Reflection for Friday May 3, Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles: John 14:6-14

Gospel: John 14:6-14

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”  

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.  

The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

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Reflection:

A typical marriage vows goes like this: For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. A man and a woman become one by virtue of the Sacrament of Marriage. 

Jesus objective for instituting this Sacrament is to permanently bind these two separate and distinct individuals so that they may become one. This union must always be for life. It must never be based on convenience but based on mutual trust and respect for each other.  

In the gospel for today, it is very obvious that Jesus wants to point out to Philip and to us too that He and God the father are one. Although God the Father and Jesus are two different persons, they are one and the same God. They both have the same desire for all of humanity and that is salvation for us all. 

We believe this oneness of Jesus and God the Father, although they are two different persons. We must also strongly believe in the Sanctity of the Sacrament of Matrimony. That it is a union for life and nobody can separate both spouses except mortal death.  

But sad to say, many of us violates the sanctity of Marriage and the result is sometimes separation. And who is to blame for this? To blame is the arrogance of many of us for we don’t want to subscribe to the laws of God. We instead follow our selfish desires which in the end don’t bring us any good except endless misery. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Mayo 3 San Felipe at Santiago, mga apostol (Kapistahan): Juan 14:6-14

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:6-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus kay Juan, "Ako ang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang makapupunta sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko. Kung ako'y kilala ninyo, kilala na rin ninyo ang aking Ama. Mula ngayon ay kilala na ninyo siya at inyong nakita."

Sinabi sa kanya ni Felipe, "Panginoon, ipakita po ninyo sa amin ang Ama, at masisiyahan na kami." Sumagot si Jesus, "Matagal na ninyo akong kasama, Felipe! Diyata't hindi mo pa ako nakikilala? Ang nakakita sa akin ay nakakita na sa Ama. 

Bakit mo sinasabing: 'Ipakita mo sa akin ang Ama?' Hindi ka ba naniniwalang ako'y sumasa-Ama at ang Ama'y sumasaakin? Ang mga salitang sinasabi ko ay hindi ko sinasabi sa ganang aking sarili. Ang Amang sumasaakin ang gumaganap ng kanyang mga gawain. Maniwala kayo sa akin: ako'y sumasa-Ama at ang Ama'y sumasaakin. 

Kung ayaw ninyong maniwala sa sinasabi ko, maniwala kayo dahil sa mga gawang ito. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang nananalig sa akin ay makagagawa ng ginagawa ko at higit pa rito, sapagkat pupunta na ako sa Ama. At anumang hilingin ninyo sa Ama sa aking pangalan ay gagawin ko, upang maparangalan ang Ama sa pamamagitan ng Anak. Gagawin ko ang anumang hihilingin ninyo sa pangalan ko."

Reflection for Thursday May 2 Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: John 15:9-11

Gospel: John 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”

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Reflection:

There was a woman who would vocally profess her love for Jesus. She would always tell the members of her church ministry that she loves Jesus more than her life. But the woman was also a domineering figure in her church community she throws her weight around so as to achieve what she wants. 

What does it mean to remain in the love of Jesus? Is it enough to worship Him but impede His transformational power to move us? Of course not! We must worship Him and we must also allow Him to transform us. 

The woman in our story is obviously deficient in her love for Jesus because even if she religiously worships Him She doesn’t allow the transformational power of Jesus to transform her to become a humble and gentle person.  

Many of us are like this woman, we are very proud with our worship and love for Jesus but we don’t allow Jesus to transform us. Those who love Jesus are not only fervent worshippers they also zealously follow His virtue of humility and gentleness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Mayo 2, San Atanasio, obispo at pantas ng Simbahan (Paggunita): Juan 15:9-11

Mabuting Balita: Juan 15:9-11

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Kung paanong iniibig ako ng Ama, gayon din naman, iniibig ko kayo; manatili kayo sa aking pag-ibig; Kung tinutupad ninyo ang aking mga utos, mananatili kayo sa aking pag-ibig; tulad ko, tinutupad ko ang mga utos ng aking Ama at ako'y nananatili sa kanyang pag-ibig.  

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo ang mga bagay na ito upang makahati kayo sa kagalakan ko at malubos ang inyong kagalakan."

Reflection for Wednesday May 1 of the Fifth Week of Easter: John 15:1-8

Gospel: John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. 

Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. 

Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

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Reflection:

How does it feel without connection to the internet? It seems that something important in our lives is lacking. We cannot function properly if our job is reliant on the internet. 

Somehow our lives now is associated with the internet be it wifi or cable based internet connection. When we are outside of our respective houses our smart phones are ever ready to find wifi connection. We look for it because we need or we want to be connected. 

How about our desire to be connected with Jesus and God? Do we always seek a connection with Jesus and God? Is our desire for Jesus and God as intense as our desire for a wifi or internet connection?      

In the gospel for this Wednesday Jesus tells us that He is the vine and we are the branches (John 15:5) and as such we must always be connected with Him and God. Life without connection with God is meaningless, even if we have all the material wealth and power it’s still meaningless without God! 

If only we would always desire connection with God more than we desire wifi or internet connection. If only we would invest more time with God as much as we invest time using our smart phones, computers and laptops. Let us therefore always seek connection with God through our prayers, presence at Holy Mass. And by reading and reflecting upon His life transforming worlds in the bible. 

The best is yet to come for us If we would seek  permanent connection with our vine and our vine grower no other than Jesus and God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Mayo 1, Ikalimang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 15:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Juan 15:1-8

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Ako ang tunay na puno ng ubas at ang aking Ama ang tagapag-alaga. Pinuputol niya ang bawat sangang hindi namumunga; at kanya namang pinuputulan at nililinis ang bawat sangang namumunga upang lalong dumami ang bunga. 

Nalinis na kayo sa pamamagitan ng salitang sinabi ko sa inyo. Manatili kayo sa akin at mananatili ako sa inyo. Hindi makapamumunga ang sangang hindi nananatiling nakakabit sa puno. Gayon din naman, hindi kayo makapamumunga kung hindi kayo mananatili sa akin.

"Ako ang puno ng ubas, kayo ang mga sanga. Ang nananatili sa akin, at ako sa kanya, ang siyang namumunga ng sagana; sapagkat wala kayong magagawa kung kayo'y hiwalay sa akin. 

Ang hindi nananatili sa akin ay itatapon at matutuyo, gaya ng sanga. Ang gayong mga sanga ay titipunin at susunugin. Kung nananatili kayo sa akin at nananatili sa inyo ang mga salita ko, hingin ninyo ang inyong maibigan, at ipagkakaloob sa inyo. Napararangalan ang Ama kung kayo'y namumunga nang sagana at sa gayo'y napatutunayang mga alagad ko kayo.

Reflection for April 30, Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter: John 14:27-31a

Gospel: John 14:27-31a

(Jesus said to his disciples) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 

And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

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Reflection:

What is this peace that Jesus mentions to us in the gospel? It’s the peace that no one in this world can ever give us. We cannot find this peace with worldly power or riches. Because the more worldly power and riches we have the more that we’ll have no peace in our hearts. 

Many of us think that we will have peace by having power and wealth that’s why we aspire for it! We don’t even care if we sin as long as we could have this corrupted wealth and power. But we must be wary for the reason that the devil has always a concession for us to have immoral wealth and power and the concession is sin.  And by accepting the offer of the devil we are permanently under the devil’s devious spell until we die and we end up in hell. 

On the contrary, Jesus offers us His peace. Peace that no amount of worldly power and wealth could measure up.  Peace that will keep us permanently away from sin and peace that will plant contentment in our hearts. Therefore, we must embrace this peace that Jesus offers us. 

Do you already have the peace of Jesus in your heart? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Abril 30 Martes Ikalimang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 14:27-31a

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:27-31a

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Kapayapaan ang iniiwan ko sa inyo. Ang aking kapayapaan ang ibinibigay ko sa inyo; hindi ito katulad ng ibinibigay ng sanlibutan.

Huwag kayong mabalisa; huwag kayong matakot. Sinabi ko na sa inyo, 'Ako'y aalis, ngunit babalik ako.' Kung iniibig ninyo ako, ikagagalak ninyo ang pagpunta ko sa Ama, sapagkat dakila ang Ama kaysa akin. Sinasabi ko na ito sa inyo bago pa mangyari upang kung mangyari na, kayo'y manalig sa akin.

Hindi na ako pakahahaba ng pagsasalita sa inyo, sapagkat dumarating na ang pinuno ng sanlibutang ito. Wala siyang kapangyarihan sa akin, subalit dapat makilala ng sanlibutan na iniibig ko ang Ama at ang ginagawa ko'y ang iniuutos niya sa akin."

Reflection for Monday April 29, Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church: John 14:21-26

Gospel: John 14:21-26

Jesus said to his disciples: "Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him." Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, "Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" 

Jesus answered and said to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. 

"I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name— he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."

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Reflection:

Do you deeply love Jesus? 

Love begets love, for example if a husband will show his love for his wife he gets love in return from his wife. As the marriage move on the love between spouses flounders it passes through stormy waters. And it will take humility and forgiveness for both spouses to triumphantly pass through that turbulence.  

The love of Jesus for us is unconditional He loves us even if we have betrayed Him so many times. It is not even attached to any actions that we do for God has already forgiven us for the many betrayals that we’ve caused Him. 

However, even if Jesus has forgiven us already it is still our obligation to always humble ourselves before Him. We show Jesus that we love Him deeply when we humbly say sorry to Him for the many hurts that we’ve caused Him. This we do when we humbly submit ourselves to the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

When was your last you’ve been through the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Would you want to show your love for Jesus by humbly submitting yourself to this healing Sacrament? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes, Abril 29, Santa Catalina de Siena, dalaga at pantas ng Simbahan (Paggunita): Juan 14:21-26

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:21-26

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Ang tumatanggap sa mga utos ko at tumutupad nito ang siyang umiibig sa akin. Ang umiibig sa akin ay iibigin ng aking Ama; iibigin ko rin siya, at ako'y lubusang magpapakilala sa kanya." Tinanong siya ni Judas hindi ang Iscariote, "Panginoon, bakit po sa amin lamang kayo magpapakilala nang lubusan at hindi sa sanlibutan?" 

Sumagot si Jesus, "Ang umiibig sa akin ay tutupad ng aking mga salita; iibigin siya ng aking ama, at kami'y sasakanya at mananahan sa kanya. Ang hindi umiibig sa akin ay hindi tumutupad sa aking mga salita. Hindi akin ang salitang narinig ninyo, kundi sa Amang nagsugo sa akin. 

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo ang mga bagay na ito samantalang kasama pa ninyo ako. Ngunit ang Patnubay, ang Espiritu Santo na susuguin ng Ama sa pangalan ko, ang siyang magtuturo sa inyo ng lahat ng bagay at magpapaalaala ng lahat ng sinabi ko sa inyo.

Reflection for Sunday April 28, Fifth Sunday of Easter: John 15:1-8

Gospel: John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. 

Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. 

Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

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Reflection:

Where does life lead us without Jesus? It leads us to nowhere and nothingness. Our life is without meaning without Jesus. We are like a boat being buffeted by waves that has nowhere to go.

Life is meaningless without our connection to Jesus. We may possess abundance in worldly goods, yet these are all temporary; one day, we will leave them behind. Worldly possessions cannot provide peace of mind; instead, they often disturb our inner peace.

Jesus, through the gospel for this Sunday, tells us: 'You will never bear fruit unless you remain in me' (John 15:4). Yet, Jesus also tells us that we will bear much fruit if only we decide to remain in Him.

Therefore, let us always decide to be connected with Jesus through our presence at Holy Mass, through the Sacraments, through our visits to the Adoration chapel, and through reading His words in the Bible.

Let us not let go of Jesus even when life brings us numerous trials. For no trial is insurmountable for Jesus; if we are connected to Him, nothing can defeat us. No one could dampen our spirits, for His abiding presence is with us.

As the branch cannot survive without its connection to the vine. We too will not be able to survive without our connection with Jesus.  Are you always connected to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para Linggo Abril 28, Ikalimang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 15:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Juan 15:1-8

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Ako ang tunay na puno ng ubas at ang aking Ama ang tagapag-alaga. Pinuputol niya ang bawat sangang hindi namumunga; at kanya namang pinuputulan at nililinis ang bawat sangang namumunga upang lalong dumami ang bunga. 

Nalinis na kayo sa pamamagitan ng salitang sinabi ko sa inyo. Manatili kayo sa akin at mananatili ako sa inyo. Hindi makapamumunga ang sangang hindi nananatiling nakakabit sa puno. Gayon din naman, hindi kayo makapamumunga kung hindi kayo mananatili sa akin.

"Ako ang puno ng ubas, kayo ang mga sanga. Ang nananatili sa akin, at ako sa kanya, ang siyang namumunga ng sagana; sapagkat wala kayong magagawa kung kayo'y hiwalay sa akin. 

Ang hindi nananatili sa akin ay itatapon at matutuyo, gaya ng sanga. Ang gayong mga sanga ay titipunin at susunugin. Kung nananatili kayo sa akin at nananatili sa inyo ang mga salita ko, hingin ninyo ang inyong maibigan, at ipagkakaloob sa inyo. Napararangalan ang Ama kung kayo'y namumunga nang sagana at sa gayo'y napatutunayang mga alagad ko kayo.

Reflection for April 27, Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 14:7-14

Gospel: John 14:7-14

Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? 

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. 

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

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Reflection:

Whenever I go for a vacation in our province, I would always reunite with my relatives and friends. They would always say that they are reminded of my father because of how I look and sound. I always reply with a thank you and a smile in return. 

In the gospel Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father (John 14:9).” The two personalities or the Trinity is revealed by Jesus, him and God the Father and they are acting as one person. Jesus further told them whoever believes in me will do the works that I do (John 14:12). 

There is a great responsibility on us when we say that we are followers of Christ because Jesus tells us that if we are believers we must do the works that he did in other words we must emulate him if we profess to be His followers. 

If we are true followers of Jesus we have no other choice but to do His works in the process we will be closer to Him. And whenever others would see us they will be reminded of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 27 Sabado sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 14:7-14

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:7-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Kung ako'y kilala ninyo, kilala na rin ninyo ang aking Ama. Mula ngayon ay kilala na ninyo siya at inyong nakita."  

Sinabi sa kanya ni Felipe, "Panginoon, ipakita po ninyo sa amin ang Ama, at masisiyahan na kami." Sumagot si Jesus, "Matagal na ninyo akong kasama, Felipe! Diyata't hindi mo pa ako nakikilala? Ang nakakita sa akin ay nakakita na sa Ama. Bakit mo sinasabing ; 'Ipakita mo sa amin ang Ama'? Hindi ka ba naniniwalang ako'y sumasa-Ama at ang Ama'y sumasaakin?  

Ang mga salitang sinasabi ko ay hindi ko sinasabi sa ganang aking sarili. Ang Amang sumasaakin ang gumaganap ng kanyang mga gawain. Maniwala kayo sa akin: ako'y sumasa-Ama at ang Ama'y sumasa-akin. Kung ayaw ninyong maniwala sa sinasabi ko maniwala kayo dahil sa mga gawang ito.  

Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang nananalig sa akin ay makagagawa ng ginagawa ko at higit pa rito, sapagkat pupunta na ako sa Ama. At anumang hingin ninyo sa Ama sa aking pangalan ay gagawin ko, upang maparangalan ang Ama sa pamamagitan ng Anak. Gagawin ko ang anumang hihilingin ninyo sa pangalan ko."