Reflection for February 12 Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:31-37

Gospel: Mark 7:31-37

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. 

He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. 

He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

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Reflection:

How would you react when people praise you for the things that you’ve done and achieved? Do you gloat over it? Does it increase your sense of self-worth? Do you feel proud and feel that you are head over shoulders above others?  These reactions are for those people who have a very high regard of themselves. 

Those who are humble when they are praised for the things that they’ve done and achieved would point to God by saying: Thanks be to God, or Praise God. They would always deflect the credit out of themselves and give the glory to God. 

Let us look at the gospel and see the humble actions of Jesus when He was asked to heal the sick man. Instead of healing the sick man in front of the crowd. He took him away from the crowd then He cured him just the two of them. Afterwards, He told the healed man not to tell anyone. 

We, when we’ve done something worthy we would want the whole world to know about it. This is the reason why many of us always post on facebook and other social media platforms pictures/videos that show that we’re doing or we’ve achieve something so that we would have a positive image. 

But not Jesus, He would always be non-assuming, self-effacing and low profile.  How about you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for February 11 Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:24-30

Gospel: Mark 7:24-30

Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. 

He said to her, “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

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Reflection:

Does Jesus favor a certain group of people? No, Jesus doesn’t not have a chosen group of people. Jesus came into this world not to save a select group of people but for everyone of us: Sinner, non-sinner and Christians and non-Christians alike. 

In the gospel, a Greek woman, a non-Jew and an outsider went to Jesus to beg for healing for her daughter. What did Jesus do? He tested the faith of the woman and when He saw her great faith Jesus granted her request for healing for her daughter. 

What does this tell us about Jesus? Jesus is for everyone of us regardless who we are and the sins that we have committed. What is important for the Lord is we humbly go to Him and reach out to Him with faith. For if we have faith nothing is impossible for Him, Jesus would grant us what we want from for as long as we have faith. 

Do you want Jesus to do miracles in your life? Humbly beseech Him and don’t be shy. Simply trust Him and simply abandon yourself to Him. In His own perfect time, He will give you your heart’s desire.  Believe and have faith. - Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 11 Huwebes sa Ikalimang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 7:24-30

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 7:24-30

24 Lu­ma­yo si Jesus patungo sa hangganan ng Tiro. Pumasok siya roon sa isang bahay at kahit na ayaw niya itong malaman ninuman, hindi ito nalihim. 25 May isang babaeng nakabalita tung­kol sa kanya. Inaalihan ng maruming espiritu ang kan­yang dalagita kaya pumunta siya at nag­patirapa sa kan­yang paanan. 26 Isa siyang paga­nong taga-Sirofenicia. At ipinaki­usap niya kay Jesus na palayasin ang demonyo sa kanyang anak. 

27 Sinabi naman ni Jesus sa kanya: “Ba­ya­an mo munang mabusog ang mga anak. Hindi tama na kunin ang tinapay sa mga bata at itapon ito sa mga tuta.” 28 Su­ma­got ang babae: “Totoo nga, Ginoo, pero kinakain ng mga tuta sa ilalim ng mesa ang mga nalalaglag mula sa mga bata.” 29 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Dahil sa sinabi mong ito, lumabas na sa iyong anak na babae ang demonyo.” 30 Kaya umuwi ang babae at nakita niya ang bata na naka­higa sa kama; lumabas na nga ang demonyo.

Reflection for February 10 Wednesday Saint Scholastica, Virgin (M): Mark 7:14-23

Gospel: Mark 7:14-23

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” 

When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 

“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

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Reflection:
The story is told about a married man who had an adulterous relationship with his officemate. The wife told him, “I never thought that you would be capable of doing that to me because we always go to Holy Mass every Sunday and we practice our catholic faith.

It’s really hard to comprehend why many of us commit sin and don’t live our faith. Yes, we go to church for Holy Mass and yes we practice our catholic faith. Yet when tempted by satan to sin we easily sin. Why is this so? I don’t know why? Perhaps, this is brought about by our weak and superficial faith thus, we embrace the devil and we set aside Jesus. 

Jesus in the gospel mentions that nothing that enters us make us sin but what comes out of us makes us sin. We therefore have to be careful and discerning about the things that we do. If we think that our actions would make us sin then by all means we should not do it.  

If there’s a strong temptation to sin, we must run away from it before it captures us. The problem with sin is it will never stop until it completely destroys us. For example, the sin of adultery, couples who are into this would continue to engage in this adulterous relationship until they are caught.  

They enjoy this sin very much for the simple reason that this is made more attractive by satan in their eyes.  Since they are already under the spell of satan they continue to do it without guilt of conscience The same satan whose hidden and only desire is to destroy them.  

Come to think of it, why is it that even if we know that what we are doing is sinful many of us still do it? The simple answer is many of us choose to embrace satan than Jesus. Many of us choose to gamble our very lives with satan than invest it with Jesus.  

When you choose to be with the devil/satan you will be destroyed by it sooner or later. However, when you choose to walk away from it and you choose to be with Jesus. Jesus will never stop until He rids you of all of your sinfulness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 10 Miyerkules Santa Escolastica, dalaga (Paggunita): Marcos 7:14-23

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 7:14-23

14 Tinawag ni Jesus ang mga tao at sinabi sa kanila: “Pakinggan ako at unawain sana ninyong lahat. 15 Hindi ang pumapasok sa tao mula sa labas ang nakapagpaparumi sa kanya kundi ang lumalabas sa tao ang nakapagpaparumi sa kanya. 16 Makinig ang may tainga.”  

17 Pagkalayo ni Jesus sa mga tao, nang nasa bahay na siya, tinanong siya ng kanyang mga alagad tungkol sa talin­hagang ito. 18 At sinabi niya: “Wala rin ba kayong pang-unawa? Hindi ba ninyo na­uunawaan na sa bituka pumu­punta ang anumang pumapasok sa tao mula sa labas? 19 Sapagkat hindi sa puso ito puma­pasok kundi sa tiyan at pagkatapos ay itinatapon sa labas.” (Sa gayo’y sinabi niya na malinis ang tanang mga pagkain.)  

20 At idinagdag niya: “Ang luma­labas sa tao ang nagpaparumi sa tao. 21 Sa puso nga ng tao nagmumula ang masa­samang hangarin – kahalayan, pagna­nakaw, pag­patay sa kapwa, 22 pakiki­apid, kasa­kiman, kasamaan, pandaraya, ka­las­waan, pagkainggit, paninira, kapala­luan, kabuktutan. 23 Ang masasamang bagay na ito ang nagpaparumi sa tao.

1Reflection for February 9 Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:1-13

Gospel: Mark 7:1-13

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.)  

 So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: 

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. 

You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. 

Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban” (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

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Reflection:

Why is Jesus a revolutionary leader? Because Jesus’ dares to violate established rules to benefit the people. For Jesus it’s always the greater good of the people before the observance of any rules or laws. Which by the way was created to serve the whims and caprices of the ruling class (The Pharisees and scribes). 

Jesus violates the rules created by the ruling class because some were restrictive and oppressive. It makes the ordinary people servants of the ruling class. Ruling class who were good only with utterance of their laws but visibly wanting in human compassion. Truth to tell, the ruling class (Pharisees and scribes) sacrifice human compassion in exchange for the observance of their self-serving created laws. 

Case in point is the washing of hands before eating which was mentioned by the ruling class in the gospel. They asked Jesus: “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands (Mark 7:5)?” Jesus answered them by simply pointing at their hypocrisy, their lack of interior transformation and compassion toward the ordinary people. 

If we want our fellow men and women to truly respect and follow us we should not be imposing, we should not be dictators. Because if we are imposing and dictatorial our people will rebel against us, they may externally show their respect towards us but it’s a respect devoid of substance and spirit.  Instead we should always live the gentleness and compassion of Jesus. 

Do you live the gentleness and compassion of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 9 Martes sa Ikalimang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 7:1-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 7:1-13

1 Nagkatipon sa paligid ni Jesus ang mga Pariseo at ilan sa mga guro ng Batas na galing sa Jeru­salem. 2 Napansin nila na kumakain ang ilan sa mga alagad niya nang may maruming ka­may, na hindi naghu­hugas ayon sa sere­monya. 3 Sinusunod nga ng mga Pariseo pati na ng mga Judio ang tra­disyon ng kanilang mga ninuno at hindi sila kumakain nang hindi muna nag­huhugas ng mga kamay. 4 At hindi rin sila kuma­kain ng anumang galing sa palengke nang di muna ito nililinis, at marami pa’ng dapat nilang tuparin, ha­lim­bawa’y ang pag­li­li­nis ng mga inu­man, mga kopa at ping­gang tanso. 

5 Kaya tinanong siya ng mga Pariseo at mga guro ng Batas: “Bakit hindi isi­nasabuhay ng iyong mga alagad ang tra­disyon ng mga ninuno? Hindi nga sila naghuhugas ng kamay bago ku­main.”

6 At sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Tama ang propesiya ni Isaias tungkol sa in­yong mga mapagkunwari. Nasusulat na “Pinararanga­lan ako ng mga ito sa kanilang labi, at ma­layo naman sa akin ang ka­nilang mga puso. 7 Walang silbi ang kani­lang pag­samba sa akin at ka­utusan lamang ng tao ang kanilang itinuturo.” 

8 Pinabayaan nga ninyo ang utos ng Diyos para itatag ang tradisyon ng mga tao.” 9 At sinabi ni Jesus: “Mahusay na pina­walang-bisa ninyo ang salita ng Diyos para tuparin ang inyong tradis­yon. 10 Si­nabi nga ni Moises: ‘Igalang mo ang iyong ama at ina’, at ‘patayin ang sinu­mang sumumpa sa kanyang ama o ina.’ 11 Ngunit ayon sa inyo, masasabi ninuman sa kanyang ama o ina, “Inilaan ko na para sa Templo ang maaasahan ninyo sa akin.” 12 At hindi na ninyo siya pinapayagang tumulong sa kanyang ama o ina. 13 Kaya pina­walang-bisa ninyo ang salita ng Diyos sa tulong ng sarili ninyong tradisyon. At marami pa ang mga ginagawa ninyong ganito.”

1Reflection for February 8 Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:53-56

Gospel: Mark 6:53-56

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurry about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.  

Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

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Reflection:

 Do you have the habit of touching the image of Jesus in your house or when you are at church? Then as you touch His image you say your silent prayer of petition and thanksgiving to Jesus? Continue doing it because that is a good habit it signifies your humility and surrender to the mighty power of Jesus.  

The healing crusade of Jesus continues in our gospel. Wherever He goes those who were in need of His healing go also. The moment they get the information that Jesus is near them they hurry to go to Him to have a healing encounter with the Lord. They never mind if they are not able to talk to Jesus. It’s enough for them that they’re able to touch a tiny part of His clothes. Or to have a glimpse of Him is already enough for them to be healed by the mighty power of Jesus.  

Up to this very moment this mighty healing power of Jesus is very much present in our midst. Because the Lord is always just a prayer away and His very image is within our reach too. Look at the cross in your house or in your church the image of Jesus is there. Touch Him and as you touch Him ask Him to heal you, ask Him to change you according to His will ask Him to make you more gentle, humble and forgiving.      

Surely, Jesus will never disappoint anyone who humbles and surrenders himself/herself before Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 8 Lunes sa Ikalimang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 6:53-56

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:53-56

53 Pagkatawid ni Jesus at ng kanyang mga alagad, dumating sila sa pampang ng Genesaret at doon nila           isi­nadsad ang bangka. 54 Paglunsad nila ng bangka, nakilala si Jesus ng mga taga­­roon 55 at pa­takbo nilang ipinama­lita ito sa lupaing iyon.  

Kaya dinala nila ang mga maysakit na nasa higaan kung saan nila mabalitaang naroon siya. 56 At saanman siya lumakad, sa mga nayon man o sa bayan o sa bukid, inilalagay nila sa mga liwasan ang mga maysakit at nakikiusap sa kanya na mahipo man lamang sana nila ang laylayan ng kanyang damit, at gumaling ang lahat ng humipo rito.

 

Reflection for Sunday February 7, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 1:29-39

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. 

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

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Reflection:

Do you share or talk about Jesus to as many people as possible? 

Jesus is an itinerant Healer and Preacher He is always on the go He wants to cover as much land as He could so that He could touch more lives. This is what the people in the gospel don’t understand. 

They wanted to keep Jesus to themselves and Jesus would have none of their selfish attitudes. So after healing a lot of people including the mother in-law of Simon Jesus moved on to other towns to share His healing ministry to as many people as possible. 

Our gift of knowing Jesus must not only rest within us. We must share Him whoever they may be.  Share Jesus in what way? Share Him through our words and actions. If we are not good with words let us share Him through our acts of kindness, love, forgiveness and gentleness. 

Many have superficial idea of Jesus because we don’t care to teach and live His teachings. What a blessing it would be for us and those that we interact with if we would care to share Jesus. 

Lest we forget, we are called to humbly work in the vineyard of the Lord no matter who we are and no matter the sins that we have committed. Our sinful past is immaterial already we simply have to learn from it, move on and hope for the best. What is of primary importance for Jesus is our present, our here and now and our future journey with Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 7, Ikalimang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: 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 dumidilim na, dinala nila kay Jesus ang lahat ng maysakit o inaalihan ng masasamang espiritu. 33 Nasa may pintuan nga ang buong bayan. 34 Maraming may iba’t ibang sakit ang pinagaling ni Jesus at maraming demonyo ang kanyang pinalayas; ngunit hindi niya sila pinahintulutang magsalita sapagkat alam nila kung sino siya.

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

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

Reflection for February 6 Saturday Saints Pedro Bautista, Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs (M): Mark 6:30-34

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. 

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

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Reflection:

Do you always have time for Jesus? 

In the gospel, after working so hard to spread the gospel Jesus noticed that the apostles were tired from doing their mission. Thus, He told the apostles to be with Him in a place by themselves to rest. 

Why to be with Him and not to be alone by themselves? Because it’s only through Him that they could have complete recovery from their physical and spiritual tiredness. If they go alone to a quite place by themselves they surely could reinvigorate themselves physically. But how could they reenergize their spirits without Jesus?    

In our materially driven world we are always on the move, always busy with work and other things. So we get tired naturally and to ease this tiredness some of us go on vacation to recharge our tired and weary bodies. But that was before Covid-19. Now that there’s Covid-19 our focus is to avoid getting sick of Covid-19. There’s no more vacation and other forms of recharging after a hard day’s work.  This is still OK nonetheless because it gave us more time to think about our relationship with God. I believe that the coming of Covid-19 made us more prayerful, we seek and think of God more today than before. 

We need to have more time for Jesus so that He could restore and strengthen our weary spirits. Why? Because we are not only citizens of this world we are also to become citizens of heaven in the future time appointed by God. Thus, we need to have our regular, quite and solemn time for Jesus so that we can deepen our friendship with Him. 

In what way can we have a deeper friendship with Jesus so that He could nourish us? We can go to Mass if this is not possible we can attend online Holy Mass so that we can listen to His words being proclaimed in the readings. We can also receive HIM during the prayer of Spiritual Communion. 

We can have our quite time with Jesus in the Adoration chapel and allow HIM to embrace us with His unconditional love. We can read the bible and meditate on His very words that can transform us anytime. We can also attend online recollection and feel the presence of God there. These are simple ways on how we can spend time with God and be in quite place with HIM. 

But sad to say many of us forget it because we are fearful of the Covid-19. We allow ourselves to be engulfed by our fears and the things and activities of this world which in reality are temporary and passing. We forget the eternal that is Jesus. 

Let us not forget Jesus, let us spend more quite time with Him.   – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 6 Sabado San Pedro Bautista, San Pablo Mikki at mga kasama, mga martir (Paggunita): Marcos 6:30-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:30-34

30 Pagbalik ng mga apostol kay Jesus, isinalaysay nila sa kanya ang lahat nilang ginawa at itinuro. 31 Sinabi naman niya sa kanila: “Tayo na sa isang ilang na lugar para mapag-isa tayo at makapag¬pa¬hinga kayo nang kaunti.” Sapagkat doo’y marami ang paroo’t parito at hindi  man lamang sila makakain. 32 Kaya lumayo sila at namangka na sila-sila lang patungo sa ilang na lugar.

33 Ngunit nakita silang umalis ng ilan at nabalitaan ito ng marami. Kaya nagtakbuhan sila mula sa kani-kanilang bayan at nauna pang dumating na lakad kaysa kanila. 34 Pagdating ni Jesus sa pampang, nakita niya ang maraming taong nag¬kakatipon doon at naawa siya sa kanila sapagkat para silang mga tupang wa¬lang pastol. At nagsimula siyang mag¬turo sa kanila nang matagal.

Reflection for February 5 Friday Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr (M): Mark 6:14-29

Gospel: Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. 

Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 

The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

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Reflection:

There’s always a price attached for speaking out against wrongdoing and evil. For example in a family setting, if a wife notices that her husband is playing around with fire. Of course the wife has to call the attention or even confront her philandering husband. 

But this kind of boldness sometimes comes with a heavy price. Either there will be conflict in their marriage or it may even lead to estrangement. But even if there’s a heavy price to pay we still must speakout otherwise we are consenting to what is wrong and immoral.       

John the Baptist paid a very heavy price for speaking out against adultery; he was beheaded for speaking the truth. Such is the irony sometimes of life. We speak the truth yet we still suffer for doing so. But how could we correct a wrongdoing if we would not denounce it? 

True followers of Jesus are those who are not afraid to speakout regardless of what the consequence/s. And John the Baptist is one of the best if not the best model of how it is to become a true follower of Jesus. 

How would you react if there shall come a time that you pass through this kind of predicament? Should you just keep quiet and consent to what is wrong or you correct it by speaking your mind out?- Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 5 Biyernes Santa Agata, dalaga at martir (Paggunita): Marcos 6:14-29

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:14-29

14 Nabalitaan din ni Haring Herodes ang tungkol kay Jesus sapagkat tumanyag na ang kanyang pangalan. May nag­sasabing nabuhay si Juan Bautista mula sa mga patay kaya nagkakabisa sa kanya ang makalangit na kapang­yarihan. 15 Si­nabi naman ng iba: “Si Elias nga ito,” at ng iba pa: “Ito ay isang propeta gaya ng mga propeta noon.” 16 Nang mabalitaan ito ni Herodes ay sinabi niya: “Nabuhay nga sa mga patay si Juan na pinapugutan ko ng ulo.”  

17 Si Herodes nga ang nagpahuli kay Juan, at ipinakadena ito sa kulungan dahil kay Herodias na asawa ng kanyang kapatid na si Felipe. Pinakasalan ni Herodes si Herodias 18 at sinabi ni Juan kay Herodes: “Hindi mo puwe­deng kasamahin ang asawa ng iyong kapatid.” 19 Talaga ngang matindi ang galit ni Hero­dias kay Juan at gusto niya itong patayin pero hindi niya ma­gawa. 20 Iginagalang nga ni Herodes si Juan dahil itinuturing niya itong mabuti at banal na tao, kaya pinanatili niya itong buhay. Nalilito siya matapos ma­kinig kay Juan, gayunma’y gusto pa rin niyang marinig ito.  

21 At nagkaroon ng pagkakataon sa kaarawan ni Herodes nang maghanda siya para sa kanyang mga opisyal, mga pinuno ng hukbo at mahalagang tao ng Galilea. 22 Pagpasok ng anak ni Herodias, nagsayaw ito at nasiyahan naman sa kanya si Herodes at lahat ng nasa handaan. Sinabi ng hari sa dalagita: “Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang anu­mang hingin mo.” 23 At sinumpaan pa niya ang pa­ngakong ito: “Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang anumang hingin mo, kahit na ang kala­hati ng aking kaha­rian.” 24 Lu­mabas ang anak at tinanong ang kanyang ina: “Ano ang hihingin ko?” At sumagot naman ito: “Ang ulo ni Juan Bautista.” 25 Agad niyang pinuntahan ang hari at sinabi: “Gusto kong ibigay mo agad sa akin ang ulo ni Juan Bautista sa isang bandeha.”  

26 Nabalisa ang hari ngunit ayaw niyang tumanggi dahil sa sinumpaan niyang pangako sa harap ng mga bisita. 27 Kaya iniutos ng hari sa isa niyang guwar­diya na dalhin ang ulo ni Juan. Pinu­gutan nito si Juan sa kulu­ngan, 28 inilagay sa isang bandeha ang kanyang ulo, ibinigay sa dalaga, at ibinigay naman ito ng dalaga sa kanyang ina. 29 Nang mabalitaan ito ng mga alagad ni Juan, dumating sila para kunin ang kanyang katawan at ini­libing.

Reflection for February 4 Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:7-13

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.  

He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

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Reflection:   

A young man was considering a career in writing for God. But he was hesitant for he knows deep in his heart that he will not intellectually measure up to such a huge responsibility. And this is for the reason that he doesn’t have any background in writing.  

He told a friend about his desire and his intellectual shortcoming. The advice of his friend was to move forward and follow his desire. He was also told by his friend not to be disturbed by his intellectual shortcoming for God will fill whatever he was lacking.   

The twelve apostles who were sent by Jesus to their mission are like many of us. Many of them were ordinary fishermen who became fishers of men courtesy of Jesus. Perhaps when they were about to be sent by Jesus to their mission areas many of them were asking themselves this question; “Will I measure-up with this huge responsibility?” Perhaps, some were even thinking of backing out and then simply return to their old livelihoods. But Jesus was there to assure them of His support so they went ahead with their mission.  

Jesus gave them full authority over unclean spirit (Mark 6:7). Jesus instructed them to take nothing for their journey except for a walking stick (Mark 6:8). As if Jesus was telling them to simply follow and not be bothered by their inherent weaknesses and shortcomings. For He will fill up whatever is lacking in them.  

They followed the order of Jesus and trusted their mission to His guidance. Therefore they became successful in their mission. They drove out many demons and they cured the sick upon their anointment of holy oil (Mark 6:13).  

Often times we don’t achieve what Jesus wants us to do for Him because we don’t trust Him and we lack faith in Him. For the same reason we are also afraid to take the first step towards the realization of our mission for God. Therefore we get stuck and we fail to not only move forward we also fail to achieve our mission for Christ.  

If you desire to follow Jesus you have to follow Him with faith and you have to learn to fully trust Him. Do you always have faith  and trust in Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 4 Huwebes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 6:7-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:7-13

Naglibot naman si Jesus sa mga nayon sa paligid sa kanyang pagtuturo. 7 At tinawag niya ang Labin¬dalawa at sinimulang isugo sila nang dala-dalawa. Binigyan niya sila ng kapangyarihan sa mga maruming espiritu. 8 At sinabihan niya silang huwag magdala ng anuman para sa paglalakbay kundi tungkod lamang. Walang pagkain, walang pitaka o pera sa sinturon. 9 Nakasandalyas at may isang damit lang.  

10 At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Pagtuloy ninyo sa isang bahay, manatili kayo roon hanggang sa pag-alis ninyo mula roon. 11 Kung may lugar na hindi tatanggap o makikinig sa inyo, umalis kayo roon at ipagpag ang alikabok sa inyong mga paa bilang sakdal sa kanila.” 

12 At pag-alis nila, ipinangaral nila ang pagbabalik-loob. 13 Maraming demonyo ang kanilang pinalayas at marami ring maysakit ang pinagaling nila sa pagpapahid ng langis.

Reflection for February 3 Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:1-6

Gospel: Mark 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him?  

What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

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Reflection:   

A successful man that died was being given lavish praises by his relatives and friends during his wake. Lavish praises that he richly deserved for he was a good and humble man. Lavish praises that they purposely did not tell him while he was still alive for they envied him.  

When Jesus went back to the place where he grew up in Nazareth. He went to their Synagogue to give a lecture and He did it with wisdom and eloquence. Yet Jesus did not receive any congratulatory acknowledgement not even a simple handshake. Or a gesture of recognition from his former town mates.  

Instead Jesus received from them derision and scorn. Because they could not accept that a former carpenter could speak to them with so much wisdom and eloquence. A former carpenter whom they knew very well would someday speak in their house of worship.  So they belittled Jesus instead of giving Him a well-deserved recognition.  

Don’t we also act often times like the town mates of Jesus? Many of us are very quick to judge and belittle our fellowmen and even our relatives who achieved a certain degree of success in their lives.  

Why are we very quick to belittle? Why are we very quick to give unjust judgment? This is because of envy, our very high regard for ourselves and perhaps this is brought about by our status in life.  

We place ourselves in a pedestal so high that we cannot anymore bend our knees in humility. We cannot anymore recognize worthy achievement because our eyes are already clouded with the cataract of our egos and self-image. If we are quick to draw judgment and scorn we also open ourselves to the same judgment and scorn.  

Let us not judge, let us not envy let us instead be happy for those who achieve success.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 3 Miyerkules sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 6:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:1-6

1Pagkaalis ni Jesus sa lugar na iyon, pumunta siya sa kanyang bayan, kasama ng kanyang mga alagad. 2 Nang sumapit ang Araw ng Pahinga, nagsimula siyang magturo sa sinagoga. Namangha silang lahat at nagsabi: “Ano’t nangyari sa kanya ang lahat ng ito? Saan kaya galing ang karunu¬ngang ito na ipi¬nagkaloob sa kanya, at saan din kaya galing ang mga himalang ito na nagagawa ng kanyang mga kamay? Di ba’t siya ang karpintero? Ang anak ni Maria at kapatid nina Jaime, Jose, Simon at Judas? Hindi ba’t narito sa piling natin ang lahat niyang kapatid na babae?” At bulag sila tungkol sa kanya.

4 Sinabi naman sa kanila ni Jesus: “Sa kanyang sariling bayan lamang, sa sari¬ling kamag-anakan at sambahayan hinahamak ang isang propeta.” 5 At hindi niya nakayang gumawa ng himala roon. Ilang may¬sakit lamang ang pinaga¬ling niya sa pag¬papatong ng kamay. 6  At namang¬ha siya sa kawalan nila ng pa¬niniwala.

Reflection for February 2 Tuesday Feast of the Presentation of the Lord: Luke 2:22-40

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."  

The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."  

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.  

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

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Reflection:

Do you always bring your children to church for Mass? Do you present them to the Lord and say: “I offer my children to you take care of them my Lord and savior Jesus.  

For the reason of our busyness and perhaps because many of us were not brought up by our parents to be always present at Mass every Sunday. We forget also to bring our children to attend Mass and we forget to introduce to them the importance of Holy Mass in their lives. If this is how we are now we must correct this.  

We must first of all bring our children closer to Jesus for the reason that this is our primary duty as parents. We must introduce them to Jesus by reading and sharing to them His life in the bible and we must imbed in their minds the importance of regularly reading the bible.  

What will it profit our children if they have the best material things in this world yet they don’t have in their hearts Jesus? Nothing! Just try observing the behavior of children brought up with the teachings and values of Jesus vis-a-vis children brought up with worldliness and materialism. What would we find out? We would find out that those children brought up alongside the values and teachings of Jesus live more peaceful and contented lives.   

As Joseph and Mary brought the child Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord. Parents are also strongly encouraged to bring their children to church for Holy Mass. But we are in the era of Covid-19 and children are not yet allowed to roam around outside. There is a temporary alternative to this none other the Celebration of Online Holy Mass.  

Do you gather your children every Sunday to watch online Holy Mass? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 2 Martes Ang Pagdadala kay Jesus sa Templo (Kapistahan): Lucas 2:22-40

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:22-40

22 Nang dumating na ang araw ng paglilinis nila ayon sa Batas ni Moises, dinala ang sanggol na si Jesus sa Jerusalem para iharap sa Panginoon – 23 tulad ng nasu­sulat sa Batas ng Panginoon: Lahat ng panganay na lalaki ay ituturing na banal para sa Panginoon. 24 Dapat din silang mag-alay ng sakripisyo tulad ng binabanggit sa Batas ng Panginoon: isang pares na batubato o dalawang inakay na kalapati.  

25 Ngayon, sa Jerusalem ay may isang taong nagngangalang Simeon; totoong matuwid at makadiyos ang taong iyon. Hinihintay niya ang pagpapaginhawa ng Panginoon sa Israel at sumasakanya ang Espiritu Santo. 26 Ipinaalam naman sa kanya ng Espi­ritu Santo na hindi siya mamamatay hangga’t hindi niya naki­kita ang Mesiyas ng Pangi­noon. 27 Kaya pumunta siya ngayon sa Templo sa pag­tutulak ng Espiritu, nang dalhin ng mga magulang ang batang si Jesus para tu­parin ang kaugaliang naa­ayon sa Batas tungkol sa kanya.  

28 Kinalong siya ni Simeon sa kanyang mga braso at pinuri ang Diyos, at sinabi: 29 “Mapayayaon mo na ang iyong utusan, Panginoon, nang may kapayapaan ayon na rin sa iyong wika; 30 pagkat nakita na ng aking mga mata ang iyong pagliligtas 31 na inihanda mo sa paningin ng lahat ng bansa, 32 ang liwanag na ibubunyag mo sa mga bansang pagano at ang luwalhati ng iyong bayang Israel.”  

33 Nagtataka ang ama at ina ng bata sa mga sinasabi tungkol sa kanya. 34 Pinag­pala naman sila ni Simeon at sinabi kay Mariang ina ng bata: “Dahil sa kanya, ba­bagsak o babangon ang mga Israelita at magiging tanda siya sa harap nila at ka­nilang sasalungatin. 35 Kaya mahaha­yag ang lihim na pag-iisip ng mga tao. Ngu­nit paglalagusan naman ng isang pun­yal ang puso mo.”  

36 May isa ring babaeng propeta, si Ana na anak ni Panuel na mula sa tribu ng Aser. Matandang-matanda na siya. Pag­kaalis sa bahay ng kanyang ama, pitong taon lamang silang nagsama ng kanyang asawa, 37 at nagbuhay-biyuda na siya at hindi siya umaalis sa Templo.  

Araw-gabi siyang sumasamba sa Diyos sa pag-aayuno at pana­nalangin. Wa­lum­pu’t apat na taon na siya. 38 Sa pag-akyat niya sa sandaling iyon, nagpuri rin siya sa Diyos at nag­pa­hayag tungkol sa bata sa lahat ng naghihintay sa katubusan ng Jeru­salem.  

39 Nang matupad na ang lahat ng ayon sa Batas ng Panginoon, umuwi sila sa kanilang bayan, sa Nazaret sa Galilea. 40 Lumalaki at lumalakas ang bata; napus­pos siya ng karunungan at sumasakanya ang kagandahang-loob ng Diyos.