang kilanlin siya. Kaya’t sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Ang propeta’y iginagalang kahit saan, liban sa kanyang sariling sambahayan.” At dahil sa di nila pagsampalataya hindi siya gumawa roon ng maraming kababalaghan.

Reflection for Sunday April 30, Fourth Sunday of Easter/Good Shepherd Sunday: John 10:1-10

Gospel: John 10:1-10

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 

When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

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Reflection:

Do you consider yourself a good shepherd? Everyone of us is a shepherd in our own little way. For example, if you are a parent, you have your own children to shepherd or guide. What kind of shepherd are you to your children?

Are you a good shepherd to them? Have you taught them already about your faith? Do you bring them to church for Holy Mass? Have you opened the bible to them and taught them about the life of Jesus? The model shepherd is Jesus, he is the one whom we should emulate.

Jesus tells us in the gospel: I am the gate for the sheep (John 10:7). Do we shepherd our own respective families going to Jesus? Or we instead lead them away from Jesus by exposing them to the things of this world?  

Who is the gate that Jesus mentions to us in the gospel? The gate is Jesus Himself! He is the good shepherd for He gave His very life for us. He established the church for us and He instituted the Eucharist for us His sheep. So that we would be guided properly as we continue our temporary journey in this world. We will never go wrong if we would let Jesus shepherd us and if we would follow the shepherding style of Jesus. 

Let us reflect on who is shepherding us right now and on how we have been shepherding those who are under our care and guidance.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Abril 30, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay/Linggo ng Mabuting Pastol: Juan 10:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:1-10

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo ito: ang pumasok sa kulungan ng mga tupa nang hindi sa pinto nagdaraan, ay magnanakaw at tulisan. Ngunit ang nagdaraan sa pintuan ay siyang pastol ng mga tupa. Pinapapasok siya ng bantay-pinto, at pinakikinggan ng mga tupa ang kanyang tinig. 

Tinatawag niya ang kanyang mga tupa sa kani-kanilang pangalan, at inilalabas sa kulungan. Kapag nailabas na, siya’y nangunguna sa kanila at sumusunod naman ang mga tupa sapagkat nakikilala nila ang kanyang tinig. Hindi sila sumusunod sa iba, bagkus pa nga’y patakbong lumalayo, sapagkat hindi nila nakikilala ang kanyang tinig.”

Sinabi ni Hesus ang talinghagang ito, ngunit hindi nila naunawaan ang ibig niyang sabihin.

Kaya’t muling sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo: ako ang pintuang dinaraanan ng mga tupa. Ang mga nauna sa akin ay mga magnanakaw at mga tulisan, ngunit hindi sila pinakinggan ng mga tupa. Ako ang pintuan. Ang sinumang pumapasok sa pamamagitan ko’y maliligtas. Papasok siya’t lalabas, at makatatagpo ng pastulan. Kaya lamang pupunta rito ang magnanakaw ay upang magnakaw, pumatay, at magwasak. Naparito ako upang ang mga tupa’y magkaroon ng buhay – isang buhay na ganap at kasiya-siya.”

Reflection for Saturday April 29, Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church: John 6:60-69

Gospel: John 6:60-69

Many of Jesus' disciples who were listening said, "This saying is hard; who can accept it?" Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, "Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 

It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe." Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father." 

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

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Reflection:

What should be our guiding principle if we decide to follow Jesus? It must always be forever! We will not only follow Jesus in good times we must also learn to follow Jesus in our most trying times.  We will stay with Jesus even if it’s hard to believe that He is comforting us in the midst of our sufferings and tribulations. 

The very large crowd (More than five thousand of them) who were with Jesus when He multiplied the loaves and fish suddenly became very few. Only the twelve apostles remained many of those who followed Him returned to their former way of life. Why? Because they couldn’t accept Jesus’ continuous insistence that He is the true bread of life that whoever believes in Him will never hunger and thirst (John 6:35).  

They rapidly had amnesia because they all of a sudden forgot that it was Jesus who feed them when they were all hungry. It was Jesus who healed them when they were sick and it was Jesus who gave them hope when they were hopeless. 

Such is the behavior of many of us, we quickly question or even leave Jesus when we go through trials. We never remember or perhaps we purposely forget the many blessings that He had given us in the past. Let us never leave Jesus no matter how difficult our present circumstances are right now. Let us always choose to be with the Lord in sickness and in health, in our good times as well as in our difficult times. 

What are we going to do if we leave Jesus? We embrace Satan and his worldly teachings? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for April 28, Friday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:52-59

Gospel: John 6:52-59

The Jews quarrelled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. 

Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever." These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

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Reflection:

What is the difference between a person who is a regular Communicant and the person who doesn’t partake of the Body of Christ at Holy Communion? The person who devoutly goes to Holy Mass and who lets himself be nourished by the Body of Christ is slowly but surely being transformed by the Body of Christ to become Christ like. 

What do this mean to us? It means that the very moment we allow the Body of Christ to enter our body. We also open ourselves to be an alter ego of Jesus. In other words it simply means that we become an ambassador of Jesus when we receive Him. 

But do we really allow this to happen to us? Do we really allow the Body of Christ to spiritually nourish and transform us? Many of us go to Holy Communion regularly but we never change. There’s no positive behavioral and spiritual transformation that occurs within us. This is for the reason that we don’t allow the Body of Christ to transform us. 

One sure sign that the Body of Jesus Christ is transforming us already is when we are able to share and live His teachings. When we are able to forgive those who’ve hurt us, when we are able to overcome our own sinfulness and our own arrogance and pride. 

Have we already shared and lived Jesus? Have we already asked Jesus to help us overpower our own sinfulness, arrogance and pride? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 28, Biyernes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:52-59

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:52-59

Noong panahong iyon, nagtalu-talo ang mga Judio. "Paanong maibibigay sa atin ng taong ito ang kanyang laman upang kanin natin?" tanong nila. Kaya't sinabi ni Jesus, "Tandaan ninyo: malibang kanin ninyo ang laman ng Anak ng Tao at inumin ang kanyang dugo, hindi kayo magkakaroon ng buhay. 

Ang kumakain ng aking laman, at umiinom ng aking dugo ay may buhay na walang hanggan, at muli ko siyang bubuhayin sa huling araw. Sapagkat ang aking laman ay tunay na pagkain, at ang aking dugo ay tunay na inumin. Ang kumakain ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay mananahan sa akin at ako sa kanya. 

Buhay ang Amang nagsugo sa akin, at ako'y nabubuhay dahil sa kanya. Gayon din naman, ang sinumang kumain sa akin ay mabubuhay dahil sa akin. Ito ang pagkaing bumaba mula sa langit; ang kumain nito'y mabubuhay magpakailanman. Hindi ito katulad ng kinain ng inyong mga magulang sa ilang; namatay sila bagamat kumain niyon." Sinabi ito ni Jesus nang siya'y nagtuturo sa sinagoga sa Capernaum.

Reflection for April 27, Thursday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:44-51

Gospel: John 6:44-51

Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.  

Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. 

Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”

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Reflection:

How can you have eternal life?  You have to regularly receive the Body of Christ at Holy Mass. Always receive it with reverence and piety never doubt and don’t  think of it as a simple bread because what you receive is Jesus Himself!

Just imagine the enlightenment and unfathomable blessing that it will bring you if you would always partake of the body of Christ. Just imagine the countless spiritual blessing that it would bring you if you would believe that Jesus is the Consecrated Host that you receive during Holy Communion.  

Your belief and faith in the bread of life will open your mind to the many truths about Jesus and the church that He founded. Things that are hard to explain but is real and felt by the heart, all you have to do is to believe and have faith.  

For without faith and belief you will not fully comprehend how this small and ordinary bread becomes the body of Jesus after it is consecrated by the priest. How this ordinary bread becomes your life and your reason for existing in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 27, Huwebes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:44-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:44-51

Noong mga panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao, "Walang makalalapit sa akin malibang dalhin siya ng Amang nagsugo sa akin. At ang lalapit sa akin ay muli kong bubuhayin sa huling araw. Nasusulat sa aklat ng mga propeta, 'At silang lahat ay tuturuan ng Diyos.' Ang bawat nakikinig sa Ama at natututo ay lalapit sa akin. Hindi ito nangangahulugang may nakakita na sa Ama; yaong nagmula sa Diyos ang tanging nakakita sa Ama.  

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang nananalig sa akin ay may buhay na walang hanggan. Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay buhay. Kumain ng manna ang inyong mga ninuno nang sila'y nasa ilang, gayuma'y namatay sila. Ngunit ang sinumang kumain ng pagkaing bumaba mula sa langit ay hindi mamamatay. Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay na bumaba mula sa langit. Mabubuhay magpakailanman ang sinumang kumain nito. At ang pagkaing ibibigay ko sa ikabubuhay ng sanlibutan ay ang aking laman."

Reflection for April 26, Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:35-40

Gospel: John 6:35-40

Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. 

Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. 

And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”

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Reflection:

What would we gain if we worship Jesus and become friends with Jesus? We will gain countless benefits. For example, Jesus mentions to us in our gospel for today that if we go to Him and believe in Him we will never hunger and thirst anymore. How could this happen? We will not know until we try, we will not know until we develop that especial relationship with Jesus.

Many of us don’t feel the big impact that Jesus does in our lives because we don’t dare take Him seriously. We oftentimes leave Him in favor of this world yet there are times also that we go to Him on bended knees because we are in need of Him.

But after the storms in our lives we again start to distance ourselves from Jesus and we begin again to embrace the world. How would we know the big impact that Jesus is capable of making in our lives if we don’t take Him seriously? If we treat Him like a thing which we only get when we are in need?

We will really not thirst and hunger anymore if only we would create a home for Jesus in our hearts. This is the key: To create a home for Jesus in our hearts so that we will personally feel that what He is saying is true.

Have you already opened your heart to Jesus?  - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 26, Miyerkules sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:35-40

 

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:35-40

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao: "Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay," Ang lumalapit sa akin ay hindi na magugutom, at ang nananalig sa akin ay hindi na mauuhaw kailanman."  

"Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: nakita na ninyo ako, gayunma'y hindi kayo nanalig sa akin. Lalapit sa akin ang lahat ng ibinibigay sa akin ng Ama. At hindi ko itataboy ang sinumang lumalapit sa akin. Sapagkat ako'y bumaba mula sa langit, hindi upang gawin ang kalooban ko, kundi ang kalooban ng nagsugo sa akin. 

At ito ang kanyang kalooban: huwag kong pabayaang mawala kahit isa sa mga ibinigay niya sa akin, kundi muling buhayin sila sa huling araw. Sapagkat ito ang kalooban ng aking Ama: ang lahat ng makakita at manalig sa Anak ay magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. At sila'y muli kong bubuhayin sa huling araw."

Reflection for Tuesday April 25, Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist: Mark 16: 15-20

Gospel: Mark 16:15-20

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.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

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Reflection:

Have we done something to share the good news about Jesus? 

One of our foremost mission as follower of Jesus is to share Him. If we have no idea on how we would share Him we can also live His life. Evangelization is not only confined to sharing with our vocal words for we can also evangelize by the way we live.

When the disciples were sent by Jesus through their mission one of the unwritten commands of Jesus for them was to live His way of life. For they wouldn’t be successful missioners for Jesus without immersing their very lives in Jesus' way of life.

The challenge for us therefore is to share Jesus like how the disciples shared Him. We also have to live the way of life of Jesus. For without living the life of Jesus we will not become His true follower and evangelizer.

Many in the church or outside of the church profess to follow Jesus but they do not live His life. Thus, their evangelization is superficial it doesn’t take root in the hearts of those who listen to them. Therefore, an effective evangelizer is one who shares and lives the life of the Lord.  

Have you shared Jesus and are living Jesus' life of humility and simplicity? – Marino J. Dasmarinas