Reflection for December 21 Saturday of the Third Week of Advent: Luke 1:39-45

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

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Reflection:

Would you be willing to forgo your own welfare for the welfare of others? 

Aside from the birth of the Lord, one of the enduring and relevant messages of Christmas is self- emptying of ourselves. Self-emptying means to look less on our personal needs and focus it on the needs of others. 

Considering that she was also pregnant at that time. Mary did not focus on her own needs and safety. She looked outside of herself or emptied herself to make an impact on the life of her cousin Elizabeth: This is what we must always emulate every Christmas time and even every day, to empty and make ourselves available for others. 

Children usually focus their Christmas celebrations and expectations for themselves. That's why during Christmas they ask for gifts from their parents and god parents. Nothing is wrong with this but in a deeper sense Christmas is not about ourselves. 

Christmas is about others most especially those who are poor, unwanted, abandoned, the suffering or anyone who is going through a difficult episode during this time. Like Mary who went out of her way to give cheer to her cousin Elizabeth we too must go out of our way to give cheer to someone who is in need.

And who are they? They could be a relative, a friend, a neighbor, or a complete stranger in need of our attention and care.– Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 21, Sabado sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:39-45

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-45

Hindi nagtagal at si Maria'y nagmamadaling pumunta sa isang bayan sa kaburulan ng Judea. Pagdating sa bahay ni Zacarias, binati niya si Elisabet. Nang marinig ni Elisabet ang bati ni Maria, naggagalaw ang sanggol sa kanyang tiyan.  

Napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elisabet, at buong galak niyang sinabi, "Bukod kang pinagpala sa babaing lahat, at pinagpala naman ang iyong dinadalang anak! Sino ako upang dalawin ng ina ng aking Panginoon? Sapagkat pagkarinig ko ng iyong bati ay naggagalaw sa tuwa ang sanggol sa aking tiyan. Mapalad ka sapagkat nanalig kang matutupad ang ipinasasabi sa iyo ng Panginoon!" 

Reflection for December 20 Friday of the Third Week of Advent: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.   

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”   

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

Why is the Blessed Mother favored by God? Why was she chosen among many women? She is favored because of her humility and docility. God saw her saintly character, which He did not find in any other women during that time. Therefore, the Blessed Mother was given the singular honor to carry in her womb our Savior.

So you might say I would also want to be humble because I also expect to receive some blessings from God. That’s ok nothing is wrong with this kind of mindset. However, we must remember that the Blessed Mother is humble and docile not because she was vying to be chosen as the dwelling place of God. 

To be humble and docile was her natural character. There was no pretension or any sort of fake humility in her system.  In other words as far as the Blessed Mother is concerned, what we see is what we get from her. If we see her as humble and docile to the will of God she really is humble and docile. 

In so many ways, God also announces His will for us and what is His will for us? It’s for us to live simple and humble lives. Many of us live complicated lives and lifestyles and this results to problematic lives. Thus, we fail to hear the voice of God and we fail to hear the guidance of God us well. 

The Blessed Mother lived a simple and humble life, thus she was chosen by God. How are you living your life?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 20, Biyernes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:26-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:26-38

Nang ikaanim na buwan na ng pagdadalantao ni Elisabet, ang anghel Gabriel ay sinugo ng Diyos sa Nazaret, Galilea, sa isang dalaga na ang pangala'y Maria. Siya'y nakatakdang ikasal kay Jose, isang lalaki buhat sa lipi ni Haring David. Paglapit ng anghel sa kinaroroonan ng dalaga, binati niya ito.  

"Matuwa ka! Ikaw ay kalugud-lugod sa Diyos," wika niya. "Sumasaiyo ang Panginoon!" Nagulumihanan si Maria sa gayong pangungusap, at inisip niyang mabuti kung ano ang kahulugan niyon. Kaya't sinabi sa kanya ng anghel, "Huwag kang matakot, Maria, sapagkat kinalulugdan ka ng Diyos. Makinig ka! Ikaw ay maglilihi at manganganak ng isang lalaki, at siya'y tatawagin mong Jesus. 

Magiging dakila siya, at tatawaging Anak ng Kataas-taasan. Ibibigay sa kanya ng Panginoong Diyos ang trono ng kanyang amang si David. Maghahari siya sa angkan ni Jacob magpakailanman, at ang kanyang paghahari ay walang hanggan." "Paanong mangyayari ito, gayong ako'y dalaga?" tanong ni Maria. Sumagot ang anghel, "Bababa sa iyo ang Espiritu Santo, at lililiman ka ng kanyang kapangyarihan ng Kataas-taasan.  

Kaya't banal ang ipanganganak mo at tatawaging Anak ng Diyos. Natatandaan mo ang iyong kamag-anak na si Elisabet? Alam ng lahat na siya'y baog, ngunit naglihi siya sa kabila ng kanyang katandaan. At ngayo'y ikaanim na buwan na ng kanyang pagdadalantao -- sapagkat walang hindi mapangyayari ang Diyos." Sumagot si Maria, "Ako'y alipin ng Panginoon. Mangyari sa akin ang iyong sinabi." At nilisan siya ng anghel.

Reflection for December 19 Thursday of the Third Week of Advent: Luke 1:5-25

Gospel: Luke 1:5-25

In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. 

Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. 

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” 

Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute. 

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”

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Reflection:

Do you have a prayer request before God and do you believe that your prayer request will be granted by God? You must always believe that God will grant your prayer request. Because when you believe that you will have what you want from God what you want from Him is already within your reach. 

In today's Gospel, the couple Zechariah and Elizabeth are praying to God for the gift of a child. Yet, when the angel of God appeared to Zechariah in the sanctuary and told him that his wife would become pregnant, Zechariah suddenly had doubts. His doubt had a basis, as both of them were already old.

However, it is so uncharacteristic for Zechariah to doubt considering that he was a priest serving God. Zechariah forgot that nothing is impossible for God, did he forget or he simply had weak and feeble faith? Perhaps Zechariah had weak faith during that moment when the angel of God appeared to him. Perhaps Zechariah was overwhelmed by their personal circumstances (Old age).

However, nothing is impossible with God because God makes all things possible.  Hence, let us not doubt when we have prayers for God. Let us firmly believe and have faith that God will grant us what we want from Him.  

Do you have a prayer request before God? Believe, have faith and you shall have it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 19, Huwebes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:5-25

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:5-25

Nang si Herodes ang hari ng Judea, may isang saserdote na ang ngala'y Zacarias, sa pangkat ni Abias. At mula rin sa lipi ni Aaron ang kanyang asawang si Elisabet. Kapwa sila kalugod-lugod sa paningin ng Diyos, namumuhay ng ayon sa mga utos at tuntuning mula sa Panginoon. Wala silang anak pagkat baog si Elisabet, at sila'y matanda na.  

Ang pangkat ni Zacarias ang nanunungkulan noon, at sila'y naglilingkod sa harapan ng Diyos bilang saserdote. Nang sila'y magsapalaran, ayon sa kaugalian ng saserdote, siya ay nahirang na maghandog ng kamanyang. Kaya't pumasok siya sa templo ng Panginoon sa oras ng pagsusunog ng kamanyang, samantalang nagkakatipon sa labas ang mga tao at nananalangin.  

Walang anu-ano'y napakita sa kanya ang isang anghel ng Panginoon, nakatayo sa gawing kanan ng damabanang sunugan ng kamanyang. Nagulat si Zacarias at sinidlan ng matinding takot nang makita ang anghel. Ngunit sinabi nito sa kanya, "Huwag kang matakot, Zacarias! Dininig ng Diyos ang panalangin mo. Kayo ni Elisabet ay magkakaanak ng isang lalaki, at Juan ang ipapangalan mo sa kanya. 

Ikaw ay matutuwa at magiging maligaya, at maraming magagalak sa kanyang pagsilang sapagkat siya'y magiging dakila sa paningin ng Panginoon. Hindi siya iinom ng alak o anumang inuming nakalalasing. Sa sinapupunan pa lamang ng kanyang ina, mapupuspos na siya ng Espiritu Santo. Marami sa mga anak ng Israel ang panunumbalikin niya sa Panginoon, taglay ang espiritu at kapangyarihan ni Elias, upang pagkasunduin ang mga ama at mga anak, at panumbalikin sa matuwid ang mga suwail.  

Sa gayon, ipaghahanda niya ng isang bayan ang Panginoon." Sinabi ni Zacarias sa anghel, "Paano ko po matitiyak na mangyayari ito? Sapagkat ako'y napakatanda na at gayon din ang aking asawa." Sumagot ang anghel, "Ako si Gabriel ang anghel na naglilingkod sa harapan ng Diyos. Sinugo ako upang ihatid ang mabuting balitang sinabi ko sa iyo. At ngayon, mabibingi ka't hindi makapagsasalita hangang sa araw na maganap ang mga bagay na ito, sapagkat hindi ka naniniwala sa mga sinabi ko na matutupad pagdating ng takdang panahon." 

Samantala, naghihintay naman kay Zacarias ang mga tao. Nagtaka sila kung bakit nagtagal siya ng gayon sa loob ng templo. Paglabas niya ay hindi na siya makapagsalita, mga senyas na lamang ang ginagamit niya; kaya natanto nila na nakakita siya ng pangitain. At siya'y nanatiling pipi. Nang matapos ang kanyang paglilingkod ay umuwi na siya. Hindi nga nagtagal at naglihi si Elisabet, at hindi ito umalis ng bahay sa loob ng limang buwan. "Ngayo'y nilingap ako ng Panginoon," wika ni Elisabet. "Ginawa niya ito upang alisin ang aking kadustaan sa harapan ng mga tao!" 

Reflection for December 18 Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent: Matthew 1:18-25

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 

Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.  When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son and he named him Jesus.

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Reflection:

What would have happened if Joseph did not listen to the angel of God? 

Mary could have died violently by way of stoning because, during that time, death by stoning was the punishment for those caught cheating on their betrothed husband. But Joseph listened to the voice of the angel of God, who told him that the fruit of Mary’s womb was brought to her by the Holy Spirit.

We see humility in Joseph, we see obedience and love for God in Joseph and we also see the great love of Joseph for Mary. Deep in his heart Joseph loved Mary to the deepest core of his being. Mary was his everything so to speak and Joseph loved Mary more than his life. If Joseph did not love Mary more than his life, he could have easily left Mary and told the authorities about her out of wedlock pregnancy. 

Aside from Joseph’s love for Mary, Joseph also loved God for if he did not love God he could have simply brushed aside the angel of God and move on with his plan of divorcing Mary. But Joseph loved God this is the reason why he listened to the voice of God coursed through an Angel. 

In the Sacrament of Matrimony the voice of God is an ever present guiding light that couples must always follow. God tells the couples to stay with the Marriage covenant no matter the challenges until mortal death breaks it. Of course no marriage is made in heaven, husbands and wives have their own shortcomings. 

However, if couples would make the humility, the commitment, the love of God and the holiness of both Joseph and Mary their role model in their married life. There would be no divorce; no deception and lies. 

What would remain is love, love that is humble, love that is truthful and love that is forgiving and eternal. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 18, Miyerkules sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 1:18-25

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:18-25

Ganito ang pagkapanganak kay Jesu-Cristo. Si Maria na kanyang ina at si Jose ay nakatakda nang pakasal. Ngunit bago sila nakasal, Si Maria'y natagpuang nagdadalang-tao. Ito'y sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo. Isang taong matuwid itong si Jose na kanyang magiging asawa, ngunit ayaw niyang mapahiya si Maria, kaya ipinasiya niyang hiwalayan ito ng lihim. 

Samantalang iniisip ni Jose ito, napakita sa kanya sa panaginip ang isang anghel ng Panginoon. Sabi nito sa kanya, "Jose anak ni David, huwag kang matakot na tuluyang pakasalan si Maria, sapagkat siya'y naglihi sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo. Manganganak siya ng isang lalaki at ito'y panganganlan mong Jesus, sapagkat siya ang magliligtas sa kanyang bayan sa kanilang mga kasalanan." 

Nangyari ang lahat ng ito upang matupad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng propeta:"Maglilihi ang isang dalaga at manganganak ng isang lalaki; at tatawagin itong Emmanuel" ang kahuluga'y "Kasama natin ang Diyos". 

Nang magising si Jose, sinunod niya ang anghel ng Panginoon; pinakasalan niya si Maria. Ngunit hindi ginalaw ni Jose si Maria hanggang sa maipanganak nito ang isang sanggol na lalaki na pinanganlan nga niyang Jesus.

Reflection for December 17 Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent: Matthew 1:1-17

Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. 

David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. 

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. 

Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.

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Reflection:

Do you know your family tree? 

With the modernity of technology today wherein we are always busy with facebook and our many gadgets. Do we still have time to know our family tree or are we still willing to know our family tree? Say for example the names of our ancestors, do we still have time to know them? 

Or we don’t have time to know them for the simple reason that they belong to the past already. And we are now here in this high-technology driven times where there is less people to people interaction. We now interact more with our internet friendly cell phones, ipads, laptops etc. 

Nevertheless, we still need to know who our relatives are for the simple reason that we are humans. We are not high-tech smart phones or other gadgets. And as such we need to know who our relatives are, so that we could also touch base and help them if they are in need of help. 

We have in our gospel the ancestry of Jesus, it traces the family history of Jesus. From Abraham, King David up to Saint Joseph the designated father of Jesus. This ancestry shows the humanity of Jesus. 

Even if He is God the Son Jesus is also human like all of us and being human this means that He is one with us. We can even adopt Him as our relative so that we could feel more closer to Him. For example we can treat Jesus as our brother or even our father that we could communicate with anytime. 

God could have chosen Jesus to directly originate from heaven like a shooting star coming into earth. But God allowed Jesus to come from an ancestry of numerous people so that we can always be at home with Him. And so that we could treat Him as our close friend, our brother or even our father. 

How’s your relationship with Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Disyembre 17, mga Huling Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 1:1-17

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:1-17

Ang simula ng Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon ayon kay San Mateo. 

Ito ang lahi ni Hesukristo na mula sa angkan ni David na mula naman sa lahi ni Abraham. Si Abraham ang ama ni Isaac; si Isaac ang ama ni Jacob na ama ni Juda at ng kanyang mga kapatid. Naging anak naman ni Juda kay Tamar sina Fares at Zara. Si Fares ang ama ni Esrom at si Esrom ang ama ni Aram. Si Aram ang ama ni Aminadab; si Aminadab ang ama ni Naason na ama naman ni Salmon. Naging anak ni Salmon kay Rahab si Booz, at naging anak naman ni Booz kay Ruth si Obed. Si Obed ang ama ni Jesse na ama ni Haring David. 

Naging anak ni David si Solomon sa dating asawa ni Urias. Si Solomon naman ang ama ni Roboam. Si Roboam ang ama ni Abias, at si Abias ang ama ni Asa. Si Asa ang ama ni Josafat, at si Josafat ang ama ni Joram na siya namang ama ni Ozias. Itong si Ozias ay ama ni Jotam na ama ni Acaz, at si Acaz ang ama ni Ezequias. Si Ezequias ang ama ni Manases, at si Manases ang ama ni Amos na ama naman ni Josias. Si Josias ang ama ni Jeconias at ang kanyang mga kapatid. Panahon noon ng pagkakatapon ng mga Israelita sa Babilonia. 

Matapos ang pagkakatapon sa Babilonia, naging anak ni Joconias si Salatiel na ama ni Zorobabel. Si Zorobabel ang ama ni Abiud na ama ni Eliaquim, at si Eliaquim ang ama ni Azor. si Azor ang ama ni Sadoc na ama ni Aquim; itong si Aquim ang ama ni Eliud. Si Eluid ang ama ni Eleazar; si Eleazar ang ama ni Matan na ama ni Jacob. At si Jacob ang ama ni Jose na asawa ni Maria. Si Maria naman ang ina ni Hesus na tinatawag na Kristo.  

Samaktwid, labing-apat ang salin-lahi mula kay Abraham hanggang kay David, labing-apat mula kay David hanggang sa pagkakatapon ng mga Israelita sa Babilonia, at labing-apat din mula sa pagkakatapon sa Babilonia hanggang kay Kristo.

Reflection for December 16 Monday of the Third Week of Advent (1st day of Misa de Gallo): John 5:33-36

Gospel: John 5:33-36

Jesus said to the Jews: “You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved. John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. 

But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.”

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Reflection:

Do you have a personal testimony about Jesus? For example an instance in your life wherein Jesus changed you to become a gentler and loving person or you were brought out of a sinful life by the Lord or any life-changing experience that you have about Jesus. 

If you have this one of a kind life changing experience with Jesus you have to share it, don’t just keep it to yourself.  This is for the reason that when you share your life experience with Jesus you can change another life courtesy of Jesus through you. 

However we have to remember that we have to share Jesus with humility and gentleness. Because this is where we could become more effective heralds of our savior. If we share Jesus with bombast we may never be able to bring others close to Him because people normally gravitate toward the humble and gentle.  

If we are afraid of sharing Jesus through the spoken word let us not be afraid to share Jesus through our actions. Actions of love, humility, gentleness and servanthood for the simple reason that these acts are the best testament that Jesus is alive and has an active part in our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 16, Lunes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento (Simula ng Misa de Gallo): Juan 5:33-36

Mabuting Balita: Juan 5:33-36

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga Judio, “Nagpasugo kayo kay Juan, at nagpatotoo siya tungkol sa katotohanan. Hindi sa kailangan ko ang patotoo ng tao; sinasabi ko lamang ito para maligtas kayo. Si Juan ay parang maningas na ilaw na nagliliwanag noon, at kayo’y sandaling nasiyahan sa kanyang liwanag. 

Ngunit may patotoo tungkol sa akin na higit sa patotoo ni Juan: ang mga gawang ipinagagawa sa akin ng Ama, at siya ko namang ginaganap – iyan ang nagpapatotoo na ako’y sinugo niya.”  

Reflection for Sunday December 15, Third Sunday of Advent: Luke 3:10-18

Gospel: Luke 3:10-18

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” 

Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. 

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

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Reflection:

A troubled husband was asking the Lord for enlightenment. Thus; he said to the Lord. Lord help me I am so burdened by my problems, my wife and children are not speaking to me, I feel so alone.

 All of a sudden, the husband heard the booming voice of the Lord, which said, "Your wife and children are not talking to you because you’re arrogant and domineering." The Lord further said, "Change your ways by being more humble, gentle, and loving."

The troubled husband followed the Lord's advice, and it immediately had a positive result. The divided family became one, and they lived happily ever after. 

In the Gospel, before the crowd asked John, "What should we do?" he had already preached to them about repentance and the need to renew their wicked lifestyles.

Why is repentance so important? Repentance is important because it makes us worthy before the Lord. It also straightens our crooked lives, and it heals us spiritually.

Why do many of us experience problematic family lives? It is because we refuse to heed John’s call for renewal and repentance. We continually reject humility, forgiveness, and servanthood.

Would you listen to the preaching of John the Baptist? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Disyembre 15 Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 3:10-18

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 3:10-18

Noong panahong iyon: Tinanong si Juan Bautista ng mga tao, “Kung gayun, ano po ang dapat naming gawin?” “Kung mayroon kang dalawang baro, bigyan mo ng isa ang wala. Ganyan din ang gawin ng mga may pagkain,” tugon niya. Dumating din ang mga publikano upang pabinyag at itinanong nila sa kanya, “Guro, ano po ang dapat naming gawin?” Sumagot siya, “Huwag kayong sumingil nang higit sa dapat singilin.” 

Tinanong din siya ng mga kawal, “At kami, ano naman ang dapat naming gawin?” “Huwag kayong manghihingi kaninuman sa pamamagitan ng pamimilit o ng pagpaparatang ng di totoo; masiyahan kayo sa inyong sahod,” sagot niya. 

Naghahari sa mga tao ang pananabik sa pagdating ng Mesiyas at ang akala ng marami’y si Juan ang kanilang hinihintay. Kaya’t sinabi ni Juan sa kanila, “Binibinyagan ko kayo sa tubig, ngunit ang darating na kasunod ko ang magbibinyag sa inyo sa Espiritu Santo at sa apoy. 

Siya’y makapangyarihan kaysa sa akin, at ni hindi ako karapat-dapat magkalag ng tali ng kanyang panyapak. Hawak niya ang kanyang kalaykay upang alisin ang dayami. Titipunin niya ang trigo sa kanyang kamalig, ngunit ang ipa’y susunugin sa apoy na di mamamatay kailanman.”

Marami pang bagay ang ipinangaral ni Juan sa mga tao sa kanyang paghahayag ng Mabuting Balita.