Reflection for Monday May 29, Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church: John 19:25-34

Gospel: John 19:25-34

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” 

And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.”  There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. 

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first     and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out.

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Reflection:

Can we comprehend the pain of Mary looking up to her son dying on the cross? Mary went through this painful episode of her motherhood with dignity. Whatever sorrow that she was feeling around that time she kept it as much as possible within her. 

She suffered in silence and in her suffering she surrendered everything to God. Mary knew deep in her heart that this was the plan of God for her son and for her as well. Mary trusted the will of God and surrendered everything to God. 

Jesus' suffering and death on the cross of Calvary was not in vain it was with a purpose and that is for the salvation of humanity. As we live in this world we too will go through suffering and there would be instances that it will be very hard for us to accept this suffering/s. 

But if Jesus suffered and if Mary was pained seeing her son die a brutal death who are we not to experience sufferings and pains? Life is never complete without sufferings and pains. We have to go through these experiences for us to live a complete and meaningful life in this world.

We have to go through these episodes so that we would have an awareness of the presence of God in our life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Lunes Mayo 29, Mahal na Birheng Maria, Ina ng Sambayanan: Juan 19:25-34

Mabuting Balita: Juan 19:25-34

Noong panahong iyon: Nakatayo sa tabi ng krus ni Hesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae nitong si Maria, na asawa ni Cleopas. Naroon din si Maria Magdalena. Nang makita ni Hesus ang kanyang ina, at ang minamahal niyang alagad sa tabi nito, kanyang sinabi, “Ginang, narito ang iyong anak!” At sinabi sa alagad, “Narito ang iyong ina!” Mula noon, siya’y pinatira ng alagad na ito sa kanyang bahay. 

Alam ni Hesus na naganap na ang lahat ng bagay; at bilang katuparan ng Kasulatan ay sinabi niya, “Nauuhaw ako!” May isang mangkok doon na puno ng maasim na alak. Itinuhog nila rito ang isang espongha, ikinabit sa sanga ng isopo at idiniit sa kanyang bibig. Nang masipsip ni Hesus ang alak ay kanyang sinabi, “Naganap na!” Iniyukayok niya ang kanyang ulo at nalagot ang kanyang hininga. 

Noo’y Araw ng Paghahanda, ay ayaw ng mga Judio na manatili sa krus ang mga bangkay sa Araw ng Pamamahinga sapagkat dakila ang araw ng Pamamahingang ito. Kaya’t hiniling nila kay Pilato na ipabali nito ang mga binti ng mga ipinako sa krus, at alisin doon ang mga bangkay. Naparoon nga ang mga kawal at binali ang mga binti ng dalawang ipinakong kasabay ni Hesus. 

Ngunit pagdating nila kay Hesus at makitang patay na siya, hindi na nila binali ang kanyang binti. Subalit inulos ng sibat ng isa sa mga kawal ang tagiliran ni Hesus, at biglang dumaloy ang dugo at tubig.

Reflection for Sunday May 28, Solemnity of Pentecost: John 20:19-23

Gospel: John 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. 

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was walking with the Lord on the seashore. When things were OK he noticed two sets of footprints one was his and the other was the Lord. However, when he encountered problems he noticed that it was only his footprints that were present on the seashore.

So, he asked the Lord: Why is it when I was in dire need of you, you were not there for me? The Lord said to him I was there all along with you through the Holy Spirit. I never left you. When you saw only your footprints it was the Holy Spirit who was with you.

Awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our life is something personal that God gives us. It’s actually a gift that God has given us when we were Baptized and strengthened during Confirmation. And since then it has been with us walking with us side by side. But sometimes we don’t feel the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit; the reason behind is our sinfulness, inconsistent prayer life and lack of faith.

When we sin we obstruct the Holy Spirit’s presence within us, when we are not prayerful we close ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s many gifts. And when we are lacking in faith we prevent the Holy Spirit to make a positive impact in our life. Thus, it’s actually us who disallow the Holy Spirit to freely move within us and make a positive impact in our life.  

In the gospel passage for this Sunday, the disciples were in the upper room. The doors were locked because they were praying and at the same time hiding from the Jewish authorities who were running after them. Then suddenly out of nowhere Jesus appeared to them and said: “Peace be with you (John 20:21).” Jesus said this twice and after a while he said these very profound words to them, Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22).”

This is the same Holy Spirit that Jesus wants you to receive today.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Mayo 28, Linggo ng Pentecostes: Juan 20:19-23

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:19-23

Kinagabihan ng Linggo ding iyon, ang mga alagad ay nagkakatipon. Nakapinid ang mga pinto ng bahay na kanilang pinagtitipunan dahil sa takot nila sa mga Judio. Dumating si Jesus at tumayo sa gitna nila. "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" sabi niya. Pagkasabi nito, ipinakita niya ang kanyang mga kamay at ang kanyang tagiliran. Tuwang-tuwa ang mga alagad nang makita ang Panginoon. 

Sinabi na naman ni Jesus, "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan! Kung paanong sinugo ako ng Ama, gayon din naman, sinusugo ko kayo." Pagkatapos, sila'y hiningahan niya at sinabi, "Tanggapin ninyo ang Espiritu Santo. Ang patawarin ninyo sa kanilang mga kasalanan ay pinatawad na nga; ang hindi ninyo patawarin ay hindi nga pinatawad."

Inspirational Quotes and Words of Wisdom - 15

 

Mga Salita na Puno ng Aral at Karunungan - 17

 

Reflection for May 27, Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 21:20-25

Gospel: John 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, "Master, who is the one who will betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" 

Jesus said to him, "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me." So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?" 

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

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Reflection:

Does Jesus have a favorite disciple? It seems so as the gospel states: “Peter turned and saw that the disciple Jesus loved, was following as well the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” (John 21:20) 

In his humanity Jesus is also like us, he has a sense of feeling on who among his disciples were most humble and always there for him. This disciple is John whom Jesus loved so dearly. He was also the same John who remained with Jesus until his last gasp of breath on the cross. (John 19:26-27) 

Like Jesus, we may also have our own beloved friends, and relatives. Why are they our chosen ones? We prefer them because they’ve shown their loyalty and love for us. John loved Jesus thru his words and deeds and he stayed with Jesus until the very end. 

Are you like John? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Mayo 27, Sabado sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:20-25

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:20-25

Noong panahong iyon, lumingon si Pedro at nakita niyang sumusunod ang alagad na minamahal ni Jesus - yaong humilig sa dibdib ni Jesus nang sila'y naghahapunan at nagtanong, "Panginoon, sino po ang magkakanulo sa inyo?" Nang makita siya ni Pedro, tinanong nito si Jesus, "Panginoon, ano po naman ang mangyayari sa taong ito?" 

Sumagot si Jesus, "Kung ibig kong mabuhay siya hanggang sa pagbabalik ko, ano sa iyo? Sumunod ka sa akin!" Kumalat sa mga kapatid ang balitang hindi mamamatay ang alagad na ito, bagama't hindi sinabi ni Jesus na hindi siya mamamatay, kundi, "Kung ibig kong mabuhay siya hanggang sa pagbabalik ko, ano sa iyo?" 

Ito nga ang alagad na nagpapatotoo tungkol sa mga bagay na ito; siya rin ang sumulat ng mga ito, at alam naming tunay ang kanyang patotoo. At marami pang ginawa si Jesus na kung susulating lahat, inaakala kong hindi magkakasya kahit sa buong daigdig ang mga aklat na masusulat.

Reflection for Friday May 26, Saint Philip Neri, Priest (M): John 21:15-19

Gospel: John 21:15-19

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs. 

He then said to Simon Peter a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep. He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time “Do you love me?” and he said to him “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. 

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, Follow me.

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Reflection:

Do you love me? Jesus asked Simon Peter three times this question. How deep is your love for the Lord? Would you be willing to handle the responsibility that He will be giving you? Love is not love unless you’re willing to sacrifice something, unless you’re willing to handle a responsibility to prove that love. 

Simon Peter failed in His test of love for Jesus when he denied Jesus three times. He could have stood for Jesus but Peter was afraid to lose his life, Peter was afraid to sacrifice his very life for Jesus. That’s why he denied Jesus three times. At that moment when Simon Peter denied Jesus Peter gave more importance to his own survival than his love for his Lord and Master. 

However, even if Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus still profoundly loved him. Jesus knew of the human frailties of Peter, Jesus knew that when the going gets tough Peter would deny Him. Yet He still loved Peter, Peter's denial of Jesus did not diminish Jesus love for him. This is the reason why at the end of the gospel Jesus called Peter to follow Him. 

We too should remember that Jesus loves us very much notwithstanding our shortcomings and sinfulness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Biyernes Mayo 26, San Felipe Neri, pari (Paggunita): Juan 21:15-19

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:15-19

Nang muling napakita si Hesus sa mga alagad niya at nang makakain sila, tinanong ni Jesus si Simon Pedro, "Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako nang higit kaysa mga ito?" "Opo, Panginoon, nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo," tugon niya. Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Pakanin mo ang aking mga batang tupa." 

Muli siyang tinanong ni Jesus, "Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako?" Sumagot si Pedro, "Opo, Panginoon, nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo." Ani Jesus, "Pangalagaan mo ang aking mga tupa." Pangatlong ulit na tinanong siya ni Jesus, "Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako?" Nalungkot si Pedro sapagkat makaitlo siyang tinanong: "Iniibig mo ba ako?" At sumagot siya, "Panginoon, nalalaman po ninyo ang lahat ng bagay; nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo." 

Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Pakanin mo ang aking mga tupa. Tandaan mo: noong kabataan mo pa, ikaw ang nagbibihis sa iyong sarili at lumalakad ka kung saan mo ibig. Ngunit pagtanda mo, iuunat mo ang iyong kamay at iba ang magbibihis sa iyo at dadalhin ka kung saan hindi mo ibig." Sinabi niya ito upang ipakilala kung papaano mamamatay si Pedro at sa gayo'y mapararangalan niya ang Diyos. Pagkatapos, sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Sumunod ka sa akin!"

Reflection for May 25, Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 17:20-26

Gospel: John 17:20-26

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.   

And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one that the world may know that you sent me and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me.  

I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you but I know you, and they know that you sent me I made known to them your name and I will make it known that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who engaged herself to caring for the poor in her community. She did this out of her concern for them, funds were hard to come by at times. Yet she was able to feed and nourish them because she believed that Jesus would always be there for her.  

We can always lean on Jesus all the time. He is always there ever ready to help us. Jesus loves us so much that He gave His very life for us on the cross. By doing so Jesus completed the mission that was given to Him by God. For our sake God gave the life of His only begotten son.  

God is never absent in our life no matter who we are, no matter what we are going through and no matter the sins that we have done. He is always there ever ready to listen to us. God manifested Himself to us through Jesus so that we can reach out to Him anytime.  

Yet, there is also a responsibility that rest upon our shoulders. And this responsibility is to pay forward this infinite love of God. For the reason that our faith in God is never complete and it will never grow and mature unless we learn to share it.  

Have you already shared your faith? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Mayo 25, Huwebes sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 17:20-26

Mabuting Balita: Juan 17:20-26

Noong panahong iyon, tumingala si Hesus at nanalangin, “Amang banal, hindi lamang ang aking mga alagad idinadalangin ko, kundi pati ang mga mananalig sa akin dahil sa kanilang pahayag. Maging isa nawa silang lahat, Ama. Kung paanong ikaw ay nasa akin at ako'y nasa iyo, gayun din naman, maging isa sila sa atin upang maniwala ang sanlibutan na ikaw ang nagsugo sa akin. 

Ang karangalang ibinigay mo sa akin ay ibinigay ko sa kanila upang sila'y maging ganap na isa, gaya nating iisa; ako'y nasa kanila at ikaw ay nasa akin, upang lubusan silang maging isa. At sa gayon, makikilala ng sanlibutan na sinugo mo ako, at sila'y inibig mo katulad ng pag-ibig mo sa akin."

"Ama, nais kong makasama sa aking kinaroroonan ang mga binigay mo sa akin, upang mamasdan nila ang karangalang bigay mo sa akin, sapagkat inibig mo na ako bago pa nilikha ang sanlibutan. Makatarungang Ama, hindi ka nakikilala ng sanlibutan, ngunit nakikilala kita, at nalalaman ng mga ibinigay mo sa akin na ikaw ang nagsugo sa akin. Ipinakilala kita sa kanila, at ipakikilala pa, upang ang pag-ibig mo sa akin ay sumapuso nila at ako nama'y sumakanila."

Reflection for May 24, Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 17:11b-19

Gospel: John 17:11b-19

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.  

I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began. “I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 

Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a prayerful man but the irony of his being prayerful is his prayer would always be for himself alone.  

When he died the man was ushered by an angel to a room full of the things that he prayed for.   The man thanked the angel for giving him the things that he wanted. Then he noticed that he was alone, so he asked the angel: “Why am I alone? The angel told him, you’re alone because you would always pray for yourself only when you were still alive. You never bothered to pray for others, your prayers was always for yourself.   

As Jesus was set to leave HIS disciples he prayed for their welfare, that they would always be in God’s protection and care. How about us when we pray? Is it always us starring in our prayers? Or we never bother to pray for ourselves instead we pray for those we love and care. Because we believe that God knows everything about us including our needs.    

God is an all knowing God, He knows everything about us including our needs and prayers. Therefore, it would be better if instead of praying for ourselves we instead pray for others. This does not mean that we will not anymore have our own personal prayers and petitions before God.    

We would still have our prayers before God but we put forward first the interest and needs of others before our own. For God doesn’t want us to become persons for ourselves only; HE always wants us to become a person for others.   

Which kind of person are you a person for others or a person for yourself only? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Mayo 24, Miyerkules sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 17:11b-19

Mabuting Balita: Juan 17:11b-19

Noong panahong iyo, si Hesus ay tumingala sa langit, nanalangin at ang wika: Amang banal, ingatan mo sila sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng iyong pangalan, pangalang ibinigay mo sa akin, upang sila'y maging isa, kung paanong tayo'y iisa. Habang kasama nila ako, iningatan ko sila sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng iyong pangalang ibinigay mo sa akin. 

Inalagaan ko sila at ni isa'y walang napahamak, liban sa taong humanap ng kanyang kapahamakan, upang matupad ang Kasulatan. Ngunit ngayon, ako'y papunta na sa iyo; at sinasabi ko ito habang ako'y nasa sanlibutan upang mapuspos sila ng aking kagalakan. Naibigay ko na sa kanila ang iyong salita; at kinapootan sila ng sanlibutan, sapagkat hindi na sila makasanlibutan, tulad kong hindi makasanlibutan. 

Hindi ko idinadalanging alisin mo sila sa sanlibutan, kundi iligtas mo sila sa Masama! Hindi sila makasanlibutan, tulad kong hindi makasanlibutan. Italaga mo sila sa pamamagitan ng katotohanan; ang salita mo'y katotohanan. Kung paanong sinugo mo ako sa sanlibutan, gayon din naman, sinusugo ko sila sa sanlibutan. At alang-alang sa kanila'y itinalaga ko ang aking sarili, upang maitalaga rin sila sa pamamagitan ng katotohanan."