Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 11, Miyerkules sa Ika-4 na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 12:44-50

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:44-50

44 Malakas namang sinabi ni Jesus: “Ang nananalig sa aki’y hindi sa akin kundi sa nagpadala sa akin. 45 Ang puma­pan­sin sa aki’y pumapansin sa nagpadala sa akin. 46 Dumating ako na liwanag sa mundo upang hindi mamalagi sa dilim ang bawat nananalig sa akin. 47 Kung may nakaka­ri­nig sa aking mga salita at hindi ito iniinga­tan, hindi ako ang humahatol sa kanya sapagkat duma­dating ako hindi para hatulan ang mundo kundi para iligtas ang mundo.  

48 May humahatol sa bumabale-wala sa akin at di tumatanggap sa mga pana­nalita ko. Ang salitang ipina­ngusap ko ang siyang hahatol sa kanya sa huling araw. 49 Sapagkat hindi ako nangusap sa ganang sarili ko; ang nag­padala sa akin – ang Ama – siya mismo ang nag-utos sa akin kung ano ang sasabihin ko at ipangu­ngusap. 50 Alam kong buhay magpa­kailan­man ang kanyang utos. Kaya ang ipinangu­ngusap ko’y ipina­ngu­ngusap ko gaya ng sinabi sa akin ng Ama.  

1Reflection for May 10 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:22-30

Gospel: John 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.  

The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How can we have an encounter with Jesus? We have to abide with what Jesus tells us in the scripture/bible. If He tells us that He and the Father are one we have to believe it without any doubt. For the simple reason that all of Jesus pronouncements are not empty, it is solidly supported by other passages in the bible.  

What separates those who believe and those who don’t? Those who believe receive the full graces of the power that emanates from Jesus. For example, their lives are changed, their faiths are strengthened. And they themselves become an agent of positive change in their own respective environments.  

Those who do not believe or who take Jesus nonchalantly are left-out in terms of spiritual graces, their individual faith life is not strengthened. They are more vulnerable to the many forces of evil and they don’t have the spiritual strength that faithful believers have.  

What is the secret for us to believe? We have to humble ourselves before Jesus. We have to accept with faith every word that He tells us in the scripture/bible. And the moment we do, this would be the beginning of our renewed life with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 10, Martes sa Ika-4 na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 10:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:22-30

22 Piyesta ng Pagtatalaga sa Jerusalem, taglamig noon. 23 Palakad-lakad si Jesus sa Templo sa patyo ni Solomon, 24 at pina­ligiran siya ng mga Judio at sinabi sa kanya: “Hanggang kailan mo ba kami ibibitin? Kung ikaw ang Kristo, sabihin mo sa amin nang lantaran.” 25 Sinagot sila ni Jesus: “Sinabi ko na sa inyo pero hindi kayo nanini­wala. Nag­papatunay tungkol sa akin ang mga gawang tinatrabaho ko sa ngalan ng aking Ama. 26 Ngunit hindi kayo nani­niwala sapagkat hindi kayo kabilang sa aking mga tupa.  

27 Dinidinig ng aking mga tupa ang aking tinig at kilala ko sila, at sumu­sunod sila sa akin. 28 Buhay magpa­kailanman ang ibinibigay ko sa kanila at hin­ding-hindi sila kailanman mapa­pahamak ni walang aagaw sa kanila mula sa kamay ko. 29 Mas dakila sa anuman ang ibinigay sa akin ng aking Ama, at walang maka­aagaw mula sa kamay ng Ama. 30 Iisa kami: ako at ang Ama.”

Reflection for May 9 Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:1-10

Gospel: John 10:1-10

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

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

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you a good shepherd to your children?  

Parents are shepherds to their children as such they are expected not only to provide for the material and spiritual needs of their children. They are also expected to mold their children’s character and values. So that when the time comes for their children to become parents themselves. It’s also expected that they too will become good shepherds to their own children someday.  

Jesus is the best example of a good shepherd for He gave His very own life for us. Being a good shepherd, He led by example, He gave up His own comfort and He embraced His passion and death on the cross for our sake. He could have easily avoided dying on the cross but He chose to give His life because that is what is expected from a good shepherd.  

Regardless of who we are, we too are shepherds in our own way. Thus, it’s expected from us that we must also model our lives after Jesus. We listen to His voice as He listened to the voice of God. We must be ready to sacrifice for our flock even if this sacrifice would require us to give up our own comforts even if it leads us to give up our very own life.  

Come to think of it, it’s not actually easy to become a good shepherd. We just need to look at the path that Jesus went through. Nonetheless, to be a good shepherd is very much worth it, we may not see the reward now but someday we will.  

Are you a good shepherd? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 9, Lunes sa Ika-4 na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 10:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:1-10

 Sinabi ni Jesus 1 “Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, magnanakaw at tulisan ang hindi dumaraan sa pintuan pagpasok sa kulungan ng mga tupa kundi lumukso sa ibang dako. 2 Ang pastol ng mga tupa ang pumapasok sa pintuan.  

3 Pinagbu­buksan siya ng bantay-pinto, at naki­kinig ang mga tupa sa kanyang tinig. At tina­tawag niya sa pangalan ang sarili niyang mga tupa at inaakay palabas. 4 Kapag napalabas na niya ang tanang kanya, sa harap nila siya nagla­lakad at sa kanya sumusunod ang mga tupa, pagkat kilala nila ang kanyang tinig.  

5 Hinding-hindi sila susunod sa dayu­han kundi lalayuan nila ito sapag­kat hindi nila kilala ang tinig ng mga dayuhan.” 6 Ito ang talinhagang sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila. Ngunit hindi nila naintindihan ang gusto niyang sabihin sa kanila. 7 Kaya sinabi uli ni Jesus: “Tala­gang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: Ako siyang pintuan ng mga tupa. 8 Magna­nakaw at tulisan ang lahat ng nauna sa akin.  

Ngunit hindi sila pina­kinggan ng mga tupa. 9 Ako siyang pintuan; kung may pumapasok sa pamamagitan ko, maliligtas siya, at papasok at lalabas, at maka­katagpo ng pastulan. 10 Hindi dumarating ang magna­nakaw kundi para lamang magnakaw, pumaslang at magpa­hamak. Dumating naman ako upang magkaroon sila ng buhay at lubos na magkaroon nito.

Reflection for Sunday May 8, Fourth Sunday of Easter/Good Shepherd Sunday: John 10:27-30

Gospel: John 10:27-30

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you still remember when you were a child? Your mother and father would always look after you. They were always there for you in everything that you need to do and know. Then as you grow you slowly detached yourself from their guidance because you feel that you are already capable of guiding yourself and charting your own life. 

But as you encounter difficulties in your life you would always return to them to once again seek their guidance. Or even ask for their help and they would always be there for you. This is a testament of your parent’s great love for you. You fall down yet your parents would always be there to help you get up on your feet.  

Jesus our good shepherd is very much like our parents. He is always there for us to guide and mold us for us to become what He wants us to be. But there comes a time that we want independence from Jesus, we want to do things our way even if it’s against the will of God.  

So by our desire to do things our way we also mire ourselves in sin. But let us not forget that Jesus our good shepherd is always there for us. Ever ready to forgive us, ever ready to guide and shepherd us again. Jesus our good shepherd will not condemn us. What He always offers us is His unconditional love and forgiveness.   

Let us not detach ourselves anymore from the shepherding of Jesus for it’s only through Him that we can obtain salvation in this world. It’s only through Him that we can have peace in this world.  Let us continue to hear His voice through our daily reading and reflection of His words in the bible/scripture and through the many well-meaning commentaries of those who write and speak for Him.  

Who is shepherding you right now? If it’s Jesus you are blessed and you’re peaceful no matter the circumstances that you are in right now. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Mayo 8, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay/Linggo ng Mabuting Pastol: Juan 10:27-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:27-30

27 Sinabi ni Jesus, Dinidinig ng aking mga tupa ang aking tinig at kilala ko sila, at sumu­sunod sila sa akin. 28 Buhay magpa­kailanman ang ibinibigay ko sa kanila at hin­ding-hindi sila kailanman mapa­pahamak ni walang aagaw sa kanila mula sa kamay ko. 29 Mas dakila sa anuman ang ibinigay sa akin ng aking Ama, at walang maka­aagaw mula sa kamay ng Ama. 30 Iisa kami: ako at ang Ama.”

 

Reflection for May 7 Saturday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:60-69

Gospel: John 6:60-69

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

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

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

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

For many of us the teachings of Jesus are actually hard to follow. For example His teachings about Humility. How many of us are still willing to offer the other cheek if we are hit on the other side(Luke 6:29)? 

 His teachings about fidelity to the Sacrament of Marriage. Are we still faithful or have we been faithful to our respective spouses? And there are many more teachings that Jesus wants us to follow but we don’t for the simple reason that we want to satisfy our earthly desires.  

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

But where would we go? We follow the dictates of the flesh and this sinful world? if this is so we then end up in hell, we will even taste and feel how it is to be in hell while we are still living in this world.    

it’s only through Jesus that we can have peace, that this world cannot give us and it’s only through Jesus that we can have eternal life. The things that we have right now are all temporary; we will leave it or it will leave us anytime. Therefore, we always have to be faithful to the Lord no matter the trials.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

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

Gospel: John 6:52-59

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

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

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

But no, we will not feel helpless if we know that the person on his deathbed is a frequent Holy Mass goer. And if we know that the person is frequently being nourished by the Body of Christ during Holy Communion. 

 This is for the reason that we believe to the core of our bones the proclamation of Jesus that whoever eats His Flesh and drinks His blood has eternal life. 

We hold on to this assurance by Jesus and we feel and believe this as we receive His Body and Blood during Holy Communion. But not everyone is knowledgeable of this Bread of Life which is none other than Jesus Himself.  

It is therefore our responsibility now to echo this gift of life of Jesus so that many will be enlightened and saved. Let us not become hearers only let us also become sharers of this good news. 

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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 6, Biyernes sa Ika-3 Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:52-59

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:52-59

52 Nagtalu-talo ang mga Judio at nagsalita: “Paano tayo mabi­bigyan ng taong ito ng laman para ka­inin?” 53 Sinabi naman ni Jesus sa kanila: “Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, kung hindi n’yo kakanin ang laman ng Anak ng Tao at iinu­min ang kanyang dugo, wala kayong buhay sa inyong sarili. 54 May buhay magpakailanman ang ngumu­nguya ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo, at itatayo ko siya sa huling araw.    

55 Sapagkat totoong pagkain ang aking laman at totoong inumin ang aking dugo. 56 Ang ngumunguya ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay namamalagi sa akin at ako naman sa kanya. 57 Sinugo nga ako ng Amang buhay at buhay ako dahil sa Ama, gayundin naman dahil sa akin mabu­buhay ang ngumunguya sa akin.  

58 Ito ang tinapay na pumanaog mula sa Langit, hindi gaya sa inyong mga ninuno na kumain at nangamatay pa rin. Mabu­buhay naman magpakailan­man ang ngu­munguya ng tinapay na ito.” 59 Sinabi niya ang mga bagay na ito sa sinagoga habang nangangaral siya sa Capernaum. 

1Reflection for May 5 Thursday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:44-51

Gospel: John 6:44-51

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

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

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you afraid to die? 

 There are many reasons why many are afraid to die; foremost amongst these reasons is we are not prepared yet. We still have our own worldly preoccupation that we must take care of first. But we all know that at a time that we don’t expect, we have to go and leave this world permanently.  

In today’s gospel Jesus gives us an iron clad protection against our fear of death. He enjoins us to regularly partake of the living bread that is available to us during Holy Communion no other than Himself. This is the same bread that is given to those who are sick and not anymore able to go to church for Holy Mass.      

Why don’t we try to regularly partake of His Body during Holy Communion? And see how it will form, change and make us fearless of mortal death. We will not die anymore if we are with Jesus and we will not fear death anymore if we reverently partake of Him at Holy Mass during Holy Communion.   

Our marching order therefore is to bring others to Holy Mass. So that they will also be blessed, nourished and enlightened by the enormous blessing of the Body of Jesus Christ. 

Have you been able to bring someone to church for Holy Mass so that they too could partake of the Body of Christ during Holy Communion? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 5, Huwebes sa Ika-3 Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:44-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:44-51

44 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao: Walang ma­ka­lala­pit sa akin kung hindi siya aakitin ng Amang nagpadala sa akin. At itatayo ko siya sa huling araw. 45 Na­susulat sa Mga Propeta: Tuturuan nga silang lahat ng Diyos. Kaya lumalapit sa akin ang bawat nakarinig at tinuruan ng Ama.   

46 Wala ngang nakakita sa Ama liban sa kanya na galing sa Diyos; siya ang naka­kita sa Diyos. 47 Talagang-tala­gang sina­sabi ko sa inyo, may buhay magpaka­ilanman ang naniniwala. 48 Ako siyang tinapay ng buhay. 49 Ku­main nga ng manna sa disyerto ang inyong mga ni­nuno at nangamatay pa rin. 50 Narito naman ang tinapay na puma­panaog mula sa Langit, upang maka­kain nito ang sinuman at di ma­matay.   

51 Ako siyang tinapay na buhay, na pumanaog mula sa Langit. Kung may kakain ng tinapay na ito, mabubuhay siya magpa­kailanman. At ang laman ko ang tinapay na aking ibibigay alang-alang sa ikabu­buhay ng mundo.

Reflection for May 4 Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:35-40

Gospel: John 6:35-40

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

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Is Jesus the center of your life?  Well and good if yes for this is how it should be. Jesus must be the center of your life. Not money, not power or anything that is worldly it should be Jesus! Why Jesus and not anything that belongs to this world? Because when you have Jesus in your life you already have the greatest treasure that gives eternal life. 

Life in this world is fleeting; we could leave this ephemeral world anytime, what would happen to us if Jesus is not the center of our life? For example, if our motivation of living in this world is all about material things, power and enjoyment. What’s next after material things, power and enjoyment? Nothing for it’s already the dead end for a person without God. This is the danger of not having Jesus in our lives and not making Jesus the center of our lives.  

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

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

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 4, Miyerkules sa Ika-3 Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:35-40

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:35-40

35 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Ako siyang tinapay ng buhay. Hinding-hindi magugutom ang lumalapit sa akin at hinding-hindi mauuhaw ka­ilanman ang nananalig sa akin. 36 Pero sinabi ko sa inyo: nakita n’yo, at hindi naman kayo naniniwala.  

37 Lalapit sa akin ang bawat ibini­bigay sa akin ng Ama, at hinding-hindi ko ipagtatabuyan sa labas ang luma­lapit sa akin. 38 Sa­pagkat pumanaog ako mula sa Langit hindi para gawin ang aking kalo­oban kundi ang kalooban ng nagpadala sa akin.  

39 Ito ang kalooban ng nagpadala sa akin: na huwag kong pabayaang ma­wala ang bawat ibinigay niya sa akin; sa halip ay itatayo ko ito sa huling araw. 40 Ito nga ang kalooban ng Ama ko: magkakaroon ng buhay magpakailan­man ang bawat pumapansin sa Anak at nananalig sa kanya, at itatayo ko siya sa huling araw.”

1Reflection for Tuesday May 3 Saints Philip and James, Apostles (Feast): John 14:6-14

Gospel: John 14:6-14

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”  

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.  

The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

A typical marriage vows goes like this: For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. A man and a woman become one by virtue of the Sacrament of Marriage. 

Jesus objective for instituting this Sacrament is to permanently bind these two separate and distinct individuals so that they may become one. This union must always be for life. It must never be based on convenience but based on mutual trust and respect for each other.  

In our gospel for today, it is very obvious that Jesus wants to point out to Philip and to us too that He and God the father are one. Although God the Father and Jesus are two different persons, they are one and the same God. They both have the same desire for all of humanity and that is salvation for us all. 

We believe this oneness of Jesus and God the Father, although they are two different persons. We must also strongly believe in the Sanctity of the Sacrament of Matrimony. That it is a union for life and nobody can separate both spouses except mortal death.  

But sad to say, many of us violates the sanctity of Marriage and the result is sometimes separation. And who is to blame for this? To blame is the arrogance of many of us for we don’t want to subscribe to the laws of God. We instead follow our selfish desires which in the end don’t bring us any good except endless misery. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Mayo 3, San Felipe at San Santiago mga apostol (Kapistahan) : Juan 14:6-14

Mabuting Balita: Juan 14:6-14

6 Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus kay Tomas: “Ako siyang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang nakalalapit sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko. 7 Kung kilala ninyo ako, makikilala rin ninyo ang aking Ama. Ngunit ngayon, kilala n’yo na siya at nakita ninyo siya.”  

8 Sinabi sa kanya ni Felipe: “Pangi­noon, ipakita mo na sa amin ang Ama at sapat na sa amin.” 9 Sinabi sa kanya si Jesus: “Ang tagal na panahon n’yo akong kasa­ma at hindi mo pa ako kilala, Felipe? Sa pag­ka­kita sa akin ninu­man, ang Ama ang naki­kita niya. Paano mong masasabi: ‘Ituro mo sa amin ang Ama’? 10 Hindi ka ba naniniwalang nasa Ama ako at nasa akin ang Ama? Hindi mula sa sarili ko sinasabi ang  mga salitang bini­bigkas ko. Sa akin nanu­nuluyan ang Ama, at siya ang guma­gawa ng kanyang mga gawa.  

11 Mani­wala kayo sa akin na nasa Ama ako at nasa akin ang Ama. Kung hindi dahil sa akin, maniwala kayo dahil man lamang sa mga gawa. 12 Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, magagawa rin ng nananalig sa akin ang gawang ginawa ko; at mas dakila pa kaysa mga ito ang gagawin niya. Sapagkat sa Ama ako papunta. 13 Anu­mang hingin n’yo sa Pangalan ko’y gaga­win ko upang luwalhatiin ang Ama sa Anak. 14 At kung may hingin kayo sa akin sa Pangalan ko, gagawin ko.

Reflection for Monday May 2 Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (M): John 6:22-29

Gospel: John 6:22-29

The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. 

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when the found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A man was once asked why he attends the celebration of the Holy Mass everyday. He said that he does so because he wants to be nourished by Jesus everyday. Then he said these very profound words: “I don’t have the heart to refuse Jesus who always offers Himself to me during Holy Communion.” 

In almost everyday of our lives Jesus always offers Himself to us by way of Holy Communion inside the celebration of the Holy Mass.  He is the food that does not perish and He is the food that gives eternal life. We often times take Him for granted for the reason that we don’t go to Holy Mass often even if we have the luxury of time. 

But when are we going to Jesus? When we are in dire need of Him already? Let us not wait for the time to come when we will be forced to go to Jesus. Because we are already sick or a few breaths away from death.  

Let us take advantage of the present moment that we have every day let us go to Jesus now. For everything is ours to gain, we will not lose anything except our sinfulness the moment we decide to go to Jesus.  

Do you always go to Jesus who always offers Himself to you in the celebration of the Holy Mass? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Mayo 2, San Atanasio, Obispo at pantas ng Iglesia (Paggunita) : Juan 6:22-29

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:22-29

22 Napuna ng mga taong nakatayo sa kabilang ibayo ng dagat na dati’y wa¬lang ibang bangka doon kundi isa lang at hindi suma¬kay sa bangka kasama ng kanyang mga alagad si Jesus kundi ang kanyang mga alagad lamang ang magkakasamang umalis. 23 May iba namang malalaking bangkang galing Tiberias na dumating malapit sa lugar na kinainan nila ng tinapay pagkapag-pasalamat ng Pangi¬noon. 

24 Kaya nang mapuna ng mga tao na wala roon si Jesus ni ang kanyang mga alagad, suma¬kay sila sa mga bangka at nagpa-Capernaum sa pag¬hanap kay Jesus.  25 Nang matagpuan nila siya sa kabilang ibayo ng dagat, sinabi nila sa kanya, “Rabbi, kailan ka dumating?” 26 Sumagot sa kanila si Jesus at sinabi: “Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, hinahanap n’yo ako hindi dahil sa nakita n’yo sa pamamagitan ng mga tanda kundi dahil sa tinapay na kinain n’yo at nabusog kayo. 

27 Magtrabaho kayo, hindi nga para sa pagkaing nasi¬sira kundi para sa pagkaing nama¬malagi hanggang buhay na magpa¬kailanman. Ito ang ibibigay sa inyo ng Anak ng Tao, siya nga ang tinatakan ng Diyos Ama.”   28 Kaya sinabi nila sa kanya: “Ano ang matatrabaho namin para maisa¬gawa ang mga gawa ng Diyos?” 29 Sumagot si Jesus at sinabi sa kanila: “Ito ang gawa ng Diyos: patuloy kayong manalig sa sinugo niya.”

Reflection for Sunday May 1, Third Sunday of Easter: John 21:1-19

Gospel: John 21:1-19

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.”

So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.”

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish.

When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” Because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.  

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel abandoned by Jesus? There are times that we go through some arid stages in our life. We feel abandoned by our friends, relative and even Jesus, But does Jesus abandon us? Never will the Lord abandon us.

With the death of Jesus the disciples had no other option but to go back to their former way of life none other than fishing. It must have been difficult for them to go back to fishing for they’ve been detached from it for three long years. Perhaps they even thought that they would never go back to fishing but their Lord and Master died on the cross.

Therefore, there was no other choice for them but to go back to their former job as fishermen. From being fishers of men they go back again to being real fishermen. After three long years they went fishing for the very first time, it must been very hard for them. Perhaps when they were at sea they were still thinking of Jesus and terribly longing for His presence. That’s why they failed to concentrate on fishing so they caught nothing.

Then the feeling of weariness, loneliness and the feeling of being abandoned was immediately replaced by joy and hope when they saw Jesus waiting for them ashore. Jesus asked them, have you caught anything? They said none, then Jesus told them put once again your nets at sea where you are right now. No need for you to go far, drop it where you are right now! And then the miracle happened they caught an enormous number of fish.    

Relating this gospel with our personal journey with Jesus. There would also be episodes of weariness, loneliness and perhaps feeling of abandonment. But in the midst of these episodes let us continue to have faith in the Lord for Jesus will make His way back to us when we least expect it. Never will the Lord abandon us.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Mayo 1, Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:1-19

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:1-19

1 Pagkaraan ng mga ito, muling ibinunyag ni Jesus ang sarili sa mga alagad sa may Dagat ng Tiberias. Ganito ang kanyang pagbu¬bunyag. 2 Magkasamang naroon sina Simon Pedro, Tomas na tinaguriang Kambal, Natanael na taga-Cana ng Galilea, ang mga anak ni Zebedeo, at dalawa pa sa  mga alagad niya. 3 Sinabi sa kanila ni Simon Pedro: “Aalis ako para mangisda.” Sinabi nila sa kanya: “Sasama kami sa iyo.” 

Lumabas sila at sumakay sa bangka nang gabing iyo’y wala silang nahuli. 4 Nang madaling-araw na, nakatayo si Jesus sa dalampasigan pero hindi nakilala ng mga alagad na si Jesus iyon. 5 Tinatawag sila ni Jesus: “Mga bata, wala ba kayong isda?” Sumagot sila sa kanya: “Wala!” 6 Kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ihagis n’yo ang lambat sa bandang kanan ng bangka at ma-kakatagpo kayo.” Kaya inihagis nga nila at hindi na nila makayang hilahin iyon dahil sa dami ng isda.  

7 Kaya sinabi kay Pedro ng alagad na iyon na mahal ni Jesus: “Ang Panginoon siya!” Nang marinig ni Simon Pedro na ang Panginoon iyon, ibinigkis niya ang [kanyang] damit dahil hubad siya, at saka tumalon sa dagat. 8 Dumating namang sakay ng maliit na bangka ang iba pang mga alagad pagkat hindi sila kalayuan mula sa pampang kundi mga sandaang metro lamang. Hila-hila nila ang lambat ng mga isda.  

9 At pagkalunsad sa lupa, nakita nilang may nagbabagang uling doon, na pinagiihawan ng isda, at may tinapay. 10 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Magdala kayo mula sa mga isdang nahuli n’yo ngayon.” 11 Kaya sumakay si Simon Pedro at hinila sa pampang ang lambat na puno ng sandaa’t limampu’t tatlong malalaking isda. At kahit na napakarami’y hindi napunit ang lambat.  

12 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Halikayo’t mag-almusal!” Walang maka-pangahas sa mga alagad na mag-usisa sa kanya: “Sino ba kayo?” dahil alam nilang ang Panginoon iyon. 13 Lumapit si Jesus at kumuha ng tinapay at ipinamahagi sa kanila. Gayundin sa isda. 14 Ito ngayon ang ikatlong pagbubunyag ni Jesus sa mga alagad matapos siyang ibangon mula sa mga patay.  

15 Pagkapag-almusal nila, sinabi ni Jesus kay Simon Pedro: “Simon, anak ni Juan, mahal mo ba ako nang higit sa pagmamahal nila?” Sinabi nito sa kanya: “Oo, Panginoon, ikaw ang nakaaalam na iniibig kita.” Sinabi sa kanya: “Pakanin mo ang aking mga kordero.” 16 Sinabi sa kanyang makalawa: “Simon, anak ni Juan, mahal mo ba ako?” Sinabi nito sa kanya: “Oo, Panginoon, ikaw ang nakaaalam na iniibig kita.” Sinabi sa kanya: “Ipastol ang aking mga tupa.” 17 Sinabi sa kanyang makaitlo: “Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako?” Nalungkot na si Pedro dahil makaitlo siyang sinabihan: “Iniibig mo ba ako?” kaya sinabi niya: “Panginoon, ikaw ang nakaaalam ng lahat; alam mong iniibig kita.” Sinabi nito sa kanya: “Pakanin mo ang aking mga tupa.  

18 Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa iyo, nang bata-bata ka pa, ikaw mismo ang nagbibigkis sa iyong sarili at palakad-lakad ka saan mo man naisin. Ngunit pagtanda mo’y ididipa mo naman ang mga kamay mo, at iba ang magbibigkis sa iyo sa hindi mo nais.” 19 Sinabi ito ni Jesus sa pagbibigay-tanda sa paraan ng kamatayang ipanluluwalhati ni Pedro sa Diyos. At pagkatapos nito ay sinabi niya: “Sumunod ka sa akin!”