Short, Simple and Personal reflections on the daily Holy Mass Gospel. I provide talks.
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Thursday, December 28, 2023
Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 30, Sabado, Ikaanim na Araw ng Pagdiriwang sa Pasko ng Pagsilang: Lucas 2:36-40
Reflection for December 29, Friday, Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord: Luke 2:22-35
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was
Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy
Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the
child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him
into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has
been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the
sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of
your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was
said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold,
this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a
sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that
the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
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Reflection:
Are you a parent?
Parents play a very vital role in the formation of
values of their children, where the parents go so their child.
For example, if the parents seldom brings to church
for Holy Mass their children there’s a big chance that when they grow up they
will also rarely go to church for Holy Mass. If parents do not lead worthy
lives there’s a big chance as well that children would be also. In other words
the fruit would almost be the same with the tree.
In the gospel, Mary and Joseph both devoted to their
Jewish faith brought the child Jesus to the temple in compliance with their
Jewish law. They were leading by example on how it is to be faithful to the
laws of God; they were forming the child Jesus to be like them.
It always pays to be good and godly parents because it
helps mold the mind of the child to be good and to be godly as he/she matures.
On the other hand we can just imagine a child being brought up by irresponsible
parents and parents who do not recognize the vital role of God in their
life.
Though it does not assure 100% that the fruit
will always be like the tree. Yet when we always model good and godly behavior
to our children we are already conditioning their minds to always do what is
good and godly.
Therefore this modelling of good behavior will surely
help them become good and law abiding individuals in the future. But the big
question mark is, are we good role models to our children? – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 29, Biyernes, Ikalimang Araw ng Pagdiriwang sa Pasko ng Pagsilang: Lucas 2:22-35
May isang tao noon sa Jerusalem, ang pangala'y Simeon. Matapat at
malapit sa Diyos ang lalaking ito at naghihintay ng katubusan ng Israel.
Sumasakanya ang Espiritu Santo na nagpahayag sa kanya na hindi siya mamamatay
hangga't hindi niya nakikita ang Mesias na ipinangako ng Panginoon.
Sa patnubay ng Espiritu, pumasok siya sa templo. At nang dalhin
doon ng kanyang mga magulang ang sanggol na si Jesus upang gawin ang hinihingi
ng Kautusan, siya'y kinalong ni Simeon. Ito'y nagpuri sa Diyos, na ang wika,
"Kunin mo na, Panginoon, ang iyong abang alipin. Ayon sa iyong pangako,
yamang nakita na ng aking mga mata ang iyong pagliligtas, na inihanda mo para
sa lahat ng bansa: liwanag itong tatanglaw sa mga Hentil, at
magbibigay-karangalan sa iyong bayang Israel."
Namangha ang ama't ina ng sanggol dahil sa sinabi ni Simeon, at sinabi kay Maria, "Tandaan mo, ang batang ito ay nakatalaga sa ikapapahamak o ikaliligtas ng marami sa Israel, isang tanda mula sa Diyos ngunit hahamakin ng marami kaya't mahahayag ang kanilang iniisip. Dahil diyan, ang puso mo'y para na ring tinarakan ng isang balaraw."
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Reflection for Thursday December 28, Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs: Matthew 2:13-18
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the
magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem
and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had
ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through
Jeremiah the prophet:
A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud
lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.
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Reflection:
What fuels extreme anger? It’s arrogance of power,
it’s the mindset of ego and superiority.
When King Herod ordered the massacre of all the boys
in Bethlehem and its vicinity within the age of two years and below (Matthew
2:16). His order was certainly fueled by his arrogance, ego, abuse of power and
the mindset of superiority.
Did Herod suffer for his despicable act? He did
certainly, he suffered in silence and he had no peace of mind for the rest of
his life. This could happen to us also when we are arrogant and when we allow
blind and extreme anger to rule over us.
So, instead of allowing ourselves to be controlled by
our anger and arrogance let us be calm. And think of the irreversible
consequences that may come if we allow anger and arrogance to take control of
us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Disyembre 28, Mga Banal na Sanggol na Walang Kamalayan, mga martir (Kapistahan): Mateo 2:13-18
Galit na galit si Herodes nang malamang siya'y napaglalangan ng
mga Pantas. Kaya't ipinapatay niya ang mga batang lalaki sa Betlehem at mga
palibot na pook-- lahat na may gulang na dalawang taon pababa, alinsunod sa
paglitaw ng tala na natiyak niyang sa mga Pantas.
Sa
gayo'y natupad ang sinabi ni Propeta Jeremias: "Narinig sa Rama ang
malakas na panaghoy. Tinatangisan ni Raquel ang kanyang mga anak. Hindi siya
maaliw sa tindi ng kalungkutan dahil sa pagkamatay nila."
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Reflection for Wednesday December 27, Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist: John 20:1a, 2-8
They both ran, but the other disciple ran
faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the
burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he
went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had
covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb
first, and he saw and believed.
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Reflection:
What does the empty tomb of Jesus signify? It signifies that Jesus has risen after dying on the cross at Calvary. Simon Peter perhaps did not immediately believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Unlike the other disciples (John) who immediately believed after seeing the empty tomb and the burial cloths.
In this gospel episode it may seem that Peter and John are followers with contrasting intensity of faith. John with his rock-solid faith and Peter who seem to be reluctant to immediately believe.
But was Peter’s faith in the resurrection of Jesus really inadequate during that moment? Perhaps no, perhaps Peter chose to keep in his heart his faith in Jesus. In the silence of his heart Peter perhaps was also an instantaneous believer of the resurrection of Jesus.
Faith is a gift, like Peter many of us carry it in our hearts silently. We may not immediately notice this in our fellow human beings but it’s within them deeply rooted courtesy of Jesus.
Let us therefore pray to Jesus that He also give us this gift of faith. Let us
also not forget to pray for our loved ones and friends so that they too may
receive the same gift of faith. - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Disyembre 27, San Juan, apostol at manunulat ng Mabuting Balita (Kapistahan): Juan 20:2-8
Yumuko ito at sumilip sa loob. Nakita niyang nakalagay ang mga kayong lino, ngunit hindi siya pumasok. Kasunod niyang dumating si Simon Pedro at tuluy-tuloy itong pumasok sa libingan. Nakita niya ang mga kayong lino, at ang panyong ibinalot sa ulo. Hindi ito kasama ng mga kayong lino, kundi hiwalay na nakatiklop sa isang tabi. Pumasok din ang alagad na naunang dumating; nakita niya ito at siya’y naniwala.
Monday, December 25, 2023
Reflection for Tuesday December 26, Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr: Matthew 10: 17-22
You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
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Reflection:
During Christmas season we savor the many good things about life. Such as food, gifts and other good things that would satisfy us. However, there will come a time that we will be called to live our faith to the fullest. This simply means that we’ll have to witness for our love and faith for Jesus. This witness for Jesus may require us to pass through hard times or it may even require us to even give our very own life.
Saint Stephen the first martyr of the church whose martyrdom we remember today. Is one of those who witnessed for Jesus until the very end of his life. He advanced the faith and did great things in the name of Jesus. But he was eventually savagely killed for witnessing for Jesus.
Until now, we are still called to witness for our faith in Jesus. We are also called to use social media so that Jesus will become more relevant today. Particularly in the hearts and minds of everyone, especially the young ones, as they are the future of the church.
Have you already witnessed for Jesus? Have you already been persecuted for your love for Jesus? Do not be disheartened if you have been through or currently going thru these tests of faith for these are part and parcel of your witness and discipleship for Jesus. Make Jesus more relevant today as what Saint Stephen did during his time. Do not be afraid of the severe consequences that may befall you, because you have nothing to fear if Jesus is with you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Disyembre 26 San Esteban, unang martir (Kapistahan): Mateo 10:17-22
Kapag nililitis na kayo, huwag kayong mabalisa tungkol sa
sasabihin ninyo o kung paano ninyo sasabihin. Pagdating ng oras, ito'y
ipagkakaloob sa inyo. sapagkat hindi kayo ang magsasalita kundi ang Espiritu ng
inyong Ama ang magsasalita sa pamamagitan ninyo.
"Ipagkakanulo ng kanyang kapatid ang kanyang kapatid upang ipapatay; gayon din ang gagawin ng ama sa kanyang anak. Lalabanan ng mga anak ang kanilang mga magulang, at ipapapatay. Kapopootan kayo ng lahat dahil sa akin; ngunit ang manatiling tapat hanggang wakas ang siyang maliligtas.
Sunday, December 24, 2023
Reflection for Monday December 25, The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Mass during the Day: John 1:1-18
A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’
From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.
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Reflection:
The story is told about a pregnant woman who was given a choice by her doctor: Her life or the life of the child in her womb. The woman was not able to immediately answer. The next day she was again asked the same question by her doctor. She replied that she would choose the life of her child over her own life.
The love of God for us is like the exercise of love of this woman; for the love of God for us is infinite. God gave to us His only begotten son so that we may live and have life no matter how sinful we are.
A family to bond together needs infinite love, the secret to a long and lasting marriage is infinite love between the husband and the wife. Without this infinite love the family is bound to disintegrate same with the union of husband and wife.
The birth of Jesus the word made flesh which we celebrate today is the result of God’s infinite love for us. What have we done with this gift of infinite love by the birth of Jesus through the Blessed Mother? Have we already shared this infinite love that we received from God in the person of Jesus?
Many of us don’t have time anymore to share Jesus because of our many worldly preoccupations. We are so busy making a living for this world.
But in the midst of these things we are being gently reminded that today our savior is born. And His coming into our midst is brought about by God’s infinite love. So, we have a duty to share the birthday of our savior so that they too would feel God’s infinite love as we feel it now.
Those who will share the Lord will in so many ways be continuously be blessed by the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes Disyembre 25, Dakilang Kapistahan ng Pasko ng Pagsilang ng Panginoon, Misa sa Araw: Juan 1:1-18
Sinugo ng Diyos ang isang tao na nagngangalang Juan. Naparito siya upang magpatotoo tungkol sa ilaw at manalig sa ilaw ang lahat dahil sa patotoo niya. Hindi siya ang ilaw kundi naparito siya upang magpatotoo tungkol sa ilaw. Ang tunay na ilaw na tumatanglaw sa lahat ng tao ay dumarating sa sanlibutan.
Nasa sanlibutan ang Salita. Nilikha ang sanlibutan sa pamamagitan niya ngunit hindi siya nakilala ng sanlibutan. Naparito siya sa kanyang bayan ngunit hindi siya tinanggap ng kanyang mga kababayan. Ngunit ang lahat ng tumanggap at nanalig sa kanya ay pinagkalooban niya ng karapatang maging anak ng Diyos. Sila nga’y naging anak ng Diyos, hindi dahil sa isinilang sila ayon sa kalikasan, ni sa pita ng laman o sa kagagawan ng tao. Ang pagiging anak nila ay buhat sa Diyos.
Naging tao ang Salita at siya’y nanirahan sa piling natin. Nakita namin ang kanyang kapangyarihan at kadakilaan, puspos ng pag-ibig at katapatan. Tinanggap niya mula sa Ama ang kapangyarihan at kadakilaang ito bilang bugtong na Anak.
Nagpatotoo si Juan tungkol sa kanya. At ganito ang kanyang sigaw, “Siya ang tinutukoy ko nang aking sabihin, ‘Ang darating na kasunod ko’y higit sa akin, sapagkat siya’y siya na bago pa ako ipanganak.’”
Dahil sa siya’y puspos ng pag-ibig, tayong lahat ay tumanggap mula sa kanya ng abut-abot na kaloob. Sapagkat ibinibigay ang Kautusan sa pamamagitan ni Moises ngunit ang pag-ibig at ang katotohanan ay dumating sa pamamagitan ni Hesukristo. Kailanma’y walang nakakita sa Diyos, subalit ipinakilala siyang bugtong na Anak – siya’y Diyos – na lubos na minamahal ng Ama.
Reflection for Monday December 25, The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Mass during the Night: Luke 2:1-14
While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
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Reflection:
How do you celebrate your Christmas?
The gospel intimates to us the very simple birth of Jesus, bereft of any sign of affluence. This must also be our guide when we celebrate our Christmas; let us make it as simple as possible. Let us also see to it that we make others happy most especially the poor by sharing what we have with them. If we do this, they would see the person of Christ in us; the true meaning of Christmas will become a living reality for them through us.
Let us also see to it that we attend Holy Mass for this is the best way to usher the birth of Jesus. The true reason for the season which is the birth of our savior is often times overcrowded by our many Christmas undertakings/celebrations. Thus, our celebration becomes the center of our Christmas; Jesus is set aside in favor of these many celebrations.
Our Responsorial Psalm which says: Today is born our savior Christ the Lord. This tell us that we must put more premium first on the birth of Jesus and not on our many celebrations. In our first reading the prophet Isaiah signified the importance of Jesus’ birth by saying that those who walked in darkness have seen a great light and those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone (Isaiah 9:1).
How can we see the true light of Jesus that will brighten our life if we put first our celebrations in lieu of our presence in the Holy Mass? How can we discover the true essence of Christ simple birth if we will not share what we have with the poor? Which Jesus always love to be identified with. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes Disyembre 25, Dakilang Kapistahan ng Pasko ng Pagsilang ng Panginoon, Misa sa Hatinggabi: Lucas 2:1-14
Mula sa Nazaret, Galilea, si Jose’y pumunta sa Betlehem, Judea, ang bayang sinilangan ni Haring David, sapagkat siya’y mula sa angkan at lahi ni David. Kasama niyang umuwi upang magpatala rin si Maria na kanyang magiging asawa na noo’y kagampan. Samantalang naroroon sila, dumating ang oras ng panganganak ni Maria at isinilang niya ang kanyang panganay at ito’y lalaki. Binalot niya ng lampin ang sanggol at inihiga sa isang sabsaban, sapagkat wala nang lugar para sa kanila sa bahay-panuluyan.
Sa lupain ding yaon ay may mga pastol na nasa parang, nagpupuyat sa pagbabantay ng kanilang mga tupa. Biglang lumitaw sa harapan nila ang isang anghel ng Panginoon at lumaganap sa paligid nila ang nakasisilaw na kaningningan ng Panginoon.
Natakot sila nang gayun na lamang, “Huwag kayong matakot! Ako’y may dalang mabuting balita para sa inyo na magdudulot ng malaking kagalakan sa lahat ng tao. Sapagkat isinilang ngayon sa bayan ni David ang inyong Tagapagligtas, ang Kristong Panginoon. Ito ang palatandaan: matatagpuan ninyo ang isang sanggol na nababalot ng lampin at nakahiga sa sabsaban.”
Biglang lumitaw sa tabi ng anghel ang isang malaking hukbo ng kalangitan, na nagpupuri sa Diyos: “Papuri sa Diyos sa kaitaasan, at sa lupa’y kapayapaan sa mga taong kinalulugdan niya!”
Monday, December 18, 2023
1Reflection for Sunday December 24, Fourth Sunday of Advent: Luke 1:26-38
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
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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The Lord always chooses and uses the humble and the obedient for the realization of His plans in this world. Simply put, Mary humbly submitted her own life to God. Like Mary, do we always submit to the wisdom and intervention of God? Or do we only submit when we see that it would favor us? When it doesn’t favor us, we decline God’s wisdom and intervention.
God’s intervention in our lives is always for our own good and welfare. We may initially see it as something that is very hard to follow and understand because we would be pulled out from our comfort zones or from our sinful ways. However, in the end, we will realize that God's plan is right, for our own good and for own redemption.
God has a beautiful plan for your life, He only ask you of one thing for that plan to become a reality. And that is to humbly submit to that plan and intervention of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas