Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Mayo 31, Ang Pagdalaw ng Mahal na Birheng Maria (Kapistahan): Lucas 1:39-56

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-56

Si Maria'y nagmamadaling pumunta sa isang bayan sa kaburulan ng Juda. Pagdating sa bahay ni Zacarias, binati niya si Elisabet. Nang marinig ni Elisabet ang bati ni Maria, naggagalaw ang sanggol sa kanyang tiyan. Napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elisabet, at buong galak na sinabi, "Pinagpala ka sa mga babae, at pinagpala rin ang dinadala mo sa iyong sinapupunan! 

Sino ako upang dalawin ng ina ng aking Panginoon? Sapagkat pagkarinig ko ng iyong bati ay naggagalaw ang sanggol sa tuwa sa aking tiyan. Mapalad ka sapagkat nanalig kang matutupad ang ipinasasabi sa iyo ng Panginoon!"  

At sinabi ni Maria, "Ang puso ko'y nagpupuri sa Panginoon, at nagagalak ang aking espiritu dahil sa Diyos na aking Tagapagligtas. Sapagkat nilingap niya ang kanyang abang alipin! At mula ngayon, ako'y tatawaging mapalad ng lahat ng salinlahi. Dahil sa mga dakilang bagay na ginawa sa akin ng Makapangyarihan -- Banal ang kanyang pangalan!  

Kinahahabagan niya ang mga may takot sa kanya, sa lahat ng sali't-saling lahi. Ipinakita niya ang lakas ng kanyang mga bisig, pinangalat niya ang mga palalo ang isipan. ibinagsak niya ang mga hari mula sa kanilang trono, at itinaas ang mga nasa abang kalagayan.  

Binusog niya ng mabubuting bagay ang mga nagugutom, at pinalayas niyang wala ni anuman ang mayayaman. Tinulungan niya ang kanyang bayang Israel, bilang pagtupad sa pangako niya sa ating mga magulang, kay Abraham at sa kanyang lahi, magpakailanman!"  

Tumira si Maria kina Elisabet nang may tatlong buwan, at saka umuwi.

Reflection for May 30 Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:46-52

Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."  

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me." Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you."  

He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

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Reflection:

Is the blind man Bartimaeus desperately seeking Jesus? Desperation is an understatement because he is seeking Jesus with all of his might. This is because he knows the real identity of Jesus. Bartimaeus knows that only Jesus can cure his physical blindness. However, Bartimaeus' physical blindness did not prevent him from uncovering the true identity of Jesus. Why? Because Bartimaeus has the eyes of faith that many of us do not have yet.

Through his eyes of faith Bartimaeus saw the real identity of Jesus. Through the eyes of faith Bartimaeus discovered that it is only Jesus who can cure his physical blindness.  This is the reason why he mightily shouted to get the attention of Jesus when He passed by him.  

The eyes of faith of this blind man did not fail him for he was noticed and soon after called by Jesus. And right there while face to face with Jesus he was asked by the Lord: "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus said, Master, I want to see. And at that very moment his physical blindness was cured by Jesus.  

How about us? Do we have these eyes of faith of Bartimaeus? Let us reflect upon this for we may be able to see physically yet we are still blind spiritually. Let us therefore seek the Lord more, so that we would also have Bartimaeus eyes of faith. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 29 Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:32-45

Gospel: Mark 10:32-45

The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.” 

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. 

Can you drink the chalice that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The chalice that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. 

Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Reflection:

Are you willing to carry the cross of Jesus? 

Jesus began to tell his disciples what was going to happen to him: his passion, death and eventual resurrection. Then, James and John requested Jesus that in his glory they be allowed to sit beside him. 

Why in his glory only they want to sit beside Jesus? Why didn’t they tell Jesus that they would be with him also through his passion and death? 

Often times we are like James and John we only recognize the presence of Jesus in our lives during our glorious moments and our life’s triumphs. When we are beset with problems we feel that Jesus has forsaken us. The Lord wants us to be aware that He is with us always, he wants us to embrace him fully regardless of our life situations. 

James and John also desired greatness because they wanted to sit beside Jesus in his glorious moments. But Jesus rebuked them when he said: “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.” 

In the church there are those who always want to been seen with their Priest/Pastors because it evokes greatness, power and prestige. But for Jesus the true measure of greatness is when we are always ready to serve regardless if we're seen, regardless if we're recognized or not. 

Let us not seek recognition when following Jesus let us instead follow the Lord with humility. And from humility everything good will follow including recognition. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting BalitaMayo 29, Miyerkules sa Ikawalong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:32-45

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:32-45

Noong panahong iyon, nasa daan sila patungong Jerusalem. Nauuna sa kanila si Jesus; nangangamba ang mga alagad at natatakot naman ang mga taong sumusunod sa kanya. Ibinukod ni Jesus ang Labindalawa at sinabi ang mangyayari sa kanya. 

Wika niya, "Ngayo'y paahon tayo sa Jerusalem. Ang Anak ng Tao'y ipagkakanulo sa mga punong saserdote at sa mga eskriba. Kanilang hahatulan siya ng kamatayan, at ibibigay sa mga Hentil. Siya'y tutuyain nila, luluran, hahagupitin,at papatayin. Ngunit muli siyang mabubuhay pagkaraan ng tatlong araw."

Lumapit kay Jesus sina Santiago at Juan na anak ni Zebedeo, at ang sabi, "Guro, may hihilingin po sana kami sa inyo." "Ano iyon?" tanong ni Jesus. Sumagot sila, "Sana'y makaupo kami katabi ninyo sa inyong kaharian-- isa sa kanan at isa sa kaliwa." "Hindi ninyo nalalaman ang inyong hinihingi," sabi ni Jesus sa kanila. 

"Mababata ba ninyo ang hirap na babatahin ko? Pabibinyag ba kayo sa binyag na daranasin ko?" "Opo," tugon nila. Sinabi ni Jesus, "Ang hirap na babatahin ko'y babatahin nga ninyo, at kayo'y bibinyagan sa binyag na daranasin ko. Ngunit wala sa akin ang pagpapasiya kung sino ang mauupo sa aking kanan at sa aking kaliwa. Ang mga luklukang sinasabi ninyo'y para sa mga pinaghandaan."

Nang marinig ito ng sampung alagad, nagalit sila sa magkapatid. Kaya't pinalapit sila ni Jesus at sinabi, "Alam ninyo na ang mga itinuturing na pinuno ng mga Hentil ay siyang pinapanginoon, at ang dinadakila ay siyang nasusunod. Ngunit hindi ganyan ang dapat umiral sa inyo. 

Sa halip, ang sinuman sa inyo na ibig maging dakila ay dapat maging lingkod. at sinumang ibig maging pinuno ay dapat maging alipin ng lahat. Sapagkat ang Anak ng Tao ay naparito, hindi upang paglingkuran kundi upang maglingkod at ibigay ang kanyang buhay sa ikatutubos ng marami."

Reflection for May 28 Tuesday of the Eight Week of Ordinary Time: Mark 10:28-31

Gospel: Mark 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

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Reflection:

What are we capable of giving up for Jesus? Can we give up our riches? Can we give up our life of sin, hedonism and worldliness? Perhaps this is quite hard to do for many of us. 

But if we do so and we begin to trust and love Jesus more than this world. We would also see a marked improvement in our lives, there would be less human created worries, stress and problems. 

This is for the reason that we’ve decided to embrace Jesus more than this world. Jesus tells us in the gospel that if we give up this world and choose to follow Him. We would receive more than this world could offer. But what does this world offer us except sin, endless pressure through accumulation of wealth, power and problems. 

Let us try detaching ourselves from this world even for only a short time and we would see the big improvement that it would create in our lives. Let us cut our relationship and communication with our friends who have not brought any good into our lives. 

Let us also detach ourselves from our vices and anything that is sinful. After doing so let us develop a real relationship with Jesus. By attending Holy Mass more often, by praying more often and let us begin to develop a habit of reading the Bible. 

Let us not be afraid to give up this world for Jesus. Because there will be enormous rewards that awaits us the moment we decide to give up this world in favor of Jesus. But what are these rewards? The rewards are: Peace of mind, contentment, acceptance of the things that we  cannot change and so on. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 28 Martes sa Ikawalong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon:Marcos 10:28-31

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:28-31

Noong panahong iyon, nagsalita si Pedro kay Hesus, “Tingnan po ninyo, iniwan namin ang lahat at kami’y sumunod sa inyo.” 

Sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo ito: ang sinumang mag-iwan ng bahay, o mga kapatid, ina, ama, mga anak, mga lupa, dahil sa akin at sa Mabuting Balita, ay tatanggap ng makasandaang ibayo sa buhay na ito – mga bahay, mga kapatid, mga ina, mga anak, at mga lupa – ngunit may kalakip na pag-uusig. 

At sa kabilang buhay ay magkakaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. Ngunit maraming nauuna na magiging huli, at maraming nahuhuli na magiging una.”

Reflection for May 27, Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:17-27

Gospel: Mark 10:17-27

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” 

He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”  Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God! The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” 

They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

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Reflection:

Who is this man in the gospel who walked away from his desire to follow Jesus in favor of his treasures? We don’t know but we could compare the attitude of this wealthy man to our own attitude when it comes to wealth. 

Many of us can’t give away our wealth so that it may serve its real purpose none other than to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. When the wealthy man walked away from Jesus he allowed himself to be possessed by his love for his wealth. He was already at the threshold of the real meaning of life. Yet he still chose to be possessed by worldly life which is accumulation and possession of wealth and power. 

Many of us including our politicians allow ourselves to be possessed by this false meaning of life. Which in the end will only serve as our downfall for the simple reason that we allowed ourselves to be possessed by our greed for wealth and power. 

What will it do us if we have wealth yet we don’t have peace of mind? What would wealth bring to our lives if we don’t have God? Nothing but false sense of security, nothing but a life devoid of meaning and a life of emptiness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Mayo 27 Lunes ng Ikawalong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:17-27

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:17-27

Noong panahong iyon, nang paalis na si Hesus ay may isang lalaking patakbong lumapit, lumuhod sa harapan niya at nagtanong, “Mabuting Guro, ano po ang dapat kong gawin upang magkamit ng buhay na walang hanggan?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Bakit mo ako tinatawag na mabuti? Walang mabuti kundi ang Diyos. 

Alam mo ang mga utos: ‘Huwag kang papatay; huwag kang mangangalunya; huwag kang magnanakaw; huwag kang magsisinungaling sa iyong pagsaksi; huwag kang magdadaya; igalang mo ang iyong ama’t ina.’” “Guro,” sabi ng lalaki, “ang lahat po ng iya’y tinutupad ko na mula pa sa aking pagkabata.” Magiliw siyang tiningnan ni Hesus, at sinabi sa kanya, “Isang bagay pa ang kulang sa iyo. Humayo ka, ipagbili mo ang iyong ari-arian at ipamigay sa mga dukha ang pinagbilhan, at magkakaroon ka ng kayamanan sa langit.  

Pagkatapos, bumalik ka at sumunod sa akin.” Namanglaw ang lalaki nang marinig ito, at malungkot na umalis, sapagkat siya’y napakayaman. Tiningnan ni Hesus ang mga nasa paligid niya at sinabi sa kanyang mga alagad, “Napakahirap mapabilang ang mayayaman sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos.” Nagtaka ang mga alagad sa pananalitang ito.  

Muling sinabi ni Hesus, “Mga anak, talagang napakahirap mapabilang sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos! Madali pang makaraan ang kamelyo sa butas ng karayom kaysa pasakop sa paghahari ng Diyos ang isang mayaman.” Lalong nagtaka ang mga alagad, kaya’t sila’y nagtanungan, “Kung gayo’y sino ang maliligtas?” Tinitigan sila ni Hesus at sinabi sa kanila, “Hindi ito magagawa ng tao, ngunit hindi ito mahirap sa Diyos. Magagawa ng Diyos ang lahat ng bagay.” 

