Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 19 Lunes sa Ikalimang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 14:21-26

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:21-26

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Ang tumatanggap sa mga utos ko at tumutupad nito ang siyang umiibig sa akin. Ang umiibig sa akin ay iibigin ng aking Ama; iibigin ko rin siya, at ako'y lubusang magpapakilala sa kanya."

Tinanong siya ni Judas hindi ang Iscariote, "Panginoon, bakit po sa amin lamang kayo magpapakilala nang lubusan at hindi sa sanlibutan?" 

Sumagot si Jesus, "Ang umiibig sa akin ay tutupad ng aking mga salita; iibigin siya ng aking ama, at kami'y sasakanya at mananahan sa kanya. Ang hindi umiibig sa akin ay hindi tumutupad sa aking mga salita. Hindi akin ang salitang narinig ninyo, kundi sa Amang nagsugo sa akin. 

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo ang mga bagay na ito samantalang kasama pa ninyo ako. Ngunit ang Patnubay, ang Espiritu Santo na susuguin ng Ama sa pangalan ko, ang siyang magtuturo sa inyo ng lahat ng bagay at magpapaalaala ng lahat ng sinabi ko sa inyo.

Reflection for May 18 Fifth Sunday of Easter: John 13:31-33a, 34-35

Gospel: John 13:31-33a, 34-35

When Judas had left them, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and God will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. 

I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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Reflection:

An old man who was about to die said to his children: "In a few hours, I know that I will be leaving you. Since I have no material treasures to bequeath to you, what I will give you is my love—my love that knows no bounds. And this same love, I want you all to carry in your hearts as well." 

Love is always easy to give when we receive love in return. But what if we don’t receive love? What if, instead of receiving love, we receive condemnation and hatred? Can we still give love when all we get is hatred and condemnation? 

In the Gospel, the Lord commands His apostles to love one another because He would soon be leaving them. He wants them to love each other as He loved them. But the apostles were human, subject to their own frailties. From time to time, they would offend one another. 

Despite their weaknesses, the apostles pressed on with their mission of evangelization. And they all achieved success—except for Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Why did they succeed? Because they lived out the Lord’s command to love one another to the fullest. 

Will you also choose to live out this commandment of love to the fullest? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Mayo 18, Ikalimang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 13:31-33a, 34-35

Mabuting Balita: Juan  13:31-33a, 34-35

Pagkaalis ni Judas mula sa Huling Hapunan, sinabi ni Hesus, “Ngayo’y mahahayag na ang karangalan ng Anak ng Tao; at mahahayag din ang karangalan ng Diyos sa pamamagitan niya. At kung mahayag na ang karangalan ng Diyos, ang Diyos naman ang maghahayag ng karangalan ng Anak, at gagawin niya ito agad. 

Mga anak, kaunting panahon na lamang ninyo akong makakasama. Isang bagong utos ang ibinibigay ko sa inyo: mag-ibigan kayo! Kung paanong inibig ko kayo, gayon din naman, mag-ibigan kayo. Kung kayo’y mag-ibigan, makikilala ng lahat na kayo’y mga alagad ko.”

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Repleksyon:

May isang matandang lalaking na malapit nang pumanaw kaya sabi nya sa kanyang mga anak: 

“Sa loob ng ilang oras, alam kong iiwan ko na kayo. Dahil wala akong kayamanang materyal na maipamamana sa inyo, ang tanging maibibigay ko ay ang aking pag-ibig—pag-ibig na walang hangganan. At ang parehong pag-ibig na ito ay nais kong taglayin ninyo sa inyong mga puso.” 

Madaling umibig kapag tayo ay iniibig din. Ngunit paano kung hindi natin natatanggap ang pag-ibig? Paano kung sa halip na pag-ibig ay pagtuligsa at galit ang ating natatanggap? Kaya pa ba nating mag bigay ng pag-ibig kung poot at pagkondena ang ibinabalik sa atin? 

Sa Mabuting Balita, sinabi ng Panginoon sa Kanyang mga apostol na magmahalan sila, sapagkat malapit na Siyang lumisan. Nais Niyang mahalin nila ang isa’t isa gaya ng pagmamahal Niya sa kanila. Ngunit ang mga apostol ay tao rin—may mga kahinaan din sila. Paminsan-minsan, sila rin ay mayroong hindi pagkakaunawaan. 

Gayunman, sa kabila ng kanilang kahinaan, ipinagpatuloy nila ang kanilang misyon ng pagpapalaganap ng Mabuting Balita. At lahat sila ay nagtagumpay—maliban kay Judas na nagtaksil kay Jesus. 

Bakit sila nagtagumpay? Sapagkat isinabuhay nila nang lubusan ang utos ng Panginoon na mag ibigan sila. 

Isinasabuhay mo na ba rin ba ng lubusan ang utos na ito ng Panginoong? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 17 Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 14:7-14

Gospel: John 14:7-14

Jesus said to his disciples: “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 Jesus, “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:

How well do we know God the Father? How well do we know Jesus? 

If we’re honest, none of us can truly say that we know God the Father and Jesus deeply by our own effort. That kind of knowledge is not something we can earn or achieve—it is a grace, a precious gift from the Holy Spirit. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks tenderly to His disciples—and to us—about His oneness with the Father. Yet Philip, still uncertain, says to Jesus, “Show us the Father, and that will be enough for us” (John 14:8). What must have been going on in Philip’s heart? 

Perhaps he had been following Jesus mainly because of the miracles, drawn by the wonders rather than the relationship. There may not have been a deep conversion within him yet, which is why he couldn’t perceive the unity between Jesus and the Father. 

As we walk our own journey of faith, let us reflect on why we follow Jesus. Is it merely for His blessings and miracles? Or do we follow Him because we long to be part of His mission—because we love Him deeply? 

If our desire to follow the Lord is based only on miracles and answered prayers, that desire will eventually fade. But if we follow Him out of love and a heartfelt longing to share in His mission, our faith will remain firm, even in suffering. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 17 Sabado sa sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 14:7-14

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:7-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "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 amin 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 sumasa-akin. 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 hingin 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 16 of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 14:1-6

Gospel: John 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

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Reflection:

Where are we going after our life in this world is over? 

We don’t know—only God knows. But Jesus, in our Gospel, is giving us a hint as to where we would eventually be. Jesus tells us: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

The secret, therefore, to knowing where we will eventually end up is to follow Jesus. Why follow Jesus? Because He is the truth and the life, and we cannot reach the Father in heaven except through Him. 

From time to time, we hear stories of conversion—about troubled lives, lives lived in sin, without peace and contentment. Until they came to know Jesus, their lives were never the same again. From troublesome or worrisome lives, they became peaceful and serene—courtesy of Jesus. 

Jesus is the only way, and He is the only one who can give us peace that transcends this world. He will give us a glimpse of this peaceful feeling the moment we choose to rest our lives in Him. 

We all know that life in this world is uncertain—it may end very abruptly at any time. Let us, therefore, invest more in Jesus rather than in this world. We can do this by learning more about Him, by helping the poor, and by living Jesus’ life of humility and simplicity. 

If we walk faithfully with Christ each day, by His mercy—we will one day find ourselves in the place He has lovingly prepared for us: our eternal home with Him in heaven. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 15 Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 13:16-20

Gospel: John 13:16-20

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen.  

But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of suffering and betrayal? 

In His humanity, our Lord Jesus also felt fear—He, too, trembled at the thought of suffering and betrayal. Yet these fears did not stop Him from fulfilling the mission entrusted to Him by the Father. Instead, they deepened His resolve. Amidst the overwhelming pain and loneliness, He pressed on—out of love for us. He never gave up, no matter how heavy the burden, for He knew He had a mission to accomplish. 

Marriage often begins like a beautiful rose garden—full of promise, joy, and sweetness. Everything seems perfect, even heaven-sent. But as time passes, trials begin to unfold. Challenges arise, wounds are inflicted, and at times, sacred vows are betrayed. What then should we do? Do we turn our backs and walk away in defeat? Or do we stay, carry the cross, and fight for the sacredness of our covenant before God? 

We are called to remain—to endure and to love even through pain. Just as Jesus remained faithful to His mission despite the agony and betrayal, we, too, are invited to remain faithful to our vocation, especially in marriage. Imagine if Jesus had given up on us. He could have turned away—He is God, all-powerful, and free. But He stayed. He endured. Why? Because of His love for all of us. 

Sadly, many couples today choose the easier path when their marriage is tested. Some give in to betrayal; others walk away entirely, forgetting the sacred vows they once made—vows not just to each other, but before God. In doing so, they also forget the deep impact on their children and family. 

But let us look to Jesus. He never walked away from His mission. He embraced His suffering for the sake of love. He carried the weight of our sins and conquered betrayal—not with anger or resentment, but with divine mercy and unwavering commitment. 

May we, too, find the grace to carry our own crosses. May we draw strength from Jesus, who shows us that love is proven not in comfort, but in sacrifice. — Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 15 Huwebes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 13:16-20

Mabuting Balita: Juan 13:16-20

Nang mahugasan na ni Hesus ang mga paa ng kanyang mga alagad, sinabi niya sa kanila:

Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang alipin ay hindi dakila kaysa kanyang panginoon, ni ang sinugo kaysa nagsugo sa kanya. Kung nauunawaan ninyo ang mga bagay na ito at inyong gagawin, mapapalad kayo. 

"Hindi para sa inyong lahat ang sinasabi ko; nakikilala ko ang aking mga hinirang. Ngunit dapat matupad ang nasasabi sa Kasulatan, 'Ako'y pinagtataksilan ng taong pinakakain ko. Sinasabi ko ito sa inyo bago pa mangyari upang, kung ito'y mangyari na, ay manalig kayo na 'Ako'y si Ako Nga.' 

Tandaan ninyo: ang tumatanggap sa sinugo ko'y tumatanggap sa akin; at ang tumatanggap sa akin ay tumatanggap sa nagsugo sa akin."

Reflection for Wednesday May 14 Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle: John 15:9-17

Gospel: John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.  

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.  

I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”

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Reflection:

Have you been in love?

Many of us have already fallen in love, and many have fallen out of love as well. For those who are still in love to this very day—say, for example, with your spouse—despite the hurts and pains, the love you carry in your heart is somewhat close to the love of God.

The love of God is a forgiving love. It is not a discriminating love, for it does not look at a person’s physical attributes, sins, or social standing. The love of God is a love that restores and heals.

In the Gospel, Jesus gently commands us: “Love one another as I love you” (John 15:12). What a tender yet powerful invitation this is. It challenges us deeply, for if the love of God knows no boundaries, then our love for others must also stretch beyond what is easy, comfortable, or familiar.

We should be capable of loving even those who have hurt us and those who do not love us in return. If we truly love Jesus, we have no other choice but to love like Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Mayo 14 Kapistahan ni San Matias, apostol: Juan 15:9-17

Mabuting Balita: Juan 15:9-17

Noong panahong iyon: Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: Kung paanong iniibig ako ng Ama, gayon din naman, iniibig ko kayo; mananatili kayo sa aking pag-ibig; tulad ko, tinutupad ko ang mga utos ng aking Ama at ako'y nananatili sa kanyang pag-ibig.  

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo ang mga bagay na ito upang makahati kayo sa kagalakan ko at malubos ang inyong kagalakan. Ito ang aking utos: mag-ibigan kayo gaya ng pag-ibig ko sa inyo. Walang pag-ibig na hihigit pa sa pag-ibig ng isang taong nag-aalay ng kanyang buhay para sa kanyang mga kaibigan. Kayo'y mga kaibigan ko kung tinutupad ninyo ang mga utos ko.  

Hindi ko na kayo inaaring alipin, sapagkat hindi alam ng alipin ang ginagawa ng kanyang panginoon. Sa halip, inaari ko kayong mga kaibigan, sapagkat sinabi ko sa inyo ang lahat ng narinig ko sa aking Ama. 

Hindi kayo ang pumili sa akin; ako ang pumili at humirang sa inyo upang kayo'y humayo at mamunga, at manatili ang inyong bunga. Sa gayon, ang anumang hingin ninyo sa Ama sa aking pangalan ay ipagkakaloob sa inyo. Ito ang iniuutos ko sa inyo: mag-ibigan kayo."

Reflection for May 13 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:22-30

Gospel: John 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”   

Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. 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.”

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Reflection:

How can we make others believe in Jesus as our Messiah and Savior? 

We have to share our faith in Jesus, and we have to live His teachings. For example, if we say that we follow Jesus, what comes next is an honest-to-goodness self-examination. Are we humble? Are we forgiving? Are we simple? Do we live and practice the faith? 

In our Gospel for this Tuesday, the Jews gathered around Jesus and said to Him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly” (John 10:24). They were obviously unbelievers—non-followers. Yes, they knew Jesus, but they didn’t believe in Him. 

Fast forward to today: not much has changed. We live in a fast-paced, technology-driven world, yet many still don’t believe. Yes, they’ve heard of Jesus. But that’s where it ends. There’s no personal relationship, no encounter, no living faith. 

So what do we do? 

The answer is simple yet challenging: we must learn to live and share our faith—consistently, courageously, and compassionately. When we do this, something amazing happens. Those who didn’t believe may begin to believe. Those who didn’t know Jesus may finally meet Him through us. And those who once had no faith may be awakened to a deeper spiritual life—because we dared to live what we believe. 

Would you share and live your faith in Jesus? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 13 Martes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 10:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:22-30

Taglamig na noon. Kasalukuyang ipinagdiriwang sa Jerusalem ang Pista ng Pagtatalaga ng templo. Naglalakad si Jesus sa templo, sa Portiko ni Solomon. Pinaligiran siya ng mga Judio at sinabi sa kanya, "Hanggang kailan mo kami pag-aalinlanganin? 

Kung ikaw ang Cristo, sabihin mo na nang tiyakan." Sumagot si Jesus, "Sinabi ko na sa inyo, ngunit ayaw ninyong maniwala. Ang mga ginagawa ko sa ngalan ng aking Ama ay nagpapatotoo tungkol sa akin. Ngunit ayaw ninyong maniwala, sapagkat hindi kayo kabilang sa aking mga tupa.  

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 hindi 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."

Reflection for May 12 Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:1-10

Gospel: John 10:1-10

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  

When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.  

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

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Reflection:

There’s a story of a mother who worked day and night to provide for her three children. Life wasn’t easy, but she gave her all—not only in supporting them, but in teaching them about God. She helped them understand that life has deeper meaning when it’s rooted in faith. In time, all three children became successful, not just in worldly terms, but as grounded, faithful individuals. And it all began with a mother who shepherded them well. 

Jesus wants nothing but the best for us as well. This is why He patiently shepherds us. His ultimate goal is for us to live our lives according to His will. However, many of us still veer away from the shepherding of Jesus. 

So, what happens when we stray from the Lord’s shepherding? We labor endlessly for the things of this world—temporal things that amount to nothing in the end, for the simple reason that they cannot truly satisfy us. 

In our Gospel, Jesus tells us: “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture” (John 10:9). If only we would deeply reflect on this statement of the Lord, we would realize that it is only through Him—and through His shepherding—that we can find the real meaning of life. 

Would you allow Jesus to shepherd your life from here on? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 12 Lunes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 10:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:1-10

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo ito: ang pumasok sa kulungan ng mga tupa nang hindi sa pinto nagdaraan, ay magnanakaw at tulisan. Ngunit ang nagdaraan sa pintuan ay siyang pastol ng mga tupa. Pinapapasok siya ng bantay-pinto, at pinakikinggan ng mga tupa ang kanyang tinig. 

Tinatawag niya ang kanyang mga tupa sa kani-kanilang pangalan, at inilalabas sa kulungan. Kapag nailabas na, siya’y nangunguna sa kanila at sumusunod naman ang mga tupa sapagkat nakikilala nila ang kanyang tinig. Hindi sila sumusunod sa iba, bagkus pa nga’y patakbong lumalayo, sapagkat hindi nila nakikilala ang kanyang tinig.”

Sinabi ni Hesus ang talinghagang ito, ngunit hindi nila naunawaan ang ibig niyang sabihin.

Kaya’t muling sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo: ako ang pintuang dinaraanan ng mga tupa. Ang mga nauna sa akin ay mga magnanakaw at mga tulisan, ngunit hindi sila pinakinggan ng mga tupa. Ako ang pintuan.

Ang sinumang pumapasok sa pamamagitan ko’y maliligtas. Papasok siya’t lalabas, at makatatagpo ng pastulan. Kaya lamang pupunta rito ang magnanakaw ay upang magnakaw, pumatay, at magwasak. Naparito ako upang ang mga tupa’y magkaroon ng buhay – isang buhay na ganap at kasiya-siya.”