Monday, May 08, 2023

Reflection for May 9, Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter: John 14:27-31a


Gospel: John 14:27-31a
Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’  

If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about an ambitious young man who thought that he would have a peaceful life the moment he becomes rich. So, he worked hard to become rich but the more that he becomes richer by the day the more that his life was mired with pressure and problems.     

Peace of mind is something that we all desire for our lives. But somehow the more that we want peace the more that it becomes elusive for us. Why is this so?  This is for the reason that many of us have a wrong idea on how to have peace in our lives.    

Where can we find peace? We can find this elusive peace only in Jesus.  We will not be able to find this peaceful feeling in accumulating the riches and power of this world. No matter how rich we are and no matter how powerful we are we will have no peace. Why? For the simple reason that we seek peace in the wrong direction and things. 

We have to be aware that true peace is something that only Jesus can give us. Nobody can give it to us except Jesus alone. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Mayo 9, Martes sa Ikalimang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 14:27-31a


Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:27-31a
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Kapayapaan ang iniiwan ko sa inyo. Ang aking kapayapaan ang ibinibigay ko sa inyo; hindi ito katulad ng ibinibigay ng sanlibutan. Huwag kayong mabalisa; huwag kayong matakot. Sinabi ko na sa inyo, 'Ako'y aalis, ngunit babalik ako.' Kung iniibig ninyo ako, ikagagalak ninyo ang pagpunta ko sa Ama, sapagkat dakila ang Ama kaysa akin. 

Sinasabi ko na ito sa inyo bago pa mangyari upang kung mangyari na, kayo'y manalig sa akin. Hindi na ako pakahahaba ng pagsasalita sa inyo, sapagkat dumarating na ang pinuno ng sanlibutang ito. Wala siyang kapangyarihan sa akin, subalit dapat makilala ng sanlibutan na iniibig ko ang Ama at ang ginagawa ko'y ang iniuutos niya sa akin."

Sunday, May 07, 2023

Reflection for May 8, Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter: John 14:21-26


Gospel: John 14:21-26
Jesus said to his disciples: "Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him." Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, "Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" 

Jesus answered and said to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. 

"I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name— he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."

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Reflection:
The story is told about a couple who always go to Sunday Mass to fulfill their Sunday obligation. While at church they look pious and devoted to the faith. However when they go home their other side which is their real personality is suddenly revealed. They shout at their maid, they yell at their kids and they act like dictators in their house. 

Do they really love God? I don’t think so, their love for God is superficial and is limited inside the four walls of their church. 

In the gospel Jesus says: “Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Certainly Jesus and God the Father the first two persons of the trinity have not revealed themselves to this couple. 

Jesus further states: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” 

Sometimes it’s very hard for many of us to understand the mystery of the oneness of God and Jesus simply because we are not true to our faith. What we hear and learn in the church during the Priest sermon/homily just comes in and out in our ears. Many of us don’t live and give substance to our faith. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Mayo 8, Lunes sa Ikalimang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 14:21-26


Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:21-26
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Ang tumatanggap sa mga utos ko at tumutupad nito ang siyang umiibig sa akin. Ang umiibig sa akin ay iibigin ng aking Ama; iibigin ko rin siya, at ako'y lubusang magpapakilala sa kanya." Tinanong siya ni Judas hindi ang Iscariote, "Panginoon, bakit po sa amin lamang kayo magpapakilala nang lubusan at hindi sa sanlibutan?" 

Sumagot si Jesus, "Ang umiibig sa akin ay tutupad ng aking mga salita; iibigin siya ng aking ama, at kami'y sasakanya at mananahan sa kanya. Ang hindi umiibig sa akin ay hindi tumutupad sa aking mga salita. Hindi akin ang salitang narinig ninyo, kundi sa Amang nagsugo sa akin. 

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo ang mga bagay na ito samantalang kasama pa ninyo ako. Ngunit ang Patnubay, ang Espiritu Santo na susuguin ng Ama sa pangalan ko, ang siyang magtuturo sa inyo ng lahat ng bagay at magpapaalaala ng lahat ng sinabi ko sa inyo.

Wednesday, May 03, 2023

Reflection for Sunday May 7, Fifth Sunday of Easter: John 14:1-12


Gospel: John 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. 

Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." 

Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. 

Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who would always be troubled whenever he would see on TV news about massive wars and killings like what is happening in Ukraine. He would always ask himself, is the end of the world coming? Like this man we all have our own worries and fears, for example we worry about how we could sustain the future of our children. We worry about money, about the future and it seems that we are never running out of worries to think of in this world.

But have we thought of God in the midst of our worries? Have we thought of just telling Jesus, take care of my worries and fears whatever it may be?

We are very much bothered by our troubles in this world because we never trust Jesus that much and our faith in Jesus is lacking. What we do instead is to trust in ourselves and have faith in ourselves. This is the reason why we are bothered by our worldly troubles.

Why don’t we try to let go and let God? We let go of our worries and let God take control of everything? For example if you’re being bothered by a sickness, family problem or a personal problem. Start to slowly let go of those worries and pains, then raise everything up to God, learn to trust and have faith in the powerful name of Jesus. 

In our gospel for this Sunday Jesus gives us an antidote for our worries and fears HE tells us: Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me (John 14:1). 

Sometimes we seek to discover things that we think will make us happy only to realize that it won’t and we keep on looking for it until we feel empty and broken. To avoid this from happening we must rediscover the important role of Jesus in our life and we have to trust Jesus with our life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Mayo 7, Ikalimang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 14:1-12


Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:1-12
Noong panahong iyon: Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyag mga alagad: "Huwag kayong mabalisa; manalig kayo sa Diyos at manalig din kayo sa akin. Sa bahay ng aking Ama ay maraming silid; kung hindi gayon, sinabi ko na sana sa inyo. At paroroon ako upang ipaghanda ko kayo ng matitirhan. Kapag naroroon na ako at naipaghanda na kayo ng matitirhan, babalik ako at isasama kayo sa kinaroroonan ko. at alam na ninyo ang daan patungo sa pupuntahan ko." 

Sinabi sa kanya ni Tomas, "Panginoon, hindi po namin alam kung saan kayo pupunta, paano namin malalaman ang daan?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Ako ang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang makapupunta sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko. Kung ako'y kilala ninyo, kilala na rin ninyo ang aking Ama. Mula ngayon ay kilala na ninyo siya at inyong nakita."

Sinabi sa kanya ni Felipe, "Panginoon, ipakita po ninyo sa amin ang Ama, at masisiyahan na kami." Sumagot si Jesus, "Matagal na ninyo akong kasama, Felipe! Diyata't hindi mo pa ako nakikilala? Ang nakakita sa akin ay nakakita na sa Ama. Bakit mo sinasabing: 'Ipakita mo sa amin ang Ama'? Hindi ka ba naniniwalang ako'y sumasa-Ama at ang Ama'y sumasaakin? 

Ang mga salitang sinasabi ko ay hindi ko sinasabi sa ganang aking sarili. Ang Amang sumasaakin ang gumaganap ng kanyang mga gawain. Maniwala kayo sa akin: ako'y sumasa-Ama at ang Ama'y sumasaakin. Kung ayaw ninyong maniwala sa sinasabi ko, maniwala kayo dahil sa mga gawang ito. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang nananalig sa akin ay makagagawa ng ginagawa ko at higit pa rito, sapagkat pupunta na ako sa Ama.

Reflection for May 6, Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 14:7-14


Gospel: John 14:7-14
Jesus said to his disciples: "If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? 

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. 

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

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Reflection:
Do you believe this pronouncement of Jesus that He is one with God? Of course you do, then what’s next after believing? Next after believing is to put into concrete actions what you believe. 

Belief only is not enough, you have to translate this into living faith. Faith that is seen though your deeds, because if you only say that you believe. Yet you don’t translate your belief into actual acts of mercy and compassion, then it’s empty. 

Jesus in our gospel tells us, “Whoever believes in me will do the things that I do (John 14:12).” Let us pause and reflect if we are able to somehow measure up to this challenge by Jesus. Are you doing the works of Jesus? Do you help someone in need? Do you always say words that heal a broken person? Or you are quick to throw judgment and condemnation? 

 It’s so easy to say, I believe in the oneness of Jesus  and God.  Yet we are always challenged by Jesus to always prove it by our words and actions. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Mayo 6, Sabado sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 14:7-14


Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:7-14
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Kung ako'y kilala ninyo, kilala na rin ninyo ang aking Ama. Mula ngayon ay kilala na ninyo siya at inyong nakita."  

Sinabi sa kanya ni Felipe, "Panginoon, ipakita po ninyo sa amin ang Ama, at masisiyahan na kami." Sumagot si Jesus, "Matagal na ninyo akong kasama, Felipe! Diyata't hindi mo pa ako nakikilala? Ang nakakita sa akin ay nakakita na sa Ama. Bakit mo sinasabing ; 'Ipakita mo sa amin ang Ama'? Hindi ka ba naniniwalang ako'y sumasa-Ama at ang Ama'y sumasaakin?  

Ang mga salitang sinasabi ko ay hindi ko sinasabi sa ganang aking sarili. Ang Amang sumasaakin ang gumaganap ng kanyang mga gawain. Maniwala kayo sa akin: ako'y sumasa-Ama at ang Ama'y sumasa-akin. Kung ayaw ninyong maniwala sa sinasabi ko maniwala kayo dahil sa mga gawang ito.  

Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang nananalig sa akin ay makagagawa ng ginagawa ko at higit pa rito, sapagkat pupunta na ako sa Ama. At anumang hingin ninyo sa Ama sa aking pangalan ay gagawin ko, upang maparangalan ang Ama sa pamamagitan ng Anak. Gagawin ko ang anumang hihilingin ninyo sa pangalan ko."

Tuesday, May 02, 2023

Words of Wisdom - 12




 

Mga Kawikaan at Kasabihan ng Puno ng Aral at Karunungan - 14

 


Reflection for May 5, Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 14:1-6


Gospel: John 14:1-6
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.  

Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

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Reflection:
Do you want to find meaning in your life?

It may seem that life is just routine. Wake up in the morning, go to work or work from home and end the day, then the next morning we do the same once again. As if we live like robots in this world; there is no clear path that would point us to something meaningful and profound.  

In our gospel for today Jesus gives us a revelation on how to have a meaningful and profound life amidst the many disturbances thrown at us by this world. Jesus tells us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).” What does this statement of Jesus represent to us? Does this impel us to hunger for Him daily? Or there is no effect at all and there’s no feeling of urgency to know more about the Lord Jesus Christ.  

When Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. He was ingeniously telling His disciples to follow Me and you’ll know the truth about life. That the true meaning of life has nothing to do with anything of this present world. What you cling now in this world is nothing compared to what you’ll receive if only you would decide to faithfully follow me. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Words of Wisdom - 11


 

Reflection for May 4, Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 13:16-20


Gospel: John 13:16-20
When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. 

I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

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Reflection:

What is the weakness of many followers of Jesus? It’s to act and behave as if they are bigger than Jesus. This is the failing of many who are followers of Jesus. But a true follower doesn’t aspire to become somebody, doesn’t aspire to raise himself in the pedestal of prominence. 

He/she is simply content to become a nobody in the vast ocean of humanity who follow Jesus. He/she works tirelessly and silently with the end in mind that he/she has to advance the  teachings and goodness of Jesus in this world. 

In the gospel, Jesus washed His disciple’s feet. Was the washing of His disciples feet a simple ritual done by Jesus? Or there was a silent message for His disciples and for us as well. What lies beneath the act of washing His disciple’s feet is the message of humility. For they would not be productive in their mission without humility. And they would not be able to attract others to the faith without humility. 

If we say that we are followers of Jesus it is also expected that we would be humble at all times. Never arrogant, never overbearing but always humble even if others are not. For the virtue of humility is what separates true followers from fake and fair-weather followers of Jesus. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Mayo 4, Huwebes sa Ikaapat na LInggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 13:16-20


Mabuting Balita: Juan 13:16-20
Nang mahugasan na ni Hesus ang mga paa ng kanyang mga alagad, sinabi niya sa kanila:

Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang alipin ay hindi dakila kaysa kanyang panginoon, ni ang sinugo kaysa nagsugo sa kanya. Kung nauunawaan ninyo ang mga bagay na ito at inyong gagawin, mapapalad kayo. 

"Hindi para sa inyong lahat ang sinasabi ko; nakikilala ko ang aking mga hinirang. Ngunit dapat matupad ang nasasabi sa Kasulatan, 'Ako'y pinagtataksilan ng taong pinakakain ko. Sinasabi ko ito sa inyo bago pa mangyari upang, kung ito'y mangyari na, ay manalig kayo na 'Ako'y si Ako Nga.' 

Tandaan ninyo: ang tumatanggap sa sinugo ko'y tumatanggap sa akin; at ang tumatanggap sa akin ay tumatanggap sa nagsugo sa akin."