Reflection for Sunday April 7, Second Sunday of Easter Sunday of Divine Mercy: 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:

Where was Thomas when Jesus appeared to His disciples in the upper room? We don’t know we can only surmise that he was doing something that made him miss their meeting. Was his activity during that night more important than to meet and pray with his fellow disciples?  

By missing their meeting Thomas subsequently missed also the sacred presence of the risen Christ.  He missed being blessed by Jesus’ miraculous presence and Thomas missed being imparted the  blessing of peace by the Lord. What a lost of opportunity for Thomas! If only he knew beforehand that their Lord and Master would be making a miraculous appearance in their meeting he would have not dared miss it. 

Some of us may see ourselves in Thomas, we who oftentimes miss to go to church for Holy Mass. We who put our Sunday sacred meeting with the Lord at the backseat in favor of our many worldly preoccupations.  

What do we miss when we absent ourselves for Holy Mass? We miss to be with Jesus, we miss to partake of His Body and Blood. We miss to be blessed by His powerful and blessings- filled words. We miss to be in powerful prayer meeting with our brothers and sisters in faith. We also miss to receive His healing and blessing of peace which He silently gives to us every time we are at Mass.  

Thomas learned his lesson; that’s why he made himself available in their second meeting. We too should learn our lesson by always prioritizing our sacred meeting with the Lord at Holy Mass.  

Do you always try your very best not to miss your encounter with the Lord during Sunday Mass? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Linggo Abril 7, Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay Linggo ng Banal na Awa ng Panginoon: Juan 20:19-31

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:19-31

Kinagabihan ng araw ding iyon, ang mga alagad ay nagkakatipon. Nakapinid ang mga pinto ng bahay na kanilang pinagtitipunan dahil sa takot nila sa mga Judio. Dumating si Jesus at tumayo sa gitna nila. "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" sabi niya. 

Pagkasabi nito, ipinakita niya ang kanyang mga kamay at ang kanyang tagiliran. Tuwang-tuwa ang mga alagad nang makita ang Panginoon. Sinabi na naman ni Jesus, "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan! Kung paanong sinugo ako ng Ama, gayon din naman, sinusugo ko kayo." Pagkatapos, sila'y hiningahan niya at sinabi, "Tanggapin ninyo ang Espiritu Santo. Ang patawarin ninyo sa kanilang mga kasalanan ay pinatawad na nga; ang hindi ninyo patawarin ay hindi nga pinatawad."

Ngunit si Tomas na tinaguriang Kambal, isa sa Labindalawa, ay wala roon nang dumating si Jesus. Kaya't sinabi sa kanya ng ibang alagad, "Nakita namin ang Panginoon!" Sumagot si Tomas, "Hindi ako maniniwala hangga't di ko nakikita ang butas ng mga pako sa kanyang mga kamay, at naisusuot dito ang aking mga daliri, at hangga't hindi ko naipapasok ang aking kamay sa kanyang tagiliran."

Makalipas ang walong araw, muling nagkatipon sa loob ng bahay ang mga alagad; kasama nila si Tomas. Nakapinid ang mga pinto, ngunit pumasok si Jesus at tumayo sa gitna nila. Sinabi niya, "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" Saka sinabi kay Tomas, "Tingnan mo ang aking mga kamay at ilapit dito ang iyong daliri. 

Ipasok mo ang iyong kamay sa aking tagiliran. Huwag ka nang mag-alinlangan, maniwala ka na." Sumagot si Tomas, "Panginoon ko at Diyos ko!" Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Naniniwala ka na ba sapagkat nakita mo ako? Mapapalad ang mga naniniwala kahit hindi nila ako nakita."

Marami pang kababalaghang ginawa si Jesus na nasaksihan ng mga alagad, ngunit hindi natatala sa aklat na ito. Ang mga natala rito'y sinulat upang sumampalataya kayong si Jesus ang Mesias, ang Anak ng Diyos, at sa gayo'y magkaroon kayo ng buhay sa pamamagitan niya. 

Reflection for April 6, 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:

What can you do to influence others to believe that Jesus is risen? You have to proclaim the gospel through your way of life. What does this mean? You have to live the life and behavior of Jesus because this is the only way for others to be convinced that Jesus is risen.  

In the gospel, Mary Magdalene told her companions that Jesus is alive however nobody believed her. Jesus also appeared to the disciples and these disciples in turn told the other disciples about the appearance of the risen Christ but they did not believe either.  

The most concrete manifestation that Jesus is risen and alive is us! It is through us that others would believe about the risen Christ. What are we going to do so that those that we encounter would believe that Jesus is real, risen and alive?  

We have to become another Jesus for them. We have to be humble as Jesus is humble, we  have to be helpful as Jesus is helpful. We have to be loving and forgiving as Jesus is loving and forgiving and so forth.

We have to know how to empathize for Jesus knows how to empathize. We have to stop judging and condemning others as Jesus did not judge neither condemned anyone. In other words in Jesus we’ll find someone who will listen to us, who will not judge and condemn us for the things that we’ve done in the past. Because Jesus is only concerned of our present and our future with Him.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 6 Sabado sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Marcos 16:9-15

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:9-15

Umagang-umaga ng araw ng Linggo, matapos na muling mabuhay si Hesus, siya’y unang napakita kay Maria Magdalena. Pitong demonyo ang pinalayas ni Hesus sa babaing ito. Pumunta siya sa mga alagad ni Hesus, na noo’y nahahapis at umiiyak, at ibinalita ang kanyang nakita. 

Ngunit hindi sila naniwala sa sinabi ni Maria na buhay si Hesus at napakita sa kanya. Siya’y napakita rin sa dalawang alagad na naglalakad patungo sa bukid, ngunit iba ang kanyang kaanyuan. Bumalik sa Jerusalem ang dalawa at ibinalita sa kanilang kasamahan ang nangyari, ngunit sila ma’y hindi pinaniwalaan. 

Pagkatapos, napakita siya sa Labing-isa samantalang kumakain ang mga ito. Pinagwikaan niya sila dahil sa hindi nila pananalig sa kanya, at sa katigasan ng ulo, sapagkat hindi sila naniwala sa mga nakakita sa kanya pagkatapos na siya’y muling mabuhay. At sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Humayo kayo sa buong sanlibutan at ipangaral ninyo sa lahat ang Mabuting Balita.”

Reflection for April 5, Friday in the Octave of Easter: John 21:1-14

Gospel: John 21:1-14

Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing. They said to him, “We also will come with you. So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 

When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” 

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 

When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” 

And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you? because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel abandoned by Jesus? There are times that we go through some arid stages in our lives. We feel abandoned by our friends, relative and even Jesus, But does Jesus abandon us? Perhaps our friends and relatives would abandon us especially when they become rich or achieve an exalted status in life. But Jesus abandoning us? Never will He abandon us! 

With the death of Jesus the disciples had no other option but to go back to their former way of life: none other than fishing. It must have been difficult for them to go back fishing for they’ve been detached from it for three long years. Perhaps they even thought that they would never go back to fishing but something tragic happened to their Lord and Master. 

Therefore there was no other choice for them but to go back to their former job as fishermen. From being fishermen they became fishers of men and now they go back again to being real fishermen. After three long years they went fishing for the very first time, it must have been very hard for them. Perhaps when they were at sea they were still thinking of Jesus and terribly longing for His presence. That’s why they failed to concentrate on fishing in the process they caught nothing. 

Then the feeling of weariness, loneliness and the feeling of being abandoned was immediately replaced by joy and hope when they saw Jesus waiting for them ashore. Jesus asked them, have you caught anything? They said none, afterwards, Jesus told them; Put once again your nets at sea where you are right now. No need for you to go far, drop it where you are right now. And then the miracle happened they caught an enormous number of fish.     

Relating this gospel with our personal journey with Jesus. There would also be episodes of weariness, loneliness and perhaps feeling of abandonment. But in the midst of these episodes let us stay the course for Jesus will make His way back to us when we least expect it. Never will  He leave much less abandon us for He will always be there for us.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 5 Biyernes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:1-14

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:1-14

Noong panahong iyon, muling napakita si Jesus sa mga alagad sa tabi ng Lawa ng Tiberias. Ganito ang pangyayari. Magkakasama sina Simon Pedro, Tomas na tinaguriang Kambal, Natanael na taga-Cana, Galilea, ang mga anak ni Zebedeo, at dalawa pang alagad. Sinabi sa kanila ni Simon Pedro, "Mangingisda ako." "Sasama kami," wika nila.  

Umalis sila at lumulan sa bangka, subalit walang nahuli nang gabing iyon. Nang magbubukang-liwayway na, tumayo si Jesus sa pampang , subalit hindi siya nakilala ng mga alagad. Sinabi niya, "Mga anak, mayroon ba kayong huli?" "Wala po," tugon nila. "Ihulog ninyo ang lambat sa gawing kanan ng bangka, at makahuhuli kayo," sabi ni Jesus. Inihulog nga nila ang lambat at hindi nila ito mahila sa dami ng huli.  

Sinabi kay Pedro ng alagad na minamahal ni Jesus, "Ang Panginoon iyon!" Nang marinig ito ni Simon Pedro, siya'y nagsuot ng Damit sapagkat hubad siya at tumalon sa tubig. Ang kasama niyang mga alagad ay sumapit sa pampang, sakay nang munting bangka, hila-hila ang bangka na puno ng isda. Hindi sila gaanong kalayuan sa pampang -- mga siyamnapung metro lamang.  

