Reflection for Tuesday January 21 Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr: Mark 2:23-28

Gospel: Mark 2:23-28

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? 

How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

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Reflection:

What is a Sabbath? 

Sabbath is a day of rest and worship based on this command: “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days you may work and do all your occupation, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD, your God. No work may be done then.” (Exodus 20:8-10) 

 Whenever there is a rule, there is also a valid exception. This is what Jesus was pointing out to the Pharisees. For Jesus, the fulfillment of a valid human need is more important than fulfilling the law—in this case, the Sabbath law. 

Law/s should always serve the good of humanity, laws are there to serve humanity not to punish or restrict humanity. 

Some of us create restrictive and oppressive laws within our respective fields—not to serve their true purpose, but to serve our own selfish interests. In the end, our insistence on fulfilling these self-created, self-serving laws results in enmity and discord among us.

And the law that we have created to create order becomes the very reason for disorder, conflict and disunity. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Enero 21 Santa Agnes, dalaga at martir: Marcos 2:23-28

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 2:23-28

Isang Araw ng Pamamahinga, naparaan si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad sa tabi ng triguhan. Habang daa'y nangingitil ng uhay ang mga alagad, Kaya't sinabi ng mga Pariseo kay Jesus, "Tingnan mo ang ginagawa ng iyong mga alagad. Bawal iyan kung Araw ng Pamamahinga!"  

Sinagot sila ni Jesus, "Hindi pa ba ninyo nababasa ang ginawa ni David noong si Abitar ang pinakapunong saserdote? Nang siya at kanyang mga kasama'y magutom at walang makain, pumasok siya sa bahay ng Diyos at kumain ng tinapay na handog sa Diyos. Ayon sa Kautusan, ang mga saserdote lamang ang may karapatang kumain niyon, ngunit kinain iyon ni David, at binigyan pa ang kanyang mga kasama.  

Sinabi pa ni Jesus, "Itinakda ang Araw ng Pamamahinga para sa kabutihan ng tao; hindi nilikha ang tao para sa Araw ng Pamamahinga. Kaya't maging ang Araw ng Pamamahinga ay nasa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ng Anak ng Tao."

Reflection for January 20 Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 2:18-22

Gospel: Mark 2:18-22

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.  

But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”

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Reflection:

A renewed catholic had said that his life was never the same since he had a personal relationship with Jesus. He said that since he met Jesus he was always joyful.  And even if there were problems he always ensures that it would never ruin his day. His reason for his newfound joyfulness and happiness was his reenergized faith in Jesus.  

Fasting in the context of our gospel reading for today is connected with self-sacrifice or self-denial. Which is actually not bad because it strengthens a person’s faith and dependence on God. But there is something that is very much supreme than fasting and it’s no other than Jesus! If Jesus is in our life we have to rejoice.  

For the reason that Jesus will teach us to fast without anyone else knowing it and this is the more important form of fasting: Fasting that is not for show and fasting that is not seen and known by anyone except Jesus.  

The disciples of John and the Pharisees in our gospel were after the exterior fasting. Fasting that can be seen by the naked eyes and Jesus surely hates this kind of superficiality. If we are already with Jesus we would not be concerned anymore about superficial fasting. For the simple reason that we will fast without broadcasting it for everyone to hear and see.  

Nobody will know about this kind of fasting except you and Jesus. And this would surely happen the moment you learn how to surrender your life to the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 20 Lunes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 2:18-22

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 2:18-22

Noong panahong iyon, nag-aayuno ang mga alagad ni Juan Bautista at mga Pariseo. May lumapit kay Jesus at nagtanong, "Bakit po nag-aayuno ang mga alagad ni Juan Bautista at ang mga alagad ng mga Pariseo, ngunit ang mga alagad ninyo'y hindi?" 

Sumagot si Jesus, "Makapag-aayuno ba ang mga panauhin sa kasalan samantalang kasama nila ang lalaking ikinasal? Hindi! Kapag wala na ang ikinasal, saka pa lamang sila mag-aayuno. 

"Walang nagtatagpi ng bagong kayo sa lumang kasuutan; pag urong ng bagong kayo, mababatak ang luma at lalong lalaki ang punit. Wala rin namang nagsisilid ng bagong alak sa lumang sisidlang-balat. Kapwa masasayang ang alak at ang sisidlan. Bagong alak, bagong sisidlang-balat!"

Reflection for Sunday January 19, Feast of the Sto. Nino: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. 

And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

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Reflection:

Why did the disciples ask Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Were they expecting Him to say that they were the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven because they were His disciples?

Instead, Jesus called a child and said: “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4) 

The key that unlocks the Kingdom of Heaven for us is the humility of a child, which we must always emulate. The same childlike humility invites the grace of the Holy Spirit upon us.

It’s a no-brainer to ask: why a child and not an adult? Unlike adults, children have the simplest and purest minds. They are not tainted by sin and are docile, humble, and obedient. In contrast, adults like us are sinful; we defy God’s commandments in favor of our worldly desires.

Life nowadays is not easy. Many of our children today are also more exposed to poverty than before. We just need to open our eyes, and we will see it. What interventions can we take to help these children? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Linggo Enero 19 Kapistahan ng Banal na Sanggol o Santo Nino: 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 Sunday January 19 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 2:1-11

Gospel: John 2:1-11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you."  

Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it.  

And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

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Reflection:

What can we learn from the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding in Cana? We learn about the enormous influence of His mother, Mary, over Him. In the middle of the wedding banquet, they suddenly ran out of wine. However, thanks to Mary, who informed Jesus that there was no more wine left.

Mary went to Jesus to tell Him that they had no more wine. On the surface, it appears that Jesus didn’t care. However, deep within, He cared for the simple reason that His mother, Mary, brought it to His attention.

What if Mary had not been at the wedding? Who among the disciples would have had the courage to approach Jesus and tell Him that there was no more wine? Perhaps nobody would have dared to disturb their Master. But thanks to the presence of Mary, her motherly instinct, and her influence over Jesus.

Mary is always listened to by Jesus for the simple reason that she is His mother. Jesus came into this world through Mary, and from His birth up to His death, she was with Him as well. It is no small wonder that Mary has great influence over Jesus.

Do you always seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 19 Ikalawang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Juan 2:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Juan 2:1-11

Noong panahong iyon, may kasalan sa Cana, Galilea, at naroon ang ina ni Jesus. Si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad ay naroon din. Kinapos ng alak kaya’t sinabi ng ina ni Jesus sa kanya, “Nauubusan sila ng alak.” Sinabi ni Jesus, “Huwag ninyo akong pangunahan, Ginang! Hindi pa ito ang panahon ko.” Sinabi ng kanyang ina sa mga naglilingkod,“Gawin ninyo ang anumang sabihin niya sa inyo.”

Doo’y may anim na tapayan, ang bawat isa’y naglalaman ng dalawampu hanggang tatlumpung galon. Nakalaan ang mga ito para sa paglilinis ayon sa tuntuning panrelihiyon ng mga Judio. Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga katulong, “Punuin ninyo ng tubig ang mga tapayan.” At pinuno nga nila hanggang sa labi. Pagkatapos, sinabi niya, "Sumalok kayo ngayon at dalhin ninyo sa namamahala ng handaan." Dinalhan nga nila ang namamahala ng handaan.

Tinikman naman nito ang tubig na naging alak. Hindi niya alam kung saan nanggaling iyon, bagamat alam ng mga katulong na sumalok ng tubig, kaya't tinawag niya ang lalaking ikinasal. Sinabi niya rito, "Ang una pong inihahain ay ang masarap na alak. Kapag marami nang nainom ang mga tao, saka inihahain ang mababang uri. 

Ngunit ipinagpahuli ninyo ang masarap na alak." Ang nangyaring ito sa Cana, Galilea, ay siyang unang kababalaghang ginawa ni Jesus. Sa pamamagitan nito'y inihayag niya ang kanyang kadakilaan, at nanalig sa kanya ang mga alagad.

Reflection for January 18 Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 2:13-17

Gospel Mark 2:13-17

Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. 

Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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Reflection:

How can we evangelize sinners and bring them closer to Jesus? The answer is very simple, by not judging them and by showing them the love of Jesus. 

There are sinners because there are people who don’t care to show Jesus’ language of love. The language of forgiveness, the language of not judging them for what they do. However, the moment we dare show them Jesus language of love. Expect these sinners to walk away from their sinfulness sooner or later. 

In the gospel the language of love, of forgiveness and of not being judgmental are exhibited by Jesus towards the sinful tax collector Levi. Jesus went to the tax collector Levi not minding Levi’s reputation, Jesus even went to Levi’s house to mingle and break bread with him and his fellow sinners. 

We cannot convert sinners by judging them as good for nothing and beyond redemption. We cannot convert sinners by bluntly telling them to walk away from their sinfulness or they would die or be imprisoned. And we cannot convert sinners by not showing them the love, forgiveness and gentleness of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 18 Sabado sa Unang Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 2:13-17

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 2:13-17

Noong panahong iyon, muling pumunta si Hesus sa baybayin ng Lawa ng Galilea. Sinundan siya ng napakaraming tao, at sila’y tinuruan niya. Nagpatuloy siya ng paglakad at nakita niya si Levi na anak ni Alfeo, nakaupo sa paningilan ng buwis. Sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Sumunod ka sa akin.” Tumindig naman si Levi at sumunod. 

Nang si Hesus at ang kanyang mga alagad ay kumakain sa bahay ni Levi, nakisalo sa kanila ang maraming publikano at mga makasalanang sumunod sa kanya. Nakita ito ng ilang eskribang kabilang sa pangkat ng mga Pariseo at tinanong nila ang kanyang mga alagad, “Bakit siya sumasalo sa mga publikano at sa mga makasalanan?” 

Narinig ito ni Hesus, at siya ay sumagot, “Hindi nangangailangan ng manggagamot ang walang sakit, kundi ang maysakit. Naparito ako upang tawagin ang mga makasalanan, hindi ang mga banal.”

Reflection for Friday January 17 Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot: Mark 2:1-12

Gospel Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.  

Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.  

Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” –he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

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Reflection:

Are we humble enough to admit that we are sinners? 

We have in our gospel a paralytic who is also a sinner. In the midst of great odds, four men brought him to Jesus. It did not matter to them that they had to climb the roof and break through it. Aware of their own frailties, the four men and the paralytic himself summoned every ounce of courage they had to be in front of Jesus. What an expression of faith! What an expression of hunger to be forgiven by Jesus! And what an expression of humility!

The faith of the paralytic and also those who helped him eventually paid off for Jesus forgave him of his many sins. Not only that he was forgiven by Jesus he got a bonus because he was also physically healed of physical sickness.  

We may not be aware of this, but our spirits long to be forgiven and healed by Jesus, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We may also not realize that the sins we have committed are what prevent us from receiving more blessings from Jesus.

It takes great courage, effort and tons of humility to approach a priest and ask for his time in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If we humbly submit ourselves to this healing Sacrament we would receive enormous spiritual and physical blessings.

Let us therefore be like the paralytic and his four companions who braved the great odds to approach Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Enero 17 Paggunita kay San Antonio, Abad: Marcos 2:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 2:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, bumalik si Hesus sa Capernaum, at kumalat ang balitang siya’y nasa kanyang tahanan. Kaya’t nagkatipon ang napakaraming tao, anupat wala nang matayuan kahit sa labas ng pintuan. Samantalang nangangaral si Hesus, may idinating na isang paralitikong dala ng apat katao. 

Hindi nila ito mailapit kay Hesus dahil sa dami ng tao, kaya’t binakbak nila ang bubong sa tapat niya, at inihugos ang paralitikong nakaratay sa kanyang higaan. Nang makita ni Hesus kung gaano kalaki ang kanilang pananalig, sinabi niya sa paralitiko, “Anak, ipinatatawad na ang mga kasalanan mo.”  

May nakaupo roong ilang eskriba na nagsaloob ng ganito: “Bakit nagsasalita ng ganito ang taong ito? Kalapastanganan sa Diyos iyan! Hindi ba’t Diyos lamang ang makapagpapatawad ng mga kasalanan?” Talos ni Hesus ang kanilang iniisip, kaya’t sinabi niya, “Bakit kayo nagsasaloob ng ganyan? Alin ba ang lalong madali: ang sabihin sa paralitiko, ‘Ipinatatawad na ang mga kasalanan mo,’ o ang sabihing, ‘Tumindig ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan ay lumakad ka’?  

Patutunayan ko sa inyo na dito sa lupa, ang Anak ng Tao ay may kapangyarihang magpatawad ng mga kasalanan.” Sinabi niya sa paralitiko, “Tumindig ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan, at umuwi ka!” Tumindig naman ang paralitiko, binuhat ang kanyang higaan at umalis na nakikita ng lahat. Sila’y pawang nanggigilalas at nagpuri sa Diyos. “Hindi pa kami nakakikita ng ganito!” sabi nila.

Reflection for January 16 Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 1:40-45

Gospel: Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” 

The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”  

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

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Reflection:

The story is told of a man who had kidney failure. To temporarily extend his life, he submitted himself to twice-a-week dialysis treatments. After two years of searching for a donor, he finally found a poor relative who was very willing to donate one of his kidneys.

To facilitate fast matching and compatibility the donor was invited to stay with the family of the sick man. He was treated well until it was found out during the battery of test that he had AIDS. Naturally he was not anymore fit to be a donor and fearing contagion all his things were isolated by his relatives including his utensils.

After the discovery that he had AIDS, their behavior towards him radically changed as well. He was no longer welcome, and he felt his relatives' isolation and ill-treatment. A few days later, he was asked to leave them permanently.

In our gospel we have a man with leprosy (a contagious disease) who humbly went to Jesus He knelt and begged Jesus to cure him. Jesus had nothing in His heart but love, mercy and compassion for the man. So, He touched him and was immediately made clean.

By touching the man with leprosy Jesus broke the stereotypical ill-treatment of those who were sick with leprosy. By touching the man with leprosy Jesus shows us that love, mercy and compassion are more powerful than any dreaded disease.

As we move forward in this journey called life we will meet or be acquainted with people with contagious diseases. Or people who are sinful or who lived wayward and misguided lives. Let us not scorn them, let us not avoid them and let us not judge them.

Let us help them heal by giving them our unconditional LOVE, MERCY and COMPASSION. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 16 Huwebes sa Unang Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 1:40-45

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:40-45

Noong panahong iyon, may isang ketonging lumapit kay Hesus, nanikluhod at nagmakaawa: “Kung ibig po ninyo’y mapagagaling ninyo ako.” Nahabag si Hesus at hinipo siya, sabay ang wika, “Ibig ko. Gumaling ka!” Noon di’y nawala ang ketong at gumaling ang tao. Pinaalis siya agad ni Hesus matapos ang ganitong mahigpit na bilin: “Huwag mong sasabihin ito kaninuman.  

Sa halip ay pasuri ka sa saserdote. Pagkatapos, maghandog ka ayon sa iniutos ni Moises, upang patunayan sa mga tao na ikaw ay magaling na.” Ngunit umalis siya at bagkus ipinamalita ang nangyari, anupat hindi na hayagang makapasok ng bayan si Hesus. Naroon na lamang siya sa labas, sa mga ilang na pook, at doon pinagsasadya ng mga tao buhat sa iba’t ibang dako.