Reflection for December 5, Tuesday of the First Week of Advent: Luke 10:21-24

Gospel: Luke 10:21-24

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

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Reflection:

Do you have your regular communication/prayer time with God? 

Communication is an essential part with our relationship with God. The more communication/prayer  time we have with God the more the we would get closer to Him. Thus, communication/prayer facilitates deeper friendship and relationship with God. 

Jesus in the gospel for today communicates through His prayer to God our Father the creator. He gives praise to the Father, Jesus did not only communicate to the Father to give praise. He communicated because he longs for His Father and it’s through this longing that He builds deeper oneness with Him. 

We too must always have this longing or thirst for God in every moment of our lives. We must always communicate with Him for He is our lifeline in this world. What would happen to us if we do not have our regular prayer moments with God? We become empty shells that look sturdy outside but deep inside are spiritually shallow.  

Let us always have our regular prayer moment with God in everyday of our lives. Let us give praise to Him let us thank Him for all of the blessings that He has been giving us. Let us not wait for the time to come wherein we will look for God because we are already in dire need of Him. 

Do you have your regular moment of communication/prayer with God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 5, Martes sa Unang Linggo sa Panahon ng Pagdating ng Panginoon: Lucas 10:21-24

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:21-24

Nang oras ding iyon, si Hesus ay napuspos ng galak ng Espiritu Santo. At sinabi niya, “Pinasasalamatan kita Ama. Panginoon ng langit at lupa, sapagkat inilihim mo sa marurunong at pantas ang mga bagay na ito at inihayag mo sa mga taong ang kalooba’y tulad ng sa bata. Oo, Ama, sapagkat gayon ang ikinalulugod mo. Ibinigay sa akin ng aking Ama ang lahat ng bagay.  

Walang nakakikilala sa Anak kundi ang Ama, at walang nakakikilala sa Ama kundi ang Anak at yaong marapating pagpahayagan ng Anak.” Humarap si Hesus sa mga alagad at sinabi, na di naririnig ng iba: “Mapalad kayo, sapagkat nakita ninyo ang inyong nakikita ngayon! Sinasabi ko sa inyo, maraming propeta at mga hari ang nagnasang makakita ng inyong nakikita ngunit hindi nila nakita. Hinangad din nilang mapakinggan ang inyong naririnig ngunit hindi nila napakinggan.”

Reflection for December 4, Monday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 8:5-11

Gospel: Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. 

For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. 

I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.

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Reflection:

How deep is your faith in Jesus? 

Aside from learning about the centurion’s deep faith in God what else can we learn from our gospel today? We learn how to deeply care and be concerned for others no matter who they may be and regardless of their standing in our society. 

The centurion is not an ordinary soldier; he is a ranking officer who commands one hundred soldiers. Even though he holds a high rank, we can also see that he has a caring personality. Hence, he went to Jesus with faith to ask the Lord for the healing of his servant. Considering his stature, the centurion could have simply sent some of his underlings to Jesus, but he went personally to Jesus—his action speaks volumes of his kindness.

How many of us are caring enough for those who are lowly, poor and those neglected by our society? How many of us truly care for our servants? Would we still care for our servant even if they cannot serve us anymore?   

On this Advent season and through this gospel Jesus is inviting our attention to take a closer look on the plight of the less fortunate: the poor, the hungry and those neglected by our society. They’re everywhere and they badly need our help. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 4, Lunes sa Unang sa Panahon ng Pagdating ng Panginoon: Mateo 8:5-11

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:5-11

Noong panahong iyon, pagpasok ni Jesus sa Capernaum, lumapit ang isang kapitang Romano at nakiusap sa kanya: "Ginoo, ang alipin ko po'y naparalisis. Siya'y nararatay sa amin at lubhang nahihirapan." "Paroroon ako at pagagalingin siya," sabi ni Jesus. Ngunit sumagot sa kanya ang kapitan, "Ginoo, hindi po ako karapat-dapat na puntahan pa ninyo sa aking bahay. Sabihin po lamang ninyo at gagaling na ang aking alipin. 

Ako'y nasa ilalim ng nakatataas na pinuno, at ako man ay may nasasakupang mga kawal. Kung sabihin ko sa isa, 'Humayo ka!' siya'y humahayo; at sa iba, 'Halika!' siya'y lumalapit; at sa aking alipin, 'Gawin mo ito!' at ginagawa niya." Namangha si Jesus nang marinig ito, at sinabi niya sa mga taong sumusunod sa kanya, "Sinasabi ko sa inyo, na hindi ako nakatagpo kahit sa Israel ng ganito kalaking pananalig. Tandaan ninyo: marami ang darating buhat sa silangan at kanluran at dudulog na kasalo nina Abraham, Isaac at Jacob sa kaharian ng Langit."

Reflection for Sunday December 3, First Sunday of Advent: Mark 13:33-37

Gospel: Mark 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. 

Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'

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Reflection:

During the Middle Ages, Monarchs like Kings and Queens were the ruling power. Whenever there was a threat of invasion, the kingdom under threat would position soldiers miles away from its borders to spot the incoming enemy. 

The moment they see the incoming enemy, they would blow their horns or shout loudly to alert their kingdom’s soldiers about the coming invaders. Therefore, the soldiers would be able to prepare their war equipment to properly defend their kingdom.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, which means 'coming.' This is a time of expectation for the upcoming birth of Jesus. Unlike the soldiers in the Middle Ages who prepared for the coming of their invaders, Advent reminds us that we need to prepare for the arrival of the Savior who gave His life for our sake.

How are we preparing for His coming? Is it a preparation that involves material things? If so, this is not the proper preparation. Jesus wants us to dig deeper into our spiritual lives by focusing more on Him and our relationship with Him. 

We actually need no material things to prepare; we just need to be sacramentally prepared by humbly submitting ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We need no material things; we just need to perform Corporal and Spiritual acts of mercy, and this is already enough preparation for His coming.

The true meaning of Christmas is slowly being battered by materialism. Try talking to children and ask them about Christmas; chances are that they may talk about gifts, glittering lights, Santa clause and other material expectations.

Try asking adults who are feeble in their faith; they may not be able to identify the true meaning of Christmas. We must be watchful, alert, and do something to highlight the coming birth of our Savior, which is slowly being eroded by worldliness.

How are you preparing yourself for the coming birth of Jesus? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Disyembre 3, Unang Linggo sa Panahon ng Pagdating ng Panginoon: Marcos 13:33-37

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 13:33-37

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: Mag-ingat kayo at maging handa sapagkat hindi ninyo alam kung kailan ito mangyayari. Katulad nito'y isang taong umalis upang maglakbay sa malayong lupain: ipinababahala ang kanyang tahanan sa mga alipin na binigyan ng kanya-kanyang gawain, at inuutusan ang bantay-pinto na maging laging handa sa kanyang pagdating. 

Gayon din naman, maging handa kayong lagi, sapagkat hindi ninyo alam kung kailan darating ang puno ng sambahayan - maaaring sa pagdilim, sa hatinggabi, sa madaling-araw, o kaya'y sa umaga -- baka sa kanyang biglang pagdating ay maratnan kayong natutulog. Ang sinasabi ko sa inyo'y sinasabi ko sa lahat: Maging handa kayo!"  

Reflection for December 2, Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:34-36

Gospel: Luke 21:34-36

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. 

For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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Reflection:

What would make us succumb to disorderly behavior, drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life? We would succumb to these unhealthy behaviors/lifestyles the moment we close our hearts to the love of Jesus. Lest we forget, the devil is always present in our environment and always trying to look for the right opportunity to snatch us away from the love of God. 

Some of us may not believe that the devil is present in our environment but he is. This is the reason why there are evil people and evil things around us. If there’s no active presence of the devil in our environment there would be no crimes and other evil things but the devil is real and present. 

In the gospel for this Saturday, Jesus tells us this: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap (Luke 21:34). 

The cure for this warning of Jesus is none other than Himself! If we have a close and personal relationship with Jesus we would be able to ward off any kind of temptation that the evil one would deviously throw at us. 

If the devil is always around waiting for the right timing to temp us. Jesus is always there also always knocking at our hearts so that he could enter our lives. And when we already have Jesus the devil will naturally flee and run for his life. Therefore, we must always open our hearts to Jesus.

Would you open your life to Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 2, Sabado ng Ika-34 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 21:34-36

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:34-36

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Mag-ingat kayo na huwag magumon sa katakawan at paglalasing at mabuhos ang inyong isip sa mga intindihin sa buhay na ito; baka abutan kayo ng Araw na iyon ng hindi handa. 

Sapagkat darating iyon ng di inaasahan ng tao sa buong daigdig. Kaya't maging handa kayo sa lahat ng oras. Lagi ninyong idalangin na magkaroon kayo ng lakas upang makaligtas sa lahat ng mangyayaring ito at makaharap sa Anak ng Tao."

Reflection for December 1, Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:29-33

Gospel: Luke 21:29-33

Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. 

Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

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Reflection:

A man was asked, what is your greatest fear? The man replied, I fear death for I don’t know what would happen to me when I die. 

We all have our own set of fears, we fear losing somebody we love, and we fear losing our job. And the worst fear perhaps is the same as with the man who was asked about his greatest fear.  However why fear when Jesus is always there to soothe and take away our fear? 

Many of us have so many fears for the reason that we don’t have Jesus in our life and we don’t have a personal relationship with Him.  This is basically the reason why we have so many fears. But, why don’t we try to discover more about Jesus through our faithful presence at Holy Mass? Why don’t we try to discover more about Jesus by reading about His life in the bible? Surely, all our fear will disappear if we do so. 

Jesus in our gospel tells us that heaven and earth will pass away but His words will not pass away (Luke 21:33). Indeed, everything will pass away or we may pass away first before everything pass away. Nevertheless whatever happens and whomever passes away first we have nothing to fear for as long as we have Jesus in our life. 

Do you already have Jesus in your life? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 1, Biyernes ng Ika-34 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 21:29-33

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:29-33

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad ang isang talinghaga: “Tingnan ninyo ang puno ng igos at ibang punongkahoy. Kapag nagdadahon na ito, alam ninyong malapit na ang tag-araw. 

Gayun din naman, kapag nakita ninyong nangyayari na ang mga ito, malalaman ninyong malapit nang maghari ang Diyos. Tandaan ninyo: magaganap ang lahat ng ito bago mamatay ang lahat ng taong nabubuhay sa ngayon. Mawawala ang langit at ang lupa, ngunit ang salita ko’y hindi magkakabula”  

Reflection for Thursday November 30, Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle: Matthew 4:18-22

Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. 

He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

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Reflection:

Why did Jesus call Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John? Jesus wanted these four fishermen to share in His mission. There was no promise of riches, prosperity and power yet they responded. Their motivation to respond to Jesus call was very simple: they want to serve as Jesus served. No frills no publicity, as much as possible Jesus wanted it under the radar so that no one would know. 

So, these four selfless men followed Jesus they left everything even their  livelihood  so that they could respond to the call of the Lord. In these four men we get a valuable lesson on how to become true servants and followers of the Lord: Follow with full trust and confidence in the Lord! 

When you decide to follow Jesus you must be ready to leave everything for the sake of the Lord.  No looking back and full steam ahead for the Lord will take care of everything for you. Take care of everything not in the sense that you will financially and materially prosper as what many prosperity gospel preachers promote. Take care of you for He will make you rich spiritually so that you would be able to withstand the trials and rigors of your life and His mission.

You too are being called by the Lord to follow and trust Him. Follow where? Follow in His mission of evangelization; don’t worry about anything for He will take care of everything. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Nobyembre 30, San Andres, apostol (Kapistahan): Mateo 4:18-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 4:18-22

Noong panahong iyon, sa paglalakad ni Hesus sa tabi ng Lawa ng Galilea, nakita niya ang dalawang mangingisda, si Simon na tinatawag na Pedro, at ang kapatid niyang si Andres. Sila’y naghahagis ng lambat. Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Sumunod kayo sa akin, at gagawin ko kayong mamamalakaya ng mga tao.” Noon di’y iniwan nila ang kanilang mga lambat at sumunod kay Hesus.  

Nagpatuloy siya ng paglakad at nakita rin niya ang magkapatid na Santiago at Juan, mga anak ni Zebedeo. Sila’y nasa bangka, kasama ang kanilang ama, at naghahayuma ng lambat. Tinawag din sila ni Hesus. Agad nilang iniwan ang bangka at ang kanilang ama, at sumunod kay Hesus. 

Reflection for November 29, Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:12-19

Gospel: Luke 21:12-19

(Jesus said to His disciples) Before the end happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. 

Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

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Reflection:

Have you already suffered for faithfully following Jesus and do you think that all of these sufferings are all worth it? Every suffering that we go through for Jesus is all worth it. The people of this world will surely not agree and understand but it’s all worth it! 

If we suffer poverty for Jesus’ sake, if we are persecuted for following Jesus. And if the events in our lives are not turning out well based on worldly standards because we choose to follow Jesus. Let us not worry for someday in the great beyond we will surely receive our reward. 

Are all the worldly appendages that we blindly chase and have worth it? No it’s not because it can slip out of our hands anytime. So, why are so many of us are so blinded by these worldly things? We covet it as if our life hinges on it. 

At the end of our lives only one will matter and that’s none other than our faithfulness to Jesus. Let us therefore strive to get closer to Jesus than obsessively striving to possess the fragile and passing offerings of this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Nobyembre 29, Miyerkules sa Ika-34 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 21:12-19

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 21:12-19

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Darakpin kayo’t uusigin. Kayo’y dadalhin sa mga sinagoga upang litisin at ipabilanggo. At dahil sa akin ay ihaharap kayo sa mga hari at mga gobernador. Ito ang pagkakataon ninyo upang magpatotoo tungkol sa akin. 

Ipanatag ninyo ang inyong kalooban, huwag kayong mababalisa tungkol sa pagtatanggol sa inyong sarili; sapagkat bibigyan ko kayo ng katalinuhan at ng pananalitang hindi kayang tutulan o pabulaanan ng sinuman sa inyong mga kaaway.  

Ipagkakanulo kayo ng inyong mga magulang, mga kapatid, mga kamag-anak, at mga kaibigan. At ipapapatay ang ilan sa inyo. Kapopootan kayo ng lahat dahil sa akin, ngunit hindi mawawala ni isang hibla ng inyong buhok. Sa inyong pagtitiis ay tatamuhin ninyo ang buhay na walang hanggan.”