Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Disyembre 14, San Juan de la Cruz, pari at pantas ng Simbahan (Paggunita): Mateo 11:11-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:11-15

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: sa mga isinilang, walang lumilitaw na higit na dakila kay Juan Bautista; ngunit ang pinakaaba sa mga taong pinaghaharian ng Diyos ay dakila kaysa sa kanya. 

Mula nang mangaral si Juan Bautista hanggang ngayon, ang kaharian ng Diyos ay nagdaranas ng karahasan at inaagaw ng mararahas. Sapagkat ang mga propeta at Kautusan ay nagpahayag tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos hanggang sa dumating si Juan. Kung maniniwala kayo, siya ang Elias na darating. Ang may pandinig ay makinig!” 

Reflection for Wednesday December 13, Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr: Matthew 11:28-30

Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a very rich man who was burdened by his problems. He tried many ways to solve them; he thought his money would help him, but to no avail. He went to his friends, indulging in drinking sessions and vices, yet it did not solve his problems either.

He was living like a ship without a rudder aimlessly drifting to nowhere, he didn’t know it but he was slowly wasting his life. Until he meet a relative who was an active member of their church. He opened up to him and the relative listened. 

At the end the relative had only one advice: “Go and spend time with Jesus in the adoration chapel. Then, don’t miss Sunday Mass and when you are at Mass be attentive and listen to every word being spoken for many of it will speak to you. You also read your bible for Jesus will also speak to you there. To cut short a long story, he made a devotion to the adoration chapel, went to Holy Mass as often as he could. And regularly read his bible. 

After a few weeks he already had a normal life. Yes, from time to time there were still problems that need to be sorted out. But he knew now where to go. Not to his vices, not to his money not even to his friends. But to Jesus in the adoration chapel, to Jesus in the Holy Mass and to Jesus  in the Holy bible. 

In the gospel Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. 

Why does Jesus invites us to go to him? We who are sinful and we who are beset by our many burdens. This is for the reason that Jesus loves us dearly, Jesus doesn’t want us to waste our life by finding earthy solutions to our burdens. 

Take this offer of Jesus by surrendering your life to Him. And see for yourself the miracle that He will create in your life. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe Patroness of the Philippines (M): Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favor! The Lord is with you.' 

She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favor. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob forever and his reign will have no end. 

Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.' 

Mary said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.' And the angel left her.

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Reflection:

Today is the memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe. 

The Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared on the hill of Tepeyac in Mexico in December 1531, to an indigenous peasant, named Juan Diego. After she had identified herself to him, The Virgin Mary asked that Juan build her a shrine in that same spot, in order for her to show and share her love and compassion with all believers.

 

So, Juan Diego visited Juan de Zumárraga, who was Archbishop of what is now Mexico City. Zumárraga dismissed him in disbelief and asked that Juan Diego provide proof of his story and proof of the Lady’s identity. Juan Diego returned to the hill and encountered the Virgin Mary again. The Virgin Mary told him to climb to the top of the hill and pick some flowers to present to Archbishop Juan de Zumárraga.

 

Even though it was winter and nothing should have been in bloom, Juan Diego found an abundance of flowers of a type he had never seen before. The Virgin Mary bundled the flowers into Juan's cloak, known as tilma. When Juan Diego presented the tilma of exotic flowers to Archbishop Juan de Zumárraga, the flowers fell out and he recognised them as Castilian roses, which are not found in Mexico.

 

What was even more astonishing was the tilma had been miraculously imprinted with a colorful image of the Virgin Mary. This tilma, showing the familiar image of the Virgin Mary with her head bowed and hands together in prayer, represents the Virgin of Guadalupe.

 

In 1990, Pope Saint John Paul II visited Mexico and beatified Juan Diego. 10 years later, in the year 2000, he was declared a Saint.   

Do you always submit to the wisdom God? 

Sometimes there are situations in our lives that would disturb our peace, for example a sudden diagnoses of sickness. This kind of life event will surely bother us. But in the midst of this life disturbances let us not forget that the good Lord is always there for us. To heal us, to give us hope and to assure us that He will always be there for us. 

When the angel Gabriel appeared and greeted Mary she was naturally concerned about it. Perhaps the Blessed Mother asked herself, why did this angel appear to me? What would this angel bring me; a trial that is hard for me to bear? 

But the angel told the Blessed Mother that she would bear a son and His name is Jesus. The angel additionally said that she has nothing to worry because the Lord will take care of her. Thus, the Blessed Mother humbly accepted her destiny and entrusted herself to God. 

Whatever we are going through right now or we might go through in the future. Be it sickness or severe trial that may test our fidelity to Jesus, let us hold on to our deep faith in Jesus. For as long as we have faith there would be hope and deliverance from all of life’s challenges. 

As the Blessed Mother entrusted her fate to the good Lord we too must learn to submit to God’s will for ourselves. Let us never worry for God is always there for us and never will He abandon us. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for December 11, Monday of the Second Week of Advent: Luke 5:17-26

Gospel: Luke 5:17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. 

But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.”  

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 

He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.

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Reflection:

Do you always ask Jesus to increase your faith? 

We all have our own set of sickness: physical and emotional sickness. Whatever sickness that we may have Jesus can cure it, all He ask from us is to have faith.  The same faith as the four men who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus and the paralyzed man himself.

Nothing is impossible for Jesus. He can make all things possible including the impossible! What He only asks from us is to have faith, faith that endures and faith that is willing to wait. 

The four men and the paralyzed man had that enduring faith. They braved the crowd and the difficulties before them so that they could go through Jesus. How many of us have that kind of faith and perseverance? 

We therefore must not forget to always ask the Good Lord to increase our faith for the simple reason that we are feeble and weak. In this difficult and tortuous jungle called life there are times that we tend to be overtaken by our own set of life challenges. Nevertheless, we have to have faith, move on, think  and hope that everything will be well soon.  

 Prayer:

O God, we ask you to increase our faith, we are weak and susceptible to the challenges of life. We know that you are always there for us ever ready to help us conquer those challenges. Give us the same faith of the four men who brought the paralytic to you. Give us the same, faith, patience and endurance of the paralytic as well. 

We ask this in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus. Amen. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas               

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 11, Lunes sa Ikalawang Linggo sa Panahon ng Pagdating ng Panginoon: Lucas 5:17-26

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:17-26

Minsan nang nagtuturo si Hesus, naroon din ang mga Pariseo at mga tagapagturo ng Kautusan na mula sa mga bayan ng Galilea at Judea, at sa Jerusalem. At sumasakanya ang kapangyarihan ng Panginoon upaang magpagaling ng mga maysakit. May dumating na ilang tao, dala ang isang paralitikong nasa higaan.  

Nagpipilit silang makapasok sa bahay upang mailagay sa harapan ni Hesus ang maysakit, subalit wala silang maraanan dahil sa dami ng tao. Kaya’t umakyat sila sa bubungan at binutas iyon, saka inihugos sa harapan ni Hesus ang paralitikong nasa higaan. Nang makita ni hesus kung gaano kalaki ang kanilang pananalig, sinabi niya sa paralitiko, “Kaibigan, pinatatawad ka na sa iyong mga kasalanan.”  

Sa loob-loob ng mga eskriba’t Pariseo: “Sino itong nagsasalita ng kalapastanganan sa Diyos? Hindi ba’t Diyos lamang ang makapagpapatawad ng mga kasalanan?” Ngunit batid ni Hesus ang kanilang iniisip, kaya’t sinagot niya sila, “Bakit kayo nag-iisip ng ganyan? Alin ba ang lalong madali: ang sabihin sa paralitiko ‘Pinatatawad ka na sa iyong mga kasalanan’ o ang sabihing ‘Tumindig ka at lumakad’? Patutunayan ko sa inyo ang Anak ng Tao ay may kapangyarihan dito sa lupa na magpatawad ng mga kasalanan.”  

At sinabi niya sa paralitiko, “Iniuutos ko: tumindig ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan at umuwi ka!” Pagdaka’y tumindig ang tao sa harapan ng lahat, binuhat ang kanyang higaan at umuwing nagpupuri sa Diyos. Nanggilalas sila at tigib ng takot na nagpuri sa Diyos. “Nakakita kami ngayon ng mga kahanga-hangang bagay!” wika nila. 

Reflection for Sunday December 10, Second Sunday of Advent: Mark 1:1-8

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 

People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a humble man who went on a mission to a place where no Christian missionary had been before. There, he catechized or taught the people about the faith and he built a church also. 

When the church was complete, this good man visited the community's parish church. And he inquired to the parish priest if he could visit and celebrate Mass there even for once a month only.  The priest agreed and everyone was converted to the faith. Thus, in his own little way the humble man prepared the way for them so that they could be with the Lord thru the Holy Mass.

On this second Sunday of Advent, we reflect on how John the Baptist humbly fulfilled the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah. John preached repentance and forgiveness of sins, preparing the way for Jesus with humility when he declared, 'One mightier than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit' (Mark 1:7-8). John perfectly understood that his role was to be a herald for the coming of our Savior, Jesus.

As Catholic Christians, this is also our role; to be heralds for Jesus with humility. To help spread the good news to preach also about repentance, forgiveness and love.

We should not keep to ourselves this timely call for repentance we must echo this call to our friends and most specially our family members. However, this is easier said than done, simply because encouraging others to humbly submit themselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not easy. Yet, if we emulate John, who embraced his discipleship with humility, we can be effective heralds of Jesus as well.

On this second Sunday of Advent, the gospel challenges us to help prepare the way of the Lord and respond to John's call for repentance.

Have you taken steps to prepare the way of the Lord, and are you ready to respond to John's call for repentance? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Disyembre 10, Ikalawang Linggo sa Panahon ng Pagdating ng Panginoon: Marcos 1:1-8

 

Ito ang Mabuting Balita tungkol kay Jesu-Cristo na Anak ng Diyos. Nagsimula ito noong matupad ang hula ni Propeta Isaias: "Narito ang sugo ko na aking ipadadalang mauuna sa inyo, ihahanda niya ang iyong daraanan.' Ito ang sabi ng isang sumisigaw sa ilang; 'Ihanda ninyo ang daraanan ng Panginoon, tuwirin ninyo ang kanyang mga landas!' " 

At dumating nga sa ilang si Juan, nagbibinyag at nangangaral. Sinabi niya sa mga tao, "Pagsisihan ninyo't talikdan ang inyong mga kasalanan, at pabinyag kayo upang kayo'y patawarin ng Diyos." Halos lahat ng taga-Judea at taga-Jerusalem ay pumunta kay Juan upang makinig. Ipinahayag nila ang kanilang mga kasalanan at sila'y bininyagan niya sa Ilog Jordan.

Hinabing balahibo ng kamelyo ang damit ni Juan at balat ang kanyang pamigkis. Ang kanya namang pagkai'y balang at pulut-pukyutan. Lagi niyang sinasabi sa kanyang pangangaral, "Darating na kasunod ko ang isang Makapangyarihan kaysa akin: ni hindi ako karapat-dapat magkalag ng tali ng kanyang mga panyapak. Binibinyagan ko kayo sa tubig, ngunit bibinyagan niya kayo sa Espiritu Santo."

Reflection for December 9, Saturday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8

Gospel: Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples,  The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” 

Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

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Reflection:

What is your fulfilment in life? 

To amass wealth and to have power is already a fulfillment for many of us. Some even make it their life’s mission but this is not our fulfilment neither this is our life’s mission. True fulfillment and true mission in life is when we make a positive difference in the lives of others. We become this when we are able to share and introduce Jesus to them.  

When Jesus summoned His twelve disciples He did not instruct them to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and make money out of them. He rather told them: “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons (Matthew 10:7-8).” In other words make a positive difference in their lives without expecting anything in return. 

Material things come and go but the help that we do creates a lasting impact that they will forever remember. However, some of us will say: “Life is hard right now, how can I help when I have barely enough for me and when I also need help?”  We can still give help if we would desire it and if would discard the me, myself and I first mentality.

We should also not restrict the word help with money only or anything that is material. For the reason that we can give help even without using money. For example, we can share Jesus, we can listen to emotional burdens and we can always share the gentleness and love of God.  

When was the last time, you extended help?– Marino J. Dasmarinas  

1Reflection for Friday December 8, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Principal Patroness of the Philippines: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.   

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”   

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

We celebrate today the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast was approved in 1476 by Pope Sixtus IV and later extended to the universal Church by Pope Clement XI in 1708. Recognizing the belief held for centuries by the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, Pope Pius IX solemnly proclaimed the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. This dogma affirms that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God was preserved free from all stain of original sin” (Ineffabilis Deus, 1854).   

Why is the Blessed Mother favored by God? Why was she chosen among many women? She is favored because of her humility and docility. God saw her saintly character, which He did not find in any other women during that time. Therefore, the Blessed Mother was given the singular honor to carry in her womb our Savior.

So you might say I would also want to be humble because I also expect to receive some blessings from God. That’s ok nothing is wrong with this kind of mindset. However, we must remember that the Blessed Mother is humble and docile not because she was vying to be chosen as the dwelling place of God. 

To be humble and docile was her natural character. There was no pretension or any sort of fake humility in her system.  In other words as far as the Blessed Mother is concerned, what we see is what we get from her. If we see her as humble and docile to the will of God she really is humble and docile. 

In so many ways, God also announces His will for us and what is His will for us? It’s for us to live simple and humble lives. Many of us live complicated lives and lifestyles and this results to problematic lives. Thus, we fail to hear the voice of God and we fail to hear the guidance of God us well. 

The Blessed Mother lived a simple and humble life, thus she was chosen by God. How are you living your life?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Thursday December 7, Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Gospel: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 

And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about an old man who was always at church, he attends Mass, and he was always present during novena prayers. However, he also had a domineering attitude, he thinks highly of himself and he treats everyone in the church as someone who is not within his level.

After a few years he died, therefore, he was expecting a smooth passage to heaven but he was not allowed to enter the pearly gates. So he asked: “Why are you not allowing me to gain entry to heaven, I was always at church leading the novena prayers, I was always at Mass!” The one on the gate replied: “Yes you were always in the church but you did not change your ways, it was all for show.”

Like the old man, there are many who are active in the church, but they refuse to let go of their boorish behavior. They think highly of themselves simply because they are active in the church, rich, and educated. Oftentimes, they carry these domineering behaviors into their homes and workplaces.

Could they gain entry into heaven with this behavior? Can they be compared to the wise man in the gospel who built his house upon a sturdy rock? Not certainly, to be like the wise man who built his house on a solid rock they need to walk their talk, they need to be humble and they need to live what they preach.

In the gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only th does the will of my Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21).” – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for December 6, Wednesday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 15: 29-37

Gospel: Matthew 15:29-37

At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way." The disciples said to him, "Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?" 

Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" "Seven," they replied, "and a few fish." He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

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Reflection:

The story is told of a man who served as a manager in a government office. In this role, he frequently encountered people seeking employment favors from him. Being a helpful individual, he consistently assisted them in securing positions within his office. Eventually, the manager resigned from his government job, but before doing so, he took steps to ensure that those he had helped would attain permanent positions in their jobs.

After ten years the former manager returned to his former office just to say hello to those whom he had helped. Upon arrival he got cold shoulder treatment from them. So, he left a bit sad because he wasn’t able to talk to them.

There are those who follow a person because of what he can do for them. Once that person has given what they wanted from him those who followed would be out of sight already.  It is very seldom that they will stick it out with that person come hell or high water.

There are really such kind of people who has very inclement behavioral patterns; who are ungrateful to what you’ve done for them. However, we must always extend our help not withstanding their ungratefulness.

Jesus did not choose whom He would help; regardless of whether they were grateful or ungrateful, He cured them all. He did not discriminate against anyone. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for December 5, Tuesday of the First Week of Advent: Luke 10:21-24

Gospel: Luke 10:21-24

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

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Reflection:

Do you have your regular communication/prayer time with God? 

Communication is an essential part with our relationship with God. The more communication/prayer  time we have with God the more the we would get closer to Him. Thus, communication/prayer facilitates deeper friendship and relationship with God. 

Jesus in the gospel for today communicates through His prayer to God our Father the creator. He gives praise to the Father, Jesus did not only communicate to the Father to give praise. He communicated because he longs for His Father and it’s through this longing that He builds deeper oneness with Him. 

We too must always have this longing or thirst for God in every moment of our lives. We must always communicate with Him for He is our lifeline in this world. What would happen to us if we do not have our regular prayer moments with God? We become empty shells that look sturdy outside but deep inside are spiritually shallow.  

Let us always have our regular prayer moment with God in everyday of our lives. Let us give praise to Him let us thank Him for all of the blessings that He has been giving us. Let us not wait for the time to come wherein we will look for God because we are already in dire need of Him. 

Do you have your regular moment of communication/prayer with God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for December 4, Monday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 8:5-11

Gospel: Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. 

For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. 

I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.

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Reflection:

How deep is your faith in Jesus? 

Aside from learning about the centurion’s deep faith in God what else can we learn from our gospel today? We learn how to deeply care and be concerned for others no matter who they may be and regardless of their standing in our society. 

The centurion is not an ordinary soldier; he is a ranking officer who commands one hundred soldiers. Even though he holds a high rank, we can also see that he has a caring personality. Hence, he went to Jesus with faith to ask the Lord for the healing of his servant. Considering his stature, the centurion could have simply sent some of his underlings to Jesus, but he went personally to Jesus—his action speaks volumes of his kindness.

How many of us are caring enough for those who are lowly, poor and those neglected by our society? How many of us truly care for our servants? Would we still care for our servant even if they cannot serve us anymore?   

On this Advent season and through this gospel Jesus is inviting our attention to take a closer look on the plight of the less fortunate: the poor, the hungry and those neglected by our society. They’re everywhere and they badly need our help. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday December 3, First Sunday of Advent: Mark 13:33-37

Gospel: Mark 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. 

Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'

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Reflection:

During the Middle Ages, Monarchs like Kings and Queens were the ruling power. Whenever there was a threat of invasion, the kingdom under threat would position soldiers miles away from its borders to spot the incoming enemy. 

The moment they see the incoming enemy, they would blow their horns or shout loudly to alert their kingdom’s soldiers about the coming invaders. Therefore, the soldiers would be able to prepare their war equipment to properly defend their kingdom.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, which means 'coming.' This is a time of expectation for the upcoming birth of Jesus. Unlike the soldiers in the Middle Ages who prepared for the coming of their invaders, Advent reminds us that we need to prepare for the arrival of the Savior who gave His life for our sake.

How are we preparing for His coming? Is it a preparation that involves material things? If so, this is not the proper preparation. Jesus wants us to dig deeper into our spiritual lives by focusing more on Him and our relationship with Him. 

We actually need no material things to prepare; we just need to be sacramentally prepared by humbly submitting ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We need no material things; we just need to perform Corporal and Spiritual acts of mercy, and this is already enough preparation for His coming.

The true meaning of Christmas is slowly being battered by materialism. Try talking to children and ask them about Christmas; chances are that they may talk about gifts, glittering lights, Santa clause and other material expectations.

Try asking adults who are feeble in their faith; they may not be able to identify the true meaning of Christmas. We must be watchful, alert, and do something to highlight the coming birth of our Savior, which is slowly being eroded by worldliness.

How are you preparing yourself for the coming birth of Jesus? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas