Reflection for Sunday May 21, Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord: Matthew 28:16-20

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
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Reflection:
A military man was about to be assigned to a faraway place so he said to his wife: Take care of the children. Teach them about our faith and teach them values so that they’ll grow up to become responsible and God loving individuals.

The wife seriously followed the command of his husband. She taught their children the basic tenets of the faith and she educated them about good manners and values. He retuned after five years, his children were all grown up and he was so happy for the reason that they were all responsibly and properly brought-up by his wife.

Jesus in our gospel episode for this Sunday is about to leave HIS disciples for heaven but before doing so. He gave them this marching order: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).” The disciples lived to the hilt this command of Jesus. In fact some of them were martyred for the sake of advancing the Christian faith.

To whom does these powerful words of Jesus speaks to now? It speaks to us with the same fervor during this very moment. Who is the object of our evangelization? Is it the population at large? The target is not the population at large, the target is the members of our family.

Let us not only share Jesus’ teachings with them, let us also live the teachings of the Lord. Because it is only by living the Lord’s teachings that we would become His effective evangelizers.

The words of Jesus are like endless stream of pure water it flows with the passing of time and it speaks to us now. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Mayo 21, Dakilang Kapistahan ng Pag-akyat ng Panginoon: Mateo 28:16-20

Mabuting Balita Mateo 28:16-20

Noong panahong iyon: Ang Labing-isang alagad ay nagpunta sa Galilea, sa bundok na itinuro sa kanila ni Hesus. Nang makita nila si Hesus, siya’y sinamba nila, bagamat may ilang nag-alinlangan. Lumapit si Hesus at sinabi sa kanila, “Ibinigay na sa akin ang lahat ng kapangyarihan sa langit at sa Lupa.

Kaya, humayo kayo at gawin ninyong alagad ko ang lahat ng bansa. Binyagan ninyo sila sa ngalan ng Ama at ng Anak at ng Espiritu Santo, at turuang sumunod sa lahat ng ipinag-utos ko sa inyo. Tandaan ninyo: ako’y laging kasama ninyo hanggang sa katapusan ng sanlibutan.”

Reflection for May 20, Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:23b-28

Gospel: John 16:23b-28

Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. 

"I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. 

For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."

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Reflection:

The story is told about an old man who was on his death bed and he was calling on Jesus to bring him into His kingdom. His relatives were whispering among themselves that he was already hallucinating. Then, suddenly the dying man breathed deeply and said to them: Jesus is here now and He’s holding my hand after which the dying man breathed his last with a smile on his face. 

The name of Jesus is very powerful it can give us peace and serenity it can ward off evil thoughts and spirits. But do we invoke Jesus name often? Maybe yes or no or perhaps we only remember to call on Jesus when we are in dire need of Him. But after we’re through and over with our difficulties we once again forget Him. 

The name of Jesus is very powerful let us never forget to always invoke it. Let us call upon the powerful name of Jesus when we are tired of the daily grind of life. Let us call upon the powerful name of Jesus when we are losing hope and weary because of our many life challenges. Let us call upon the powerful name of Jesus when we are sick and so forth.    

In good times and in bad times let us always remember to call on Jesus. Let us ask Him always guide us and to always be with us for He will never fail us.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Mayo 20, Sabado sa Ikaanim na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 16:23b-28

Mabuting Balita: Juan 16:23b-28

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Tandaan ninyo: anumang hingin ninyo sa Ama sa aking pangalan ay ibibigay niya sa inyo. Hanggang ngayo'y wala pa kayong hinihingi sa kanya sa pangalan ko; humingi kayo at kayo'y tatanggap, upang malubos ang inyong kagalakan." 

"Ang mga ito'y sinabi ko sa inyo ng patalinghaga. Subalit darating ang panahon na hindi na ako magsasalita sa inyo ng gayon; tuwiran ko nang sasabihin sa inyo ang tungkol sa Ama. Sa araw na yao'y hihingi kayo sa kanya sa aking pangalan; at hindi ko sinasabi sa inyo na dadalangin ako sa Ama para sa inyo, sapagkat iniibig nga kayo ng Ama. 

Iniibig niya kayo sapagkat ako'y iniibig ninyo at naniniwala kayong ako'y nagmula sa Diyos. Ako'y mula sa Ama at naparito sa sanlibutan; ngayo'y aalis ako sa sanlibutan at babalik sa Ama."

Inspirational Quotes and Words of Wisdom - 14

 

Reflection for May 19, Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:20-23

Gospel: John 16:20-23

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. 

So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid to go through suffering/s? We all are, as much as possible we don’t want sufferings in our life. What we want is a suffering free life but a suffering free life is not a possibility for believers and followers of Jesus. For without sufferings we would not be able to intensely feel the abiding presence of Jesus in our lives. 

Jesus will help us conquer our sufferings for as long as we steadfastly hold on to Him. For example, we are all suffering right now one way or another and we carry this suffering silently. But in spite of this suffering that we are going through we continue to hold tightly to our faith in Jesus. And through our steadfast faith in Jesus we somehow are able to carry this suffering. 

In our gospel for this Friday, Jesus tells His disciples: You will weep and mourn (John 16:20). Jesus told them this for His hour of arrest, passion and death would soon come. Yet they will be joyful and triumphant after a period of time. Joy and triumph that nobody can take away from them. Joy and triumph which are brought about by Jesus resurrection and triumph over death. 

What is important in life is we continue to steadfastly hold on to Jesus no matter how severe the trials/sufferings that we may face. For there surely be triumph over our trials/sufferings if we remain unwavering in our faith in the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Mga Salita na Puno ng Aral at Karunungan - 16

 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Mayo 19, Biyernes sa Ikaanim na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 16:20-23a

Mabuting Balita: Juan 16:20-23

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tatangis kayo at magdadalamhati, ngunit magagalak ang sanlibutan. Matitigib kayo ng kalungkutan, subalit ito'y magiging kagalakan. Kapag nagdaramdam na ang isang babaing manganganak, siya'y nahahapis, sapagkat dumating na ang oras ng kanyang paghihirap. 

Ngunit pagkapanganak, hindi na niya naaalaala ang hirap; siya'y nagagalak dahil sa ipinanganak na sa sanlibutan ang isang sanggol. Gayon din naman kayo: nalulumbay kayo ngayon, ngunit muli akong makikipagkita sa inyo at mag-uumapaw sa puso ninyo ang kagalakang hindi maaagaw ninuman.

"Hindi na kayo kailangang magtanong sa akin sa araw na iyon. " Tandaan ninyo: anumang hingin ninyo sa Ama sa aking pangalan ay ibibigay niya sa inyo.

Reflection for May 18, Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:16-20

Gospel: John 16:16-20

(Jesus said to his disciples) “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What does this mean that he is saying to us, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 

So they said, “What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what he means.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

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Reflection:

It’s always heartbreaking when somebody permanently say goodbye to us most especially if they’re very close to us. Tears will flow like a stream and our life will never be the same anymore because a deep void has been created by that person who left us.

Jesus is mysteriously saying His goodbye to the disciples and they could not understand it. They were puzzled and somewhat melancholy. But then Jesus is also saying to them that you will be seeing me soon after also.  

Unlike the permanent goodbye of a friend or relative, Jesus’ goodbye is temporary. He comes back to us the moment we sought Him back again. Actually it’s not Jesus who leaves us; it’s us (by way of our sinfulness) who run away from HIM. This occurs when we purposely forget HIM to embrace sin.

But why do we embrace sin knowing that it will only give us nothing but problems? Perhaps we think that we could escape the consequence of our sins. But it has been proven time and again that we always pay for our sinfulness whomever we are. It may take time but certainly we will pay, there’s no free ride in this world most especially in matters of sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Mayo 18, Huwebes sa Ikaanim na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 16:16-20

Mabuting Balita: Juan 16:16-20

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Kaunting panahon na lamang at hindi na ninyo ako makikita; at pagkaraan ng kaunting panahon pa, ako'y inyong makikita uli." Nag-usap-usap ang ilan sa mga alagad, "Ano kaya ang ibig niyang sabihin? Bakit niya sinasabing kaunting panahon na lang at hindi na natin siya makikita uli? Sabi pa niya'y 'Sapagkat ako'y paroroon sa Ama.' Ano kaya ang ibig sabihin ng 'kaunting panahon na lamang'? Hindi natin maunawaan!"                                

Naramdaman ni Jesus na ibig nilang magtanong, kaya't sinabi niya, "Nagtatanungan kayo tungkol sa sinabi kong kaunting panahon na lamang at hindi na ninyo ako makikita; at pagkaraan ng kaunting panahon, ako'y inyong makikita uli. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tatangis kayo at magdadalamhati, ngunit magagalak ang sanlibutan. Matitigib kayo ng kalungkutan, subalit ito'y magiging kagalakan.

Reflection for May 17, Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:12 - 15

Gospel: John 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples, I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. 

He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”

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Reflection:

How can we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life? We need to live our lives according to how Jesus wants us to live it based on the commandments of love (Luke 10:27). Everything starts from following these commandments and the moment we follow and live it, we would have an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit.   

Therefore we must learn to live Jesus’ commandments of love. But do we live these love commandments of the Lord? Are we not selective when we give our love? For example, the command of Jesus pertaining to love of our neighbor, it’s so easy to follow this when the person is loving us in return. But when the person is hurting us it’s now very difficult for us to give our love. The challenge for us is to love even more those who are not loving us in return. 

The situation is basically the same on how we express our love for God. For many of us God is easier to love when HE answers all our prayers. But when HE doesn’t answer our prayers it’s sometimes difficult for us to express our love for God.  The challenge therefore for all of us is to  love God and neighbor in good times and in bad. 

Do we have an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life? If our answer is no, we must start to follow Jesus’ commandments of love. Not according to how we want to follow it but according to how Jesus wants us to follow and live it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Mayo 17, Miyerkules sa Ikaanim na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 16:12 - 15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 16:12 – 15

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Marami pa akong sasabihin sa inyo, ngunit hindi pa ninyo kayang unawain ngayon. Pagdating ng Espiritu ng katotohanan, tutulungan niya kayo upang maunawaan ang buong katotohanan. 

Sapagkat magsasalita siya hindi sa ganang kanyang sarili; sasabihin niya sa inyo ang kanyang narinig, at ipapahayag ang mga bagay na darating. Pararangalan niya ako, sapagkat sa akin magmumula ang ipapahayag niya sa inyo. Ang lahat ng sa Ama ay akin; kaya ko sinabing sa akin magmumula ang ipapahayag niya sa inyo."

Reflection for May 16, Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:5-11

Gospel: John 16:5-11

(Jesus said to his disciples) “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. 

But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”

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Reflection:

Departures are always filled with sorrow, for example a loved one or a dear friend who dies. Or somebody close to our hearts whom we would not be seeing for so many years. These kinds of scenarios are heart wrenching and always filled with tears and grief. However, this is only physical disconnection the memories and the good things will always remain.   

In our gospel for today Jesus is slowly disconnecting Himself from HIS disciples (Now I am going to the one who sent me, John 16:5). This disconnection is only physical in nature because God the Holy Spirit would be upon them soon. 

It’s a fact of life that we will be leaving this world permanently. We don’t know when will it be but we will be leaving this world for sure. Do you want to permanently carve a permanent dwelling in the hearts of those who know you? Then, always do good and be like Jesus. 

More than two thousand years had passed since Jesus walked on this earth yet Jesus is still in our hearts. Why? For the reason that HE did good all the time, HE helped the poor, HE was the personification of simplicity, humility and kindness. 

We only exist once in this world, let us live like Jesus lived. – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Mayo 16, Martes sa Ikaanim na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 16:5 -11

Mabuting Balita: Juan 16:5-11

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Ngayo'y paroroon na ako sa nagsugo sa akin. Wala isa man sa inyong nagtatanong sa akin kung saan ako pupunta. At ngayong sabihin ko sa inyo, natigib kayo ng kalungkutan. Ngunit dapat ninyong malaman ang katotohanan: ang pag-alis ko'y sa ikabubuti ninyo, sapagkat hindi paparito sa inyo ang patnubay kung hindi ako aalis. 

Ngunit kung umalis ako, susuguin ko siya sa inyo. Pagdating niya ay kanyang patutunayan sa mga tao sa sanlibutan na mali ang pagkakilala nila sa kasalanan, at ipakikilala niya kung ano ang matuwid, at kung ano ang kahatulan. Mali sila tungkol sa kasalanan, sapagkat hindi sila nanalig sa akin; tungkol sa matuwid, sapagkat ako'y paroroon sa Ama at hindi na ninyo makikita; tungkol sa kahatulan, sapagkat hinatulan na ang pinuno ng sanlibutang ito."