Reflection for May 11 Fourth Sunday of Easter: John 10:27-30

Gospel: John 10:27-30

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. 

No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Once upon a time, there was a shepherd who promised to take care of his sheep. He did what he was supposed to do as their shepherd—until a grave danger confronted his flock. Instead of defending them with his life, the shepherd was the first to flee. He did not care about the safety of his sheep. Hence, he was selfish and a false shepherd, concerned only with saving himself. 

But Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is not like that. He stays with us, even in our most difficult and painful moments. When life confronts us with burdens too heavy to bear, He does not run away. He draws closer to help us carry our burdens. When we grow weary from the trials of this world, Jesus is there—strengthening us, encouraging us, and telling us not to give up. 

This is what a true shepherd must be. He must lead and guide his people. And the perfect image of the Good Shepherd is Jesus. During His three years of public ministry, He showed the way for His disciples. He taught them life-changing lessons; He taught them how to be humble, selfless, and patient. He showed them what it means to be a true leader. 

Jesus is always with us. In whatever season of life we find ourselves, the Lord remains our guiding light. We need only to listen to His voice calling us to follow Him. For only in Him can we find true peace and lasting contentment. Only in Him can we begin to live a life of purpose and meaning. 

When the world weighs us down with failure, fear, and despair, let us remember: Jesus, our Good Shepherd, never leaves our side. He urges us to press on, to be strong, and to continue the journey with Him. 

Who is shepherding your life today? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Mayo 11, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 10:27-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:27-30

Noong panahong iyon: Sinabi ni Hesus: “Nakikinig sa akin ang aking mga tupa; nakikilala ko sila, at sumusunod sila sa akin. Binibigyan ko sila ng buhay na walang hanggan, at kailanma’y di sila mapapahamak; hindi sila maaagaw sa akin ninuman. 

Ang aking Ama, na nagbigay sa kanila sa akin, ay lalong dakila sa lahat, at hindi sila maaagaw ninuman sa aking Ama. Ako at ang Ama ay iisa.”

+ + + + + + +

Repleksyon:

Noong unang panahon, may isang pastol na nangakong aalagaan niya ang kanyang mga tupa. Ginampanan niya ang kanyang tungkulin bilang kanilang tagapag-alaga—hanggang sa dumating ang matinding panganib sa kanyang kawan. Pero sa halip na ipagtanggol sila ay siya pa ang unang tumakas. Hindi niya inintindi ang kaligtasan ng kanyang mga tupa. Kaya’t siya ay makasarili at huwad na pastol—iniisip lamang ang sarili niyang kaligtasan. 

Ngunit si Jesus, ang ating Mabuting Pastol, ay hindi ganoon. Siya ay nananatili sa atin, lalo na sa mga panahon ng matinding pagsubok at pagdurusa. Kapag tayo'y may  mga pasanin na hindi na natin kayang dalhin, hindi Siya tumatalikod. Sa halip, lalo Siyang lumalapit upang tulungan tayong pasanin ang mga ito. Kapag tayo’y napapagod sa bigat ng buhay, nariyan si Jesus—pinalalakas tayo, pinalalakas ang ating loob, at hinihimok tayong huwag sumuko. 

Ganito dapat ang tunay na pastol—nangunguna, gumagabay, at nagsisilbing huwaran para sa kanyang kawan. At ang ganap na larawan ng Mabuting Pastol ay si Jesus. Sa loob ng tatlong taon ng Kanyang pampublikong ministeryo, itinuro Niya ang tamang daan sa Kanyang mga alagad. Ibinahagi Niya ang mga aral na bumago ng kanilang buhay; itinuro Niya kung paano maging mapagpakumbaba, di-makasarili, at matiisin. Ipinakita Niya kung ano ang tunay na pamumuno. 

Si Jesus ay palaging nariyan para sa atin. Sa anumang panahon ng ating buhay, ang Panginoon ay nananatiling ating ilaw at gabay. Kailangan lamang nating pakinggan ang Kanyang tinig na tumatawag sa atin upang sumunod sa Kanya. Sapagkat tanging sa Kanya natin matatagpuan ang tunay na kapayapaan at ganap na kapanatagan. 

Kapag tayo’y pinanghihinaan ng loob dahil sa kabiguan, takot, o kawalan ng pag-asa, si Jesus, ang ating Mabuting Pastol, ay palaging nandiyan para gumabay sa atin. Hinihimok Niya tayong magpatuloy, magpakatatag, at ipagpatuloy ang ating paglalakbay kasama Siya. 

Sino ang nag papastol sa buhay mo ngayon? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 10 Saturday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:60-69

Gospel: John 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.  

The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”  

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

When many of the followers of Jesus went back to their former way of life because they couldn’t believe His Bread of Life discourse, Jesus—perhaps quite sad—turned His attention to His twelve apostles and said to them: “Do you also want to leave?” (John 6:67) This is the million-dollar question that confronted the twelve apostles:“Do you also want to leave?” (John 6:67) 

For many of us, the teachings of Jesus are actually hard to follow. For example, His teachings about humility—how many of us are still willing to offer the other cheek if we are struck on one side? (Luke 6:29) Or His teachings about fidelity to the Sacrament of Matrimony (Matthew 19:4–6). Are we still faithful, or have we ever been faithful, to our respective spouses? 

And there are many more teachings that Jesus wants us to follow, but we don’t—for the simple reason that we want to satisfy our earthly desires. 

It’s hard to follow Jesus because He will stir our lives according to what He wants them to become, not according to what we want them to be. Jesus will turn our lives upside-down. He will shake and disturb them until we are purified. And this is hard for many of us because we want to follow our own self-serving wants and desires. 

But if we do not follow Jesus, where else shall we go? Shall we follow the fleeting pleasures of this world, only to find ourselves lost and broken? When we choose the path of sin, we begin to experience a kind of hell even while still alive. 

It’s only through Jesus that we can have peace—a peace this world cannot give. And it’s only through Jesus that we can have eternal life. The things we have right now are all temporary. We will leave them—or they will leave us—at any time. 

Therefore, we must always be faithful to the Lord, no matter the trials. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 10 Sabado sa sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:60-69

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:60-69

Noong panahong iyon, marami sa mga alagad ni Jesus ang nagsabi, "Mabigat na pananalita ito; sino ang makatatanggap nito?" Alam ni Jesus na nagbubulung-bulungan ang kanyang mga alagad tungkol dito, kaya't sinabi niya, "Dahil ba rito'y tatalikuran na ninyo ako? Gaano pa kaya kung makita ninyong umaakyat ang Anak ng Tao sa dati niyang kinaroroonan?

Ang espiritu ang nagbibigay-buhay; hindi ito magagawa ng laman. Ang mga salitang sinabi ko sa inyo ay Espiritu at buhay. Ngunit may ilan sa inyong hindi nananalig sa akin. " Sapagkat talastas ni Jesus buhat pa noong una kung sinu-sino ang hindi nananalig sa kanya. Idinugtong pa niya, "Iyan ang dahilan kaya ko sinabi sa inyo na walang makalalapit sa akin malibang loobin ito ng Ama." 

Mula noo'y marami sa kanyang mga alagad ang tumalikod at hindi na sumama sa kanya. Kaya't tinanong ni Jesus ang Labindalawa, "Ibig din ba ninyong umalis?" Sumagot si Simon Pedro, "Panginoon, kanino po kami pupunta? Nasa inyo po ang mga salitang nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan. Naniniwala kami at ngayo'y natitiyak naming kayo ang Banal ng Diyos."

Reflection for Friday May 9 of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:52-59

Gospel: John 6:52-59

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.

For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was on the verge of death and was already gasping for breath. His doctors told his relatives that it was just a matter of minutes before he would expire. In such a situation, relatives and close friends would understandably feel helpless and forlorn.

But no—we will not feel helpless if we know that the person on his deathbed is a frequent Holy Mass-goer, and if we know that he is regularly nourished by the Body of Christ during Holy Communion.

This is because we believe, to the core of our being, in the proclamation of Jesus: that whoever eats His Flesh and drinks His Blood has eternal life.

We hold on to this assurance from Jesus, and we feel and believe it as we receive His Body and Blood during Holy Communion. But not everyone is aware of this Bread of Life—none other than Jesus Himself.

It is therefore our responsibility to echo this gift of life from Jesus so that many may be enlightened and saved. Let us not become hearers only; let us also become sharers of this Good News.

Will you share what you know about Jesus, our Bread of Life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 9 Biyernes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:52-59

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:52-59

Noong panahong iyon, nagtalu-talo ang mga Judio. "Paanong maibibigay sa atin ng taong ito ang kanyang laman upang kanin natin?" tanong nila. Kaya't sinabi ni Jesus, "Tandaan ninyo: malibang kanin ninyo ang laman ng Anak ng Tao at inumin ang kanyang dugo, hindi kayo magkakaroon ng buhay. 

Ang kumakain ng aking laman, at umiinom ng aking dugo ay may buhay na walang hanggan, at muli ko siyang bubuhayin sa huling araw. Sapagkat ang aking laman ay tunay na pagkain, at ang aking dugo ay tunay na inumin. Ang kumakain ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay mananahan sa akin at ako sa kanya. 

Buhay ang Amang nagsugo sa akin, at ako'y nabubuhay dahil sa kanya. Gayon din naman, ang sinumang kumain sa akin ay mabubuhay dahil sa akin. Ito ang pagkaing bumaba mula sa langit; ang kumain nito'y mabubuhay magpakailanman. Hindi ito katulad ng kinain ng inyong mga magulang sa ilang; namatay sila bagamat kumain niyon." Sinabi ito ni Jesus nang siya'y nagtuturo sa sinagoga sa Capernaum.

Reflection for May 8 Thursday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:44-51

Gospel: John 6:44-51

Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.  

Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. 

Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How can you have eternal life? 

You have to regularly receive the Body of Christ at Holy Mass. Always receive it with reverence and piety—never doubt, and don’t think of it as simple bread, because what you receive is Jesus Himself. 

Imagine the light that will shine in your soul, the unfathomable blessings that will flow into your life, if you make it a habit to partake in this sacred mystery with faith. Think of the countless graces waiting to be poured into your heart if you firmly believe that Jesus is the Consecrated Host you receive during Holy Communion.

Your faith in the Bread of Life will open your heart and mind to the many truths about Jesus and the Church He founded through Peter. These are truths that the mind may struggle to explain but the heart deeply understands—truths revealed through prayer, belief and faith.

For without prayer, belief and faith, you will not fully comprehend how this small and ordinary bread becomes the Body of Jesus after it is consecrated by the priest—how this ordinary bread becomes your life and your reason for existing in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 8 Huwebes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:44-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:44-51

Noong mga panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao, "Walang makalalapit sa akin malibang dalhin siya ng Amang nagsugo sa akin. At ang lalapit sa akin ay muli kong bubuhayin sa huling araw. Nasusulat sa aklat ng mga propeta, 'At silang lahat ay tuturuan ng Diyos.' 

Ang bawat nakikinig sa Ama at natututo ay lalapit sa akin. Hindi ito nangangahulugang may nakakita na sa Ama; yaong nagmula sa Diyos ang tanging nakakita sa Ama.  

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang nananalig sa akin ay may buhay na walang hanggan. Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay buhay. Kumain ng manna ang inyong mga ninuno nang sila'y nasa ilang, gayuma'y namatay sila.

Ngunit ang sinumang kumain ng pagkaing bumaba mula sa langit ay hindi mamamatay. Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay na bumaba mula sa langit. Mabubuhay magpakailanman ang sinumang kumain nito. At ang pagkaing ibibigay ko sa ikabubuhay ng sanlibutan ay ang aking laman."

Reflection for May 7 Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:35-40

Gospel: John 6:35-40

Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.  

And this is the will of the one who sent me,  that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Is Jesus the center of your life?

Well and good if yes, for this is how it should be. Jesus must be the center of your life—not money, not power, nor anything worldly. It should be Jesus!

Why Jesus and not anything that belongs to this world? Because when you have Jesus in your life, you already possess the greatest treasure: the gift of eternal life.

Life in this world is temporary. Any moment, we may be called to leave it behind. If Jesus is not at the center of our lives, what becomes of us then? We become slaves of this world. Suppose our motivation in life is built only on material things, power, and worldly enjoyment—what happens after we've achieved those? Nothing. It’s a dead end without God. That is the danger of a life lived apart from Jesus.

In our Gospel, Jesus said to the crowds: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst” (John 6:35). If we deeply believe in this statement of Jesus, we will indeed not experience hunger and thirst anymore—hunger and thirst for what? Hunger and thirst for whatever this world offers us.

Is Jesus the center of your life right now? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

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.”

+ + + + +  + +

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.”

+ + + + + + +

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.