Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 19 Miyerkules sa Ikaanim na Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:22-26

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:22-26

Noong panahong iyon, dumating sina Hesus at ang mga alagad sa Betsaida. Dinala kay Jesus ng ilang tao ang isang bulag at ipinamanhik na hipuin ito. Inakay niya ito sa labas ng bayan, niluran sa mga mata saka ipinatong ang kanyang mga kamay. "May nakikita ka na bang anuman?" tanong niya.  

Tumingin ang lalaki at ang wika, "Nakakakita po ako ng mga taong lumalakad, ngunit sila'y parang punongkahoy." Muling hinipo ni Jesus ang mga mata ng bulag; ito'y tuminging mabuti. Nanumbalik ang kanyang paningin at malinaw na niyang nakita ang lahat. Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Umuwi ka na. Huwag ka nang dumaan sa bayan."

Reflection for February 18 Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:14-21

Gospel: Mark 8:14-21

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread.  

When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?  

They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Do you allow the enticements of this world to take your focus off Jesus? For example, the Sunday obligation to attend Holy Mass—many of us today sometimes do not pay much attention to this highest form of worship inside the church. We sacrifice it for our many worldly undertakings, which do nothing but pull us away from Jesus. Do you allow this to happen to you? 

In the Gospel, Jesus admonished His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. He used leaven as a metaphor, warning them not to be swayed by the influence of the Pharisees and Herod, who sought to lead them away from Him. 

Both the Pharisees and Herod represent power—the power of religion and government—which, for all intents and purposes, are worldly and temporary. Jesus was, in essence, telling His disciples not to leave Him for them. He was reminding them not to favor the world over their love for God. 

The secular world offers many inducements: power, money, greed, popularity, lust, ego, self-centeredness, and more. We must be careful of these worldly attachments and not allow ourselves to be deceived by these temporary enticements. 

Instead, let us remain steadfast in our love, fellowship, and fidelity to Jesus through our words and actions. For what do we gain if we have all the things this world can offer but do not have God? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 17 Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:11-13

Gospel: Mark 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.

 

Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What does it mean when we seek signs from Jesus? It means a weakness of faith. It means that Jesus is not yet enough for us to hold on to for our salvation because we still need signs, miracles, and wonders from Him. A true believer and a person of faith will no longer seek a sign from the Lord. He or she will trust the Lord Jesus, regardless of whether they see signs from Him or not. 

If we truly love the Lord and if we have faith in Him, we would no longer ask for a sign. Why? Because His name alone is more than enough to deliver us from all our fears and doubts. This is why we always feel His abiding presence in our lives. 

The Lord is with us the moment we reverently attend Holy Mass, especially when we partake of His Body and Blood during Holy Communion. The Lord speaks to us the moment we read His words in the Bible with reverence. Jesus is with us when we pray the Holy Rosary with devotion. 

If only we would invest time in diving deeper into the life of Jesus and our Catholic faith, we would no longer ask for signs from Him. Because as we dedicate time to Him, we will gradually notice His abiding presence in our lives. 

Let us not ask for signs; instead, let us develop a deeper friendship with Jesus through our faithful and pious presence at Holy Mass, by cultivating a daily habit of reading the Bible, and by setting aside quiet time in prayer with Him. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 16 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:17, 20-26

Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26

Jesus came down with the Twelve and stood on a stretch of level ground with a great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. And raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: 

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. 

Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. 

But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

+ + + + + + +

 Reflection:

There’s a story of a man in his late thirties who had a successful life in this world. Name it, and he had it—women, riches, power, and the like. It may have seemed that he was enjoying everything he was going through, but deep inside, he was empty. So, he resigned from his high-paying job and subsequently joined a Catholic organization that serves the poor. 

His life there was simple, but he found real happiness and fulfillment. Many of his friends hated and insulted him for what he did. However, he did not mind them because he found Jesus in that organization and subsequently built a deep friendship with the Lord. 

What is the main requirement to get closer to Jesus? It is to suffer for the sake of advancing His kingdom in this world. Without suffering for Christ, there would be no close friendship with Him. 

Many of us are so afraid to suffer for Christ’s sake because it will disturb us. If we have this mentality, we are only thinking of ourselves and not the welfare of others. We are only concerned with what we can get from this present world (wealth, power, and the like) and forget about what awaits us after this life. 

We may be stripped of our riches in our desire to get closer to Jesus. Many will hate us and even distance themselves from us. But what the heck! We must understand that we don’t live in this world to remain in this world. We live here now so that we may go to heaven and be with the Lord someday. 

Our motivation for existing in this world should always be heaven—to be with Jesus. Otherwise, if our motivation is centered solely on this world, we will never have peace. We may have all the things this world offers, but we will still lack peace, for there is an absence of Christ in our lives.

 In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man" (Luke 6:22). 

Therefore, let us not be afraid of the challenges we might face for the sake of advancing the kingdom of God in this world, for this is the very reason for our existence. God created us to exist in this world so that we may bring others closer to Jesus. 

Have you already suffered for Christ? Have you already brought someone closer to Him? If your answer is yes, you are truly blessed! —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 16 Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 6:17, 20-26

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:17, 20-26

Noong panahong iyon, bumaba si Hesus, kasama ang Labindalawa, at tumayo siya sa isang patag na lugar. Naroon ang marami sa kanyang mga alagad at ang napakaraming tao buhat sa Judea at Jerusalem, at sa mga bayan sa baybaying-dagat ng Tiro at Sidon. 

Tumingin si Hesus sa mga alagad at kanyang sinabi, “Mapalad kayong mga dukha, sapagkat ang Diyos ang maghahari sa inyo!” “Mapalad kayong mga nagugutom ngayon, sapagkat kayo’y bubusugin!” “Mapalad kayong mga tumatangis ngayon, sapagkat kayo’y magagalak!” 

“Mapalad kayo kung dahil sa Anak ng Tao kayo’y kinapopootan, ipinagtatabuyan at inaalimura ng mga tao, at pati ang inyong pangalan ay kinasusuklaman. Magalak kayo at lumukso sa tuwa kung ito’y mangyari, sapagkat malaki ang inyong gantimpala sa langit — gayun din ang ginawa ng kanilang mga ninuno sa mga propeta.”

“Ngunit sa aba ninyong mayayaman ngayon, sapagkat nagtamasa na kayo ng kaginhawahan!” “Sa aba ninyong mga busog ngayon, sapagkat kayo’y magugutom!” “Sa aba ninyong nagsisitawa ngayon, sapagkat kayo’y magdadalamhati at magsisitangis!”

“Sa aba ninyo, kung kayo’y pinupuri ng lahat ng tao, sapagkat gayun din ang ginawa ng kanilang mga ninuno sa mga bulaang propeta.” 

Reflection for February 15 Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:1-10

Gospel: Mark 8:1-10

In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.  

His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have? They replied, “Seven.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd.  

They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people.  

He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What kind of God is Jesus? He is a God of compassion and mercy. Jesus feels our loneliness when we are lonely. He cries with us when we cry. He feels the heavy load we carry when we are burdened by it. 

Does His compassion and mercy stop with mere empathy? No, Jesus never stops thinking of ways to lighten the burdens we carry. 

We see this deep compassion and mercy of Jesus in our Gospel today. When Jesus saw the crowd that had been following Him for days, He had deep compassion for them because they were already hungry and tired. His mercy and compassion led Him to think about how He could feed them. 

So Jesus asked His disciples for whatever food they had, and with seven loaves and a few fish, He miraculously multiplied them to feed almost four thousand. This is how merciful and compassionate Jesus is to those who follow Him.

 What does this Gospel tell us? It tells us that we will never go hungry the moment we decide to faithfully follow Jesus! Jesus will never let us go hungry, for He will take care of our food and provide for our needs. This may be hard for some to believe, but it is true! Jesus provides for those who faithfully follow Him. 

Are you a faithful follower of Jesus? —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Friday February 14 Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop: Mark 7:31-37

Gospel: Mark 7:31-37

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. 

He took him off by himself away from the crowd.  He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. 

He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told of a man who was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Of course, he was troubled—who wouldn’t be? But the man had great faith in Jesus, so he earnestly prayed for healing. He attended Mass every day, prayed the rosary regularly, and read his Bible fervently. 

As the days, weeks, and months passed, there was a noticeable decline in his physical appearance. However, those around him also observed a deepening of his faith and confidence in Jesus. They noticed the peacefulness and calmness he exuded—so unlike a dying man. 

In the Gospel, we are presented with a story of physical healing: a deaf man was able to speak again through the healing power of Jesus. With the help of those around him, the deaf man was brought closer to Jesus, after which he begged Him to lay His hand on him. 

Jesus took the man away from the crowd, and in the stillness of the moment, He groaned and said, “Ephphatha!”—which means “Be opened.” The man was immediately healed; he could hear and speak once again. 

Eventually, every one of us will fall ill, and we will all pray for physical healing from Jesus. However, not all of us will experience healing like the deaf man in the Gospel. Some of us will receive deep spiritual healing—the same kind of healing that the terminally ill man in our story received from Jesus. 

Therefore, we must take steps to draw closer to Jesus and build a relationship with Him. Let us take the initiative now, rather than wait until we are in dire need of Him. —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 13 Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:24-30

Gospel: Mark 7:24-30

Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.  

He said to her, “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection: 

What is the key to receiving what we ask from Jesus? 

It is persistence. If we feel that Jesus does not hear our prayers, we must continue to call upon Him, never losing hope. We should never give up, because giving up is a sign of our lack of faith in Jesus. 

The Syrophoenician woman in today’s Gospel never gave up on her request, even when she was tested by Jesus. She persisted and humbly begged Him to heal her daughter, who was possessed by a demon. Eventually, her persistence bore fruit—when she returned home, she discovered that her daughter was no longer possessed. 

As we journey through this temporary world, we will inevitably face many challenges. However, we must not allow these trials to discourage us or separate us from Jesus. Instead, the more difficulties we encounter, the more we should persistently turn to Him for help. 

For it is only through Jesus that we can endure the many trials and tribulations of this world. But what if, despite our persistent prayers, Jesus does not seem to answer? What should we do? We must continue to pray and have faith. The more we feel ignored, the more we must pray and trust in Him. 

How strong is your faith in the Lord? —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 12 Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:14-23

Gospel: Mark 7:14-23

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” 

When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 

“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:
The story is told of a married man who was caught by his wife having an adulterous relationship with his officemate. The wife told him, “I never thought that you would be capable of doing this to me because you promised me that you would be faithful until the end.”

Why is it that many of us commit sin and fail to live out our faith? When tempted by Satan, we easily give in. Why is this so? I don’t know. Perhaps it is due to our weak and superficial faith or because we love this world more than we love God.

Jesus, in the Gospel, mentions that nothing that enters us makes us sin, but what comes out of us does. Therefore, we must be careful and discerning about the things we do. If we believe that our actions may lead us to sin, then by all means, we should avoid them.

If there is a strong temptation to sin, we must confront and resist it; otherwise, it will capture us. The danger with sin is that it will never stop until it completely destroys us. For example, in the case of adultery, couples engaged in this sinful relationship will likely continue until they are caught and punished.

They indulge in this sin because Satan makes it appear more attractive in their eyes. Under Satan’s spell, they continue without guilt of conscience—the same Satan whose hidden and ultimate desire is to destroy them.

Come to think of it—why is it that, even when we know something is sinful, many of us still do it? The simple answer is that many choose to embrace Satan rather than Jesus. Many gamble their very lives with Satan instead of investing them with Jesus.

When you choose to be with Satan, you will be destroyed sooner or later. However, when you turn away from sin and surrender to Jesus, He will tirelessly work within you, to transform your heart and free you from the grip of sin.  —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 11 Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:1-13

Gospel: Mark 7:1-13

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves.  

And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: 

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.

You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die.

Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you very strict in observing your customs and traditions? 

The Pharisees were very particular about their customs and traditions, following them to the letter. So, when they saw that Jesus’ disciples ate their meals without washing their hands, they questioned Him about it. 

They said to Jesus, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” 

Jesus responded, “You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition!” 

We see that Jesus placed more importance on God's commandments than on human traditions—on the interior rather than the exterior, on inner conversion rather than mere outward observance of laws. 

The conversion that Jesus desires for us is one that involves a true change of heart and mindset. For example, instead of indulging in sin, we strive to avoid it. Instead of remaining in an environment where we have sinned, we completely walk away from it. 

For Jesus, what matters most is not our external actions but our internal conversion and renewal.—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Monday February 10 Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin: Mark 6:53-56

Gospel: Mark 6:53-56

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.  

Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a man sick with cancer who asked the Lord, “Why am I suffering, Lord? I can’t bear my sickness anymore, and I can’t endure the pain of going through chemotherapy any longer.”

In the Gospel, those who were able to touch the tassel of Jesus’ cloak were very fortunate, for they received healing in return. This speaks volumes about their faith and the power of Jesus.

But not everyone who has faith is healed. There are those who have faith but continue to suffer from their sickness. Sometimes, it may baffle us why they physically suffer, considering that they also have faith and love Jesus.

The healing that Jesus gives us is not always physical; oftentimes, it is spiritual. This means that we are given the grace to accept our physical sickness and the strength to completely surrender our lives to the great power and mercy of Jesus.

There are people who remain happy despite their physical sickness because they have learned to offer their suffering to God. They understand that the suffering they are undergoing is nothing compared to the suffering that Jesus endured.

There will come a time when we, too, will get sick and suffer. Let us never forget to offer our suffering to Jesus. Let us ask Him to help us endure our trials. Though it may be difficult, let us learn to accept them and continue to have enormous faith in the Lord.

How is your faith in the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 9 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 5:1-11

Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told of a middle-aged man who wanted to follow Jesus. However, he always had second thoughts about proceeding with his desire because he was sinful. The feeling of unworthiness constantly crept into him. Yet, there was always that inner voice whispering to him to follow the Lord, no matter his sinfulness.

Who among us is worthy to become a follower of Jesus? Nobody—for all of us are sinful, and all of us have offended the Lord in one way or another. Yet, despite our unworthiness, we are always being called by Jesus to follow Him so that He can purify us of our sins, no matter how dark they may be.

The Lord does not call us to condemn us for the countless sins we have committed. He calls us so that He can restore the dignity we lost through our sinfulness. He calls us to remind us that His love for us can overcome whatever sins we have committed.

All He wants from us is our yes and our firm commitment to walk away from our sins! When we say yes to the Lord, we must also be willing to leave behind the environment that led us to sin. We must distance ourselves from those who influenced us to sin. In other words, there is no turning back or looking back the moment we decide to follow the Lord. The Lord is not interested in our sinful past—what matters to Jesus is our present and future with Him.

In the Gospel, after Jesus performed the miracle of the great catch of fish before the very eyes of Simon and the other fishermen (Luke 5:6), Simon Peter knelt before Jesus and begged Him to leave them, for they were all sinful and therefore unworthy of His presence and the miracle He had performed for them (Luke 5:8).

However, Jesus, full of love, mercy, and forgiveness, told Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men” (Luke 5:10). After bringing their boats to shore, Simon and the other fishermen left everything to follow the Lord (Luke 5:11).

Regardless of your sins and your dark past, Jesus is calling you to begin a new life with Him. Would you respond to His call? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 8 Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:30-34

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” 

People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you always have time for Jesus? 

In the Gospel, after working so hard to spread the Good News, Jesus noticed that the apostles were tired from their mission. Thus, He told them to be with Him in a place by themselves to rest. 

Why be with Him and not alone by themselves? Because only through Him could they experience complete recovery from both physical and spiritual exhaustion. If they went alone to a quiet place, they might reinvigorate themselves physically. But how could they reenergize their spirits without Jesus? 

In our materially driven world, we are always on the move—always busy with work and other commitments. Naturally, we get tired, and to ease this exhaustion, some of us take vacations to recharge our weary bodies. However, have we considered going to Jesus in prayer to restore both our bodies and spirits? 

We need to make time for Jesus so that He can renew and strengthen our weary souls. Why? Because we are not only citizens of this world but are also called to be citizens of heaven in God’s appointed time. Thus, we need to set aside regular, quiet, and solemn moments with Jesus to deepen our friendship with Him. 

How can we develop a deeper friendship with Jesus so that He can nourish us? We can spend quiet time with Him in the Adoration Chapel and allow Him to embrace us with His unconditional love. We can read the Bible and meditate on His words, which have the power to transform us. We can attend Holy Mass and pray the Holy Rosary. 

But sadly, many of us forget this because we no longer make time for God. We allow ourselves to be consumed by our fears and the temporary distractions of this world. In doing so, we forget the eternal—Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

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. 

+ + + + +  + +

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