1Reflection for Sunday May 31, Solemnity of Pentecost: John 20:19-23

Gospel: John 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them and whose sins you retain are retained.”

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Reflection:

Have we been in a situation where we feared for our life? The disciples were in this predicament after Jesus died on the cross. They were running for their lives and were being hunted by the ruling power during that time. It must have been very difficult for them some of them might have even wore disguises to avoid being recognized.

With low morale and fearing for their lives they still managed to communicate and agreed to meet in a locked room. While in the room and perhaps praying and strategizing for their next plan of action, lo and behold the Lord Jesus appeared to them. For what reason? To give them hope and peace. And before they separated Jesus breathed on them and gave them the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes it is in the lowest point in our life that the Lord Jesus manifests His presence to us. Perhaps this is so because this is always the moment when we are in need of Him. This is the moment in our life that our minds are not preoccupied by worldliness but is solely occupied by our thirst for the Lord.

Yet the Lord comes to us not only by Himself, He comes to us bringing with Him peace, hope and surely the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Why the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit? Because the Lord Jesus perfectly knows that we would be facing our own share of difficulties as we continue our journey in this world. For example the difficulty and mental disturbance that many of us are going through caused by this Covid-19 pandemic.

The Holy Spirit is also with us so that it can disturb our conscience whenever we sin or are planning to sin. It can give us Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Courage, Knowledge and Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2). Let us therefore pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and let us ask Him to shower us His many gifts.

You may ask, “Do I pray to the Holy Spirit?” Yes I do! Before I type my reflections I always say a short prayer addressed to God the Holy Spirit and I ask for Wisdom, right mindset and guidance. And as I type the song come Holy Spirit is also playing softly on the side.    

Do we always pray to God the Holy Spirit? Do we always ask Him to guide and lead us? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Mayo 31, Pentekostes (Dakilang Kapistahan) Juan 20:19-23

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:19-23

19 Agaw-dilim na noon sa unang araw na iyon ng sanlinggo at nakasara ang mga pinto sa kinaroroonan ng mga alagad dahil sa takot sa mga Judio, dumating si Jesus at pumagitna. At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Kapayapaan sa inyo!” 20 Pagkasabi nito, ipinakita niya sa kanila ang mga kamay at ang tagiliran. Kaya nagalak ang mga alagad pagka­kita nila sa Panginoon.

21 At muli niyang sinabi sa kanila: “Kapa­­yapaan sa inyo! Kung paanong isinugo ako ng Ama, ipinadadala ko rin kayo.” 22 At pagkasabi nito, hiningahan niya sila at sinabi: “Tanggapin ang Espi­ritu Santo! 23 Patatawarin ang mga kasa­lanan ninu­man na inyong patawarin; at pana­natiliin naman sa sinuman ang in­yong panatiliin.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for May 30, Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 21:20-25

Gospel: John 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, "Master, who is the one who will betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me." So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?"

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

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Reflection:

Does Jesus have a favorite disciple? It seems so as the gospel states: “Peter turned and saw that the disciple Jesus loved, was following as well the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” (John 21:20)

In his humanity Jesus is also like us, he has a sense of feeling on who among his disciples were most humble and always there for him. This disciple is John whom Jesus loved so dearly. He was also the same John who remained with Jesus until his last gasp of breath on the cross. (John 19:26-27)

Like Jesus, we may also have our own beloved friends, and relatives. Why are they our chosen ones? We prefer them because they’ve shown their loyalty and love for us. John loved Jesus thru his words and deeds and he stayed with Jesus until the very end.

Are we like John? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 30, Sabado sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:20-25

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:20-25

20 Paglingon ni Pedro, nakita niyang sumusunod ang alagad na mahal ni Jesus, na siyang humilig sa tabi niya noong hapunan at nagsabing: “Pangi­noon, sino ba ang magkakanulo sa iyo?” 21 Kaya pag­kakita rito ni Pedro, sinabi niya kay Jesus: “Panginoon, ano naman sa kanya?” 22 Si­na­bi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Kung loobin kong mamalagi siya hang­gang ako’y pu­ma­­rito, ano sa ’yo? Ikaw, sumunod ka sa akin!”

23 Dahil dito’y kumalat ang salitang ito sa mga kapatid na hindi mama­matay ang alagad na ito pero hindi naman sinasabi sa kanya ni Jesus na hindi siya mama­ma­tay kundi “Kung loobin kong mamalagi siya hanggang ako’y pumarito.”

24 Ito ang alagad na siyang nagpa­patunay tungkol sa mga bagay na ito at ang sumulat sa mga ito. At alam namin na totoo ang kanyang patunay. 25Ma­rami pa ring ibang ginawa si Jesus, na kung isa-isang masusulat ang mga iyon, sa tantiya ko’y hindi magkakasya sa mundo ang isusulat na mga aklat.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for May 29, Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 21:15-19

Gospel: John 21:15-19

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid to grow old?

The reality of life is this: we will eventually grow old; this is a course of our life that no one of us can stop. Whether we like it or not we will all be growing old and we will be at the mercy of those who will be with us by that time.

Can we assure ourselves that we will be properly treated when we become old and powerless? None of us can assure that there will be proper treatment for us by that time but Jesus gives us some hint on how to assure proper and equitable treatment for us when we become old and gray.

He tells us in the gospel to feed and take care of His people, in other words feed and take care of anyone who is hungry. Don’t be selective; help everyone who is in need. But let us not help with the motive in mind that we will do it because we will be in need of help also in the distant future when we are old.

Let us help because this is the right act to do, help because this is what Jesus wants from us immaterial if we will be helped or not in the future. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 29, Biyernes sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:15-19

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:15-19

15 Pagkapag-almusal nila, sinabi ni Jesus kay Simon Pedro: “Simon, anak ni Juan, mahal mo ba ako nang higit sa pagmamahal nila?” Sinabi nito sa kanya: “Oo, Panginoon, ikaw ang nakaaalam na iniibig kita.” Sinabi sa kanya: “Pakanin mo ang aking mga kordero.” 16 Sinabi sa kanyang maka­lawa: “Simon, anak ni Juan, mahal mo ba ako?” Sinabi nito sa kanya: “Oo, Panginoon, ikaw ang naka­aalam na iniibig kita.” Sinabi sa kanya: “Ipastol ang aking mga tupa.”

17 Sinabi sa kanyang makaitlo: “Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako?” Nalungkot na si Pedro dahil ma­kaitlo siyang sinabihan: “Iniibig mo ba ako?” kaya sinabi niya: “Panginoon, ikaw ang nakaaalam ng lahat; alam mong iniibig kita.” Sinabi nito sa kan­ya: “Pakanin mo ang aking mga tupa.

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

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for May 28, Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 17:20-26

Gospel: John 17:20-26

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

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Reflection:

What would happen if the love of Jesus is present in a family? There is unity and there is an unbreakable bond that exists no matter what happen inside that family.  On the other hand what would happen if the love of God is not present in a family? There would be disunity, human created problems and dysfunctionality which would eventually lead to the disintegration of the family.

Jesus love for God and God’s love for Jesus is the only love that can bind and unify members of family.  It’s a love that is humble and persevering; no wonder Jesus remained faithful to HIS mission of salvation. Jesus humbled Himself even if HE is equal with God and He persevered to fulfill HIS salvific mission even at the cost of HIS earthly life.

If spouses want their family to remain united in love forever they must also have the same humility and perseverance. The children should have an active prayer life taught by their parents and anchored on their wisdom filled shepherding as well. Thus, it will not fall to the trap of the devil who always incite for the dismemberment of the family.

Let us reflect if we have the love of Jesus and God inside our own family. Let us reflect if we breathe humility and perseverance for the sake of the wellbeing of our children. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 28, Huwebes sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 17:20-26

Mabuting Balita: Juan 17:20-26

Tumingala si Jesus sa langit at nagsalita 20 Hindi lamang sila ang ipinapa­kiusap ko kundi pati ang mga nana­nalig sa akin sa pamamagitan ng kanilang salita. 21 Maging iisa sana ang lahat kung paanong nasa akin ka, Ama, at ako’y nasa ‘yo. Mapa­saatin din sana sila upang maniwala ang mundo na ikaw ang nag­sugo sa akin.

22 Ibinigay ko naman sa kanila ang luwalhating ibinigay mo sa akin upang maging isa sila gaya nang tayo’y iisa: 23 ako sa kanila at ikaw sa akin. Kaya magaganap sila sa kaisahan, at maki­kilala ng mundo na ikaw ang nagsugo sa akin, at minahal ko sila kung pa­anong minahal mo ako. 24 Ama, sila ang ibinigay mo sa akin kaya niloloob kong kung nasaan ako’y makasama ko rin sila at mapansin nila ang bigay mo sa aking kaluwalhatian ko sapagkat minahal mo ako bago pa man nagkaroon ng mundo.

25 Makatarungang Ama, hindi ka kilala ng mundo: kilala naman kita at kilala rin ng mga ito na ikaw ang nag­sugo sa akin. 26 Ipinagbigay-alam ko sa kanila ang Ngalan mo at ipinagbibigay-alam pa upang mapasakanila ang pag­mamahal mo sa akin at ako ri’y mapa­sa­kanila.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for May 27, Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 17:11b-19

Gospel: John 17:11b-19

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:“Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them so that they also may be consecrated in truth.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a husband and wife who wanted to adhere to the teachings of the church that marriage is for life. So they thought of ways on how they would go about it. In their reflection they thought of making prayer as an agent that would bind them together until they breathe their last in this world. To make a long story short they made prayer part of their married life. Thus, they remained married until the end.

As Jesus was about to be arrested, He prayed to God for His disciples. That they may continually be united as one in their mission, united for the reason that they would not succeed without unity.  Isn’t this true also inside a family and married life? A family needs unity for it to succeed, what are the fruits of unity inside the family/marriage? The fruits are: Humility, Honesty, Forgiveness and many more positive attributes.

Every family/marriage that succeeds spiritually is a praying family and a praying family is a united family. Let us therefore not devalue the powerful miracle of prayer inside the family/marriage. Because the family that prays as one would remain united until the end.  

Is prayer already part of the culture of our life, family and marriage? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 27, Miyerkules sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 17:11b-19

Mabuting Balita: Juan 17:11b-19

Tumingala si Jesus sa langit at nagsabi 11 Wala na ako sa mundo ngunit nasa mundo pa sila habang pa­punta ako sa iyo. Amang banal, inga­tan mo sila sa iyong Pangalang ibinigay mo sa akin upang maging isa sila gaya natin. 12 Nang kasama nila ako, iningatan ko sila sa iyong Pangalang ibinigay mo sa akin, at pinangalagaan ko sila at wala sa kanilang napahamak liban sa nagpa­hamak sa kanyang sarili upang maganap ang kasulatan.

13 At ngayon, papunta ako sa iyo at sinasabi ko ang mga ito habang nasa mundo upang maganap sa kanila ang aking kaga­lakan. 14 Ibinigay ko sa kanila ang salita mo at napoot sa kanila ang mundo sapagkat hindi sila mula sa mundo gaya nang hindi ako mula sa mundo. 15 Hindi ko ipinapa­ki­usap na alisin mo sila sa mundo kundi pangalagaan mo sila sa masama.

16 Hindi sila mula sa mundo gaya nang hindi ako mula sa mundo. 17 Pabanalin mo sila sa katotohanan. Katotohanan ang sali­ta mo. 18 Kagaya nang ako’y sinugo mo sa mundo, sinu­go ko rin sila sa mundo. 19 At alang-alang sa kanila’y pinababanal ko ang aking salita upang pati sila’y pabanalin sa katotohanan.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for May 26, Tuesday; Saint Philip Neri, priest: John 17:1-11a

Gospel: John 17:1-11a

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.

“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who worked hard to amass wealth. But on the course of his obsession to be wealthy he also noticed that whatever wealth that he amassed immediately flew away from his hands.

It became a vicious cycle for him, he works hard then he ends up with nothing. Why? The reason behind is he worked with the wrong motivation, he worked for this world alone. Thus he was slowly being eaten by the materialistic and evil culture of this world.

What is our life’s motivation? Is it to live a comfortable life by way of amassing anything that is of this world? If this is our motivation that would be catastrophic, for anything of this world is of this world. Anyone that loves the things of this world is already imprisoned by the curse of this world.  

Jesus lived in this world not to become a citizen of this world. He lived in this world only to fulfill the will of God for HIM and that is to give His very own life for our sake. Jesus knew that He would gain nothing if HE favors this world over HIS fidelity to HIS mission of salvation. 

Do we love this world more than we love God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 26, Martes; San Felipe Neri, pari: Juan 17:1-11a

Mabuting Balita: Juan 17:1-11a

Tumingala si Jesus sa langit at nagsabi: “Ama, sumapit na ang oras. Luwalhatiin mo ang iyong Anak upang maluwalhati ka ng Anak 2 dahil ibinigay mo sa kanya ang kapangyarihan sa bawat tao upang bigyan niya ng buhay magpa­kai­lanman ang lahat ng bigay mo sa kanya. 3 Ito naman ang buhay magpa­kailanman: ang makilala ka, ang tanging totoong Diyos at si Jesu­cristong sinugo mo.

4 Niluwalhati kita sa lupa, ginanap ko ang gawang bigay mo sa akin para tra­ba­huhin. 5 At ngayon, luwalhatiin mo ako, Ama, at ibigay sa aking katabi ang luwalhating meron ako sa tabi mo bago pa man nagkaroon ng mundo. 6 Ipinahayag ko ang pangalan mo sa mga taong kinuha mo sa mundo at ibinigay sa akin. Iyo sila at sa akin mo sila ibinigay, at tinupad nila ang iyong salita. 7 Ngayon, nakilala na nila na sa iyo galing ang lahat ng ibinigay mo sa akin. 8 Totoo, ibinigay ko sa kanila ang mga pana­nalitang ibinigay mo sa akin, at tinanggap nila at kinilalang totoong sa iyo ako galing at naniwala sila na ikaw ang nagsugo sa akin.

9 Sila ang ipinapakiusap ko. Hindi ang mundo ang ipinapakiusap ko kundi ang mga ibinigay mo sa akin dahil iyo sila. 10 Iyo ang lahat sa akin, at akin naman ang iyo, at naluwalhati ako sa kanila. 11 Wala na ako sa mundo ngunit nasa mundo pa sila habang pa­punta ako sa iyo. Amang banal, inga­tan mo sila sa iyong Pangalang ibinigay mo sa akin upang maging isa sila gaya natin.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for May 25, Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 16:29-33

Gospel: John 16:29-33

The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God. Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who aimed for worldly riches and greatness in his chosen field of endeavour. By his hard work he was able to achieve his aim. He thought that it would be the crowning glory of his life but he aimed for more riches. In doing so, he had no peace and contentment, he became worldly and a slave of this world.

Jesus tells us in the gospel for this Monday, You will have peace in me, in this world you will have trouble (John 16:33). Many of us allow ourselves to be enslaved by this world up to this very moment. Until we get sick, until we are near death and the reason behind is we keep on chasing the temporal riches and power of this world. Which in reality will not give us good health, peace and contentment.

Jesus offers us His peace. Peace that no one can give us, peace that money can't buy, peace even in the midst of this  Covid-19 pandemic and peace that we can have even beyond this world.

Let us wholeheartedly accept this and the moment we do we would begin to free ourselves from the possession of this world. In doing so, we will not live for this world anymore and we will not be concerned anymore about others opinion toward us. For the simple reason that we already have the peace of Jesus in our hearts.

Would we accept the peace that Jesus is offering us? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 25, Lunes sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 16:29-33

Mabuting Balita: Juan 16:29-33

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ng kanyang mga alagad kay Hesus, "Ngayon po'y tuwiran na ang inyong pangungusap sa amin at hindi na patalinghaga! Alam na naming batid ninyo ang lahat ng bagay, at hindi na kailangang tanungin ninuman. Dahil dito, naniwala kaming kayo'y mula sa Diyos."

Sumagot si Jesus, "Naniniwala na ba kayo ngayon? Darating ang oras -- at ngayon na nga -- na magkakawatak-watak kayo, magkakanya-kanyang lakad kayo, at iiwan ninyo ako. Gayunma'y hindi ako nag-iisa sapagkat kasama ko ang Ama. Sinasabi ko ito sa inyo upang kayo'y magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa pakikipag-isa sa akin. Mayroon kayong kapighatian dito sa sanlibutan; ngunit lakasan ninyo ang inyong loob! Napagtagumpayan ko na ang sanlibutan!"

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday May 24, Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord: Matthew 28:16-20

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

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Reflection:

When someone whom we respect and love tells us to do something for him/her. We will try every possible way to obey what that someone tells us. For example if our parents tell us to do something for them we will exert every effort to do it because we respect and love them. This is always the case: we obey because of our deep love and respect for them.

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus to heaven. However, before He went up to heaven He first took time to meet the eleven disciples. To commission them to spread the faith to all nations and they all took seriously this command of Jesus for them. 

Who was Jesus for them? Jesus was their Master, Teacher and Lord the God that they worshipped and respected deeply. Their deep worship for Jesus gave birth to their faithful  and humble obedience to His command. They obeyed Him even at the cost of their lives; they obeyed even if they would go through severe testing of their faith. This successful obedience was all borne out of their deep respect, reverence and worship for the Lord.

We may not be aware of this but everyone of us has an important role to play in this commissioning by Jesus on the apostles.   By virtue of our Baptism we too are given by Jesus this important responsibility to spread our faith by our words and by our deeds.

It’s very easy to go to church and worship Jesus there in the celebration of the Holy Mass it’s an effortless undertaking for some of us.  But our worship for Jesus doesn’t end with our worship for Him in that sacred celebration it is in fact only the beginning.

What immediately follows is for all of us to live and share the teachings of the Holy Mass which is to spread the faith by our words and deeds. And to share Jesus with others especially to those who have not heard yet of the good news about Him. This is the enormous responsibility that rest upon our shoulders now. 

This command of Jesus to propagate the faith rings loudly today more than any other time. Today we are not allowed to attend Holy Mass because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But thanks to modern technology we can still propagate our faith using the internet through the celebration of online Holy Mass. So, we have to reserve time to attend on line Mass, we also have to share it in our facebook and other social medua accounts so that we can evangelize others.

We can also share our faith by sharing whatever we have to those who are in need. One of the many sad realities of this Covid-19 pandemic is it created so much hunger among many of us. We therefore have to do our share to help those who are hungry for this is what real evangelization is all about. By doing so we bring Jesus and His teachings closer to them.

What have we done so far to help the hungry caused by this Covid-19 pandemic? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Mayo 24, Pag-akyat ng Panginoon (Dakilang Kapistahan) Mateo 28:16-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 28:16-20

16 Pumunta naman sa Galilea ang La­bing-isang alagad, sa bundok na itinak­da ni Jesus. 17 Pagkakita nila sa kanya, su­mamba sila, ngunit may nag-aalinla­ngan pa. 18 At nilapitan sila ni Jesus at sinabi: “Ibinigay sa akin ang buong kapang­yarihan sa langit at sa lupa. 19 Kaya hu­mayo kayo at gawing mga alagad ang lahat ng bansa. Binyagan sila sa Ngalan ng Ama at ng Anak at ng Espi­­ritu Santo, 20 at turuan sila na sundin ang lahat ng iniutos ko sa inyo. Kasa­ma ninyo ako sa lahat ng araw hang­gang sa wakas ng panahon.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for May 23, Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:23b-28

Gospel: John 16:23b-28

Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

"I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."

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Reflection:

The story is told about an old man who was on his death bed and he was calling on Jesus to bring him into His kingdom. His relatives were whispering among themselves that he was already hallucinating. Then, suddenly the dying man breathed deeply and said to them: Jesus is here now and He’s holding my hand after which the dying man breathed his last with a smile on his face.

The name of Jesus is very powerful it can give us peace and serenity it can ward off evil thoughts and spirits. But do we invoke Jesus name often? Maybe yes or no or perhaps we only remember to call on Jesus when we are in dire need of Him. But after we’re through and over with our difficulties we once again forget Him. For example, surely many are praying hard right now because of Covid-19 but after this Covid-19 pandemic? Would many of us pray deeply to the Lord as before?

The name of Jesus is very powerful let us never forget to always invoke it. Let us call upon the powerful name of Jesus when we are tired of the daily grind of life. Let us call upon the powerful name of Jesus when we are losing hope caused by this Covid-19. Let us call upon the powerful name of Jesus when we are sick and so forth.   

In good times and in bad times let us always remember to call on Jesus. Let us ask Him to bring our prayers to the Father for He will never fail us.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 23, Sabado sa Ikaanim na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 16:23b-28

Mabuting Balita: Juan 16:23b-28

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: Sa araw na iyon, wala na kayong itatanong sa akin sapagkat talagang-tala­gang sinasabi ko sa inyo na ipagkakaloob sa inyo anumang hingin ninyo sa Ama sa Ngalan ko. 24 Hanggang ngayo’y wala pa kayong hiningi sa Ngalan ko. Humingi kayo at tatanggap kayo upang maganap ang inyong kaga­lakan.

25 Sa mga paghahambing ko ipina­ngungusap sa inyo ang mga ito. Ngunit may oras na sasapit na hindi sa pagha­hambing ako mangungusap sa inyo kundi lantaran ko nang ihahayag sa inyo ang tungkol sa Ama. 26 Sa araw na ’yon, sa ngalan ko kayo hihingi; hindi ko sinasabi sa inyo na makikiusap ako sa Ama alang-alang sa inyo 27 pagkat iniibig kayo mismo ng Ama dahil iniibig n’yo ako at pinaniniwalaang sa Diyos ako galing. 28 Galing ako sa Ama at dumating sa mundo. Muli kong iniiwan ang mundo at papunta sa Ama.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for May 22, Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:20-23

Gospel: John 16:20-23

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”

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Reflection:

Are we afraid to go through suffering/s? We all are, as much as possible we don’t want sufferings in our life. What we want is a suffering free life but a suffering free life is not a possibility for believers of Jesus. For without sufferings we would not be able to intensely feel the abiding presence of Jesus in our lives.

Jesus will help us conquer our sufferings for as long as we steadfastly hold on to Him. For example, we are all suffering right now one way or another caused by this Covid-19 pandemic. Yet in spite of this suffering that we are going through right now we continue to hold tightly to our faith in Jesus. And through our steadfast faith Jesus will sooner or later pull us out of this suffering.

In our gospel for this Friday, Jesus tells His disciples: You will weep and mourn (John 16:20). Jesus told them this for His hour of arrest, passion and death would soon come. Yet they will be joyful and triumphant after a period of time. Joy and triumph that nobody can take away from them. Joy and triumph which are brought about by Jesus resurrection and triumph over death.

What is important in life is we continue to steadfastly hold on to Jesus no matter how severe the trials that we may face. For there surely be triumph over our trials if we remain unwavering in our faith in the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 22, Biyernes sa Ikaanim na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 16:20-23

Mabuting Balita: Juan 16:20-23

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 20 Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, iiyak kayo at tataghoy, at maga­galak naman ang mundo. Maninimdim kayo ngunit magiging kagalakan ang inyong paninimdim. 21 Naninimdim ang babaeng malapit nang manganak sa­pag­kat sumapit na ang kanyang oras. Ngunit pagkasilang sa sanggol, dahil sa galak ay hindi na niya naaalaala ang kagipitan: isang tao ang isinilang sa mundo.

22 Gayon nga rin kayo naninimdim ngayon. Ngunit muli ko kayong maki­kita at magagalak ang inyong puso, at walang makaaagaw ng inyong kaga­lakan sa inyo. 23 At sa araw na iyon, wala na kayong itatanong sa akin sapagkat talagang-tala­gang sinasabi ko sa inyo na ipagkakaloob sa inyo anumang hingin ninyo sa Ama sa Ngalan ko.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for May 21, Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:16-20

Gospel: John 16:16-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What does this mean that he is saying to us, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” So they said, “What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what he means.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

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Reflection:

Do you believe that after sorrow and pain comes redemption?

When Jesus said to his disciples: “You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices; you will grieve but your grief will become joy (John 16:20).” Jesus was already alluding about his forthcoming passion and death that he has to go through and to his subsequent resurrection.

 Jesus even compared it with a woman who is in labor pain. But after she has given birth she would forget that painful experience altogether because of the great joy that the newly born child would give her (John 16:21).

Married life is not always blissful, the husband and wife will go through humps and bumps that would test the strength of their fidelity before Jesus. But if they persevere and decide to stay in their union amidst their trials there would be joy in their hearts at the end.    

Same with our walk with Jesus, it will not always be a bed of roses, there would be trials, and sometimes we will be persecuted because of what we do for God.

In spite of these all let us continue to follow Jesus, for at the end there will be redemption for those who are faithful to Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas