Reflection for January 12, Thursday of the First Week in O.T; Mark 1:40-45

Gospel Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

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Reflection:

What moves you to go to Jesus?

The leper went to Jesus knelled down and begged Jesus by saying, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” And immediately the leper was healed by Jesus. You may ask, what moved the leper to ask Jesus to heal him?

Was it his grave sickness? No, his leprosy is not the driving force that moved him to seek the help of Jesus. It was something far bigger than his sickness and it was the leper’s deep reservoir of faith in Jesus! Otherwise if he does not have faith he wouldn’t have went to Jesus.  And what drove Jesus to heal the leper? Was it His leprosy? No it was not his leprosy that moved Jesus to heal him. It was the leper’s great faith in Him!

What brings us to Jesus and why do we pray to Jesus? Do we pray to Jesus because of our problems? Are we doing this because of our sickness? Our sickness and our problems must not be the primary reason why we go in prayer to Jesus. It must always be our deep faith in Him!

Let us always see to it that our faith is always the main driving force why we want to commune with Jesus. For the reason that the more that we are driven by faith to go to Jesus. The bigger our chance of being heard by Him.

What moves you to pray to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 11, Wednesday of the First Week in O.T; Mark 1:29-39

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”  So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

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Reflection:

Jesus is an itinerant Healer and Preacher He is always on the go He wants to cover as much land as He could so that He could touch more lives. This is what the people in the gospel didn't understand.

They wanted to keep Jesus to themselves and Jesus would have none of their selfish attitudes.So after healing a lot of people including the mother in-law of Simon Jesus moved-on to other towns to share His ministry.

Our gift of knowing Jesus must not only rest within us. We must share Him with others whoever they may be.  Share Jesus in what way? Share Him through your words and actions. If you are not good with words share Him through your acts of kindness, love, forgiveness and gentleness.

Many have superficial idea of Jesus because we don’t care to teach and live His teachings. What a blessing it would be for you and those that you interact with if you would care to share Jesus.

Lest you forget you are called to humbly work in the vineyard of the Lord no matter who you are and no matter the sins that you have committed. Your sinful past is immaterial already what is important for Jesus is your here and now. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for January 10, Tuesday of the First Week in O.T; Mark 1:21-28

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

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Reflection:

Parents have a built-in authority over their children. However over the course of time this authority tends to wane until it lost its effect. This happens most especially when the parents do not know how to exercise it. For example if parents do not lead by example, if parents do not do what they say and so forth.   

Each and everyone of us have that hidden desire to exercise authority. Who wouldn’t want to take control of people?  Who wouldn’t want power and influence?

Yet when we don’t know how to properly exercise authority it is also like a time bomb that may explode on our face and destroy us. So how should we use authority? We must use it with temperance, gentleness and with humility. We must not abuse it or use it for power tripping and arrogance.

Jesus did not only spoke with authority, He also used it with temperance and humility.  He never abused nor used it for power tripping and arrogance. Jesus knew that He had power and dominion over the people but He never used it for selfish reasons. He instead used His authority to heal, to guide and to give hope. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday January 9, Baptism of the Lord; Matthew 3:13-17

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17    

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying,  "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold,the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying,  "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

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Reflection:

If you are to be asked, when were you baptized? You may not be able to answer immediately because you need to get first your Baptismal certificate, that is if you still have kept a copy of your Baptismal certificate. What if you don’t have it anymore?

Unlike our birthday which we never fail to remember each year. We tend to forget our Baptismal day which is far more important than our birthdays. In baptism we are born again thru water and the Holy Spirit and we share in the mission of Jesus, we also officially become a member of the Catholic Church. As baptized Christians it is also our mission to spread with Humility the teachings of Jesus and the universal Church.

In the Gospel, Jesus was baptized by John in the river Jordan. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Indeed John was so awed that he would be baptizing his master, the one whom he announced as the savior.

Why be baptized by an ordinary mortal like John, why not simply forgo baptism and go directly with His mission? Jesus insisted to be baptized by John because it was the signpost of the commencement of His mission. Before His baptism by john Jesus was an ordinary mortal just like us.

But after His baptism Jesus’ oneness with God  was immediately affirmed by the Holy Spirit. And was immediately reinforced by the voice of God who said:  "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:17)."

After His baptism Jesus officially started his three years public ministry. He spread the Good news of salvation, he cured the sick, He gave hope, He fed the hungry and so forth. But at the end He suffered and did the supreme sacrifice of giving His life for our salvation.

As baptized Catholics, we are also called to follow Jesus and His baptismal mission. Today is an appropriate time for us to reflect and ask ourselves: Have I been faithful to my baptismal mission? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday January 8, Solemnity of The Epiphany of the Lord; Matthew 2:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

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Reflection:

A mother was on the verge giving-up on her wayward son until she was advised by her friend to continue to be persevering with him. She further was told to bring her son closer to Jesus through her prayers and not to give-up on praying for his conversion. The mother heeded the advice of her friend and true enough after years of patiently praying and guiding her son. Her son finally found Jesus and had a conversion.

Today is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord; Jesus’ manifestation to the gentiles represented by the Magi. These three wise men diligently looked for Jesus to honor Him with their presence and gifts. With their diligence they found Him in a house with His mother Mary and offered their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

 These three wise men from the east meticulously searched for Jesus until they finally found Him. let us also continue to search and thirst for Jesus in our lives. If we say that we’ve already found Him and that He is already in our hearts let us not be content with this. Let us dig deeper into the life of Jesus and let us discover more about Him. Jesus will never disappoint anyone who diligently searches for Him; He will make Himself available to them.

As the Magi were very diligent with their search for Jesus. We are also challenged to continuously search and to have this continues thirst and hunger for Him. Let us look for Jesus in the poor and homeless, let us look for Jesus in the oppressed and in those many that are neglected. For He is always with them And let us give them the best that we could give them. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for January 7, Saturday before Epiphany; John 2:1-11

Gospel: John 2:1-11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

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Reflection:

What can we learn out of this first miracle of Jesus in the wedding at Cana? We learn of the enormous influence of his mother Mary over him. In the middle of the wedding banquet they suddenly run out of wine however thanks to Mary who informed Jesus that there was no more wine left.

Mary went to Jesus to tell Him that they have no more wine on the surface it appears that Jesus doesn’t care if they have no more wine. However, deep within Him Jesus cared for the simple reason that it was brought to His attention by His mother Mary.

What if Mary was not in the wedding, who amongst the disciples have the guts to approach Jesus to tell Him that there was no more wine? Perhaps nobody would have dared disturb their Master but thanks to the presence of Mary and her motherly instinct and influence over Jesus.

Mary is always listened to by Jesus for the simple reason she is His mother. Jesus came into this world through Mary, from His birth up to His death Mary was with Jesus as well. No small wonder that Mary has great influence over Jesus.

Do you always seek the intercession of the Blessed Mother? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for Friday January 6, Friday before Epiphany; Mark 1:7-11

Gospel: Mark 1:7-11

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

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Reflection:

Do you still remember the date of your baptism and the priest that administered your baptism? Perhaps you don’t remember it anymore for the simple reason that it was a long long time ago. But should we strive to remember the date of our baptism? We should because it was through our baptism that we became a member of the Catholic/Universal church.

 Our Baptism is not only a rite or a Sacrament it is also a responsibility that we need to fulfill and what is the responsibility? The responsibility is to help Jesus spread the faith. Therefore, through baptism we become one with the mission of the church.

In the gospel, Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan river it was not a ceremonial baptism. It was rather a baptism that signalled the beginning of the mission of Jesus. Thus, after baptism Jesus commenced with His mission of salvation.

We have to be gently reminded that we always share in the mission of Jesus by virtue of our baptism. Thus, we have to ask ourselves: Have I already shared the gospel of Christ and am I living right now the teachings of the gospel? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Thursday January 5, Saint John Neumann; John 1:43-51

Gospel: John 1:43-51

Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth." But Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him." Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

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Reflection:

Jesus said to Philip: Follow me, such powerful words coming from Jesus. Thus, Philip could do nothing except to humbly follow the Messiah. This is the reason why Philip became one of the twelve apostles, he was called by Jesus.  

What if Jesus would call you to follow Him, would you respond to His call?

Follow where? Follow Him in His humility, follow Him in His perseverance, follow Him in His being a man for others, follow Him in His gentleness and follow Him in His humble obedience to the will of God.

These powerful words of Jesus echoes until this very minute and it is not anymore addressed to Philip but to you and me! He powerfully tells us to follow Him; many have said yes and followed Jesus already.

Many have forsaken their material riches, high society status and power for the sake of Jesus. Why? Because at last they found the one that will finally cure their emptiness and brokenness. Emptiness and brokenness which they thought could be filled-up by their riches and power but it never did.

Many of us are still chasing after riches and power at what cost and for what? When we are at our deathbeds riches and power will not anymore matter what will matter is the relationship that you have with Jesus. Even now the riches and power that you are chasing will never complete you it will even exacerbate your emptiness.      

Will you finally say yes to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Wednesday January 4, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious; John 1:35-42

Gospel: John 1:35-42

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.

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Reflection:

Do you respond when Jesus calls you? The call of Jesus comes in so many ways. He would indirectly call you using a friend or a written commentary.  

We have to respond when Jesus calls us, we must not ignore His call. What is the centrepiece of Jesus call? It’s always to walk away from sinfulness because sins make our lives problematic. Therefore when God calls us it’s an offer to take away our problems, problems that we create for ourselves brought about by our sinfulness.    

Let us respond to this call of Jesus and we will see that little by little there would be less sin related problems in our life. Problems that we create for ourselves because we refuse to hear the call of Jesus.   

What else will happen when we respond to Jesus call? We will know more about Jesus and His life. There would be strengthening of our faith and we will have a sturdy wall to lean-on whenever we pass through the many challenges of life.

In our gospel when Andrew and his companion heard John said: “Behold the Lamb of God.” The phrase uttered by John struck a chord in them that they decided to follow Jesus. As they were following they asked Him: Where are you staying?” And Jesus gave them a very meaningful response by saying: “Come and you will see.” (John 1: 36-39) – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Tuesday January 3, The most Holy Name of Jesus; John 1:29-34

Gospel: John 1:29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."

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Reflection:

Do you always crave for attention and recognition?

Whether we admit it or not, there are times that we gloat about ourselves and we crave to be recognized. This is one of our human frailties to raise ourselves in the altar of prominence most especially when we gain something for ourselves. Or when there is an opportunity for us to be recognized we immediately grab that fleeting moment of opportunity.

There are even some who change with time; for example in friendship some are like weather conditions. They often change as they gain riches and higher life status. But least we forget that whatever we have now is temporary. Someday or even sooner what we have now may be taken from us and we end up with nothing.

So let us keep our feet on the ground, let us at all times follow the humble path of John the Baptist so that we could become effective heralds for Jesus. Let us share Jesus if not in our words we do it through our actions. Many do not know Jesus because we don’t live the teachings of Jesus.

John lived to the hilt the teachings of Jesus, he did not compete with Jesus for attention. He instead let Jesus shine not minding if some of his followers left him for Jesus. Why? For the simple reason that John was so secure in His role as the precursor for the messiah.

Insecurity was never in the bones of John, he let Jesus bloom as he silently did his role outside of the fleeting lights of recognition. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Monday January 2, Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church; 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-begotten 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-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

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Reflection:

We pale in comparison to John the Baptist in every aspect of his humble and virtuous life. John has every opportunity to claim greatness but he was not tempted by the sudden fame. He instead remained humble and did not claim honor that was not due him.

How about us? Are we humble enough to let others take credit for an endeavor which was partly realized with our help? It’s very tempting to ego trip and take credit for it but the gospel is telling us that we must be humble at all times. We must not take credit for any achievement that is not ours.

John teaches us that true greatness before the Lord is to humble ourselves before Him. Never mind the adulation or praises of the crowd for these are just temporary and passing. 

Never mind if others are taking credit for the good that you’ve done. Let us always be reminded that God is not sleeping He sees everything that we do. Not only that God sees us; God also know what is in our hearts.

If we want to mature in our faith, we ought to emulate John’s discipleship; his humility and his self-effacing attitude for these are the qualities that would help us grow in faith and wisdom. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas