Reflection for Tuesday February 11, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:1-13

Gospel: Mark 7:1-13

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

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Reflection:

Are we fond of insisting on a rule which we do not actually follow?

Jesus criticized the Pharisees and scribes hypocrites because they were insisting on following the tradition of washing the hands before eating. But Jesus knew them very well, He knew that they were only good at pushing people to follow their tradition and manmade laws. But the irony of it all is they themselves are not following the laws that they’ve crafted.

What made Jesus an extra ordinary leader? He led by example there was no hypocrisy in His system, He practiced what He preached. Are we not like the Pharisees and scribes sometimes or even oftentimes?

We are good at telling people to do this and that, but we ourselves are not doing what we want others to do. For example in a family setting, many parents create rules and regulations for their children to follow. But they themselves do not subscribe to the rules that they’ve created.

Many of us are not being respected because we don’t stand for what we say or we don’t live what we preach. We say something today and then we violate with impunity what we’ve said. We must always be like Jesus who always put to living actions His words and teachings.

Thus, we would earn the respect that we richly deserve.   – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Pebrero 11, Ikalimang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 7:1-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 7:1-13

1 Nagkatipon sa paligid ni Jesus ang mga Pariseo at ilan sa mga guro ng Batas na galing sa Jeru­salem. 2 Napansin nila na kumakain ang ilan sa mga alagad niya nang may maruming ka­may, na hindi naghu­hugas ayon sa sere­monya. 3 Sinusunod nga ng mga Pariseo pati na ng mga Judio ang tra­disyon ng kanilang mga ninuno at hindi sila kumakain nang hindi muna nag­huhugas ng mga kamay. 4 At hindi rin sila kuma­kain ng anumang galing sa palengke nang di muna ito nililinis, at marami pa’ng dapat nilang tuparin, ha­lim­bawa’y ang pag­li­li­nis ng mga inu­man, mga kopa at ping­gang tanso.

5 Kaya tinanong siya ng mga Pariseo at mga guro ng Batas: “Bakit hindi isi­nasabuhay ng iyong mga alagad ang tra­disyon ng mga ninuno? Hindi nga sila naghuhugas ng kamay bago ku­main.”

6 At sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Tama ang propesiya ni Isaias tungkol sa in­yong mga mapagkunwari. Nasusulat na “Pinararanga­lan ako ng mga ito sa kanilang labi, at ma­layo naman sa akin ang ka­nilang mga puso. 7 Walang silbi ang kani­lang pag­samba sa akin at ka­utusan lamang ng tao ang kanilang itinuturo.”

8 Pinabayaan nga ninyo ang utos ng Diyos para itatag ang tradisyon ng mga tao.” 9 At sinabi ni Jesus: “Mahusay na pina­walang-bisa ninyo ang salita ng Diyos para tuparin ang inyong tradis­yon. 10 Si­nabi nga ni Moises: ‘Igalang mo ang iyong ama at ina’, at ‘patayin ang sinu­mang sumumpa sa kanyang ama o ina.’ 11 Ngunit ayon sa inyo, masasabi ninuman sa kanyang ama o ina, “Inilaan ko na para sa Templo ang maaasahan ninyo sa akin.” 12 At hindi na ninyo siya pinapayagang tumulong sa kanyang ama o ina. 13 Kaya pina­walang-bisa ninyo ang salita ng Diyos sa tulong ng sarili ninyong tradisyon. At marami pa ang mga ginagawa ninyong ganito.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Monday February 10, Memorial of Saint Scholastica, virgin: Mark 6:53-56

Gospel: Mark 6:53-56

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

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Reflection:

Why do you pray to Jesus? Perhaps you pray to Him because you want to offer all your cares and worries to Him.

In our gospel, people went to Him upon learning that Jesus was within their environment. They brought along their sick and perhaps all of the problems that they’ve been keeping in their hearts. They wanted healing for their body and soul and Jesus did not disappoint them.

Whenever we go to Jesus and we ask Him for something let us always expect that He will grant us what we want from Him. Physical healing, emotional healing and any other healing that we want Him to grant us. if we believe that Jesus has already healed us then we are healed already! We have nothing to worry anymore; it’s all in our state of mind.

But how about those who pray to Jesus for physical healing but they are not healed. Yes there are countless instances that we pray yet we don’t receive physical healing. Physical healing  is only a minute/tiny part of the healing that we receive from Jesus.

What we have to always recognize and be thankful for is the emotional and spiritual healing that He generously gives us without fail whenever we go to Him.

If you’re not healed physically you need not worry! The faith that you have in your heart is more than enough for you to pull you through whatever worries and sickness that you may have.

Simply believe and have faith and let Jesus take control of the rest.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Pebrero 10, Santa Escolastica, dalaga: Marcos 6:53-56

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:53-56

53 Pagkatawid ni Jesus at ng kanyang mga alagad, dumating sila sa pampang ng Genesaret at doon nila           isi­nadsad ang bangka. 54 Paglunsad nila ng bangka, nakilala si Jesus ng mga taga­­roon 55 at pa­takbo nilang ipinama­lita ito sa lupaing iyon. Kaya dinala nila ang mga maysakit na nasa higaan kung saan nila mabalitaang naroon siya. 56 At saanman siya lumakad, sa mga nayon man o sa bayan o sa bukid, inilalagay nila sa mga liwasan ang mga maysakit at nakikiusap sa kanya na mahipo man lamang sana nila ang laylayan ng kanyang damit, at gumaling ang lahat ng humipo rito.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Sunday February 9, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:13-16

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

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Reflection:

In a far-flung place stood a school building that was not being utilized for so many years. The community within the school was hoping that one day a teacher would come and educate them.

One morning the whole community was surprised because for the first time in so many years they heard the school bell rung loudly. So they excitedly went to their school building. There, they saw a nun who introduced herself to the community as their volunteer teacher.

Every day the nun would patiently teach them and after a few months had passed many positive transformations occurred. They already know how to read and write, they learned how to be more respectful and helpful. And more importantly the community was taught about the existence and importance of God in their lives.   

After five years of teaching and seeing to it that the noble educational program will continue even without her  the nun was now set to leave them. And naturally everybody from that community was sad and many were crying. To assuage their feelings the nun promised to visit them once in a while.

In today’s gospel Jesus tells us that we are the salt and light of the world. What does salt bring to our food? It defines and gives taste to our food. Light gives us hope, it eliminates darkness and hopelessness.

 This we also have to do, we have to become salt and light to our fellowmen. As salt gives taste we also have to give meaning to the lives of our fellowmen. As light eliminates hopelessness and darkness we also have to become the light in the lives of our fellowmen. 

Being salt and light in the lives of our fellowmen is not easy to do! Why? Because we would be disturb from our own comfort zones and we would be investing something from ourselves for us to make a positive difference in their lives.

Nevertheless, everything will be worth it because our effort will bear fruit in the end, we may not see it in our own lifetime. But it will certainly bear much fruit. Why? Because we dared to obey Jesus voice in the gospel which tells us to become salt and light in the lives of our fellowmen. 

Have you already become salt and light to your fellowmen, to your family and to your church community? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 9, Ikalimang Linggo ng Taon sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:13-16

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:13-16

13Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, kayo ang asin ng mundo. Ngunit kung mawalan ng lasa ang asin, paano pa ito mapaaalat na muli? Wala na itong silbi. Itatapon na lamang at tatapakan ng mga tao.

14 Kayo ang ilaw ng mundo. Hindi maitatago ang lunsod na itinayo sa tuktok ng bundok. 15 Hindi rin sinisindihan ang ilaw para takpan ng kahon,  sa halip ay ini­lalagay ito sa isang lampara at tu­matanglaw sa lahat ng nasa bahay. 16 Ga­yundin naman ang inyong liwanag sa paningin ng mga tao; at makikita nila ang inyong mabubuting gawain at pupurihin nila ang inyong Amang nasa langit.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Saturday February 8, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:30-34

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

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Reflection:   

A woman went to her neighbor to seek advice for her many problems. The neighbor asked the troubled woman this question: “Is Jesus an integral part of your life? For example, do you always pray to the Lord? Do you always attend Holy Mass?” The woman said no, and then the neighbor advised her to make time for Jesus.

In the Gospel, a vast crowd was running after Jesus (Mark 6:34) because they knew that Jesus would straighten out their lives. They were not only after Jesus because they wanted to be cured and fed. Some perhaps were pursuing Jesus because they wanted to simply see Him and that would be enough for them to heal their body and soul. 

The vast crowd who was following Jesus wherever he goes saw in Jesus a good shepherd who will not only feed and heal them. They also saw in Jesus someone who will give them precious advice and guidance. 

What does this mean to you? 

This means that whenever you have issues and concerns in life that seem difficult to resolve, you have to go to Jesus in prayer. You need to bend your knees before Him and ask for His help and guidance. Because Jesus is always there for you ever ready to guide and help you as you encounter the many challenges of your life. 

Do you always pray to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Pebrero 8, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 6:30-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:30-34

30 Pagbalik ng mga apostol kay Jesus, isinalaysay nila sa kanya ang lahat nilang ginawa at itinuro. 31 Sinabi naman niya sa kanila: “Tayo na sa isang ilang na lugar para mapag-isa tayo at makapag­pa­hinga kayo nang kaunti.” Sapagkat doo’y marami ang paroo’t parito at hindi  man lamang sila makakain. 32 Kaya lumayo sila at namangka na sila-sila lang patungo sa ilang na lugar.

33 Ngunit nakita silang umalis ng ilan at nabalitaan ito ng marami. Kaya nagtakbuhan sila mula sa kani-kanilang bayan at nauna pang dumating na lakad kaysa kanila. 34 Pagdating ni Jesus sa pampang, nakita niya ang maraming taong nag­kakatipon doon at naawa siya sa kanila sapagkat para silang mga tupang wa­lang pastol. At nagsimula siyang mag­turo sa kanila nang matagal.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Friday February 7, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:14-29

Gospel: Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah” still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets. But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

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Reflection:

Do you have the courage to denounce a wrongdoing or to be more specific an act of adultery?

John courageously denounced the adulterous affair of King Herod and Herodias that is why he was imprisoned by King Herod. Not only that John was imprisoned soon after he was beheaded upon the request of Herodias. John paid dearly for speaking against immorality and for speaking about the sanctity of marriage.

Many marriages right now are breaking apart, many immoral relationships are ongoing for the simple reason that nobody dares to speak against it. We must speak against any form of immorality and adultery, against any attempt to violate the sacred vows of marriage no matter what it may cost us. We need not worry about the after effect of our righteous action for Jesus will take care of us.

Some marriages fall apart because there are relatives and spouses who choose to be silent instead of speaking against it. Why? For the simple reason that they are afraid to offend or hurt the feelings of their relatives and spouses. They are afraid that it might create permanent separation and enmity. But why be afraid if what we do is right? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Pebrero 7, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 6:14-29

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:14-29

14 Nabalitaan din ni Haring Herodes ang tungkol kay Jesus sapagkat tumanyag na ang kanyang pangalan. May nag­sasabing nabuhay si Juan Bautista mula sa mga patay kaya nagkakabisa sa kanya ang makalangit na kapang­yarihan. 15 Si­nabi naman ng iba: “Si Elias nga ito,” at ng iba pa: “Ito ay isang propeta gaya ng mga propeta noon.” 16 Nang mabalitaan ito ni Herodes ay sinabi niya: “Nabuhay nga sa mga patay si Juan na pinapugutan ko ng ulo.”

17 Si Herodes nga ang nagpahuli kay Juan, at ipinakadena ito sa kulungan dahil kay Herodias na asawa ng kanyang kapatid na si Felipe. Pinakasalan ni Herodes si Herodias 18 at sinabi ni Juan kay Herodes: “Hindi mo puwe­deng kasamahin ang asawa ng iyong kapatid.” 19 Talaga ngang matindi ang galit ni Hero­dias kay Juan at gusto niya itong patayin pero hindi niya ma­gawa. 20 Iginagalang nga ni Herodes si Juan dahil itinuturing niya itong mabuti at banal na tao, kaya pinanatili niya itong buhay. Nalilito siya matapos ma­kinig kay Juan, gayunma’y gusto pa rin niyang marinig ito.

21 At nagkaroon ng pagkakataon sa kaarawan ni Herodes nang maghanda siya para sa kanyang mga opisyal, mga pinuno ng hukbo at mahalagang tao ng Galilea. 22 Pagpasok ng anak ni Herodias, nagsayaw ito at nasiyahan naman sa kanya si Herodes at lahat ng nasa handaan. Sinabi ng hari sa dalagita: “Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang anu­mang hingin mo.” 23 At sinumpaan pa niya ang pa­ngakong ito: “Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang anumang hingin mo, kahit na ang kala­hati ng aking kaha­rian.” 24 Lu­mabas ang anak at tinanong ang kanyang ina: “Ano ang hihingin ko?” At sumagot naman ito: “Ang ulo ni Juan Bautista.” 25 Agad niyang pinuntahan ang hari at sinabi: “Gusto kong ibigay mo agad sa akin ang ulo ni Juan Bautista sa isang bandeha.”

26 Nabalisa ang hari ngunit ayaw niyang tumanggi dahil sa sinumpaan niyang pangako sa harap ng mga bisita. 27 Kaya iniutos ng hari sa isa niyang guwar­diya na dalhin ang ulo ni Juan. Pinu­gutan nito si Juan sa kulu­ngan, 28 inilagay sa isang bandeha ang kanyang ulo, ibinigay sa dalaga, at ibinigay naman ito ng dalaga sa kanyang ina. 29 Nang mabalitaan ito ng mga alagad ni Juan, dumating sila para kunin ang kanyang katawan at ini­libing.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Thursday February 6, Sts. Pedro Bautista, Paul Miki and Companions: Mark 6:7-13

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them. So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

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Reflection:

What is the advantage of not being attached to worldly things? We learn to trust on the providence of God and we learn that the things of this world do not matter for its temporary and fleeting. We learn that our faith in God is more than enough to compensate for our lack of worldly things.  

Come to think of it, how much money do we need to earn in our lifetime that there are people who work their butts out to earn money? Money that if we are not discerning could even contribute to our being sick! And then at the end this same money that we’ve earned so hard may not even be enough to pay for our hospital bills!

In the gospel, when Jesus told His disciples not to bring, food, money and the like. He was essentially telling them not to worry for He would provide for them. If God can provide for the birds and other animals will He not provide for us whom He created in His image (Genesis 1:27)?

Many of us are so concerned with the material and physical aspect of life such as the clothes that we wear. The high-tech gadgets that we have but in close retrospection we actually can live even without these material things.

Our problem is we allow this world to dictate upon us. This is the reason why many of us punish ourselves to work so hard to earn money. For what? So that we could show off how wealthy we’ve become?

Jesus invites us to rethink our style of living for we may have already become slaves of this world. Rather than become His faithful and trusting followers. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Pebrero 6, San Pedro Bautista, San Pablo Miki at mga Kasama: Marcos 6:7-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:7-13

Naglibot naman si Jesus sa mga nayon sa paligid sa kanyang pagtu¬turo. 7 At tinawag niya ang Labin¬dalawa at sinimulang isugo sila nang dala-¬dalawa. Binigyan niya sila ng kapang¬yarihan sa mga maruming espiritu. 8 At sinabihan niya silang huwag magdala ng anuman para sa paglalakbay kundi tungkod la¬mang. Walang pagkain, wa¬lang pitaka o pera sa sinturon. 9 Nakasandalyas at may isang damit lang.

10 At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Pagtuloy ninyo sa isang bahay, manatili kayo roon hanggang sa pag-alis ninyo mula roon. 11 Kung may lugar na hindi tatang¬gap o makikinig sa inyo, umalis kayo roon at ipagpag ang alikabok sa inyong mga paa bilang sakdal sa ka¬nila.”

12 At pag-alis nila, ipinangaral nila ang pagbabalik-loob. 13 Maraming demonyo ang kanilang pinalayas at marami ring maysakit ang pinagaling nila sa pagpapahid ng langis.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Wednesday February 5, Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr: Mark 6:1-6

Gospel: Mark 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

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Reflection:

Was Jesus expecting to be treated like a powerful celebrity when He went back to His hometown? No, because it was not in His character to flaunt Himself. As much as possible Jesus wanted to be treated like an ordinary person, never did He desire publicity and recognition. Jesus did miracles without any fanfare and hype and we attribute this to His humility.  

Let us think about us as individuals, don’t we desire recognition and don’t we crave to be listened?  We love it the moment we hear people recognizing the things that we do and this is due to our yearning to satisfy our bloated egos. Isn’t possible for us to be humble and low profile like Jesus?

As we do good things or anything that we do for God let us not seek to be recognized let us simply fade away. Let us not seek adulation for those who crave adulation are also abandoned like a hot potato. Those who crave for admiration ultimately ends up in disgrace.

Let us not be disheartened if we will not be recognized or honored for these are just temporal honor/s given by temporal humans like us. In everything let us seek the humility of Jesus, Let us seek the silent recognition of Jesus rather than the noisy, fake and temporal recognition of this world. –  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Pebrero 5, Santa Agata, dalaga at martir: Marcos 6:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:1-6

¹Pagkaalis ni Jesus sa lugar na iyon, pumunta siya sa kanyang bayan, kasama ng kanyang mga alagad. ² Nang sumapit ang Araw ng Pahinga, nagsimula siyang magturo sa sinagoga. Namangha silang lahat at nagsabi: “Ano’t nangyari sa kanya ang lahat ng ito? Saan kaya galing ang karunu­ngang ito na ipi­nagkaloob sa kanya, at saan din kaya galing ang mga himalang ito na nagagawa ng kanyang mga kamay? Di ba’t siya ang karpintero? Ang anak ni Maria at kapatid nina Jaime, Jose, Simon at Judas? Hindi ba’t narito sa piling natin ang lahat niyang kapatid na babae?” At bulag sila tungkol sa kanya.

4 Sinabi naman sa kanila ni Jesus: “Sa kanyang sariling bayan lamang, sa sari­ling kamag-anakan at sambahayan hinahamak ang isang propeta.” 5 At hindi niya nakayang gumawa ng himala roon. Ilang may­sakit lamang ang pinaga­ling niya sa pag­papatong ng kamay. 6  At namang­ha siya sa kawalan nila ng pa­niniwala.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Marino J. Dasmarinas @Mary Immaculate Parish, Don Lauro Avenue Levitown Estate Bicutan, Betterliving, Parañaque City (Feb. 2, 2020)

1Reflection for Tuesday February 4, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 5:21-43

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live. He went off with him and a large crowd followed him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”

But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

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Reflection:

Do you have a prayer before Jesus? Pray for it never give up and continue to badger Jesus with your prayer. For this is the secret for you to have what you wish for from Jesus. Everything should start with faith and once we start our interaction with Jesus with faith. Everything will simply fall into place including what we wish for from Jesus.

But how can we grow in faith? We should humbly ask Jesus to give us the gift of faith not only that we ask Jesus for the gift of faith. We also should reach out to Jesus through our prayers, our presence at Holy Mass and by reading the most precious book of all books which is the Holy bible.

The woman in our gospel has been bleeding for twelve long years she went to anyone who could cure her to no avail. Then she heard about this healer named Jesus and from thereon she started to have faith in Jesus. And her faith impelled her to reach out to Jesus she even said to herself, If only I could touch a portion of His clothes I would be healed.

All of us have heard about Jesus but not all of us are praying for this gift of faith. Not all of us are constantly reaching out to Jesus by means of our prayers and pious presence at Holy Mass. Not all of us have a habit of reading and reflecting on the words of Jesus in the bible.

Some of us may even say, I’m very busy I have no more time to do these acts of faith. How then can we grow in faith? How then can we be friends with Jesus? How then can we recieve healing from Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Pebrero 4, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 5:21-43

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 5:21-43

21 Pagkatawid ni Jesus sa lawa na sakay sa bangka, pinagkalipumpunan siya ng maraming tao sa tabing-dagat. 22 At may dumating na isang pinuno ng sinagoga na nagngangalang Jairo. Nag­patirapa ito sa kanyang paanan 23 at pilit na ipinakiusap sa kanya: “Nag­­hihingalo ang aking dalagita kaya ha­lika para ma­ligtas siya at mabuhay sa pagpapatong ng iyong mga kamay.”

24 Kaya umalis si Jesus kasama niya at sumunod din sa kanya ang mga tao na gumigitgit sa kanya. 25 May isa namang babae na labin­da­lawang taon nang dinudugo. 26 Marami na ang tiniis niya sa kamay ng mga dok­tor at nagastos na niya ang lahat ng meron siya pero hindi pa rin siya umigi kundi lumala pa ang lagay niya. 27 At nang mabalitaan niya ang tungkol kay Jesus, nilapitan niya ito sa likuran sa gitna ng mga tao at hinipo ang damit nito, 28 sapagkat naisip niya: “Kung mahi­hipo ko lamang ang kanyang mga damit, ga­galing na ako.”

29 At agad na naampat ang pag-agos ng kanyang dugo at naramdaman ni­yang gumaling na ang kanyang sakit. 30 Ngunit agad din namang nadama ni ­Jesus na may lakas na lumabas sa kanya kaya lumingon siya sa gitna ng mga tao at nagtanong: “Sino ang hu­mipo sa mga damit ko?” 31 Sumagot ang kanyang mga alagad: “Nakikita mo nang ginigitgit ka ng napakaraming tao. Bakit mo pa itata­nong: Sino ang humipo sa akin?” 32 At patuloy siyang tumingin sa paligid para makita kung sino ang gu­mawa nito. 33 Kaya lumapit na nangi­ngi­nig sa takot ang babae. Namamalayan nga nito ang nangyari kaya lumapit ito at nagpa­tirapa sa harap niya at inamin sa kanya ang buong katotohanan.

• 34 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Anak, iniligtas ka ng iyong pana­nalig. Humayo kang mapayapa at ma­ga­ling ka na sa iyong sakit.” 35 Nagsasalita pa si Jesus nang may dumating galing sa bahay ng pinu­no ng sinagoga, at sinabi nila: “Patay na ang iyong anak na babae. Bakit mo pa iniistorbo ngayon ang Guro?” 36 Ngu­nit hindi sila inintindi ni Jesus at sinabi sa pinuno: “Huwag kang matakot, ma­nam­­palataya ka lamang.” 37 At wala siyang pinayagang sumama sa kanya liban kina Pedro, Jaime at Juang kapa­tid ni Jaime.

• 38 Pagdating nila sa bahay, nakita niya ang kaguluhan: may mga nag-iiya­kan at labis na nagtataghuyan. 39 Pu­masok si Jesus at sinabi: “Bakit nag­­ka­kagulo at nag-iiyakan? Hindi pa­tay ang bata kundi natutulog lang.” 40 At pinagtawanan nila siya. Ngunit pinalabas ni Jesus ang lahat, at ang ama at ina lamang nito ang isinama at ang kanyang mga kasamahan. 41 Pag­pasok niya sa kinaroroonan ng bata, hinawakan niya ito sa kamay at sinabi: “Talita kum”, na ibig sabihi’y “Nene, sinasabi ko sa iyo, bumangon ka.”

42 At noon di’y bumangon ang bata at nagsimulang maglakad. (Labindalawang taon na nga siya.) At nagkaroon ng pag­ka­mangha, malaking pagka­mangha. 43 Ma­hig­pit na iniutos ni Jesus sa kanila na huwag itong sabihin ka­ninuman, at sinabi sa kanila na bigyan ng makakain ang bata.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Marino J. Dasmarinas (February 2020)

1Reflection for Monday February 3, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 5:1-20

Gospel: Mark 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory.

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.” And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

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Reflection:

Do you plead Jesus to change you and make you a better person?

The man possessed by the legions of devil pleaded to Jesus not to drive them away from the territory instead they wanted Jesus to send them into the herd of pigs. So Jesus did what they wanted: He allowed them to enter the group of swine/pigs. However the herd rushed into the sea where they drowned.

Why did Jesus did not annihilate the legion (evils) instantly instead He allowed them to transfer to the herd of swine only to die by drowning? Perhaps, Jesus acceded to their request because Jesus wanted them to convert and get rid of their evil ways, but they did not.

In our own life we would always encounter life changing occurrences. Such as survive a major health problem, an accident or a problem in the family. And it serves as our wake-up call from God to change our ways and leave behind sinfulness. There are some of us who get an awareness of this life changing episode so we change and leave behind our sinfulness. However there are also those who refuse to change and so they move forward with their sinful ways.

What would happen to those who refuse to leave behind sinfulness? To those who continue to ignore God’s call to conversion? To those who were given by God a second chance but refused to embrace it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Pebrero 3, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 5:1-20

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 5:1-20

Dumating si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad sa lupain ng mga Geraseno.^[a] 2 Pagbaba ni Jesus sa bangka, sinalubong siya ng isang lalaking galing sa kwebang libingan. Ang lalaking itoʼy sinasaniban ng masamang espiritu, ³ at doon na siya nakatira sa mga libingan. Hindi siya maigapos ng matagal kahit kadena pa ang gamitin nila. ⁴ Ilang beses na siyang kinadenahan sa kamay at paa, pero nalalagot niya ang mga ito. Walang nakakapigil sa kanya. ⁵ Nagsisisigaw siya araw at gabi sa mga libingan at kaburulan, at sinusugatan ang sarili ng matatalas na bato.

⁶ Malayo pa si Jesus ay nakita na siya ng lalaki. Patakbo siyang lumapit kay Jesus at lumuhod sa harapan niya. ^7-8 Sinabi ni Jesus sa masamang espiritu, “Ikaw na masamang espiritu, lumabas ka sa taong iyan!” Sumigaw ang lalaki, “Ano ang pakialam mo sa akin, Jesus na Anak ng Kataas-taasang Dios? Nakikiusap ako, sa pangalan ng Dios, huwag mo akong pahirapan!” ⁹ Tinanong siya ni Jesus, “Ano ang pangalan mo?” Sagot niya, “Kawan, dahil marami kami.” ¹⁰ At paulit-ulit na nagmakaawa ang masamang espiritu kay Jesus na huwag silang palayasin sa lupaing iyon.

¹¹ Sa di-kalayuan ay may malaking kawan ng mga baboy na nanginginain sa gilid ng burol. ¹² Nagmakaawa ang masasamang espiritu na kung maaari ay payagan silang pumasok sa mga baboy. ¹³ Kaya pinayagan sila ni Jesus. Lumabas ang masasamang espiritu sa lalaki at pumasok sa mga baboy. Nagtakbuhan ang may dalawang libong baboy pababa ng burol, nagtuloy-tuloy sa lawa at nalunod.

¹⁴ Tumakbo ang mga tagapag-alaga ng baboy papunta sa bayan at ipinamalita roon at sa mga kalapit-nayon ang nangyari. Kaya pumunta roon ang mga tao para alamin ang tunay na nangyari. ¹⁵ Pagdating nila kay Jesus, nakita nila ang taong dating sinasaniban ng kawan ng masasamang espiritu. Nakaupo siya at nakadamit, at matino na ang pag-iisip. Kaya natakot ang mga tao. ¹⁶ Ikinuwento sa kanila ng mga nakakita kung ano ang nangyari sa taong iyon at sa mga baboy. ¹⁷ Kaya pinakiusapan nila si Jesus na umalis sa kanilang lugar. 

¹⁸ Nang sumasakay na si Jesus sa bangka, nakiusap sa kanya ang lalaking gumaling na isama siya. ¹⁹ Pero hindi pumayag si Jesus. Sa halip, sinabi niya sa lalaki, “Umuwi ka sa pamilya mo at sabihin mo sa kanila ang lahat ng ginawa sa iyo ng Panginoon at kung paano ka niya kinaawaan.” ²⁰ Kaya umalis ang lalaki at ipinamalita sa Decapolis,^[b] ang ginawa sa kanya ni Jesus. At namangha ang lahat ng nakarinig tungkol sa nangyari.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.