Reflection for Thursday December 29, Fifth day within the octave of the Nativity of the Lord; Luke 2:22-35

Gospel: Luke 2:22-35

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

 + + + + + +

Reflection:

Parents play a very vital role in the formation of values of their child, where the parents go so does their child.

For example, if the parents seldom brings to church for Holy Mass their children there’s a big chance that when they grow-up they will also rarely go to church for Holy Mass. If parents do not lead worthy lives there’s a big chance as well that children would be also. In other words the fruit would almost be the same with the tree.

In our gospel, Mary and Joseph both devoted to their Jewish upbringing brought the child Jesus to the temple in compliance with their Jewish law. They were leading by example on how it is to be faithful to the laws of God; they were forming the child Jesus to be like them.

It always pays to be good and godly parents because it helps mold the mind of the child to be good and to be godly as he/she matures. On the other hand we can just imagine a child being brought-up by irresponsible parents and parents who do not recognize the vital role of God in their life.

Though it does not assure 100%  that the fruit will always be like the tree. Yet when we always model good and godly behavior to our children we are already conditioning their minds to always do what is good and godly.

Therefore this modelling of good behavior will surely help them make important decisions in their own life as well. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Wednesday December 28, The Holy Innocents, martyrs; Matthew 2:13-18

Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.

 + + + + + +

Reflection:

What fuels extreme anger? It’s arrogance of power, it’s the mindset of ego and superiority. But the trouble with extreme anger is it makes us capable of doing extreme and dangerous acts too.

For example, in a quarrel between husband and wife. When the quarrel reaches its highest point both spouses could say and do things that they would regret after a few days or even hours. But the damage has been done already and there are times that the damage done would be irreversible no matter the regret and remorse.

So what should we do to avoid being sucked into this troublesome situation? Avoid the mindset of superiority and arrogance. Even if we have all the power and authority in this world let us not allow ourselves to be possessed by that power otherwise it will eventually destroy us.

Be humble instead, be considerate and be gentle. Be calm and collected under pressure of anger for this is how you could best live the teachings of Jesus.

When King Herod ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity within the age of two years and below (Matthew 2:16). His order was certainly fueled by his arrogance, ego, abuse of power and the mindset of superiority.

Did Herod suffer for his despicable act? He did certainly, he suffered in silence and he had no peace of mind for the rest of his life. This could happen to us also when we are arrogant and when we allow blind and extreme anger to rule us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday December 27, Saint John, Apostle and evangelist; John 20:1a, 2-8

Gospel: John 20:1a, 2-8

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene 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 do not 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.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Who is the disciple that Jesus loved most? Of course it’s John the apostle whose feast we celebrate today. Among many other reasons, John is the beloved apostle because he remained with Jesus until His death on the cross.

 John never left Jesus like what others did; he stood for Jesus and was never afraid to show his fidelity to Him. John showed the mettle of his faith in Jesus by remaining with Him until the end. This is perhaps the reason why he is called the beloved disciple of Jesus.

Many times in our lives we also profess our love for Jesus. But when temptation comes along we often times choose to be tempted rather than remain loyal to Jesus. This is primarily the reason why many of us live complicated and chaotic life.

What if we try to be loyal to Jesus, what would be the effect of it in our life? If we would be loyal to Jesus we would avoid self-inflected problems and we will not fear whatever that may come to us.

Why is this so? The reason behind is we remained with Jesus and we never betrayed Him no matter how attractive the temptations to do so. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday December 26, Saint Stephen, first martyr; Matthew 10:17-22

Gospel: Matthew 10:17-22

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Do you feel persecuted for following Jesus? You are not alone; as you read this many are choosing to die for Jesus Christ than deny Him.

Contrary with those who promise a life of ease and affluence the moment we follow Jesus. Truth to tell is Jesus did not promise us a life of comfort and ease; He promised His constant presence within us amidst the persecution.

 So let us continue to become Jesus eyes, ears and hands in this world. Let us radiate Jesus’ light and love no matter the difficulties; let us not be afraid Jesus will always be with us.

Jesus Himself said in the gospel: “Whoever endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22).” – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday December 25, Christmas, Solemnity of the Lord’s Birth, Holy Mass during the Day; John 1:1-18

Gospel: John 1:1-18

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

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A pregnant young woman was given a choice by her doctor: Her life or the life of her child. The young woman was not able to immediately answer. The next day she was again asked the same question by her doctor. 

She replied that she would choose her life over her child’s life. The love of God for us is not like the selfish love of the young woman; the love of God is immeasurable. God gave to us His only begotten son so that we may live and have life.

A family to bond together needs immeasurable love and the secret to a long and lasting marriage is immense love between the husband and wife. Without this immeasurable and immense love this family is bound to disintegrate same with the union of husband and wife.

The birth of Jesus the word made flesh which we celebrate today is the result of God’s  immeasurable and immense love for us. What have we done with this gift of love by the birth of Jesus through the Blessed Mother? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday December 25, Christmas, Solemnity of the Lord’s Birth, Holy Mass during Midnight; Luke 2:1-14

Gospel: Luke 2:1-14

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

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

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is the meaning of Christmas to you?

People nowadays are fond of shortcuts even the solemn celebration of Jesus’ birth has not been spared. For example, many of us today use the greeting Merry X-Mas instead of Merry Christmas. What does this signify? This signifies that many of us are slowly losing sight of the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas is not about material things. Christmas is about the love of God for us. We must not keep this love in our hearts we must express this love through our words and actions. Thus Christ love is made alive through us.

For example; if it so happen that you saw a stranger without anything in life or you know someone who is poor. What would you do? Will you just stand and be insensitive to his/her needs? We must not be insensitive we must do something to extend Christ love and blessing for us. We must pay forward the real essence and blessing of Christmas which is the birth of our savior.

The birth date of Jesus every year should also be the birth of Christ love in our hearts every year. And we must not keep this selfless love we must plant this love in others hearts too by being a blessings to them. 

So that it will bear much fruit in their hearts that will feed others who are hungry and thirsty for Jesus’ Christ love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Saturday December 24, Fourth Week in Advent; Luke 1:67-79

Gospel: Luke 1:67-79

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Imagine these words of Zechariah for his son John being addressed to you as well : You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:76-79).”

Have you already prepared the way of the Lord? Have you been already a shining example of John who called for repentance? By virtue of our Baptism we also share in the mission of John, we also take into our hearts what his father Zechariah has said to him.

This season is the best time to share Jesus with others; we do this by giving something from ourselves to our fellowmen especially to those who are in need. Many of us tend to forget that Christmas is not about anyone of us.

Christmas is about Jesus so we have to share Jesus. God shared to us His only begotten so that we could also share Him with others. The true essence of Christmas is sharing not only of gifts but most essentially sharing of Jesus the incarnate God who is already within many of us.

When we share Jesus we therefore prepare His way we become like His precursor John. Have we already prepared the way for Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas