This is what John the Baptist 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.”
It happened in those days that Jesus came
from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up
out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a
dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my
beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What would you do when you’re given the
opportunity to bask in the glory of your achievements? Do you point to yourself
as the sole anchor of your achievements? Or do you point to Jesus as the one
who is responsible for the glory and achievement that you are presently
enjoying right now?
John pointed to Jesus as the one - the
mighty one which he is not even worthy to be compared. This is what John said
about Jesus: 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 had the opportunity to claim the
peoples’ adulation and bask in the limelight but he never did. Why? For the
simple reason that John perfectly knew his role, he is only the precursor. John
knew that he is not the actor which occupies the starring role.
Whatever achievement we have or attain, we
should always learn to point to Jesus as the anchor and the originator of our
achievement. For the simple reason that everything emanates from Him and
without Him in our lives we are nothing. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinasabi ni Juan
Bautista sa kanyang pangangaral: “Darating na kasunod ko ang isang
makapangyarihan kaysa sa 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.”
Hindi
nagluwat, dumating si Hesus mula sa Nazaret, Galilea, at siya’y bininyagan ni
Juan sa Ilog-Jordan. Pagkaahung-pagkaahon ni Hesus sa tubig ay nakita niyang
nabuksan ang kalangitan, at bumababa sa kanya ang Espiritu na gaya ng isang
kalapati. At isang tinig ang nagmula sa langit: “Ikaw ang minamahal kong Anak,
lubos kitang kinalulugdan.”
Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip.
And Jesus said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida,
the town of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and told
him, "We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and
also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth."
But Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good
come from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus
saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true child of
Israel. There is no duplicity in him." Nathanael said to him, "How do
you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called
you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son
of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus answered and said to him,
"Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You
will see greater things than this." And he said to him, "Amen, amen,
I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and
descending on the Son of Man."
+ + + + + +
Reflection:
Jesus said to Philip: Follow me, such powerful words
coming from Jesus. Thus, Philip could do nothing except to humbly follow the
Messiah. This is the reason why Philip became one of the twelve apostles, he
was called by Jesus.
What if Jesus would call you to follow Him, would you
respond to His call?
Follow where? Follow Him in His humility, follow Him
in His perseverance, follow Him in His being a man for others. Follow Him in His
gentleness and follow Him in His humble obedience to the will of God.
These powerful words of Jesus echoes until this very
moment and it is not anymore addressed to Philip but to us! He gently tells us
to follow Him; many have said yes and followed Jesus already.
Many have forsaken their material riches, high society
status and power for the sake of Jesus. Why? Because at last they found the one
that will finally cure their emptiness and brokenness. Emptiness and brokenness
which they thought could be filled up by their riches and power but it never
did.
Many of us are still chasing after riches, earthly
things and power at what cost and for what? When we are at our deathbeds riches
and power will not anymore matter what will matter is the relationship that we
have with Jesus.
Even now the riches and power that we are chasing will never complete us it
will even exacerbate our emptiness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Kinabukasan, minabuti ni Jesus na
pumunta sa Galilea. Nakita niya si Felipe, at sinabi rito, "Sumunod ka sa
akin." (Si Felipe'y taga-Betsaida, tulad nina Andres at Pedro.) Hinanap ni
Felipe si Natanael, at sinabi rito, "Natagpuan namin si Jesus na
taga-Nazaret, ang anak ni Jose. Siya ang tinutukoy ni Moises sa kanyang sinulat
sa Kautusan, at gayon din ng mga propeta."
"May magmumula bang mabuti sa Nazaret?" tanong ni
Natanael. Sumagot si Felipe, "Halika't tingnan mo." Nang malapit na
si Natanael ay sinabi ni Jesus. "Masdan ninyo ang isang tunay na
Israelita; siya'y hindi magdaraya!" Tinanong siya ni Natanael, "Paano
ninyo ako nakilala?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Bago ka pa tawagin ni Felipe,
nakita na kita nang ikaw ay nasa ilalim ng puno ng igos," "Rabi, kayo
po ang Anak ng Diyos! Kayo ang Hari ng Israel!" wika ni
Natanael.
Sinabi
ni Jesus, "Nanampalataya ka ba dahil sa sinabi ko sa iyong nakita kita sa
ilalim ng puno ng igos? Makakikita ka ng bagay ng higit kaysa rito!" At
sinabi niya sa lahat, "Tandaan ninyo: makikita ninyong bukas ang langit,
at ang mga anghel ng Diyos ay manhik-manaog sa kinaroroonan ng anak ng Tao.!"
John was standing with two of his
disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of
God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus
turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking
for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means
Teacher), "where are you staying?"
He said to them, "Come, and you will
see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him
that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon
Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and
told him, "We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ.
Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon
the son of John; you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
A sinful man saw a poster that states: Do
you want to know Jesus? If your answer is yes, you have to read your bible
specifically the first four gospels of the New Testament. Out of curiosity the
sinful man followed the instruction and he read the first four gospels of the
New Testament. As he read it he felt an edifying feeling that he never felt
before in his life. He therefore left everything that made him sin and he
became a zealous follower of the Lord.
The call of Jesus comes to us in different
shapes and forms. It sometime comes to us through a life altering experience.
It comes to us through a friend who would invite us to church and there we become
enlightened about the life of Jesus.
What is important in these Jesus
experience is our willingness to walk the extra mile to be with Jesus and to
know Jesus. What does this mean? It simply means that we would be willing to
leave behind everything for Jesus. This also means that we would invest time to
read the life story of Jesus in the bible. Many do this and
they experience life changing conversion.
Many respond as well but they’re not
willing to leave behind sin. They continue to sin even if they know that sin is
not good and against the teaching of the faith and Jesus. They therefore
continue to mire themselves in sin that would eventually make life miserable
for them.
When the followers of John left him for
Jesus, it was not an easy decision for them. But they had a strong
resolve to follow Jesus. So they did and from being ordinary fishermen
they became Extra-Ordinary fishers of men.
You may as well encounter an offer to
follow Jesus. Follow Him with all your heart this simply means that you would
be willing to leave sin behind. And you leave everything including your very
life in the healing and loving hands of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, naroon uli si
Juan at ang dalawa sa kanyang mga alagad. Nakita niya si Jesus na nagdaraan, at
kanyang sinabi, "Ito ang Kordero ng Diyos!" Narinig ng dalawang
alagad ang sinabi niya, at sumunod sila kay Jesus. Lumingon si Jesus at nang
makitang sumusunod sila ay kanyang tinanong, "Ano ang hinahanap
ninyo?"
Sumagot sila, "Saan po kayo nakatira, Rabi?" Ang
kahulugan ng salitang ito'y Guro. "Halikayo at tingnan ninyo," ani
Jesus. Sumama sila at nakita nila ang kanyang tinitirhan; at tumuloy sila roon
ng araw na yaon. Noo'y mag-iikaapat na ng hapon. Ang isa sa dalawang nakarinig
kay Juan at sumunod kay Jesus ay si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro.
Una
niyang hinanap ang kapatid niyang ito, at kanyang sinabi sa kanya,
"Natagpuan namin ang Mesias!" Ang kahulugan ng salitang ito'y Cristo.
At siya'y isinama ni Andres kay Jesus. Tiningnan ni Jesus si Simon at sinabi sa
kanya, 'Ikaw si Simon na anak ni Juan. ang ipangangalan sa iyo'y Cefas."
Ang katumbas ng pangalang ito'y Pedro.
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward
him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the
world. He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead
of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I
came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel."
John testified further,
saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and
remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize
with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is
the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified
that he is the Son of God."
+ + + + + +
Reflection:
Do you once in a while crave for attention
and recognition?
Whether we admit it or not, there are
times that we gloat about ourselves and we crave to be recognized. This is one
of our human frailties to raise ourselves in the altar of prominence most
especially when we gain something for ourselves. Or when there is an
opportunity for us to be recognized we immediately grab that fleeting moment of
opportunity.
There are even some who change with time;
for example in friendships, some are like weather conditions. They often change
as they gain riches and higher life status. But lest we forget that whatever we
have now is temporary. Someday or even sooner what we have now may be taken
from us and we end up with nothing.
So let us keep our feet on the ground, let
us at all times follow the humble path of John the Baptist so that we could
become effective heralds for Jesus. Let us share Jesus if not in our words we
do it through our actions. Many do not know Jesus because we don’t live the
teachings of Jesus.
John lived to the hilt the teachings of
Jesus, he did not compete with Jesus for attention. He instead let Jesus shine
not minding if some of his followers left him for Jesus. Why? For the simple
reason that John was so secure in His role as the precursor for the messiah.
Insecurity was never in the bones of John,
he let Jesus bloom as he silently did his role outside of the fleeting lights
of recognition.
Kinabukasan, nakita ni Juan si Hesus
na lumalapit sa kanya. Sinabi niya, “Ito ang Kordero ng Diyos. Ito ang nag-aalis
ng mga kasalanan ng sanlibutan! Siya ang tinutukoy ko nang sabihin kong
dumarating na kasunod ko ang isang higit sa akin sapagkat siya’y siya na bago
pa ako ipanganak. Hindi ko rin siya lubos na nakikilala noon, bagamat ako’y
naparitong nagbibinyag sa tubig upang ipakilala siya sa Israel.”
Ito ang
patotoo ni Juan, “Nakita ko ang Espiritung bumababa buhat sa langit, gaya ng
isang kalapati, at nanatili sa kanya. Hindi ko nga siya lubos na nakikilala
noon, ngunit ang nagsugo sa akin upang magbinyag sa tubig ang nagsabi sa akin,
‘Makikita mo ang Espiritu na bababa at mananatili sa isang tao – siya ang
magbibinyag sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo.’ Nakita ko ito, at
pinatototohanan kong siya ang Anak ng Diyos.”
This is the testimony of John. When the
Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?”
He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they
asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are
you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we
can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?” He
said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way
of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They
asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the
Prophet?”
John answered them, “I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming
after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in
Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Would you want to follow the way of John?
If only we are all like John, we could
have avoided so many troubles in this world. But we are not because we are not
as humble as John. And we are not like John because many of us are not also
ready to die for the sake of upholding what is moral and right.
John is a paradox for many of us because
he was at the threshold of attaining instant fame. But he refused it, he
instead choose to remain humble and not fool around with fleeting fame. Around
that time John had all the opportunities to put himself above everyone else but
he did not.
John chose the way of humility. Such is
John, humble to the core of his bones and loyal to Jesus and His teachings. The
way of John is the way of humility, the way of John is to shun fame and adulation
for the sake of Jesus and His teachings.
Many of us love to be in the limelight, we
hunger for attention and adulation. We love it when we are praised to high
heavens. Our ears even flap in acknowledgment of the honor that is not ours.
Let us be like John at all times always humble, always self-effacing and always
pointing to Jesus as the one sent by God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Nang suguin ng mga Judio sa Jerusalem
ang ilang saserdote at Levita upang itanong kung sino siya, sinabi ni Juan ang
katotohanan. Sinabi niyang hindi siya ang Mesias. “Kung gayo’y sino ka?” tanong
nila. “Ikaw ba si Elias?” “Hindi po,” tugon niya. “Ikaw ba ang Propetang
hinihintay namin?” Sumagot siya, “Hindi po.”
“Sino ka kung gayun?” Tanong nila uli. “Sabihin mo sa amin para
masabi namin sa mga nagsugo sa amin. Ano ang masasabi mo tungkol sa iyong
sarili?” Sumagot si Juan, “Ako ‘Ang tinig ng isang sumisigaw sa ilang: Tuwirin
ninyo ang daraanan ng Panginoon!’” Ang Propeta Isaias ang maysabi
nito.
Ang mga
nagtanong ay sugo ng mga Pariseo. Muli nilang tinanong si Juan, “Bakit ka
nagbibinyag, hindi pala naman ikaw ang Mesias, ni si Elias, ni ang Propeta?”
Sumagot siya, “Ako’y nagbibinyag sa tubig, ngunit nasa gitna ninyo ang isang
hindi ninyo nakikilala. Siya ang susunod sa akin, subalit hindi ako karapat-dapat
magkalag man lamang ng tali ng kanyang panyapak.” Ito’y nangyari sa Betania, sa
ibayo ng Jordan na pinagbibinyagan ni Juan.
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Do you always respect, take care of and honor your mother?
On this first day of the year the church honor’s Mary as the Holy Mother of God. This is so because the church wants to remind us of the important role of Mary in salvation history. In the gospel, the Blessed Mother quietly kept everything that was told them by the shepherd. No complaint whatsoever, she humbly submitted herself to the will of God.
Mary quietly fulfilled her role as the Holy Mother of God. She did not complain, she simply submitted herself to God’s will. She taught Jesus everything that He needs to know about life. And she also stayed with Jesus until the very end of His life. In return, Jesus greatly recognized her humble submission to the will of God by asking John the apostle to take care of His mother ( John 19:27).
All of us have our own mothers and we are all aware of the great sacrifices that they did for us. Like the Blessed Mother, they never complained they instead quietly assumed their motherly roles. But how are we treating them right now that they are in twilight of their years? Are we giving them the best comfort and care that they could ever have?
Let us give our mothers the best that we could ever give them. Let us express to them our love and gratitude for all of the things that they’ve done for us. If they make mistakes or behave erratically due to their advancing age, let us remain patient and gentle with them.
How are you taking care of your mother? - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon: nagmamadali silang lumakad patungong Betlehem at nakita nila sina Maria at Jose at ang sanggol na nakahiga sa sabsaban. Kaya't isinaysay nila ang mga sinabi ng anghel tungkol sa sanggol na ito; at nagtaka ang lahat ng nakarinig sa sinabi ng mga pastol.
Natanim sa isip ni Maria ang mga bagay na ito at kanyang pinagbulay-bulay. Umalis ang mga pastol na nagpupuri sa Diyos at nagpapahayag ng kanyang kadakilaan dahil sa lahat ng narinig nila at nakita na ayon sa ibinalita sa kanila ng anghel.
Pagdating ng ikawalong araw ay tinuli ang bata at pinangalanang Hesus – ang pangalang ibinigay ng anghel bago pa siya ipinaglihi.
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
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:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for 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.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
The story is told about a mother who was wondering how come her children have no proper values and no love for God. Many parents are perhaps in the same boat, they are puzzled how their children grew up in such manner.
But parents need not look far to discover the cause of their children’s negative behavior. They simply have to face the mirror, and they will surely discover the person behind their children’s negative behavior.
Parents are the basic formators of their children and the pillar of the family as such they are the foremost teachers of their children. If they raise their children with love for God they would mature as lovers of God. If they raise them with discipline and right manners they would grow up as such as well.
Besides fulfilling the Jewish law that mandates bringing the firstborn to the temple and requires the mother to offer a sacrifice for her purification after childbirth. Mary and Joseph ensured that the child Jesus will grow up to become someone who will love God dearly.
This is the reason why they took time to present Jesus to God in the temple. Joseph and Mary knew the crucial role of love for God in their family and in their child’s life. Both of them knew how to properly mold their only child Jesus, so that He would grow as a man who loves God.
Even if we are very busy, let us not forget to make time to bring our children to the Lord by attending Holy Mass as a family. We should introduce Jesus to them by discussing His life, which we can easily find in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John in the Bible. Additionally, let's not overlook the importance of teaching them about our faith, as it will undoubtedly bear fruit in their lives when they start their own families someday.
Do you always attend Holy Mass as a family and have you educated your children about the life of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Nang dumating ang araw ng paglilinis sa kanila, ayon sa Kautusan ni Moises, si Jesus ay dinala ng kanyang mga magulang sa Jerusalem upang iharap sa Panginoon, sapagkat ayon sa Kautusan, "Ang bawat panganay na lalaki ay nakatalaga sa Panginoon." At naghandog sila, ayon sa hinihingi ng Kautusan ng Panginoon: "Mag-asawang batu-bato, o dalawang inakay na kalapati."
May isang tao noon sa Jerusalem, ang pangala'y Simeon. Matapat at malapit sa Diyos ang lalaking ito at naghihintay sa 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 tagapagligtas, 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 tungkol sa kanya. Binasbasan sila ni Simeon, at sinabi kay Maria, "Tandaan mo, ang batang ito'y 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."
Naroon din sa templo ang isang propetang babae na ang ngala'y Ana, anak ni Fanuel na mula sa lipi ni Aser. Siya'y napakatanda na. Pitong taon lamang silang nagsama ng kanyang asawa, nang siya'y mabalo, at ngayon, walumpu't apat na taon na siya. Lagi siya sa templo at araw gabi'y sumasamba sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pag-aayuno at pananalangin.
Lumapit siya nang oras ding iyon at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Nagsalita rin siya tungkol kay Jesus sa lahat ng naghihintay sa pagpapalaya ng Diyos sa Jerusalem. Nang maisagawa nila ang lahat ng bagay ayon sa Kautusan, bumalik na sila sa kanilang bayan, sa Nazaret, Galilea. Ang bata'y lumaking malakas, marunong at kalugud-lugod sa paningin ng Diyos.
