Reflection for Sunday April 26, Third Sunday of Easter: Luke 24:13-35

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him.

But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”

And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”

So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”

So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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Reflection:

Do we sometimes feel down, hopeless and discourage for the reason of the many life challenges that we’re going through right now? For example, this covid-19 pandemic that is creating so much havoc in our world right now. Does it make us feel down, hopeless and discouraged? We must not allow this covid-19 pandemic to bring us down. We must continue to remain hopeful for there is no hopeless situation for as long as we have faith in God.  

The two followers who were going to Emmaus were obviously discouraged they were feeling down and somewhat hopeless. They were in such mood because their Lord and Master had a violent death on the cross. They thought that Jesus was their powerful savior but they were disappointed. For Jesus died on the cross badly bruised and beaten.

Their expectations of a powerful Jesus were suddenly replaced by feeling of loneliness, defeat and hopelessness.  Until the Risen Christ walked with them, conversed with them and eventually went to their house to break bread with them.

After breaking bread with them, Cleopas and his companion recognized that it was Jesus who walked, conversed and broke bread with them. Upon discovering the identity of Jesus their loneliness and hopelessness were immediately replaced by happiness, their discouragement was overpowered by encouragement. Their hopeless spirits were suddenly aflame and glowing.  

What do we do when we feel hopeless, sad and discouraged? Do we just sulk in one corner as if we are the most hopeless and miserable person in this world? Or we always call on Jesus to give us hope and strength?

When we are at our lowest we always have to remember that Jesus is always there for us and walking with us ever ready to listen to us. He wants to give us hope, He wants to inspire us and tell us this: Be hopeful for I have already risen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Abril 26, Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Lucas 24:13-35

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:13-35

• 13 Nang araw ng Linggo, dalawa sa mga alagad ang naglalakad pa-Emmaus na isang nayong mga labin­limang kilo­metro mula sa Jerusalem. 14 Pinag-uusapan nila ang mga nangyari. 15 Sa kanilang pag-uusap at pagtatalakayan, lumapit si Jesus at nakisabay sa paglakad nila 16 pero parang may kung anong hadlang sa kanilang mga mata at hindi nila siya nakilala.

17 Tinanong niya sila: “Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan ninyo sa daan?” Tumigil silang mukhang malungkot. 18 Suma­got ang isa sa kanila na nagnga­ngalang Cleofas: “Bakit, mukhang ikaw lang ang kaisa-isahan sa Jerusalem na di alam ang mga nangyari roon nitong mga ilang araw?”

19 Itinanong niya: “Ano?” Sumagot sila: “Tungkol kay Jesus na taga-Nazaret. Sa paningin ng Diyos at ng buong baya’y isa siyang propetang maka­pang­­yarihan sa gawa at salita. 20 Ngunit isinakdal siya ng aming mga punong-pari at mga pinuno para mahatulang mamatay at ipinako siya sa krus. 21 Uma­asa pa naman kaming siya ang tutubos sa Israel ngunit ikatlong araw na ngayon mula nang mangyari ang lahat ng ito.

22 Sa totoo’y ginulat kami ng ilang ba­baeng kasama namin. Maaga silang pu­munta sa libingan 23 pero hindi nila nakita ang kanyang katawan kaya du­mating sila at sinabi sa amin na naka­kita pa raw sila ng aparisyon ng mga anghel na nag­sabi sa kanila na buhay siya. 24 Nagpunta rin sa libingan ang ilan sa amin at natag­puan nga nila ang sinasabi ng mga babae pero hindi nila siya nakita.”

25 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Mga hin­di makaunawa at mapupurol ang isip para maniwala sa lahat ng ipina­hayag ng mga propeta. 26 Di ba’t kaila­ngang mag­dusa nang ganito ang Mesiyas bago pu­masok sa kanyang Lu­walhati?” 27 At sinimulan niyang ipa­liwanag sa kanila ang lahat ng sinasabi ng Kasulatan tungkol sa kanya, mula kay Moises hanggang sa lahat ng Pro­peta.

28 Nang malapit na sila sa nayong pu­puntahan nila, parang magpapatuloy pa siya ng paglakad. 29 Pero pinilit nila siya: “Manatili kang kasama namin dahil dapit­hapon na at lumulubog na ang araw.” Kaya pumasok siya at suma­ma sa kanila. 30 Nang nasa hapag na siyang kasalo nila, kumuha siya ng tinapay, nagpuri at piniraso ito at ibinigay sa kanila.

31 At noo’y nabuksan ang kanilang mga mata at nakilala nila siya, at nawala siya sa kanilang paningin. 32 Nag-usap sila: “Hindi ba’t nag-aalab ang ating puso nang kinakausap niya tayo sa daan at ipinali­liwanag sa atin ang mga Kasulatan?”

33 Noon di’y tumayo sila at nagbalik sa Jerusalem. Nakita nila roon na mag­ka­kasama ang Labing-isa at ang iba ni­lang kasamahan. 34 Sinabi ng mga iyon sa kanila: “Totoo ngang binuhay ang Panginoon at napakita siya kay Simon.” 35 At isinalaysay naman nila ang nang­yari sa daan at kung paano nila siya nakilala sa pagpipiraso ng tinapay.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for April 25 Saturday, Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist: Mark 16:15-20

Gospel: Mark 16:15-20

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

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Reflection:

Have we done something to share the good news about Jesus?

One of our foremost mission as follower of Jesus is to share Him. If we have no idea on how we would share Him we can even simply live His life. Evangelization is not only confined to sharing with our vocal words for we can also evangelize by the way we live.

When the disciples were sent by Jesus through their mission one of the unwritten commands of Jesus for them was to live His way of life. For they wouldn’t be successful missioners for Jesus without immersing their very lives on Jesus way of life.

The challenge for us therefore is to share Jesus like how the disciples shared Him. We also have to live the way of life of Jesus. For without living the life of Jesus we will not become His true follower and evangelizer.

Many in the church or outside of the church profess to follow Jesus but they do not live His life. Thus their evangelization is superficial it doesn’t take root in the hearts of those who listen to them. Therefore, an effective evangelizer is one who shares and lives the life of the Lord.  

Have we shared Jesus and have we lived Jesus' life of humility and simplicity? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 25, Sabado; Kapistahan ni San Marcos, ebanghelista: Marcos 16:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:15-20

15 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga alagad: “Pumunta kayo sa bu­ong daigdig at ipahayag ang ebang­helyo sa buong sangkinapal. 16 Maliligtas ang maniniwala at mag­papabinyag; ha­hatulan naman ang di maniniwala. 17 At ito ang mga tandang sasama sa mga mani­niwala: magpapalayas sila ng mga de­mon­­yo sa aking Pangalan, magsasa­lita sila sa iba pang mga wika, 18 hahawakan nila ang mga ahas, at di sila maaano kung iinom man sila ng may lason. Ipa­patong nila ang kanilang kamay sa mga maysakit at gagaling ang mga iyon.”

19 Matapos silang kausapin ng Pangi­­noong Jesus, iniakyat siya sa langit at lumuklok sa kanan ng Diyos. 20 At umalis sila at nangaral sa lahat ng lugar. Kasama nilang gumagawa ang Panginoon at pinatatatag ang Salita sa tulong ng mga tandang kasa­ma nila.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for April 24 Friday Second Week of Easter: John 6:1-15

Gospel: John 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

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Reflection:   

The story is told about a married couple who always find it hard to sustain their family's basic financial needs. A relative advised them to always be present in the Holy Mass celebration in their village’s chapel. The married couple asked their relative, “Why is there a need for us to always be present during Holy Mass?” Their relative told them that they need to be present because this is where they meet, interact and be one with the Bread of Life which is Jesus Himself.

The big crowd in the gospel was running after Jesus, primarily because of His miracles, healings and life changing sermons. The crowd was more than five thousand and Jesus was naturally  concerned for their welfare. He therefore wanted to feed them but there was no enough bread and fish. So what Jesus did was he asked for whatever bread and fish that they have.

Upon getting hold of the bread and fish, He looked up in thanksgiving to God. Thereafter Jesus gave the bread and fish to the crowd and He was able to feed them all. They also had plenty to spare: twelve wicker baskets and some fragments. It was not only the crowd’s physical hunger that was satisfied by Jesus, He also satisfied their spiritual thirst. 

When we attend Holy Mass, we are also feed by Jesus with the same bread which He gave the crowd. It happens the moment we partake of His Body and Blood during Holy Communion. During Holy Communion we are also nourished physically and spiritually by  the Bread of Life, Jesus Himself!

This is what occurs when we attend Holy Mass. We are always being nourished by Jesus Himself! The same Jesus that fed the crowd who were following Him in the gospel. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 24, Biyernes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:1-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:1-15

1 Nagpunta si Jesus sa kabilang ibayo ng dagat ng Galilea sa may Tiberias. 2 Sinusun­dan siya ng makapal na tao dahil napansin nila ang mga tandang ginagawa niya sa mga maysakit. 3 Uma­hon si Jesus sa bundok at naupo siya roon kasama ang kanyang mga alagad. 4 Malapit na ang Paskuwa na piyesta ng mga Judio.

5 Kaya pagkatunghay ni Jesus at pag­ka­kita niyang marami ang taong pumu­punta sa kanya, sinabi niya kay Felipe: “Saan kayo makabi­bili ng tinapay para makakain ang mga ito?” 6 Sinabi niya ito bilang pagsubok sa kanya dahil alam na niya kung ano ang napipinto niyang ga­win. 7 Sumagot sa kanya si Felipe: “Dala­wandaang denar­yong tinapay ay hindi sapat sa kanila para makakuha ng tigka­kaunti ang bawat isa.”

8 At sinabi naman sa kanya ng isa sa kanyang mga alagad na si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro: 9 "May maliit na bata rito na may limang tinapay na sebada at dalawang isda. Ano ito para sa pagkarami-raming tao?” 10 Madamo sa lugar na iyon kaya sinabi ni Jesus: “Paupuin n’yo ang mga tao.” Kaya nag-upuan sila, halos liman­libo ang mga lalaki.

11 Kaya kinuha ni Jesus ang mga tina­pay at pagkapagpasalamat, at ipi­na­bigay sa mga nakaupo. Gayundin naman sa mga isda – ga­ano man ang gustuhin nila. 12 Nang busog na sila, sinabi niya sa kanyang mga ala­gad: “Tipunin ninyo ang natirang mga piraso para walang masa­yang.” 13 Kaya tini­pon nila ang mga tira ng mga pinakain, at labindalawang bakol ang napuno ng mga pira-piraso mula sa limang tinapay na sebada.

14 Pagkakita sa tandang ginawa ni Jesus, sinabi ng mga tao: “Ito ngang talaga ang Propeta parating sa mundo.” 15 At alam ni Jesus na parating sila upang agawin siya para gawing hari kaya lumigpit siyang muli na siya lamang mag-isa sa bulubundukin. 

Reflection for April 23 Thursday Second Week of Easter: John 3:31-36

Gospel: John 3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.

For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

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Reflection:

Why can’t we convince others to go to church for Holy Mass and why can’t we share Jesus with them? This is for the reason that many of us don’t live the teachings of Jesus. We are not humble we don’t live our faith in other words.

What must we do if we are in this kind of predicament?  Should we easily give up or should we change our ways. It’s no brainer that the wise choice is to change our ways and not give up. Because if we would give up, who will evangelize them? We leave them to be evangelized by those from other faiths?

We must teach our faith but we must do it with humility, patience and love. We have to employ humility, patience and love so that we could open their hearts to the teachings of Jesus and our faith. For example our gospel for today tells us about the love of God for His Son. How would they know about this if we will not teach them?

We have to teach them using humility, patience and love. We will always become effective evangelizers of our faith if we are humble, patient and loving. For these are the qualities of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 23, Huwebes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:31-36

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:31-36

Sinabi ni Jesus kay Nicodemo 31 Walang kapantay ang naparirito mula sa itaas. Makalupa naman ang mula sa lupa at makalupa rin ang sina­sabi niya. Walang kapantay ang naparirito mula sa langit. 32 Pinatutuna­yan niya ang kanyang nakita at narinig ngunit wala ngang tuma­tanggap sa kanyang patunay.

33 Pinag­tibay naman ng tumanggap sa kanyang patunay na totoo ang Diyos. 34 Sinasabi nga ng sinugo ng Diyos ang mga salita ng Diyos sapagkat walang sukat na ibini­bigay sa kanya ang Espiritu. 35 Mahal nga ng Ama ang Anak, at ipinagkatiwala sa kanyang mga kamay ang lahat. 36 May buhay magpakailan­man ang nananalig sa Anak. Hindi naman nakikita ng ayaw manalig sa Anak ang buhay kundi nama­malagi sa kanya ang galit ng Diyos.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for April 22 Wednesday Second Week of Easter: John 3:16-21

Gospel: John 3:16-21

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

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Reflection:

Can we measure God’s love for us? No we cannot. God loves us infinitely that He even gave His only begotten son so that we may live. How about us can God measure our love for Him? Of course! If God’s love for us is infinite, our love for God is finite it has boundaries. It only extends up to a certain point, once that point is reached our love for God starts to decline also.

But why do we limit our love for God? Why can’t we love God as He loves us? This is for the reason that we are afraid to lose our earthly liberty for God. To love God infinitely is to follow the teachings of God without any preconditions.

However, the paradox of infinitely loving God is we also have to begin to hate many of the things that this world offers us. Number one on the list that we must hate from this world is sin. Number two is our very high regard for ourselves for we always want to be above everyone else. We often look down on those whom we perceive to be inferior, weak and those not in our level. These are but a few of the things that prevent us from loving God infinitely.

Come to think of it, if God loves us infinitely then we must be prepared to do the same. We must reciprocate God’s love for us by loving those who are difficult to love such as those who’ve hurt us badly. Loving them means forgiving them of the many hurts that they’ve carved in our lives.

Are we prepared to reciprocate God’s infinite love for us? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 22, Miyerkules sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:16-21

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:16-21

16 Ganito nga kamahal ng Diyos ang mundo! Kayat ibinigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na anak upang hindi na ma­wala ang bawat nananalig sa kanya kundi magkaroon ng buhay magpa­kailanman.

17 Hindi nga sinugo ng Diyos sa mundo ang Anak upang hukuman ang mundo kundi upang maligtas ang mundo sa pamamagitan niya. 18 Hindi hinuhukuman ang nananalig sa kanya. Ngunit hinu-kuman na ang hindi nana­nalig pagkat hindi siya nananalig sa Ngalan ng bugtong na Anak ng Diyos.

19 Ito ang paghuhukom: dumating sa mundo ang liwanag pero mas minahal pa ng mga tao ang karimlan kaysa liwanag sapagkat masasama ang kanilang gawa. 20 Ang gumagawa ng masama’y napopoot nga sa liwanag at hindi lumalapit sa liwanag, at baka malantad ang kanyang mga gawa. 21 Lumalapit naman sa liwanag ang gumagawa ng katotohanan upang mabunyag na sa Diyos ginagawa ang kanyang mga gawa.

Reflection for April 21 Tuesday Second Week of Easter: John 3:7b-15

Gospel: John 3:7b-15

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

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Reflection:

Do we seek Jesus in our life? Do we thirst and hunger for Him? 

Nicodemus is a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin a Jewish judicial body. Why did he follow Jesus? He must have discovered something in Jesus that made him follow Him even until Jesus death on the cross. Nicodemus followership of Jesus did not stop on His death on the cross, Nicodemus also took care of the body of Jesus after His death (John 19:39).   

What would it take for us to become a follower of Jesus? Do we still need to see a miracle before we become a faithful follower? It might be too late already, why not follow Jesus now? Let us look up at Jesus on the cross, that man on the cross died for us! Would we not take a second look to that man on the cross? Would we not thank Him for giving His life for us?

We don’t know the life of Nicodemus before he became a secret follower of Jesus. We also don’t know the status of our own respective lives right now, if we are a big time sinners or not. Nevertheless, we have to decide to follow the Lord now for He is ready to give us peace in our lives that this world cannot give us. It’s no problem for Jesus if we would become a secret follower like Nicodemus what is important for Jesus is we follow Him.

Would we faithfully follow the Lord beginning today? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 21, Martes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:7b-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:7b-15

Sinabi ni Jesus kay Nicodemo 7 Huwag kang magtaka dahil sinabi ko sa iyong kailangan kayong isilang mula sa itaas. 6 Umihip ang hangin kung saan nito nais, at naririnig mo ang ihip nito pero hindi mo alam kung saan ito galing at kung saan ito patungo. Gayon din nga ang bawat isinilang mula sa Espiritu.”

9 Sumagot sa kanya si Nicodemo: “Paano pupuwede ang mga ito?” 10 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Ikaw ang guro ng Israel at hindi mo alam ang mga ito?  • 11 Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa iyo: ang alam namin ang aming sinasabi at ang nakita namin ang aming pinatu­tunayan, at hindi naman n’yo tinatanggap ang aming patunay.

12 Mga bagay na nga sa lupa ang sinasabi ko sa inyo at hindi kayo naniniwala, kaya paano kayo maniniwala kapag mga bagay sa langit ang sasabihin ko sa inyo. 13 Walang umakyat sa langit mali­ban sa bumaba mula sa langit – ang Anak ng Tao. 14 At kung paanong itinaas ni Moises ang ahas sa disyerto, gayundin dapat itaas ang Anak ng Tao 15 upang mag­karoon ng buhay magpakailanman ang bawat nananalig sa kanya.

1Reflection for April 20 Monday Second Week of Easter: John 3:1-8

Gospel: John 3:1-8

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”

Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

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Reflection:

Who is Nicodemus?

Nicodemus is a follower who is seeking deeper meaning in his discipleship with Jesus. So Jesus gave him a clue on how to discover a more meaningful life with Him. And that is to be born again. 

How could we be born again when we have already been born? Indeed, we can never be literally born again. However to be born again with a more meaningful life of purpose in this world is very much possible for everyone of us.

How can we be born again with a life of purpose and meaning? We must be willing to leave behind our sinfulness. For example, our greed, self-centeredness and anything that makes us sin we must be willing to leave it all behind us. So that we can have a life of purpose and meaning with Jesus and those people that we love. 

Who would benefit if we allow ourselves to be born again with a life of purpose and meaning with Jesus? The first beneficiary is us, second is our family and third is those who are around us and those who know us.

Would we allow ourselves to be born again with a new life of purpose with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 20, Lunes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 3:1-8

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:1-8

1 May isang taong kabilang sa mga Pariseo – Nicodemo ang panga­lan niya – pinuno siya ng mga Judio. 2 Isang gabi, pinuntahan niya si Jesus at sinabi sa kanya: “Rabbi, alam namin na guro kang galing sa Diyos. Sapagkat walang makagagawa ng mga tandang ginagawa mo kung hindi sumasakanya ang Diyos.”

3 Sumagot si Jesus sa kanya: “Tala­gang-talagang sinasabi ko sa iyo, walang makakakita sa paghahari ng Diyos kung hindi siya isisilang na muli mula sa itaas.” 4 Sinabi sa kanya ni Nicodemo: “Paano maisisilang ang isang taong matanda na? Di ba’t hindi siya makapapasok sa sinapupunan ng kanyang ina para isilang uli?”

5 Sumagot si Jesus: “Talagang-tala­gang sinasabi ko sa iyo, walang maka­papasok sa kaharian ng Diyos kung hindi siya isisilang mula sa tubig at Espiritu. 6 Laman ang isinilang mula sa laman, at espiritu ang isinilang mula sa Espiritu. 7 Huwag kang magtaka dahil sinabi ko sa iyong kailangan kayong isilang mula sa itaas.

6 Umihip ang hangin kung saan nito nais, at naririnig mo ang ihip nito pero hindi mo alam kung saan ito galing at kung saan ito patungo. Gayon din nga ang bawat isinilang mula sa Espiritu.”

Reflection for Sunday April 19, Second Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday: John 20:19-31

Gospel: John 20:19-31

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

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

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Reflection:

Do we sometimes feel alone, fearful and without peace of mind caused by the Covid-19 pandemic?

After the death of Jesus the apostles had this feeling of being orphaned and without a leader. Add to this was the feeling of fear that was constantly being fed to their minds by the Jews. To counter this feeling of helplessness the apostles would meet every now and then to strengthen each other’s morale.

So, while in a room meeting and in the midst of their loneliness and fear Jesus appeared to them and told them, “Peace be with you.” Jesus greeted them peace be with you to strengthen and assure them of His abiding presence in each and everyone of them.

Does Jesus still give us this peace right now? Of course! Up to this very moment Jesus is still assuring us of this greeting of peace. But the peace that Jesus’ gives us is something that is elusive for many of us. Because the peace that Jesus’ imparts is not a byproduct of accumulation of money, material things and power.

We may all have the wealth and power in this world but if we don’t have Jesus we would still be without peace of mind. We would still be yearning for something far greater than wealth and that is to have peace within ourselves.

Jesus in the gospel greeted His followers: “Peace be with you” not once, not twice but three times! To say to them that amidst your difficulties continue to believe that I have risen, continue to have faith in me, and continue to be faithful to me. Because no one else can give you peace but me.

Our wealth will not give us peace for it may even give us endless depression and pressure. Our power whatever it is will not give us peace as well. Our friends may give us fleeting happiness but not peace of mind.

Who then can give us this feeling of true peace as we are being assaulted by fear caused by the Covid-19 pandemic? It’s no other than Jesus! He alone can give us this elusive peace and serenity within us.

Amidst the lockdowns, uncertainties and psychological anxieties brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.     Jesus is always with us assuring us of peace that nobody in this world can give us except Himself.

Do we already have the peace of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Repleksyon sa Linggo Abril 19, Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay; Linggo ng Banal na Awa ng Panginoon : Juan 20:19-31

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:19-31  

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

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

24 Hindi nila kasama si Tomas na tina­guriang Kambal, na isa sa Labin­dalawa, nang du­mating si Jesus. 25 Kaya sinabi sa kanya ng iba pang mga alagad: “Nakita namin ang Pangi­noon!” Sinabi naman niya: “Maliban lamang na ma­kita sa kanyang mga kamay ang tatak ng mga pako at maipasok ang aking daliri sa pinag­lagusan ng mga pako at maipasok ang aking kamay sa tagiliran niya, hinding-hindi ako mani­niwala!”

26 Makaraan ang walong araw, mu­ling nasa loob ang kanyang mga ala­gad at kasa­ma nila si Tomas. Dumating si Jesus ha­bang nakasara ang mga pinto at puma­gitna. At sinabi niya: “Kapa­yapaan sa inyo!” 27 At sinabi niya kay Tomas: “Ilapit mo rito ang daliri mo at tingnan ang aking mga kamay. At ilapit ang kamay mo at ipasok sa aking tagiliran at huwag tumangging maniwala kundi ma­niwala!”

28 Sumagot si Tomas sa kanya: “Pangi­noon ko at Diyos ko – ikaw!” 29 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Dahil ba sa nakita mo ako kaya ka naniniwala? Mapapalad ang mga hindi nakakita at naniniwala.” 30 Ngayon, marami pang ibang tan­dang ginawa si Jesus sa harap ng kanyang mga alagad, na hindi naman nasusulat sa kasulatang ito. 31 Isinulat naman ang mga ito upang maniwala kayo na si Jesus ang Kristo, ang Anak ng Diyos. At sa pani­niwala ninyo’y magkaroon kayo ng buhay sa bisa ng kanyang Pangalan.

Reflection for April 18, Saturday in the Octave of Easter: Mark 16:9-15

Gospel: Mark 16:9-15

When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either.

But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

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Reflection:

Among the many to whom Jesus can appear, why to Mary Magdalene first a sinner who was formerly possessed by seven demons? Why not to anyone of His eleven apostles first who by the way were with Him for three years? Or why not appear first to His Mother Mary?

Why appear to Mary Magdalene first? We don’t know but what we know of Mary of Magdalene is she is a sinner who repented. A former prostitute who left behind her sinful life to become a follower of Jesus.

Perhaps the message to us is nobody is beyond reach of the love of God. The more sinful we are the more that Jesus desires to manifest Himself to us. The more that Jesus wants to convert us from sinner to become non sinner even saint. 

We should all remember that nothing is impossible with God. That God when He so desires can effect change into our lives no matter how dark our past. However, we must also cooperate with God’s plan of conversion for us.

This is for the reason that even if God desires to change us yet we don’t cooperate with His plan, then He can’t do anything. For He also gave us the freedom of will, if we would abide with His desire then we are assured of salvation.

Mary of Magdalene was docile to the desire of God to convert her that’s why she totally left behind her sinful life and became a follower of the Lord.

How about us? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 18, Sabado sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Marcos 16:9-15

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:9-15

9 Pagkabuhay ni Jesus sa unang araw ng sanlinggo, una siyang napakita kay Maria Magdalena na mula rito’y pitong demonyo ang pinalayas niya. 10 Umalis ito at nag­balita sa mga ka­sama ni Jesus na noo’y umiiyak at nag­luluksa. 11 Ngunit hindi sila naniwala sa kanya nang marinig nilang buhay si Jesus at napakita sa kanya.

12 Pagkatapos nito, napakita naman si Jesus sa ibang anyo sa dalawa sa kanila habang pa­punta sila sa labas ng bayan. 13 At pagbalik nila, ibina­lita rin nila ito sa iba pa pero hindi rin naniwala ang mga ito sa ka­nila. 14 Sa dakong huli, nang nasa hapag ang La­bing-isa, napakita sa kanila si Jesus at pinagsabihan sila dahil sa ka­wa­lang-paniwala nila at kati­gasan ng puso: hindi nga nila pinaniniwalaan ang mga nakakita sa kanya matapos siyang bu­hayin.

15 At sinabi sa kanila: “Pumunta kayo sa bu­ong daigdig at ipahayag ang ebang­helyo sa buong sangkinapal.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.