Reflection for Tuesday April 25, Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist: Mark 16:15-20

Gospel: Mark 16:15-20

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

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Reflection:

Have you done something to share the good news about Jesus? For example, you shared the life of Jesus to a friend or a relative. Or you’ve brought someone to church for Holy Mass.

One of your foremost mission as follower of Jesus is to share Him. If you have no idea on how you would share Him you could even simply live His life. Evangelization is not only confined to sharing with your vocal words for you could also evangelize by the way you live.

When the disciples were sent by Jesus through their mission one of the unwritten commands of Jesus for them was to live His way of life. For they wouldn’t be successful missioners for Jesus without immersing their very lives on Jesus way of life.

The challenge for you therefore is to share Jesus like how the disciples shared Him. You also have to live the way of life of Jesus. For without living the life of Jesus you will not become His true follower and evangelizer.

Many in the church or outside of the church profess to follow Jesus but they do not live His life. Thus their evangelization is superficial it doesn’t take root in the hearts of those who listen to them. Therefore, an effective evangelizer is one who shares and lives the life of Jesus.  

Have you shared Jesus and have you lived Jesus' life of humility and simplicity? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Monday April 24, Second Week of Easter: John 3:1-8

Gospel: John 3:1-8

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”

Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

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Reflection:

Nicodemus is a follower who is seeking  deeper meaning in his discipleship with Jesus. So Jesus gave him a clue on how to discover a more meaningful life with Him. And that is to be born again. 

How could we be born again when we have already been born? Indeed, we could never be literally born again. However to be born again with a more meaningful life of purpose in this world is very much possible for everyone of us.

How could we be born again with a life of purpose and meaning? We must be willing to leave behind our sinfulness. For example, our greed, self-centeredness and anything that makes us sin we must be willing to leave it all behind us. So that we can have a life of purpose and meaning with Jesus and those people that we love. 

Who would benefit if you allow yourself to be born again with a life of purpose and meaning with Jesus? The first beneficiary is you, second is your family and third are those who are around you and those who know you.

They will now see a different aura within your personality and this is made possible because you allowed yourself to have a new life of meaning and purpose with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 23, 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:

Do you sometimes feel alone, abandoned and without peace of mind?

After the death of Jesus the apostles had this feeling of being orphaned and without a leader. Add to this was the feeling of fear that was constantly being fed to their minds by the Jews.

While in a room meeting and in the midst of their loneliness and fear Jesus appeared to them and told them, “Peace be with you” perhaps to assure His apostles of His abiding presence.

The peace that Jesus gives is something that is elusive to many of us for the reason that the  peace that Jesus gives is not a byproduct of accumulation of money and power.

We may all have the wealth and power in this world but if we don’t have Jesus we would still be without peace of mind. We would still be yearning for something far greater than wealth and that is to have peace within ourselves.

Jesus in the gospel greeted His followers: “Peace be with you” not once, not twice but three times. As if to say, amidst your dificulties continue to believe that I have risen, continue to have faith in me, and continue to be faithful to me because I’m the only one who can give you peace.

Your wealth will not give you peace for it may even give you endless depression and pressure. Your power whatever it is will not give you peace as well. Your friends may give you fleeting happiness but not peace of mind.

Who then can give you this feeling of true peace that this world cannot give you? It’s no other than Jesus! He alone can give you this elusive peace and serenity. Amidst the many difficulties in your life Jesus is always there to give you peace. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for April 22, Saturday within 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:

Among the many to whom Jesus can appear, why to Mary Magdalene first a sinner who was formerly possessed by seven demons? Why not to anyone of His eleven apostles first who by the way was with Him for three years? Or why not appear first to His Mother Mary?

Why appear to Mary Magdalene first? We don’t know but what we know of Mary of Magdalene is she is a sinner who repented. A former prostitute who left behind her sinful life to become a follower of Jesus.

Perhaps the message to us is nobody is beyond reach of the love of Jesus. The more sinful we are the more that Jesus desires to manifest Himself to us. The more that Jesus wants to convert us from sinner to become non-sinner even saint.

We should all remember that nothing is impossible with God. That God when He so desires can effect change into our lives no matter how dark our past. However, we must also cooperate with God’s plan of conversion for us.

This is for the reason that even if God desires to change us yet we don’t cooperate with His plan, then He can’t do anything. For He also gave us the freedom of will, if we would abide with His desire then we are assured of salvation.

Mary of Magdalene was docile to the desire of God to convert her that’s why she totally left behind her sinful life and became a follower of Jesus.

How about you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for April 21, Friday within 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 spiritually weak and empty? You’re not alone, everyone of us goes through this spiritual dryness. This is the reason why we sometimes feel spiritually weak and empty.

After the death of Jesus some of the apostles didn’t know that Jesus had already risen. So they went back to their former work feeling spiritually empty and weak nonetheless they have to move on with their lives. Feeling weak and empty they went fishing and they returned ashore without anything at all.

Then afterwards, lo and behold the risen Jesus appeared before them and He said to them, have you caught any fish? They said no, so Jesus told them to throw it once again onto the water. And they caught so many that they couldn’t bring it anymore to shore.

In their emptiness and weariness Jesus appeared to them to give them hope and to give them strength. To tell them that I am again here with you, I have risen, I have not abandoned you all even for a single second. I was with you as you struggle with my death on the cross as I was with you as you felt your emptiness and loneliness. Never have I abandoned you!

The same is what Jesus is telling us all today as we also struggle with our journey with Him. As we feel and face our own moments of emptiness and loneliness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for April 20, Thursday within 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:

Who moves and inspires you to go on when you feel spiritually/emotionally weary and tired? Of course it’s no other than Jesus! During these times you earnestly pray to Him and you ask Him for help and strength. And the moment you sincerely do these prayers and petitions you would feel energized as such you are very much ready again to face the many trials in your life.

While the disciples of Jesus were feeling weary and down because they thought that Jesus has not risen. He suddenly stood in their midst and He greeted them, "Peace be with you and He said to them: “Why are you troubled?” And why do questions arise in your hearts? Jesus appeared to his followers once again to tell them that He has truly risen and that He is there for them.

Whether we admit it or not, we are often times like the disciples of Jesus. We doubt, we feel abandoned by Him and we sometimes question Him. If He is really there for us and if He is really real!

If He is there and if He is truly real then how come there are still difficult moments in our lives? In the midst of these momentary difficulties let us persevere and let us continue to have faith in Jesus.

What does this gospel episode tells us? It tells us that we are never alone that the Risen Jesus is always by our side most especially when we pass through trials and problems. He is always there to help us and to strengthen us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for April 19, Wednesday within 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:

How would you feel if somebody close to you dies?

We all feel very sad when somebody very important to us dies. The feeling is as if a big important part of us had been taken off from our lives. Cleopas and his companion had this feeling of sadness as they were walking towards Emmaus. They felt that a big part of their life had been taken from them with the death of Jesus.

However, as they were journeying going to Emmaus they did not recognize that the Risen Christ was already walking and conversing with them. So while walking going to Emmaus Jesus asked them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk (Luke 24:17)?" They told Him their story and seemingly false expectations about Himself (Jesus).

Why false expectation? Because Cleopas and company were expecting Jesus to redeem Israel.  Jesus was already their hero, who would not consider Jesus as hero when He could make the lame walk, He could restore a blind man’s eyesight, He could bring back to life a dead man and so forth. They thought that it was now all bed of roses for them since they were now following Jesus. Therefore they were terribly disappointed with the death of Jesus.

What is the lesson for us in this gospel episode? This tells us that we must not expect that everything now would be turning out right for us since we are now followers of Jesus. There would still be trials, persecutions and disappointments for these are part of the test of our faith in Jesus. 

When they arrived at Emmaus they asked Jesus to stay with them. While there at a table with them He took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them (Luke 24:30). After doing it in front of them they recognized that it was the Risen Jesus Christ who was with them, it was Jesus who was conversing with them while they were walking going to Emmaus.

Where is Emmaus now in this technology and internet driven times? Emmaus is certainly not located within your high-tech mobile phone. Emmaus is the church specifically located inside your church. When you go to your church to attend Holy Mass you go to Emmaus.

There you have to hold in highest regard the words of God as it is proclaimed to you. There you reverently accept Jesus' Body and Blood as it is given to you by the priest or the Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

Are you going to Emmaus this Sunday to be with Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas