Reflection for January 3 Friday before Epiphany: John 1:29-34

Gospel: John 1:29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." 

John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."

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Reflection:

Do you live the virtue of Humility? CS Lewis once said: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.” 

When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him, he said this: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. John recognized the true identity of Jesus because he lived the virtue of humility to the core of his bones. There was no fakery and pretension, it was authentic humility. 

We also always hear these words of John when we go to Holy Mass. The priest raises the Sacred Host and pronounces these very words of John at Holy Mass before Holy Communion as the faithful kneel and fix its gaze upon it with deep reverence. 

Jesus will heal us from all of our sins no matter how grave. But we have to humble ourselves before our Lord. This kind of humble demeanor without a doubt was with John thus John was able to recognize the majesty of Jesus over anyone else.         

We will never recognize the magnificence of Jesus if we don’t have humility. And we will never fully grasp the reason why John called Jesus the lamb of God. If we are not ready to strip ourselves with anything that is contrary to the virtue of humility. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 3 Biyernes bago ang Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Juan 1:29-34

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:29-34

Kinabukasan, nakita ni Juan si Hesus na lumalapit sa kanya. Sinabi niya, “Ito ang Kordero ng Diyos. Ito ang nag-aalis ng mga kasalanan ng sanlibutan! Siya ang tinutukoy ko nang sabihin kong dumarating na kasunod ko ang isang higit sa akin sapagkat siya’y siya na bago pa ako ipanganak. Hindi ko rin siya lubos na nakikilala noon, bagamat ako’y naparitong nagbibinyag sa tubig upang ipakilala siya sa Israel.”  

Ito ang patotoo ni Juan, “Nakita ko ang Espiritung bumababa buhat sa langit, gaya ng isang kalapati, at nanatili sa kanya. Hindi ko nga siya lubos na nakikilala noon, ngunit ang nagsugo sa akin upang magbinyag sa tubig ang nagsabi sa akin, ‘Makikita mo ang Espiritu na bababa at mananatili sa isang tao – siya ang magbibinyag sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo.’ Nakita ko ito, at pinatototohanan kong siya ang Anak ng Diyos.”

Reflection for Thursday January 2 Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church: John 1:19-28

Gospel: John 1:19-28

This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you? He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah? 

And he said, “I am not. “Are you the Prophet? He answered, No. So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” 

He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord, as Isaiah the prophet said. Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet? 

John answered them “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize the one who is coming after me whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie. This happened in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

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Reflection:

How can we remain in the perpetual grace of God? We would always remain in the perpetual grace of God when we are always humble. But it’s hard to be humble all the time, it’s hard to always bow; it’s hard to always bend in humility. It’s hard to conquer our egos most especially when we are doing well. 

John the Baptist remained in the perpetual grace of God for he was always humble. He did not salivate for power and fame; he never had an awareness of the word ego for he remained humble and self-effacing throughout his short life.   

We know now how to be in the perpetual grace of God. But then again we will say, “It’s hard to be humble all the time.” It’s hard indeed to be humble all the time for the simple reason perhaps that we think that humility is a byproduct of our own effort. 

We don’t dispense humility to ourselves, its God through the graciousness of the Holy Spirit who gives us the grace of humility. We therefore pray to Jesus to grant us the grace of humility for He freely dispense it to those who humbly ask for it. 

Have you already asked Jesus to dispense unto you the virtue of humility? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Enero 2, San Basilio Magno at San Gregorio Nasianceno mga Obispo at pantas ng Simbahan (Paggunita): Juan 1:19-28

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:19-28

Nang suguin ng mga Judio sa Jerusalem ang ilang saserdote at Levita upang itanong kung sino siya, sinabi ni Juan ang katotohanan. Sinabi niyang hindi siya ang Mesias. “Kung gayo’y sino ka?” tanong nila. “Ikaw ba si Elias?” “Hindi po,” tugon niya. “Ikaw ba ang Propetang hinihintay namin?” Sumagot siya, “Hindi po.”  

“Sino ka kung gayun?” Tanong nila uli. “Sabihin mo sa amin para masabi namin sa mga nagsugo sa amin. Ano ang masasabi mo tungkol sa iyong sarili?” Sumagot si Juan, “Ako ‘Ang tinig ng isang sumisigaw sa ilang: Tuwirin ninyo ang daraanan ng Panginoon!’” Ang Propeta Isaias ang maysabi nito.  

Ang mga nagtanong ay sugo ng mga Pariseo. Muli nilang tinanong si Juan, “Bakit ka nagbibinyag, hindi pala naman ikaw ang Mesias, ni si Elias, ni ang Propeta?” Sumagot siya, “Ako’y nagbibinyag sa tubig, ngunit nasa gitna ninyo ang isang hindi ninyo nakikilala.

Siya ang susunod sa akin, subalit hindi ako karapat-dapat magkalag man lamang ng tali ng kanyang panyapak.” Ito’y nangyari sa Betania, sa ibayo ng Jordan na pinagbibinyagan ni Juan. 

Reflection for Wednesday January 1 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God (World Day of Prayer for Peace) Luke 2:16-21

Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. 

And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

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Reflection:

How did The Blessed Mother feel when she saw the shepherds? How did the Blessed Mother feel when she was told by the shepherds of the message that was told to them by an angel? 

It was perhaps mixed emotion of gladness and trepidations. Notwithstanding the message the Blessed Mother took everything in stride, in good spirit and with calmness. Mary’s attention was focused on her newly born child perhaps the Blessed Mother was already thinking how he can be a good mother to her new born child.    

In the motherhood of Mary came our Savior. In Mary, we have a humble and simple mother who stayed with her Son until His last gasp of breath on the cross. Do you wish to be like Mary? Of course, we want to be like Mary in a very special way—minus her sufferings. 

But did Mary suffer? Yes, Mary suffered in silence. For as Jesus suffered, His mother Mary was suffering also—perhaps even double the sufferings that her Son, Jesus, was going through at that time. As Mary suffered in silence, caused by her Son’s sufferings, she was also drawing strength from Him. It’s hard to explain, but in her suffering, Mary was also drawing strength from her Son, Jesus. 

But come to think of it, where do we draw strength when we are overwhelmed by our problems or when we are suffering also? Don’t we also draw strength from Jesus?  Of course we draw strength from Jesus we pray to Jesus. And we ask Jesus to help us for we know that it’s only Jesus who can strengthen us. 

As we start this New Year let us all find strength in Jesus and let us never forget to ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For she is the mother of Jesus and being so the Blessed Virgin Mary is closest to the heart of Jesus. 

Do you always find strength in Jesus? Do you always ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray for you? - Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Enero 1, Dakilang Kapistahan ni Maria Ina ng Diyos (Pandaigdigang Araw ng Panalangin para sa Kapayapaan: Lucas 2:16-21

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:16-21 

Noong panahong iyon: nagmamadali silang lumakad patungong Betlehem at nakita nila sina Maria at Jose at ang sanggol na nakahiga sa sabsaban. Kaya't isinaysay nila ang mga sinabi ng anghel tungkol sa sanggol na ito; at nagtaka ang lahat ng nakarinig sa sinabi ng mga pastol.

Natanim sa isip ni Maria ang mga bagay na ito at kanyang pinagbulay-bulay. Umalis ang mga pastol na nagpupuri sa Diyos at nagpapahayag ng kanyang kadakilaan dahil sa lahat ng narinig nila at nakita na ayon sa ibinalita sa kanila ng anghel.

Pagdating ng ikawalong araw ay tinuli ang bata at pinangalanang Hesus – ang pangalang ibinigay ng anghel bago pa siya ipinaglihi.

Reflection for Tuesday December 31 The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas: John 1:1-18

Gospel: John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.   

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.  

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

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Reflection:

Do we perceive the presence Jesus in our life? Do we feel His abiding love and care? Jesus was born into this world for us. God so love us that He became human like us. He walked in this world and mingled with the ordinary people of His time. For what reason did God do this? The reason is none other than love, God so love us dearly that He willingly gave His only begotten son for us.  

Jesus descended into this world through Mary to let us know that He is not a distant God. To let us know that He is a God amongst us, a God who walks with us, a God who cries with us during our sorrows and pains and a God who is always there for us. 

If through His birth Jesus humbled Himself for us so that we may live and have life, in what way do we humble ourselves before God? Are we silently doing our share to help Jesus advance His mission in this world? Do we invite others to go to church for Holy Mass so that they too would feel the love of God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Disyembre 31, Ikapitong Araw ng Pagdiriwang sa Pasko ng Pagsilang: Juan 1:1-18

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:1-18

Ang simula ng Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon ayon kay San Juan

Sa pasimula pa’y naroon na ang Salita. Kasama ng Diyos ang Salita at ang Salita ay Diyos. Kasama na siya ng Diyos sa pasimula pa. Sa pamamagitan niya nilikha ang lahat ng bagay, at walang anumang nalikha nang hindi sa pamamagitan niya. Mula sa kanya ang buhay, at ang buhay ay siyang ilaw ng sangkatauhan. Nagliliwanag sa kadiliman ang ilaw, at hindi ito kailanman nagapi ng kadiliman.

Sinugo ng Diyos ang isang tao na nagngangalang Juan. Naparito siya upang magpatotoo tungkol sa ilaw at manalig sa ilaw ang lahat dahil sa patotoo niya. Hindi siya ang ilaw kundi naparito siya upang magpatotoo tungkol sa ilaw. Ang tunay na ilaw na tumatanglaw sa lahat ng tao ay dumarating sa sanlibutan.

Nasa sanlibutan ang Salita. Nilikha ang sanlibutan sa pamamagitan niya ngunit hindi siya nakilala ng sanlibutan. Naparito siya sa kanyang bayan ngunit hindi siya tinanggap ng kanyang mga kababayan. Ngunit ang lahat ng tumanggap at nanalig sa kanya ay pinagkalooban niya ng karapatang maging anak ng Diyos. Sila nga’y naging anak ng Diyos, hindi dahil sa isinilang sila ayon sa kalikasan, ni sa pita ng laman o sa kagagawan ng tao. Ang pagiging anak nila ay buhat sa Diyos.

Naging tao ang Salita at siya’y nanirahan sa piling natin. Nakita namin ang kanyang kapangyarihan at kadakilaan, puspos ng pag-ibig at katapatan. Tinanggap niya mula sa Ama ang kapangyarihan at kadakilaang ito bilang bugtong na Anak.

Nagpatotoo si Juan tungkol sa kanya. At ganito ang kanyang sigaw, “Siya ang tinutukoy ko nang aking sabihin, ‘Ang darating na kasunod ko’y higit sa akin, sapagkat siya’y siya na bago pa ako ipanganak.’”

Dahil sa siya’y puspos ng pag-ibig, tayong lahat ay tumanggap mula sa kanya ng abut-abot na kaloob. Sapagkat ibinibigay ang Kautusan sa pamamagitan ni Moises ngunit ang pag-ibig at ang katotohanan ay dumating sa pamamagitan ni Hesukristo. Kailanma’y walang nakakita sa Diyos, subalit ipinakilala siyang bugtong na Anak – siya’y Diyos – na lubos na minamahal ng Ama.

Reflection for Monday December 30 the Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas: Luke 2:36-40

Gospel: Luke 2:36-40

There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. 

She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

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Reflection:

Do you observe that those who are always at church for prayers and Holy Mass are women most especially senior citizens and retired but not tired women? These women of faith are always at church offering their humble prayers before God. I think they are always at church not anymore to pray for themselves but to pray for those whom they love and care.  

What lesson do these women of faith convey to us? They convey to us that we too have to be prayerful, we too have to be present at church most especially during Holy Mass and we too have to always pray for those whom we love and care. 

In the gospel, we read about the prophetess Anna, a widower and well advance in her years; she’s eighty four years old (84) to be exact. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

Why did Anna worship night and day with fasting and prayer? Because our prayers bring us closer to God. Through our being prayerful the God that is distant to us becomes the God that is beside us. When we are prayerful we have this unique awareness of the presence of God beside us. 

Anna’s prayers were also coupled with fasting. Why? Because fasting makes us more reliant on God and not on ourselves – fasting opens us to the many graces that God wants to shower upon us. It also shields us from the many evils of this world. Why? Because when we fast, we focus our whole being on God alone and shut ourselves off from any earthly, self-centered, or evil disturbances.

Are you always prayerful and do you often practice fasting? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Lunes Disyembre 30, Ikaanim na Araw ng Pagdiriwang sa Pasko ng Pagsilang: Lucas 2:36-40

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:36-40

Noong Panahong iyon, naroon din sa templo ang isang propetang babae na ang pangala'y Ana, anak ni Fanuel na mula sa lipi ni Aser. Siya'y napakatanda na. Pitong taon lamang silang nagsama ng kanyang asawa, nang siya'y mabalo. At ngayon, walumpu't apat na taon na siya. 

 Lagi siya sa templo at araw-gabi'y sumasamba sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pag-aayuno at pananalangin. Lumapit siya nang oras ding iyon at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Nagsalita rin siya tungkol kay Jesus sa lahat ng naghihintay sa pagpapalaya ng Diyos sa Jerusalem. 

Nang maisagawa na nila ang lahat ng bagay ayon sa Kautusan, bumalik na sila sa kanilang bayan, sa Nazaret, Galilea. Ang bata'y lumaking malakas, marunong at kalugod-lugod sa paningin ng Diyos.   

Reflection for Sunday December 29 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph: Luke 2:41-52

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 

Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. 

When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 

But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

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Reflection:

A child was adopted by a childless couple. As he grew, they treated him as their own. They taught him about the faith, disciplined him, and regularly brought him to church for Holy Mass.

When he was fourteen years old, his biological parents approached his adoptive parents to take him back. The couple who adopted him asked if he was willing to return to his biological family, but the child chose to stay with his adoptive family.

What made the child choose his adoptive family over his biological parents? It was the parental love and discipline he experienced, as well as the strong foundation of faith they instilled in him. These important family values were also provided by Mary and Joseph to the twelve-year-old Jesus.

The Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph instilled in the young mind of Jesus the importance of love, discipline, and church worship. That is why they frequently brought Him to the temple in Jerusalem for the yearly Feast of Passover. They both wanted the young Jesus to grow into a God-centered man rather than a man focused on worldly matters.

In these social media-driven times, many parents are forgetting the crucial responsibility of instilling the basics of faith in their children’s hearts. They often prioritize material things over bringing their children to church for worship. What kind of children are we raising if we neglect our parental duty to teach them about our faith and fail to bring them to church for worship?

As a result, we raise children who do not know how to respect their parents. We raise children who view sex without any sense of sacredness. These scenarios are real and are happening today for the simple reason that some parents neglect their fundamental duty to introduce their children to God.

The Feast of the Holy Family is a wake-up call for all of us. It reminds us to prioritize God above all else in this world. It calls us to worship God at church as a family and to teach our children about our faith. As parents, we are meant to be the first catechists and faith formators of our children.

Before children go to church for Holy Mass, it is assumed that they have already been taught the fundamentals of our faith within the domestic church, which is none other than our own home.

Let us, therefore, emulate the holy family life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Let us follow the unconditional love of Mary and Joseph, and imitate how they lovingly cared for the young Jesus. Let us also emulate how they brought the child Jesus to the temple to worship God.

Do you raise your child the way Jesus was raised by Joseph and Mary? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Disyembre 29 Kapistahan ng Banal na Mag-anak nina Jesus, Maria at Jose: Lucas 2:41-52

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:41-52

Taun-taon, tuwing pista ng Paskuwa, ang mga magulang ni Hesus ay pumupunta ng Jerusalem. At nang labindalawang taon na siya, pumaroon sila gaya ng dati nilang ginagawa. Pagkatapos ng pista, sila’y umuwi na. Nagpaiwan si Hesus sa Jerusalem ngunit hindi ito napansin ng kanyang mga magulang. 

Sa pag-aakala ng isa na si Hesus ay kasama ng isa, nagpatuloy sila sa maghapong paglalakbay. Nang malaman nilang hindi siya kasama, siya’y hinanap nila sa kanilang mga kamag-anak at kakilala. Hindi nila siya matagpuan, kaya’t bumalik sila sa Jerusalem upang doon hanapin. 

At nang ikatlong araw, natagpuan nila si Hesus sa loob ng templo, nakaupong kasama ng mga guro. Nakikinig siya sa kanila at nagtatanong; at ang lahat ng nakarinig sa kanya ay namangha sa kanyang katalinuhan. Nagtaka rin ang kanyang mga magulang nang siya’y makita. 

Sinabi ng kanyang ina, “Anak, bakit naman ganyan ang ginawa mo sa amin? Balisang-balisa na kami ng iyong ama sa paghahanap sa iyo.” Sumagot siya, “Bakit po ninyo ako hinahanap? Hindi ba ninyo alam na ako’y dapat na nasa bahay ng aking Ama?” Ngunit hindi nila naunawaan ang pananalitang ito. 

Siya’y umuwing kasama nila sa Nazaret, at naging isang masunuring anak. Ang lahat ng bagay na ito ay iningatan ng kanyang ina sa kanyang puso. Patuloy na lumaki si Hesus. Umunlad ang kanyang karunungan at lalong kinalugdan ng Diyos at ng mga tao.

Reflection for Saturday December 28 Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs: Matthew 2:13-18

Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. 

He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. 

He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.

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Reflection:

Do you believe in angels? 

What if Joseph did not listen to the command of the angel of the Lord? 

The child Jesus would have been killed by the minions  of King Herod. But Joseph was a good, humble and obedient man of the Lord.  So, he listened and in the process he helped save the life of the child Jesus. 

Angels who act as messengers of God abound in this world and they are not only the winged ones anymore. Many are humans like us who would always advise us to avoid doing what is not good and sinful. Or they would advise us to do good always even if others are not doing good to them. Therefore, we have to listen because if we would not listen we would eventually be in a problematic situation.  

As Saint Joseph listened to the command of the angel of the Lord, we too must listen to the wisdom-filled advice given to us by people who have nothing but concern and love for us. Since it is through listening and acting on what we have heard that we can be spared from many problems.

Do you always listen to meaningful advice or counsel? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Disyembre 28, Kapistahan ng mga Banal na Sanggol na Walang Kamalayan, mga martir: Mateo 2:13-18

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 2:13-18

Pagkaalis ng mga Pantas, napakita kay Jose sa panaginip ang isang anghel ng Panginoon. Sinabi sa kanya, "Magbangon ka, dalhin mo agad sa Egipto ang mag-ina. At huwag kayong aalis doon hangga't hndi ko sinasabi sa iyo. Sapagkat hahanapin ni Herodes ang sanggol upang patayin." 

Kaya dali-daling bumangon si Jose at nang gabing iyo'y dinala sa Egipto ang mag-ina. Doon sila tumira hanggang mamatay si Herodes. Nangyari ito upang matupad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng propeta, "Tinawag ko ang aking Anak mula sa Egipto." 

Galit na galit si Herodes nang malamang siya'y napaglalangan ng mga Pantas. Kaya't ipinapatay niya ang mga batang lalaki sa Betlehem at mga palibot na pook-- lahat na may gulang na dalawang taon pababa, alinsunod sa paglitaw ng tala na natiyak niyang sa mga Pantas.  

Sa gayo'y natupad ang sinabi ni Propeta Jeremias: "Narinig sa Rama ang malakas na panaghoy. Tinatangisan ni Raquel ang kanyang mga anak. Hindi siya maaliw sa tindi ng kalungkutan dahil sa pagkamatay nila."