Reflection for Sunday May 26, Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity: Matthew 28:16-20

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

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Reflection:           

What is the visible manifestation of the presence of the Most Holy Trinity? It’s the love and unity in the family. The teachings of the Most Holy Trinity are a mystery that nobody can unravel. Yet, when we see a unified and loving family, we are reminded of the Holy Trinity. This is because the Most Holy Trinity is a unity of love among God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. 

What is this love that unifies God the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit? In his first letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul said this: “Love is patient, kind, without envy. It is not boastful or arrogant. It is not ill-mannered, nor does it seek its own interest. Love overcomes anger and forgets offenses. It does not take delight in wrong, but rejoices in truth. Love excuses everything, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). This is the kind of love that unifies the Holy Trinity, and surely this is the kind of love that binds a family. 

We could just imagine if this Trinitarian love is present inside every family. There would be no broken families, no suffering children and spouses. But the reality of many modern and social media savvy families today is  it’s so modern and hi-tech that it hardly have personal and heart-to-heart interaction. The modern family of today interacts in a modern way, primarily through their expensive gadgets. This results in impersonal interactions, which, if not corrected, might easily break apart a family when tested by trials. 

The Trinitarian love was also lived by the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary, and their son Jesus. Their family is the most visible manifestation of the unity and love of the Most Holy Trinity. The Holy Family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus is always ready to listen to the voice of God and ever docile in following the will of God. 

How’s your family right now? Does it have the Unity and Love of the Most Holy Trinity? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Linggo Mayo 26 Dakilang Kapistahan ng Tatlong Persona sa Isang Diyos: Mateo 28:16-30

Mabuting Balita Mateo 28:16-20

Noong panahong iyon: Ang Labing-isang alagad ay nagpunta sa Galilea, sa bundok na itinuro sa kanila ni Hesus. Nang makita nila si Hesus, siya’y sinamba nila, bagamat may ilang nag-alinlangan. Lumapit si Hesus at sinabi sa kanila, “Ibinigay na sa akin ang lahat ng kapangyarihan sa langit at sa Lupa.

Kaya, humayo kayo at gawin ninyong alagad ko ang lahat ng bansa. Binyagan ninyo sila sa ngalan ng Ama at ng Anak at ng Espiritu Santo, at turuang sumunod sa lahat ng ipinag-utos ko sa inyo. Tandaan ninyo: ako’y laging kasama ninyo hanggang sa katapusan ng sanlibutan.”

Ang Mabuting Balita, Mayo 25 Sabado sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:13-16

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:13-16

Noong panahong iyon, may nagdala ng mga bata kay Hesus upang hilinging ipatong niya sa mga ito ang kanyang kamay; ngunit pinagwikaan sila ng mga alagad. Nagalit si Hesus nang makita ito, at sinabi sa kanila, “Pabayaan ninyong lumapit sa akin ang mga bata, huwag ninyo silang sawayin, sapagkat sa mga katulad nila naghahari ang Diyos.  

Ito ang tandaan ninyo: ang sinumang hindi tumatanggap sa paghahari ng Diyos tulad ng isang maliit na bata ay hindi mapapabilang sa mga pinaghaharian niya.” At kinalong ni Hesus ang mga bata, ipinatong ang kanyang mga kamay sa kanila at pinagpala sila.

Reflection for May 25 Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:13-16

Gospel: Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child* will not enter it. Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who wanted to know God on his own terms and through his own intelligence. So, he read books that he hoped would help him know God, but to no avail. He befriended people from his parish church, yet there still was no development in his knowledge about God. 

Finally, a wise man advised him to humbly abandon himself like a child before God. So he did and thereupon he received all the wisdom that he would need to know God deeply. 

Jesus’ bias for the children is very obvious in the gospel and the reason behind is the child is pure and not yet tainted by sin. For the same reason we too have a bias for children we take as an example the many images of Sto. Nino in government/private offices; majority of politicians are devotees of the Sto. Nino. For the reason that the Sto. Nino is present everywhere it may seem that our country is morally upright. Better think again, the country is still mired in corruption, immorality, arrogance and killings. 

Where is the influence of the Sto. Nino then? Do we allow our devotion to the Sto. Nino change us for the better? Certainly not and this is our big problem. We are fond of displaying images of our faith but the irony of it is this: Our faith remains on exterior display and it ends there. 

There is no conversion and change of heart. If only we would learn to imbibe and internalize the virtues of a child that is always humble and honest. A child who doesn’t know how to cheat, kill and lie. Who doesn’t know how to compromise with wrong. 

In the gospel, Jesus is angry with His disciples for they were preventing the children to go to Him. So Jesus told them: “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Mark 10:14). 

Is Jesus speaking here of the literal children only? Of course not! Jesus is also speaking here of the adult ones which includes us. Adult ones who have childlike virtues such as: Humility, simplicity, forgiveness, honestly and the like.  

Do you have these childlike virtues? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for May 24 Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:1-12

Gospel: Mark 10:1-12

Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. The Pharisees approached him and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”

 They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 

So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

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Reflection:

What if married couples decide not to divorce or separate? There would be no breakup of marriage, there would be no suffering children and there would be no hurting spouses.

Married couples who separate are only concerned with their own welfare and fleeting, false happiness. They don’t care about what will happen to their child or children, who are the main casualties when parents separate.

Beneath the opposition of Jesus to divorce is His command for couples to persevere in their marriage. HE commands us to always remember the vows of marriage whenever we are tempted to betray it or walk away from it. He commands us to accept the fact that marriage is not always a bed of roses but sometimes bed laden with thorns.

For the reason that there is no perfect marriage, there would also be thorny episodes in marriage. So the couple must stay no matter what their difficulties are. The couple must learn to adjust and sometimes bend in humility for the marriage to grow, bear fruit and succeed.

Incompatibility is not the reason why couples separate; it’s rather the lack of humility, the stubbornness to respect the sacred vows of the marriage covenant and the lack of active prayer life inside the marriage.

Just imagine if both husband and wife learns to imbibe humility.  Just imagine if there is an active presence of prayer life inside the marriage.  And just imagine if both spouses would learn to respect the sacred vows of marriage no matter the temptation that may come their way. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 24, Biyernes Ikapitong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, si Hesus ay nagtungo sa lupain ng Judea, at nagtuloy sa ibayo ng Ilog Jordan. Muli siyang pinagkalipumpunan ng mga tao, at tulad ng dati’y nagturo sa kanila. May mga Pariseong lumapit kay Hesus. Ibig nilang masilo siya kaya’t kanilang tinanong, “Naaayon ba sa Kautusan na hiwalayan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa?”  

 Tugon niya, “Ano ang utos sa inyo ni Moises?” Sumagot naman sila, “Ipinahintulot ni Moises na hiwalayan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa matapos bigyan ng kasulatan sa paghihiwalay.” Ngunit sinabi ni Hesus, “Dahil sa katigasan ng inyong ulo kaya niya inilagda ang utos na ito. Subalit sa pasimula pa, nang likhain ng Diyos ang sanlibutan: ‘Nilalang niya silang lalaki at babae. Dahil dito’y iiwan ng lalaki ang kanyang ama at ina, at magsasama sila ng kanyang asawa, at sila’y magiging isa.’ Kaya’t hindi na sila dalawa kundi isa. Ang pinagsama ng Diyos ay huwag paghiwalayin ng tao.”  

Pagdating sa bahay, ang mga alagad naman ang nagtanong kay Hesus tungkol sa bagay na ito. Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Ang sinumang lalaking humiwalay sa kanyang asawa at mag-asawa sa iba ay gumagawa ng masama sa kanyang asawa – siya’y nangangalunya. At ang babaing humiwalay sa kanyang asawa at mag-asawa sa iba ay nangangalunya rin.”

Reflection for Thursday May 23 Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Eternal High Priest (Feast): Mark 14:22-26

Gospel: Mark 14:22-26

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. 

Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

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Reflection:    

A young man asked his parents why they go to church to attend daily Mass. His parents told him that they attend Mass daily because they get to see Jesus in the altar and they receive Jesus and be one with Him during Holy Communion.  

Then the son said, "How come when I go to Mass, I don’t see Jesus? I only see the priest at the altar, and during Holy Communion, I only see the wafer bread that is given to me by the priest." 

The father said, "I think you’re lacking in faith and perhaps you’re not focused on the celebration of the Holy Mass. That is why you don’t see that it’s Jesus who presides. 

Lack of faith and focus during Holy Mass is something that many of us experience. That is why we don’t take Holy Mass seriously and that is why we are easily swayed to switch to other Christian faiths. And leave behind our Roman Catholic faith the moment somebody read to us selected bible passages. If our faith in Jesus is strong and if our belief in the Holy Mass is rock solid we will not leave the church and we will take seriously our presence at Holy Mass. 

Who presides in the celebration of the Holy Mass? It’s none other than Jesus in the person of the priest! The same Jesus who took bread, blessed it, broke it, gave it to His apostles and said: “Take it this is my body.” The same Jesus who took a cup, gave thanks then gave the cup to His apostles after which they all drank from it (Mark 14:22-23).   It’s only through the eyes of our faith that we would be able to comprehend that it’s really Jesus who presides in every Mass. 

Do you believe? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Mayo 23, Panginoong Hesukristo Walang Hanggan at Dakilang Pari (Kapistahan): Marcos 14:20-25

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 14:20-25

Samantalang sila’y kumakain, dumampot ng tinapay si Hesus, at matapos magpasalamat sa Diyos ay kanyang pinaghati-hati at ibinigay sa mga alagad. “Kunin ninyo; ito ang aking katawan,” wika niya. Hinawakan niya ang kalis, at matapos magpasalamat ay ibinigay sa kanila; at uminom silang lahat.

Sinabi niya, “Ito ang aking dugo ng tipan, ang dugong mabubuhos dahil sa marami. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi na ako iinom ng alak na mula sa ubas hanggang sa araw na inumin ko ang bagong alak sa kaharian ng Diyos.”     

Reflection for May 22 Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:38-40

Gospel: Mark 9:38-40

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. 

There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”

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Reflection:

Why do some Catholics leave the church in favor of other Christian church?  If we would ask them why they left they would normally say that they felt Jesus’ presence more in their lives when the Pastor of the Christian church shared passages about Jesus in the bible. 

Should we get angry with these Christian churches for convincing some of our brethren who grew bored in our church to join their church? Of course not! We should rather be more innovative in our preaching about the word of God so that our brethren will feel Jesus’ presence in their lives. 

John said to Jesus: “someone is driving out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied: “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.” 

We should at all times be gentle, tolerant and loving towards other Christian religions for we preach the same God. We may have doctrinal differences with them but at the end of the day we preach the same Jesus whose mission is to save us from ending up in hell someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting BalitaMayo 22, Miyerkules sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9:38-40

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:38-40

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi kay Hesus ni Juan, “Guro, nakakita po kami ng isang taong nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ng pangalan mo, at pinagbawalan namin sapagkat hindi natin siya kasamahan.”

Ngunit sinabi ni Hesus, “Huwag ninyo siyang pagbawalan, sapagkat walang taong matapos gumawa ng kababalaghan sa pangalan ko ang agad magsasalita ng masama laban sa akin. Sapagkat ang hindi laban sa atin ay panig sa atin.  

Reflection for May 21 Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time: Mark 9:30-37

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. 

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all. 

Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst and putting his arms around it, he said to them “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me and whoever receives me receives not me but the One who sent me.

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Reflection:

What is the most important virtue of a follower of Jesus? It’s the virtue of humility. A humble follower of Jesus seeks to follow Him for no other reason but to humbly serve without seeking anything in return. The follower doesn’t follow Jesus because he/she wants to be known, to be powerful and to be popular. 

While Jesus and His disciples were passing through Galilee, He was discussing with them the things that would happen to Him soon. But the disciples were not paying attention because they were preoccupied with discussing who among them was the greatest. What an ego trip for the disciples! Instead of listening to Jesus, they were burnishing their own self-image among themselves. They were discussing who among them was the greatest.  

During that instance the desire to humbly follow Jesus was not anymore present in their hearts. What was present in their hearts was arrogance, the desire to selfishly raise up their own self-image. And the desire to be great based on the finite standards of this world.     

If we truly desire to follow Jesus, we have to follow Him with humility. We have to forget our own selves; we have to discard any form of arrogance in our hearts and the desire to occupy the starring role. We have to be humble, simple and always ready to serve at all times for this is the only way whereby we can bring others closer to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday May 20, Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church: John 19:25-34

Gospel: John 19:25-34

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. 

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.”  There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. 

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first     and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out.

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Reflection:

What do you thirst for? 

Was it physical thirst that Jesus was feeling when He said, "I thirst"? In His humanity, yes, it was physical thirst, but more than that, it was a thirst for those people who were formerly with Him.

Dying on the cross, Jesus was perhaps whimpering while saying, "I thirst." Why? Because He was also thirsting for His followers and apostles who were with Him during His powerful, miraculous healing and 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 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 other forms of cruelty against humanity. I thirst for you to always be humble and simple, I thirst for you to respect your parents and so on. 

 I thirst for your presence at Holy Mass every Sunday.  I thirst for you to become a good and responsible father/mother. I thirst for you to become a good and God loving son/daughter. I thirst for you to be faithful to me and to my teachings. 

Would you respond to Jesus thirst? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Lunes Mayo 20, Mahal na Birheng Maria, Ina ng Sambayanan (Paggunita): Juan 19:25-34

Mabuting Balita: Juan 19:25-34

Noong panahong iyon: Nakatayo sa tabi ng krus ni Hesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae nitong si Maria, na asawa ni Cleopas. Naroon din si Maria Magdalena. Nang makita ni Hesus ang kanyang ina, at ang minamahal niyang alagad sa tabi nito, kanyang sinabi, “Ginang, narito ang iyong anak!” At sinabi sa alagad, “Narito ang iyong ina!” Mula noon, siya’y pinatira ng alagad na ito sa kanyang bahay. 

Alam ni Hesus na naganap na ang lahat ng bagay; at bilang katuparan ng Kasulatan ay sinabi niya, “Nauuhaw ako!” May isang mangkok doon na puno ng maasim na alak. Itinuhog nila rito ang isang espongha, ikinabit sa sanga ng isopo at idiniit sa kanyang bibig. Nang masipsip ni Hesus ang alak ay kanyang sinabi, “Naganap na!” Iniyukayok niya ang kanyang ulo at nalagot ang kanyang hininga.

Noo’y Araw ng Paghahanda, ay ayaw ng mga Judio na manatili sa krus ang mga bangkay sa Araw ng Pamamahinga sapagkat dakila ang araw ng Pamamahingang ito. Kaya’t hiniling nila kay Pilato na ipabali nito ang mga binti ng mga ipinako sa krus, at alisin doon ang mga bangkay. Naparoon nga ang mga kawal at binali ang mga binti ng dalawang ipinakong kasabay ni Hesus.

Ngunit pagdating nila kay Hesus at makitang patay na siya, hindi na nila binali ang kanyang binti. Subalit inulos ng sibat ng isa sa mga kawal ang tagiliran ni Hesus, at biglang dumaloy ang dugo at tubig.

Reflection for Sunday May 19, Solemnity of Pentecost: John 20:19-23

Gospel: John 20:19-23

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.”

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Reflection:

Have you ever been in a situation where you feared for your life? The disciples were in this predicament after Jesus died on the cross. They were running for their lives and were being hunted by the ruling powers during that time. It must have been very difficult for them. Some of them might have even worn disguises to avoid being recognized. 

With low morale and fearing for their lives, they still managed to communicate and agreed to meet in a room. While in the room, perhaps praying and strategizing for their next plan of action, lo and behold, the Lord Jesus appeared to them. For what reason? To give them hope and peace. And before they separated, Jesus breathed on them and gave them the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. 

Sometimes, it is in the lowest points in our lives that the Lord Jesus manifests His presence to us. Perhaps this is so because this is always the moment when we are in need of Him. This is the moment in our lives when our minds are not preoccupied by worldliness but are solely occupied by our desire to ask for the Lord’s help. 

Yet, the Lord comes to us not only by Himself; He comes to us bringing with Him peace, hope, and surely the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Why the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit? Because the Lord Jesus perfectly knows that we would be facing our own share of difficulties as we continue our journey in this world. 

The Holy Spirit is also with us so that it can disturb our conscience whenever we sin or are planning to sin. It will give us Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Courage, Knowledge, Peity and Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2-3 and Acts 2:1-4). Let us therefore pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and let us ask the Holy Spirit to shower us the seven gifts. 

Do you always pray to the Holy Spirit? Do you regularly ask the Holy Spirit to guide, lead, and shower you with its seven gifts? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Linggo Mayo 19 Linggo ng Pentecostes: Juan 20:19-23

Mabuting Balita: Juan 20:19-23

Kinagabihan ng Linggo 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."

Reflection for May 18 Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 21:20-25

Gospel: John 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” 

So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?”  

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

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Reflection:

Do you always stay close to Jesus? 

John is the disciple whom Jesus loved; there is that closeness between them and we saw it when John reclined upon His chest (John 13:23-25). John was also the only disciple who was with Jesus until His last gasp of breath on the cross.  

In our present time it may be very odd to see a man recline upon the chest of another man. Our  imaginations will conclude something else which is not right. But during Jesus’ time; it suggest close friendship between the Master/Teacher (Jesus) and His disciple (John). John had Jesus’ ears that he could ask HIM questions whenever he wants too. The strength of their friendship was clearly evident when John stayed with Jesus until the very end of the Lord’s earthly life.  

This is also the friendship that the Lord wants from us, Jesus wants us to always lean towards Him and stay with Him regardless of our life’s predicaments. We stay close to Jesus in our happy moments, and even more so, we should lean closer to Jesus in our moments of sadness, difficulties, and trials. With Jesus, we always have someone who will help us overcome whatever difficulties we are going through.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Mayo 18 Sabado sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:20-25

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:20-25

Noong panahong iyon, lumingon si Pedro at nakita niyang sumusunod ang alagad na minamahal ni Jesus - yaong humilig sa dibdib ni Jesus nang sila'y naghahapunan at nagtanong, "Panginoon, sino po ang magkakanulo sa inyo?" Nang makita siya ni Pedro, tinanong nito si Jesus, "Panginoon, ano po naman ang mangyayari sa taong ito?" 

Sumagot si Jesus, "Kung ibig kong mabuhay siya hanggang sa pagbabalik ko, ano sa iyo? Sumunod ka sa akin!" Kumalat sa mga kapatid ang balitang hindi mamamatay ang alagad na ito, bagama't hindi sinabi ni Jesus na hindi siya mamamatay, kundi, "Kung ibig kong mabuhay siya hanggang sa pagbabalik ko, ano sa iyo?" 

Ito nga ang alagad na nagpapatotoo tungkol sa mga bagay na ito; siya rin ang sumulat ng mga ito, at alam naming tunay ang kanyang patotoo. At marami pang ginawa si Jesus na kung susulating lahat, inaakala kong hindi magkakasya kahit sa buong daigdig ang mga aklat na masusulat.