Reflection for Tuesday April 9, Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter: John 3:7b-15

Gospel: John 3:7b-15

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?  

Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

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Reflection:

Do you seek Jesus?  

Nicodemus is a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin a Jewish judicial body. Why did he follow Jesus? He must have discovered something in Jesus that made him follow Him even until Jesus death on the cross. Nicodemus followership of Jesus did not stop on His death on the cross, Nicodemus also took care of the body of Jesus after His death (John 19:39).    

What would it take for us to become a follower of Jesus? Do we still need to see a miracle before we become a faithful follower? It might be too late already, why not follow Jesus now? Let us look up at Jesus on the cross, that man on the cross died for us! Would we not take a second look to that man on the cross? Would we not thank Him for giving His life for us?  

Nicodemus was initially not a follower of Jesus but when he heard about Jesus he strived to know Jesus until he met the Lord. From the point of hearing about the Lord transformation was also happening in the life of Nicodemus which led him to become a faithful follower of the Lord.

Nobody knows the deepest core of our lives; nobody knows our gravest sins except us. Nevertheless, we have to decide to follow the Lord now for He is ready to transform us. To give us peace in our lives which this world cannot give us. It’s no problem for Jesus if we would become a secret follower like Nicodemus what is important for Jesus is we follow Him.  

Would you follow the Lord beginning today? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Abril 9, Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:7b-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:7b-15

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus kay Nicodemo: Huwag kayong magtaka sa sinabi ko sa inyo, 'Lahat ay kailangang ipanganak na muli.' Umiihip ang hangin kung saan ibig at naririnig ninyo ang ugong nito, ngunit hindi ninyo alam kung saan nanggagaling at kung saan naparoroon. 

Gayon din ang bawat ipinanganak sa Espiritu." "Paano pong mangyayari ito?" tanong ni Nicodemo. Sumagot si Jesus, "Guro pa naman kayo sa Israel ay hindi ninyo nauunawaan ang bagay na ito? Tandaan ninyo: ang aming nalalaman ang sinasabi namin, at ang aming nasaksihan ang pinatototohanan namin, ngunit hindi ninyo tinatanggap ang aming patotoo. 

Kung hindi ninyo paniniwalaan ang sinasabi ko tungkol sa mga bagay sa sanlibutang ito, paano ninyo paniniwalaan kung ang sabihin ko'y tungkol sa mga bagay sa langit? Walang umakyat sa langit kundi ang bumaba mula sa langit -- ang Anak ng Tao."

"At kung paanong itinaas ni Moises ang ahas doon sa ilang, gayon din naman, kailangang itaas ang Anak ng Tao, upang ang sinumang sumasampalataya sa kanya ay magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan.

Reflection for Monday April 8, Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord: 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:

Do you always accept the will of the Lord for your life or you sometimes contradict it? 

The Solemnity of the Annunciation remembers the announcement of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary about her being chosen as the mother of Jesus.

The Gospel tells us that God thru the Angel Gabriel had chosen the Blessed Mother to be the Mother of Jesus, of all women why the Blessed Mother? We don’t know the answer but the Blessed Mother’s humility, docility and abandonment to the will of God speaks volumes about her.  

The Blessed Mother humbly followed God’s desire and will when she said: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38)." Mary humbled herself before God, Mary trusted her life to the will of God and Mary discerned the desire of the Holy Spirit in her life.

Like the Blessed Mother, are you willing to humble yourself before the Lord? Are you willing to abandon your life to the will of God? And do you always discern the desire of the Holy Spirit in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Sunday April 7, Second Sunday of Easter Sunday of Divine Mercy: John 20:19-31

Gospel: John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. 

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”  

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”  

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”  

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

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Reflection:

Where was Thomas when Jesus appeared to His disciples in the upper room? We don’t know we can only surmise that he was doing something that made him miss their meeting. Was his activity during that night more important than to meet and pray with his fellow disciples?  

By missing their meeting Thomas subsequently missed also the sacred presence of the risen Christ.  He missed being blessed by Jesus’ miraculous presence and Thomas missed being imparted the  blessing of peace by the Lord. What a lost of opportunity for Thomas! If only he knew beforehand that their Lord and Master would be making a miraculous appearance in their meeting he would have not dared miss it. 

Some of us may see ourselves in Thomas, we who oftentimes miss to go to church for Holy Mass. We who put our Sunday sacred meeting with the Lord at the backseat in favor of our many worldly preoccupations.  

What do we miss when we absent ourselves for Holy Mass? We miss to be with Jesus, we miss to partake of His Body and Blood. We miss to be blessed by His powerful and blessings- filled words. We miss to be in powerful prayer meeting with our brothers and sisters in faith. We also miss to receive His healing and blessing of peace which He silently gives to us every time we are at Mass.  

Thomas learned his lesson; that’s why he made himself available in their second meeting. We too should learn our lesson by always prioritizing our sacred meeting with the Lord at Holy Mass.  

Do you always try your very best not to miss your encounter with the Lord during Sunday Mass? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Linggo Abril 7, Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay Linggo ng Banal na Awa ng Panginoon: Juan 20:19-31

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:19-31

Kinagabihan ng araw ding iyon, ang mga alagad ay nagkakatipon. Nakapinid ang mga pinto ng bahay na kanilang pinagtitipunan dahil sa takot nila sa mga Judio. Dumating si Jesus at tumayo sa gitna nila. "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" sabi niya. 

Pagkasabi nito, ipinakita niya ang kanyang mga kamay at ang kanyang tagiliran. Tuwang-tuwa ang mga alagad nang makita ang Panginoon. Sinabi na naman ni Jesus, "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan! Kung paanong sinugo ako ng Ama, gayon din naman, sinusugo ko kayo." Pagkatapos, sila'y hiningahan niya at sinabi, "Tanggapin ninyo ang Espiritu Santo. Ang patawarin ninyo sa kanilang mga kasalanan ay pinatawad na nga; ang hindi ninyo patawarin ay hindi nga pinatawad."

Ngunit si Tomas na tinaguriang Kambal, isa sa Labindalawa, ay wala roon nang dumating si Jesus. Kaya't sinabi sa kanya ng ibang alagad, "Nakita namin ang Panginoon!" Sumagot si Tomas, "Hindi ako maniniwala hangga't di ko nakikita ang butas ng mga pako sa kanyang mga kamay, at naisusuot dito ang aking mga daliri, at hangga't hindi ko naipapasok ang aking kamay sa kanyang tagiliran."

Makalipas ang walong araw, muling nagkatipon sa loob ng bahay ang mga alagad; kasama nila si Tomas. Nakapinid ang mga pinto, ngunit pumasok si Jesus at tumayo sa gitna nila. Sinabi niya, "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" Saka sinabi kay Tomas, "Tingnan mo ang aking mga kamay at ilapit dito ang iyong daliri. 

Ipasok mo ang iyong kamay sa aking tagiliran. Huwag ka nang mag-alinlangan, maniwala ka na." Sumagot si Tomas, "Panginoon ko at Diyos ko!" Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Naniniwala ka na ba sapagkat nakita mo ako? Mapapalad ang mga naniniwala kahit hindi nila ako nakita."

Marami pang kababalaghang ginawa si Jesus na nasaksihan ng mga alagad, ngunit hindi natatala sa aklat na ito. Ang mga natala rito'y sinulat upang sumampalataya kayong si Jesus ang Mesias, ang Anak ng Diyos, at sa gayo'y magkaroon kayo ng buhay sa pamamagitan niya. 

Reflection for April 6, Saturday in the Octave of Easter: Mark 16:9-15

Gospel: Mark 16:9-15

When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.  

After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

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Reflection:

What can you do to influence others to believe that Jesus is risen? You have to proclaim the gospel through your way of life. What does this mean? You have to live the life and behavior of Jesus because this is the only way for others to be convinced that Jesus is risen.  

In the gospel, Mary Magdalene told her companions that Jesus is alive however nobody believed her. Jesus also appeared to the disciples and these disciples in turn told the other disciples about the appearance of the risen Christ but they did not believe either.  

The most concrete manifestation that Jesus is risen and alive is us! It is through us that others would believe about the risen Christ. What are we going to do so that those that we encounter would believe that Jesus is real, risen and alive?  

We have to become another Jesus for them. We have to be humble as Jesus is humble, we  have to be helpful as Jesus is helpful. We have to be loving and forgiving as Jesus is loving and forgiving and so forth.

We have to know how to empathize for Jesus knows how to empathize. We have to stop judging and condemning others as Jesus did not judge neither condemned anyone. In other words in Jesus we’ll find someone who will listen to us, who will not judge and condemn us for the things that we’ve done in the past. Because Jesus is only concerned of our present and our future with Him.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 6 Sabado sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Marcos 16:9-15

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:9-15

Umagang-umaga ng araw ng Linggo, matapos na muling mabuhay si Hesus, siya’y unang napakita kay Maria Magdalena. Pitong demonyo ang pinalayas ni Hesus sa babaing ito. Pumunta siya sa mga alagad ni Hesus, na noo’y nahahapis at umiiyak, at ibinalita ang kanyang nakita. 

Ngunit hindi sila naniwala sa sinabi ni Maria na buhay si Hesus at napakita sa kanya. Siya’y napakita rin sa dalawang alagad na naglalakad patungo sa bukid, ngunit iba ang kanyang kaanyuan. Bumalik sa Jerusalem ang dalawa at ibinalita sa kanilang kasamahan ang nangyari, ngunit sila ma’y hindi pinaniwalaan. 

Pagkatapos, napakita siya sa Labing-isa samantalang kumakain ang mga ito. Pinagwikaan niya sila dahil sa hindi nila pananalig sa kanya, at sa katigasan ng ulo, sapagkat hindi sila naniwala sa mga nakakita sa kanya pagkatapos na siya’y muling mabuhay. At sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Humayo kayo sa buong sanlibutan at ipangaral ninyo sa lahat ang Mabuting Balita.”

Reflection for April 5, Friday in the Octave of Easter: John 21:1-14

Gospel: John 21:1-14

Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing. They said to him, “We also will come with you. So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 

When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” 

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 

When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” 

And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you? because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel abandoned by Jesus? There are times that we go through some arid stages in our lives. We feel abandoned by our friends, relative and even Jesus, But does Jesus abandon us? Perhaps our friends and relatives would abandon us especially when they become rich or achieve an exalted status in life. But Jesus abandoning us? Never will He abandon us! 

With the death of Jesus the disciples had no other option but to go back to their former way of life: none other than fishing. It must have been difficult for them to go back fishing for they’ve been detached from it for three long years. Perhaps they even thought that they would never go back to fishing but something tragic happened to their Lord and Master. 

Therefore there was no other choice for them but to go back to their former job as fishermen. From being fishermen they became fishers of men and now they go back again to being real fishermen. After three long years they went fishing for the very first time, it must have been very hard for them. Perhaps when they were at sea they were still thinking of Jesus and terribly longing for His presence. That’s why they failed to concentrate on fishing in the process they caught nothing. 

Then the feeling of weariness, loneliness and the feeling of being abandoned was immediately replaced by joy and hope when they saw Jesus waiting for them ashore. Jesus asked them, have you caught anything? They said none, afterwards, Jesus told them; Put once again your nets at sea where you are right now. No need for you to go far, drop it where you are right now. And then the miracle happened they caught an enormous number of fish.     

Relating this gospel with our personal journey with Jesus. There would also be episodes of weariness, loneliness and perhaps feeling of abandonment. But in the midst of these episodes let us stay the course for Jesus will make His way back to us when we least expect it. Never will  He leave much less abandon us for He will always be there for us.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 5 Biyernes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:1-14

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:1-14

Noong panahong iyon, muling napakita si Jesus sa mga alagad sa tabi ng Lawa ng Tiberias. Ganito ang pangyayari. Magkakasama sina Simon Pedro, Tomas na tinaguriang Kambal, Natanael na taga-Cana, Galilea, ang mga anak ni Zebedeo, at dalawa pang alagad. Sinabi sa kanila ni Simon Pedro, "Mangingisda ako." "Sasama kami," wika nila.  

Umalis sila at lumulan sa bangka, subalit walang nahuli nang gabing iyon. Nang magbubukang-liwayway na, tumayo si Jesus sa pampang , subalit hindi siya nakilala ng mga alagad. Sinabi niya, "Mga anak, mayroon ba kayong huli?" "Wala po," tugon nila. "Ihulog ninyo ang lambat sa gawing kanan ng bangka, at makahuhuli kayo," sabi ni Jesus. Inihulog nga nila ang lambat at hindi nila ito mahila sa dami ng huli.  

Sinabi kay Pedro ng alagad na minamahal ni Jesus, "Ang Panginoon iyon!" Nang marinig ito ni Simon Pedro, siya'y nagsuot ng Damit sapagkat hubad siya at tumalon sa tubig. Ang kasama niyang mga alagad ay sumapit sa pampang, sakay nang munting bangka, hila-hila ang bangka na puno ng isda. Hindi sila gaanong kalayuan sa pampang -- mga siyamnapung metro lamang.  

Pag-ahon nila sa pampang ay nakakita sila roon ng mga baga na may isdang nakaihaw, at ilang tinapay. "Magdala kayo rito ng ilang isdang nahuli ninyo," sabi ni Jesus. Kaya't sumampa sa bangka si Simon Pedro at hinila sa pampang ang lambat na puno ng malalaking isda -- sandaan at limampu't tatlong lahat.  

Hindi napunit ang lambat, kahit ganoon karami ang isda. Halikayo at mag-almusal tayo" sabi ni Jesus. Isa man sa mga alagad ay walang nangahas magtanong kung sino siya, sapagkat alam nila na siya ang Panginoon. Lumapit si Jesus, kinuha ang tinapay at ibinigay sa kanila, gayon din ang isda.  

Ito ang ikatlong pagpapakita ni Jesus sa mga alagad pagkatapos na siya'y muling mabuhay.

Reflection for April 4, Thursday in the Octave of Easter: Luke 24:35-48

Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?  

Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

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Reflection:

What if the disciples did not recount their experience with the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread to their fellow disciples? Perhaps Jesus would not have appeared in their midst. Perhaps Jesus would have just said, 'I will not show myself to them anymore; anyway, they've easily forgotten me.’

But Cleopas and his companion hearts were still aflame with desire in sharing their experience with Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why Jesus appeared in their midst and this gave Him enough reason to give them His greeting of peace.  

How often do we talk about Jesus with our friends and family members? Perhaps not very often, maybe we just hear and talk about Jesus when we are at church for Holy Mass. However, when we are at home or living our lives in the secular world we never talk about Jesus.  

Why is it that we rarely talk about Jesus when we are out of church? Are we ashamed of Jesus? Are we afraid that we would be disliked by our friends and they would perceive us as someone who is not in touch with the realities of life?  

Let us not think twice to talk about the Lord or to share our personal experiences on how the Lord has manifested himself in our lives. By doing so we bring others closer to the Lord and who knows we might be the bridge to their conversion. 

Have you shared your personal experience about how the Lord has manifested in your life? Or perhaps how the Lord has made a miracle in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 4 Huwebes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Lucas 24:35-48

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:35-48

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang isinalaysay ng mga alagad ni Hesus ang nangyari sa daan, at kung paano nila siyang nakilala nang pagpira-pirasuhin niya ang tinapay. Samantalang pinag-uusapan nila ito, si Hesus ay tumayo sa gitna nila. "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" sabi niya sa kanila. Ngunit nagulat sila at natakot sapagkat ang akala nila'y multo ang nasa harapan nila.  

Kaya't sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, "Ano't kayo'y nagugulumihanan? Bakit nag-aalinlangan pa kayo? Tingnan ninyo ang aking kamay at paa, ako nga ito. Hipuin nga ninyo at pagmasdan. Ang multo'y walang laman at buto, ngunit ako'y mayroon, tulad ng nakikita ninyo." At pagkasabi nito, ipinakita niya sa kanila ang kanyang mga kamay at mga paa. Nang hindi pa rin sila makapaniwala dahil sa malaking galak at pagkamangha, tinanong sila ni Hesus, "May makakain ba riyan?" Siya'y binigyan nila ng kaputol na isdang inihaw, kinuha niya ito at kinain sa harapan nila.  

Pagkatapos, sinabi sa mga alagad, "Ito ang tinutukoy ko nang sabihin ko sa inyo noong kasama-sama pa ninyo ako: dapat matupad ang lahat ng nasusulat tungkol sa akin sa Kautusan ni Moises sa mga aklat ng mga propeta at sa aklat ng mga Awit." At binuksan niya ang kanilang mga pag-iisip upang maunawaan nila ang mga Kasulatan.  

Sinabi niya sa kanila. "Ganito ang mga nasusulat: kinakailangang magbata ng hirap at mamatay ang Mesias at muling mabuhay sa ikatlong araw. Sa kanyang pangalan, ang pagsisisi at kapatawaran ng mga kasalanan ay dapat ipangaral sa lahat ng bansa, magmula sa Jerusalem. Kayo ang mga saksi sa bagay na ito."

Reflection for April 3, Wednesday in the Octave of Easter: Luke 24:13-35

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.  

He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days? And he replied to them, “What sort of things? They said to him, The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him.  

But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.  

And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.  

As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over. So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.  

Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us? So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon! Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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Reflection:

Do you know that the Lord Jesus is always walking with you during the highest and more so in the lowest episodes of your life?

In the gospel, while Cleopas and the other disciple were going to Emmaus, the risen Christ suddenly walked with them and conversed with them. They had no inkling that it was already the risen Christ who was with them. Why? This is for the reason that their focus was not on the risen Christ but on the Christ who died on the cross.  

When they reached Emmaus it was already night time so they invited Jesus to stay in their house. And while they were at a table Jesus took bread broke it said the blessings and shared it with the two of them. They immediately recognized that it was the risen Jesus who was with them. Because Jesus did the same sacred gesture before them and the apostles during the last supper in the upper room (Luke 22:19-20).  

Cleopas and the other disciple are not alone in this predicament of not immediately recognizing the presence of Jesus in their midst. For we too are often guilty of not recognizing that Jesus is always walking with us.  And the reason is we are always busy with the affairs of this world, we are busy on how we would survive life’s daily grind.

But all that we do for this world will count for nothing someday if we have no personal relationship with Jesus. And if we don’t have a personal awareness of Jesus abiding presence in our lives.

God wants us to have a personal relationship with Him. So that we would always have an awareness that He is always with us, walking with us even during the lowest episodes of our journey in this world. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 3 Miyerkules sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Lucas 24:13-35

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:13-35

Nang araw ding iyon, ang dalawa sa mga alagad ay patungo sa isang nayong tinatawag na Emaus, may labing-isang kilometro ang layo sa Jerusalem. Pinag-uusapan nila ang mga pangyayari. Samantalang nag-uusap sila at nagtatanungan, lumapit si Hesus at nakisabay sa kanila.  

Siya'y nakita nila, ngunit hindi nakilala agad. Tinanong sila ni Hesus, "Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan ninyo?" At tumigil silang nalulumbay. Sinabi ng isa na ang ngala'y Cleopas, "Kayo po lamang yata ang dayuhan sa Jerusalem na hindi nakaaalam sa mga bagay na katatapos pa lamang nangyari roon." "Anong mga bagay?" tanong niya. At sumagot sila, "Tungkol kay Hesus na taga-Nazaret, isang propetang makapangyarihan sa gawa at sa salita, maging sa harapan ng Diyos at ng mga tao.  

Isinakdal siya ng aming mga punong saserdote at mga pinuno upang mahatulang mamatay, at siya'y ipinako sa krus. Siya pa naman ang inaasahan naming magpapalaya sa Israel. Hindi lamang iyan. Ikatlong araw na ngayon mula nang mangyari ito, nabigla kami sa ibinalita ng ilan sa mga babaing kasamahan namin. 

Maagang-maaga raw silang nagpunta sa libingan, at di nila natagpuan ang kanyang bangkay. Nagbalik sila at ang sabi'y nakakita raw sila ng isang pangitain -- mga anghel na nagsabing buhay si Hesus. Pumunta rin sa libingan ang ilan sa mga kasama namin at gayon nga ang natagpuan nila, ngunit hindi nila nakita si Hesus."  

Sinabi sa kanila ni Hesus, "Kay hahangal ninyo! Ano't hindi ninyo mapaniwalaan ang lahat ng sinabi ng mga propeta? Hindi ba't ang Mesias ay kailangang magbata ng lahat ng ito bago niya kamtan ang kanyang marangal na katayuan?" At ipinaliwanag sa kanila ni Hesus ang lahat ng nasasaad sa Kasulatan tungkol sa kanyang sarili, simula sa mga aklat ni Moises hanggang sa sinulat ng mga propeta. 

Malapit na sila sa nayong kanilang patutunguhan, at si Hesus ay waring magpapatuloy pa ng lakad. Ngunit siya'y pinakapigil-pigil nila. "Tumuloy na po kayo rito sa amin," anila, "sapagkat palubog na ang araw at dumidilim na." Kaya't sumama nga siya sa kanila. Nang siya'y kasalo na nila sa hapag, dumampot siya ng tinapay at nagpasalamat sa Diyos, saka pinaghati-hati at ibinigay sa kanila.  

Nabuksan ang kanilang paningin at nakita nila si Hesus, subalit ito'y biglang nawala. At nawika nila, "Kaya pala gayon ang pakiramdam natin habang tayo'y kinakausap sa daan at ipinapaliwanag sa atin ang mga Kasulatan!" 

Noon di'y tumindig sila at nagbalik sa Jerusalem. Naratnan nilang nagkakatipon ang Labing-isa at ang ibang mga kasama nila na nag-uusap-usap, "Muli ngang nabuhay ang Panginoon! Napakita kay Simon!" At isinalaysay naman ng dalawa ang nangyari sa daan, at kung paano siyang nakilala nang paghati-hatiin niya ang tinapay.

Reflection for April 2, Tuesday in the Octave of Easter: John 20:11-18

Gospel: John 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.  

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for? She thought it was the gardener and said to him,“ Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him. Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni, which means Teacher.  

Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them,‘I am going to my Father and your Father to my God and your God.’Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord, and then reported what he had told her.

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Reflection:

How does it feel to lose a close friend or relative? It feels like an important part of you has been taken permanently away from you. This was how Mary Magdalene felt when she was near the tomb of Jesus. She was forlorn, who would not be? Anyone who loses somebody close would feel the same way.  

In the midst of her melancholy Jesus appeared to Mary and told her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them,‘I am going to my Father and your Father to my God and your God (John 20:17).  

When Jesus told Mary stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Perhaps, Jesus wanted to tell Mary this: Let go of the memory of my violent death for I have resurrected already. Instead announce the good news of my resurrection which Mary did after Jesus appeared to her.  

How does this gospel speak to you? Do you feel Jesus speaking to you and telling you to move and share the good news? To have courage to share His teachings through your works and actions?  

Humans as we are we yield every once in a while to discouragement and sadness. Yet we must not forget that Jesus has risen, that Jesus abiding presence is with us and He always walks with us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas