Reflection for April 26, Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 14:1-6

Gospel: John 14:1-6

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. 

Where [I] am going you know the way. Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth* and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

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Reflection:

Do you know where would you go after your journey in this world is over? 

Perhaps many of us may lose sleep by mere mention of death, we don’t want to die at this point because we are not yet prepared. But who is prepared to die? Nobody, we are not prepared to die. Why? For the simple reason that majority of us still love to be in this world and enjoy whatever it can still offer us.

Nevertheless, Jesus is telling us in the gospel not to be troubled. For as long as we have faith in Him we would be OK even if we die. For our faith and friendship with Jesus is more than enough to conquer our fear of death. 

Therefore, we have to do our part to get close to Jesus for as long as we live. If we are close to Jesus we have nothing to fear, even death we will not fear. Jesus Himself assures us with these words: Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places (John 14:1-2). - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 26 Biyernes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 14:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:1-6

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Huwag kayong mabalisa; manalig kayo sa Diyos at manalig din kayo sa akin. Sa bahay ng aking Ama ay maraming silid; kung hindi gayun, sinabi ko na sana sa inyo. At paroroon ako upang ipaghanda ko kayo ng matitirhan.

Kapag naroroon na ako at naipaghanda na kayo ng matitirhan, babalik ako at isasama kayo sa kinaroroonan ko. At alam na ninyo ang daan patungo sa pupuntahan ko.” Sinabi sa kanya ni Tomas, “Panginoon, hindi po namin alam kung saan kayo pupunta, paano naming malalaman ang daan?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Ako ang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang makapupunta sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko."

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Abril 25, Kapistahan ni San Marcos, manunulat ng Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:15-20

Noong panahong iyon, nagpakita si Hesus sa Labing-isa at sinabi sa kanila, "Humayo kayo sa buong sanlibutan at ipangaral ninyo sa lahat ang Mabuting Balita. Ang sumasampalataya at mabinyagan ay maliligtas, ngunit ang hindi sumampalataya ay parurusahan.  

Ang mga sumasampalataya ay magtataglay ng ganitong tanda ng kapangyarihan: sa pangalan ko'y magpapalayas sila ng mga demonyo at magsasalita ng ibang wika; sila'y hindi maaano dumampot man ng ahas o uminom ng lason; at gagaling ang mga may sakit na mapatungan ng kanilang kamay." 

Pagkatapos magsalita sa kanila, ang Panginoong Jesus ay iniakyat sa langit, at lumuklok sa kanan ng Diyos. Humayo nga ang mga alagad at nangaral sa lahat ng dako. Tinulungan sila ng Panginoon sa gawaing ito. Pinatotohanan niya ang Salitang kanilang ipinangangaral sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihang gumawa ng himala, na ipinagkaloob niya sa kanila.

Reflection for Thursday April 25 Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist: Mark 16:15-20

Gospel: Mark 16:15-20

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons,they will speak new languages. 

They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

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Reflection:

Do you take time to share in whatever way possible what you know about Jesus? 

The gospel speaks is the end of the earthly ministry of Jesus and the start of the ministry of the apostles. We all know that the apostles were very successful in their mission of evangelization. But it was not easy for they worked very hard and except for one all of them died for their mission.    

It’s so easy to remain in our comfort zones and just live the lifestyle that we want. We do everything for ourselves and we tend to forget God and our mission to spread the gospel as well.  Then, when we are at the sunset of our lives we will find out that nothing really matters except God. Yes, at the end nothing really matters except God alone: Money will not matter influence and power will not matter either. 

God wants us to spread the good news in whatever way possible. He wants us to proclaim our faith not necessarily by words alone but through our actions as well.  If we can proclaim our faith thru our actions that would be much better since actions speaks volumes than words.  

As the Lord ascends to heaven He is gently reminding you about your baptismal mission. Which is to help the Lord spread the faith through your words and actions. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Wednesday April 24 of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 12:44-50

Gospel: John 12:44-50

Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. 

Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.  And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”

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Reflection:

Do you know somebody who is sinful? Don’t give up on that sinful person continue to stretch your patience and pray for his/her conversion. 

There are countless stories of conversion in the scripture/bible and foremost of these is the conversion story of Saul. Saul or Saint Paul was formerly the number one persecutor of the church. He in fact had a hand in the killing of many followers of Jesus yet Jesus did not judge Saul. In His infinite wisdom and mercy Jesus converted Saul/Paul to become the number one propagator of the Christian faith to the gentiles.   

What is the message of these conversion stories for us? The message is, there is hope for all of us no matter how sinful we are. And no matter how grave the sins that we have committed there is still hope for us! Jesus even said: for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world (John 12:47).

Jesus is not interested on the sins that we have committed He is rather very much interested in our conversion so that we can become His follower and soon after partner in His mission. He is interested to bring us to the light so that we can become His light for others.                     

This is our mission in this world to become bearers of Jesus’ light.  Do we open ourselves to this desire of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Abril 24, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 12:44-50

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:44-50

Noong panahong iyon, malakas na sinabi ni Jesus,"Ang nananalig sa akin ay hindi lamang sa akin nananalig, kundi sa nagsugo sa akin. At ang nakakita sa akin ay nakakita sa kanya. Ako'y naparito bilang ilaw ng sanlibutan, upang hindi manatili sa kadiliman ang nananalig sa akin.

Kung mapakinggan ninuman ang aking salita ngunit hindi niya tuparin ito, hindi ko siya hahatulan. Sapagkat naparito ako hindi upang hatulan ang sanlibutan kundi upang iligtas ito. May hahatol sa sinumang magtakwil sa akin at hindi tumanggap sa aking mga salita; ang salitang ipinahayag ko ang hahatol sa kanya sa huling araw.

Sapagkat hindi ako nagsalita sa ganang sarili ko lamang, kundi ang Amang nagsugo sa akin ang siyang nag-utos kung ano ang aking sasabihin at ipahahayag. At alam kong ang kanyang utos ay nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan. Kaya't ang ipinasasabi ng Ama ang siya kong sinasabi."

Reflection for April 23, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:22-30

Gospel: John 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.  

The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

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Reflection:

How can we have an encounter with Jesus? We have to abide with what Jesus tells us in the scripture/bible. If He tells us that He and the Father are one we have to believe it without any doubt. For the simple reason that all of Jesus pronouncements are not empty, it is solidly supported by other passages in the bible.  

What separates those who believe and those who don’t? Those who believe receive the full graces of the power that emanates from Jesus. For example, their lives are changed, their faith is strengthened, and they themselves become agents of positive change in their own respective environments.

Those who do not believe or who take Jesus nonchalantly are left out in terms of spiritual graces, their individual faith life is not strengthened. They are more vulnerable to the many forces of evil and they don’t have the spiritual strength that faithful believers have.  

What is the secret for us to believe? We have to humble ourselves before Jesus. We have to accept with faith every word that He tells us in the scripture/bible and we have to be present during Holy Mass most especially Sunday Holy Mass. The moment we do so, this would be the beginning of our renewed life with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Abril 23, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 10:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:22-30

Taglamig na noon. Kasalukuyang ipinagdiriwang sa Jerusalem ang Pista ng Pagtatalaga ng templo. Naglalakad si Jesus sa templo, sa Portiko ni Solomon. Pinaligiran siya ng mga Judio at sinabi sa kanya, "Hanggang kailan mo kami pag-aalinlanganin? 

Kung ikaw ang Cristo, sabihin mo na nang tiyakan." Sumagot si Jesus, "Sinabi ko na sa inyo, ngunit ayaw ninyong maniwala. Ang mga ginagawa ko sa ngalan ng aking Ama ay nagpapatotoo tungkol sa akin. Ngunit ayaw ninyong maniwala, sapagkat hindi kayo kabilang sa aking mga tupa.  

Nakikinig sa akin ang aking mga tupa; nakikilala ko sila, at sumusunod sila sa akin. Binibigyan ko sila ng buhay na walang hanggan, at kailanma'y hindi sila mapapahamak; hindi sila maaagaw sa akin ninuman. Ang aking Ama, na nagbigay sa kanila sa akin, ay lalong dakila sa lahat at hindi sila maaagaw ninuman sa aking Ama. Ako at ang Ama ay iisa."

Reflection for April 22, Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:1-10

Gospel: John 10:1-10

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 

When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. 

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a poor family. The husband had an ordinary low paying job and the wife was a housewife they had six (6) children. Because of the meager salary of the husband they could barely survive and they always borrow money from their relatives. 

Despite of their poor financial standing this family was faithful to Jesus and the church; they would always attend Sunday Holy Mass. The parents introduced their children to Jesus and they educated their children the values of the faith. The mother would always lead in the prayer of the Holy Rosary and the father would always be there to join them. 

Eventually all of their children became very successful in their respective field of endeavors. Hence, they’ve given back the love and guidance that their parents gave them. Obviously the parents were Good shepherds for they introduced their children to the gate of life that is Jesus. 

Jesus in the gospel tells the crowd that He is the good shepherd that desires only the best for them. Jesus also tells them that He is the gate of life but they did not believe Him.It is said that:  “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Thus, we know for a fact that Jesus is really our Good Shepherd. 

We believe and feel in our hearts this declaration of Jesus. He desires nothing for us but our wellbeing. This is the reason why Jesus wants us to follow Him and make Him our Good Shepherd. We also know that He is our only gateway to the many truths about our faith. He too is our gateway towards life beyond this world and without Him in our lives there would be no life beyond this world. 

There are still many who do not know about Jesus as the Good Shepherd. There are still many who do not know that Jesus is the gateway to the many truths of our faith. There are still many who do not know that Jesus is the gateway to a life beyond this world. Why? Because they do not allow Jesus to be their Good Shepherd. They instead allow worldliness and the many lies of Satan to shepherd them thus they are enslaved by money, power and sin.    

Who is shepherding you right now? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes, Abril 22, Lunes sa Ikaapat Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 10:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:1-10

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo ito: ang pumasok sa kulungan ng mga tupa nang hindi sa pinto nagdaraan, ay magnanakaw at tulisan. Ngunit ang nagdaraan sa pintuan ay siyang pastol ng mga tupa. Pinapapasok siya ng bantay-pinto, at pinakikinggan ng mga tupa ang kanyang tinig. 

Tinatawag niya ang kanyang mga tupa sa kani-kanilang pangalan, at inilalabas sa kulungan. Kapag nailabas na, siya’y nangunguna sa kanila at sumusunod naman ang mga tupa sapagkat nakikilala nila ang kanyang tinig. Hindi sila sumusunod sa iba, bagkus pa nga’y patakbong lumalayo, sapagkat hindi nila nakikilala ang kanyang tinig.”

Sinabi ni Hesus ang talinghagang ito, ngunit hindi nila naunawaan ang ibig niyang sabihin.

Kaya’t muling sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo: ako ang pintuang dinaraanan ng mga tupa. Ang mga nauna sa akin ay mga magnanakaw at mga tulisan, ngunit hindi sila pinakinggan ng mga tupa. Ako ang pintuan. Ang sinumang pumapasok sa pamamagitan ko’y maliligtas.

Papasok siya’t lalabas, at makatatagpo ng pastulan. Kaya lamang pupunta rito ang magnanakaw ay upang magnakaw, pumatay, at magwasak. Naparito ako upang ang mga tupa’y magkaroon ng buhay – isang buhay na ganap at kasiya-siya.”

Reflection for Sunday April 21, Fourth Sunday of Easter: John 10:11-18

Gospel: John 10:11-18

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. 

This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. 

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

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Reflection:

A husband and his six children were left behind by his wife for another man. To assure his children of his guidance and protection, he gathered them, looked each of them in the eye, and told them: 'I will take care of you regardless of whatever difficulties we may face. I will see you through, and I will be with you until the end no matter what.

Jesus, in the gospel, tells us that He is our good shepherd who will give His very life for us, so that He could find and save us no matter how sinful we are. What have we done to merit this love and shepherding from Jesus? Nothing, we have even offended Him for countless times; nevertheless, His infinite love and shepherding are always there for us.

We will sin for as long as we live in this world, but the infinite love of Jesus, our good shepherd, is always there for us. Let us therefore not be deaf to His search and longing for us. He wants us back in His loving and unconditional embrace. 

Many of us continuously loiter in the abyss of sinfulness; we purposely turn a blind eye to Jesus' search for us. But at what cost? For the cost of our own life? We would sin and continuously sin until it cost us our life? Jesus our good shepherd is knocking at the door of our hearts, let us open our hearts to Him. 

Would you open the door of your heart to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Linggo Abril 21, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 10:11-18

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:11-18

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus, Ako ang mabuting pastol. Iniaalay ng mabuting pastol ang kanyang buhay para sa mga tupa. Ang upahan ay tumatakas, kapag nakikitang dumarating ang asong-gubat. Iniiwan niya ang mga tupa, palibhasa'y hindi siya pastol at hindi kanya ang mga tupa. Kaya't sinisila ng asong-gubat ang mga ito, at pinangangalat. 

Tumatakas siya palibhasa'y upahan lamang at walang malasakit sa tupa. Ako ang mabuting pastol. Kung paanong nakikilala ako ng Ama at siya'y nakikilala ko, gayon din naman, nakikilala ko ang aking mga tupa at ako nama'y nakikilala nila. At iniaalay ko ang aking buhay para sa mga tupa. 

Mayroon akong ibang tupa na wala sa kulungang ito. Kinakailangang sila'y alagaan ko rin; pakikinggan nila ang aking tinig. Sa gayo'y magiging isa ang kawan at isa ang pastol. "Dahil dito'y minamahal ako ng Ama, sapagkat iniaalay ko ang aking buhay, upang ito'y kunin kong muli. 

Walang makakukuha nito sa akin; kusa ko itong ibinibigay. Mayroon akong kapangyarihang ibigay ito at kunin uli. Ito ang utos na tinanggap ko sa aking Ama.

Reflection for April 20, Saturday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:60-69

Gospel: John 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 

It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” 

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

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Reflection:

How is your faith in Jesus right now? Is it still solid as a rock or feeble as a sand castle? 

After extensively telling His followers that He is the Bread of Life. It was now time for Jesus to weigh up the disciples faith on Him. Unfortunately, many did not believe the Bread of Life discourse of Jesus. So they went back to their old lives, therefore they disconnected themselves from actively following Jesus. 

If we are made to choose between Jesus and the trappings of this world such as power, wealth and the like. Many of us would also choose to be with this world rather than to be with Jesus. Why? What does this world offer us that we love it more than we love the Lord? This world offers us temporal power, wealth, influence and the like. 

Why is it that many of us have chosen to embrace worldliness? Perhaps we have not yet experienced the power of Jesus in our lives. Otherwise if we have already felt the power of God in our lives. We would surely leave behind all forms of worldliness and sin for God. 

Would it be possible to have the best of both sides (We follow God and we follow also this world). No, we have to choose which one we want to embrace. It’s either we embrace this temporal world or we embrace our infinite God. The righteous choice is always to be with God and never to be with this world. 

What would it benefit you if you gain all the power and riches of this temporal world but you don’t have God?  Nothing else except emptiness and more emptiness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 20 Sabado sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:60-69

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:60-69

Noong panahong iyon, marami sa mga alagad ni Jesus ang nagsabi, "Mabigat na pananalita ito; sino ang makatatanggap nito?" Alam ni Jesus na nagbubulung-bulungan ang kanyang mga alagad tungkol dito, kaya't sinabi niya, "Dahil ba rito'y tatalikuran na ninyo ako? Gaano pa kaya kung makita ninyong umaakyat ang Anak ng Tao sa dati niyang kinaroroonan? 

Ang espiritu ang nagbibigay-buhay; hindi ito magagawa ng laman. Ang mga salitang sinabi ko sa inyo ay Espiritu at buhay. Ngunit may ilan sa inyong hindi nananalig sa akin. " Sapagkat talastas ni Jesus buhat pa noong una kung sinu-sino ang hindi nananalig sa kanya. Idinugtong pa niya, "Iyan ang dahilan kaya ko sinabi sa inyo na walang makalalapit sa akin malibang loobin ito ng Ama."  

Mula noo'y marami sa kanyang mga alagad ang tumalikod at hindi na sumama sa kanya. Kaya't tinanong ni Jesus ang Labindalawa, "Ibig din ba ninyong umalis?" Sumagot si Simon Pedro, "Panginoon, kanino po kami pupunta? Nasa inyo po ang mga salitang nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan. Naniniwala kami at ngayo'y natitiyak naming kayo ang Banal ng Diyos."