Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 7 Miyerkules sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:35-40

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:35-40

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao: "Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay," Ang lumalapit sa akin ay hindi na magugutom, at ang nananalig sa akin ay hindi na mauuhaw kailanman."  

"Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: nakita na ninyo ako, gayunma'y hindi kayo nanalig sa akin. Lalapit sa akin ang lahat ng ibinibigay sa akin ng Ama. At hindi ko itataboy ang sinumang lumalapit sa akin. Sapagkat ako'y bumaba mula sa langit, hindi upang gawin ang kalooban ko, kundi ang kalooban ng nagsugo sa akin. 

At ito ang kanyang kalooban: huwag kong pabayaang mawala kahit isa sa mga ibinigay niya sa akin, kundi muling buhayin sila sa huling araw. Sapagkat ito ang kalooban ng aking Ama: ang lahat ng makakita at manalig sa Anak ay magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. At sila'y muli kong bubuhayin sa huling araw."

Reflection for May 6 Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:30-35

Gospel: John 6:30-35

The crowd said to Jesus: "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat."  

So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."  

So they said to Jesus, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who had brain cancer. Her doctors had already given her only two months to live. Because of this, her relatives requested their parish priest to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. 

The woman’s family also asked the priest if he could assign an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to visit her every Sunday so she could receive Jesus regularly. To make a long story short, the priest assigned an Extraordinary Minister to give her Holy Communion every Sunday. 

By the grace of the Lord, the two months given to her by the doctors became five years. Her mother would always tell the Extraordinary Minister that the additional four years and ten months of her life were a miracle from the Good Lord, whom she received every Sunday. 

In our Gospel today, after Jesus spoke about the bread from heaven that gives life to the world, the crowd told Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst." (John 6:34-35) 

The sick woman and her mother believed—without a single doubt—in this declaration of Jesus, that He is the Bread of Life. 

How about you? Do you also believe? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 6 Martes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:30-35

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:30-35

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ng mga tao kay Hesus:"Ano pong kababalaghan ang maipakikita ninyo upang manalig kami sa inyo ? Ano po ang gagawin ninyo?" tanong nila. "Ang aming magulang ay kumain ng manna sa ilang, ayon sa nasusulat, 'Sila'y binigyan niya ng pagkaing mula sa langit,'" dugtong pa nila. 

Sumagot si Jesus, "Dapat ninyong malamang hindi si Moises ang nagbigay sa inyo ng pagkaing mula sa langit, kundi ang aking Ama. Siya ang nagbibigay sa inyo ng tunay na pagkaing mula sa langit. Sapagkat ang pagkaing bigay ng Diyos ay yaong bumaba mula sa langit at nagbibigay-buhay sa sanlibutan." 

"Ginoo," wika nila, "bigyan po ninyo kaming lagi ng pagkaing iyon." "Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay," sabi ni Jesus. "Ang lumalapit sa akin ay hindi na magugutom, at ang nananalig sa akin ay hindi na mauuhaw kailanman."

Reflection for May 5 Monday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:22-29

Gospel: John 6:22-29

The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. 

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

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Reflection:

A man was once asked why he attends the celebration of the Holy Mass every day. He said that he does so because he wants to be nourished by Jesus every day. Then he said these very profound words: “I don’t have the heart to refuse Jesus, who always offers Himself to me during Holy Communion.” 

Almost every day of our lives, Jesus offers Himself to us through Holy Communion during the celebration of the Holy Mass. He is the food that does not perish, and He is the food that gives eternal life. Yet we oftentimes take Him for granted, choosing not to go to Holy Mass even when we have the luxury of time. 

But when are we going to Jesus? When we are already in dire need of Him? Let us not wait for the time when we are forced to go to Jesus—because we are already sick or only a few breaths away from death. 

Let us take advantage of the present moment we have each day. Let us go to Jesus now. For everything is ours to gain; we will lose nothing—except our sinfulness—the moment we decide to go to Jesus. 

Do you always go to Jesus, who always offers Himself to you in the celebration of the Holy Mass? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 5 Lunes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:22-29

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:22-29

Kinabukasan, nakita ng mga taong nanatili sa ibayo ng lawa na naroon pa ang isang bangka. Alam nilang si Hesus ay hindi kasama ng mga alagad, sapagkat ang mga ito lamang ang sumakay sa bangka at umalis. 

Dumating naman ang ilang bangkang galing sa Tiberias at sumadsad sa lugar na malapit sa kinainan nila ng tinapay matapos magpasalamat sa Panginoon. Nang makita ng mga tao na wala na roon si Hesus, ni ang kanyang mga alagad, sila’y sumakay sa mga bangka at pumunta rin sa Capernaum upang hanapin si Hesus. 

Nakita nila si Hesus sa ibayo ng lawa, at kanilang tinanong, “Rabi, kailan pa kayo rito?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: hinahanap ninyo ako, hindi dahil sa mga kababalaghang nakita ninyo, kundi dahil sa nakakain kayo ng tinapay at nabusog. Gumawa kayo, hindi upang magkaroon ng pagkaing hindi nasisira at nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan. 

Ibibigay ito sa inyo ng Anak ng Tao, sapagkat siya ang binigyan ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos Ama.” Kaya’t siya’y tinanong nila, “Ano po ang dapat naming gawin upang aming maganap ang kalooban ng Diyos?” “Ito ang ipinagagawa sa inyo ng Diyos: manalig kayo sa sinugo niya,” tugon ni Hesus.

Reflection for May 4 Third Sunday of Easter: John 21:1-19

Gospel: John 21:1-19

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” 

They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 

So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. 

The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. 

Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” 

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

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Reflection:

The story is told of a mother who would always pray to the Lord to help her make her children responsible, loving and successful. When her children grew older and had their own respective families, they became very responsible, loving and successful. The mother would always thank the Lord for granting her prayer for her children.

Do you always seek the guidance of the Lord Jesus Christ whenever you want to achieve something in your life? Do you always ask the Lord to help you realize it?

In the Gospel, still grieving and feeling lost because of Jesus’ death, the disciples reverted to their livelihood as fishermen. They went fishing by their own effort, and perhaps they forgot about the Lord—thinking that He had not risen.

Then, out of nowhere, as they approached the shore, the risen Christ was already there waiting. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered Him, “No” (John 21:5). Jesus said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the large number of fish (John 21:6).

We see the miraculous influence that Jesus has in the lives of the disciples. When they went fishing without Jesus, they caught nothing—but when Jesus came into the picture, they caught plenty of fish.

This Gospel scenario is also applicable in our daily lives. If we do things by ourselves without seeking the guidance of the Lord, we will end up with nothing. Every activity or endeavor that we pursue without the Lord’s guidance is ultimately meaningless and empty.

But the moment we ask Jesus to be our guiding light in the pursuit of our goals and life’s endeavors, we will surely be able to achieve them—for the simple reason that we have invoked the guidance and help of the Lord.

Jesus is alive and risen! He makes the impossible possible, no matter how difficult it may seem. He gives hope to the hopeless. He makes a meaningless life meaningful and filled with purpose. We only need to do one thing—and that is to ask for His help and guidance.

Do you always pray for the Lord’s help and guidance as you pass through the many challenges of your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Mayo 4, Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:1-19

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:1-19

Noong panahong iyon, muling napakita si Hesus sa mga alagad sa tabi ng Lawa ng Tiberias. Ganito ang pangyayari. Magkakasama sina Simon Pedro, Tomas na tinaguriang Kambal, Natanael na taga-Cana, Galilea, ang mga anak ni Zebedeo, at dalawang pang alagad. 

Sinabi sa kanila ni Simon Pedro, “Mangingisda ako.” “Sasama kami,” wika nila. Umalis sila at lumulan sa bangka, subalit walang nahuli nang gabing iyon. Nang magbubukang-liwayway na, tumayo si Hesus sa pampang, subalit hindi siya nakilala ng mga alagad. Sinabi niya, “Mga anak, mayroon ba kayong huli?” “Wala po,” tugon nila. “Ihulog ninyo ang lambat sa gawing kanan ng bangka at makahuhuli kayo,” sabi ni Hesus. 

Inihulog nga nila ang lambat at hindi nila ito mahila sa dami ng huli. Sinabi kay Pedro ng alagad na minamahal ni Hesus, “Ang Panginoon iyon!” Nang marinig ito ni Simon Pedro, siya’y nagsuot ng damit sapagkat hubad siya at tumalon sa tubig. Ang kasama niyang mga alagad ay sumapit sa pampang, sakay ng munting bangka, hila-hila ang lambat na puno ng isda. 

Hindi sila gaanong kalayuan sa pampang – mga siyamnapung metro lamang. Pag-ahon nila sa pampang ay nakakita sila roon ng mga baga na may isdang nakaihaw, at ilang tinapay. “Magdala kayo rito ng ilang isdang nahuli ninyo,” sabi ni Hesus. Kaya’t sumampa sa bangka si Simon Pedro at hinila sa pampang ang lambat na puno ng malalaking isda – sandaan at limampu’t tatlong lahat. 

Hindi napunit ang lambat, kahit gaano karami ang isda. “Halikayo at mag-almusal tayo,” sabi ni Hesus. Isa man sa mga alagad ay walang nangahas magtanong sa kanya kung sino siya, sapagkat alam nila na siya ang Panginoon. Lumapit si Hesus, kinuha ang tinapay at ibinigay sa kanila, gayon din ang isda. 

Ito ang ikatlong pagpapakita ni Hesus sa mga alagad pagkatapos na siya’y muling mabuhay. 

Pagkakain nila, tinanong ni Hesus si Simon Pedro, “Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako nang higit kaysa mga ito?” “Opo, Panginoon, nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo,” tugon niya. Sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Pakanin mo ang aking mga batang tupa.” Muli siyang tinanong ni Hesus, “Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako?” 

 Sumagot si Pedro, “Opo, Panginoon, nalalaman niyong iniibig ko kayo.” Ani Hesus, “Pangalagaan mo ang aking mga tupa,” Pangatlong ulit na tinanong siya ni Hesus, “Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako?” Nalungkot si Pedro, sapagkat makaitlo siya tinanong: “Iniibig mo ba ako?” At sumagot siya, “Panginoon, nalalaman po ninyo ang lahat ng bagay; nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo.” 

Sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Pakanin mo ang aking mga tupa. Tandaan mo: noong kabataan mo pa, ikaw ang nagbibihis sa iyong sarili at lumalakad ka kung saan mo ibig. Ngunit pagtanda mo, iuunat mo ang iyong mga kamay at iba ang magbibihis sa iyo at dadalhin ka kung saan hindi mo ibig.” Sinabi niya ito upang ipakilala kung paano mamamatay si Pedro at sa gayo’y mapararangalan niya ang Diyos. Pagkatapos, sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Sumunod ka sa akin!”

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Repleksyon:

May  isang kuwento tungkol sa isang ina na palaging nananalangin sa Panginoon upang tulungan siyang palakihing responsable at mapagmahal ang kanyang mga anak. Nang ang kanyang mga anak ay lumaki at nagkaroon ng kani-kaniyang pamilya, sila ay naging responsible,  mapagmahal at nagkaroon ng maayos na buhay.

Palagi mo rin bang hinahanap ang pag gabay ng Panginoong Hesukristo tuwing may nais kang makamit sa iyong buhay? Humihingi ka ba palagi sa Kanya ng tulong upang ito ay magkatotoo?

Sa ating pong Mabuting balita, habang nagluluksa pa rin at litong-lito ang mga alagad dahil sa pagkamatay ni Hesus, sila ay bumalik sa dating hanapbuhay bilang mga mangingisda. Nagsikap silang mangisda sa sarili nilang kakayahan, at marahil ay nakalimot sila sa Panginoon kasi ang nasa isip nila ay siya ay hindi pa muling nabuhay.

Ngunit sa di-inaasahang pagkakataon, habang sila’y papalapit sa pampang, naroon na si Hesus na muling nabuhay at naghihintay sa kanila. Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila, “Mga anak, may nahuli ba kayong makakain?” Sumagot sila, “Wala po” (Juan 21:5). Sinabi ni Jesus, “Ihulog ninyo ang lambat sa kanang bahagi ng bangka at makakahuli kayo.” Inihulog nga nila, at halos hindi nila ito mahila dahil sa dami ng isdang nahuli (Juan 21:6).

Makikita natin ang kamangha-manghang impluwensiya ni Jesus sa buhay ng Kanyang mga alagad. Nang sila’y nangisda nang wala si Jesus, wala silang nahuli. Ngunit nang dumating si Jesus sa kanilang piling ay napakarami nilang nahuli.

Ang tagpong ito sa Ebanghelyo ay maaari ring maganap sa ating araw-araw na buhay. Kapag tayo’y kumikilos nang sarili lamang nating kakayahan at hindi humihingi ng gabay sa Panginoon, madalas ay nauuwi ito sa kabiguan. Bawat gawain o layunin na tinatangka nating makamit nang walang gabay ng Panginoon ay nauuwi sa kahungkagan o kawalan.

Ngunit sa sandaling hingin natin kay Jesus na siya ay maging ilaw at gabay natin sa pagtupad ng ating mga mithiin at adhikain sa buhay, tiyak na makakamtan natin ito—sapagkat tinawag natin Siya at hiniling ang Kanyang tulong at paggabay.

Si Jesus ay buhay at muling nabuhay! Ginagawa Niyang possible para sa atin ang mga imposibleng bagay, gaano man ito kahirap kamtin. Binibigyan Niya ng pag-asa ang nawawalan ng pag-asa. Ginagawa Niyang makabuluhan ang isang buhay na tila walang direksyon o saysay. Isa lamang ang hinihingi Niya sa atin—na hingin natin ang Kanyang tulong at paggabay.

Palagi mo bang hinihiling ang tulong at paggabay ng Panginoon sa iyong pagharap sa mga hamon ng buhay? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Saturday May 3 Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles: John 14:6-14

Gospel: John 14:6-14

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” 

 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. 

The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

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Reflection:

Do you want to know God? 

You first have to know Jesus, for it is only through Jesus that you will know God. But how will you come to know Jesus? Prayer should be an integral part of your way of life. You also have to ask Jesus to give you the grace to know Him more deeply and the grace to have a personal relationship with Him. 

How else can we have a personal encounter with Jesus? We must read about His life in the Bible, and we must attend Holy Mass, especially on Sundays. Then, whatever we learn about Jesus, we must live and share. 

It is usually through Jesus that we become aware of the presence of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit in our lives. Jesus is the gateway to knowing more about God, and through Him, our eyes will be opened to many truths about our faith. 

Do you want to know the way? Do you want to know the many real truths about life? Do you want to live a life with deeper purpose and meaning? You have to ask Jesus—ask Him to show you the way. 

To have Jesus is to have life. To have Jesus is to find the true way that leads to peace and contentment. To have Jesus is to discover the real meaning of life—a life that is very different from the life this world tries to impose on us. 

In our Gospel, Jesus tells Thomas—and us as well: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14:6–7) 

Would you invest some of your precious time to know more about Jesus? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Mayo 3, San Felipe at Santiago, mga apostol (Kapistahan): Juan 14:6-14

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:6-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus kay Juan, "Ako ang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang makapupunta sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko. Kung ako'y kilala ninyo, kilala na rin ninyo ang aking Ama. Mula ngayon ay kilala na ninyo siya at inyong nakita."

 

Sinabi sa kanya ni Felipe, "Panginoon, ipakita po ninyo sa amin ang Ama, at masisiyahan na kami." Sumagot si Jesus, "Matagal na ninyo akong kasama, Felipe! Diyata't hindi mo pa ako nakikilala? Ang nakakita sa akin ay nakakita na sa Ama.

Bakit mo sinasabing: 'Ipakita mo sa akin ang Ama?' Hindi ka ba naniniwalang ako'y sumasa-Ama at ang Ama'y sumasaakin? Ang mga salitang sinasabi ko ay hindi ko sinasabi sa ganang aking sarili. Ang Amang sumasaakin ang gumaganap ng kanyang mga gawain. Maniwala kayo sa akin: ako'y sumasa-Ama at ang Ama'y sumasaakin.

Kung ayaw ninyong maniwala sa sinasabi ko, maniwala kayo dahil sa mga gawang ito. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang nananalig sa akin ay makagagawa ng ginagawa ko at higit pa rito, sapagkat pupunta na ako sa Ama. At anumang hilingin ninyo sa Ama sa aking pangalan ay gagawin ko, upang maparangalan ang Ama sa pamamagitan ng Anak. Gagawin ko ang anumang hihilingin ninyo sa pangalan ko."

Reflection for Friday May 2 Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: John 6:1-15

Gospel: John 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" 

He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people recline." 

Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted. 

"So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a young woman who was doubting whether she would be able to fulfill her childhood ambition of becoming a doctor. So, she asked her mother to pray that she would be able to realize her dream. Her mother said to her, “My daughter, the Lord will help you achieve your childhood dream for as long as you don’t doubt.”

Do you sometimes doubt when you pray before Jesus?

Our doubts will always be a stumbling block to the realization of what we pray for. But why do we doubt? Perhaps our faith is lacking, or perhaps we have not yet developed a close friendship with Jesus—that is why we doubt. Doubt, by itself, is a negative word, and as such, it is neither good nor helpful to us. We must therefore eliminate doubt from our way of thinking so that we can achieve whatever we desire.

In our Gospel for this Sunday, Philip and Andrew were already doubting whether Jesus would be able to feed the large crowd that had been following Him. Philip said to Jesus, "Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." (John 6:7) Andrew said to Jesus, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" (John 6:8–9)

Jesus simply told them, “Have the people recline.” (John 6:10) And then the multiplication of the loaves and fish happened. They were able to feed the five thousand men—and there was plenty to spare.

What is the lesson the Lord is trying to communicate to us in this miracle of the loaves and fish? With Jesus, nothing is impossible. Everything is possible for those who do not doubt, who always believe, and who have faith in Him.

Do you want something from the Lord? Trust, believe, have faith—and you will receive it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Mayo 2 Paggunita kay San Atanasio, Obispo at pantas ng Simbahan: Juan 6:1-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:1-15

Noong panahong iyon, tumawid si Jesus sa ibayo ng Lawa ng Galilea, na tinatawag ding Lawa ng Tiberias. Sinundan siya ng napakaraming tao sapagkat nakita nila ang mga kababalaghang ginawa niya sa pagpapagaling sa mga maysakit. Umahon si Jesus sa burol kasama ang kanyang mga alagad at naupo roon. Malapit na noon ang Pista ng Paskua ng mga Judio. 

Tumanaw si Jesus, at nakita niyang dumarating ang napakaraming tao. Tinanong niya si Felipe, "Saan tayo bibili ng tinapay upang makakain ang mga taong ito?" Sinabi niya ito upang subukin si Felipe, sapagkat alam ni Jesus ang kanyang gagawin. Sumagot si Felipe, "Kahit na po halagang dalawandaang denaryong tinapay ang bilhin ay di sasapat para makakain ng tigkakaunti ang mga tao." 

Sinabi ng isa sa kanyang mga alagad, si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro, "Mayroon po ditong isang batang lalaki na may dalang limang tinapay na sebada at dalawang isda. Ngunit gaano na ito sa ganyang karaming tao?" "Paupuin ninyo sila," wika ni Jesus. Madamo sa lugar na yaon. Umupo ang lahat -- humigit-kumulang sa limang libo ang mga lalaki.  

Kinuha ni Jesus ang tinapay at matapos magpasalamat sa Diyos ay ipinamahagi sa mga tao; gayon din ang ginawa niya sa isda. Binigyan ang lahat hangga't gusto nila. at nang makakain na sila, sinabi niya sa mga alagad, "Tipunin ninyo ang mga lumabis para hindi masayang." Gayon nga ang ginawa nila, at nakapuno sila ng labindalawang bakol.  

Nang makita ng mga tao ang kababalaghang ginawa ni Jesus, sinabi nila, "Tunay na ito ang propetang paririto sa sanlibutan!" Nahalata ni Jesus na lalapit ang mga tao at pilit siyang kukunin upang gawing hari, kaya muli siyang umalis na mag-isa patungo sa kaburulan.

Reflection for May 1 Thursday of the Second Week of Easter: Matthew 13:54-58

Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 

Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

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Reflection:

Let us imagine ourselves experiencing rejection. How would we feel about that rejection directed at us? We would surely feel bad. 

Jesus was rejected and belittled when He returned to Nazareth, His native place. He did not do anything offensive; He even taught in their synagogue. Yet He was rejected. The sole reason for His rejection was that they knew Him only as the son of a carpenter. His townspeople were too familiar with Him and His family. 

They couldn’t accept the fact that He had extraordinary wisdom and power. For these reasons, they rejected Him. But why reject someone when they could have welcomed Him with open arms? They rejected Jesus because they were envious of Him—envious of His gift of healing, His intelligence, and the adulation He received from the people. So, they rejected someone who could have helped them. 

We will not gain anything good if we harbor envy in our hearts. In fact, we are closing ourselves off to the many blessings that Jesus wants to shower upon us. Instead of being envious, why not simply be happy for the success of others? —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 30 Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter: John 3:16-21

Gospel: John 3:16-21

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did n
ot send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.  

And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

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Reflection:

What would happen to us if we do not embrace the teachings of God?

We will live miserable lives in this world. Almost all of humanity knows that there is a God, but not all of us embrace His teachings. We prefer to follow the ways of the world rather than the ways of God.

We prefer to enjoy life without God rather than life with Him. Why? Is it because God sets rules and limits on how we live our lives? Many of us do not want our freedom to be curtailed. But since freedom is not absolute, there are limits to it.

God always wants us to avoid sin. The reason is simple: the moment we commit sin, we envelope ourselves in darkness—and darkness is the absence of the light of God. Just imagine a life in darkness. It’s a life without hope, and this is precisely what the devil offers us: a life without hope, sugar-coated with worldly pleasures.

But no sinner is beyond the reach of the love of God. God always offers us His hand of forgiveness and love. This forgiveness and love are for our benefit—but do we take advantage of this great gift?

God loves us so dearly that He gave us Jesus, His only begotten Son, to save us from all our sinfulness. Let us not set Jesus aside and tell Him that we will first enjoy the sinful pleasures of this world before coming to Him—for it may be too late by then.

Let us embrace God now. Let us open our lives to Him now. Let us start walking away from our sinfulness now. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Abril 30 Miyerkules sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:16-21

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:16-21

Gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sanlibutan, kaya ibinigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na Anak, upang ang sumampalataya sa kanya ay hindi mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. Sapagkat sinugo ng Diyos ang kanyang Anak, hindi upang hatulang maparusahan ang sanlibutan, kundi upang iligtas ito sa pamamagitan niya.  

"Hindi hinahatulang maparusahan ang nananampalataya sa Anak ng Diyos; ngunit hinatulan nang parusahan ang hindi nananampalataya sa kanya. Hinatulan sila sapagkat naparito sa sanlibutan ang ilaw, ngunit inibig pa ng tao ang dilim kaysa liwanag, sapagkat masama ang kanilang mga gawa.  

Ang gumagawa ng masama ay ayaw sa ilaw, at hindi lumalapit dito upang hindi mahayag ang kanyang mga gawa. Ngunit ang namumuhay sa katotohanan ay lumalapit sa ilaw; sa gayon, nahahayag na ang kanyang mga ginagawa'y pagsunod sa Diyos.