Pag-ahon nila sa pampang ay nakakita sila roon ng mga baga na may isdang nakaihaw, at ilang tinapay. "Magdala kayo rito ng ilang isdang nahuli ninyo," sabi ni Jesus. Kaya't sumampa sa bangka si Simon Pedro at hinila sa pampang ang lambat na puno ng malalaking isda -- sandaan at limampu't tatlong lahat.  

Hindi napunit ang lambat, kahit ganoon karami ang isda. Halikayo at mag-almusal tayo" sabi ni Jesus. Isa man sa mga alagad ay walang nangahas magtanong kung sino siya, sapagkat alam nila na siya ang Panginoon. Lumapit si Jesus, kinuha ang tinapay at ibinigay sa kanila, gayon din ang isda.  

Ito ang ikatlong pagpapakita ni Jesus sa mga alagad pagkatapos na siya'y muling mabuhay.

Reflection for April 4, Thursday in the Octave of Easter: Luke 24:35-48

Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?  

Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

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Reflection:

What if the disciples did not recount their experience with the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread to their fellow disciples? Perhaps Jesus would not have appeared in their midst. Perhaps Jesus would have just said, 'I will not show myself to them anymore; anyway, they've easily forgotten me.’

But Cleopas and his companion hearts were still aflame with desire in sharing their experience with Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why Jesus appeared in their midst and this gave Him enough reason to give them His greeting of peace.  

How often do we talk about Jesus with our friends and family members? Perhaps not very often, maybe we just hear and talk about Jesus when we are at church for Holy Mass. However, when we are at home or living our lives in the secular world we never talk about Jesus.  

Why is it that we rarely talk about Jesus when we are out of church? Are we ashamed of Jesus? Are we afraid that we would be disliked by our friends and they would perceive us as someone who is not in touch with the realities of life?  

Let us not think twice to talk about the Lord or to share our personal experiences on how the Lord has manifested himself in our lives. By doing so we bring others closer to the Lord and who knows we might be the bridge to their conversion. 

Have you shared your personal experience about how the Lord has manifested in your life? Or perhaps how the Lord has made a miracle in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 4 Huwebes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Lucas 24:35-48

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:35-48

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang isinalaysay ng mga alagad ni Hesus ang nangyari sa daan, at kung paano nila siyang nakilala nang pagpira-pirasuhin niya ang tinapay. Samantalang pinag-uusapan nila ito, si Hesus ay tumayo sa gitna nila. "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" sabi niya sa kanila. Ngunit nagulat sila at natakot sapagkat ang akala nila'y multo ang nasa harapan nila.  

Kaya't sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, "Ano't kayo'y nagugulumihanan? Bakit nag-aalinlangan pa kayo? Tingnan ninyo ang aking kamay at paa, ako nga ito. Hipuin nga ninyo at pagmasdan. Ang multo'y walang laman at buto, ngunit ako'y mayroon, tulad ng nakikita ninyo." At pagkasabi nito, ipinakita niya sa kanila ang kanyang mga kamay at mga paa. Nang hindi pa rin sila makapaniwala dahil sa malaking galak at pagkamangha, tinanong sila ni Hesus, "May makakain ba riyan?" Siya'y binigyan nila ng kaputol na isdang inihaw, kinuha niya ito at kinain sa harapan nila.  

Pagkatapos, sinabi sa mga alagad, "Ito ang tinutukoy ko nang sabihin ko sa inyo noong kasama-sama pa ninyo ako: dapat matupad ang lahat ng nasusulat tungkol sa akin sa Kautusan ni Moises sa mga aklat ng mga propeta at sa aklat ng mga Awit." At binuksan niya ang kanilang mga pag-iisip upang maunawaan nila ang mga Kasulatan.  

Sinabi niya sa kanila. "Ganito ang mga nasusulat: kinakailangang magbata ng hirap at mamatay ang Mesias at muling mabuhay sa ikatlong araw. Sa kanyang pangalan, ang pagsisisi at kapatawaran ng mga kasalanan ay dapat ipangaral sa lahat ng bansa, magmula sa Jerusalem. Kayo ang mga saksi sa bagay na ito."

Reflection for April 3, Wednesday in the Octave 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 you know that the Lord Jesus is always walking with you during the highest and more so in the lowest episodes of your life?

In the gospel, while Cleopas and the other disciple were going to Emmaus, the risen Christ suddenly walked with them and conversed with them. They had no inkling that it was already the risen Christ who was with them. Why? This is for the reason that their focus was not on the risen Christ but on the Christ who died on the cross.  

When they reached Emmaus it was already night time so they invited Jesus to stay in their house. And while they were at a table Jesus took bread broke it said the blessings and shared it with the two of them. They immediately recognized that it was the risen Jesus who was with them. Because Jesus did the same sacred gesture before them and the apostles during the last supper in the upper room (Luke 22:19-20).  

Cleopas and the other disciple are not alone in this predicament of not immediately recognizing the presence of Jesus in their midst. For we too are often guilty of not recognizing that Jesus is always walking with us.  And the reason is we are always busy with the affairs of this world, we are busy on how we would survive life’s daily grind.

But all that we do for this world will count for nothing someday if we have no personal relationship with Jesus. And if we don’t have a personal awareness of Jesus abiding presence in our lives.

God wants us to have a personal relationship with Him. So that we would always have an awareness that He is always with us, walking with us even during the lowest episodes of our journey in this world. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 3 Miyerkules sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Lucas 24:13-35

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:13-35

Nang araw ding iyon, ang dalawa sa mga alagad ay patungo sa isang nayong tinatawag na Emaus, may labing-isang kilometro ang layo sa Jerusalem. Pinag-uusapan nila ang mga pangyayari. Samantalang nag-uusap sila at nagtatanungan, lumapit si Hesus at nakisabay sa kanila.  

Siya'y nakita nila, ngunit hindi nakilala agad. Tinanong sila ni Hesus, "Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan ninyo?" At tumigil silang nalulumbay. Sinabi ng isa na ang ngala'y Cleopas, "Kayo po lamang yata ang dayuhan sa Jerusalem na hindi nakaaalam sa mga bagay na katatapos pa lamang nangyari roon." "Anong mga bagay?" tanong niya. At sumagot sila, "Tungkol kay Hesus na taga-Nazaret, isang propetang makapangyarihan sa gawa at sa salita, maging sa harapan ng Diyos at ng mga tao.  

Isinakdal siya ng aming mga punong saserdote at mga pinuno upang mahatulang mamatay, at siya'y ipinako sa krus. Siya pa naman ang inaasahan naming magpapalaya sa Israel. Hindi lamang iyan. Ikatlong araw na ngayon mula nang mangyari ito, nabigla kami sa ibinalita ng ilan sa mga babaing kasamahan namin. 

Maagang-maaga raw silang nagpunta sa libingan, at di nila natagpuan ang kanyang bangkay. Nagbalik sila at ang sabi'y nakakita raw sila ng isang pangitain -- mga anghel na nagsabing buhay si Hesus. Pumunta rin sa libingan ang ilan sa mga kasama namin at gayon nga ang natagpuan nila, ngunit hindi nila nakita si Hesus."  

Sinabi sa kanila ni Hesus, "Kay hahangal ninyo! Ano't hindi ninyo mapaniwalaan ang lahat ng sinabi ng mga propeta? Hindi ba't ang Mesias ay kailangang magbata ng lahat ng ito bago niya kamtan ang kanyang marangal na katayuan?" At ipinaliwanag sa kanila ni Hesus ang lahat ng nasasaad sa Kasulatan tungkol sa kanyang sarili, simula sa mga aklat ni Moises hanggang sa sinulat ng mga propeta. 

Malapit na sila sa nayong kanilang patutunguhan, at si Hesus ay waring magpapatuloy pa ng lakad. Ngunit siya'y pinakapigil-pigil nila. "Tumuloy na po kayo rito sa amin," anila, "sapagkat palubog na ang araw at dumidilim na." Kaya't sumama nga siya sa kanila. Nang siya'y kasalo na nila sa hapag, dumampot siya ng tinapay at nagpasalamat sa Diyos, saka pinaghati-hati at ibinigay sa kanila.  

Nabuksan ang kanilang paningin at nakita nila si Hesus, subalit ito'y biglang nawala. At nawika nila, "Kaya pala gayon ang pakiramdam natin habang tayo'y kinakausap sa daan at ipinapaliwanag sa atin ang mga Kasulatan!" 

Noon di'y tumindig sila at nagbalik sa Jerusalem. Naratnan nilang nagkakatipon ang Labing-isa at ang ibang mga kasama nila na nag-uusap-usap, "Muli ngang nabuhay ang Panginoon! Napakita kay Simon!" At isinalaysay naman ng dalawa ang nangyari sa daan, at kung paano siyang nakilala nang paghati-hatiin niya ang tinapay.

Reflection for April 2, Tuesday in the Octave of Easter: John 20:11-18

Gospel: John 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.  

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for? She thought it was the gardener and said to him,“ Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him. Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni, which means Teacher.  

Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them,‘I am going to my Father and your Father to my God and your God.’Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord, and then reported what he had told her.

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Reflection:

How does it feel to lose a close friend or relative? It feels like an important part of you has been taken permanently away from you. This was how Mary Magdalene felt when she was near the tomb of Jesus. She was forlorn, who would not be? Anyone who loses somebody close would feel the same way.  

In the midst of her melancholy Jesus appeared to Mary and told her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them,‘I am going to my Father and your Father to my God and your God (John 20:17).  

When Jesus told Mary stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Perhaps, Jesus wanted to tell Mary this: Let go of the memory of my violent death for I have resurrected already. Instead announce the good news of my resurrection which Mary did after Jesus appeared to her.  

How does this gospel speak to you? Do you feel Jesus speaking to you and telling you to move and share the good news? To have courage to share His teachings through your works and actions?  

Humans as we are we yield every once in a while to discouragement and sadness. Yet we must not forget that Jesus has risen, that Jesus abiding presence is with us and He always walks with us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 2 Martes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 20:11-18

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:11-18

Noong panahong iyon, si Maria'y nakatayong umiiyak sa labas ng libingan; yumuko siya at tumingin sa loob. May nakita siyang dalawang anghel na nakaupo sa pinaglagyan ng bangkay ni Hesus, ang isa'y sa gawing ulunan at ang isa nama'y sa paanan. Tinanong nila si Maria, "Ale, bakit kayo umiiyak?" Sumagot siya, "Kinuha po nila ang aking Panginoon, at hindi ko alam kung saan nila dinala." 

Lumingon siya pagkasabi nito, at nakita niya si Hesus na nakatayo roon, ngunit hindi niya nakilalang si Jesus iyon. Tinanong siya ni Hesus, "Bakit ka umiiyak? Sino ang hinahanap mo?" Akala ni Maria'y siya ang tagapag-alaga ng halamanan, kaya't sinabi niya, "Ginoo, kung kayo po ang kumuha sa kanya, ituro ninyo sa akin kung saan ninyo dinala at kukunin ko." 

"Maria!" ani Hesus. Humarap siya at kanyang sinabi, "Raboni!"-- ibig sabihi'y "Guro." "Huwag mo akong hawakan, sapagkat hindi pa ako nakapupunta sa Ama," wika ni Jesus. Sa halip, pumunta ka sa aking mga kapatid at sabihin mong aakyat ako sa aking Ama at inyong Ama, sa aking Diyos at inyong Diyos." Kaya't si Maria Magdalena'y pumunta sa mga alagad at sinabi, "Nakita ko ang Panginoon!" At tuloy sinabi sa kanila ang bilin ni Hesus.

Reflection for April 1, Monday in the Octave of Easter: Matthew 28:8-15

Gospel: Matthew 28:8-15

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”  

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ 

And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.

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Reflection:

How do you manifest in your life that Jesus is alive and risen? The best manifestation that Jesus is alive and risen is by sharing your faith. Sharing it with your words and sharing it with your works. 

For example, you see someone who is in need of guidance or counseling, do you take time to offer your guidance? Or you see somebody who is hungry; do you have the initiative to give food? When someone who did you wrong ask for forgiveness, do you forgive and let bygones be bygones?  

When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw the empty tomb. They immediately run to share the good news of Jesus’ resurrection to their fellow believers. They were excited to share the good news of Jesus’ conquering death.  

The best proof that Jesus has conquered death and is risen is you! Every time you do good works, every time you say good and healing words. And every time you forgive those who did you wrong you manifest that Jesus is alive and risen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Abril 1 Lunes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Mateo 28:8-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 28:8-15

Noong panahong iyon, dali-daling umalis ang mga babae sa libingan. Pinagharian sila ng magkahalong takot at galak. At patakbong nagpunta sa mga alagad upang ibalita ang nangyari.  

Ngunit sinalubong sila ni Jesus at binati. At lumapit sila, niyakap ang kanyang paa at sinamba siya. Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus, "Huwag kayong matakot! Humayo kayo at sabihin sa mga kapatid ko na pumunta sila sa Galilea, at makikita nila ako roon!" 

Pagkaalis ng mga babae, pumunta naman sa lunsod ang ilan sa mga kawal na nagbabantay sa libingan at ibinalita sa mga punong saserdote ang lahat ng nangyari. Nagtipun-tipon ang mga ito at matapos makipagpulong sa mga matatanda ng bayan, sinuhulan ng malaki ang mga kawal. 

At inutusan sila na ganito ang ipamalita, "Samantalang natutulog kami kagabi, naparito ang kanyang mga alagad at ninakaw ang bangkay." Sinabi pa nila, "Huwag kayong mag-alaala, makarating man ito sa gobernador. Kami ang bahala!" Tinanggap ng mga bantay ang salapi at ginawa ang bilin sa kanila. Hanggang ngayon, ito pa rin ang sabi-sabi ng mga Judio.

Reflection for Sunday March 31, Easter Sunday The Resurrection of the Lord: John 20:1-9

Gospel: John 20:1-9

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.

So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. 

Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

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Reflection:

How profound is your love for Jesus? Mary of Magdala, Peter and the beloved disciple loved Jesus deeply. Perhaps to say that the three of them were distressed is an understatement when Jesus’ body was buried. They certainly felt that a certain part of them had been taken away from them permanently. For this is how it feels when somebody we love deeply dies.

Therefore by the next day or in the early hours of the next day Mary of Magdala went to the tomb only to find out that Jesus’ body was not there anymore. She told Peter and the beloved disciple about the missing body of Jesus. So racing against time they went to see for themselves the empty tomb of Jesus. 

What does this gospel episode signify to us? Does it tell us that we too should look and long for Jesus? Surely it tells us that we too should have this ever present longing for Jesus. For the simple reason that the moment we long for the Lord we surely would soon find Him.

Jesus is alive and Jesus has risen yet many are not longing for Him. This is the sad truth: many are still not longing for Him. Why? Because many don’t care to share Him and many don’t care to live His teachings.

Let us therefore be different from those who don’t care to share Jesus. Let us humbly share the Resurrected Christ through our words and through our way of life. So that through us many will be enlightened and be blessed by our Risen Savior.

Would you care to share the risen Christ or you will continue to keep Him within you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Linggo Marso 31, Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 20:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:1-9

Madilim-dilim pa ng araw ng Linggo, naparoon na si Maria Magdalena sa libingan. Naratnan niyang naalis na ang batong panakip sa pinto ng libingan. Dahil dito, patakbo siyang pumunta kay Simon Pedro at sa alagad na mahal ni Jesus, at sinabi sa kanila, "Kinuha sa libingan ang Panginoon at hindi namin alam kung saan dinala!"  

Kaya't si Pedro at ang nasabing alagad ay nagpunta sa libingan. Kapwa sila tumakbo ngunit si Pedro'y naunahan ng kasamang alagad. Yumuko ito at sumilip sa loob. Nakita niyang nakalatag ang mga kayong lino, ngunit hindi siya pumasok. Kasunod niyang dumating si Simon Pedro at tuloy-tuloy itong pumasok sa libingan.  

Nakita niya ang mga kayong lino at ang panyong ibinalot sa ulo. Hindi ito kasama ng mga kayong lino, kundi hiwalay na nakatiklop sa isang tabi. Pumasok din ang alagad na naunang dumating; nakita niya ito at siya'y naniwala. Hindi pa nila nauunawaan ang nasasaad sa Kasulatan, na kailangang muling mabuhay si Hesus. 

Reflection for March 30, Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil: Mark 16:1-7

Gospel: Mark 16:1-7

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. 

They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. 

He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’”

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Reflection:

Are you always faithful to Jesus?

Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome thought that Jesus has not yet risen from His death. That is why they went to His tomb to honor His body by anointing it but He was not there anymore for He has risen. 

In His being powerless, in His momentary death there were still true and faithful followers who remained with Jesus. We admire their loyalty to Jesus, we admire their faith in Jesus and we admire them for they never betrayed Jesus until the very end. They remained faithful even during the lowest moment of Jesus’ life.

I’m sure that the risen Jesus had something as a reward for Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome. For they proved that their faith in Him goes beyond the miracles and healings that they’ve witnessed.

How is your faith in the risen Jesus? is it limited to the miracles that He has done in your life? Or it goes beyond miracles that it goes deeper and it will remain until the very end of your mortal life. 

By conquering death Jesus proved to all and sundry that there is life after death. That those who would faithfully follow Him will see life after their mortal death in this world. Always have hope in Jesus even if it seems hopeless for He will lift you up in His own time of choosing.

We therefore have to be faithful to Jesus even if it seems that He is distant to us. We therefore have to be faithful to Jesus no matter how salivating the temptation that Satan dangles before us. For it’s only through our faithfulness to Him that we would find life everlasting. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 30, Sabado Santo, Ang Magdamagang Pagdiriwang sa Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Marcos 16:1-7

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:1-7

Pagkaraan ng Araw ng Pamamahinga, si Maria Magdalena, si Mariang ina ni Santiago at si Salome ay bumili ng pabango upang ipahid sa bangkay ni Hesus. At nang Linggo ng umaga, pagsikat ng araw, sila’y nagpunta sa libingan. Nag-uusap-usap sila habang nasa daan: “Sino kaya ang ating mapakikiusapang magpagulong ng batong nakatakip sa pintuan ng libingan?”

Napakalaki ng batong iyon kaya gayon ang sabi nila. Ngunit nang tanawin nila ang libingan, nakita nilang naigulong na ang bato. Pagpasok nila sa libingan, nakita nilang nakaupo sa gawing kanan ang isang binatang nararamtan ng mahaba at puting damit. At sila’y natakot. “Huwag kayong matakot,” sabi ng lalaki.

“Hinahanap ninyo si Hesus, ang taga-Nazaret na ipinako sa krus. Wala na siya rito – siya’y muling nabuhay! Tingnan ninyo ang pinaglagyan sa kanya. Kaya, humayo kayo at sabihin ninyo sa mga alagad, lalo na kay Pedro, na mauuna siya sa inyo sa Galilea. Makikita ninyo siya roon, gaya ng sinabi niya sa inyo.”

Reflection on the Seven Last words of Jesus

1. “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Are you forgiving? 

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Forgiveness simply means that we choose to move on and not allow hatred to destroy us. 

Hanging on the cross and near death Jesus spoke these profound words. Who was Jesus alluding  to when He spoke these words? Jesus was alluding to those who persecuted Him which led Him on the cross. They were His critics like the Pharisees, Scribes, High priest and the like. Included also were the Soldiers who brought Him to the mountain of Calvary to crucify Him. 

Here we see that Jesus is full of mercy, love and forgiveness towards those who made life very difficult for Him. Jesus did not bear any hatred towards those who hated and killed Him.

We have to reflect here on how we forgive those who sinned against us. For example, if a person betrayed our trust or a person hurts us. Have we forgiven them already? We have to forgive no matter how deep the hurt they’ve inflicted upon us. Why? Because if Jesus can forgive who are we not to forgive? 

Forgiveness is a gift that we give not to those who’ve hurt us or betrayed us. Forgiveness is a gift that we give to ourselves for the simple reason that we are only hurting our very selves when we don’t forgive. We have to free ourselves from being imprisoned by hatred caused by our unforgiveness. Therefore, we have to forgive. 

Are you forgiving?

2.   “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Where is the paradise that Jesus is referring?

The paradise is with Him, in Him and in His kingdom in heaven. Jesus addressed this statement to one of the criminals hanging on the cross by His side. The criminal said to Jesus: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42).” And right there Jesus said to the criminal: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43).”

The criminal was enlightened while he was hanging on the cross side by side with Jesus.  This is the reason why he asked the Lord to remember him when He is already in His kingdom. Don’t we all want to have the same enlightenment that he had? Of course, we want it as well. So, we have to humbly ask the Lord for the same enlightenment coursed through our prayers to the Lord. Many of us are so fixated in this fleeting word that we think and feel that this is our paradise. 

But as we see the destructive result of Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine as we see the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza we discover that this world is not at all paradise. We seek worldly pleasures (many of these worldly pleasures influence us to sin). We seek temporal wealth and worldly power and influence only to find out that this is not where paradise is located. Why?  For the simple reason that we humans have no satisfaction we will seek these earthly things which we think would satisfy us. Only to realize in the end that it cannot and will not satisfy us.

So, where is the real paradise that the Lord is talking? This paradise we can only find, feel and experience with Him, in Him and through Him. The true and real paradise that Jesus mentions is already here and now when we make Jesus part and parcel of our daily living.  

Where is your paradise?  

3.  “Woman, behold thy son. After that, he said to the disciple: Behold thy mother.” (John 19: 26-27)

Do you respect and love the Blessed Mother and your own mother?  

When Jesus was on the cross dying, He saw His mother Mary still looking after Him. His mother, who cared, nurtured and watched over Him from the beginning until the end of His life. Dying and all, Jesus saw that nobody would take care of His mother so He asked John, His beloved disciple to take care of her.

Do we also take care of the Blessed Mother by respecting her as Jesus respected her? Mary is the mother of Jesus therefore it is incumbent for us to give her the respect and love which she richly deserves.  We live our love and respect for the Blessed Mother when we pray the Holy Rosary. When we politely teach others to respect her because she is the mother of Jesus and our mother as well. Mary our mother who will always be there to listen to us when no one would dare listen to us.  Mary our mother who will always be there to pray for us.

This is also to remind us that we have to respect and love at all times our own respective mothers. We would never exist in this world without our mothers. We would never become who we are today without their guidance and nurturing. Jesus would not have existed in this world without the consent of his mother Mary. As a debt of gratitude to his mother Jesus saw it fit to entrust his mother to his beloved disciple John.

Do you respect and love the Blessed Mother and your own mother?  What are you doing right now to show your respect and love for the Blessed Mother? Do you invoke her intersession when you pray? Do you defend her when someone is demeaning her role in the life of Jesus?

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)

Do you sometimes feel forsaken by the Lord?

On the cross and dying Jesus uttered these words. These are words of surrender, frustration and giving up. After going through all of the persecutions, torture and abandonment Jesus felt forsaken. Who among us would not feel the same way when we’ve been through what Jesus had been through? We would also understandably feel forsaken and abandoned by the Lord.    

But did God abandon Jesus when He was gasping and dying on the cross? Does God abandon and forsake us when we are at the lowest point of our life? Is God absent as we navigate through the dangerous waters of  the challenges and trials in our lives? God did not abandon Jesus, God was with Jesus all the way! God was strengthening Jesus when Jesus was at the lowest and weakest point in His life. And certainly God is also walking with us as we try to survive the trials and challenges in our lives. 

We are humans subject to our own human frailties. It is understandable to feel forsaken by the Lord once in a while. But truth be told, God’s presence in our lives is strongest when we feel forsaken by this world and the people of this world. God will never forsake us, God will never abandon us and God will always be there to strengthen us. Therefore, we always have to cling to Him in good times and most especially in the turbulent episodes of our lives.

Do you sometimes feel abandoned and forsaken by the Lord?

5.“I thirst.” (John 19:28)

What do we thirst for?

Was it physical thirst that Jesus was feeling when He said: “I thirst.” In His humanity, yes physical thirst but more than that it was the thirst for those people who were formerly with Him. These are the people who were with Jesus during His healing and speaking ministry. 

Dying on the cross perhaps, Jesus was whimpering while saying, “I thirst.” Why? For the reason that He was also thirsting for His followers and apostles who were with Him during His miraculous healing and powerful speaking ministry. 

It is in the lowest episodes of our lives that we would know who is really for us and not for us. Those who are truly for us would choose to remain no matter the odds against us. Those who are not for us would immediately evaporate from our sights to save their necks. 

When we encounter these words: ‘I thirst.’  Let us imagine that Jesus is addressing these words to us. I thirst for you to be faithful in your marriage covenant. I thirst for you to be honest where you are presently working right now. I Thirst for you to value the sacredness of life over the evils of abortion and extra-judicial killing. I thirst for you to always be humble and simple.

 I thirst for your presence at Holy Mass everyday or even every Sunday if you cannot make it every day.  I thirst for you to become a good father/mother. I thirst for you to become a good and God loving son/daughter. I thirst for you to be faithful to your priesthood. I thirst for you to be faithful to your religious life. I thirst for you to help those who are hungry.  

Would you respond to Jesus thirst? 

 6. “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

How do you feel after finishing a worthy undertaking?

You feel good and triumphant. This second to the last word of Jesus is a word of triumph, at last it’s over at last it’s mission accomplished! 

Jesus finally defeated the voice of Satan who was whispering to Him not to finish His salvific mission. Jesus overcame the many hurdles and temptation for Him not to pursue to the end His mission of salvation. Finally, Jesus redeemed the sinful humanity from the enslavement of sin.

However, it’s not finished for us yet, we are still in this journey called life. We are still battling the many demons that constantly whispers to our ears to commit sin. So, what are we going to do to be able to say that, “It's finally finished!”

We have to be faithful to our Lord until our end in this temporal world overtakes us. Then, when it comes, we can finally say, it is finished because we have been faithful to the Lord. We did not give an iota of space for Satan to distract us in our disciples with the Lord.

Would we be able to successfully say, ‘It is finished’ when the sun sets upon us someday? It is finished because we have defeated the many demons that were constantly tempting us to give up in our disciples for Jesus.

7. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)   

Are you afraid to die?

After all has been said and done it’s now the end- it’s the victorious death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus conquered our sinfulness by dying on the cross. By giving His very life on the cross Jesus showed us the true meaning of sacrifice and love.

Death is something that many of us fear but why fear death if we live our life with Jesus in this world? Why fear death when this is the final hurdle for us to be with the Lord in heaven? Why fear death when it ends all our sufferings in this world? If we have not done wrong in this world we would not fear death. When we love the Lord over this fleeting and temporal world we would not fear death.

Many of us fear death for the simple reason that we are so attached to this world. But if we are detached from this world and attached to our Lord, we would not fear death. What are the attachments that we have that makes us fear death?  Are we so attached to our worldly possession/wealth that’s why we fear death? Life is dynamic never static we never know what would happen in the next seconds, minutes, hours and days.

When we make this world our God we would fear death, when we make our worldly possession our master instead of servant we would fear death. Jesus conquered His fear of death because He has no worldly attachments. From the beginning Jesus detached Himself from this world because it would encumber Him from devoting His life to His mission of salvation.  

Let us slowly but surely detach ourselves from this world. So that when we are at the doorway going to the everlasting life we can say to our Lord: "I'm finally coming home my Lord, into your hands I commend my spirit." -  Marino J. Dasmarinas