Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 8 Sabado sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 6:30-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:30-34

Noong panahong iyon, bumalik kay Hesus ang mga apostol at iniulat ang lahat ng kanilang naisagawa at naituro. Napakaraming taong dumarating at umaalis, anupat hindi na makuhang kumain ni Hesus at ng kanyang mga alagad. Kaya’t sinabi niya sa mga ito, “Magtungo tayo sa isang ilang na pook upang malayo sa karamihan at makapagpahinga kayo nang kaunti.” Umalis silang lulan ng bangka, at nagpunta nga sa isang ilang na dako.  

Ngunit maraming nakakita sa kanilang pag-alis at nakilala sila. Kaya’t mula sa lahat ng bayan, ang mga tao’y patakbong tumungo sa dakong pupuntahan nina Hesus at nauna pang dumating doon kaysa kanila. Paglunsad ni Hesus, nakita niya ang napakaraming tao; nahabag siya sa kanila sapagkat para silang mga tupang walang pastol. At sila’y tinuruan niya ng maraming bagay.

Reflection for February 7 Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:14-29

Gospel: Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” 

But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. 

Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. 

The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 

The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. 

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Reflection:

There’s always a heavy price attached to speaking out against wrongdoing and evil. For example, in a family setting, if a wife notices that her husband is playing with fire, she must call his attention or even confront her philandering husband. 

But this kind of boldness sometimes comes with a heavy price. Either there will be conflict in their marriage, or it may even lead to estrangement. However, even if there’s a heavy price to pay, we must still speak out; otherwise, we are consenting to what is wrong, evil and immoral. 

John the Baptist paid a heavy price for speaking out against adultery—he was beheaded for speaking the truth. Such is the irony of life. We speak the truth, yet we still suffer for doing so. But how could we correct a wrongdoing if we do not denounce it? 

True followers of Jesus are those who are not afraid to speak out, regardless of the consequences. And John the Baptist is one of the best, if not the best, models of what it means to be a true follower of Jesus. 

How would you react should there come a time when you must face this kind of predicament? Would you keep quiet and consent to what is wrong, or would you correct it by speaking your mind? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 7 Biyernes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 6:14-29

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:14-29

Noong panahong iyon, nakarating kay Haring Herodes ang balita tungkol kay Jesus, sapagkat bantog na ang pangalan nito. May nagsasabi, "Siya'y si Juan Bautista na muling binuhay, kaya nakagagawa siya ng himala." May nagsasabi naman, "Siya'y si Elias." "Siya'y propeta, katulad ng mga propeta noong una," anang iba pa. 

 

Sinabi naman ni Herodes nang mabalitaan niya ito, "Muling nabuhay si Juan na pinapugutan ko." Si Herodes ang nagpahuli, nagpagapos at nagpabilanggo kay Juan dahil kay Herodias. Ang babaing ito'y asawa ni Felipe na kapatid ni Herodes ngunit kinakasama niya. Laging sinasabi sa kanya ni Juan, "Hindi matuwid na kunin ninyo ang asawa ng inyong kapatid." Kaya't si Herodias ay nagkimkim ng galit kay Juan. 

Hinangad niyang ipapatay ito, ngunit hindi niya magawa, sapagkat natatakot si Herodes kay Juan. Alam niyang ito'y taong matuwid at banal, kaya't ipinagsasanggalang niya, Gustong-gusto niyang makinig kay Juan, bagamat labis siyang nababagabag sa mga sinasabi nito. Sa wakas ay nagkaroon ng pagkakataon si Herodias nang anyayahan ni Herodes sa kanyang kaarawan ang kanyang mga kagawad, mga pinuno ng hukbo, at mga pangunahing mamamayan ng Galilea. 

Pumasok ang anak na babae ni Herodias at nagsayaw. Labis na nasiyahan si Herodes at ang mga panauhin, kaya't sinabi ng hari sa dalaga, "Hingin mo sa akin ang anumang ibig mo at ibibigay ko sa iyo." At naisumpa pa niyang ibibigay kahit ang kalahati ng kanyang kaharian kung ito ang hihilingin. Lumabas ang dalaga at tinanong ang kanyang ina, "Ano ang hihingin ko?" "Ang ulo ni Juan Bautista," sagot ng ina. Dali-daling nagbalik ang dalaga sa kinaroroonan ng hari. "Ang ibig ko po'y ibigay ninyo sa akin ngayon din, sa isang pinggan, ang ulo ni Juan Bautista," sabi niya. 

Labis na nalungkot ang hari, ngunit dahil sa kanyang sumpa na narinig ng kanyang mga panauhin, hindi niya matanggihan ang dalaga. Kaagad niyang iniutos sa isang bantay na dalhin sa kanya ang ulo ni Juan. Sumunod ang bantay at pinugutan si Juan sa bilangguan, at inilagay ang ulo sa isang pinggan, at ibinigay sa dalaga. Ibinigay naman iyon ng dalaga sa kanyang ina. Nang mabalitaan ito ng mga alagad ni Juan, kinuha nila ang kanyang bangkay at inilibing.

Reflection for Thursday February 6 Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs: Mark 6:7-13

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 

He said to them wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them. So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

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Reflection:

What is the advantage of not being attached to worldly things? We learn to trust in the providence of God and recognize that the things of this world do not matter, for they are temporary and fleeting. We realize that our faith in God is more than enough to compensate for our lack of worldly possessions. 

Come to think of it, how much money do we really need to earn in our lifetime? There are people who work tirelessly to accumulate wealth—money that, if we are not discerning, could even contribute to our own sickness! And in the end, this same hard-earned money may not even be enough to cover our hospital bills. 

In the Gospel, when Jesus told His disciples not to bring food, money, or other provisions, He was essentially telling them not to worry, for He would provide for them. If God can provide for the birds and other animals, will He not provide for us, whom He created in His image (Genesis 1:27)? 

Many of us are overly concerned with material and physical aspects of life, such as the clothes we wear or the high-tech gadgets we own. Yet, upon closer reflection, we realize that we can actually live without these material things. 

Our problem is that we allow this world to dictate our priorities. This is why many of us push ourselves to work excessively hard just to earn money. But for what purpose? To show off how wealthy we have become? 

Jesus invites us to rethink our way of living, for we may have already become slaves to this world rather than His faithful and trusting followers. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Pebrero 6 Paggunita kay San Pedro Bautista, San Pablo Miki at mga kasama, mga martir: Marcos 6:7-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:7-13

Noong panahong iyon Tinawag ni Jesus ang Labindalawa, at sinugong daladalawa. Binigyan niya sila ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng masasamang espiritu, at pinagbilinan: "Sa inyong paglalakbay, huwag kayong magdala ng anuman, maliban sa tungkod. 

Ni pagkain, balutan, salapi sa inyong lukbutan o bihisan, ay huwag kayong magdala. Ngunit magsuot kayo ng panyapak." Sinabi rin niya sa kanila, "At sa alinmang tahanan na inyong tuluyan-- manatili kayo roon hanggang sa pag-alis ninyo sa bayang iyon. Kung ayaw kayong tanggapin o pakinggan sa isang dako, umalis kayo roon at ipagpag ninyo ang alikabok ng inyong mga paa bilang babala sa mga tagaroon." 

Kaya't humayo ang Labindalawa at nangaral sa mga tao na pagsisihan nila at talikdan ang kanilang mga kasalanan. Pinalayas nila ang maraming demonyo sa mga inaalihan nito; pinahiran nila ng langis at pinagaling ang maraming maysakit.

Reflection for Wednesday February 5 Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr: Mark 6:1-6

Gospel: Mark 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. 

They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” 

And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

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Reflection:

Was Jesus expecting to be treated like a powerful celebrity when He returned to His hometown? No, because it was not in His character to flaunt Himself. As much as possible, Jesus wanted to be treated like an ordinary person; never did He desire publicity or recognition. He performed miracles without any fanfare or hype, and we attribute this to His humility. 

Let us reflect on ourselves as individuals—don’t we desire recognition? Don’t we crave to be heard? We love it when people acknowledge the things we do, and this is often due to our yearning to satisfy our bloated egos. But isn’t it possible for us to be humble and low-profile like Jesus? 

As we do good deeds or do anything for God, let us not seek recognition; instead, let us simply fade into the background. Let us not crave adulation, for those who seek it are often abandoned like a hot potato in the end. Those who thirst for admiration ultimately end up in disgrace. 

Let us not be disheartened if we are not recognized or honored, for such recognition is merely temporary, given by temporal humans like us. In all things, let us seek the humility of Jesus. Let us long for the silent approval of Jesus rather than the noisy, false, and fleeting recognition of this world. –  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 4 Tuesday of the Fourth Week 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 and pressed upon 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 Jesus, “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:   

What does an encounter with Jesus do to us? It gives us hope and heals us. 

There is a story of a woman who had a terminal illness. Her doctor told her that she only had two months to live. But this woman was a woman of faith. She attends Holy Mass every day and did other things to strengthen her faith in Jesus.  

When she was told that she had only two months to live, she told her doctors, “I will prove all of you wrong. I’m going to beat this severe illness with my faith in Jesus.” True enough, after two months, the woman of faith was still alive and completely healed of her severe illness.  

In our Gospel, we find two stories of faith, hope, and healing through an encounter with Jesus.  

The first is the story of Jairus, a synagogue official whose daughter was on the verge of death. Jairus went to Jesus to plead with Him to heal his young daughter. Seeing Jairus’ faith, Jesus went to his house to cure and bring his daughter back to life.  

The second story of faith, hope, and healing is about an unnamed woman who had been suffering from severe hemorrhages for twelve long years. She heard that Jesus would be passing by her way. This gave her hope and further strengthened her faith. She believed that if she could touch even the cloak of Jesus, she would be healed. With great determination, she reached out and touched His cloak—and was immediately healed.  

There could be a third story of faith, hope, and healing through Jesus. And this third story could be your story.  

What is your testimony of faith, hope, and healing through Jesus? Share it so that others' faith and hope in Jesus may be strengthened! 

All of us, in one way or another, have our own story of an encounter with Jesus. Let us not keep this story to ourselves. Let us share it so that others may come to know Jesus and, hopefully, experience an encounter with Him as well. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 3 Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 5:1-20

Gospel: Mark 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. 

In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. 

Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory. 

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.” And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. 

As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. 

Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed. 

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Reflection: 

Do you fear the devil? If you have faith in Jesus, you need not fear the devil! But human as we are, many of us still do. What is the reason for this fear? It is our feeble faith in Jesus. 

In the Gospel, there is a man violently possessed by an evil spirit. He is so powerful that no one can subdue him. Perhaps the possessed man was briefly in control of himself before being overtaken again by the evil spirit. 

In his brief moment of self-control, he saw Jesus from a distance and ran to Him. To shorten this story, the man was eventually freed by Jesus from the devil’s possession. 

Today, many evils possess us: the evils of greed, lust, pride, materialism, arrogance, and many more that take control of our lives. Do you want to be healed from these evils? Humbly pray to Jesus and ask Him to free you. 

Oftentimes, we underestimate the power of Jesus to make a big impact in our lives. This is usually caused by our lack of faith and fidelity to His teachings. This is the main reason why many remain possessed by the evils of this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 3 Lunes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 5:1-20

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 5:1-20

Noong panahong iyon, dumating sina Hesus at ang mga alagad sa ibayo ng lawa, sa lupain ng mga Geraseno. Pagkababa ni Hesus sa bangka, siya’y sinalubong ng isang lalaking galing sa libingan. Ang lalaking ito’y inaalihan ng masamang espiritu at sa libingan naninirahan. 

Hindi siya maigapos nang matagal, kahit tanikala ang gagamitin. Malimit siyang ipangaw at gapusin ng tanikala, ngunit pinaglalagut-lagot niya ito at pinagbabali-bali ang pangaw. Talagang walang makasupil sa kanya. Araw-gabi’y nagsisisigaw siya sa libingan at sa kaburulan, at sinusugatan ng bato ang kanyang sarili. 

Malayo pa’y natanawan na niya si Hesus. Siya’y patakbong lumapit at nagpatirapa sa harapan niya, at sumigaw nang malakas, “Hesus, Anak ng Kataas-taasang Diyos, ano ang pakialam mo sa akin? 

Huwag mo akong pahirapan, alang-alang sa Diyos!” Sinabi niya ito, sapagkat iniutos sa kanya ni Hesus, “Masamang espiritu, lumabas ka sa taong ito!” Tinanong siya ni Hesus, “Ano ang pangalan mo?” “Pulutong, sapagkat marami kami,” tugon niya. At mahigpit nilang ipinakiusap kay Hesus na huwag silang palayasin sa lupaing iyon.

Doon naman sa libis ng bundok ay may malaking kawan ng mga baboy na nanginginain. Nagmakaawa kay Hesus ang masasamang espiritu na ang wika, “Papasukin mo na lang kami sa mga baboy.” At sila’y pinahintulutan niya. Lumabas sa tao ang masasamang espiritu at pumasok nga sa mga baboy. Ang kawan, na may dalawanlibo, ay sumibad ng takbo tungo sa pampang ng lawa, nahulog sa tubig at nalunod. 

Nagtatakbo ang mga tagapag-alaga ng kawan at ipinamalita ito sa bayan at sa mga nayon; kaya’t pumaroon ang mga tao upang tingnan kung ano nga ang nangyari. Paglapit nila kay Hesus ay nakita nila ang lalaking inalihan ng mga demonyo. Nakaupo ito, may damit at matino na ang isip. At sila’y natakot. Isinalaysay sa kanila ng mga nakakita ang nangyari sa inalihan ng mga demonyo at ang sinapit ng mga baboy. Kaya’t ipinamanhik nila kay Hesus na umalis sa kanilang lupain.

Nang sumasakay na si Hesus sa bangka, nakiusap ang inalihan ng mga demonyo na isama siya, ngunit hindi pumayag si Hesus. Sa halip ay sinabi niya, “Umuwi ka at sabihin mo sa iyong mga kasambahay ang lahat ng ginawa sa iyo ng Panginoon, at kung paanong nahabag siya sa iyo.” Umalis ang taong iyon at ipinamalita sa Decapolis ang ginawa sa kanya ni Hesus. At nanggilalas ang lahat ng nakarinig niyon.

Reflection for Sunday February 2 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord: Luke 2:22-40

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 

He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."  

The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."  

There was also 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 always bring your children to church for Holy Mass? Do you present them to the Lord and say, “I offer my children to You. Take care of them, my Lord and Savior, Jesus.” 

Because of our busyness and perhaps because many of us were not raised to attend Holy Mass every Sunday, we often forget to bring our children to church. We also fail to teach them the importance of the Holy Mass in their lives. If this is our current situation, we must correct it. 

First and foremost, we must bring our children closer to Jesus, as this is our primary duty as parents. We must introduce them to Him by reading and sharing His life from the Bible. Additionally, we must instill in their minds the importance of regularly reading the Scriptures. 

What will it profit our children if they have the best and latest material possessions yet do not have Jesus in their hearts? Nothing! Just observe the behavior of children raised with the teachings and values of Jesus compared to those raised in worldliness and materialism. What would we find? We would discover that children brought up with Jesus’s values and teachings live more peaceful and contented lives. 

Just as Joseph and Mary brought the child Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord, parents are strongly encouraged to bring their children to church for Holy Mass. Why? Because when you bring your children to the Sacred Celebration of the Holy Mass, you assure them of the Lord’s guidance and protection in this world and beyond this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for February 1 Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 4:35-41

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.  

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

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Reflection:

Are we easily rattled when we pass through stormy episodes in our lives? Or do we remain calm amidst the storms because we know that Jesus is always there for us? 

The disciples were in a boat with Jesus when they suddenly encountered a violent storm. They were terrified, thinking the boat might not withstand the storm. Why were they afraid when Jesus was with them? Perhaps they were overtaken by fear. 

As long as we exist in this world, we will continue to encounter our own share of storms and worrisome moments. But let us not be afraid—let us remain calm in the midst of life's storms. Let us learn to always trust the Lord, for He knows what is best for us. The Lord will not let us down; He will always be there to save us. 

We simply need to stay constantly connected with the Lord because He will take care of everything. Jesus will calm us in the midst of our distressing storms. He will make a way when there seems to be no way.

All He asks from us is to have faith, and we can receive this if we ask Him for the gift of faith. Faith is a gift that Jesus gives to those who sincerely ask for it. 

Prayer:

O Lord, in the midst of the many storms in our lives, we beseech You to give us the gift of faith so that we may withstand whatever worrisome situations we encounter. Forgive our feeble faith. Forgive us for not trusting You and for not always recognizing that You are always with us. Amen. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Friday January 31 Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest: Mark 4:26-34

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” 

He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”  

With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private. 

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Reflection:   

The story is told about a man who wanted to write for God, but he was hesitant because he knew his limitations. He didn’t write well and could hardly compose a decent sentence. 

Yet, deep in his heart, there was a persistent voice telling him to write. He, therefore, submitted himself to the urgings of this inner voice. To make a long story short, this man, who could hardly create a sentence, became well-known for his meditations about God. 

Jesus speaks about a small seed that was scattered into the land. The seed grew so big that it was soon harvested. Jesus also speaks about a tiny mustard seed that was sown. After a while, it grew so large that birds rested in its shade. 

Does God sow seeds within us with the intention of making them grow so that others may also benefit? Yes! God sows a seed in each and every one of us. But more often than not, this small seed doesn’t grow until it eventually dies. Why? Because many of us are afraid to trust God, so we do not take action. 

Surely, we will not be able to do it by ourselves. Yet, if we would only learn to call on God—if we would only learn to have faith in Him—the seed that God sows in our hearts will surely blossom so that it can be useful to our fellowmen. 

What is this seed that God sows within us? It could be talent, wealth, or anything that would benefit or help others. 

Try to discover the seed that God has sown in your heart. Upon discovering it, don’t just keep it to yourself. Share it so that it can grow bigger. Share it so that others may also benefit from it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 30 Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 4:21-25

Gospel: Mark 4:21-25

Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” 

He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

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Reflection:

Generosity always breeds abundant blessings. For example, if we are always generous, we can be assured that whatever we give will come back to us a hundredfold. Let us observe those who are generous or those who always lend a helping hand. 

Are they in want of anything, or are they lacking in blessings from the Lord? No, they are not in want. The flow of God’s blessings to them is like a stream or a river. 

On the other hand, notice those who are miserly, those who seldom give help, or those who are tightfisted. The blessings of the Lord come to them only in a trickle. 

Jesus, in our Gospel reading for today, tells us: “The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you” (Mark 4:24). In plain and simple language, this means that what we give will come back to us. 

If we give generously, we will receive more than what we have given. This is what Jesus is telling us. —Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for January 29 Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 4:1-20

Gospel: Mark 4:1-20

On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land. And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, “Hear this! A sower went out to sow. 

And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.  Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. 

And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”  

And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. He answered them, “The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.”  

Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no roots; they last only for a time.  

Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

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Reflection:

How can we become the seed that fell on rich soil? We must attend Holy Mass as often as possible, especially on Sundays. We must read the Bible, be prayerful, seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and live our faith.

Many of us go off course and fail to become the seed that fell on rich soil simply because we do not take our faith seriously. We attend Holy Mass and read the Bible, but we do not practice what we read and hear. We let it enter one ear and pass out the other.

What we must do is allow what we hear to enter our hearts, then let it rise to our minds. By doing so, we will be able to live out what we read and hear.

There is a story of a man who attends Mass every Sunday and professes to be faithful to his wife. However, his wife later discovers that she is not the only woman in his life. Why did he fail to uphold his profession of fidelity? Because his faith was superficial. Many of us are like this man—we have superficial faith.

How can we transform this superficial faith so that it becomes the seed that falls on rich soil and bears a hundredfold of fruit? We must be docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, who desires to transform us into faithful followers of Jesus. And this is entirely possible because nothing is impossible for our God.

Is your faith in the Lord already bearing fruit? —Marino J. Dasmarinas