Reflection for Monday February 24, Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:14-29

Gospel: Mark 9:14-29

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.” They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!” Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How strong is your faith in Jesus?

In the gospel, a boy was possessed by an evil spirit, his father asked the disciples for help but they were unable to drive it out. Then the father saw Jesus who just came from the mountain. The father asked for help, he told Jesus: “I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.”

 Jesus said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Jesus was quite exasperated with his disciples because they were not able to drive out the evil spirit.

Jesus was also frustrated with the Father because he told him: “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”

Jesus was frustrated with both the disciples and the father of the boy and the reason behind was their lack of faith! If only the disciples had faith they could have easily drove out the evil spirit but they had weak faith.

Are we not like the father and the disciples once in a while? We petition God to grant us our prayers yet we easily get impatient when He doesn’t reply immediately. And the reason for this impatience is our lack of faith.

Let us continue to bear in mind these words of Jesus: “Everything is possible to one who has faith.” (Mark 9:23) – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Pebrero 24, Ikapitong Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 9:14-29

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:14-29

14 Pagbalik nila Jesus, Pedro, Jaime at Juan sa mga alagad, nakita nila ang napakaraming tao na nakapa­libot sa mga ito at nakikipag­talo naman sa kanila ang mga guro ng Batas. 15 Na­mangha ang lahat pagka­kita sa kanila, at tumakbo sila para batiin siya.

16 Itinanong naman niya sa kanila: “Bakit kayo nakikipagtalo sa mga ito?” 17 At sina­got siya ng isang lalaki mula sa mga tao: “Guro, dinala ko sa iyo ang aking anak na lalaki na inaalihan ng isang piping espiritu. 18 At kung hina­ha­gip siya nito, inilulugmok siya sa lupa; nagbubula ang kanyang bibig, nagnga­ngalit ang mga ngipin at nani­nigas. Hi­ningi ko sa iyong mga alagad na pa­la­yasin ito pero hindi nila kaya.”

19 Sumagot si Jesus: “Mga walang pa­na­­­­nampalataya! Gaano pa katagal akong ma­nanatili sa piling ninyo? Hang­gang ka­ilan ako mag­titiis sa inyo? Dalhin siya rito sa akin.”

• 20 At pinalapit nila siya kay Jesus. Pag­kakita sa kanya ng espiritu, pina­ngatog nito ang bata at inilugmok sa lupa kaya nagpa­gulung-gulong siya at bumu­bula ang bibig. 21 Tinanong na­man ni Jesus ang ama: “Gaano na ka­tagal na nangyayari ito sa kanya?” 22 At sumagot ang ama: “Mula pa sa pagka­bata at ma­dalas nga siyang inihahagis sa apoy o sa batis para patayin. Ngu­nit kung kaya mo, maawa ka sa amin at pakitulungan kami.”

23 Sinagot siya ni Jesus: “Ano itong ‘kung kaya mo’? Lahat ay posible sa sumasam­pa­lataya.” 24 At agad na sumigaw ang ama ng bata sa pagsa­sabing “Sumasampalataya ako pero tulungan mo ang maliit kong pana­nam­palataya.”

25 Nakita ni Jesus na nagsisitakbo at luma­lapit na ang mga tao kaya iniutos niya sa masamang espiritu: “Pipi at binging espiritu, inuutusan kitang lu­ma­­bas sa kanya at huwag nang bu­malik.”

26 Nagsisigaw ang espiritu at ini­lugmok ang bata sa lupa bago luma­bas. At ani­mo’y patay ang bata kaya marami ang nagsabing “Na­matay.” 27 Ngunit pagkahawak ni Jesus sa ka­may nito, pinaba­ngon niya ito at pina­tindig.

28 Pagkapasok ni Jesus sa bahay, ti­na­nong siya ng mga alagad nang sari­linan: “Bakit hindi namin napalayas ang espiritu?” 29 Sinabi ni Jesus sa ka­nila: “Sa panalangin lamang mapala­layas ang ganitong klaseng espiritu.”

  

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday February 23, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:38-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

The story is told about a wife who discovered that her husband was engaged into an adulterous relationship. The wife calmly told her husband, “You have to stop it otherwise I will live a quite life by myself.” The adulterous and arrogant husband did not stop and continued living his sinful life.  So, the woman left and she lived a quiet and righteous life by herself until she died.  

Jesus in our gospel gives us a blueprint on how we would act to those who did us wrong and to those who continue to do us wrong. Don’t get even and don’t fight fire with fire. Why? Because when we get even and when we fight fire with fire we are sucked into the sinful lifestyle of those people who do us wrong. We simply become like them; we embrace evil as they’ve embraced evil.

When we don’t fight fire with fire we always occupy the moral high ground and we refuse to be brought down to the gutter that they are in. We also give them an option to redeem themselves by inviting them to reflect on how we responded to the wrong that they’ve done. Thus, they might decide to renew their lives and permanently walk away from anything that make them sin.

The way of Jesus is always the right way it maybe hard to walk on that way but that is the right way. The way of the Lord is the way of non-violence to fight evil. The way of turning the other cheek to be slapped all over again. With the prayer in mind that those who did us wrong and who continue to do us wrong will have a conversion experience before it’s too late. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 23, Ikapitong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:38-48

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:38-48

38 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad narinig na ninyo na sinabi: Mata sa mata at ngipin sa ngipin. 39 Ngunit sina­sabi ko sa inyo: Huwag ninyong laba­nan ng masama ang masama. Kung sam­palin ka sa kanang pisngi, ibaling ang mukha at iharap ang kabilang pisngi. 40 Kung may magdemanda sa iyo para kunin ang iyong sando, ibigay mo pati ang iyong kami­seta. 41Kung may pumilit sa iyong suma­ma sa kanya nang  isang  kilometro,  dala­wang kilometro ang la­ka­rin mong kasama niya. 42 Bigyan ang nanghi­hingi at huwag talikuran ang may hinihiram sa iyo.

43 Narinig na ninyo na sinabi: Ma­ha­lin mo ang iyong kapwa at kamuhian ang iyong kaaway. 44 Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: Mahalin ninyo ang inyong ka­away, at ipagdasal ang mga umuusig sa inyo. 45 Sa ganito kayo magi­ging mga anak ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Sa­pagkat pinasisikat niya ang araw sa kap­wa ma­sama at mabuti, at pinapapatak niya ang ulan sa kapwa makatarungan at di-maka­tarungan.

46 Kung mahal ninyo ang nagma­mahal sa inyo, bakit kayo gagantim­palaan? Di ba’t ginagawa rin ito ng mga kolektor ng buwis? 47 At kung ang mga kapatid ninyo lamang ang inyong bina­bati, ano ang na­iiba rito? Di ba’t gina­gawa rin ito ng mga pagano? 48 Kaya maging ganap kayo gaya ng pagiging ganap ng inyong Amang nasa langit.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Saturday February 22, Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle: Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you know Saint Peter?

We celebrate today the feast of the chair of Saint Peter. Peter is the most prominent apostle; Jesus built and founded the church thru him, he was also the leader of the twelve. Peter unwaveringly spread the gospel of Jesus even at the expense of his own life. 

If someone would ask us this question: “Who is Jesus to you?” I am sure that our answer would depend on how well we know Jesus. Some of us may answer that Jesus is a friend who’s always there for us a friend who walks with us and ever ready to hear us.

This was the question posed by Jesus to His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” the people were unsure for they don’t know Jesus that well. Then Jesus asked the apostles: “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. Peter knew Jesus well because more than any other apostle he was always prominently with Jesus (Matthew. 10:2; 14:28; 15:15; 17:24; 19:27; Luke 8:51; 12:41).  

Peter also initially did not want Jesus to wash his feet, (John 13:7-9). When Jesus was about to be arrested by the roman soldiers it was Peter who drew his sword and cut off the ear of the soldier, (John 18:10) Peter was the first apostles to enter the empty tomb of Jesus, (Luke 24:12), Peter was the first apostles to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection, (Luke 24:34)

Like Peter, are we always prominently with Jesus through our prayers, through the Sacraments and by always being present during Sunday Mass? Like Peter, do we have that desire to know Jesus fully well by regularly reading the Bible specially the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?

If Jesus would ask us this question today: “Who do you say that I am?” will He also be satisfied with our reply? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Pebrero 22, Luklukan ni Apostol San Pedro: Mateo 16:13-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:13-19

13 Pumunta si Jesus sa may dakong Cesarea ni Filipo. Tinanong niya ang kanyang mga ala­gad: “Ano ang Anak ng Tao para sa mga tao? Sino ako para sa kanila?” 14 Sumagot sila: “May nagsasa­bing si Juan Bautista ka; may iba pang nagsasabing si Elias ka o si Jeremias o isa sa mga propeta kaya.”

15 Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ngunit sino ako para sa inyo?” 16 At sumagot si Simon Pedro: “Ikaw ang Mesiyas, ang Anak ng Diyos na Buhay.” 17 Sumagot naman si Jesus: “Mapalad ka, Simon Bar-Yona, hindi nga laman at dugo ang nagbunyag nito sa iyo kundi ang aking Amang nasa Langit.

18 At ngayon sinasabi ko sa iyo: Ikaw si Pedro (o Bato) at sa batong ito ko itatayo ang aking Iglesya; at hinding-hindi ito madadaig ng kapangyarihan ng kama­tayan. 19 Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng kaharian ng Langit: ang itali mo dito sa lupa ay itatali rin sa Langit, at ang ka­lagan mo dito sa lupa ay kakalagan din sa Langit.”

  

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Friday February 21, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:34-9:1

Gospel: Mark 8:34-9:1

Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

What is this cross that Jesus wants us to carry the moment we decide to follow Him?

The cross that Jesus mentioned is the cross of suffering but let us not worry because we will not be overburdened by this cross. No matter how hard/heavy this cross will be we will be able to carry it. Why? Because Jesus will be there to help us carry it.

It is also in carrying our life’s crosses that we will have a clearer picture of who really is Jesus. Therefore, Jesus will become more real to us because of this cross. Lest we forget, life with Jesus is not a bed of roses; it’s rather a bed of crosses.

We therefore have to be ready to carry our own cross and let us not be afraid to carry that cross. Because life without carrying our own cross is life without Jesus.

Are you carrying your own cross right now? If you are you have nothing to worry because Jesus’ abiding presence is with you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Pebrero 21, Ikaanim na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 8:34-9:1

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:34-9:1

• 34 At tinawag ni Jesus ang kanyang mga alagad pati ang mga tao, at sinabi: “Kung may gustong sumunod sa akin, itakwil ang kanyang sarili at kunin ang kanyang krus para sumunod sa akin. 35 Sapagkat ang naghahangad na magligtas ng kanyang sarili ay mawa­walan nito, at ang mawawalan ng sarili alang-alang      sa akin at sa ebang­helyo ang magliligtas nito.

36 Ano ang pakinabang ng tao tubuin man niya ang buong daigdig kung sarili naman niya ang mawala? 37 At pagka­tapos ay ano ang maibibigay niya para mabawi ang kanyang sa­rili? 38 Ang ikinahihiya ako at ang aking  mga salita sa harap ng di-tapat at makasalanang lahing ito ay ikahihiya rin ng Anak ng Tao pagdating niyang taglay ang luwalhati ng kanyang Ama, kasama ng mga banal na anghel.”

9   • 1 At idinagdag ni Jesus: “Toto­     ong sinasabi ko sa inyo na di daranas ng kamatayan ang ilan sa mga naririto hanggang hindi nila nakikita ang kaharian ng Diyos na dumarating na may kapang­yarihan.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Thursday February 20, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:27-33

Gospel: Mark 8:27-33

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Are you afraid of sufferings? 

When Jesus told the disciples that He will have to go through severe sufferings and eventually be killed. Peter took Jesus aside and he rebuked Jesus. Perhaps Peter had this notion that Jesus was immune to sufferings because he is God. But to suffer severely was part of Jesus destiny, He had to go through it to achieve His salvific mission for us.

What happened after Jesus suffering and death on the cross? There was glorious resurrection, salvation and after a few days ascension into to heaven.  What could have happened if Jesus did not suffer, if Jesus did not die on the cross?

We being humans are also bound to suffer, there will be episodes of sufferings in our lives for so long as we exist. But let us not be afraid of these sufferings for these are part of our lives. Let us rather take these sufferings as our glorious opportunity to get closer to Jesus. For it’s in our sufferings that we’ll achieve personal relationship with Jesus.

If Jesus suffered who are we not to go through sufferings? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Pebrero 20, Ikaanim na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 8:27-33

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:27-33

27 Pumunta si Jesus kasama ang kanyang mga alagad sa mga nayon ng Cesarea ni Filipo. At habang nasa daa’y tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad: “Sino raw ako ayon sa mga tao?” 28 Su­magot sila: “May nag­sa­sa­bing si Juan Bautista ka; may iba pang nagsasabing si Elias ka o isa sa mga propeta kaya.”

29 At tinanong niya sila: “Ngunit ano naman ang sinasabi ninyo kung sino ako?” At sumagot si Pedro: “Ikaw ang Mesiyas.” 30 At inutusan niya sila na huwag sabihin kaninuman ang tungkol sa kanya.

31 At sinimulan niyang ituro sa kanila na kailangang magtiis ng marami ang Anak ng Tao. Itatakwil nga siya ng mga Mata­tanda ng bayan, ng mga punong-pari at ng mga guro ng Batas. Papa­tayin siya at muling babangon pagka­tapos ng tatlong araw. 32 At buong-­tapang siyang nag­salita. Dinala naman siya ni Pedro sa isang tabi at sinimulan siyang pagsa­bihan. 33 Ngunit pagtalikod ni Jesus, nakita niya na naroon din ang kanyang mga alagad. Kaya pinagsabihan niya si Pedro: “Sa likod ko, Satanas! Hindi sa Diyos galing ang iniisip mo kundi mula sa tao.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Wednesday February 19, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:22-26

Gospel: Mark 8:22-26

When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, “Do you see anything?”Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Have you brought someone to Jesus?

When Jesus and His party arrived at Bethsaida people brought to Him a blind man and they asked Jesus to cure him. Who were those people who brought the blind man to Jesus? We don’t know who they were. But even if we don’t know them we know that they believed in Jesus. We also know that they lived their faith otherwise they would have not brought the blind man to Jesus.

Do you believe in Jesus and are you living your faith? It’s quite easy to say that we believe in the Lord but have we brought someone closer to the Lord? Believing in the Lord is not enough we also have to live our belief in the Lord. What is the use if we say that we believe yet we don’t live our belief? We therefore have to live this belief in the Lord by bringing our fellowmen closer to the Lord.  

Jesus wants us to know that there are many more blind men and women out there who badly need to be brought to Him. Let us look around our environment and we would find them. Let us make friends with them by living our faith and let us share the life changing words of Jesus with them. Our faith bears more fruits when we bring others closer to Jesus.

Have you already brought someone closer to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Pebrero 19, Ikaanim na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 8:22-26

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:22-26

22 Pagpasok ni Jesus at ng kanyang mga alagad sa Betsaida, isang bulag ang dinala sa kanya at hiniling sa kanyang hipuin ito. 23 Inakay ito ni ­Jesus sa labas ng bayan, pinahiran ng laway ang mga mata nito at ipinatong ang kanyang mga kamay. At saka niya ito tina­nong: “May nakikita ka ba?” 24 Tumingin ang tao, at sinabi nito: “Parang mga punongkahoy ang nakikita ko pero lumalakad, tiyak na mga tao ito.” 25 Kaya agad na ipinatong ni Jesus ang kanyang mga kamay sa mga mata nito, at nakakilala siya at gumaling, at nakita nga niya nang malinaw ang lahat.

26 Pinauwi ito ni Jesus sa pagsasa­- bing: “Huwag kang pumasok kahit na sa na­yon.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Tuesday February 18, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:14-21

Gospel: Mark 8:14-21

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up? They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What do you do when you go through your life’s trials? Do you fully trust the Lord to make things better for you? Do you say, Lord I give to you all my worries and I trust the you will take care of it and you will give me help. 

If your mindset is to surrender everything to the Lord, it then speak volumes of you enormous faith in Jesus. Come what may you will trust Jesus more than trust yourself and anybody else. Is your faith in Jesus as strong as this that you trust Jesus more than anybody else?

In our gospel, when the disciples together with Jesus were already in the boat they found out that they had only one bread. And they were naturally worried, for how could this one bread fill all of their hungry stomachs?

In the midst of their worries Jesus reminded them about His miracle of the loaves where He feed the thousands. As if Jesus was telling them: Why are you worried that you will not be able to eat when I am with you!

The disciples failed their test of faith; they doubted if Jesus would be able to help them. Did they doubt or they momentarily forgot that Jesus was with them in that boat?

We all face our own set of test of faith. Perhaps many of us also fail this test of faith and we doubt if we would be able to achieve what we want in life. Or for the reason of our many worries we simply forget that we have a powerful friend and God in Jesus.

Let us doubt no more let us fully trust Jesus for He will never fail us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Pebrero 18, Ikaanim na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 8:14-21

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:14-21

14 Nakalimutan ng mga alagad na magdala ng tinapay at isa lang ang dala nila sa bangka. 15 At pinagsabihan sila ni ­Jesus: “Mag-ingat at huwag magtiwala sa leba­dura ng mga Pariseo at sa lebadura ni Herodes.” 16 At sinabi ng mga alagad sa isa’t isa: “Oo nga, ano? Wala tayong dalang tinapay.”

17 Alam ni Jesus ang mga ito kaya si­nabi niya sa kanila: “Bakit ninyo pinag-uusapan ang tinapay na wala sa inyo? Hindi pa ba ninyo maisip at maunawaan? Mapurol ba ang inyong pag-iisip? 18 May mata kayong di nakakakita at may ta­i­ngang di naka­karinig? Hindi na ba ninyo naaalala 19 nang pinira-­piraso ko ang limang tinapay para sa limang libo, ilang basket na puno ng mga pira-piraso ang inyong naipon?” At suma­got sila: “Labin­dalawa.” 20 “At nang may pitong tinapay para sa apat na libo, ilang ba­yong na puno ng mga pira-piraso ang inyong na­ipon?” At suma­got sila: “Pito.” 21 At si­nabi ni ­Jesus: “Hindi pa ba ninyo nauunawaan?”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Monday February 17, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:11-13

Gospel: Mark 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

A woman wanted to see a sign from her beloved so that she could finally say yes to him. So she said if this man would bring me flowers and chocolates that would be the sign that he loves me. Lo and behold the man came knocking at their gate with flowers and chocolates. To make a long story short she finally said yes to him but after a few months they broke up.  

Unlike the love of a suitor which is often times bounded by time, Jesus love for us is always there it’s not bounded by time. What are the signs of God’s love?  The food on the table, the new life in the morning and countless more! These are obvious signs of Jesus infinite love for us.

But often times these are still not enough for us, we still seek more signs to strengthen our faith in Him. When we seek additional signs from Jesus it also shows how feeble our faith in Him. Otherwise if we have full faith and confidence we would not anymore seek or ask for whatever sign/s.

Do we sometimes seek signs from the Lord to validate our faith in Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Pebrero 17, Ikaanim na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 8:11-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:11-13

11 Dumating ang mga Pariseo at nag­simulang makipagtalo kay Jesus. Gus­to nilang subukan si Jesus at hu­mingi ng isang makalangit na tanda. 12 Nagbuntung-hininga siya at sinabi: “Bakit humihingi ng palatandaan ang lahing ito? Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: walang tandang ibi­bigay sa la­hing ito.” 13 Kaya iniwan sila ni Jesus at suma­kay sa bangka patawid sa kabilang ibayo.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday February 16, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:17-37

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right  eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

“It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife -  unless the marriage is unlawful - causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,' and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Everything starts in our hearts and minds, good intentions and bad intentions it all takes root in our hearts and minds first. For example successful people start their journey towards success by planting the seeds of their successful journey into their hearts and minds.

In the same vein sinful people starts their sinful journey towards hell   by thinking first about their unlawful and sinful acts. They think about it and they let it take root in their hearts after which they start to do something that is immoral or criminal.

In this Sunday’s gospel Jesus warns us not to kill and He further strengthens it deeper by saying that whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. People do not usually kill instantly they plan it, they let it take root in their hearts and minds and then they carry it out.

Anger per see is not bad because Jesus in His public ministry got angry too but for a good reason just to name a few: When He cursed the barren fig tree (Mark 11:12-14) and when He cleared the temple for the reason that they turned it into a den of thieves (Mark 11:15-17)..

 However, if we get angry for the wrong reason that’s when things will get ugly that may lead us to do something that is not good or even unlawful. For example, when our egos are provoked we immediately harbor ill feelings because we have a very high regard for ourselves.  This usually happens to people who are arrogant or with those who have superiority mindset. They think that they’re already above everyone else that they don’t want to be criticized anymore and the moment they’re criticized or someone contradicts them they get angry.

Jesus warns us also about committing adultery! Nowadays it’s so easy for men and women to be unfaithful to their respective spouses and to their marriage vows. We need not look at statistics anymore we simply have to look around and we’ll see that this is true. Jesus tells us that it initially begins by looking at a woman with lustful intentions. It indeed starts within ourselves in our minds and hearts then it begins to morph, then we sin by diving into that adulterous, immoral and wicked relationship.

There are many willing victims of this immoral liaison but what is the cost of this bestial behavior? Therefore, if there's temptation lurking around we have to avoid or ignore it. And the moment we do, that person will simply fade away for he/she knows that we can't be tempted.  

There is always a heavy price to pay when we succumb to these wrongdoings that Jesus mentions in the gospel. We may not realize it here in our earthly journey but the moment we are off this world then that would be our real day of reckoning.

We therefore have to listen to Jesus’ voice in the gospel. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 16, Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:17-37

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:17-37

17 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, huwag ninyong akalain na napa­rito ako para pawalang-bisa ang Batas at Mga Propeta. Naparito ako hindi para magpa­walang-bisa kundi upang mag­bigay-kaganapan. 18 At talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: habang hindi naba­bago ang langit at lupa, hindi maba­bago ni isang kudlit o kuwit ng Batas: lahat ay matu­tupad. 

19 Kung may lumabag sa pinakamaliit na ipinag-uutos ng Batas at magturo ng ganoon sa mga tao, ituturing din siyang pinakamaliit sa Kaharian ng Langit. Ngu­nit kung may magsagawa at magturo ng mga ito sa mga tao, magiging dakila siya sa Kaharian ng Langit. 20 Sinasabi ko sa inyo na kung hindi mas ganap ang inyong kabanalan kaysa sa mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo, hin­ding-hindi kayo makapapasok sa Kaha­rian ng Langit.

21 Narinig na ninyo na sinabi sa in­yong mga ninuno: Huwag kang papatay; ang sinumang pumatay ay lilitisin. 22 Sinasabi ko naman sa inyo: Ang sinu­mang magalit sa kanyang kapa­tid ay lilitisin. Ang sinumang manuya sa kan­yang kapatid ay lilitisin sa Sanggunian. At ang sinumang manghiya sa kanyang kapatid ay nara­rapat lamang itapon sa apoy ng impiyerno.

23 Kaya sa paglalagay mo sa altar ng iyong hain at naalaala mong may reklamo sa iyo ang kapatid mo, 24 iwan mo muna ang iyong hain sa harap ng altar at puntahan mo ang iyong kapatid para maki­pagkasundo sa kanya. At saka ka bumalik at ialay ang iyong hain sa Diyos.

25 Makipagkasundo na sa iyong kaaway habang papunta pa kayo sa hukuman, at baka ipaubaya ka niya sa hukom na magpapaubaya naman sa iyo sa pulisya na magkukulong sa iyo. 26 Talagang sinasabi ko sa iyo: hindi ka makalalabas hang­ga’t di mo nababaya­ran ang kahuli-hulihang sentimo.

• 27 Narinig na ninyo na sinabing: Huwag kang makiapid. 28 Ngunit sinasabi ko naman sa inyo: ang sinumang tumingin nang may pagnanasa sa isang babae ay nakiapid na rin sa kanyang puso.

29 Kaya kung ang iyong kanang mata ang nagbubuyo sa iyo sa kasa­lanan, alisin mo ito at itapon! Makabu­buti pa sa iyo na mawalan ng isang bahagi ng iyong katawan kaysa matapon ang buo mong katawan sa impiyerno.

30 Kung ang iyong kanang kamay naman ang nagbubuyo sa iyo sa kasalanan, putulin mo ito at ita­pon! Mas makabubuti sa iyo ang mawa­lan ng isang bahagi ng iyong katawan kaysa matapon ang buo mong katawan sa impiyerno. • 31 Sinabi rin namang: Kung may ma­kikipagdiborsiyo sa kanyang maybahay, bigyan niya ito ng katibayan. 32 Ngunit sinasabi ko sa iyo: kung may magpaalis sa kanyang maybahay sa ibang dahilan maliban sa kawalang-katapatan, pinapakiapid niya ito. At naki­kiapid din ang nagpapakasal sa babaeng diborsiyada.

• 33 Narinig na rin ninyo na sinabi sa inyong mga ninuno: Huwag kang sisira sa iyong sinumpaan. Tuparin mo ang sinumpaang pangako sa Pangi­noon. 34 Ngunit sinasabi ko naman sa inyo: huwag kayong manumpa sa ngalan ng Langit pagkat naroon ang trono ng Diyos, 35 ni sa ngalan ng lupa pagkat ito ang tuntungan ng kanyang mga paa, ni sa ngalan ng Jerusalem pagkat ito ang lunsod ng Dakilang Hari.

36 Huwag kang manumpa ni sa ngalan ng iyong ulo pagkat ni hindi mo kayang paputiin o paitimin ni isang hibla ng iyong buhok. 37 Sabihin mong oo kung oo at hindi kung hindi. Ano pa mang sasabihin mo’y sa demonyo na galing.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.