Reflection for Sunday December 10, Second Sunday of Advent: Mark 1:1-8

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 

People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a humble man who went on a mission to a place where no Christian missionary had been before. There, he catechized or taught the people about the faith and he built a church also. 

When the church was complete, this good man visited the community's parish church. And he inquired to the parish priest if he could visit and celebrate Mass there even for once a month only.  The priest agreed and everyone was converted to the faith. Thus, in his own little way the humble man prepared the way for them so that they could be with the Lord thru the Holy Mass.

On this second Sunday of Advent, we reflect on how John the Baptist humbly fulfilled the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah. John preached repentance and forgiveness of sins, preparing the way for Jesus with humility when he declared, 'One mightier than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit' (Mark 1:7-8). John perfectly understood that his role was to be a herald for the coming of our Savior, Jesus.

As Catholic Christians, this is also our role; to be heralds for Jesus with humility. To help spread the good news to preach also about repentance, forgiveness and love.

We should not keep to ourselves this timely call for repentance we must echo this call to our friends and most specially our family members. However, this is easier said than done, simply because encouraging others to humbly submit themselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not easy. Yet, if we emulate John, who embraced his discipleship with humility, we can be effective heralds of Jesus as well.

On this second Sunday of Advent, the gospel challenges us to help prepare the way of the Lord and respond to John's call for repentance.

Have you taken steps to prepare the way of the Lord, and are you ready to respond to John's call for repentance? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Disyembre 10, Ikalawang Linggo sa Panahon ng Pagdating ng Panginoon: Marcos 1:1-8

 

Ito ang Mabuting Balita tungkol kay Jesu-Cristo na Anak ng Diyos. Nagsimula ito noong matupad ang hula ni Propeta Isaias: "Narito ang sugo ko na aking ipadadalang mauuna sa inyo, ihahanda niya ang iyong daraanan.' Ito ang sabi ng isang sumisigaw sa ilang; 'Ihanda ninyo ang daraanan ng Panginoon, tuwirin ninyo ang kanyang mga landas!' " 

At dumating nga sa ilang si Juan, nagbibinyag at nangangaral. Sinabi niya sa mga tao, "Pagsisihan ninyo't talikdan ang inyong mga kasalanan, at pabinyag kayo upang kayo'y patawarin ng Diyos." Halos lahat ng taga-Judea at taga-Jerusalem ay pumunta kay Juan upang makinig. Ipinahayag nila ang kanilang mga kasalanan at sila'y bininyagan niya sa Ilog Jordan.

Hinabing balahibo ng kamelyo ang damit ni Juan at balat ang kanyang pamigkis. Ang kanya namang pagkai'y balang at pulut-pukyutan. Lagi niyang sinasabi sa kanyang pangangaral, "Darating na kasunod ko ang isang Makapangyarihan kaysa akin: ni hindi ako karapat-dapat magkalag ng tali ng kanyang mga panyapak. Binibinyagan ko kayo sa tubig, ngunit bibinyagan niya kayo sa Espiritu Santo."

Reflection for December 9, Saturday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8

Gospel: Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples,  The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” 

Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

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Reflection:

What is your fulfilment in life? 

To amass wealth and to have power is already a fulfillment for many of us. Some even make it their life’s mission but this is not our fulfilment neither this is our life’s mission. True fulfillment and true mission in life is when we make a positive difference in the lives of others. We become this when we are able to share and introduce Jesus to them.  

When Jesus summoned His twelve disciples He did not instruct them to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and make money out of them. He rather told them: “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons (Matthew 10:7-8).” In other words make a positive difference in their lives without expecting anything in return. 

Material things come and go but the help that we do creates a lasting impact that they will forever remember. However, some of us will say: “Life is hard right now, how can I help when I have barely enough for me and when I also need help?”  We can still give help if we would desire it and if would discard the me, myself and I first mentality.

We should also not restrict the word help with money only or anything that is material. For the reason that we can give help even without using money. For example, we can share Jesus, we can listen to emotional burdens and we can always share the gentleness and love of God.  

When was the last time, you extended help?– Marino J. Dasmarinas  

1Reflection for Friday December 8, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Principal Patroness of the Philippines: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.   

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”   

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

We celebrate today the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast was approved in 1476 by Pope Sixtus IV and later extended to the universal Church by Pope Clement XI in 1708. Recognizing the belief held for centuries by the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, Pope Pius IX solemnly proclaimed the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. This dogma affirms that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God was preserved free from all stain of original sin” (Ineffabilis Deus, 1854).   

Why is the Blessed Mother favored by God? Why was she chosen among many women? She is favored because of her humility and docility. God saw her saintly character, which He did not find in any other women during that time. Therefore, the Blessed Mother was given the singular honor to carry in her womb our Savior.

So you might say I would also want to be humble because I also expect to receive some blessings from God. That’s ok nothing is wrong with this kind of mindset. However, we must remember that the Blessed Mother is humble and docile not because she was vying to be chosen as the dwelling place of God. 

To be humble and docile was her natural character. There was no pretension or any sort of fake humility in her system.  In other words as far as the Blessed Mother is concerned, what we see is what we get from her. If we see her as humble and docile to the will of God she really is humble and docile. 

In so many ways, God also announces His will for us and what is His will for us? It’s for us to live simple and humble lives. Many of us live complicated lives and lifestyles and this results to problematic lives. Thus, we fail to hear the voice of God and we fail to hear the guidance of God us well. 

The Blessed Mother lived a simple and humble life, thus she was chosen by God. How are you living your life?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Thursday December 7, Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Gospel: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 

And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about an old man who was always at church, he attends Mass, and he was always present during novena prayers. However, he also had a domineering attitude, he thinks highly of himself and he treats everyone in the church as someone who is not within his level.

After a few years he died, therefore, he was expecting a smooth passage to heaven but he was not allowed to enter the pearly gates. So he asked: “Why are you not allowing me to gain entry to heaven, I was always at church leading the novena prayers, I was always at Mass!” The one on the gate replied: “Yes you were always in the church but you did not change your ways, it was all for show.”

Like the old man, there are many who are active in the church, but they refuse to let go of their boorish behavior. They think highly of themselves simply because they are active in the church, rich, and educated. Oftentimes, they carry these domineering behaviors into their homes and workplaces.

Could they gain entry into heaven with this behavior? Can they be compared to the wise man in the gospel who built his house upon a sturdy rock? Not certainly, to be like the wise man who built his house on a solid rock they need to walk their talk, they need to be humble and they need to live what they preach.

In the gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only th does the will of my Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21).” – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for December 6, Wednesday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 15: 29-37

Gospel: Matthew 15:29-37

At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way." The disciples said to him, "Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?" 

Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" "Seven," they replied, "and a few fish." He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

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Reflection:

The story is told of a man who served as a manager in a government office. In this role, he frequently encountered people seeking employment favors from him. Being a helpful individual, he consistently assisted them in securing positions within his office. Eventually, the manager resigned from his government job, but before doing so, he took steps to ensure that those he had helped would attain permanent positions in their jobs.

After ten years the former manager returned to his former office just to say hello to those whom he had helped. Upon arrival he got cold shoulder treatment from them. So, he left a bit sad because he wasn’t able to talk to them.

There are those who follow a person because of what he can do for them. Once that person has given what they wanted from him those who followed would be out of sight already.  It is very seldom that they will stick it out with that person come hell or high water.

There are really such kind of people who has very inclement behavioral patterns; who are ungrateful to what you’ve done for them. However, we must always extend our help not withstanding their ungratefulness.

Jesus did not choose whom He would help; regardless of whether they were grateful or ungrateful, He cured them all. He did not discriminate against anyone. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

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 

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 

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

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