Reflection for Thursday May 23 Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Eternal High Priest (Feast): Mark 14:22-26

Gospel: Mark 14:22-26

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. 

Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

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Reflection:    

A young man asked his parents why they go to church to attend daily Mass. His parents told him that they attend Mass daily because they get to see Jesus in the altar and they receive Jesus and be one with Him during Holy Communion.  

Then the son said, "How come when I go to Mass, I don’t see Jesus? I only see the priest at the altar, and during Holy Communion, I only see the wafer bread that is given to me by the priest." 

The father said, "I think you’re lacking in faith and perhaps you’re not focused on the celebration of the Holy Mass. That is why you don’t see that it’s Jesus who presides. 

Lack of faith and focus during Holy Mass is something that many of us experience. That is why we don’t take Holy Mass seriously and that is why we are easily swayed to switch to other Christian faiths. And leave behind our Roman Catholic faith the moment somebody read to us selected bible passages. If our faith in Jesus is strong and if our belief in the Holy Mass is rock solid we will not leave the church and we will take seriously our presence at Holy Mass. 

Who presides in the celebration of the Holy Mass? It’s none other than Jesus in the person of the priest! The same Jesus who took bread, blessed it, broke it, gave it to His apostles and said: “Take it this is my body.” The same Jesus who took a cup, gave thanks then gave the cup to His apostles after which they all drank from it (Mark 14:22-23).   It’s only through the eyes of our faith that we would be able to comprehend that it’s really Jesus who presides in every Mass. 

Do you believe? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Mayo 23, Panginoong Hesukristo Walang Hanggan at Dakilang Pari (Kapistahan): Marcos 14:20-25

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 14:20-25

Samantalang sila’y kumakain, dumampot ng tinapay si Hesus, at matapos magpasalamat sa Diyos ay kanyang pinaghati-hati at ibinigay sa mga alagad. “Kunin ninyo; ito ang aking katawan,” wika niya. Hinawakan niya ang kalis, at matapos magpasalamat ay ibinigay sa kanila; at uminom silang lahat.

Sinabi niya, “Ito ang aking dugo ng tipan, ang dugong mabubuhos dahil sa marami. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi na ako iinom ng alak na mula sa ubas hanggang sa araw na inumin ko ang bagong alak sa kaharian ng Diyos.”     

Reflection for May 22 Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:38-40

Gospel: Mark 9:38-40

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. 

There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”

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Reflection:

Why do some Catholics leave the church in favor of other Christian church?  If we would ask them why they left they would normally say that they felt Jesus’ presence more in their lives when the Pastor of the Christian church shared passages about Jesus in the bible. 

Should we get angry with these Christian churches for convincing some of our brethren who grew bored in our church to join their church? Of course not! We should rather be more innovative in our preaching about the word of God so that our brethren will feel Jesus’ presence in their lives. 

John said to Jesus: “someone is driving out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied: “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.” 

We should at all times be gentle, tolerant and loving towards other Christian religions for we preach the same God. We may have doctrinal differences with them but at the end of the day we preach the same Jesus whose mission is to save us from ending up in hell someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting BalitaMayo 22, Miyerkules sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9:38-40

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:38-40

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi kay Hesus ni Juan, “Guro, nakakita po kami ng isang taong nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ng pangalan mo, at pinagbawalan namin sapagkat hindi natin siya kasamahan.”

Ngunit sinabi ni Hesus, “Huwag ninyo siyang pagbawalan, sapagkat walang taong matapos gumawa ng kababalaghan sa pangalan ko ang agad magsasalita ng masama laban sa akin. Sapagkat ang hindi laban sa atin ay panig sa atin.  

Reflection for May 21 Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time: Mark 9:30-37

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. 

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all. 

Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst and putting his arms around it, he said to them “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me and whoever receives me receives not me but the One who sent me.

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Reflection:

What is the most important virtue of a follower of Jesus? It’s the virtue of humility. A humble follower of Jesus seeks to follow Him for no other reason but to humbly serve without seeking anything in return. The follower doesn’t follow Jesus because he/she wants to be known, to be powerful and to be popular. 

While Jesus and His disciples were passing through Galilee, He was discussing with them the things that would happen to Him soon. But the disciples were not paying attention because they were preoccupied with discussing who among them was the greatest. What an ego trip for the disciples! Instead of listening to Jesus, they were burnishing their own self-image among themselves. They were discussing who among them was the greatest.  

During that instance the desire to humbly follow Jesus was not anymore present in their hearts. What was present in their hearts was arrogance, the desire to selfishly raise up their own self-image. And the desire to be great based on the finite standards of this world.     

If we truly desire to follow Jesus, we have to follow Him with humility. We have to forget our own selves; we have to discard any form of arrogance in our hearts and the desire to occupy the starring role. We have to be humble, simple and always ready to serve at all times for this is the only way whereby we can bring others closer to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday May 20, Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church: John 19:25-34

Gospel: John 19:25-34

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. 

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.”  There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. 

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first     and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out.

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Reflection:

What do you thirst for? 

Was it physical thirst that Jesus was feeling when He said, "I thirst"? In His humanity, yes, it was physical thirst, but more than that, it was a thirst for those people who were formerly with Him.

Dying on the cross, Jesus was perhaps whimpering while saying, "I thirst." Why? Because He was also thirsting for His followers and apostles who were with Him during His powerful, miraculous healing and speaking ministry.

It is in the lowest episodes of our lives that we would know who is really for us and not for us. Those who are for us would choose to remain no matter the odds against us. Those who are not for us would immediately evaporate from our sights to save their necks. 

When we encounter these words: “I thirst.”  Let us imagine that Jesus is addressing these words to us. I thirst for you to be faithful in your marriage covenant. I thirst for you to be honest where you are presently working right now. I Thirst for you to value the sacredness of life over the evils of abortion and other forms of cruelty against humanity. I thirst for you to always be humble and simple, I thirst for you to respect your parents and so on. 

 I thirst for your presence at Holy Mass every Sunday.  I thirst for you to become a good and responsible father/mother. I thirst for you to become a good and God loving son/daughter. I thirst for you to be faithful to me and to my teachings. 

Would you respond to Jesus thirst? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Lunes Mayo 20, Mahal na Birheng Maria, Ina ng Sambayanan (Paggunita): Juan 19:25-34

Mabuting Balita: Juan 19:25-34

Noong panahong iyon: Nakatayo sa tabi ng krus ni Hesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae nitong si Maria, na asawa ni Cleopas. Naroon din si Maria Magdalena. Nang makita ni Hesus ang kanyang ina, at ang minamahal niyang alagad sa tabi nito, kanyang sinabi, “Ginang, narito ang iyong anak!” At sinabi sa alagad, “Narito ang iyong ina!” Mula noon, siya’y pinatira ng alagad na ito sa kanyang bahay. 

Alam ni Hesus na naganap na ang lahat ng bagay; at bilang katuparan ng Kasulatan ay sinabi niya, “Nauuhaw ako!” May isang mangkok doon na puno ng maasim na alak. Itinuhog nila rito ang isang espongha, ikinabit sa sanga ng isopo at idiniit sa kanyang bibig. Nang masipsip ni Hesus ang alak ay kanyang sinabi, “Naganap na!” Iniyukayok niya ang kanyang ulo at nalagot ang kanyang hininga.

Noo’y Araw ng Paghahanda, ay ayaw ng mga Judio na manatili sa krus ang mga bangkay sa Araw ng Pamamahinga sapagkat dakila ang araw ng Pamamahingang ito. Kaya’t hiniling nila kay Pilato na ipabali nito ang mga binti ng mga ipinako sa krus, at alisin doon ang mga bangkay. Naparoon nga ang mga kawal at binali ang mga binti ng dalawang ipinakong kasabay ni Hesus.

Ngunit pagdating nila kay Hesus at makitang patay na siya, hindi na nila binali ang kanyang binti. Subalit inulos ng sibat ng isa sa mga kawal ang tagiliran ni Hesus, at biglang dumaloy ang dugo at tubig.

Reflection for Sunday May 19, Solemnity of Pentecost: John 20:19-23

Gospel: John 20:19-23

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.”

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Reflection:

Have you ever been in a situation where you feared for your life? The disciples were in this predicament after Jesus died on the cross. They were running for their lives and were being hunted by the ruling powers during that time. It must have been very difficult for them. Some of them might have even worn disguises to avoid being recognized. 

With low morale and fearing for their lives, they still managed to communicate and agreed to meet in a room. While in the room, perhaps praying and strategizing for their next plan of action, lo and behold, the Lord Jesus appeared to them. For what reason? To give them hope and peace. And before they separated, Jesus breathed on them and gave them the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. 

Sometimes, it is in the lowest points in our lives that the Lord Jesus manifests His presence to us. Perhaps this is so because this is always the moment when we are in need of Him. This is the moment in our lives when our minds are not preoccupied by worldliness but are solely occupied by our desire to ask for the Lord’s help. 

Yet, the Lord comes to us not only by Himself; He comes to us bringing with Him peace, hope, and surely the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Why the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit? Because the Lord Jesus perfectly knows that we would be facing our own share of difficulties as we continue our journey in this world. 

The Holy Spirit is also with us so that it can disturb our conscience whenever we sin or are planning to sin. It will give us Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Courage, Knowledge, Peity and Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2-3 and Acts 2:1-4). Let us therefore pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and let us ask the Holy Spirit to shower us the seven gifts. 

Do you always pray to the Holy Spirit? Do you regularly ask the Holy Spirit to guide, lead, and shower you with its seven gifts? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Linggo Mayo 19 Linggo ng Pentecostes: Juan 20:19-23

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:19-23

Kinagabihan ng Linggo 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."

Reflection for May 18 Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 21:20-25

Gospel: John 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” 

So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?”  

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

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Reflection:

Do you always stay close to Jesus? 

John is the disciple whom Jesus loved; there is that closeness between them and we saw it when John reclined upon His chest (John 13:23-25). John was also the only disciple who was with Jesus until His last gasp of breath on the cross.  

In our present time it may be very odd to see a man recline upon the chest of another man. Our  imaginations will conclude something else which is not right. But during Jesus’ time; it suggest close friendship between the Master/Teacher (Jesus) and His disciple (John). John had Jesus’ ears that he could ask HIM questions whenever he wants too. The strength of their friendship was clearly evident when John stayed with Jesus until the very end of the Lord’s earthly life.  

This is also the friendship that the Lord wants from us, Jesus wants us to always lean towards Him and stay with Him regardless of our life’s predicaments. We stay close to Jesus in our happy moments, and even more so, we should lean closer to Jesus in our moments of sadness, difficulties, and trials. With Jesus, we always have someone who will help us overcome whatever difficulties we are going through.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Mayo 18 Sabado sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:20-25

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:20-25

Noong panahong iyon, lumingon si Pedro at nakita niyang sumusunod ang alagad na minamahal ni Jesus - yaong humilig sa dibdib ni Jesus nang sila'y naghahapunan at nagtanong, "Panginoon, sino po ang magkakanulo sa inyo?" Nang makita siya ni Pedro, tinanong nito si Jesus, "Panginoon, ano po naman ang mangyayari sa taong ito?" 

Sumagot si Jesus, "Kung ibig kong mabuhay siya hanggang sa pagbabalik ko, ano sa iyo? Sumunod ka sa akin!" Kumalat sa mga kapatid ang balitang hindi mamamatay ang alagad na ito, bagama't hindi sinabi ni Jesus na hindi siya mamamatay, kundi, "Kung ibig kong mabuhay siya hanggang sa pagbabalik ko, ano sa iyo?" 

Ito nga ang alagad na nagpapatotoo tungkol sa mga bagay na ito; siya rin ang sumulat ng mga ito, at alam naming tunay ang kanyang patotoo. At marami pang ginawa si Jesus na kung susulating lahat, inaakala kong hindi magkakasya kahit sa buong daigdig ang mga aklat na masusulat.

Reflection for May 17 Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 21:15-19

Gospel: John 21:15-19

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 

He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” 

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid to grow old? 

The reality of life is this: we will eventually grow old; this is a course of our life that no one of us can stop. Whether we like it or not we will all be growing old and we will be at the mercy of those who will be with us by that time. 

Can we assure ourselves that we will be properly treated when we become old and powerless? None of us can assure that there will be proper treatment for us by that time but Jesus gives us some hint on how to assure proper and equitable treatment for us when we become old and gray. 

He tells us in the gospel to feed and take care of His people, in other words feed and take care of anyone who is hungry. Don’t be selective; help everyone who is in need. But let us not help with the motive in mind that we will do it because we will be in need of help also in the distant future when we are old. 

Let us help because this is the right act to do, help because this is what Jesus wants from us immaterial if we will be helped or not in the future. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 17, Biyernes Ikapitong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:15-19

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:15-19

Nang muling napakita si Hesus sa mga alagad niya at nang makakain sila, tinanong ni Jesus si Simon Pedro, "Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako nang higit kaysa mga ito?" "Opo, Panginoon, nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo," tugon niya. Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Pakanin mo ang aking mga batang tupa." 

Muli siyang tinanong ni Jesus, "Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako?" Sumagot si Pedro, "Opo, Panginoon, nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo." Ani Jesus, "Pangalagaan mo ang aking mga tupa." Pangatlong ulit na tinanong siya ni Jesus, "Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako?" Nalungkot si Pedro sapagkat makaitlo siyang tinanong: "Iniibig mo ba ako?" At sumagot siya, "Panginoon, nalalaman po ninyo ang lahat ng bagay; nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo." 

Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Pakanin mo ang aking mga tupa. Tandaan mo: noong kabataan mo pa, ikaw ang nagbibihis sa iyong sarili at lumalakad ka kung saan mo ibig. Ngunit pagtanda mo, iuunat mo ang iyong kamay at iba ang magbibihis sa iyo at dadalhin ka kung saan hindi mo ibig." Sinabi niya ito upang ipakilala kung papaano mamamatay si Pedro at sa gayo'y mapararangalan niya ang Diyos. Pagkatapos, sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Sumunod ka sa akin!"

Reflection for May 16 Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 17:20-26

Gospel: John 17:20-26

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. 

And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.  

Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 

Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

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Reflection:

What would happen if the love of Jesus is present in a family? There is unity and there is an unbreakable bond that exists no matter what happen inside that family.  On the other hand what would happen if the love of God is not present in a family? There would be disunity, human created problems and dysfunctionality which would eventually lead to the disintegration of the family. 

Jesus love for God and God’s love for Jesus is the only love that can bind and unify members of family.  It’s a love that is humble and persevering; no wonder Jesus remained faithful to HIS mission of salvation. Jesus humbled Himself even if HE is equal to  God and He persevered to fulfill HIS salvific mission even at the cost of HIS life.  

If spouses want their family to remain united in love forever they must also have the same humility and perseverance. The children should have an active prayer life taught by their parents and anchored on their wisdom filled shepherding as well. Thus, it will not fall to the trap of the devil who always incite for the dismemberment of the family.  

Let us reflect if we have the love of Jesus and God inside our own family. Let us reflect if we breathe humility and perseverance for the sake of the well-being of our children. – Marino J. Dasmarinas