Reflection for Monday May 1, Third Week of Easter: John 6:22-29

Gospel: John 6:22-29

22 On the next day the people who remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 However, boats from Tiber'i-as came near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Caper'na-um, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal." 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."

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Reflection:

Do you still have time to reflect about the present state of your spiritual life? You do this just to reflect if you’re still living a life of purpose outside of the world of materialism. Many of us today don’t have time anymore to reflect about the present state of our life with Jesus. Instead what we have time for is to think on how we could earn more to assure our future in this world.

But what will happen to us if all we think about is how to ensure our future in this world? We may become people of this world that is alien to the significant role of Jesus in our lives.

As we exist in this world we must not also forget to think about our relationship with Jesus. If we are able to feed our bodies with food to make us strong and healthy. Then, it is also incumbent upon us that we nourish our hungry spirits with Jesus as often as we nourish our mortal bodies with worldly food. 

Why do we desire to follow Jesus? Is it because we want to have material prosperity? So that we can feed ourselves with the best food that this world can offer? And so that we can buy whatever we want from this world? Or we follow Jesus for the reason that we want to feed our hungry spirits?

In our gospel for today the crowd was chasing Jesus not because they want to feed their hungry spirits. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for April 30 Third Sunday 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:

A husband was always being urged by his wife to join his family to attend Sunday Mass. The husband would always say, I don’t want to go because I don’t understand what’s going on at Mass and I am also busy with other things.

His wife told him, don’t you know that you always have a personal encounter with Jesus whenever you are at Holy Mass?  Don’t you know that the words of Jesus are always proclaimed to you at Holy Mass? And don’t you know that you always partake of Jesus Body and Blood during Holy Communion?

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

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

Cleopas and the other disciple are not alone in this predicament of not immediately recognizing the presence of Jesus in their midst. For we too are often guilty of not recognizing that Jesus is always present at Holy Mass.

And the reason behind not recognizing Jesus at Holy Mass is our lack of concentration and attention when we are at Mass. Our lack of interest with the Holy Mass readings and our failure to read Jesus life transforming words in the bible when we are in our homes.

If only we would prioritize our presence at Holy Mass, if only we would focus our attention to what the priest does at Holy Mass. And if only we would find time to open and read the life giving words of Jesus in the bible every day. We would know and feel that Jesus is also walking with us and He is ever ready to introduce Himself to us.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Repleksyon para sa Linggo Abril 30, Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay; Lucas 24:13-35

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:13-35

13 Nang araw ding iyon, may dalawang alagad na naglalakad papuntang Emaus, isang nayong may labing-isang kilometro ang layo mula sa Jerusalem. 14    Pinag-uusapan nila ang mga pangyayari. 15 Habang sila'y nag-uusap, lumapit si Jesus at nakisabay sa kanila, 16    ngunit siya'y hindi nila nakilala na para bang natatakpan ang kanilang mga mata. 17 Tinanong sila ni Jesus, "Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan ninyo?"

Tumigil silang nalulumbay, at 18 sinabi ni Cleopas, "Ikaw lamang yata ang dayuhan sa Jerusalem na hindi nakakaalam sa mga pangyayaring katatapos lamang maganap doon."    19  "Anong pangyayari?" tanong niya.

 Sumagot sila, "Tungkol kay Jesus na taga-Nazaret, isang propetang makapangyarihan sa salita at gawa maging sa harap ng Diyos at ng mga tao. 20 Isinakdal siya ng aming mga punong pari at mga pinuno ng bayan upang mahatulang mamatay, at siya'y ipinako sa krus. 21  Siya pa naman ang inaasahan naming magpapalaya sa Israel. Hindi lamang iyan. Ikatlong araw na ngayon mula nang mangyari ito. 22   Nabigla kami sa ibinalita ng ilan sa mga babaing kasamahan namin. Maagang-maaga raw silang nagpunta sa libingan 23 at hindi nila natagpuan ang kanyang bangkay. Nagbalik sila at ang sabi'y nakakita raw sila ng isang pangitain, mga anghel na nagsabing si Jesus ay buhay. 24      Pumunta rin sa libingan ang ilan sa mga kasama namin at ganoon nga ang natagpuan nila, ngunit hindi nila nakita si Jesus."

25 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus, "Hindi ba kayo makaunawa? Bakit hindi kayo makapaniwala sa lahat ng sinasabi ng mga propeta? 26 Hindi ba't kailangang ang Cristo ay magtiis ng lahat ng ito bago niya makamtan ang kanyang marangal na katayuan?" 27 At patuloy na ipinaliwanag sa kanila ni Jesus ang lahat ng sinasabi sa Kasulatan tungkol sa kanyang sarili, simula sa mga aklat ni Moises hanggang sa mga sinulat ng mga propeta.

 28 Malapit na sila sa nayong kanilang pupuntahan at si Jesus ay parang magpapatuloy pa sa paglakad, 29  ngunit siya'y pinigil nila. "Tumuloy ka muna rito sa amin. Malapit na ang gabi, dumidilim na," sabi nila. Kaya't sumama nga siya sa kanila. 30   Nang siya'y kasalo na nila sa pagkain, dumampot siya ng tinapay at nagpasalamat sa Diyos; pagkatapos, pinagpira-piraso iyon at ibinigay sa kanila. 31  Noon nabuksan ang kanilang mga mata at nakilala nila si Jesus, subalit siya'y biglang nawala sa kanilang paningin. 32   Nasabi nila sa isa't isa, "Kaya pala nag-uumapaw ang ating pakiramdam habang tayo'y kinakausap niya sa daan at ipinapaliwanag ang mga Kasulatan!"

 33 Agad silang tumayo at nagbalik sa Jerusalem. Naratnan nilang nagkakatipon doon ang labing-isa at ang ibang kasamahan nila. 34 Sinabi ng mga ito sa dalawa, "Totoo nga palang muling nabuhay ang Panginoon! Nagpakita siya kay Simon!" 35 At isinalaysay naman ng dalawa ang nangyari sa daan at kung paano nila nakilala si Jesus nang paghati-hatiin nito ang tinapay.

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Repleksyon:

May isang babae na palaging sinasabi sa kanyang asawa ng samahan sila at ng kanyang mga anak na magsimba tuwing lingo. Palagi ring sinasabi ng lalaki sa kanyang asawa na hindi siya sasama sa kanila kasi di naman niya naiintindihan ang kung ano ang mga ginagawa sa Banal na Misa.

Sabi ng babae hindi mo ba alam na palagi kang nagkakaroon ng personal na pakikipag-ugnay kay Jesus pag ika’y nagsisimba? Hindi mo ba alam na ang mga salita ni Jesus ay palaging sinasabi sa iyo tuwing ika’y nagsisimba? At hindi mo rin baa lam na ika’y palaging tumatangap ng katawan at dugo ni Kristo sa pamamagitan ng Banal na Kumunyon? 

Sa ating mabuting balita, habang si Cleopas at ang kanyang kasama ay naglalakad papunta ng Emaus. Si Jesus na muling nabuhay ay bigla na lamang nakipaglakbay at nakipag usap sa kanila at hindi nila alam na si Jesus na muling nabuhay na pala ang kasama at kausap nila. Ito ay sa dahilang na ang kanilang atensyon ay nakatuon parin kay Jesus na namatay sa krus hindi kay Jesus na muling nabuhay.  

Si cleopas, ang kanyang kasama at si Jesus na hindi pa rin nila nakikilala  ay naglakbay hangang sa dumating sila sa lugar ng emaus at medyo gabi na iyon kaya sinabi nila kay Jesus na pansamantala na tumuloy na muna sa kanila para magpalipas ng gabi.

Habang sila ay nagsasalosalo ay dumampot si Jesus ng tinapay nagpasalamat sa Diyos at pinag hati hati niya iyon at sila ay binigyan niya. Dahil sa ginawang iyon ni Jesus ay biglang nabuksan ang kanilang mga mata na si Jesus pala ang kasama nila dahil ito rin ang ginawa ni Jesus noong huling hapunan kasama sila at ng mga apostol (Lucas 22:19-20).   

Hindi naman nag iisa si cleopas at ang kanyang kasama sa ganitong pangyayari. Dahil kadalasan tayo rin ay hindi natin namamalayan ang presensya ni Jesus sa pagdiriwang ng Banal na Misa.

At ang dahilan ay ang kawalan natin ng atensyon o konsentrasyon pagtayo ay nasa loob ng pagdirang ng Banal na Misa. Ang kakulangan natin ng interes na makinig ng mabuti sa mga pagbasa. At ang hindi natin pagbabasa ng mga salita ni Jesus sa bibliya pag tayo ay nasa ating mga tahanan.

Kung ating lamang bibigyan ng lubos na pagpapahalaga ang ating presensya sa Banal na Misa. Kung ang ating atensyon ay lubos na nakatuon sa mga pagbasa at sa ginagawa ng pari sa loob ng Banal na Misa. At kung sana ay bubuksan at magbabasa tayo ng biblia sa ating mga tanahan kahit sandali araw-araw.   

Malalaman at mararamdaman natin na si Jesus ay nakikipaglakbay din sa atin at palaging handang makipag usap sa atin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Saturday April 29, Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church: John 6:16-21

Gospel: John 6:16-21

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.

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Reflection:

Where do you go when you are fearful or when there’s an absence of peace in your life? Do you go to Jesus and ask Him to calm you and give you peace?

 As we continue to live we would be encountering many fears and many of these fears will certainly unsettle us. Yes we worry about these fears yet after a while we also learn to submit everything to Jesus and once we do we already have peace.

While the disciples were on a boat on their way to Capernaum they encountered a strong wind and they were certainly bothered by it. What could have happened if Jesus was with them? Jesus would have told them, keep calm don’t worry for I am with you. But Jesus was not with them so they were all fearful.

Many fears bother us when there’s an absence of Jesus in our lives. Why? Because there’s an absence of stability and peace. Even if a person is rich if he/she doesn’t have Jesus there would certainly be absence of peace and calmness.

You will only have peace in your life if you have Jesus, if you don’t have Jesus expect the absence of peace to bother you. Wealth will not give you peace; power will not give you peace only Jesus will give you this elusive peace.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Friday April 28, Second Week of Easter: John 6:1-15

Gospel: John 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people recline." Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted."So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes doubt when you have a prayer before Jesus?  

Our doubts will always be a stumbling block for the realization of what we pray for. But why doubt? Perhaps our faith is lacking or perhaps we have not yet developed a close friendship with Jesus.

In our gospel for today, Philip and Andrew were already doubting if Jesus would be able to feed the large crowd who had been following Him. Philip said to Jesus, "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." (John 6:7) Andrew said to Jesus "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" (John 6:8-9)

Jesus simply told them: “Have the people recline." And after which the multiplication of the loaves and fish happened. They were able to feed the five thousand men and they had plenty to spare.

There is no impossible with Jesus, everything is possible for him who never distrust Jesus and who always believe in Jesus.

Do you want something from the Lord? Trust, believe and you will have it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Thursday April 27, Second Week of Easter: John 3:31-36

Gospel: John 3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

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Reflection:

What would happen to you if you detach yourself from Jesus? You become a citizen of this world everything that you do in this world is anchored in this finite world alone. Many people live for this world alone they think that there’s no God and there’s no heaven.

So when trials or problems comes along their way they have no other recourse but to solve their trials based on what this world has taught them to do. And when they are not able to solve their trials they begin to lose hope in this world and in themselves as well and it seems that it is the end of the world for them already. 

What would happen to you if you have Jesus in your life? You will be full of hope even if the situation around you seems hopeless. This is the great difference of having Jesus in your life; you will be full of hope and you will see things differently. As opposed to someone who doesn’t have Jesus in his/her life.

In our gospel for this Thursday it says: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

The choice is ours to take, if we would allow Jesus to come into our lives or we would continue to shut the doors of our hearts to Jesus.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Wednesday April 26, Second Week of Easter: John 3:16-21

Gospel: John  3:16-21

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

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Reflection:

Can we be saved by simply believing in Jesus? Is it enough to believe and not live that belief?

We must believe and we must live and give substance to what we believe by making a positive difference in the lives of others and by detesting sin. For example, if we say that we love Jesus but we ignore the cry for help of those who are in need what then is the use of saying we believe in Jesus? If we say that we believe yet we continue to allow ourselves to be captured by the devil. What then is the use of our profession of belief in Jesus?

When we say we believe we should firmly stand by our word by detesting sin in whatever form. For the simple reasons that this is the only way to Jesus, we are simply fooling ourselves if we say we believe yet we continue to sin.

There are many of us who continue to say that we believe in Jesus but when testing comes around. We push aside the light of Jesus to plunge into the darkness to be in the company of the devil. – Marino J. Dasmarinas