Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 2 Martes ng Ika-13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 8:23-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:23-27

Noong panahong iyon, sumakay si Jesus sa bangka, kasama ang kanyang mga alagad. Bumugso sa lawa ang isang malakas na unos, at halos matabunan ng mga alon ang bangka. ngunit natutulog noon si Jesus. 

Kaya't nilapitan siya ng mga alagad at ginising. "Panginoon, tulungan ninyo kami!" sabi nila. "Lulubog tayo!" At sinabi niya sa kanila, "Ano't kayo'y natatakot? Napakaliit naman ng pananalig ninyo!" Bumangon siya, sinaway ang hangin at ang dagat, at tumahimik ang mga ito. Namangha silang lahat at ang sabi, "Anong tao ito? Kahit ang hangin at dagat ay tumatalima sa kanya!"

Reflection for July 1 Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:18-22

Gospel: Matthew 8:18-22

When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” 

Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

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Reflection:

Are you always generous with the God given talents or gifts that you have?  

In the first sentence of the gospel, it appears that Jesus was trying to evade the crowd that had been following Him for healing. However, the situation is not as it seems; it was rather time for Jesus to move on and share His gift of preaching and healing with other places. 

Jesus is an itinerant preacher and healer; as much as possible He wants to share His many super natural gifts with as many people as He can. This is the reason why He wants to go to other places as much as He can. For the reason that Jesus’ wants to share His talents without expecting anything in return. 

Each of us has been blessed by God with gifts/talents that He wants us to share. It may be the gift of preaching, it may be the gift of writing about God it may be the gift of empathy, unconditional love and concern. It may be the gift of attentively listening to those who are burdened, it may be the gift of material wealth and the like. 

Let us generously share these blessings let us not hoard it for ourselves. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Hulyo 1 Lunes ng Ika- 13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 8:18-22

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:18-22

Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ni Hesus ang makapal na tao sa kanyang paligid, iniutos niya sa mga kasama na maghandang tumawid sa ibayo. Nilapitan siya ng isang eskriba at sinabi sa kanya, “Guro, susunod po ako sa inyo saan man kayo pumaroon?” Sumagot si Hesus: “May mga lungga ang mga asong-gubat, at may mga pugad ang mga ibon, ngunit ang Anak ng Tao’y wala man lamang matulugan o mapagpahingahan.”  

Isa naman sa mga alagad ang nagsabi sa kanya, “Panginoon, maaari po bang umuwi muna ako upang ipalibing ang aking ama?” Ngunit sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Sumunod ka sa akin, at ipaubaya mo na sa mga patay ang paglilibing ng kanilang mga patay.”

Reflection for Sunday June 30, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 5:21-43

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live. He went off with him and a large crowd followed him. 

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” 

But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” 

While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 

So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

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Reflection:

A sick woman wanted to be healed from her sickness, but she was not willing to attend Holy Mass or watch online Holy Mass. She was also not willing to pray to the Lord for healing, pray the Holy Rosary, or read about the miraculous healing ministry of Jesus in the Bible. 

Do you have a prayer before Jesus? Pray for it, never give up, and continue to badger Jesus with your prayer because this is the secret to receiving what you wish for from Him. However, everything must start with faith. Once you begin your interaction with Jesus in faith, everything will simply fall into place, including what you wish for from Him. 

But how can we grow in faith? We should humbly ask Jesus to give su the gift of faith. Not only should we ask Jesus for the gift of faith, but we should also reach out to Him through our prayers, our presence at Holy Mass, and by reading the most precious book of all books, which is the Holy Bible. 

The woman in the Gospel had been bleeding for twelve long years. She went to anyone who could cure her, but to no avail. Then she heard about a healer named Jesus, and from thereon she started to have faith in Him. Her faith was her motivation to reach out to Jesus. She even said to herself, "If only I could touch a portion of His clothes, I would be healed. 

All of us have heard about Jesus, but not all of us are praying for the gift of faith. Not all of us are reaching out to Jesus through our prayers and pious presence at Holy Mass. Not all of us have the habit of reading and reflecting on the words of Jesus in the Bible. 

Some of us may even say, "I’m very busy. I have no more time to do these acts of faith." How then can we grow in faith? How then can we be friends with Jesus? How then can we receive healing from Jesus if we do not give a little of our precious time to the Lord? 

If we want an increase of our faith and if we want to get healed by Jesus we have to give Him even a little of our precious time. 

Do we still give time to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Linggo Hunyo 30, Ika -13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 5:21-43

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 5:21-43

Noong panahong iyon, muling tumawid si Hesus sa ibayo ng Lawa ng Galilea, nakasakay sa bangka. Nasa baybay pa siya ng lawa ay pinagkalipumpunan na siya ng maraming tao. Dumating ang isang lalaking nagngangalang Jairo, isang tagapamahala ng sinagoga. 

Pagkakita kay Hesus, siya’y nagpatirapa sa kanyang paanan, at ang samo: “Agaw-buhay po ang anak kong dalagita. Kung maaari, sumama kayo sa akin at ipatong ninyo sa kanya ang inyong kamay upang siya’y gumaling at mabuhay!” Sumama naman si Hesus. At sinundan siya ng napakaraming taong nagsisiksikan, anupa’t halos maipit na siya.  

May isang babae roon na labindalawang taon nang dinudugo, at lubhang nahihirapan. Marami nang manggagamot ang tumingin sa kanya, at naubos na sa kapapagamot ang kanyang ari-arian, ngunit hindi siya napabuti kahit kaunti bagkus ay lalong lumubha. 

Narinig niya ang sinasabi ng mga tao tungkol kay Hesus, kaya’t nakipagsiksikan siya hanggang sa makalapit sa likuran ni Hesus. At hinipo niya ang damit nito. Sapagkat sinabi niya sa sarili, “Mahipo ko lang ang kanyang damit ay gagaling na ako.” 

Biglang tumigil ang kanyang pagdudugo at naramdaman niyang magaling na siya. Naramdaman naman ni Hesus na may kapangyarihang lumabas sa kanya, kaya’t bumaling siya sa mga tao at nagtanong, “Sino ang humipo sa akin?” Sumagot ang kanyang mga alagad, “Nakikita po ninyong nagsisiksikan ang napakaraming tao, bakit itinatanong ninyo kung sino ang humipo sa inyo?” 

Subalit patuloy na luminga-linga si Hesus, hinahanap ang humipo sa kanya. Palibhasa’y alam ng babae ang nangyari, siya’y nanginginig sa takot na lumapit kay Hesus, nagpatirapa, at ipinagtapat ang buong katotohanan.  

Sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Anak pinagaling ka ng iyong pananalig sa akin. Umuwi ka na’t ipanatag mo ang iyong kalooban. Lubusan ka nang magaling sa iyong karamdaman.” Samantalang nagsasalita pa si Hesus, may ilang dumating mula sa bahay ni Jairo. “Patay na po ang anak ninyo,” sabi nila. “Bakit pa ninyo aabalahin ang Guro?” Hindi pinansin ni Hesus ang kanilang sinabi, sa halip ay sinabi sa tagapamahala, “Huwag kang mabagabag, manalig ka.”   

At wala siyang isinama kundi si Pedro at ang magkapatid na Santiago at Juan. Nang dumating sila sa bahay ng tagapamahala, nakita ni Hesus na gulung-gulo ang mga tao; may mga nananangis pa at nananaghoy. Pagpasok niya ay kanyang sinabi, “Bakit kayo nagkakagulo at nananangis? Hindi patay ang bata; natutulog lamang!”  

Ngunit pinagtawanan siya ng mga tao. Pinalabas niya ang lahat, maliban sa ama’t ina ng bata at sa tatlong alagad, at sila’y pumasok sa kinaroroonan ng bata. Hinawakan niya ito sa kamay at sinabi, “Talita kumi,” na ang ibig sabihi’y “Ineng, sinasabi ko sa iyo, magbangon ka!” Pagdaka’y bumangon ang bata at lumakad. Siya’y labindalawang taon na. At namangha ang lahat. Mahigpit na ipinagbilin ni Hesus na huwag ipaalam ito kaninuman; at iniutos niyang bigyan ng pagkain ang bata.

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Repleksyon:

May isang babae na gustong gumaling sa kanyang sakit pero ayaw nyang magsimba o manood ng  banal na Misa online. Ayaw nya rin na magdasal sa Diyos para siya ay gumaling. Ayaw nya ring mag dasal ng sto. Rosaryo o basahin ang pagpapagaling at mga milagro ni Jesus sa mga tao sa biblia. 

Mayroon ka bang ipinapanalangin kay Jesus? Ipagdasal mo ito, huwag kang susuko at patuloy mo itong hilingin kay Jesus dahil ito ang susi para ito ay iyong makamit. Pero kailagan ay mayroon kang pananampalataya dahil ang pananampalataya ang susi para makamit mo ang iyong hinihiling kay Jesus. 

Pero, paano po ba tayo lalago sa ating pananampalataya sa Panginoong Jesus Kristo? Kailagan po ay palagi tayong nag lalaan ng oras ng pananalangin para sa kanya. Palagi tayong naglalaan ng oras para mag simba o manood ng banal na Misa online. Palagi tayong naglalaan ng regular na oras para mag basa ng bibliya para mas makilala natin si Jesus. 

Ang babaeng maysakit sa mabuting balita ay labing dalawang taon ng dinudugo at lubhang nahihirapan na sa kanyang sakit. Marami ng doktor ang tumingin sa kanya pero hindi siya gumaling. Hangang sa mabalitaan o marinig nya ang pangalan ni Jesus. At simula ng marinig nya ang pangalan ni Jesus ay nakaroon na sya ng malalim na pananampalataya kay Jesus. Ang  pananampalataya ring ito ang nagtulak sa kanya para lumapit kay Jesus. At sinabi nya, “mahipo ko lamang ang kanyang damit ay gagaling na ako.” 

Lahat po tayo ay kilala si Jesus pero hindi lahat sa atin ay nananalagin ng grasya ng pananampalataya. Hindi lahat ay palaging nagsisimba tuwing linggo, hindi po lahat sa atin nag uukol ng oras na magbasa ng biblia para mas makilala pa si Jesus. 

Yung iba po sa atin ay baka sabihin na busy sila kaya  di sila makapagsimba, di makapagdasal ng Santo Rosaryo at di makapagbasa ng bibliya. Kung ganon po ay paano po tayo lalago sa ating pananampalataya at paano po natin mas makikilala ng mas malalim pa si Jesus? 

Kung gusto po natin na lumakas ang ating pananampalataya at kung gusto po natin na tayo ay  pagalingin ni Jesus kailagan po na mag laan tayo ng oras para sa kanya. 

May inilalaan ka pa bang oras para kay Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday June 30, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 5:21-43

 

Repleksyon para Linggo Hunyo 30, Ika -13 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 5:21-43

 

Reflection for Saturday June 29 Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles: Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

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Reflection:

Do you know Jesus? Yes you know Jesus but do you feel the presence of Jesus in your life? Knowing and feeling Jesus are two different things. Many of us know Jesus but not as many feel His majestic presence. We don’t feel the presence of Jesus in our hearts because we lack time for Jesus. 

Peter did not only know Jesus, he felt also the presence of Jesus in his life. Peter felt the presence of Jesus in his life because Peter gave time for Jesus. Among the disciples it was Peter who was always with Jesus it was Peter who had more time for Jesus. 

Peter went with Jesus to the mountain of transfiguration. When Jesus walked on water Peter saw Jesus and even asked Jesus if she could go to him. And there were many other events that Peter was always in the company Jesus. 

Paul formerly Saul was initially a persecutor of the church. But in spite of being a fierce critic of the church Paul allowed Jesus to take control of his life. Thus, from being a persecutor Paul became a zealous propagator of the church. He became one of its foremost missioner. 

If you want to feel the presence of Jesus in your life. You only have to do one thing and that is to spend more time with Jesus. Be with Him at Holy Mass, hear Him speak to you by  reading your bible. Hear Him assuring you of His abiding presence in your life through your prayers. 

Do you want to feel the presence of Jesus in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Hunyo 29 San Pedro at San Pablo mga apostol (Dakilang Kapistahan): Mateo 16:13-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:13-19

Noong panahong iyon, dumating si Jesus sa Cesarea ng Filipos, tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad, "Sino raw ang Anak ng Tao, ayon sa mga tao?" At sumagot sila, "Ang sabi po ng ilan ay si Juan Bautista kayo. Sabi naman ng iba, si Elias kayo. At may nagsasabi pang si Jeremias kayo o isa sa mga propeta." "Kayo naman, ano ang sabi ninyo? Sino ako?" tanong niya sa kanila. 

 Sumagot si Simon Pedro, "Kayo po ang Cristo, ang Anak ng Diyos na buhay." Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Mapalad ka, Simon na anak ni Jonas! Sapagkat ang katotohanang ito'y hindi inihayag sa iyo ng ibang tao kundi ng aking Amang nasa langit. At sinasabi ko naman sa iyo, ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking simbahan, at hindi makapananaig sa kanya kahit sa kapangyarihan ng kamatayan.  

Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng kaharian ng langit: ang ipagbawal mo sa lupa ay ipagbabawal sa langit, at ang ipahintulot mo sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa Langit."

Reflection for Friday June 28 Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr: Matthew 8:1-4

Gospel: Matthew 8:1-4

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I will do it. Be made clean." 

His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was scheduled for a dangerous operation. Before going thru the operation she was advised by a relative to go first to a priest. So that she could first be conferred with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. 

After a few days the operation went on smoothly and the woman eventually recovered and she resumed her normal life. Jesus heals us through the hand of the priest who confers to us the Sacrament of Anointing of the sick. Jesus heals us also through our time spent with Him in prayer and in reading His life changing words in the bible. 

There is always a healing experience whenever we seek the presence of Jesus in our lives. We may not immediately experience this healing but it’s always there being conferred to us by the Lord, it’s either physical or spiritual. He confers it to us through the Sacrament for the Sick and through our prayerful encounter with Him. 

In our gospel a person sick with leprosy approached Jesus, did him homage, and prayerfully said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean and the man was immediately cured of his contagious sickness.  

This healing would also happen to us if we pay homage to Jesus and prayerfully approach Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Hunyo 28 San Ireneo, obispo pantas ng simbahan at martir (Paggunita): Mateo 8:1-4

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 8:1-4

Nang makababa si Jesus mula sa bundok, sinundan siya ng napakaraming tao. Lumapit sa kanya ang isang ketongin at lumuhod sa harapan niya, "Ginoo," ang wika niya, "kung ibig po ninyo, ako'y inyong mapagagaling." 

Hinipo siya ni Jesus at sinabi, "Ibig ko, gumaling ka." At pagdaka'y nawala ang kanyang ketong. "Huwag mo itong sasabihin kaninuman," bilin ni Jesus. Pumunta ka't pasuri sa saserdote. Pagkatapos maghandog ka ng haing iniuutos ni Moises, bilang patotoo sa mga tao na magaling ka na."

Reflection for June 27 Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:21-29

Gospel: Matthew 7:21-29

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’ 

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” 

When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

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Reflection:

Does a priest have safe passage to heaven? Does a nun have safe passage to heaven? Does a person who always goes to church for Holy Mass have safe passage to heaven? 

The answers to all of these questions are no! Nobody has a monopoly of heavenly dwelling, everyone of us has a chance provided we do the will of God and we live our lives according to how God wants us to live it. 

So, what are we going to do? We have to live what we preach and teach because if we don’t live what we preach and teach, we have no chance of entering heaven someday. Many are only good at teaching and preaching, and it ends there, much like the false prophets who were only good at preaching and teaching but lived unholy lives. 

Jesus himself tells us this: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21). 

Jesus knows everything about us. If to our fellowmen we could sugarcoat our image as Godly with Jesus we cannot. For He knows our deepest secrets, He knows if we are only pretending to be Good, Holy and Godly. 

Jesus knows the secret lives we live and the hidden sins we commit; we can’t hide anything from Him. Therefore, we must reform and leave behind anything that causes us to sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Hunyo 27 Huwebes ng Ika-12 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 7:21-29

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:21-29

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Hindi lahat ng tumatawag sa akin, ‘Panginoon, Panginoon,’ ay papasok sa kaharian ng langit, kundi yaon lamang sumusunod sa kalooban ng aking Amang nasa langit. Pagdating ng huling Araw, marami ang magsasabi sa akin, ‘Panginoon, nangaral po kami at nagpalayas ng mga demonyo, at gumawa ng mga kababalaghan sa inyong pangalan!’ At sasabihin ko sa kanila, ‘Kailanma’y hindi ko kayo nakilala. Lumayo kayo sa akin, mga mapaggawa ng masama!’

“Kaya’t ang bawat nakikinig at nagsasagawa ng mga salita kong ito ay matutulad sa isang taong matalino na nagtayo ng kanyang bahay sa ibabaw ng bato. Umulan nang malakas, bumaha, at binayo ng malakas na hangin ang bahay na iyon, ngunit hindi nagiba sapagkat nakatayo sa ibabaw ng bato. Ang bawat nakikinig ng aking mga salita at hindi nagsasagawa nito ay matutulad sa isang taong hangal na nagtayo ng kanyang bahay sa buhanginan. Umulan nang malakas, bumaha, at binayo ng malakas na hangin ang bahay. Bumagsak ang bahay na iyon at lubusang nawasak.”

Nang masabi na ni Hesus ang mga pananalitang ito, ang mga tao’y namangha. Sapagkat nagturo siya na parang isang may kapangyarihan, at hindi tulad ng mga eskriba.

Reflection for June 26 Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 

Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them."

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Reflection:

Do you know of people who say that they speak for God but their actions say otherwise? 

There were many false prophets during the time of Jesus and even before the time of Jesus. They would claim to speak for God but their actions betray their true motives. There are also many false prophets nowadays, by their glib tongues they gather many adherents but soon enough they’re exposed as frauds by their own words and actions. 

Good relatives and friends are somewhat like prophets they guide us and they bring us closer to God. But we should also be wary because there are friends and even relatives who would bring us away from God. 

They only take advantage of us and the moment they already achieve their objective they immediately evaporate from our sights. We therefore have to be discerning and careful. 

So, we must be watchful and careful of these people. They are like leeches that will cling to us only to leave us in a huff when they find out that we are no longer useful to them. False prophets are like that as well; they are good at manipulating and using their followers to serve their selfish agendas.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas