Short, Simple and Personal reflections on the daily Holy Mass Gospel. I provide talks.
My Youtube: Pls. Subscribe, Like and Share. Thanks and God Bless You!!!
Sunday, February 13, 2022
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Pebrero 14, San Cirilo, monghe at San Metodio, Obispo (Paggunita): Marcos 8:11-13
Friday, February 11, 2022
Reflection for Sunday February 13, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:17, 20-26
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 13, Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon (K): Lucas 6:17, 20-26
Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:17, 20-26
Noong panahong iyon 17 Pagkababa ni Jesus kasama ang labing dalawa
tumayo siya sa isang patag na lugar. Naroon ang maraming alagad niya, at
napakarami ring tao mula sa buong Judea at Jerusalem at mula sa baybaying dako
ng Tiro at Sidon.
20 Tumingala noon si Jesus sa kanyang
mga alagad at sinabi: “Mapapalad kayong mga dukha sapagkat sa inyo ang kaharian
ng Diyos. 21 Mapapalad kayong mga nagugutom ngayon sapagkat bubusugin kayo.
Mapapalad kayong mga umiiyak ngayon sapagkat tatawa kayo. 22 Mapapalad kayo kapag
kinapopootan kayo ng mga tao at itinatakwil at iniinsulto, at sinisiraang-puri
dahil sa akin. 23 Magsaya kayo at lubos na magalak sa araw na iyon sapagkat
malaki ang inyong gantimpalang nasa Diyos; gayundin ang ginawa ng kanilang mga
ninuno sa mga propeta.
24 Ngunit sawimpalad kayong mayayaman
sapagkat tinatamasa na ninyo ang inyong ginhawa! 25 Sawimpalad kayong mga busog
ngayon sapagkat magugutom kayo! Sawimpalad kayong humahalakhak ngayon sapagkat
magluluksa kayo’t iiyak!
26 Sawimpalad kayo kapag pinag-uusapan kayo nang mabuti ng lahat ng tao dahil ganoon din ang ginawa ng kanilang mga ninuno sa mga bulaang propeta.
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Reflection for February 12, Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:1-10
His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have? They replied, “Seven.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd.
They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people.
He dismissed the crowd and got into the
boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What kind of God is Jesus? He is a God of compassion and mercy, Jesus feels our loneliness when we are lonely. Jesus cries with us when we cry. Jesus feels the heavy load that we carry when we are so burdened by it. Does this feeling of compassion and mercy stops with Jesus empathy? No, Jesus never stops of thinking of ways on how He can lighten the burdens that we carry.
We see this deep compassion and mercy of Jesus in our gospel today. When Jesus saw the crowd who had been following them for days He had deep compassion for them for they were already hungry and tired. And His mercy and compassion led Him to think on how He could feed them.
So Jesus asked His disciples for whatever food that they may have and out of seven loaves and few fish Jesus miraculously multiplied it to feed almost four thousand. This is how merciful and compassionate Jesus is to those who follow Him.
What does this gospel tell us? This tells us that we will never go hungry the moment we decide to faithfully follow Jesus! Jesus will never let us go hungry for He will take care of our food and He will take care of our needs. This may be hard to believe for others but this is very true! Jesus provides for those who faithfully follow Him.
Are you a faithful follower of Jesus? –
Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 12, Sabado ng Ikalimang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:1-10
4 Sumagot ang kanyang mga alagad: “At paano naman makakakuha ng tinapay para pakainin sila sa ilang na ito?” 5 Tinanong sila ni Jesus: “Ilan bang tinapay meron kayo?” Sumagot sila: “Pito.”
6 Pinaupo ni Jesus sa lupa ang mga tao, kinuha ang pitong tinapay at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Pinagpira-piraso niya ang mga ito at ibinigay sa kanyang mga alagad para ihain; at inihain nila ang mga ito sa mga tao. 7 Meron din silang ilang isda. Binasbasan ito ni Jesus at iniutos na ihain din ang mga ito.
8 Kumain
sila at nabusog at inipon ang mga natirang pira-piraso – pitong bayong.
9 Apat na libo ang naroon, at saka sila pinauwi ni Jesus. 10 Agad
siyang sumakay sa bangka kasama ang kanyang mga alagad at pumunta sa lupain ng
Dalmanuta.
Wednesday, February 09, 2022
Reflection for February 11, Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:31-37
He put his finger into the man’s ears and,
spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said
to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears
were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He
ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more
they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has
done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
The story is told about a man who was diagnosed to have a terminal sickness, of course he was bothered, who would not be? But the man had great faith in Jesus so he earnestly prayed for his healing. He went to Mass everyday, he prayed the rosary regularly and he read his bible fervently.
As the days, weeks and months passed by there was observable decline on his physical appearance. But those around him noticed also the increase in his faith and confidence in Jesus. They’ve noticed the peacefulness and calmness that he exudes so unlikely of a dying man.
We are presented in the gospel a story of physical healing, a deaf man was able to speak again through the healing power of Jesus. With the help of those around him the deaf man was brought closer to Jesus. After which he begged Jesus to lay His hand on him.
Jesus took the man away from the crowd. And in the stillness of the environment Jesus groaned and said, “Ephphatha!” which means be opened. The man was immediately healed, he was able to hear and speak once again.
Eventually, everyone of us will get sick and everyone of us will also pray for physical healing from Jesus. But not all of us would experience physical healing like what the deaf man experienced in the gospel. Some of us would experience deep spiritual healing, the same spiritual healing that the terminally sick man in our story received from Jesus.
We must therefore take steps also to get
closer and build a relationship with Jesus. Let us take the initiative and do
it by ourselves now. Let us not wait for the time to come that we will go to
the Lord because we are already in dire need of Him. – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Reflection for Thursday February 10, Saint Scholastica, Virgin (M): Mark 7:24-30
He said to her, “Let the children be fed
first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the
dogs.” She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat
the children’s scraps.” Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The
demon has gone out of your daughter.” When the woman went home, she found the
child lying in bed and the demon gone.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What is the key for us to have what we want from Jesus?
It’s persistence, if we think that Jesus doesn’t hear our prayers, we should continue to beg Him to grant us what want. We should never give up because giving up is a sign of our lack of faith in Jesus.
The Syrophoenician woman in our gospel never gave up on her prayer request even if she was already being tested by Jesus. She persisted and humbly beg Jesus to cure her daughter possessed by the devil. Eventually her persistence bore fruit for when she went home she found out that her daughter was not anymore possessed by the devil.
As we continue our journey in this temporal world, we surely will be facing a lot of problematic situations. Let us not let these disappointing events bring us down and let us not let these situations separate us from Jesus. The more we encounter trials in our lives the more that we go persistently to Jesus for help.
For it’s only Jesus and it’s only through Jesus that we would be able to survive the many trials and tribulations in this world. What if for example we persistently pray to Jesus for help and he does not help us? What are we going to do? We simply have to continue to pray and have faith, the more that we are ignored by the Lord the more that we have to pray and have faith.
How’s your faith in the Lord? – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Pebrero 10, Santa Escolastica, dalaga (Paggunita): Marcos 7:24-30
27 Sinabi naman ni Jesus sa kanya: “Bayaan mo munang mabusog ang mga anak. Hindi tama na kunin ang tinapay sa mga bata at itapon ito sa mga tuta.” 28 Sumagot ang babae: “Totoo nga, Ginoo, pero kinakain ng mga tuta sa ilalim ng mesa ang mga nalalaglag mula sa mga bata.” 29 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Dahil sa sinabi mong ito, lumabas na sa iyong anak na babae ang demonyo.” 30 Kaya umuwi ang babae at nakita niya ang bata na nakahiga sa kama; lumabas na nga ang demonyo.
Tuesday, February 08, 2022
Reflection for February 9, Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:14-23
When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)
“But what comes out of the man, that is
what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts,
unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness,
envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they
defile.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Where does the desire to commit sin emanates? It first emanates from within us. It begins when we think about it and if we don’t stop thinking about our desire to commit sin it slowly progresses. Until we actually give flesh to our desire to sin by actually doing it.
For example, the desire of a husband/wife to betray their marriage vows. He/she starts by thinking about it and when she/he sees that the situation is conducive to commit the act of sin/betrayal. The spouse will now succumb to commit this immoral sin. Therefore, the desire to commit sin originates from within us first.
How then could we avoid sin? We pray to Jesus and ask His help to exterminate whatever sinful desires that we have in our minds. Then we also have to do our part by taking action to rid ourselves of the desire to sin and by confronting the sin and stepping on it so that it would die. Because if we pray yet our actions are not according to what we have been praying for we would still commit sin sooner or later. As the saying goes God help those who help themselves.
But come to think of it, why do we commit sin? The simple answer is we don’t take our faith in Jesus seriously this is the reason why we commit sin when we want to commit it. Are we not tired yet of sinning? Are we not tired yet of mortgaging our lives to the devil? When we continuously mortgage our lives to the devil through sin, there is the danger that we may not anymore be able to get out of it!
It’s about time that we change this cycle
of sin, it’s about time that we rid ourselves of any sinful thoughts and
desires. It’s about time that we free ourselves from any problems and complication
brought about by sin. – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 9, Miyerkules ng Ikalimang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 7:14-23
17 Pagkalayo
ni Jesus sa mga tao, nang nasa bahay na siya, tinanong siya ng kanyang mga
alagad tungkol sa talinhagang ito. 18 At sinabi niya: “Wala rin ba kayong
pang-unawa? Hindi ba ninyo nauunawaan na sa bituka pumupunta ang anumang
pumapasok sa tao mula sa labas? 19 Sapagkat hindi sa puso ito pumapasok
kundi sa tiyan at pagkatapos ay itinatapon sa labas.” (Sa gayo’y sinabi
niya na malinis ang tanang mga pagkain.)
20 At
idinagdag niya: “Ang lumalabas sa tao ang nagpaparumi sa tao. 21 Sa puso
nga ng tao nagmumula ang masasamang hangarin – kahalayan, pagnanakaw, pagpatay
sa kapwa, 22 pakikiapid, kasakiman, kasamaan, pandaraya, kalaswaan,
pagkainggit, paninira, kapalaluan, kabuktutan. 23 Ang masasamang bagay na
ito ang nagpaparumi sa tao.
Monday, February 07, 2022
Reflection for February 8, Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:1-13
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.”
+ + + + + +
Reflection:
Are you very strict with the observance of your customs and traditions?
The Pharisees were very particular of their customs/traditions they follow it to the letter. So, when they saw that Jesus’ disciples ate their meals without washing their hands—they told Jesus about it.
They said to Jesus: “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?" and Jesus told them: 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!
We see that Jesus puts more weight on the commandments of God more than their traditions the interior rather than the exterior, the inside conversion rather than the fake exterior observance of their laws.
The conversion that Jesus desires for us is one that involves change of our hearts and mindsets. For example, from indulging in sin we now try our very best to avoid sin. From staying in an environment where we’ve sinned, we now completely walk away from that environment and so on. For Jesus, what matters most is not our external acts but our internal conversion and renewal. - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 8, Martes ng Ikalimang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 7:1-13
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.”
Sunday, February 06, 2022
Reflection for February 7, Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:53-56
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.
+ + + + + +
Reflection:
The story is told about a man who was sick with cancer that asked the Lord, “Why am I suffering Lord”? I can’t bear my sickness anymore and I can’t bear the pain of going through the procedure of chemotherapy anymore.”
In the gospel, those who were able to touch the tassel of Jesus’ cloak were very fortunate for they received healing in return. It speaks volumes of their faith and the power of Jesus.
But not everyone who has faith is healed. There are those who have faith but they continue to suffer from their sickness. Sometimes it may baffle us why they physically suffer considering that they also have faith that they also love Jesus.
The healing that Jesus gives us is not always physical, oftentimes its spiritual which means that we're given the grace to accept our physical sickness and the grace to completely surrender our life to the great power and mercy of Jesus.
There are people who are still happy in spite of their physical sickness for they’ve learned to offer to God their suffering. They’ve learned that the suffering that they’re undergoing is nothing compared to the suffering that Jesus went through.
There will come a time that we will also get sick and will suffer as well. Let us never forget to offer our suffering/s to Jesus. Let us ask Jesus to help us endure our suffering/sickness. Though it may be difficult, let us learn to accept it and continue to have that enormous faith in the Lord.
How’s your faith in the Lord? – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 7, Lunes ng Ikalimang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 6:53-56
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.
Wednesday, February 02, 2022
Reflection for Sunday February 6, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 5:1-11
After he had finished speaking, he
said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon
said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they
caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to
their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled
both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at
the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For
astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with
him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners
of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching
men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and
followed him.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
The story is told about a middle-aged
man who wanted to follow Jesus. But he would always have second thoughts if he
would proceed with his desire because he was sinful. Thus, the feeling of
unworthiness always creeps into him. However, there was always that inner voice
that whispers to him to follow the Lord no matter his sinfulness.
Who among us are worthy to become a
follower of Jesus? Nobody for all of us are sinful, all of us have offended the
Lord one way or another. Yet, in spite of our unworthiness we are always being
called by Jesus to follow Him so that He can purify us of our sins no matter
how dark those sins are.
The Lord does not call us to condemn
us of the countless sins that we have committed. The Lord calls us so that He
could restore us of our dignity which we lost through our sinfulness. He calls
us to tell us that His love for us can overcome whatever sins that we have committed.
All He wants from us is our yes and
our firm commitment to walk away from our sins! When we say yes to the Lord, we
also would be willing to leave behind the environment that made us sin. We
leave behind those people who influenced us to sin. In other words, there’s no
turning back or looking back the moment we decide to follow the
Lord. Because the Lord is not anymore interested in our sinful past what
matters to Jesus is our present and future with Him.
In the gospel, after Jesus performed
the miracle of the great catch of fish before the very eyes of Simon and the
other fishermen (Luke 5:6). Simon Peter kneeled before Jesus and he begged
Jesus to leave them for they were all sinful. And therefore unworthy of His
presence and the miracle that he did for them (Luke 5:8).
However, Jesus with all the love,
mercy and forgiveness told Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be
catching men (Luke 5:10).” After bringing their boats to the shore, Simon and
the other fishermen left everything to follow the Lord. (Luke 5:11)
Regardless of your sins and your dark past Jesus is calling you as well to begin a new life with Him. Would you respond to this call of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 6, Ikalimang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon (K): Lucas 5:1-11
4 Matapos siyang magsalita,
sinabi niya kay Simon: “Pumalaot ka at ihulog ninyo ang inyong mga lambat para
humuli.” 5 Ngunit sumagot si Simon: “Guro, buong magdamag kaming nagpagod
at wala kaming nakuha pero dahil sinabi mo, ihuhulog ko ang mga lambat.”
6 At nang gawin nila ito, nakahuli sila ng napakaraming isda kaya halos
magkandasira ang kanilang mga lambat. 7 Kaya kinawayan nila ang kanilang
mga kasamahang nasa kabilang bangka para lumapit at tulungan sila. Dumating
nga ang mga ito at pinuno nila ang dalawang bangka hanggang halos lumubog
ang mga iyon.
8 Nang makita ito ni Simon
Pedro, nagpatirapa siya sa harap ni Jesus at sinabi: “Lumayo ka sa akin,
Panginoon, sapagkat taong makasalanan lamang ako.” 9 Talaga ngang
nasindak siya at ang lahat niyang kasama dahil sa huli ng mga isda na nakuha
nila. 10 Gayundin naman ang mga anak ni Zebedeo na sina Jaime at Juan na
mga kasama ni Simon.
Ngunit sinabi ni Jesus kay Simon: “Huwag kang matakot; mula ngayo’y mga tao ang huhulihin mo.” 11 Kayat nang madala na nila ang mga bangka sa lupa, iniwan nila ang lahat at sumunod sa kanya.
Reflection for Saturday February 5, Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr (M): Mark 6:30-34
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.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
To whom can we compare Jesus in this world?
We can somehow compare Jesus to our parents. Let us try recalling how patient our parents were in teaching us the basics about life. Let us try recalling how hard they’ve tried to provide the very best for us.
Let us try recalling the many family bondings that they’ve planned to further strengthen the family’s union. Let us try to recall the countless shepherding or guiding moments that we’ve received from them. And let us try to recall the countless times they’ve comforted and motivated us when we were feeling weary and tired.
In essence Jesus is like a parent to the apostles and to those who followed Him He was a unifying factor for them. He motivated them, He bonded with them, He guided them, He healed them, He empathized with them and most of all He was a good shepherd to them.
In our gospel, after doing their mission and after telling Jesus what they have done the apostles were naturally exhausted. Jesus told them to go to a deserted place to rest for a while to recharge their weary bodies and minds. Perhaps Jesus also wanted to give an inspirational talk to His apostles so that He could further strengthen their resolve to continue their mission. Isn’t this what worthy parents would normally do the moment they see their children tired and weary from doing something commendable and important?
Finally, when Jesus arrived on the supposed to be deserted place the vast crowd who have been following Him were already there waiting for Him. Instead of telling them to go away because He wants privacy. He was moved with pity for them for they were like sheep without a shepherd. And being a good shepherd himself Jesus began to teach them many things.
The shepherding that Jesus gave to His apostles and followers during that time is still very much alive up to this very moment and He is offering it to us right now. If we are tired and weary with the challenges and burdens of life. Let us go to Jesus for He will always be there to tell us to come let us go to a quiet place and let us rest, there for I (Jesus) will be there to shepherd and strengthen you.
You have in Jesus the personification of a
good parent and shepherd who has nothing but the very best for you. Always go
to Him and always desire to be with Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Pebrero 5, Santa Agueda (Agata), dalaga at martir (Paggunita): Marcos 6:30-34
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.
Tuesday, February 01, 2022
Reflection for February 4, Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:14-29
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.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What does it mean when we are constantly being bothered by our conscience? It simply means that we’ve done something wrong and the only cure for this wrongdoing is to correct it. For example, if a believer has cheated on his/her spouse she/he would naturally be bothered by her/his conscience. And this torment will not end until there’s a closure or admission of sin.
When King Herod heard about the miraculous actions of Jesus and the popularity that He was earning from the people. Herod thought of John whom he ordered beheaded, it suddenly came to his mind that John was still alive. But it was very clear to King Herod that he ordered John killed.
So why did King Herod thought of John when he heard about Jesus? This is for the reason that King Herod was already being bothered by his conscience. Herod did something which is terribly wrong and the price that he has to pay for his wrongdoing was the guilt of conscience which was constantly bothering him.
Aren’t we like that also when we do wrong? But what separates us from Herod is we have an opportunity to repent and admit our wrongdoing. And once we do so the guilty feeling will not be there anymore.
But why allow ourselves to be pestered by
our guilt? Why not permanently delete guilt from our minds by not committing
sin? Some of us may say that it’s impossible not to commit a wrongdoing or sin.
Yes it may be impossible but, why not try asking Jesus to help us be clean all
the time? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 4, Biyernes ng Ikaapat na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 6:14-29
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.