Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 12, Miyerkules ng Unang 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 January 11, Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

The story is told of a man who was trying very hard to straighten his life. He would often say to himself that he would not sin anymore. But he would always succumb to the enticement of the devil. This became a vicious cycle for him: He would promise to himself not to sin once again repeatedly.  

Evil possession is a reality of life it is always there hovering around waiting for the right moment to pounce on us. Evil possession is also not solely limited through diabolical possession. It now hides itself through our ego or high sense of self and through our other undesirable motives, thoughts and actions.  

Very clearly we have in the gospel the one who can defeat the devil and it’s no other than Jesus. By His authority Jesus drove out the evil spirit possessing the man. And it is also surprising that the evil spirit knew who Jesus was.  This simply means that Jesus was marked as their number one enemy for He alone can defeat them permanently.  

Jesus is still the same today as He was yesterday and as He shall be in the future. The evil spirit still trembles before His presence; He is our sole cure to Satan’s evil scheming. Let us therefore hear His voice crying out for us and let us not harden our hearts for Him. Instead let us open our hearts to Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 11, Martes ng Unang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 1:21-28

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:21-28

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

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

25 Ngunit iniutos sa kanya ni Jesus: “Tumahimik ka’t lumabas sa kanya.” 26 Matinding niyugyog ng espiritu ang taong iyon at pagkasigaw nang malakas ay saka lumabas. 27 Talagang takang-taka ang lahat at nag-usap-usap sila: “Ano ito? Isang ba­gong pagtuturo na may kapang­ya­rihan! Inuutusan niya kahit maru­ruming espi­ritu at sinusunod nila siya.” 28 At luma­ganap ang katanyagan niya saan man sa buong lupain ng Galilea.

Reflection for January 10, Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 1:14-20

Gospel: Mark 1:14-20

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel. As he passed by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. 

Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men. Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

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Reflection:

There’s a saying that death is like a thief in the night it comes to us when we least expect it. What if for example death surprisingly visits us tonight? What would happen to our soul? Where would we end up? We don’t know when death will come to us, we don’t also know what will happen to us and where would we be. Only God with His infinite wisdom knows about it.  

In the gospel Jesus calls for repentance and belief in His gospel message. What is the relationship of death to Jesus call of repentance and fidelity to the gospel? Since death is unpredictable Jesus prepares us for this eventuality anytime by calling for our repentance and belief in His gospel message. 

This call of repentance of Jesus is not a once in a lifetime call. This is a lifetime call of Jesus for us. He calls us to repentance for as long as we live. For He knows all about our sinfulness; even the sin/s that nobody knows except us, Jesus knows about it also! 

What if we don’t heed this call of repentance of Jesus? We then continue to sin we continue to allow the devil to get hold of us and this is very frightening! For the devil will not bring us any good, we may enjoy the enticements of the devil for a period of time. However, time will come that it will eventually destroy us.  

Therefore, we must listen to this call of repentance of Jesus and we must also read, live and believe His gospel message. Our life will turn for the better the moment we decide to repent and embrace the gospel message of Jesus. 

If you listen to Jesus’ call and leave behind whatever sins that you have committed. You will begin to live a new life, a new life with peace, a new life with contentment and a new life of hope in the Lord.  

Are you willing to repent and embrace Jesus’ gospel message?  -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 10, Lunes ng Unang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 1:14-20

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:14-20

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

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

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

Reflection for Sunday January 9, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord: Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22

Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”  

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

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Reflection:

A newly ordained priest was so proud of his vocation that he invited everyone in their place to announce to them that he is now a priest. He was not content with that kind of publicity so he told those who were gathered that he became a priest because he wanted it for so long. And according to him, no one influenced him to become a priest but himself.  

What separates John from this priest? John is humble and this priest is not, John pointed to Jesus as the greater power in his ministry while the priest pointed to himself as the power behind his priesthood.

We celebrate today the feast of the baptism of the Lord. What message does it convey to us?  It reminds us of our own baptismal date and baptismal mission; it reminds us that we have a responsibility to do as baptized Christians. Our baptismal mission is to share and live our faith and in sharing and living our faith we also have a responsibility to do: None other than to share our faith with humility. And to let the virtue of humility become an integral part of our lives so that we can bring our fellowmen closer to the Lord. What if we do not have the virtue of humility? We will not become effective bearers and sharers of the teachings of Jesus. We will not also become successful in our mission to bring others to Jesus. 

We can only convince others to follow Christ if we would always be humble and simple. We can only develop the curiosity of our fellowmen to be interested in our faith if we live it with humility and simplicity. As Jesus and John were humble evangelizers of the faith during their time, so must we.

Because it is only through the way of humility and simplicity that we can effectively live our baptismal mission. There is no other way but the way of humility and simplicity. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 9, Pagbibinyag sa Panginoon: Lucas 3:15-16, 21-22

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 3:15-16, 21-22

Nananabik noon ang mga tao at nag-isip-isip ang lahat kung hindi nga kaya si Juan ang Mesiyas. 16 At sumagot si Juan sa pagsasabi sa kanilang lahat: “Nagbibinyag ako sa inyo sa tubig pero dumarating na ang isang mas makapang-yarihan sa akin. Ni hindi ako karapat-dapat magkalag ng tali ng kanyang mga panyapak. Sa Espiritu Santo at apoy niya kayo bibinyagan.  

21 Nang mabinyagan ang lahat ng tao, nabinyagan din si Jesus. At nabuksan ang langit habang siya’y nananalangin. 22 Bumaba sa kanya ang Espiritu Santo sa pangkatawang hugis ng isang kalapati at narinig mula sa langit ang isang tinig: “Ikaw ang aking Anak, ang aking Minamahal, ikaw ang aking Hinirang.”

Reflection for January 8, Saturday after Epiphany: John 3:22-30

Gospel: John 3:22-30

Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings.  

So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him.  

The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”

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Reflection:

Are you not insecure when someone is given more importance than you? 

The followers of John and a Jew went to him to say that somebody was also baptizing. And He was attracting crowd more than that of John. As if they were urging John to go to that man (who was actually Jesus) and rebuke Him.  

But John told them that the man (Jesus) who was also baptizing was far more greater than himself. John knew where his place in the plan of God, he perfectly knew that he was not the anointed one.  

By John’s acceptance of his role in the plan of God, he accelerated Jesus’ mission of evangelization and salvation. He gave way to Jesus for the common good of the people God. 

Rivalry is an ever-present issue among church workers, among siblings and even married couples. But come to think of it, instead of having rivalry, why don’t we learn to accept our roles? Why not cooperate and build bridges instead of walls? 

In this gospel episode we learn from John’s humility. John is humble enough to accept his role in the plan of God. John knew where his rightful place in the plan of God. John is ever ready to give way to Jesus anytime because he was humble and self-effacing. 

Are we humble and self-effacing as well? And are we ready to simply fade away for the greater good? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 8, Sabado kasunod ng Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Juan 3:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:22-30

22 Pagkatapos nito, pumunta si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad sa lupain ng Judea, at tumigil siya roong kasama nila at nagbinyag. 23 Nagbi­binyag din noon si Juan sa Ainon na malapit sa Salim dahil maraming tubig doon, at may mga nag­sisidating at nagpapabinyag. 24 Hindi pa nabi­bilanggo noon si Juan.  

25 At nagkaroon ng pagtatalo ang mga alagad ni Juan at ang isang Judio tungkol sa paghuhugas. 26 Pinuntahan nila si Juan at sinabi sa kanya: “Rabbi, ang kasa-kasama mo sa ibayo ng Jordan, na pina­tunayan mo, nagbibinyag siya ngayon at sa kanya pumupunta ang lahat.” 27 Suma­got si Juan: “Walang anu­mang makukuha ang isang tao malibang ibigay ito sa kanya ng Langit.  

28 Kayo mismo ang maka­pagpa­patu­nay na sinabi kong ‘Hindi ako ang Mesiyas kundi sinugo akong manguna sa kanya.’ 29 Sa nobyo ang nobya. Naroon naman ang abay ng nobyo para makinig sa kanya at galak na galak siya sa tinig ng nobyo. Ganito ring lubos and aking kagalakan. 30 Dapat siyang humigit at ako nama’y lumiit.”

Reflection for January 7, Friday after Epiphany: Luke 5:12-16

Gospel: Luke 5:12-16

It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.”  

And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

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Reflection:

How do you pray to Jesus when you want something from Him?  

In today’s gospel we have a man sick with leprosy; he told the Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean (Luke 5:12).” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately (Luke 5:13).  

The man sick with leprosy got what he wanted from Jesus for the reason that he humbled himself before Him. He did not only humble himself before Jesus, he also mustered enough courage to approach Jesus even if he was sick with a very contagious disease.  

To have leprosy during that time was to have a dreaded disease, a sickness that isolate’s a person from the company of others. But it did not prevent the man sick with leprosy from going to Jesus, his sickness even fuelled him to go to Jesus. Where do we go when we are sick? Do we first go in prayer to Jesus and ask for His healing before going to somebody who could cure us?   

Sickness is part and parcel of our life, for as long as we live we will also get sick. Therefore when we are sick let us not forget to first go in prayer to Jesus. Let us approach Jesus with humility and total surrender. 

In sickness and in health in good times and in bad let us always humbly go to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 7, Biyernes kasunod ng Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Lucas 5:12-16

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:12-16

12 Nang nasa isang bayan si Jesus, may isang taong tadtad ng ketong doon. Nang makita niya si Jesus, nagpatirapa siya at nakiusap sa kanya: “Ginoo, kung gusto mo, mapalilinis mo ako.”   

13 Kaya iniunat ni Jesus ang kanyang kamay at hinipo siya at sinabi: “Gusto ko, luminis ka!” Nang oras ding iyo’y iniwan ng ketong ang lalaki. 14 Ini­utos sa kanya ni Jesus: “Huwag mo itong sabi­hin ka­nino man kundi pumunta ka sa pari para masuri ka niya at maialay alang-alang sa iyo ang handog na ini­utos ni Moises para mag­karoon sila ng patunay.”  

15 Ngunit lalo namang kumalat ang balita tungkol sa kanya at pumunta sa kanya ang mara­ming tao para ma­kinig at mapagaling sa kanilang mga karam­daman. 16Kaya madalas na mag-isang pumupunta si Jesus sa mga ilang na lugar para manalangin.

Reflection for January 6, Thursday after Epiphany: Luke 4:14-22

Gospel: Luke 4:14-22

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. 

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.  

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

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Reflection:

Are you living and fulfilling your baptismal mission?  

We have a mission for our existence, we are not mere vapors in this world we are human beings. We were anointed by God thru the Sacrament of Baptism to share in the mission of Jesus. Have we shared His words in the bible, have we already helped the poor, the hungry the oppressed and the homeless?  

It is very important that from time to time we have a self-evaluation of our lives in this world. For we may just be living our lives according to what this world dictates us to do. For example, the dictum of this world about self-gratification and wanton accumulation of material wealth. 

What would happen to us if we embrace this world and we purposely forget the teaching of Jesus? We would end up walking and breathing in this world without a purpose.  

God did not create us to become creatures of this world. He created us not to accumulate wealth! He created us so that we could share whatever material and intellectual wealth that we have.  God did not create us to live our life according to the dictates of this world. God created us to live our life according to the life of Jesus.  

Let us therefore live the life of Jesus, let us spread His teachings. There are more rewards in doing this than embracing the dictates of this world. Worldly satisfactions are short-lived and problem filled that is sugar coated with enticing pleasures.  

Pleasures that do not last, pleasures that only plunge us to deeper enslavement of the devil and pleasures that will eventually destroy us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 6, Huwebes kasunod ng Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Lucas 4:14-22

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 4:14-22

14 Nagbalik si Jesus sa Galilea na taglay ang kapangyarihan ng Espiritu at lumaganap sa buong kapaligiran ang balita tungkol sa kanya. 15 Kina­ugalian niyang magturo sa kanilang mga sinagoga, at pinupuri siya ng lahat.  

• 16 Pagdating niya sa Nazaret, kung saan siya lumaki, pumasok siya sa sinagoga sa Araw ng Pahinga ayon sa kanyang kinaugalian. Tumindig siya para bumasa ng Kasulatan, 17 at iniabot sa kanya ang aklat ni Propeta Isaias.  

Sa paglaladlad niya sa rolyo, natag­puan niya ang lugar kung saan nasu­sulat: 18 “Sumasaakin ang Espiritu ng Pangi-noon kayat pinahiran niya ako upang ihatid ang mabuting balita sa mga dukha. Sinugo niya ako upang ipahayag ang paglaya sa mga bilang­go, sa mga bulag ang pagkabawi ng pa­ni­ngin, upang bigyang-ginhawa ang mga api, 19 at ipahayag ang taon ng kabutihang-loob ng Panginoon.”  

20 Binilot ni Jesus ang aklat, ibinigay ito sa tagapaglingkod at naupo. At naka­tuon sa kanya ang mga mata ng lahat ng nasa sina­goga. 21 Sinimulan niyang magsalita sa ka­nila: “Isinaka­tuparan ang Kasula­tang ito ngayon ha­bang naki­kinig kayo.” 22 At sumang-ayon silang lahat sa kanya habang nagtataka sa gayong pagpapahayag ng kabutihang-loob ng Diyos na nangga­ling sa kanyang bibig. At sinabi nila: “Hindi ba’t ito ang anak ni Jose?”

Reflection for January 5, Wednesday after Epiphany: Mark 6:45-52

Gospel: Mark 6:45-52

After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore.  

Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out.  

They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.

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Reflection:

What do you do when you encounter turbulent storms in your life?  

Each one of us encounters storms in our life, some of us are able to survive these life storms and bounce back. Some unfortunately are not able to get up again they wallow in self-pity and they live problematic lives for so long as they live.  

What is the secret of those who are able to survive and bounce back? It’s not their money; it’s not their friends not even their strong family support. They’re able to survive and bounce back because of their faith that is strongly anchored on Jesus.  

All of the possessions and power that we see and grasp will eventually pass us by. But there’s one that will be with us until eternity and that is Jesus. In this internet, facebook and social media driven world that we are in right now, Jesus seems to be irrelevant already for many. Let us not make that mistake of consigning Jesus to irrelevancy because we need Jesus today more than ever.   

Get to know the Lord deeply, try reading the first four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Bible (New Testament) for the life story of Jesus is there. And be a regular presence in the celebration of the Holy Mass for Jesus is also there. So that you’ll survive whatever storms that you may encounter in your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 5, Miyerkules kasunod ng Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Marcos 6:45-52

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:45-52

45 Agad na pinilit ni Jesus na sumakay sa bang­ka ang mga alagad at pinauna sa Betsaida sa kabilang ibayo habang pinaaalis niya ang mga tao. 46 At pagka­paalis niya sa kanila, mag-isa siyang lumayo papunta sa kaburulan para ma­nalangin.  

47 Nasa laot na ang bangka nang gumabi at nag-iisa naman siyang nasa lupa. 48 Nakita niya silang nahihirapan sa pagsagwan sapagkat pasalungat ang hangin. Kaya nang madaling-araw na, pinuntahan sila ni Jesus na nagla­lakad sa dagat at waring lalampas sa kanila. 49 Nang makita nila siyang naglalakad sa dagat, akala nila’y multo siya. Kaya sumigaw sila. 50 Nakita nga siya nilang lahat at nasindak sila. Ngunit agad niya silang kinausap: “Lakasan ang loob! Ako ito, huwag kayong matakot.”  

51 Nang nakasakay na siya sa bang­ka ka­sama nila, tumigil ang hangin kaya lalo pa silang namangha. 52 Hindi nga nila naunawaan ang tungkol sa mga tinapay, kundi sarado ang kani­lang isip.

Reflection for January 4, Tuesday after Epiphany: Mark 6:34-44

Gospel: Mark 6:34-44

When Jesus 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. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat." 

He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” 

So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.

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Reflection:

Do you believe that Jesus can make the impossible possible? The disciples who were with Jesus in the gospel did not believe that Jesus can make the impossible possible. The disciples were worried that the vast crowd who were following Jesus would go hungry. So they told Jesus to dismiss the vast crowd for it was already getting late.  

Yet, Jesus made the impossible possible, He fed the five thousand men and those who were with them. He fed them all and there were many more loaves and fish which they were not able to consume.  

The disciples who were with Jesus during that time forgot the enormous power of Jesus. They were unable to remember that Jesus can make all things possible including the impossible. Why did the disciples suddenly failed to remember the power of Jesus? Because they allowed themselves to be overwhelmed by the enormous number of people that were in front of them.     

What does this miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish tell us? It tells us that miracles are always possible with Jesus. It tells us that the impossible is always possible for Jesus. It tells us that there’s always a miracle waiting to happen for us if we would believe in the power of Jesus.  

Do you believe in the power of Jesus to make the impossible possible? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 4, Martes kasunod ng Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Marcos 6:34-44

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:34-44

34 Pagdating ni Jesus sa pampang, nakita niya ang maraming taong nag­kakatipon doon at naawa siya sa kanila sapagkat para silang mga tupang wa­lang pastol. At nagsimula siyang mag­turo sa kanila nang matagal.  35 Nang humahapon na, lumapit sa kanya ang mga alagad at sinabi: “Nasa ilang na lugar tayo at lampas na ang oras.” 36 Pa­alisin mo sila nang maka­­punta sila sa mga nayon at bukid sa paligid at makabili ng kani-kanilang makakain.”  

37 Ngunit sumagot si Jesus sa kanila: “Kayo ang magbigay sa kanila ng maka­­kain.” Sinabi naman nila: “At kami pa pala ang bibili ng tinapay – dala­wandaang denaryo, di ba? At bibigyan na­min sila.” 38 Ngunit sinabi niya: “Ilang tinapay meron kayo? Sige, tingnan ninyo.” At pagka­tingin nila ay kanilang sinabi: “Lima at may dalawa pang isda.” 

39 Kaya iniutos niya sa kanila na pa­upuin nang grupu-grupo ang ma-ka­pal na tao sa berdeng damuhan. 40 At naupo silang grupu-grupo, tigsasandaan at tiglilimampu. 41 Ki­nuha niya ang limang tinapay at dalawang isda, tumi­ngala sa langit, nagpuri, hinati ang mga tinapay at ibinigay sa kanyang mga alagad para ibigay din nila sa mga tao. Gayun­din naman, hinati niya ang dalawang isda. 42 At kumain silang lahat at nabusog, 43 at inipon nila ang mga natirang pira-piraso – labindalawang punong basket ang mga piraso ng tinapay pati na ang mga piraso ng isda. 44 Mga limanlibong lalaki ang napakain.

Reflection for January 3, Monday after Epiphany: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: 

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.  

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  

He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

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Reflection:

Do we know that we would be joyful and we would feel complete if we decide to follow Jesus? 

The gospel tells us that great crowds followed Jesus for His healings, miracles and life changing words. And it is still the same today in our time: many of us follow Jesus to be healed by Him, to experience His miracles and to hear His life changing words. This is only the other side or the other half of Jesus. 

The other side/half of Jesus is Jesus who suffered for us. Yes He is God and He could have avoided sufferings yet He chose to suffer out of His love for us. In His humanity there were times that He was praying to God that He be steered out of sufferings. But God prevailed upon Him. Therefore, Jesus humbly followed the mission given to Him by God and that is to die on the cross for our salvation.  

WE should not only follow Jesus for our own selfish interest, we also follow Jesus because we want to partake of His sufferings too! By doing so we would be deepening our friendship and communion with Him. We have to continue to follow Jesus in good times and in bad.  

Go on with your journey with Jesus through your pains, heartaches and sufferings. In His own perfect time He surely will make things right for you. In His own perfect time He will cure all your pains, your heartaches and sufferings. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Enero 3, Lunes kasunod ng Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Mateo 4:12-17, 23-25

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 4:12-17, 23-25

12 Nang marinig ni Jesus na dinakip si Juan, lumayo siya pa-Galilea. 13 Hindi siya tumigil sa Nazaret, kundi sa Capernaum nanirahan, sa may baybayin ng lawa ng Galilea, sa teritoryo ng Zabulon at Neftali. 14 Kaya natupad ang salita ni Propeta Isaias: 15 “Makinig kayo, mga lupain ng Zabulon at Neftali, mga daang patungo sa Dagat, kabilang ibayo ng Jordan; pa­-king­gan ako, Galileang lupain ng mga pagano.  

16 Nakakita na ng malaking liwa­nag ang mga lugmok sa kadiliman. Sumikat na ang liwanag sa mga nasa anino ng kamatayan.”  17 At magmula noon, sinimulang ipa­hayag ni Jesus ang kanyang mensahe: “Magbagong-buhay; lumapit na nga ang Kaharian ng Langit.” 23 Nagsimulang maglibot si Jesus sa buong Galilea. Nagturo siya sa kani­lang mga sinagoga, ipinahayag ang Mabu­ting Balita ng Kaharian at pina­galing ang kung anu-anong klase ng sakit at kapansanan ng mga tao.  

24 Lumaganap sa buong Siria ang ba­li­ta tungkol sa kanya. Kaya dinala sa kan­ya ang mga may karamdaman, ang lahat ng naghihirap dahil sa sakit, ang mga ina­alihan ng demonyo, ang mga nasisi­raan ng bait, ang mga para­litiko, at pina­galing niya silang lahat. 25 Sinun­dan siya ng maraming taong galing sa Galilea, sa Sampung Lunsod, sa Jerusalem, sa Judea at sa kabilang ibayo ng Jordan.

Reflection for Sunday January 2, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord: Matthew 2:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.”  

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out.  

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a mother who was on the verge giving up on her wayward son until she was advised by her friend to continue to be persevering with him. In addition she was told to bring her son closer to Jesus through her prayers and not to give up on praying for his conversion. The mother heeded the advice of her friend and true enough after years of patiently praying and guiding her son. Her son finally found Jesus and had a conversion.

Today is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord; Jesus’ manifestation to the gentiles represented by the Magi. These three wise men diligently looked for Jesus to honor Him with their presence and gifts. With their diligence they found Him in a house with His mother Mary and offered their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

 These three wise men from the east meticulously searched for Jesus until they finally found Him. Let us also continue to search and thirst for Jesus in our life. If we say that we’ve already found Him and that He is already in our hearts let us not be content with this. Let us dig deeper into the life of Jesus and let us discover more about Him. Jesus will never disappoint anyone who diligently searches for Him; He will make Himself available to them.

As the Magi were very diligent in their search for the Lord. We are also challenged to continuously search for the Lord and to continue to thirst and hunger for Him. Let us look for Jesus in the poor and homeless, let us look for Jesus in the oppressed and in those many that are neglected. For He is always with them and let us give them the best that we could give them. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 2, Pagpapakita ng Panginoon (Dakilang Kapistahan): Mateo 2:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 2:1-12

1 Pagkapanganak kay Jesus sa Betlehem sa Judea, sa panahon ni Haring Herodes, dumating sa Jerusalem ang ilang pantas mula sa Silangan. 2 Nag­tanong sila: “Nasaan ang bagong silang na hari ng mga Judio? Nakita namin ang pagsikat ng kanyang tala sa Silangan at naparito kami para sambahin siya.” 3 Nang marinig ito ni Herodes, na­ligalig siya at ang buong Jerusalem. 4 Ipinatawag niya kaagad ang buong kaparian at ang mga dalubhasa sa Batas, at itina­nong sa kanila kung saan ipanganganak ang Me­siyas.  

5 At sinabi nila: “Sa Betlehem ng Juda sapagkat ito ang isinulat ng Propeta: 6 “At ikaw, Betlehem, sa lupain ng Juda, hindi ikaw ang pinakaaba sa mga angkan ng Juda, sapagkat sa iyo magmumula ang isang pinuno: siya ang magiging pastol ng aking bayang Israel.” 7 Kaya lihim na tinawag ni Herodes ang mga pantas at hiningi sa kanila ang mga impormasyon tungkol sa sumikat na tala. 8 At saka niya sila pina­punta sa Betlehem at sinabi: “Pumunta kayo at alamin ang tung­kol sa bata. Pagkakita ninyo sa kan­ya, bumalik kayo sa akin para maka­punta rin ako sa kanya at makasamba.”  

9 Umalis sila pagkarinig nila sa hari. Nagpauna sa kanila ang tala na nakita nila sa Silangan, at tumigil ito sa itaas ng lugar na kinaroroonan ng sanggol. 10 Labis na natuwa ang mga pantas nang makita nilang muli ang tala! 11 Pumasok sila sa bahay at nakita nila ang sanggol kasama ni Mariang kan­yang ina. Lumu­hod sila at sumam­ba, at binuksan ang kanilang mga mama­haling dala at hinandugan siya ng mga regalong ginto, kamanyang at mira. 12 At nag-iba sila ng daan pag-uwi nila sa kanilang lupain dahil binilinan sila sa pana­ginip na huwag nang bumalik kay Herodes.