Reflection for January 21, Thursday Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr (M): Mark 3:7-12

Gospel: Mark 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. 

He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known.

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Reflection:

Do you believe in the saying: "To see is to believe." 

Large number of people from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idulmea, Jordan, Tyre and Sidon were following Jesus because of the physical and spiritual healing that He did for them. And after experiencing healing from Jesus they surely would spread it through word of mouth and by other means. 

This kind of situation is no different in our time right now. Whenever we hear that someone heals in the name of Jesus it immediately goes viral, it spread and soon after populate the internet. And naturally we would all go there (if we could) and see and experience it for ourselves as they say: “To see is to believe.” We therefore go to see and once we see it as if on cue we would now immediately believe. 

On the other hand there’s the silent majority who follow Jesus not because of His miracles and healings. They follow Him for the simple reason that they feel it in their hearts their need for Jesus, immaterial of His miracles and healings. It doesn’t even matter if he would be able to heal or not. They follow already for their love and thirst for the Lord. 

The ideal and true followers are those who follow even without experiencing miracles. Are you one of those? Or you still need to see and feel a miracle before you follow the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 21, Huwebes Santa Agnes, birhen at martir (Paggunita) Marcos 3:7-12

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:7-12

Kaya lumayo si Jesus na kasama ang kanyang mga alagad papunta sa dagat. Maraming taga-Galilea ang su­mu­­­nod sa kanya. Mayroon din namang mga taong ga­ling sa Judea 8 at Jerusalem, at sa Idumea at sa kabilang ibayo ng Jordan, at sa Tiro at Sidon. Maraming-marami ang nagpunta sa kanya nang mabalitaan nila ang lahat niyang ginagawa.  

9 Kaya tinagubilinan niya ang kanyang mga alagad na ihanda ang isang bangka para sa kanya dahil maraming tao, at baka nila siya maipit. 10 Marami na siyang pinaga­ling kaya pilit siyang inaabot ng lahat ng may karamdaman para mahipo siya. 11 Sinu­sugod siya ng mga inaalihan ng maruruming espiritu pagkakita sa kanya at pasi­gaw nilang si­na­sabi: “Ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos.” 12 Ngunit tinagubilinan niya silang huwag siyang ibunyag.

Reflection for January 20, Wednesday of the Second Week: Mark 3:1-6

Gospel Mark 3:1-6

Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”  

But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

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Reflection:

Do you always help? 

To help those who are in need is for all season; it is not strictly confined nor enclosed to certain days or hours. As long as there are those who are in need of our help, then we must help by all means for this is what God wants us to do.  

We see it in the gospel today; there is this man with a withered hand but it so happen that it was a Sabbath day. Did Jesus thought of not healing this man because it was Sabbath day and His usual critics were closely monitoring Him? 

No He did not! He instead called the man and said: Come up here before us and He said again: Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. 

We must not be afraid to help regardless of who the person is and no matter the circumstances that we are in. If we have the capacity to help by all means we must help. But the reality of it all is this: Some of us help selectively, we choose the person that we would help. Many of us specially help those who can reciprocate the help that we’ve done; perhaps this is human nature.  

But Jesus is challenging us through our gospel that we must transcend it and not be selective on extending help. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 20, Miyerkules sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 3:1-6

 

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:1-6

1 Muling pumasok si Jesus sa sinagoga, at naroon ang isang lalaki na hindi maigalaw ang kamay, at mayroon ding gustong magsumbong tungkol kay Je­sus. 2 Kaya nagmasid sila at baka pa­galingin siya ni Jesus sa Araw ng Pa­hinga.  

3 At sinabi naman niya sa taong hindi ma­igalaw ang kamay: “Tumindig ka sa gitna.” 4 At saka niya sila tina­nong: “Ano ang ipina­hihintulot sa Araw ng Pa­hinga, gumawa ng mabuti o gumawa ng masa­ma, magligtas ng buhay o pumatay?” At di sila umimik.  

5 Nalungkot si Jesus dahil sa kati­gasan ng kanilang puso kaya galit niyang tiningnan silang lahat, at sinabi sa lalaki: “Iunat mo ang iyong kamay.” Iniunat nga ng tao ang kamay at guma­ling ito. 6 Pagkalabas ng mga Pariseo, naki­pag­tipon sila sa mga kakampi ni Hero­des para masiraan nila siya.

1Reflection for January 19, Tuesday of the Second Week: Mark 2:23-28

Gospel: Mark 2:23-28

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath? He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?  

How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest  and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions? Then he said to them “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

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Reflection:

Why was Jesus so popular with the common people? This is for the reason that He violates some religious norms of the Pharisees for the greater good of the people that He loves so dearly.  For example, the picking of grain during Sabbath day, doing this was prohibited based on the Jewish religion. But Jesus dared to violate this law for the good of His disciples. 

Laws or religious norms are good for the reason that it teaches us obedience and discipline. But there are times that we have to violate it so that it could serve a higher and nobler purpose. In the gospel the nobler or higher purpose why Jesus violated the Sabbath law was to feed the hungry stomachs of His disciples.  

Jesus violated the Sabbath law for the reason that humans are more important that laws. We  can amend a law or extinguish the life of a law but would we be willing to extinguish the life of a human being to serve the law?  

In a deeper sense Jesus is teaching us that the important need of a person (In this case the need for food) is far more important than any law. For Jesus it’s always the good of the people than the observance of any kind of religious law/s.  

This norm of Jesus stands until today we are His priority more than any other rule/law in this world. How about you? Is Jesus your priority more than any other undertaking in this world? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 19, Martes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 2:23-28

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 2:23-28

23 Naglakad si Jesus sa mga taniman ng trigo minsang Araw ng Pa­hinga. At ha­bang naglalakad ang kanyang mga alagad, sinimulan nilang alisin sa uhay ang mga butil, at kinain iyon. 24 At sinabi kay Jesus ng mga Pariseo: “Tingnan mo ang ginagawa nila sa Araw ng Pahinga. Hindi ito ipinahi­hintulot.”  

25 Ngunit sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi ba ninyo nabasa kailanman ang ginawa ni David nang nangangailangan siya at nagu­gutom – siya at ang kanyang mga kasama? 26 Pumasok siya sa bahay ng Diyos nang si Abiatar ang Punong-pari, at kinain ang tinapay na inihain para sa Diyos gayong bawal ito kaninuman liban sa mga pari, at binigyan pa niya pati na ang kanyang mga kasama.”  

27 At sinabi pa sa kanila ni Jesus: “Dahil sa tao kaya ginawa ang Araw ng Pa­hinga ngu­nit hindi ang tao dahil sa Araw ng Pahinga. 28 Kung gayon, ang Anak ng Tao ang Panginoon kahit na ng Araw ng Pahi­nga.”

1Reflection for January 18, Monday of the Second Week: Mark 2:18-22

Gospel: Mark 2:18-22

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast? Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them and then they will fast on that day.   

No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”

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Reflection:

What is Jesus desire for you? It’s to transform you so that you could become fresh wineskin that He could pour Himself into you. Jesus is the new wine and you are the old wineskin but Jesus doesn’t want you to become an old wineskin any longer which cannot accept His renewing presence. He wants you to be renewed or to be the fresh wineskin so that He could come into your life.  

What makes us old wineskins or what makes us unworthy for the presence of Jesus? It’s our many sins, these many sins make us unworthy to Jesus. Nevertheless, Jesus is also offering Himself to us so that he could cleanse us and make us new once again. 

Will you let Jesus into your life so that He could make things new for you? Or you will continue to shut your heart to Jesus? The choice is yours, if you want to remain contained in the old wineskin of sin or you allow Jesus to renew you and liberate you from sin.  

The correct choice is always to allow Jesus entry into your life and to allow Jesus to make things new in your life once again. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 18, Lunes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 2:18-22

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 2:18-22

18 Nag-aayuno ang mga alagad ni Juan at ang mga Pariseo. Kaya may lumapit sa kanya at nagta­nong: “May araw ng ayuno ang mga alagad ni Juan at ang mga alagad ng mga Pariseo, at wala ba namang pag-aayuno ang iyong mga alagad?” 

19 Sinagot sila ni Jesus: “Puwede bang mag-ayuno ang mga abay sa kasalan kapag kasama pa nila ang nobyo? 20 Darating ang panahon na kukunin sa kanila ang nobyo; sa araw na iyon sila mag-aayuno. 

21 Walang nagtatagpi ng piraso ng ba­gong tela sa lumang damit. Kung gagawin mo ito, hihilahin ng tagpi ang damit, ng bago ang luma at lalo pang lalaki ang punit. 22 At hindi ka rin naman maglalagay ng bagong alak sa mga lumang sisidlan. Kung gagawin mo ito, papuputukin ng alak ang mga sisidlan at masisira ang alak pati na ang mga sisidlan. Sa bagong sisidlan ang bagong alak!”

Reflection for Sunday January 17, Feast of the Sto.Nino: Mark 10:13-16

Gospel: Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 

Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child* will not enter it.” Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

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Reflection:

The story is told about two best friends who grew up and eventually grew old still in constant touch with each other. When they were already in their seventies they were sharing stories about their children. Best friend number one (1) was so proud of her children for they became very successful in their respective careers and family life. Best friend number one’s children were also very loving and caring towards their parents. 

Best friend number two’s children were the complete opposite of the children of best friend number one (1). Best friend number two’s children had unstable jobs and their respective married life was in turmoil. 

While the two best friends were conversing, best friend number two told best friend number one: “I envy you for your children have very good and fulfilled life, while my children have no decent life that they could speak of. 

All of us want our children to grow up like the children of best friend number one (1). Successful in their respective careers and family life and caring and loving to their parents as well. What is the key here? The key is to bring our children to Jesus. 

In the gospel when Jesus saw His disciples preventing the children from going toward Him He scolded them and told them: “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Mark 10:14). 

When you bring your children to Jesus great things will happen to them as they grow up. Great not because they will become very rich materially, great because they will grow up being blessed and guided by Jesus. 

Can you imagine the great blessings that your children will receive if you would always bring them with you to attend Holy Mass? Can you imagine the spiritual blessing that your children would receive if you would introduce them about the life and teachings of Jesus through the bible? They will grow up to become responsible and God loving children, they will become children that will love and take care of their parents. 

Do you always bring your children to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 17, Mahal na Sto. Nino (Kapistahan): Marcos 10:13-16

 

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:13-16

13 May nagdala kay Jesus ng mga bata para hipuin niya sila. Ngunit pinagalitan ng mga alagad ang mga taong may dala sa kanila.

14 At pagkakita ni Jesus, nagalit siya at sinabi sa kanila: “Pabayaan ninyong lu¬ma¬pit sa akin ang mga bata. Huwag ninyo silang pigilan. Sa mga tulad nga nila ang kaharian ng Diyos. 15 Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi papasok sa kaharian ng Diyos ang di tumatanggap dito gaya ng isang maliit na bata.” 16 At pagka¬kalong sa kanila ni Jesus, ipinatong niya sa ka¬nila ang kanyang mga kamay para basbasan sila.

1Reflection for Sunday January 17, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 1:35-42

Gospel: John 1:35-42

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." 

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.

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Reflection:

What are you looking for in this world? Are you looking for popularity and riches? Are you looking for power and influence? What are you looking for? 

We look for so many things in this world to find our happiness and those things that would satisfy us. Only to find out later that it will not satisfy us, so we look again and again. And it seems that the looking for mantra seems endless. 

Why? For the simple reason that we are looking for the wrong things that will not satisfy us and give us contentment. For example, can money, power and other earthly things satisfy us? These worldly things will never satisfy us and it will never give us peace and contentment.  

In this Sunday’s gospel, Andrew and Simon Peter were looking for something that would not only give them peace and contentment. They were looking for something that would complete both of them and they found it in Jesus.  

Therefore, when Jesus saw the two of them, He said: "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.  (John 1:38-39)  

If you want to finally find that elusive peace and contentment and if you want someone who will protect you from all the worries of this world. You only need to look for Jesus you will certainly find Him if you will look for Him.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 17, Ikalawang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Juan 1:35-42

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:35-42

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

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

Reflection for January 16, Saturday of the First Week: 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:

How can we evangelize sinners and bring them closer to Jesus? The answer is very simple, by not judging them and by showing them the love of Jesus. 

There are sinners because there are people who don’t care to show Jesus’ language of love. The language of forgiveness, the language of not judging them for what they do. However, the moment we dare show them Jesus language of love. Expect these sinners to walk away from their sinfulness sooner or later. 

In the gospel the language of love, of forgiveness and of not being judgmental are exhibited by Jesus towards the sinful tax collector Levi. Jesus went to the tax collector Levi not minding Levi’s reputation, Jesus even went to Levi’s house to mingle and break bread with him and his fellow sinners. 

We cannot convert sinners by judging them as good for nothing and beyond redemption. We cannot convert sinners by bluntly telling them to walk away from their sinfulness or they would die or be imprisoned. And we cannot convert sinners by not showing them the love, forgiveness and gentleness of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 16, Sabado 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.”

Reflection for January 15, Friday of the First Week: 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:

Are we humble enough to admit that we are sinners? 

We have in our gospel a paralytic who is also a sinner;   in the midst of great odds four men brought him to Jesus. It did not matter to them if they have to climb the roof and broke thru it. Knowing their own frailties the four men and the paralytic himself summoned every ounce of courage that they have to be in front of Jesus. What an expression of faith, what an expression of hunger to be forgiven by Jesus and what an expression of humility. 

The faith of the paralytic and also those who helped him eventually paid off for Jesus forgave him of his many sins. Not only that he was forgiven by Jesus he got a bonus because he was also physically healed of physical sickness.  

We may not be aware of this but our spirits longs to be forgiven and healed by Jesus as well through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We may not be aware also that the sins that we have committed are the ones that prevent us from receiving more blessings from Jesus.  

It takes great courage, effort and tons of humility to approach a priest and ask for his time in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If we humbly submit ourselves to this healing Sacrament we would receive enormous spiritual and physical blessings. Let us therefore be like the paralytic and his four companions who braved the great odds to approach Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 15, Biyernes sa Unang Linggo ng Taon: 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.”

Reflection for January 14, Thursday of the First Week: 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:

Who does the leper represent today? It’s all of us who are sinners. When Jesus was approached by the leper Jesus did not run away from Him. He instead stayed, had pity on the leper, offered his healing hand to touch and clean him of his contagious disease.  

For the reason of their disease lepers were treated as outcast they were not allowed to mingle with the people. For fear that they may pass their sickness to those that they would be in touch with. Sounds familiar? Yes, very much like those who got sick with Covid-19 they are also being isolated so that they would not be able to infect others. But Jesus never run from the leper He instead did the contrary by offering His healing hand and right there the man was immediately healed. 

This is Jesus for all of us! Merciful, full of love and compassion for all of us. Never minding if we are sinners and never judgmental with the sins that we have committed. What is important for the Lord is we approach Him with humility, trust and repentance. 

We bare ourselves to Him and tell Him, “I strip myself of anything that makes me unworthy before you O Lord heal me and forgive me.” Let us remember that nothing is impossible for Jesus, He makes all things possible including the impossible. 

What are the sins that you have committed?  Do you think that you are already unworthy for the reason of your many sins? No, you are still worthy and precious in the eyes of Jesus. Humbly approach Him and please tell Him: Heal me O Lord! – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 14, 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.

Reflection for January 13, Wednesday of the First Week: 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:

How’s your relationship with your mother-in-law?

Many married couples are not in good terms with their mother-in-laws Why? Because they see their mother in laws as interventionist but not all mother-in-laws are like that. Many mother-in-laws are low profile and quite because they respect the privacy and independence of their married children. But they would always be there for their married children whenever they would need her. 

In our gospel Jesus was brought by Simon to their house to cure his mother-in-law. Why? Because Simon loved his mother-in-law. She must have been quite, low profile and not interventionist.   Simon saw his mother-in-law as a blessing and guiding light to his family otherwise Simon would have not asked Jesus to come by to their house and heal her.

Simon told Jesus about her sickness and entrusted her healing to Him. Jesus immediately went to her grasped her hand and she was immediately cured. That’s how big the love of Simon towards his mother-in-law and that’s how huge the trust of Simon toward Jesus.

Sometimes our problem is we trust more on ourselves rather than Jesus. We put more weight on our human effort rather than the divine effort of Jesus. This is perhaps the reason why many of us forget to bring first our sick to Jesus by way of our prayers before bringing them to those who could cure them.

What is it that is bothering you right now? Is it the harshness of life? Is it sickness? Is it unfulfilled dreams? Is it Psychological disturbance brought about by Covid-19? Is it family and personal problems? Please tell Jesus about it, be patient, don’t give up; continue to have hope and trust in Jesus. His help and healing will come to you sooner than you expect it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 13, 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. Ini¬wan ng lagnat ang babae at ito mismo ang nag¬lingkod sa kanila.

32 Pagkalubog ng araw, nang dumi¬dilim na, dinala nila kay Jesus ang lahat ng maysakit o inaalihan ng masa¬sa¬mang espiritu. 33 Nasa may pintuan nga ang buong bayan. 34 Maraming may iba’t ibang sakit ang pinagaling ni ¬Jesus at mara¬ming demonyo ang kanyang pinalayas; ngunit hindi niya sila pina¬hintulutang magsalita sapagkat alam nila kung sino siya.

35 Kinabukasan, maaga siyang bu¬mangon at umalis. Pumunta siya sa isang ilang na lugar at doon siya nana¬langin. 36 Hinanap siya nina Pedro, 37 at pag¬ka¬kita sa kanya ay kanilang sinabi: “Hi¬na¬hanap ka ng lahat.” 38 Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: “Tayo na sa ibang lugar, sa maliliit na karatig-nayon para maka¬pangaral 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.

Reflection for January 12, Tuesday of the First Week: Mark 1:21-28

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he 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:

What would you get if you are taught by someone without authority? You get nothing from it. Would you still go and listen to him? Of course not! You would prefer to go and listen to the person who teaches with authority and conviction. 

Jesus teaches both with authority and conviction that’s why when He entered the synagogue and taught there. Everyone was captured in amazement and admiration. It was further reinforced when they saw Jesus rebuked and commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man whom it has possessed. 

Jesus still talks to you with authority and conviction up to this very moment it happens when you read the bible. If you would be serious in your bible readings/study you would be able to discern Jesus directly speaking to you. But the big question is do you read your bible? Or it is just gathering dust. 

The man possessed with an unclean spirit immediately sensed the presence of Jesus that’s why when Jesus said: “"Quiet! Come out of him!" It instantly convulsed and was immediately freed from evil possession.  

This is also what Jesus will do in our life if we would allow Him to speak to us by reading the bible. And if we would allow Him to speak to us through our pious presence at Holy Mass. 

He will drive out all the demons and sickness of this material world including the Covid-19 pandemic that is slowly enslaving many of us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas