Reflection for Sunday December 26, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph: Luke Luke 2:41-52

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.  

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” 

 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

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Reflection:

How’s your family today?

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family a very appropriate feast for our times today. The families of today are a lot more different from the families of yesteryear. I think there are more broken families today; I think the family of today is constantly under attack from various secular environments.

Father Patrick Peyton the famous rosary priest has beautifully said: “The family that prays together stays together.” This was more than fifthly (50) years ago when families were still conservative and closely knit. Today we seldom see families going to Mass together everyone in the family nowadays has their own personal activities that tend to destroy the close bond of the family.

Today there’s the influence of the internet everyone in the family now has its own smart phone and tablet that keeps family members selfish and busy. Many years ago there was no internet and smart phones families were so simple then; so unlike of the modern, hi-tech and complicated families of today.

So what should we do to bring back the close bond of the family and to prevent families from breaking apart?  We have to infuse back prayers and worship for God in the family. Do we still pray the Holy Rosary as a family? Do we still attend Holy Mass as a family today?

The domestic church that is, our respective families are under attack today. By whom? By the devil disguised as a hi-tech gadget such as smart phones, tablets and the like. High tech gadgets are not evil per se, it becomes evil when we allow it to control and enslave us. 

We must do our humble share to re-energies our respective families and we could only do this if we will put Jesus at the center of our family. Nowadays many families are somewhat hesitant to put or adopt Jesus as a member of their family they instead willingly adopt the many inducement of the world. That is why there are many families that are breaking apart.

Let us invite Jesus to become a member of our family and the first step that we must do is to faithfully go to Holy Mass and live the valuable teachings that it bestows upon us.

How’s your family today? – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Disyembre 26, Ang Banal na Mag-anak ni Jesus, Maria at Jose (Kapistahan) : Lucas 2:41-52

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:41-52

41 Pumupunta taun-taon sa Jerusalem ang mga magulang ni Jesus para sa Piyesta ng Paskuwa. 42 Kayat nang maglabindalawang taon na siya, umahon sila tulad ng nakaugalian para sa pagdiriwang. 43 Subalit nang umuwi na sila pagkatapos ng mga araw ng piyesta, naiwan sa Jeru-salem ang batang si Jesus nang hindi namamalayan ng kanyang mga magulang.

44 Sa pag-aakalang kasama siya ng iba pang mga kasamahan, maghapon silang nakipaglakbay at noon nila hinanap ang bata sa mga kamag-anakan nila’t mga kakilala. 45 Nang hindi nila siya matagpuan, bumalik sila sa Jerusalem sa pag-hahanap sa kanya. 46 At sa ikatlong araw, natagpuan nila siya sa Templo, nakaupong kasama ng mga guro at nakikinig at nagtatanong sa kanila. 47 At namangha sa kanyang talino at mga sagot ang mga nakarinig sa kanya.

48 Nagulat ang kanyang mga magulang pagkakita sa kanya, at sinabi sa kanya ng kanyang ina: “Anak, bakit mo naman ito ginawa sa amin? Nagdusa nga ang iyong ama at ako habang hinahanap ka namin.” 49 Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: “At bakit ninyo ako hinahanap? Hindi ba ninyo alam na dapat ay nasa bahay ako ng aking Ama?” 50 Pero hindi nila naintindihan ang sinabi niya sa kanila. 51 Kaya bumaba siyang kasama nila pa-Nazaret, at patuloy siya sa pagiging masunurin sa kanila. Iningatan naman ng kanyang ina ang lahat ng ito sa kanyang puso. 

• 52 At umunlad si Jesus sa karunungan at edad at kagandahang-loob sa paningin ng Diyos at ng mga tao.

Reflection for December 25, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord; Christmas Day: John 1:1-18

Gospel: John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.  

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.  

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

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Reflection:

Do we perceive the presence Jesus in our life? Do we feel His abiding love and care? Jesus was born into this world for us today. God so love us that He became human like us. He walked in this world and mingled with the ordinary people of His time. For what reason did God do this? The reason is none other than love, God so love us dearly that He willingly gave His only begotten son for us.  

Jesus descended into this world through Mary to let us know that He is not a distant God. To let us know that He is a God amongst us, a God who walks with us and a God who is always there for us. 

If through His birth Jesus humbled Himself for us so that we may live and have life, in what way do we humble ourselves before God? Are we silently doing our share to help Jesus advance His mission in this world? Do we invite others to go to church for Holy Mass so that they too would feel the love of God?     

In this day of the birth of the Lord the church is usually full but not anymore because of our fear of Covid-19. Even so, we still have a mission to do which is to spread the love, mercy and humility of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 25 Sabado, Pasko ng Pagsilang ng Panginoon (Dakilang Kapistahan) Misa sa Araw: Juan 1:1-18

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:1-18

1 Sa simula’y naroroon na nga ang Wikang Sali­ta, at naroroong kaharap ng Diyos ang Salita,at Diyos ang Salita. 2 Naroroon na nga siyang kaharap ng Diyos sa simula. 3 Sa pamamagitan niya nayari tanang mga bagay, at hiwalay sa kanya’y walang anumang nayari. Ang niyari 4 ay sa kanya nagkabuhay, at ang buhay ang liwanag para sa mga tao. 5 Nagningning sa karimlan ang liwanag at di ito nasugpo ng karimlan.  

6 May taong sugo ang Diyos –Juan ang kanyang pangalan. 7 Dumating siya para sa pagpapatunay, para magpatunay tungkol sa Liwanag, upang makapanalig ang lahat sa pama­magitan niya. 8 Hindi siya mismo ang Liwanag, kundi para magpatunay tungkol sa Liwanag.  

9 Pagkat paparating noon sa mundo ang Liwanag na totoo na siyang nagliliwanag sa bawat tao. 10 Nasa mundo na nga siya, ang mundong nayari sa pamamagitan niya, at di naman siya kinilala ng mundo. 11 Sa sariling kanya siya dumating at hindi siya tinanggap ng mga kanya. 12 Ngunit sa lahat ng tumanggap sa kanya sa pananalig sa kanyang Pangalan, binigyang-kakayahan nga niya sila na maging mga anak ng Diyos. 13 Ipinanganak nga sila, hindi mula sa dugo, ni mula sa kagustuhan ng laman, ni sa kagustuhan ng lalaki kundi mula sa Diyos. 

14 At naging laman ang Wikang-Salita, at itinayo ang kanyang Tolda sa atin, at nakita natin ang kanyang Luwal­hati, Luwalhating mula sa Ama na bagay sa bugtong na Anak, lipos ng Kagandahang-loob at Katoto­hanan. 15 Nagpapatunay sa kanya si Juan at isinisigaw: “Siya ang sinabi kong ‘Nauna na sa akin ang dumating na kasunod ko, pagkat bago ako’y siya na’.” 16 Mula sa kanyang kapuspusan nga tumanggap tayong lahat – oo, abut-abot na kagandahang-loob.  

17 Sa pamamagitan ni Moises ibinigay ang Batas, sa pamamagitan naman ni Jesucristo dumating          ang Kagandahang-loob at Katotoha­nan. 18 Kailanma’y walang sinumang naka­kita sa Diyos; ang Diyos na Anak na bugtong siyang nasa kandungan ng Ama – ang nagpahayag sa kanya.

Reflection for December 25, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord; Christmas Midnight: Luke 2:1-14

Gospel: Luke 2:1-14

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

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Reflection:

What is a manger? It’s a box where feeds for farm animals are placed, where is a manger located? It’s located in a barn, what is a barn? It’s a small place where farm animals are located or housed. God chose Jesus to be born in that lowly location for a reason and that reason is for us to appreciate that Jesus comes to our life in the humblest and simplest occurrence. 

God could have chosen Jesus to be born in a palace befitting his status but God chose Jesus to be born in a humble location so that he would be accessible to all of us. If God chose Jesus to be born in a palace he would be distancing Himself from many of us for palaces befit only the rich, royalties’ and kings. 

Jesus was born in a barn because no other place was available for them or no one was willing to let them in. They went knocking from door to door but to no avail. Perhaps they were all busy that’s why they have no time to open their house for the birth of Jesus.  

On this night of the birth of Jesus, He is knocking at the doors of our hearts as well. Let us open our hearts to Jesus let us let Him dwell there for there is no greater gift that we can ever receive this Christmas than Jesus Himself because if we have Jesus we already have everything.  

Would you open your heart to Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 25 Sabado, Pasko ng Pagsilang ng Panginoon (Dakilang Kapistahan) Misa sa Hatinggabi: Lucas 2:1-14

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:1-14

1 Nang mga araw na iyon, nagpalabas ng kautusan si Emperador    Augusto na magpalista ang buong imperyo. 2 Naganap ang unang sensong ito nang si Quirinio ang gobernador sa Siria. 3 Kaya kailangang maglakbay ang bawat isa para sa kanya-kanyang bayan magpalista. 4 Umahon din si Jose mula sa bayan ng Nazaret sa Galilea. Mula siya sa angkan at lahi ni David kaya pumunta siya sa Judea upang sa bayan ni David na tinatawag na Betlehem magpalista, 5 kasama si Maria na ipinagkasundo na sa kanya na nagdada-lantao noon. 

6 Habang naroon sila, dumating ang sandali ng panganganak ni Maria. 7 At nagsilang siya ng isang lalaki na kanyang panganay. Binalot ito ng lampin at inihiga sa sabsaban – dahil walang lugar para sa kanila sa bahay.

• 8 Sa lupain ding iyo’y may mga pastol na nasa silungan na halinhinan sa pagbabantay sa kanilang kawan sa gabi. 9 Biglang dumating sa kanila ang isang anghel ng Panginoon at nagningning sa paligid nila ang luwalhati ng Panginoon; gayon na lamang ang takot nila. 10 Ngunit sinabi sa kanila ng anghel: “Huwag kayong matakot, ipinahahayag ko nga sa inyo ang magandang balita na magdudulot ng ma-laking kagalakan sa lahat ng bansa. 11 Ngayo’y isinilang sa inyo sa bayan ni David ang Tagapagligtas na si Kristong Panginoon. 12 At ito ang magiging palatandaan ninyo: ma-kikita ninyo ang isang sanggol na nababalot ng lampin at nakahiga sa sabsaban.”  

13 Biglang-bigla namang lumitaw kasama ng anghel ang isang makapal na hukbo ng langit, na nagpupuri sa Diyos at sinasabi: 14 “Papuri sa Diyos sa kaitaasan at sa lupa’y kapayapaan sa mga tao na kanyang mahal.”

Reflection for December 24, Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:67-79

Gospel: Luke 1:67-79

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: 

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. 

He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. 

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

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Reflection:

When do we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life? It’s when we make prayer part of our daily life. It’s when we have regular time reading the bible. It’s when we always make ourselves available for Holy Mass.  

Many of us do not pray often every day because we think that it takes time to pray, no it doesn’t take time to pray. We can even pray even for a few seconds because the efficacy of our prayer is not measured by its length it’s measured by our focus and intensity.  

Many of us don’t have anymore time to read the bible not knowing that the secret to a successful and worthy life in this world is in the bible. Many of us don’t attend Holy Mass regularly not knowing that Jesus is always present during Holy Mass. 

In our gospel we have Zechariah the father of John. He is not only a priest he is also a holy man and as such he is a prayerful man; he prays with focus and passion. Because of his prayerful life it was already automatic for Zechariah to be filled with God the Holy Spirit. 

The canticle of Zechariah was not only his own making it was also largely influenced by God the Holy Spirit whom he was always in touch with thru his prayerful life. It was the Holy Spirit who empowered Zechariah to compose his canticle or song of praise for God. 

Let us try to have an effective and passion filled prayer life. Let us try to have a regular time for reading of the bible and try to be always present during Holy Mass. And we would surely feel the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in our life. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 24 Biyernes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:67-79

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:67-79

67 Napuspos ng Espiritu Santo ang ama niyang si Zacarias at nagpro­pesiya nang ganito:  68 “Purihin ang Panginoon, ang Diyos ng Israel, dahil nilingap niya at tinubos ang kanyang bayan. 69 Mula sa sambahayan ni David na kanyang lingkod, ibinangon niya ang magliligtas sa atin, 70  ayon sa ipinangako niya noong una sa pamamagitan ng mga banal niyang propeta: 71 kaligtasan mula sa ating mga kaaway at sa kamay ng mga namumuhi sa atin.  

72 Nagpakita siya ng awa sa ating mga ninuno at inalaala ang banal niyang tipan, 73 ang pangakong sinumpaan niya sa ating amang si Abraham 74 na ililigtas tayo sa kamay ng ating mga kaaway, upang walang takot natin siyang mapag­ling­kuran, 75 nang may kabanalan at kataru­ngan sa harap niya sa buong buhay natin.  

76 At ikaw naman na munti pang anak ay tatawaging propeta ng Kataas-taasan. Mangunguna ka nga sa Panginoon para ihanda ang kanyang daan. 77 Ituturo mo ang kaligtasan sa kanyang bayan sa pagpapatawad niya sa kanilang mga sala. 78 Ito ang gagawin ng maawaain nating Diyos sa pagpapasikat niya sa atin ng araw na galing sa kaitaasan 79 upang liwanagan ang mga nananatili sa kadiliman at sa lilim ng kamatayan, at akayin ang ating mga yapak sa daan ng kapaya­paan.”

Reflection for December 23, Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:57-66

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 

But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 

Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”

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Reflection:

What can our fidelity to the desire of God do to us? It can bring us blessings, it can free us from the bondage of sin, and it can heal us from sickness and there are countless more blessings for those who are faithful. 

Initially the new born baby was supposed to be named after his father Zechariah for it was the tradition during that time. But his mother Elizabeth intervened, she told them that he is to be named John for that was the desire of God. 

The relatives were not fully convinced with the desire of Elizabeth to name her child John. So they asked Zechariah and on a tablet he wrote the name John. And immediately Zechariah was freed from the bondage of not being able to speak. 

God has always a reward for those who are faithful to His desire and this desire is to follow at all times His will for us. You may ask, and what is the desire of God? God’s desire  is for us to  follow His ten commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and to follow Jesus’ two greatest commandments of love (Matthew 22:36-40).  

We may not become rich and powerful in the measurement of this world if we would follow God’s commands. But we will certainly have peace in our life, peace that this world will not be able to give us no matter how rich and powerful we become.  

Do you always strive to follow the desire of God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 23 Huwebes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:57-66

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:57-66

57 Nang sumapit na ang panga­­nga­nak ni Elizabeth, isang anak na lalaki ang isinilang niya. 58 Na­rinig ng mga kapit­bahay at mga ka­mag-anakan niya kung gaano nagdalang-awa sa kanya ang Pa­nginoon kayat nakigalak sila sa kanya. 

59 Nang ikawalong araw na, duma­­ting sila pa­ra tuliin ang sanggol at pa­nga­­­nga­lanan sana nila itong Zacarias gaya ng kanyang ama. 60 Su­magot naman ang kanyang ina: “Hindi, tatawagin siyang Juan.” 61 Pero sinabi nila sa kanya: “Wala ka na­mang ka­mag-anak na may ganyang pangalan.” 62 Kaya sumenyas sila sa ama ng sang­­gol kung ano ang gusto niyang itawag dito. 63 Humingi siya ng isang sulatan, at sa pagtataka ng lahat ay kanyang isinulat: “Juan ang pangalan niya.” 64 Noon di’y nabuksan ang kanyang bibig at nakalag ang kanyang dila. Na­ka­pagsa­lita siya at nagpuri sa Diyos. 

65 Kaya namayani ang banal na pag­katakot sa kanilang mga kapitbahay. At naging usap-usapan ang lahat ng pang­ya­­yaring ito sa buong mataas na lupain ng Juda. 66 Nag-isip-isip ang mga nakarinig at nagtanungan: “Ano na kaya ang mang­yayari sa sanggol na ito?” Dahil suma­sa­kanya ngang talaga ang kamay ng Panginoon.  

1Reflection for December 22, Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:46-56

Gospel: Luke 1:46-56

Mary said: 

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit.  

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.” Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.

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Reflection:

Do you remember to proclaim the greatness of the Lord and does your spirit rejoice in God your savior? 

We may have different answers but the Blessed Mother pronounced these words (Magnificat) in the gospel with the purest of intentions. No double speak, it was pure rejoicing for her for she realized the great honor that God bestowed on her.        

Did the Blessed Mother still rejoice during the passion of her son Jesus? Of course in her humanity she did not but deep inside her she was also ready for it for she knew that her son was destined to become the savior of humanity.  

The Blessed Mother in her magnificat teaches us that we must proclaim and rejoice the greatness of Jesus we must thank Him for everything. In our triumphs and in our trials we must thank Him.  

 But do we always remember to thank the Lord for our triumphs and trials? And why should we also thank the Lord for our trials? For the simple reason that we also learn from our trials and there’s always silver lining behind every trial.  

Therefore, as Mary proclaimed the greatness of the Lord we too have to proclaim the Lord’s greatness most especially through our way of life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 22 Miyerkules sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:46-56

 

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:46-56

46 Sinabi ni Maria:

“Dinadakila ng aking kaluluwa ang Panginoon

47 at nagagalak ang aking espiritu sa Diyos na aking Tagapagligtas

48 dahil isinaalang-alang niya ang abang utu­san niya,

at mula ngayon, ituturing akong mapalad ng lahat ng salinlahi.

49 Dakila nga ang ginawa sa akin ng Ma­kapangya­rihan,

banal ang kanyang Pangalan.

50 Patuloy ang kanyang awa sa mga sali’t salinlahi

para sa mga may pitagan sa kanya.

51 Ipinakita niya ang lakas ng kanyang bisig,

ipinagtabuyan ang mga taong may ma­pagma­taas na balak.

52 Pinatalsik niya sa luklukan ang mga makapang­yarihan,

itinampok naman ang mga bale-wala.

53 Binusog niya ng mabubuting bagay ang mga na­gugutom

at itinaboy namang walang-wala ang maya­yaman.

54 Nilingap niya ang Israel na kanyang lingkod,

inalaala ang kanyang awa

55ayon sa ipinangako niya sa ating mga ninuno,

kay Abraham at sa kanyang angkan mag­paka­ilanman.”

56 Mga tatlong buwang nanatili si Ma­riang ka­sa­ma ni Elizabeth at saka nagbalik sa kanyang bahay. 

Reflection for Decembe 21 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:39-45

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about an adopted man who wanted to find out who was his real mother. So he asked his adoptive parents about the whereabouts of his biological mother. He was told that she lives in a faraway place. He told his parents; even if she lives in a faraway place I will go and find her for I owe my life to her. 

 So he went to the faraway place and there he found his mother, already very old and sickly. The son told his mother, I am your son, I am here to take care of you and I will never leave you alone from now on. The mother unabashedly cried and said, thank you for finding me and for bringing joy and hope into my life. 

Mary and Elizabeth must have been very close relatives and both may have known each other since childhood. Otherwise Mary would have not endeavored to go to a faraway place to visit and stay for six months with her cousin Elizabeth. 

In her visit to her cousin Elizabeth Mary imparts to us the importance of having concern for the welfare of others. Mary imparts to us that we should learn to forget our own needs in favor of those who are in great need of our help and care. 

Mary imparts to us the importance of reaching out and building bridges instead of walls. And last but certainly not the least Mary shows us the importance of giving Jesus to others. For this is the greatest gift of love that Mary brought to her cousin: She brought and gave Jesus to her. 

Let us think of our relatives or friends whom we have not seen or been in touch with for a long time. Why don’t we reach out to them? If our physical presence is not possible. We can reach out by communicating via the internet. A simple hello or how are you will surely lift their morale. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 21 Martes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:39-45

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-45

39 Nang mga araw ring iyo’y nag­mamadaling naglakbay si Maria pa­punta sa isang bayan sa mataas na lupain ng Juda. 40 Pumasok siya roon sa bahay ni Zacarias at binati si Eli­zabeth. 41 Nang marinig ni Elizabeth ang bati ni Maria, sumikad ang sanggol sa si­na­pupunan niya, at napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elizabeth 42 at mala­kas siyang sumigaw at sinabi: “Lubos kang pi­nagpala sa mga kababaihan. 

Pinag­pala rin ang bunga ng iyong sina­pu­punan! 43 Sino nga ba naman ako’t na­parito sa akin ang ina ng aking Pa­ngi­noon? 44 Nang umabot sa aking pan­dinig ang iyong pagbati, sumikad sa tuwa ang sanggol sa aking sina­pu­punan. 45 Pinagpapala ang naniniwa­lang magaganap ang mga sinabi sa kanya ng Pa­nginoon.”

Reflection for December 20, Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favor! The Lord is with you.' 

She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favor. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob forever and his reign will have no end. 

Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.' 

Mary said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.' And the angel left her.

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Reflection:

Do you always submit to the wisdom God? 

Sometimes there are situations in our lives that would disturb our peace, for example a sudden diagnoses of sickness. This kind of life event will surely bother us. But in the midst of this life disturbances let us not forget that the good Lord is always there for us. To heal us, to give us hope and to assure us that He will always be there for us. 

When the angel Gabriel appeared and greeted Mary she was naturally concerned about it. Perhaps the Blessed Mother asked herself, why did this angel appear to me? What would this angel bring me; a trial that is hard for me to bear? 

But the angel told the Blessed Mother that she would bear a son and His name is Jesus. The angel further said that she has nothing to worry because the Lord will take care of her. Thus, the Blessed Mother humbly accepted her destiny and entrusted herself to God. 

Whatever we are going through right now or we might go through in the future. Be it sickness or severe trial that may test our fidelity to Jesus, let us hold on to our deep faith in Jesus. For as long as we have faith there would be hope and deliverance from all of life’s challenges. 

As the Blessed Mother entrusted her fate to the good Lord we too must learn to submit to God’s will for ourselves. Let us never worry for God is always there for us and never will He abandon us. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday December 19, Fourth Sunday of Advent: Luke 1:39-45

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

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Reflection:

Would you be willing to forgo your own welfare for the welfare of others? 

Aside from the birth of the Lord, one of the enduring and relevant messages of Christmas is self- emptying of ourselves. Self-emptying means to look less on our personal needs and focus it on the needs of others. 

Considering that she was also pregnant at that time. Mary did not focus on her own needs and safety. She looked outside of herself or emptied herself to make an impact on the life of her cousin Elizabeth: This is what we must always emulate every Christmas time and even every day, to empty and make ourselves available for others. 

Children usually focus their Christmas celebrations and expectations for themselves. That's why during Christmas they ask for gifts from their parents and god parents. Nothing is wrong with this but in a deeper sense Christmas is not about ourselves. 

Christmas is about the self-emptying of God’s only begotten son for our sake. Therefore, it is inherent upon us to continue Jesus selfless act of self-emptying by making others happy this Christmas. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Disyembre 19 Ikaapat na Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:39-45

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-45

39 Nang mga araw ring iyo’y nag­mamadaling naglakbay si Maria pa­punta sa isang bayan sa mataas na lupain ng Juda. 40 Pumasok siya roon sa bahay ni Zacarias at binati si Eli­zabeth. 41 Nang marinig ni Elizabeth ang bati ni Maria, sumikad ang sanggol sa si­na­pupunan niya, at napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elizabeth 42 at mala­kas siyang sumigaw at sinabi: “Lubos kang pi­nagpala sa mga kababaihan. 

Pinag­pala rin ang bunga ng iyong sina­pu­punan! 43 Sino nga ba naman ako’t na­parito sa akin ang ina ng aking Pa­ngi­noon? 44 Nang umabot sa aking pan­dinig ang iyong pagbati, sumikad sa tuwa ang sanggol sa aking sina­pu­punan. 45 Pinagpapala ang naniniwa­lang magaganap ang mga sinabi sa kanya ng Pa­nginoon.”

Reflection for December 18, Saturday of the Third Week of Advent: Matthew 1:18-25

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.  

Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.  When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son and he named him Jesus.

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Reflection:
Do you always follow the will of the Lord?

Upon learning that Mary was already pregnant Joseph decided to quietly divorce her. But an Angel of the Lord appeared through his dream. And intervened and told him not to divorce Mary for the reason that the child in her womb was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 

After waking up Joseph obeyed what the angel told him. He stayed with Mary, He protected her and saw to it that she would receive the best love and care that she could ever have. Such is Saint Joseph, righteous, humble, docile and obedient to the will of the Lord.  

In this time wherein, the Sacrament of Matrimony is not given much importance by some liberated minds and is treated as a simple paper contract by many of us. We have Saint Joseph reminding us about the sacredness of the Sacrament of Marriage. We have Saint Joseph reminding us that we must not stray and we must not betray it no matter the temptation. We have Saint Joseph reminding us that Marriage is not only a paper contract. It is in fact a covenant between the couple and Jesus.  

Let us examine ourselves on how we put value on the Sacrament of Marriage. And let us follow the example of Saint Joseph on how he deeply loved the Blessed Mother. And how he sacrificed his own will to follow the will of God. 

Do you always follow the will of the Lord for your marriage? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 18 Sabado sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 1:18-25

 

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:18-25

18 Ganito ipinanganak si Jesucristo. Ipinag­kasundo na kay Jose ang kanyang inang si Maria pero bago sila nagsama bilang mag-asawa, nagdadalantao na siya gawa ng Espiritu Santo. 19 Kaya binalak ni Jose na hiwalayan nang lihim ang kanyang asawa. Matuwid nga siya at ayaw niya itong mapahiya. 

20 Habang iniisip-isip niya ito, napa­kita sa kanya sa panaginip ang Anghel ng Panginoon at sinabi: “Jose, anak ni David, huwag kang matakot na tanggapin si Maria bilang iyong asawa. Gawa ng Espiritu Santo kaya siya naglihi, 21 at manga­nganak siya ng isang sanggol na lalaki, na panga­ngalanan mong Jesus sapagkat siya ang magliligtas sa kanyang sambayanan mula sa kanilang mga kasa­lanan.” 

22 Nangyari ang lahat ng ito para matu­pad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamama­gitan ng Propeta: 23 “Maglilihi ang birhen at magsisilang ng isang sanggol na lalaki at tatawagin nila siyang Emmanuel na ibig sabihi’y Nasa-atin-ang-Diyos.” 24 Ka­ya pagka­gising ni Jose, ginawa niya ang sinabi ng Anghel ng Panginoon at tinang­gap niya ang kanyang asawa. 25 Ngunit hindi sila nag­talik bago isilang ang sang­­gol. At pina­ngalanan niya itong Jesus.

Reflection for December 17, Friday of the Third Week of Advent: John Matthew 1:1-17

Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 

Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. 

David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. 

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. 

Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.

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Reflection:

How is your family tree? 

The family tree of Jesus is not what we expect it to be some were sinners like us, for example King David committed adultery with a woman named Bathsheba. There were other sinners in His family tree but God chose to imbed Jesus in that lineage.  

The incarnate God our Emmanuel wants to dwell in us too it doesn’t matter who we are or how sinful we are. The Lord wants to be with us so that we could find peace and contentment in our lives. Peace and contentment that are lacking in our lives today. 

As we trace back the members of our own family tree we surely would find imperfect personalities amongst them. But it should not dishearten us for the simple reason that nobody is perfect in this world. So, we have to accept the imperfect ones and we have to let them know that God’s love is always there for them.   

Advent is the coming of the Lord in our own respective lives. The Lord who comes to us no matter how sinful we are, the Lord who doesn’t look at our sinful past. The Lord who is only interested in our present and future.   -  Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 17 Biyernes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 1:1-17

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:1-17

1 Ito ang libro ng pinagmulan ni Jesu­cristo, anak ni David at anak ni Abraham. 2 Si Abraham ang ama ni Isaac, si Isaac ang ama ni Jacob, si Jacob ang ama ni Juda at ng kanyang mga kapatid. 3 Si Juda ang ama nina Parez at Zerah (si Tamar ang kanilang ina), si Parez ang ama ni Esron, at si Esron ni Aram. 4 Si Aram naman ang ama ni Aminadab, si Ami­­nadab ni Naason, si Naason ni Sal­mon. 

5 Si Salmon ang ama ni Boaz, at si Rahab naman ang kanyang ina. Si Boaz ang ama ni Obed, si Ruth ang kanyang ina. Si Obed naman ang ama ni Jese. 6 Si Jese ang ama ni David na hari. Si David ang ama ni Solomon, at ang na­ging maybahay ni Urias ang kanyang ina. 

7 Si Solomon ang ama ni Rehoboam na ama ni Abias, at sumunod naman ang mga haring sina Asa, 8 Yosafat, Yoram, Ocias, 9 Yoatan, Ahaz, Ezekias, 10 Mana­ses, Amon at Yosias. 11 Si Yosias ang ama ni Yekonias at ng kanyang mga kapatid, sa panahon ng pagkatapon sa Babilonia. 12 Pagkatapos naman ng pagkatapon sa Babilonia – si Yekonias ang ama ni Salatiel na ama ni Zorobabel. 

13 Si Zorobabel ang ama ni Abiud, si Abiud ni Eliakim, at si Eliakim ni Azor. 14 Si Azor ang ama ni Sadok, si Sadok ni Akim, at si Akim ni Eliud. 15 Si Eliud ang ama ni Eleazar, si Eleazar ni Matan at si Matan ni Jacob. 16 Si Jacob ang ama ni Jose – ang asawa ni Maria na siyang pinagmulan ni Jesus na tinawag na Kristo. 17 Kaya may labing-apat na salinlahi mula kay Abraham hanggang kay David at labing-apat mula kay David hang­gang sa pagkatapon sa Babi­lonia at labing-apat din hanggang sa Kristo.

Reflection for December 16, Thursday of the Third Week of Advent: John 5:33-36 (1st day of Simbang Gabi)

Gospel: John 5:33-36

Jesus said to the Jews: “You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved. John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.”

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Reflection:

Do you have a personal testimony about Jesus? For example an instance in your life wherein Jesus changed you to become a gentler and loving person or you were brought out of a sinful life by the Lord or any experience that you have about Jesus. 

If you have this one of a kind life changing experience with Jesus you have to share it, don’t just keep it to yourself.  This is for the reason that when you share your life experience with Jesus you can change another life courtesy of Jesus through you. 

However we have to remember that we have to share Jesus with humility and gentleness. For the simple reason that this is where we could become more effective heralds of our savior. If we share Jesus with bombast we may never be able to bring others close to Him because people normally gravitate toward the humble and gentle.  

If we are afraid of sharing Jesus through the spoken word let us not be afraid to share Jesus through our actions. Actions of love, humility and gentleness for the simple reason that these acts are the best testament that Jesus is alive and has an active part in our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Disyembre 16 Huwebes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Juan 5:33-36 (Simula ng Simbang Gabi)

Mabuting Balita: Juan 5:33-36

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Judio 33 Nagpasugo kayo kay Juan at binigyang-patunay niya ang katotohanan. 34 Ipinaaalaala ko ito para maligtas kayo; ngunit hindi ko hangad ang patunay mula sa tao. 35 Siya nga ang ilaw na may sindi at nagniningning, at ginusto n’yong magalak pansaman­tala sa kanyang liwanag.  

36 May patunay naman ako na higit pa kaysa kay Juan – ang mga gawang bigay sa akin ng Ama upang tuparin ko ang mga iyon. Ang mga gawa mismong ginagawa ko ang nagpapatunay na sinugo ako ng Ama.