Reflection for January 11, Saturday after Epiphany: John 3:22-30

Gospel: John 3:22-30

Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.  He must increase; I must decrease.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is the usual downfall of those who preach about Jesus? It’s to present themselves bigger than Jesus. They use Jesus as their vehicle so that they could attain their selfish objective rather than advance the objectives of Jesus.

John did not experience any downfall in his mission as the precursor or herald of Jesus. His disciples always looked up to him with respect because never did he advance himself, Jesus was always first in his mind. This is the reason why John said, He must increase and I must decrease (John 3:30).

John was content to be in the background, he rejoiced as he humbly erased himself from the limelight so that Jesus could be in the spotlight. This is so difficult to do! To give way when we actually could have our own way!     

Many of us have this mistaken notion that to be respected we always have to be in the forefront.  To be respected our voice must always be heard and we must always be popular and visible.

But John proves us all wrong because even if he decreased himself and even if he faded away for the sake of Jesus. His act of humility remains to be one of the biggest guiding lights of our time.

Would you be like John? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 11, Sabado Pagkaraan ng Epifania: Juan 3:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:22-30

22 Pagkatapos nito, pumunta si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad sa lupain ng Judea, at tumigil siya roong kasama nila at nagbinyag. 23 Nagbi­binyag din noon si Juan sa Ainon na malapit sa Salim dahil maraming tubig doon, at may mga nag­sisidating at nagpapabinyag. 24 Hindi pa nabi­bilanggo noon si Juan.

25 At nagkaroon ng pagtatalo ang mga alagad ni Juan at ang isang Judio tungkol sa paghuhugas. 26 Pinuntahan nila si Juan at sinabi sa kanya: “Rabbi, ang kasa-kasama mo sa ibayo ng Jordan, na pina­tunayan mo, nagbibinyag siya ngayon at sa kanya pumupunta ang lahat.” 27 Suma­got si Juan: “Walang anu­mang makukuha ang isang tao malibang ibigay ito sa kanya ng Langit.

28 Kayo mismo ang maka­pagpa­patu­nay na sinabi kong ‘Hindi ako ang Mesiyas kundi sinugo akong manguna sa kanya.’ 29 Sa nobyo ang nobya. Naroon naman ang abay ng nobyo para makinig sa kanya at galak na galak siya sa tinig ng nobyo. Ganito ring lubos and aking kagalakan. 30 Dapat siyang humigit at ako nama’y lumiit.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for January 10, Friday after Epiphany: Luke 5:12-16

Gospel: Luke 5:12-16

It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

During the time of Jesus leprosy was seen as a condemnable sickness. To be sick with leprosy was perceived by many as punishment from God. That’s why those who were sick with leprosy kept their distance from the people because they were labeled to be shameful and sinful.

But how did the man in our gospel who was sick with leprosy behaved? Upon seeing Jesus he did not run away from Him, he instead went towards Jesus. Pleaded Jesus to cure him with his dreaded disease, and of course Jesus did not refuse the sick man he cured him immediately.

A few years ago I had a friend who was sick and was given a few months to live by her doctor. She asked me if I could give her Holy Communion, I first gently told her to go to a priest for Confession, Holy Communion and Anointing of the Sick. Then I asked her, when was your last Confession? She told me more than twenty years ago.

To make a long story short, she went to Confession and I asked her again, how did you feel after your Confession? She told me this: “I felt that a very big burden has been taken off from my back.” And she lived for a few more years belying the dire prediction of her doctor.

The modern leprosy that enslaves us now is our  many sins, this makes us gravely sick spiritually. Why don’t we go to a priest and confess our sins to him. We may not have been to confession for so long already.

It’s about time that we are healed from this grave spiritual leprosy. And it’s about time that this huge spiritual burden is taken off from our backs. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 10, Biyernes Pagkaraan ng Epifania: Lucas 5:12-16

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:12-16

12 Nang nasa isang bayan si Jesus, may isang taong tadtad ng ketong doon. Nang makita niya si Jesus, nagpatirapa siya at nakiusap sa kanya: “Ginoo, kung gusto mo, mapalilinis mo ako.”

13 Kaya iniunat ni Jesus ang kanyang kamay at hinipo siya at sinabi: “Gusto ko, luminis ka!” Nang oras ding iyo’y iniwan ng ketong ang lalaki. 14 Ini­utos sa kanya ni Jesus: “Huwag mo itong sabi­hin ka­nino man kundi pumunta ka sa pari para masuri ka niya at maialay alang-alang sa iyo ang handog na ini­utos ni Moises para mag­karoon sila ng patunay.”

15 Ngunit lalo namang kumalat ang balita tungkol sa kanya at pumunta sa kanya ang mara­ming tao para ma­kinig at mapagaling sa kanilang mga karam­daman. 16Kaya madalas na mag-isang pumupunta si Jesus sa mga ilang na lugar para manalangin.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for January 9, Thursday after Epiphany: Luke 4:14-22

Gospel: Luke 4:14-22

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you living and fulfilling your baptismal mission?

We have a mission for our existence, we are not mere vapors in this world we are human beings. We were anointed by the Sacrament of Baptism to continue the mission of Jesus. Have we shared His worlds in the bible, have we already helped the poor, the hungry the oppressed and the homeless?

It is very important that from time to time we have a self-evaluation of our lives in this world. For we may just be living our lives according to what this world dictates us to do. For example, the dictum of this world about self-gratification and wanton accumulation of material wealth.

What would happen to us if we embrace this world and we purposely forget the teaching of Jesus? We would end up like a walking dead person, walking and breathing in this world without a purpose.

God did not create us to become creatures of this world. He created us not to accumulate wealth! He created us so that we could share whatever material and intellectual wealth that we have.  God did not create us to live our life according to the dictates of this world. God created us to live our life according to the life of Jesus.

Let us therefore live the life of Jesus, let us spread His teachings. There are more rewards in doing this than embracing the dictates of this world. Worldly satisfactions are short lived and problem filled that is sugar coated with enticing pleasures.

Pleasures that do not last, pleasures that only plunge us to deeper enslavement of the devil and pleasures that will eventually destroy us.– Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 9, Huwebes Pagkaraan ng Epifania: Lucas 4:14-22

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 4:14-22

14 Nagbalik si Jesus sa Galilea na taglay ang kapangyarihan ng Espiritu at lumaganap sa buong kapaligiran ang balita tungkol sa kanya. 15 Kina­ugalian niyang magturo sa kanilang mga sinagoga, at pinupuri siya ng lahat.

• 16 Pagdating niya sa Nazaret, kung saan siya lumaki, pumasok siya sa sinagoga sa Araw ng Pahinga ayon sa kanyang kinaugalian. Tumindig siya para bumasa ng Kasulatan, 17 at iniabot sa kanya ang aklat ni Propeta Isaias.

Sa paglaladlad niya sa rolyo, natag­puan niya ang lugar kung saan nasu­sulat: 18 “Sumasaakin ang Espiritu ng Pangi-noon kayat pinahiran niya ako upang ihatid ang mabuting balita sa mga dukha. Sinugo niya ako upang ipahayag ang paglaya sa mga bilang­go, sa mga bulag ang pagkabawi ng pa­ni­ngin, upang bigyang-ginhawa ang mga api, 19 at ipahayag ang taon ng kabutihang-loob ng Panginoon.”

20 Binilot ni Jesus ang aklat, ibinigay ito sa tagapaglingkod at naupo. At naka­tuon sa kanya ang mga mata ng lahat ng nasa sina­goga. 21 Sinimulan niyang magsalita sa ka­nila: “Isinaka­tuparan ang Kasula­tang ito ngayon ha­bang naki­kinig kayo.” 22 At sumang-ayon silang lahat sa kanya habang nagtataka sa gayong pagpapahayag ng kabutihang-loob ng Diyos na nangga­ling sa kanyang bibig. At sinabi nila: “Hindi ba’t ito ang anak ni Jose?”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for January 8, Wednesday after Epiphany: Mark 6:45-52

Gospel: Mark 6:45-52

After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid! He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What does our closeness to Jesus do to us when we are in the midst of a difficult problem? It calms us, it gives us hope and it assures us that everything will be OK for as long as we have faith in Him. All of us have been into many difficult situations and time and again our faith in Jesus is always our safe refuge.

In our gospel the disciples were being heavily battered by huge waves. Perhaps they already thought that it was already the end of their lives. Then, lo and behold in the midst of the violent storm here comes Jesus walking on sea going to them. After which Jesus told His disciples, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid! He got into the boat with them and the wind died down (Mark 6:50-51).

From being hopeless, from being on the verge of disaster even death the disciples were miraculously saved by Jesus. They did not call on Jesus to save them yet Jesus came to rescue them.

What is the implication of this saving action of Jesus to us? Nobody of us have a worry free life in this world, we will be encountering trials and problems for as long as we live. Nevertheless we have nothing to fear and there’s always hope for as long as we have Jesus in our lives.

Do you have Jesus in your life? Do you always reach out to Him through your prayers, through your presence at Holy Mass and by reading His living words in the bible? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 8, Miyerkules Pagkaraan ng Epifania: Marcos 6:45-52

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:45-52

45 Agad na pinilit ni Jesus na sumakay sa bang­ka ang mga alagad at pinauna sa Betsaida sa kabilang ibayo habang pinaaalis niya ang mga tao. 46 At pagka­paalis niya sa kanila, mag-isa siyang lumayo papunta sa kaburulan para ma­nalangin.

47 Nasa laot na ang bangka nang gumabi at nag-iisa naman siyang nasa lupa. 48 Nakita niya silang nahihirapan sa pagsagwan sapagkat pasalungat ang hangin. Kaya nang madaling-araw na, pinuntahan sila ni Jesus na nagla­lakad sa dagat at waring lalampas sa kanila. 49 Nang makita nila siyang naglalakad sa dagat, akala nila’y multo siya. Kaya sumigaw sila. 50 Nakita nga siya nilang lahat at nasindak sila. Ngunit agad niya silang kinausap: “Lakasan ang loob! Ako ito, huwag kayong matakot.”

51 Nang nakasakay na siya sa bang­ka ka­sama nila, tumigil ang hangin kaya lalo pa silang namangha. 52 Hindi nga nila naunawaan ang tungkol sa mga tinapay, kundi sarado ang kani­lang isip.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for January 7, Tuesday after Epiphany: Mark 6:34-44

Gospel: Mark 6:34-44

When Jesus 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. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.”

So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

When Jesus saw the vast crowd insistently following Him, He was moved with compassion for them. That compassion was born out of His infinite love for the vast crowd.   Then after the compassion or pity comes the actual action of Jesus’ love for them. He feed them all with five loaves and two fish and there was plenty more to spare.

This is how Jesus loves us, full with compassion and love in action. But are we mindful of this love that He has been giving us all these years? Do we ever acknowledge these great love and compassion of Jesus? Jesus feed the more than five thousand not only to fill their empty stomachs. He feed them because He loved them.  

There are times or perhaps often times we tend to forget this infinite love of Jesus. But even if we forget Him, His infinite love and compassion is always there for us. It’s ours for the taking and it’s ours to claim, there’s no ransom for Jesus love.

Let us therefore claim this infinite gift of love of Jesus by our presence in the Eucharistic Celebration/Holy Mass. Jesus is there ever willing to fill our empty and sometimes wondering selves. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 7, Martes Pagkaraan ng Epifania: Marcos 6:34-44

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:34-44

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.  35 Nang humahapon na, lumapit sa kanya ang mga alagad at sinabi: “Nasa ilang na lugar tayo at lampas na ang oras.” 36 Pa­alisin mo sila nang maka­­punta sila sa mga nayon at bukid sa paligid at makabili ng kani-kanilang makakain.”

37 Ngunit sumagot si Jesus sa kanila: “Kayo ang magbigay sa kanila ng maka­­kain.” Sinabi naman nila: “At kami pa pala ang bibili ng tinapay – dala­wandaang denaryo, di ba? At bibigyan na­min sila.” 38 Ngunit sinabi niya: “Ilang tinapay meron kayo? Sige, tingnan ninyo.” At pagka­tingin nila ay kanilang sinabi: “Lima at may dalawa pang isda.”

39 Kaya iniutos niya sa kanila na pa­upuin nang grupu-grupo ang ma-ka­pal na tao sa berdeng damuhan. 40 At naupo silang grupu-grupo, tigsasandaan at tiglilimampu. 41 Ki­nuha niya ang limang tinapay at dalawang isda, tumi­ngala sa langit, nagpuri, hinati ang mga tinapay at ibinigay sa kanyang mga alagad para ibigay din nila sa mga tao. Gayun­din naman, hinati niya ang dalawang isda. 42 At kumain silang lahat at nabusog, 43 at inipon nila ang mga natirang pira-piraso – labindalawang punong basket ang mga piraso ng tinapay pati na ang mga piraso ng isda. 44 Mga limanlibong lalaki ang napakain.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for January 6, Monday after Epiphany: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

In the midst of darkness light gives hope, it gives us something to hold on and to look forward. This is how the prophet Isaiah depicted Jesus in his prophecy in the Old Testament. In the New Testament the light became a reality in the person of Jesus.

Jesus called for repentance among the people. He proclaimed the gospel and healed people with their spiritual and physical sickness.  Jesus is still the same yesterday, today and in the future. He is still the light of our lives today, He still cures us with our many sickness. And He still calls us all to repent from all of our sins.

Let us not make the mistake of finding our light and hope in this world. For this world will certainly not give us true light and hope. This world may give us temporal happiness. But to say that we rest our hope and happiness in this world is a big mistake that we must not commit.

Let us discern the voice of Jesus who always calls us to follow Him. Let us make Him the hope and light of our lives today and onwards. We will never go wrong if we choose to hear the voice of Jesus who always calls us to repent and permanently walk away from all of our sins. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 6, Lunes Pagkaraan ng Epifania: Mateo 4:12-17, 23-25

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 4:12-17, 23-25

12 Nang marinig ni Jesus na dinakip si Juan, lumayo siya pa-Galilea. 13 Hindi siya tumigil sa Nazaret, kundi sa Capernaum nanirahan, sa may baybayin ng lawa ng Galilea, sa teritoryo ng Zabulon at Neftali. 14 Kaya natupad ang salita ni Propeta Isaias: 15 “Makinig kayo, mga lupain ng Zabulon at Neftali, mga daang patungo sa Dagat, kabilang ibayo ng Jordan; pa­-king­gan ako, Galileang lupain ng mga pagano.

16 Nakakita na ng malaking liwa­nag ang mga lugmok sa kadiliman. Sumikat na ang liwanag sa mga nasa anino ng kamatayan.”  17 At magmula noon, sinimulang ipa­hayag ni Jesus ang kanyang mensahe: “Magbagong-buhay; lumapit na nga ang Kaharian ng Langit.” 23 Nagsimulang maglibot si Jesus sa buong Galilea. Nagturo siya sa kani­lang mga sinagoga, ipinahayag ang Mabu­ting Balita ng Kaharian at pina­galing ang kung anu-anong klase ng sakit at kapansanan ng mga tao.

24 Lumaganap sa buong Siria ang ba­li­ta tungkol sa kanya. Kaya dinala sa kan­ya ang mga may karamdaman, ang lahat ng naghihirap dahil sa sakit, ang mga ina­alihan ng demonyo, ang mga nasisi­raan ng bait, ang mga para­litiko, at pina­galing niya silang lahat. 25 Sinun­dan siya ng maraming taong galing sa Galilea, sa Sampung Lunsod, sa Jerusalem, sa Judea at sa kabilang ibayo ng Jordan.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday January 5, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord: Matthew 2:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah are by no means least among the rulers of Judah since from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures  and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod they departed for their country by another way.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you yearning for the presence of Jesus in your life? What do you do when you are yearning for Jesus? Do you read your bible and meditate on His living words? Do you go to church for Holy Mass or be with Him in the Adoration Chapel?  

We’ve searched for Jesus one way or another and our search for Him has always bore fruit for Jesus never hides Himself from us. HE would always be there for us once we diligently search for Him. And the moment we encounter Him we will never be the same for He will change and complete us according to His will.

The three magi in our gospel were searching for Jesus also, but why were they searching for the child Jesus? Of course we all know that they have something special to give to Jesus.  But aside from their gifts that they want to offer, why were they searching for Jesus?

They were searching for Jesus because something was deeply missing in their lives and this missing link could only be filled once they find Jesus. So, they thoroughly searched and searched they went to Jerusalem they’ve looked for HIM there. Until they were guided by the star to Bethlehem and they found the baby Jesus and they paid the Lord homage by giving HIM their gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

But this is not the end of the story for when they found Jesus they also found inner healing that nobody can give them except Jesus. Their encounter with the child Jesus completely changed and renewed them.

Let us also seek the Lord with all our hearts for those who seek Jesus finds Jesus and is enormously renewed and blessed by Jesus.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 5, Ang Pagpapakita ng Panginoon o Epifania: Mateo 2:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 2:1-12

1 Pagkapanganak kay Jesus sa Betlehem sa Judea, sa panahon ni Haring Herodes, dumating sa Jerusalem ang ilang pantas mula sa Silangan. 2 Nag­tanong sila: “Nasaan ang bagong silang na hari ng mga Judio? Nakita namin ang pagsikat ng kanyang tala sa Silangan at naparito kami para sambahin siya.” 3 Nang marinig ito ni Herodes, na­ligalig siya at ang buong Jerusalem. 4 Ipinatawag niya kaagad ang buong kaparian at ang mga dalubhasa sa Batas, at itina­nong sa kanila kung saan ipanganganak ang Me­siyas.

5 At sinabi nila: “Sa Betlehem ng Juda sapagkat ito ang isinulat ng Propeta: 6 “At ikaw, Betlehem, sa lupain ng Juda, hindi ikaw ang pinakaaba sa mga angkan ng Juda, sapagkat sa iyo magmumula ang isang pinuno: siya ang magiging pastol ng aking bayang Israel.” 7 Kaya lihim na tinawag ni Herodes ang mga pantas at hiningi sa kanila ang mga impormasyon tungkol sa sumikat na tala. 8 At saka niya sila pina­punta sa Betlehem at sinabi: “Pumunta kayo at alamin ang tung­kol sa bata. Pagkakita ninyo sa kan­ya, bumalik kayo sa akin para maka­punta rin ako sa kanya at makasamba.”

9 Umalis sila pagkarinig nila sa hari. Nagpauna sa kanila ang tala na nakita nila sa Silangan, at tumigil ito sa itaas ng lugar na kinaroroonan ng sanggol. 10 Labis na natuwa ang mga pantas nang makita nilang muli ang tala! 11 Pumasok sila sa bahay at nakita nila ang sanggol kasama ni Mariang kan­yang ina. Lumu­hod sila at sumam­ba, at binuksan ang kanilang mga mama­haling dala at hinandugan siya ng mga regalong ginto, kamanyang at mira. 12 At nag-iba sila ng daan pag-uwi nila sa kanilang lupain dahil binilinan sila sa pana­ginip na huwag nang bumalik kay Herodes.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for January 4, Saturday; Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton: John 1:35-42

Gospel: John 1:35-42

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A sinful man saw a poster that states: Do you want to know Jesus? If your answer is yes, you have to read your bible specifically the first four gospels of the New Testament. Out of curiosity the sinful man followed the instruction and he read the first four gospels of the New Testament. As he read it he felt an edifying feeling that he never felt before in his life. He therefore left everything that made him sin and he became a zealous follower of the Lord.

