Reflection for Wednesday May 3, Saints Philip and James, Apostles: John 14:6-14

Gospel: John 14:6-14

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

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Reflection:

A typical marriage vows goes like this: For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. A man and a woman becomes one by virtue of the Sacrament of Marriage.

Jesus objective for instituting this Sacrament is to permanently bind these two separate and distinct individuals so that they may become one. This union must always be for life. It must never be based on convenience but based on mutual trust and respect for each other.

In our gospel for today, it is very obvious that Jesus wants to point out to Philip and to us too that He and God the father are one. Although God the Father and Jesus are two different persons they are one and the same God. They both have the same desire for all of humanity and that is salvation for us all.

We believe this oneness of Jesus and God the Father, although they are two different persons. We must also strongly believe in the Sanctity of the Sacrament of Matrimony. That it is a union for life and nobody can separate both spouses except mortal death.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Tuesday May 2, Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: John 6:30-35

Gospel: John 6:30-35

The crowd said to Jesus: "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:

He gave them bread from heaven to eat."

So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

So they said to Jesus, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

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Reflection:

There is a true story of a woman who was stricken with brain cancer, she was already given by her doctors two months to live. Being so they requested their Parish Priest to anoint her with Holy Oil and have her received the Body of Christ.

The family of the woman requested the priest if he could assign an Extra-Ordinary Minister of the Holy Communion for regular visit so that she could receive Jesus every Sunday. To make a long story short the Priest assigned an Extra-Ordinary Minister to give her Holy Communion every Sunday.    

With the grace of the Lord the two months life that was given her by her doctors became five years.  And her mother would always tell the Extra-Ordinary Minister that the additional four years and ten months of her life was a miracle of the Good Lord which she always receives every Sunday.  

In our gospel today, after Jesus mentioned about the bread from heaven that gives life to the world. The crowd told Him "Lord, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst."

The sick woman and her mother believed without a single doubt this declaration of Jesus that He is the Bread of Life. How about you? Do you also believe? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

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