Reflection for January 10, Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 1:29-39

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

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Reflection:

There’s a story of an arrogant man who would always want to dominate anyone who would be associated with him. Eventually he noticed that he would always be deserted by his friends. He also became aware that even his family would oftentimes avoid being associated with him.

He knew deep in his heart that the reason of their aversion towards him was caused by his dominating and arrogant behavior. So, he prayed to Jesus and asked Him to heal him of his arrogance. After a few weeks those around him noticed a change in his behavior.

From being arrogant he became humbler, understanding and not anymore dominating like a dictator. With the sudden change of his behavior he gained more friends and the harmony with his family was restored.  

Is prayer for the healing of our mind, body and soul always part of our daily prayers to Jesus? Perhaps not because we oftentimes confine Jesus’ healing to physical sickness. But in reality, Jesus doesn’t only heal physical sickness He can heal everything that ails us. For example, our sickness called arrogance, our sickness called greed, our sickness called lust and so forth. All of these can be healed by Jesus.

We must not confine Jesus healing to physical healing only for the simple reason that Jesus physical healings are but a surface of His infinite power. Jesus can heal everything that ails us, including sickness that nobody knows except us; we simply have to humbly ask Him for this healing. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 10, Miyerkules sa Unang Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 1:29-39

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:29-39

Noong panahong iyon, mula sa sinagoga, sila'y nagtuloy sa bahay ni Simon at Andres. Kasama nila sina Santiago at Juan. Nararatay noon ang biyenan ni Simon Pedro, dahil sa matinding lagnat, at ito'y agad nilang sinabi kay Jesus. Nilapitan ni Jesus ang babae, hinawakan sa kamay at ibinangon. Noon di'y inibsan ito ng lagnat at naglingkod sa kanila.  

Pagkalubog ng araw, dinala kay Jesus ang lahat ng maysakit at ang mga inaalihan ng demonyo. At nagkatipon ang buong bayan sa may pintuan ng bahay. Pinagaling niya ang maraming maysakit, anuman ang kanilang karamdaman at nagpalayas sila ng mga demonyo. Hindi niya hinayaang magsalita ang mga ito, sapagkat alam nila kung sino siya. 

Madaling-araw pa'y bumangon na si Jesus at nagtungo sa isang ilang na pook at nanalangin. Hinanap siya ni Simon at ng kanyang mga kasama. Nang siya'y matagpuan, sinabi nila, "Hinahanap po kayo ng lahat." Ngunit sinabi ni Jesus, "Kailangang pumunta rin naman tayo sa mga kalapit-bayan upang makapangaral ako roon -- ito ang dahilan ng pag-alis ko sa Capernaum." At nilibot niya ang buong Galilea, na nangangaral sa mga sinagoga at nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo.

Reflection for January 9, Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 1:21-28

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? 

Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him. His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

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Reflection:

What is the modern day unclean spirits that could possess us now? It’s our greed, our lack of concern for others, our arrogance, our lustful desires and the like. Who can defeat these evil spirits that enslaves us? It’s Jesus and our faith in him! But the big question is  Do we always communicate with Jesus through our prayers? Do we thirst for Jesus by always desiring to partake of His body at Holy Mass? 

Evil/unclean spirit has no chance to possess us when we are always in union with Jesus. Those who are possessed by evil spirits are those who distance themselves from Jesus. Just try to always get connected with Jesus and you will see that you will always be shielded from the possession of the evil one. 

In today's gospel, Jesus forcefully commanded the evil spirit that possessed the man to leave him. The evil spirit had no choice but to obey Jesus' authoritative command. Why? Because Jesus possesses power and authority over everything, including the numerous modern-day evils that control us! 

But come to think of it, why was the man in our gospel possessed by an unclean spirit? Why was he among the many people in the synagogue? He was lacking in faith in Jesus and perhaps he was living his life in sin otherwise he would have not been possessed.    

Let us always strive to always get in touch with Jesus for He is always there for us and let us always live righteous lives. By doing so we free ourselves from the possession of the devil and the many modern-day evils that lurks around us today. 

Do you always create time to reach out to Jesus and are you living a righteous life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 9, Martes sa Unang Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 1:21b-28

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:21b-28

Sa lungsod ng Capernaum sa Araw ng Pamamahinga si Jesus ay pumasok sa sinagoga at nagturo. Namangha ang mga tao sapagkat nagturo siya sa kanila na parang isang may kapangyarihan, at hindi tulad ng mga eskriba. Bigla namang pumasok sa sinagoga ang isang inaalihan ng masamang espiritu, at sumigaw: "Ano ang pakialam mo sa amin, Jesus na taga-Nazaret? 

Kilala kita: Ikaw ang Banal na mula sa Diyos!" 

Ngunit iniutos ni Jesus sa masamang espiritu , "Tumahimik ka! Lumabas ka sa kanya!" Pinapangisay ng masamang espiritu ang tao, at sumisigaw na lumabas. Nanggilalas ang lahat, kaya't sila'y nagtanungan. "Ano ito? Bagong aral? Nauutusan niya pati ang masasamang espiritu. At sinunod naman siya!" At mabilis na kumalat sa buong Galilea ang balita tungkol kay Jesus.

Reflection for Monday January 8, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord: Mark 1:7-11

Gospel: Mark 1:7-11

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."

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Reflection:

Do you still remember the date of your baptism and the priest that administered your baptism? Perhaps you don’t remember anymore for the simple reason that it was a long long time ago. But should we strive to remember the date of our baptism? we should because it is through our baptism that we became members of the Catholic/Universal church. 

 Our Baptism is not only a rite or a Sacrament it is also a responsibility that we need to fulfill and what is the responsibility? The responsibility is to help Jesus spread the faith. Therefore, through baptism we become one with the mission of the church. 

In the gospel, Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan river it was not a mere ceremonial baptism. It was a baptism that signaled the beginning of the mission of Jesus. Thus, after baptism Jesus commenced His mission of salvation. 

We have to be gently reminded that we always share in the mission of Jesus by virtue of our baptism. Hence, we have to ask ourselves: Have I already shared the gospel of Christ and am I living right now the teachings of the gospel? – Marino J. Dasmarinas           

Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes Enero 8, Kapistahan ng Pagbibinyag ng Panginoon: Marcos 1:7-11

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:7-11

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.”

Reflection for Sunday January 7, Solemnity of The Epiphany of the Lord: Matthew 2:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” 

When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” 

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was thinking of something that he can give Jesus this 2024. So, he was asking himself: What can I give Jesus this year being the year of Prayer? Then, he immediately answered his question by saying; “I will be prayerful and I will teach others how to pray. 

The Magi from the East presented extraordinary gifts to the baby Jesus—Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Gold symbolized Jesus' kingship, Frankincense signified that the child Jesus was to be worshipped, and Myrrh, traditionally used for anointing the dead, foreshadowed His eventual death on the cross. 

What is the best gift you could give Jesus this year? Is it your time and strength for the furtherance of the gospel, or is it your treasure and knowledge? Whatever it may be, give Jesus nothing less than your very best. Do not mind what it will cost you; you have to give Jesus what He truly deserves, for He is your Lord and Savior.  

Sometimes it is very hard to give especially if we will not immediately receive something in return. Many of us find it difficult to give to Jesus because He does not physically reciprocate our generosity. 

But, where can we find Jesus in this era of social media such as facebook, twitter, instagram and so forth? Can we find Jesus in these social media platforms? No, we cannot find Jesus there.  

Jesus is in the poor you pass by every day, in the hungry and homeless you always see, and in anyone who desperately needs your help. Have you ever felt the desire to give them something, but you held back? 

Don’t hold back when you see or pass by them again. Give them something, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to you. For that something means the world to them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 7, Dakilang Kapistahan ng Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Mateo 2:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 2:1-12

Si Hesus ay ipinanganak sa Betlehem ng Judea noong kapanahunan ni haring Herodes. Dumating naman sa Jerusalem ang ilang Pantas mula sa Silangan at nagtanung-tanong doon: “Nasaan ang ipinanganak na Hari ng mga Judio? Nakita namin sa Silangan ang kanyang tala at naparito kami upang sambahin siya.” 

Nang mabalitaan ito ni haring Herodes, siya’y naligalig, gayun din ang buong Jerusalem. Kaya’t tinipon niya ang lahat ng punong saserdote at mga eskriba sa Israel at itinanong sa kanila kung saan ipinanganak ang Mesiyas. “Sa Betlehem po ng Judea,” tugon nila. “Ganito ang sinulat ng propeta:

‘At ikaw, Betlehem, sa lupain ng Juda,

ay hindi nga huli sa mga pangunahing bayan ng Juda.

Sapagkat sa iyo lilitaw ang isang pinuno

na mamamahala sa aking bayang Israel.’” 

Nang mabatid ito, lihim na ipinatawag ni Herodes ang mga Pantas at itinanong kung kailan lumitaw ang mga tala. At pinalakad niya sila patungong Betlehem matapos pabilinan ng ganito: “Humayo kayo at inyong hanaping mabuti ang sanggol. Kapag inyong natagpuan, ibalita agad ninyo sa akin upang ako may makasamba sa kanya.” 

At lumakad na nga ang mga Pantas. Muli silang pinangunahan ng talang nakita nila sa silangan hanggang sa sumapit ito sa tapat ng kinaroroonan ng bata. Gayun na lamang ang galak ng mga Pantas nang makita ang tala! Pagpasok sa bahay, nakita nila ang bata sa piling ng kanyang inang si Maria.  

Lumapit sila at nagpatirapa at sinamba ang bata. Binuksan nila ang kanilang mga sisidlan at inihandog sa kanya ang dala nilang ginto, kamanyang at mira.

Nang sila’y pabalik na, sinabi sa kanila ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng panaginip na huwag na silang babalik kay Herodes. Kaya, nag-iba na sila ng daan pauwi.

Reflection for Saturday January 6, Saint André Bessette (M): Mark 1:7-11

Gospel: Mark 1:7-11

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.”

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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     

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 6, Sabado bago ang Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Marcos 1:7-11

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:7-11

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.”

Reflection for Friday January 5, Saint John Neumann (M): John 1:43-51

Gospel: John 1:43-51

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."

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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 

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 5, Biyernes bago ang Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Juan 1:43-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:43-51

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.!" 

Reflection for Thursday January 4, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (M): John 1:35-42

Gospel: John 1:35-42

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.

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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 

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 4, Huwebes bago ang Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Juan 1:35-42

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:35-42

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.