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

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

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

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

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

Reflection for Tuesday April 29 Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (M): John 3:7b-15

Gospel: John 3:7b-15

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?  

Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

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Reflection:

Who is Nicodemus and how does his situation relate to us?

He is a Pharisee, a secret but faithful follower of Jesus. He visited Jesus during the night (John 3:1–21). Nicodemus also appeared after the Crucifixion of Jesus to provide the embalming ingredients for His body. He assisted Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus (John 19:39–42).

Like Nicodemus, we too must become faithful followers of Jesus—followers who are averse to sin, followers in words and in deeds, and followers who will stay with Jesus no matter how strong the temptation to betray Him.

We should aspire to become modern-day Nicodemuses who will support Jesus, work for Jesus, and do things for Jesus even outside the glare of lights. For this is the challenge before us who are followers of the Lord.

But are we really His true followers?

Or are we followers only in good times, but when the testing of our faith comes, we easily betray Jesus in favor of the many sinful enticements of this world? Like Nicodemus, are we also followers who are ever ready to leave behind everything for Jesus?

Leaving everything behind means leaving everything that made us sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 28 Monday of the Second Week of Easter: John 3:1-8

Gospel: John 3:1-8

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” 

Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot re-enter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”  

Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

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Reflection:

Are you already born again? 

Every Catholic who is faithful to the faith is born again. Being born again means we practice the sacred teachings and rituals of our faith and are faithful to our fidelity to Jesus. We have already been born again by virtue of our baptism; this means that we are new individuals in Christ. As such, we have to do good all the time, and we have to follow the teachings of the Church. 

If we are fair-weather Catholics, we have not yet been truly born again. Therefore, we need to be born again by having a personal relationship with our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. This personal relationship with Jesus will facilitate our being born again in the faith. 

In our Gospel, Nicodemus took literally the meaning of being born again. This is the reason why he said to Jesus, "Surely he cannot re-enter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?" (John 3:4). Yet Jesus reminded Nicodemus that the essence of being born again is to be born of water and Spirit — which actually refers to our baptism. 

By virtue of our baptism, all of us have already been born again — that was years and years ago. There’s no need for any of us to change our religion to be born again. What we need is to have a personal encounter with Jesus within our Roman Catholic Church. 

How would we do this? 

We go to Holy Mass faithfully and humbly beg God the Holy Spirit to enlighten us, so that we may understand what goes on within the celebration of the Holy Mass. We visit the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel as often as possible, speak to Jesus there, and ask Him to renew us according to His will. And we open and read our Bible, so that we may have a personal encounter with the very words and life of Jesus. 

Are you already a born-again Catholic? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 27 Second Sunday of Easter Sunday of Divine Mercy: John 20:19-31

Gospel: John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” 

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

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Reflection:

Do you want to have a personal encounter with the Risen Lord Jesus Christ?

Thomas, in the Gospel, deeply longed to have an up-close and personal encounter with his Lord and Master. He was yearning for it like a parched land longing for water.

So when Thomas was told by his fellow disciples that the Risen Jesus had appeared to them, he may have pretended not to believe—but deep in his heart, he already believed what they told him.

Thomas believed, but he still yearned for physical evidence and a personal encounter. He wanted to see the Risen Christ in the flesh and to touch His wounds.

Thomas’s desire to encounter Jesus came to fulfillment a week later, when all of them were gathered once again in the upper room—where Jesus had first appeared. And while they were inside, lo and behold, Jesus suddenly appeared before them!

Immediately after His appearance, Jesus singled out Thomas. He invited him to look at the wounds in His hands and to touch the wound in His side—the one pierced by a Roman soldier’s lance while He hung on the cross.

Is it okay to doubt the resurrection of the Lord? Yes, it’s okay. But after doubting, let that doubt turn into curiosity. Ask the Lord to help you know Him more. Feed that longing by praying to Him.

Soon, you will discover and feel for yourself that Jesus is real—that Jesus is alive, and that He is just a prayer or even a whisper away from you. Why? Because Jesus has never failed anyone who has yearned for a personal encounter with Him.

Do you want to have a personal encounter with the Risen Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Abril 27, Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay Linggo ng Panginoon ng Banal na Awa: Juan 20:19-31

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:19-31

Kinagabihan ng araw ding iyon, ang mga alagad ay nagkakatipon. Nakapinid ang mga pinto ng bahay na kanilang pinagtitipunan dahil sa takot nila sa mga Judio. Dumating si Jesus at tumayo sa gitna nila. "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" sabi niya. 

Pagkasabi nito, ipinakita niya ang kanyang mga kamay at ang kanyang tagiliran. Tuwang-tuwa ang mga alagad nang makita ang Panginoon. Sinabi na naman ni Jesus, "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan! Kung paanong sinugo ako ng Ama, gayon din naman, sinusugo ko kayo." Pagkatapos, sila'y hiningahan niya at sinabi, "Tanggapin ninyo ang Espiritu Santo. Ang patawarin ninyo sa kanilang mga kasalanan ay pinatawad na nga; ang hindi ninyo patawarin ay hindi nga pinatawad."

Ngunit si Tomas na tinaguriang Kambal, isa sa Labindalawa, ay wala roon nang dumating si Jesus. Kaya't sinabi sa kanya ng ibang alagad, "Nakita namin ang Panginoon!" Sumagot si Tomas, "Hindi ako maniniwala hangga't di ko nakikita ang butas ng mga pako sa kanyang mga kamay, at naisusuot dito ang aking mga daliri, at hangga't hindi ko naipapasok ang aking kamay sa kanyang tagiliran."

Makalipas ang walong araw, muling nagkatipon sa loob ng bahay ang mga alagad; kasama nila si Tomas. Nakapinid ang mga pinto, ngunit pumasok si Jesus at tumayo sa gitna nila. Sinabi niya, "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" Saka sinabi kay Tomas, "Tingnan mo ang aking mga kamay at ilapit dito ang iyong daliri. 

Ipasok mo ang iyong kamay sa aking tagiliran. Huwag ka nang mag-alinlangan, maniwala ka na." Sumagot si Tomas, "Panginoon ko at Diyos ko!" Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Naniniwala ka na ba sapagkat nakita mo ako? Mapapalad ang mga naniniwala kahit hindi nila ako nakita."

Marami pang kababalaghang ginawa si Jesus na nasaksihan ng mga alagad, ngunit hindi natatala sa aklat na ito. Ang mga natala rito'y sinulat upang sumampalataya kayong si Jesus ang Mesias, ang Anak ng Diyos, at sa gayo'y magkaroon kayo ng buhay sa pamamagitan niya. 

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Repleksyon:

Nais mo bang makaranas ng isang malalim at personal na pakikipagtagpo sa Muling Nabuhay na Panginoong HesuKristo? 

Sa Mabuting Balita, si Tomas ay hindi basta nagduda lamang—siya ay nanabik. Labis ang kanyang pagnanais na makita at maranasan mismo ang kanyang Panginoon. Ang kanyang puso ay uhaw, tulad ng tuyong lupa na sabik sa patak ng ulan. Kaya’t nang sabihin sa kanya ng kanyang mga kapwa alagad na nagpakita si Jesus sa kanila, kunwari ay ipinakita niyang hindi siya naniniwala—ngunit sa totoo lang, may paniniwala na siya sa kaibuturan ng kanyang puso. 

Pero hindi sapat kay Tomas ang kwento. Gusto niya ng katunayan. Nais niyang makita si Jesus sa Kanyang muling pagkabuhay. Nais niyang mahawakan ang mga sugat sa Kanyang mga kamay at sa Kanyang tagiliran. Kaya hindi siya binigo ni Jesus. 

Makalipas ang isang linggo, habang ang mga alagad ay muling nagtipon sa silid sa itaas, bigla na lamang nagpakita si Jesus sa gitna nila. Hindi Siya pumasok sa pinto. Siya'y basta na lang naroroon—tanda ng Kanyang kaluwalhatian bilang Muling Nabuhay na Panginoon. 

At ang una Niyang ginawa? Tinawag Niya si Tomas at sinabi sa kanya. "Tingnan mo ang Aking mga kamay. Ilapit mo ang iyong kamay at ipasok sa Aking tagiliran. Huwag ka nang mag-alinlangan—manampalataya ka." (Juan 20:27) 

Isang tagpo ng pag-ibig, ng pang-unawa, at ng biyaya. Hindi sinermonan si Tomas. Bagkus, tinugunan ni Jesus ang kanyang pananabik at pagkauhaw sa Kanya. 

May puwang ba ang pagdududa sa pananampalataya? 

Oo, may puwang ito. Ngunit huwag nating hayaang manatili lamang tayo sa duda. Gawin natin itong pagkakataon para mas hanapin si Jesus. Ipanalangin natin sa Kanya ang ating mga tanong. Hayaan natin Siyang sagutin tayo sa pamamagitan ng Kanyang presensya, pag gabay at pagmamahal. 

At sa takdang panahon, matutuklasan natin na si Jesus ay totoo. Siya ay buhay. At Siya ay palaging naririyan—isang panalangin, isang bulong, o isang luha lamang ang layo mula sa atin.

Dahil kailanman, hindi pa binigo ni Jesus ang sinumang tapat na naghahangad ng personal na ugnayan sa Kanya. 

Naghahangad ka rin ba ng personal na ugnayan sa Panginoon? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 26 Saturday in the Octave of Easter: Mark 16:9-15

Gospel: Mark 16:9-15

When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. 

After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

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Reflection:

Do you believe that Jesus has risen? 

Well and good if you do, for He has indeed risen and first appeared to Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene believed this too, for she saw Him personally and conversed with the Risen Lord. 

But when she told the disciples that Jesus had risen, they did not believe. Instead, they continued to mourn the death of Jesus. The disciples finally believed only when Jesus personally appeared before them. And right then, Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith in His resurrection. 

Perhaps the guiding principle of those disciples was: “to see is to believe.” For they only believed in the resurrection when He personally appeared to them. Were they already lacking in faith when they did not believe what Mary Magdalene told them? Yes! Lack of faith was slowly but surely creeping into their hearts—until they saw Jesus in the flesh. 

The folly of not believing—or having little faith—is that we will not be blessed by Jesus if we don’t believe. We will not be healed by Jesus if we lack faith. 

Do you believe that Jesus has risen? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 25 Friday in the Octave of Easter: John 21:1-14

Gospel: John 21:1-14

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.

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Reflection:

What is the scenario when fishermen arrive after long hours of fishing at sea?

They naturally want to go home and rest their tired bodies. This was the situation when the fishermen arrived from their long hours of fishing—without any catch. They simply wanted to go home and rest their very tired bodies. But as they approached the shore, they saw Jesus, who told them to put their empty nets back into the sea. 

They simply obeyed Jesus—and presto! they caught the largest number of fish. We see here in the Gospel that Jesus rewards those who obey Him. We also see the love and care that Jesus gave to His disciples—a love and care that never ends and is not constrained by time or space. 

Why did Jesus appear to His disciples for the third time after His resurrection? Jesus wanted to reassure His disciples that He would never abandon them and that He is still with them every step of the way. As if saying to His disciples: I am always with you wherever you go, ever ready to guide and help you. 

Humans as we are, we also pass through episodes of weariness, tiredness, and frustrations brought about by the many challenges of life. But we are never alone when we go through these difficult moments. The Risen Christ is with us—ever ready to guide and help us.  

Let us always go to Him, for the Risen Christ is always there for us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas