1Reflection for Saturday January 18, First Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 2:13-17

Gospel: Mark 2:13-17

Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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Reflection:

Why did Jesus call Levi to follow Him notwithstanding his notorious reputation as a corrupt tax collector? This is for the reason that Jesus loves sinners. He walked on this earth primarily to save us sinners and to call us all to follow Him.

 Jesus is pro sinners and He loves sinners. He favors the sinners, He seeks the sinners and He doesn’t judge and discriminate the sinners. This is what happened to Levi or Matthew. Being a sinner Jesus went to Levi to express to him that He still loves him notwithstanding his many sins.

No matter how sinful we are, God is continuously calling us to conversion and to follow Him just like what He had done with Levi. He doesn’t judge us by our sins; He rather looks at our desire to leave behind our sinfulness. The moment we decide to leave our sinful ways we can always be assured of His peace and His abiding presence.

It is always us who creates detachment from Jesus and not Jesus detaching Himself from us.   This occurs when we commit sins and continuously ignore Jesus’ call for repentance. Jesus is just a prayer away, ever ready to embrace us with His love and forgiveness the moment we decide to walk away from our sinful ways.

Would you respond to Jesus’ call of repentance? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Enero 18, sa Unang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 2:13-17

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 2:13-17

13 Pumunta si Jesus sa tabing-dagat at lumapit din sa kanya ang lahat. Kaya nagturo siya sa kanila. 14 Nakita naman niya sa paglalakad si Levi na anak ni Alfeo, na nakaupo sa singilan ng buwis at sinabi niya rito: “Sumunod ka sa akin.” At tumayo ito at sinundan siya.

15 Habang nanunuluyan naman si Jesus sa bahay ni Levi, maraming taga­singil ng buwis at iba pang maka­sa­la­nan ang nakisalo kay Jesus at sa kan­yang mga ala­gad. Talaga ngang marami sila. 16 Ngu­nit may mga guro ng Batas namang sumu­sunod sa kan­ya. Nang makita nila na nasa hapag siya kasama ng mga makasalanan at mani­ningil ng buwis, sinabi nila sa kanyang mga alagad: “Ano! kumakain siyang kasama ng mga makasalanan at mani­ningil ng buwis?”

17 Nang marinig ito ni Jesus, sinabi niya sa kanila: “Hindi ang malulusog ang nanga­ngailangan ng doktor kundi ang mga may­sakit! Hindi ako pumarito para tawagin ang mabubuti kundi ang mga makasalanan.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Friday January 17, Saint Anthony, abbot: Mark 2:1-12

Gospel: Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” –he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

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Reflection:

Would you be willing to help someone in need?

We can gain a lot of valuable insights in today’s gospel reading, insights about faith by the four men who brought to Jesus the paralytic. Insights about forgiveness of our sins and spiritual as well as physical healing.

However, there are two more insights that we can learn in this gospel. Insight on humility; the four that brought the paralytic to Jesus were so humble that they immediately evaporated after they’ve brought the sick man to Jesus. They did not care if they would be recognized for their heroic act. The four men obviously had no bloated egos. So unlike many of us who always want to be recognized and seen whenever we do good for our fellowmen.

The other insight that we can learn here is to be more sensitive to the needs of those who are in greater need than us. Sometimes we are so concerned about our own needs that we tend to forget the greater need of others. We become very selfish instead of selfless.

The four humble men were selfless, perhaps they were also in need of Jesus. But they saw that the paralytic was in greater need than them and need to be immediately healed by Jesus. They’ve sacrificed their own need to address the pressing need of the paralytic. They channeled every ounce of their energies so that they could help the paralytic, even opening up the roof of the house to bring him in front of Jesus.

Would you also be willing to help someone in need? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 17, Biyernes San Antonio, abad: Marcos 2:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 2:1-12

1 Pagkaraan ng ilang araw, pumasok si Jesus sa Capernaum. Nang maba­litang nasa bahay siya, 2 ma­rami ang nagtipon doon kaya wala nang lugar kahit sa may pintuan. At ipinahayag niya ang Salita. 3 May mga tao namang duma­ting at dinala sa kanya ang isang parali­tiko, na buhat-buhat ng apat.

4 At nang hindi sila makalapit kay Jesus dahil sa dami ng tao, inalis nila ang mga tisa ng terasang nasa ibabaw ng kinaroroonan ni Jesus at pagka­bukas nila nito, inihugos nila ang pa­ralitiko na nasa higaan. 5 Nang makita ni Jesus ang kanilang pananalig, sinabi niya sa paralitiko: “Anak! Pinatawad na ang iyong mga kasa­lanan.”

6 May ilang guro ng Batas naman na nakaupo roon at inisip nila: 7 “Ano itong sinasabi niya? Talagang iniinsulto niya ang Diyos. Sino ba ang may kapang­yari­hang magpatawad ng mga kasa­lanan? Di ba’t ang Diyos lamang?” 8 At agad na nalaman ni Jesus sa kan­yang espiritu na ganoon ang kani­lang mga niloloob na kaisipan. Kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ano ang mga kaisipan ninyong ito?

9 Ano ba ang mas madaling sabihin sa paralitiko: ‘Pinatawad na ang iyong mga kasalanan’ o ‘Tumayo ka, kunin ang iyong higaan at lumakad’? 10 Dapat ninyong malaman na sa lupa ay may kapang­yarihan ang Anak ng Tao na magpatawad ng kasa­lanan.”

At sinabi niya sa paralitiko: 11 “Ini­uutos ko sa iyo: bumangon ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan at umuwi.” 12 At bumangon nga ang tao, agad na kinu­ha ang higaan at lumabas na nakikita ng lahat. Lubhang namangha ang lahat at nagpuri sila sa Diyos sa pagsasabing “Kailanma’y hindi pa kami nakakakita ng ganito.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Thursday January 16, First Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 1:40-45

Gospel Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

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Reflection:

What moves you to go to Jesus?

The leper went to Jesus knelled down and begged Jesus by saying, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” And immediately the leper was healed by Jesus. You may ask, what moved the leper to ask Jesus to heal him?

Was it his grave sickness? No, his leprosy was not the driving force that moved him to seek the help of Jesus. It was something far bigger than his sickness and it was the leper’s deep reservoir of faith in Jesus! Otherwise if he did not have faith he wouldn’t have gone to Jesus.  And what drove Jesus to heal the leper? Was it His leprosy? No it was not his leprosy that moved Jesus to heal him. It was the leper’s great faith in Him!

What brings us to Jesus and why do we pray to Jesus? Do we pray to Jesus because of our problems? Are we doing this because of our sickness? Our sickness and our problems must not be the primary reason why we go in prayer to Jesus. It must always be our deep faith in Him!

Let us always see to it that our faith is always the main driving force why we want to commune with Jesus. For the reason that the more that we are driven by faith to go to Jesus. The bigger our chance of being heard by Him.

What moves you to pray to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 16, Huwebes sa Unang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 1:40-45

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:40-45

40 Lumapit kay Jesus ang isang may­­ketong at nakiusap sa kanya: “Kung gusto mo, mapalilinis mo ako.” 41 Naha­bag si Jesus sa kanya, iniunat ang kanyang kamay, hinipo siya at sinabi: “Gusto ko, luminis ka!” 42 Nang oras ding iyon, iniwan ang lalaki ng kanyang ketong at luminis siya.

43 Ngunit mahigpit siyang pinagbilinan ni Jesus sa kanyang pag-alis, 44 sinabi niya: “Mag-ingat ka, huwag mo itong sa­bihin kaninuman, kundi pu­munta ka sa pari para masuri ka niya at maialay alang-alang sa pagkalinis sa iyo ang handog na iniutos ni Moises upang magkaroon sila ng patunay.”

45 Ngunit pagkaalis ng tao, sini­mulan niyang ipahayag ito kahit saan at ipa­malita ang pangyayaring ito. Dahil dito, hindi na lantarang maka­pasok sa bayan si Jesus kundi nanatili siya sa labas, sa mga ilang na lugar. Ngunit may dumarating pa rin sa kanya na kung saan-saan galing.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Wednesday January 15, First Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 1:29-39

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

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Reflection:

Are you afraid to get sick? Of course we all are afraid of sickness and as much as possible we don’t want to get sick. Some of us would even wish to have an instant death so that we could avoid getting sick and being enslaved by sickness.  But one of the many truths of life is the reality of sickness and death. Somehow it will catch up with us no matter how we try to avoid it.

What is our shield for sickness? Our money and health insurance? It will not be enough and it may run out before we get healed. So what is the best cure for sickness? It’s our faith in Jesus! Our deep faith in Jesus will set us free from all kinds of sickness: Be it physical, emotional and spiritual sickness. Faith is a mystery that we should all embrace and faith is also a gift that we should ask Jesus to give us so that we would be able to feel His healing presence in our lives.

After preaching in the synagogue Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. He went there because Simon’s mother in law was sick with fever. Jesus simply approached her grasped her hand and helped her get up and with those simple gestures from Jesus she regained back her health. It was not only Simon’s mother in-law who got healed; many more were brought to Jesus in that place and all of them were healed.  

The big question here is this; did they all have faith in Jesus that’s why they were all healed? Yes of course otherwise they would have not been healed.

Do you always ask Jesus to give you the gift of faith and do you always prayerfully ask Jesus to heal you with anything that ails you?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 15, Miyerkules sa Unang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 1:29-39

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:29-39

29 Pagkaalis niya sa sinagoga, tumuloy si Jesus sa bahay nina Pedro at Andres, kasama sina Jaime at Juan. 30 Doo’y nakahiga ang biyenan ni Pedro at may lagnat, at agad nila itong sinabi kay Jesus. 31 Kaya lumapit siya, hinawakan ito sa kamay at ibinangon. Ini­wan ng lagnat ang babae at ito mismo ang nag­lingkod sa kanila.

32 Pagkalubog ng araw, nang dumi­dilim na, dinala nila kay Jesus ang lahat ng maysakit o inaalihan ng masa­sa­mang espiritu. 33 Nasa may pintuan nga ang buong bayan. 34 Maraming may iba’t ibang sakit ang pinagaling ni ­Jesus at mara­ming demonyo ang kanyang pinalayas; ngunit hindi niya sila pina­hintulutang magsalita sapagkat alam nila kung sino siya.

• 35 Kinabukasan, maaga siyang bu­mangon at umalis. Pumunta siya sa isang ilang na lugar at doon siya nana­langin. 36 Hinanap siya nina Pedro, 37 at pag­ka­kita sa kanya ay kanilang sinabi: “Hi­na­hanap ka ng lahat.” 38 Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: “Tayo na sa ibang lugar, sa maliliit na karatig-nayon para maka­pangaral din ako roon; dahil dito kaya nga ako lumabas.”

39 At naglibot siyang nangangaral sa kanilang mga sinagoga sa buong Galilea at nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Manalangin po tayo...

1Reflection for Tuesday January 14, First Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 1:21-28

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

Jesus came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God! Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him. His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

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Reflection:

A gay person was trying very hard to change his ways, he wanted to become straight for He was already tired of his hidden life.  But every time he tries to change the devil would always present itself to him and he would always succumb to his evil temptations.

He had a dream one night and in that dream Jesus told him, “I will change you if you will allow me to change you.” Oh yes my Lord he told Jesus and Jesus subsequently told him, read the book that contains me. Read more about me there and let my words sink into you.  As he woke up in the morning the first book that he saw was their dusty bible. He read it and from thereon he read it everyday and true enough he was changed by Jesus.        

Do you want to feel the authority of Jesus? Begin by knowing more about His life by reading your bible. Try reading it initially by yourself and as your read try to feel every words of Jesus reflect on it and let it sink in to you. Do this daily, let Jesus speak directly to you and then notice the authority of Jesus working in your life.

As you let His authority work in your life notice the change that will happen to you. Perhaps if you’re self-centered you will now slowly but surely become more Christ centered. If you’re arrogant and domineering you will now become humble and gentle. However for this to happen, you have to know more about Jesus.

You have to recognize His authority over you and this could only happen if you will take time to know more about His life changing story in the bible. This could only happen if you will give Jesus even a little of your precious time everyday.   

Do you want to feel the authority of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 14, Martes sa Unang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 1:21-28

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:21-28

21 Pumunta si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad sa Capernaum. At nagturo siya sa sinagoga sa mga Araw ng Pahinga. 22 Nagulat ang mga tao sa kanyang pangangaral sapagkat nangaral siya nang may kapang­yari­han, hindi gaya ng mga guro ng Batas.

• 23 May isang tao sa sinagoga na ina­alihan ng isang maruming espiritu. 24 Su­migaw ito: “Ano ang kailangan mo sa akin, Jesus na taga-Nazaret? Para ipahamak kami kaya ka dumating. Alam ko kung sino ka: ang Banal ng Diyos.”

25 Ngunit iniutos sa kanya ni Jesus: “Tumahimik ka’t lumabas sa kanya.” 26 Matinding niyugyog ng espiritu ang taong iyon at pagkasigaw nang malakas ay saka lumabas.

27 Talagang takang-taka ang lahat at nag-usap-usap sila: “Ano ito? Isang ba­gong pagtuturo na may kapang­ya­rihan! Inuutusan niya kahit maru­ruming espi­ritu at sinusunod nila siya.” 28 At luma­ganap ang katanyagan niya saan man sa buong lupain ng Galilea.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Monday January 13, First Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 1:14-20

Gospel: Mark 1:14-20

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel. As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

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Reflection:

What is the prerequisite in following Jesus? Its repentance and belief in His gospel message, we cannot follow without repentance and firm belief in His gospel message.

 When Simon, Andrew, James and John responded to His call they did not simply respond. Along with their response to Jesus came their desire to repent. They also did not only leave behind them their livelihood and families they also left behind their sinfulness or anything that made them sin.

When the four of them went along with Jesus to become fishers of men they were already renewed by Jesus. They were also equipped by Jesus with what they would be needing as they go about their mission.

What is the relevance of the gospel to us and to our faith life? We too are being called by Jesus to a life of renewal and repentance. We too are being called by Jesus to follow Him and become fishers of men. Why does Jesus calls us to a life of renewal and repentance? This is for the reason that we are all sinners, no one of us is sinless.

  

To respond to Jesus' call of repentance and belief in His gospel message is the best action that you can ever do to your life.

Will you respond to this call of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 13, Lunes sa Unang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 1:14-20

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:14-20

14 Pagkadakip kay Juan, pumunta si Jesus sa Galilea. Doon niya ipina­hayag ang magandang balita ng Diyos sa pagsa­sabing 15 “Sumapit na ang panahon; mag­bagong-buhay at mani­wala sa magandang balita; lumapit na nga ang Kaharian ng Langit.”

16 Sa pagdaan ni Jesus sa pampang ng lawa ng Galilea, nakita niya si Simon ka­sama si Andres na kapatid niya na naghahagis ng mga lambat sa lawa; mga mangingisda sila. 17 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Halikayo, sumunod kayo sa akin at gagawin ko kayong mangingisda ng tao.” 18 Agad nilang iniwan ang kanilang mga lambat at sumunod sa kanya.

19 Nagpatuloy pa siya nang kaunti, nakita naman niya ang magkapatid na Jaime at Juan na mga anak ni Zebedeo; nasa bangka sila at nagsusursi ng kani­lang lambat. 20 Tinawag sila ni ­Jesus. Agad nilang iniwan sa bangka ang kanilang amang si Zebedeo kasama ang mga tauhan nito, at umalis silang kasunod niya.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday January 12, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord: Matthew 3:13-17

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17    

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying,  "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying,  "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

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Reflection:

A deeply spiritual and religious person would always pray deeply or visit a church to pray. Before he embarks on a major journey or make an important decision in his life. For example, a soldier who will be assigned to a new place would first visit a church to attend the celebration of the Holy Mass. In other words a deeply religious/spiritual person would always find time for God first before doing that important decision in his life or before embarking on a major journey.

Jesus did that, before starting his three years public ministry he first went to John the Baptist to be baptized. At first John was not inclined to do it for he knew Jesus’ true identity but Jesus insisted. After His baptism the Holy Spirit descended upon Him as if to affirm and say to Jesus that you can now go and start your salvific mission.

Nowadays, before doing or making important decisions in our lives. Many of us are not anymore conscious of attending Holy Mass or to simply pray deeply to ask for God’s guidance. Perhaps, this is influenced by the modernity of our times where smart phones and internet connection takes precedence over our connection with our Lord. Therefore, we must reverse this false and worldly connectivity. Our connection with our Lord must take precedence over anything in this world.

The baptism of Jesus also affirms the importance of our own baptism. We were not simply baptized for the sake of being baptized. There’s an important responsibility attached to our baptism. Like Jesus we must also spread the good news by sharing and living our faith.

Our baptism in the church is not just a ritual that we must go through. It is a Sacrament that we must live and share. Are you living and sharing your baptismal mission? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo January 12, Ang Pagbibinyag sa Panginoon: Mateo 3:13-17

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 3:13-17

13 Dumating noon si Jesus mula sa Galilea at lumapit kay Juan sa Ilog Jordan para mag­pabinyag. 14 Pero tumanggi si Juan at sinabi: “Ako ang dapat na mag­pabinyag sa iyo, bakit ikaw ang luma­­pit sa akin?”

15 Ngunit sumagot sa kanya si Jesus: “Ha­yaan mo. Simulan natin sa simula.” Kaya su­mang-ayon si Juan. 16 Matapos mabinyagan, umahon si Jesus mula sa tubig. At agad na na­buk­san ang langit at nakita niya ang Espiritu ng Diyos na buma­babang parang kalapati at papunta sa kanya.  17 Narinig kasabay nito ang boses mula sa langit na nagsabi: “Ito ang aking Anak, ang Minamahal, siya ang aking Hinirang.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.