Reflection for December 23, Monday; Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:57-66

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him."

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Reflection:

What is the reward for our faithfulness to the Lord? For example if both couples are faithful to the Sacrament of Marriage. The rewards are God’s blessings, peace of mind, worthy and loving children and there are many more.

In our gospel through their fidelity and love for each other Elizabeth and Zechariah notwithstanding their old age were blessed by God with a child. The child was named John in fulfillment of the desire of God coursed through the angel Gabriel.

There is always a reward for those who are faithful to the Sacrament of Marriage. It may not be a worldly reward such as temporal riches. Anyway, who needs temporal riches and success if it can fly away from our grasp anytime?   

The couple Zechariah and Elizabeth were both faithful not only to their marriage but to the Lord as well. Thus, they were rewarded by the Lord with so many blessings prominent among those blessings is a child in their old age. Sounds impossible right? But nothing is impossible for the God for as long as we would be faithful to Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Disyembre 23, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:57-66

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:57-66

57 Nang sumapit na ang panga­­nga­nak ni Elizabeth, isang anak na lalaki ang isinilang niya. 58 Na­rinig ng mga kapit­bahay at mga ka­mag-anakan niya kung gaano nagdalang-awa sa kanya ang Pa­nginoon kayat nakigalak sila sa kanya.

59 Nang ikawalong araw na, duma­­ting sila pa­ra tuliin ang sanggol at pa­nga­­­nga­lanan sana nila itong Zacarias gaya ng kanyang ama. 60 Su­magot naman ang kanyang ina: “Hindi, tatawagin siyang Juan.” 61 Pero sinabi nila sa kanya: “Wala ka na­mang ka­mag-anak na may ganyang pangalan.” 62 Kaya sumenyas sila sa ama ng sang­­gol kung ano ang gusto niyang itawag dito. 63 Humingi siya ng isang sulatan, at sa pagtataka ng lahat ay kanyang isinulat: “Juan ang pangalan niya.” 64 Noon di’y nabuksan ang kanyang bibig at nakalag ang kanyang dila. Na­ka­pagsa­lita siya at nagpuri sa Diyos.

65 Kaya namayani ang banal na pag­katakot sa kanilang mga kapitbahay. At naging usap-usapan ang lahat ng pang­ya­­yaring ito sa buong mataas na lupain ng Juda. 66 Nag-isip-isip ang mga nakarinig at nagtanungan: “Ano na kaya ang mang­yayari sa sanggol na ito?” Dahil suma­sa­kanya ngang talaga ang kamay ng Panginoon.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday December 22, Fourth Sunday of Advent: Matthew 1:18-24

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife into his home.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a husband who planned to become rich so that he could provide all the material things for his family. However, his wife advised him that it would also be fine even if they will not become rich. The wife further said that what is important for her is to have a happy, God centered and closely-knit family.

What would you do if you were in the predicament of Saint Joseph? Would you also listen to the angel of God or you would loudly protest the injustice done to your honor and not listen anymore to the angel?

I think that it is safe to say that you will protest the insult done to your personhood. Imagine not fathering the baby that is being carried in the womb of your wife? For a while Joseph quietly opposed the plan of God but he was prevailed upon by the angel sent by God. From thereon he had no complaints whatsoever he humbly listened to the angel of God.

In Saint Joseph we see a rational man who will humbly ask God questions on what is happening to his life. But upon the revelation of an angel through his dream that he would be part of the plan of God for humanity’s salvation. He did not ask questions anymore, Saint Joseph humbly and quietly obeyed.

What does this say about us? We also have our own plans for ourselves, plans to achieve prominent things for our own family’s welfare and so forth. But there are times that it will not become a reality no matter how hard we try to execute it. And that’s when we must deeply understand that God has a plan for us which is very much different than what we have planned for. We may never know what his plans are right now but He has a plan and that is surely for our own good.

It is said that, when God closes a door in our life He will certainly open a window. The door that closed in the life of Saint Joseph was his plan to become a biological father. And what was the window that opened? Saint Joseph became the foster father of Jesus. Saint Joseph also became a party to God’s plan of salvation because he saved the Blessed Mother from condemnation, ridicule and even brutal death by stoning.

So, if the cloud ahead of you seems hazy, darkened and thundering be patient; continue to quietly soldier on. Be like Saint Joseph: Humble, obedient, quite, uncomplaining and has a listening ear for the voice of God. Because God has a plan for you as well it may seem unclear right now but God has a plan and that is for your own good. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo December 22, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 1:18-24

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:18-24

18 Ganito ipinanganak si Jesucristo. Ipinag­kasundo na kay Jose ang kanyang inang si Maria pero bago sila nagsama bilang mag-asawa, nagdadalantao na siya gawa ng Espiritu Santo. 19 Kaya binalak ni Jose na hiwalayan nang lihim ang kanyang asawa. Matuwid nga siya at ayaw niya itong mapahiya.

20 Habang iniisip-isip niya ito, napa­kita sa kanya sa panaginip ang Anghel ng Panginoon at sinabi: “Jose, anak ni David, huwag kang matakot na tang­ga­pin si Maria bilang iyong asawa. Gawa ng Espi­ritu Santo kaya siya naglihi, 21 at ma­nga­nganak siya ng isang sanggol na lalaki, na panga­ngalanan mong Jesus sapagkat siya ang magliligtas sa kanyang samba­yanan mula sa kanilang mga kasa­lanan.”

22 Nangyari ang lahat ng ito para matu­pad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamama­gitan ng Propeta: 23 “Maglilihi ang birhen at magsisilang ng isang sanggol na lalaki at tatawagin nila siyang Emmanuel na ibig sabihi’y Nasa-atin-ang-Diyos.” 24 Ka­ya pagka­gising ni Jose, ginawa niya ang sinabi ng Anghel ng Panginoon at tinang­gap niya ang kanyang asawa.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for December 21, Saturday; Third Week of Advent: Luke 1:39-45

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

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Reflection:

Are we aware of the fact that during this Christmas season there are people who badly want our presence and who want to touch base with us? These people desire us to be with them even for a short time. They may be our parents, our siblings our children and our relatives whom we have not seen and talked for so long.

In the gospel today the Blessed Mother walked more than 100 km from Nazareth to the residence of her cousin Elizabeth just to see her and to let her know that she is there for her. Mary visited her cousin not minding the long distance that she will be going through Mary simply wanted to express her support to her cousin Elizabeth.

The Blessed Mother was also pregnant around that time. Yet she purposely did not mind her own wellbeing so that she could take care of her cousin Elizabeth. Mary could have simply brushed aside her cousin Elizabeth but she did not.

How many of us are willing to do that selfless act? How many of us are willing to forget our own needs so that we could give happiness to others?  Let us forget ourselves and make a very big difference in the lives of others especially the poor ones who cannot repay our act of altruism. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Disyembre 21, Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:39-45

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-45

• 39 Nang mga araw ring iyo’y nag­mamadaling naglakbay si Maria pa­punta sa isang bayan sa mataas na lupain ng Juda. 40 Pumasok siya roon sa bahay ni Zacarias at binati si Eli­zabeth. 41 Nang marinig ni Elizabeth ang bati ni Maria, sumikad ang sanggol sa si­na­pupunan niya, at napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elizabeth 42 at mala­kas siyang sumigaw at sinabi: “Lubos kang pi­nagpala sa mga kababaihan. Pinag­pala rin ang bunga ng iyong sina­pu­punan! 43 Sino nga ba naman ako’t na­parito sa akin ang ina ng aking Pa­ngi­noon? 44 Nang umabot sa aking pan­dinig ang iyong pagbati, sumikad sa tuwa ang sanggol sa aking sina­pu­punan. 45 Pinagpapala ang naniniwa­lang magaganap ang mga sinabi sa kanya ng Pa­nginoon.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for December 20, Friday; Third Week of Advent: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favor! The Lord is with you.' She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favor. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob forever and his reign will have no end.'

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

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

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Reflection:

Do you always submit to the wisdom of the Good Lord?

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

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

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

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

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

1Reflection for December 19, Thursday; Third Week of Advent: Luke 1:5-25

Gospel: Luke 1:5-25

In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.

Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”

Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”

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Reflection:

Are you faithful to the Lord’s commands?

The couple Elizabeth and Zechariah were both well beyond their best years as far as having a child is concerned. But God unexpectedly blessed them with a child. Why did God elected to bless them with a child? Perhaps God did so because both were faithful to Him, both were righteous and they both observe blamelessly His commandments and ordinances.

There are things in life that may seem to be impossible already for us to achieve. But we must always remember that nothing is impossible with God.  Everything is possible for Him for so long as we have faith and are faithful to Him. This is evidenced by what happened to the righteous couple of Zechariah and Elizabeth.

What if they were not righteous? What if they did not faithfully observe the commandments of the Lord? Perhaps, the Good Lord wouldn’t have blessed them with a child. But they were faithful that’s why God rewarded them with a blessing of life.

I think that most of the blessing that God gives us is anchored on our faith and faithfulness towards Him. This is perhaps the first requirement of God if we want to receive something from Him. But are we always faithful to God? Do we always follow His commandments? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Disyembre 19, Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:5-25

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:5-25

5 Sa kapanahunan ni Herodes na hari ng Judea, may isang paring nag­ngangalang Zacarias, mula sa pangkat ni Abias. Mula rin sa lahi ni Aaron ang kanyang asawa na Elizabeth ang pa­nga­lan. 6 Kapwa sila matuwid sa harap ng Diyos at namumuhay nang walang kapintasan ayon sa lahat ng batas at kautusan ng Panginoon. 7 Ngunit wala silang anak dahil baog si Elizabeth at kapwa matanda na sila.

8 Minsan, habang naglilingkod si Zaca­rias sa harap ng Diyos nang turno pa ng kanyang pangkat, 9 nagpalabu­nutan sila ayon sa kaugalian ng kapa­rian at siya ang napiling pumasok sa santuwaryo ng Pa­ngi­noon para mag­sunog ng insenso. 10 Kaya sa oras ng pag-aalay ng insenso habang nana­nalangin ang buong bayan sa labas, 11napakita sa kanya ang anghel ng Panginoon, naka­tayo sa gawing ka­nan ng altar ng insenso. 12 Naligalig si Za­carias at sinid­lan ng takot pagkakita rito.

13 Ngunit sinabi sa kanya ng anghel: “Huwag kang matakot, Zacarias; d­i­ninig na ang iyong panalangin. Ipa­nganganak sa iyo ng asawa mong si Elizabeth ang isang anak na lalaki, at pangangalanan mo siyang Juan. 14 Magiging ligaya at tuwa mo siya, at marami rin ang magagalak dahil sa kanyang pagsilang.

15 Magiging dakila nga siya sa harap ng Panginoon. Hindi siya iinom ng alak ng ubas o ng butil at mapupuspos siya ng Espiritu Santo mula sa sinapu­punan ng kanyang ina. 16 Panunum­balikin niya ang maraming anak ng Israel sa Panginoong kani­­lang Diyos. 17 Mangu­nguna siya sa Panginoon taglay ang diwa at ka­pang­yarihan ni Elias para papag­kasun­duin ang mga magulang at mga anak, at ibalik ang mga masu­wayin sa pag-unawang bagay sa mga makatarungan upang ma­ihanda ang isang bayang angkop sa Panginoon.”

18 Sinabi naman ni Zacarias sa anghel: “Paano ko ito matitiyak? Matanda na nga ako at may katandaan na rin ang aking asawa.” 19 Sumagot ang anghel at sinabi sa kanya: “Ako si Gabriel na nasa harap ng Diyos. Ako ang sinugo sa iyo para ka­usapin ka’t ihatid ang magandang balitang ito. 20 Matutupad sa takdang pana­hon ang aking mga salita; ngunit ikaw na di naniniwala ay magiging pipi at di maka­pagsasalita hanggang sa araw na mang­yari ang mga ito.”

21 Naghihintay naman kay Zacarias ang bayan at nagtataka sa pagtatagal niya sa loob ng santuwaryo. 22 Nang lumabas siya, hindi na siya makapag­sa­lita kaya nalaman nilang nakakita siya ng isang pangitain sa loob ng santuwaryo. Sume­senyas na lamang siya sa kanila at nana­tiling pipi.

23 Nang matapos na ang panahon ng kanyang paglilingkod, umuwi si Za­carias. 24 At pagkaraan ng mga araw, nagdalantao ang asawa niyang si Elizabeth ngunit limang buwan itong di lumabas ng bahay at sinabi: 25 “Ito’y gawa ng Panginoon! Ipinasya niyang alisin ang kahihiyan ko sa paningin ng mga tao.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for December 18, Wednesday; Third Week of Advent: Matthew 1:18-25

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.  She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

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Reflection:

Do you have a devotion to Saint Joseph?

If only all husbands are like Saint Joseph, there would be no broken marriages; there would be no suffering wives, there would be no suffering children that ultimately bear the trauma of their parents’ separation.

Joseph initially planned to divorce Mary quietly until the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-22).”

When he woke up, he humbly did what was commanded to him by the angel of the Lord. What if Joseph brushed aside the message of the Lord? The Blessed Mother would have been in a very difficult situation. She could have died through stoning a brutal punishment for those who bore a child out of wedlock during that time.

 There would be no birth of Jesus; therefore there would be no savior for mankind. But thanks to Joseph who listened to the Lord. With Joseph’s acceptance of the responsibility the plan of God was laid out without anymore hindrance.     

God has a plan for you also, just like Joseph who listened and obeyed; God wants you also to listen and obey.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Disyembre 18, Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 1:18-25

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:18-25

18 Ganito ipinanganak si Jesucristo. Ipinag­kasundo na kay Jose ang kanyang inang si Maria pero bago sila nagsama bilang mag-asawa, nagdadalantao na siya gawa ng Espiritu Santo. 19 Kaya binalak ni Jose na hiwalayan nang lihim ang kanyang asawa. Matuwid nga siya at ayaw niya itong mapahiya.

20 Habang iniisip-isip niya ito, napa­kita sa kanya sa panaginip ang Anghel ng Panginoon at sinabi: “Jose, anak ni David, huwag kang matakot na tang­ga­pin si Maria bilang iyong asawa. Gawa ng Espi­ritu Santo kaya siya naglihi, 21 at ma­nga­nganak siya ng isang sanggol na lalaki, na panga­ngalanan mong Jesus sapagkat siya ang magliligtas sa kanyang samba­yanan mula sa kanilang mga kasa­lanan.”

22 Nangyari ang lahat ng ito para matu­pad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamama­gitan ng Propeta: 23 “Maglilihi ang birhen at magsisilang ng isang sanggol na lalaki at tatawagin nila siyang Emmanuel na ibig sabihi’y Nasa-atin-ang-Diyos.” 24 Ka­ya pagka­gising ni Jose, ginawa niya ang sinabi ng Anghel ng Panginoon at tinang­gap niya ang kanyang asawa. 25 Ngunit hindi sila nag­talik bago isilang ang sang­­gol. At pina­ngalanan niya itong Jesus.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for December 17, Tuesday; Third Week of Advent: Matthew 1:1-17

Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.

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Reflection:

Do you know your family tree?

With the modernity of technology today wherein we are always busy with facebook and our many gadgets. Do we still have time to know our family tree or are we still willing to know our family tree? Say for example the names of our ancestors, do we still have time to know them?

Or we don’t have time to know them for the simple reason that they belong to the past already. And we are now here in this high-technology driven times where there is less people to people interaction. We now interact more with our internet friendly cell phones, ipads, laptops etc.

Nevertheless, we still need to know who our relatives are for the simple reason that we are humans. We are not high tech cell phones or other gadgets. And as such we need to know who our relatives are, so that we could also touch base and help them if they are in need of help.

We have in our gospel the ancestry of Jesus, it traces the family history of Jesus. From Abraham, King David up to Saint Joseph the designated father of Jesus. This ancestry shows the humanity of Jesus.

Even if He is God the Son Jesus is also human like all of us and being human this means that He is one with us. We can even adopt Him as our relative so that we could feel more closer to Him. For example we can treat Jesus as our brother or even our father that we could communicate with anytime.

God could have chosen Jesus to directly originate from heaven like a shooting star coming into earth. But God allowed Jesus to come from an ancestry of numerous people so that we can always be at home with Him. And so that we could treat Him as our close friend, our brother or even our father.

How’s your relationship with Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Disyembre 17, Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 1:1-17

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:1-17

1 Ito ang libro ng pinagmulan ni Jesu­cristo, anak ni David at anak ni Abraham. 2 Si Abraham ang ama ni Isaac, si Isaac ang ama ni Jacob, si Jacob ang ama ni Juda at ng kanyang mga kapatid. 3 Si Juda ang ama nina Parez at Zerah (si Tamar ang kanilang ina), si Parez ang ama ni Esron, at si Esron ni Aram. 4 Si Aram naman ang ama ni Aminadab, si Ami­­nadab ni Naason, si Naason ni Sal­mon.

5 Si Salmon ang ama ni Boaz, at si Rahab naman ang kanyang ina. Si Boaz ang ama ni Obed, si Ruth ang kanyang ina. Si Obed naman ang ama ni Jese. 6 Si Jese ang ama ni David na hari. Si David ang ama ni Solomon, at ang na­ging maybahay ni Urias ang kanyang ina.

7 Si Solomon ang ama ni Rehoboam na ama ni Abias, at sumunod naman ang mga haring sina Asa, 8 Yosafat, Yoram, Ocias, 9 Yoatan, Ahaz, Ezekias, 10 Mana­ses, Amon at Yosias. 11 Si Yosias ang ama ni Yekonias at ng kanyang mga kapatid, sa panahon ng pagkatapon sa Babilonia. 12 Pagkatapos naman ng pagkatapon sa Babilonia – si Yekonias ang ama ni Salatiel na ama ni Zorobabel.

13 Si Zorobabel ang ama ni Abiud, si Abiud ni Eliakim, at si Eliakim ni Azor. 14 Si Azor ang ama ni Sadok, si Sadok ni Akim, at si Akim ni Eliud. 15 Si Eliud ang ama ni Eleazar, si Eleazar ni Matan at si Matan ni Jacob. 16 Si Jacob ang ama ni Jose – ang asawa ni Maria na siyang pinagmulan ni Jesus na tinawag na Kristo. 17 Kaya may labing-apat na salinlahi mula kay Abraham hanggang kay David at labing-apat mula kay David hang­gang sa pagkatapon sa Babi­lonia at labing-apat din hanggang sa Kristo.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for December 16, Monday; Third Week of Advent: Matthew 21:23-27

Gospel: Matthew 21:23-27

When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority? Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things.  Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him? But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know. He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

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Reflection:

Where does Jesus’ authority comes from? We know that it comes from God, God gave Jesus the authority to preach, heal, exorcise those who are possessed by the devil and so forth.

The ruling class at that time (Pharisees, chief priest and elders of the people) were questioning Jesus’ authority because Jesus’ authority was more powerful than theirs. People were starting to flock more to Jesus than to them therefore they have to question His authority. Jesus never backed down with His authority He held on to it until death.

Parent’s authority over their children is encompassing this means that for as long as parents live they have authority over their children until mortal death ends this authority. But why is it that many parents are being disrespected by their children?

This is for the reason that many parents failed to properly role model their authority over their children. They did not discipline their children; they spoiled their children by showering them material things. They failed to lead by example and they failed to introduce God to their children by teaching them about Jesus and by bringing them to church for Holy Mass.  Thus they end up losing their authority over their children and the respect of their children.

If we want to have authority over our children and with other people under our care we must therefore be like Jesus. For Jesus exercised His authority by being a good role model, Jesus led by example until the end, even at the cost of His very own life.

How do you exercise your authority? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Disyembre 16, Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 21:23-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:23-27

23 Pagpasok ni Jesus sa Templo, luma­pit sa kanya ang mga punong-pari, mga guro ng Batas at mga Matatanda ng mga Judio, at nagtanong: “Ano ang karapa­tan mong gawin ang mga ito? Sino ang nagtalaga sa iyo?” 24 Sinagot sila ni Jesus: “Tatanungin ko rin kayo ng isang tanong. At kung may sagot kayo, sasagutin ko ka­yo kung sino ang nagtalaga sa akin para sa mga ito.

25 Sa­an galing ang pagbi­binyag ni Juan, sa Diyos ba o sa tao?” At nag-isip-isip sila: “Kung isasagot nating galing sa Diyos, sasabihin niya: ‘Bakit di kayo naniwala sa kanya?’ 26 At kung sasabihin naman nating ‘Galing lamang sa tao ang pagbibinyag ni Juan,’ dapat tayong matakot sa bayan sapagkat akala nila’y tunay na propeta si Juan.” 27 Kaya sinabi nila kay Jesus: “Hindi namin alam.” At sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Hindi ko rin sasabihin sa inyo kung sino ang nagtalaga sa akin na gumawa ng mga ito.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday December 15, Third Sunday of Advent: Matthew 11:2-11

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was looking for the presence of Jesus in his life. So, he went to the highest mountain with the hope of finding Jesus but he did not find Jesus there. He again went to the most majestic church with the hope of finding Jesus but he again did not find Jesus there.

Are you looking for Jesus’ presence in your life? Many of us are still looking for the presence of the Lord in our lives. But the Lord is with us already we only fail to recognize it because many of us are enslaved by the things of this world. 

We are with the Lord when we pray, we are with the Lord when we go to Holy Mass. We are with the Lord when we read and allow the words of the bible to speak to us. And there are many more manifestations of the Lord's presence in our life which we fail to recognize.

 When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. (Matthew 11:2-5)

By telling John’s disciples about the things that He does. Jesus was in effect telling the followers of John that there’s no more need to look for that somebody that is to come because He is already there in their midst. 

Jesus is already in our midst as well we therefore have to rejoice and not be worried about the many problems that we encounter. We simply have to learn to trust Him more than we trust ourselves. We simply have to learn to submit everything to Him and we simply have to learn to always call on Him.

Do you already discern the Lord’s presence in your life? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo December 15, Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 11:2-11

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 11:2-11

2 Nang nasa kulungan si Juan Bautista, nabalitaan niya ang mga ginagawa ni Kristo kaya pinapunta niya ang kanyang mga alagad 3 para tanungin siya: “Ikaw ba ang darating o dapat bang maghintay pa kami ng iba?”

4 Sumagot si Jesus sa kanila: “Bu­ma­­lik kayo at iba­lita kay Juan ang inyong nari­nig at nakita: 5 Na­kakakita ang mga bulag, nakakalakad ang mga pilay, lumilinis ang mga mayketong, nakaka­rinig ang mga bingi, nagigising ang mga patay at may mabuting balitang ipinahahayag sa mga dukha.  6 At mapalad ang hindi natitisod dahil sa akin.”

7 Pagkaalis ng mga sugo ni Juan, nag­simulang magsalita si Jesus sa mga tao tungkol kay Juan: “Ano ang pinuntahan ninyo sa disyerto para makita? Isang kawa­­yang hinahampas-hampas ng ha­ngin? 8 Ano ang pinun­tahan ninyo? Isang lala­king magara ang bihis? Sa mga palasyo nga naka­tira ang mga taong magagara ang bihis.

9 Ano ba ang pinuntahan ninyo? Isang propeta? Totoo. At sinasabi ko na higit pa siya sa isang propeta. 10 Siya ang binabanggit sa Kasu­latan: Pinauna ko sa iyo ang aking mensahero upang ihanda ang daan sa harap mo.

11 Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, walang sinuman sa mga kilalang tao ngayon ang mas dakila pa kay Juang tagapagbinyag, pero mas dakila sa kanya ang pinakamaliit sa kaharian ng Langit.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Marino J. Dasmarinas pictures (November 2019)

Renewal of Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Nov. 16, 2019 at Holy Family Parish Church GMA Cavite

During my official deputation as Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion of Saint Joseph Parish Carmona Cavite;  on May 24, 2000  with then Bishop Manuel C. Sobrevinas of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Imus as the Deputizing Bishop