The call of Jesus comes to us in different shapes and forms. It sometime comes to us through a life altering experience. It comes to us through a friend who would invite us to church and there we become enlightened about the life of Jesus.

What is important in these Jesus experience is our willingness to walk the extra mile to be with Jesus and to know Jesus. What does this mean? It simply means that we would be willing to leave behind everything for Jesus. This also means that we would invest time to read the true to life story of Jesus in the bible.   Many do this and they experience a life changing conversion.

Many respond as well but they’re not willing to leave behind sin. They continue to sin even if they know that sin is not good and against the teaching of the faith and Jesus. They therefore continue to mire themselves in sin that would eventually make life miserable for them.

When the followers of John left him for Jesus, it was not an easy decision for them.  But they had a strong resolve to follow Jesus.  So they did and from being ordinary fisherman they became extra-Ordinary fishers of men.  

You may as well encounter an offer to follow Jesus. Follow Him with all your heart this simply means that you would be willing to leave sin behind. And you leave everything including your very life in the healing and loving hands of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Enero 4, Santa Isabel Ana Seton: Juan 1:35-42

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:35-42

35 Kinabukasan, naroon na naman si Juan at dalawa sa kanyang mga alagad. 36 Pagdaan ni Jesus, tinitigan niya ito at sinabi: “Hayan ang Kordero ng Diyos.” 37 At narinig siyang nagsa­salita ng dalawang alagad kaya sinun­dan nila si Jesus. 38 Lumingon si Jesus at nakita niya silang sumusunod, at sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ano’ng hina­hanap n’yo?” Sumagot naman sila sa kanya, “Rabbi (na kung isasalin ay Guro), saan ka namamalagi?” 39 At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Halikayo at inyong makikita.” At puma­roon sila at nakita kung saan siya nama­malagi, at maghapon silang nama­malagi sa kanya. Magiikapat ng hapon ang oras noon.

40 Si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro and isa sa dalawang sumunod sa kanya pagkarinig kay Juan. 41 Una niyang natagpuan ang kapatid niyang si Simon at sinabi sa kanya: “Natag­puan namin ang Mesiyas (na kung isasalin ay Pinahiran).” 42 Inihatid niya siya kay Jesus. Tinitigan siya ni Jesus at sinabi nito: “Ikaw si Simon na anak ni Juan. Tatawagin kang Kefas (na kung isasalin ay Pedro).”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for January 3, Friday; The Most Holy Name of Jesus: John 1:29-34

Gospel: John 1:29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."

 + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you once in a while crave for attention and recognition?

Whether we admit it or not, there are times that we gloat about ourselves and we crave to be recognized. This is one of our human frailties to raise ourselves in the altar of prominence most especially when we gain something for ourselves. Or when there is an opportunity for us to be recognized we immediately grab that fleeting moment of opportunity.

There are even some who change with time; for example in friendships, some are like weather conditions. They often change as they gain riches and higher life status. But lest we forget that whatever we have now is temporary. Someday or even sooner what we have now may be taken from us and we end up with nothing.

So let us keep our feet on the ground, let us at all times follow the humble path of John the Baptist so that we could become effective heralds for Jesus. Let us share Jesus if not in our words we do it through our actions. Many do not know Jesus because we don’t live the teachings of Jesus.

John lived to the hilt the teachings of Jesus, he did not compete with Jesus for attention. He instead let Jesus shine not minding if some of his followers left him for Jesus. Why? For the simple reason that John was so secure in His role as the precursor for the messiah.

Insecurity was never in the bones of John, he let Jesus bloom as he silently did his role outside of the fleeting lights of recognition.

Are we like John also? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Enero 3, Kabanal-banalang Pangalan ni Jesus: Juan 1:29-34

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:29-34

29 Kinabukasan, nakita I Juan Bautista si Jesus na papalapit sa kanya kaya sinabi niya: “Hayan ang Kordero ng Diyos, sa kanya napapawi ang sala ng mundo. 30 Ito ang tinutukoy ko nang sinabi kong ‘Isang lalaki and kasunod kong dumarating, nauna na siya sa akin pagkat bago ako’y siya na.’ 31 Wala nga akong alam sa kanya pero upang mahayag siya sa Israel ang dahilan kaya dumating akong nagbi­binyag sa tubig.”

32 At nagpatunay si Juan sa pagsa­sabing “Nakita ko ang Espiritu na bumababa mula sa langit gaya ng isang kalapati, at namalagi sa kanya. 33 Wala nga akong alam sa kanya pero ang nagpadala sa akin na magbinyag sa tubig ang siya ring nagsabi sa akin: ‘Kung kanino mo makitang bumababa ang Espiritu at namamalagi sa kanya, ito ang magbibinyag sa Espiritu Santo!” 34 Nakita ko at pinatutunayan ko na siya nga ang hinirang Diyos.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for January 2, Thursday; Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church: John 1:19-28

Gospel: John 1:19-28

This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you? He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah? And he said, “I am not. “Are you the Prophet? He answered, No. So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?”

He said:

“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord, as Isaiah the prophet said. Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet? John answered them “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize the one who is coming after me whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie. This happened in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How can we remain in the perpetual grace of God? We would always remain in the perpetual grace of God when we are always humble. But it’s hard to be humble all the time, it’s hard to bow; it’s hard to bend in humility. It’s hard to conquer our egos most especially when we are doing well.

John the Baptist remained in the perpetual grace of God for he was always humble. He did not salivate for power and fame; he never had an awareness of the word ego for he remained humble and self-effacing throughout his short life.  

We know now how to be in the perpetual grace of God. But then again we will say, “It’s hard to be humble all the time.” It’s hard indeed to be humble all the time for the simple reason perhaps that we think that humility is a byproduct of our own effort.

We don’t dispense humility to ourselves, its God through the graciousness of the Holy Spirit that gives us the grace of humility. We therefore pray to Jesus to grant us the grace of humility for He freely dispense it to those who humbly ask for it.

Have you already asked Jesus to dispense unto you the virtue of humility? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Enero 2, San Basilio Magno at San Gregorio Nasianseno: Juan 1:19-28

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:19-28

19 Ito ang pagpapatunay ni Juan nang papuntahin sa kanya ng mga Judio ang ilang mga pari at Levita mula sa Jerusalem para tanungin siya: “Sino ka?” 20 Inako niya di ipinagkaila, inako nga niyang “Hindi ako ang Kristo.” 21 At tinanong nila siya: “Ano ka kung gayon? Si Elias ka ba?” At sinabi niya: “Hindi.” “Ang Propeta ka ba?” Isinagot naman niya: “Hindi” 22 Kaya sinabi nila sa kanya: “Sino ka ba? Para may mai­sagot kami sa mga nagpapunta sa amin.

Ano ba ang masasabi mo tungkol sa ‘yong sarili?” 23 Sumagot siya gaya ng sinabi ni Propeta Isaias: “Tinig ako ng isang sumisigaw sa disyerto: Tuwirin ang daan ng Panginoon.” 24 May mga pinapunta mula sa mga Pariseo. 25 At tinanong nila siya: “Eh, ba’t ka nagbibinyag kung hindi ikaw ang Kristo, ni si Elias, ni ang Propeta?”

26 Sina­got sila ni Juan: “Sa tubig ako nag­bibin­yag ngunit may nakatayo sa piling ninyo na hindi n’yo kilala. 27 Siya ang dumating na kasunod ko pero hindi ako karapat-dapat magkalag ng panali ng kanyang panyapak.” 28 Sa Betaraba nangyari ang mga ito, sa kabilang-ibayo ng Jordan na pinag­bi­binyagan ni Juan.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.