Reflection for January 3, Wednesday before Epiphany; 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 heaven 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:

When John was asked by the priest and Levites to confirm if he is the messiah he instead said: “I am not the messiah” (John 1:20). It never came to the thought of John to assume and pretend that he is the messiah. From the very start John knew his role, he knew that he was just the precursor. That’s why he said: “I must decrease and He must increase” (John 3:30).

Let us take a closer look at the life of John, he lived a simple life, he shunned publicity, he was humble, he never took credit of the things that was attributed to him. He instead always pointed to Jesus.

John is the epitome of a self-assured humble man who is content to do the role that was given to him by God. Fame, power even fortune was within his reach but he was never tempted to grab it. John is so unlike with many of us who will always take hold of every opportunity to gain credit.

By virtue of our baptism each and everyone of us especially those who know something about our faith are called by God to be like John. To let God shine at all times, and never be tempted to upend God for our own personal gains.

We must not use God for us to become popular and powerful. For true service for God and His people is not about popularity or about power. True service for God happens when we silently and humbly do our task. And we do it for the greater glory of God and not for our own glory!

John chose humility and simplicity; he chose to highlight Jesus more than himself.  Let us also choose humility and simplicity and let us also bring to light Jesus in our lives. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday January 2, Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus, Bishops and Doctors of the Church; John 1:19-28

Gospel: John 1:19-28

This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you? He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah? And he said, “I am not. “Are you the Prophet? He answered, No. So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?”

He said:

“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord, as Isaiah the prophet said. Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet? John answered them “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize the one who is coming after me whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie. This happened in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

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Reflection:

A glass that is full of water will not anymore be able to contain the water that is being poured into it. But the glass that is half-full will still be able to accommodate water. 

This is basically the same with those who are so full of themselves they will not anymore grow in faith. For the simple reason that they think that they already know everything but those who are humble will further grow in faith.

This is for the reason that they are like the half-full glass that yearns for more water. If we want to grow in faith; we must at all times be humble because humility is the password for us to further grow in faith.

Let us start the year right by emulating the humility of John; he purposely decreased as Jesus increased. John was not publicity hungry and he shunned honor even if he richly deserved it. John instead deflected the honor being given to him in favor of Jesus.

I hope that we would be like John as well. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Monday January 1, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary the Holy Mother of God; Luke 2:16-21

Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

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Reflection:

Do you submit yourself to the will of God?

The Blessed Mother humbly submitted herself to the will of God. Thou she quietly reflected on the uncertainties and surprises that went her way. Yet in the midst of her trepidations she remained faithful to the will of God she was with Jesus from birth until the very end of His life on the cross.

As we begin our new year we will be swimming into the ocean of uncertainties and surprises. Let us be ready by being hopeful and by keeping our strong faith in our God. Let us continue to glorify and praise God and let us strive to share and deepen our faith. The Blessed Mother did these all.

The Lord wants nothing but the best for us; He desires us peace and He wishes to always be with us. Let us open our whole being to the many blessings that the Lord wants to give us. But this will only materialize if we continue to be near His presence by avoiding sin.

As we step inside this new year let us remain Hopeful and Optimistic for nothing is impossible with God. Let us make the Blessed Mother our prayer partner and our spiritual mother as we wade through the many uncertainties of 2018.  - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday, December 31, Feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph; Luke 2:22-40

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, They 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: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for 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." There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

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Reflection:

Do you always bring your children to church for Mass? Do you present them to the Lord and say: “I offer my children to you take care of them my Lord and savior Jesus.

For the reason of our busyness and perhaps because many of us were not brought up by our parents to be always present at Mass every Sunday. We forget also to bring our children to attend Mass and we forget to introduce to them the importance of Holy Mass in their lives. if this is how we are now we must correct this.

We must first of all bring our children closer to Jesus for the reason that this is our primary duty as parents. We must introduce them to Jesus by reading and sharing to them His life in the bible and we must imbed in their minds the importance of regularly reading the bible.

What will it profit our children if they have the best material things in this world yet they don’t have in their hearts Jesus? Nothing! Just try observing the behavior of children brought up with the teachings and values of Jesus vis-a-vis children brought up with worldliness and materialism.

As Joseph and Mary brought the child Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord. Parents are also strongly encouraged to bring their children to church for Holy Mass. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for Saturday December 30, Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; Luke 2:36-40

Gospel: Luke 2:36-40

There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

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Reflection:

Where is your Christmas centered?

Is it centered upon the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ? If it’s centered upon the coming birth of our Lord we would be able to overcome whatever problem/s that we are going through.

We all carry our own secret burdens that nobody knows except us and perhaps a few of our relatives and friends. These burdens should always bring us closer to Jesus. In fact the more burdens that we have the more that we should get closer to Jesus. And the more burdens that we have the more that we should rest it upon Him.

Let us therefore be patient for Jesus will take away and heal us of our burdens no matter how heavy it is. If he will not heal it he will certainly help us carry it.

In the gospel, the prophet Anna patiently waited with fasting and prayer for the coming birth of the savior. She was already advance in years yet she waited and never wavered. Until her patient waiting was rewarded by God through the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

You too have to patiently wait for He will soon save you and give you hope. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Friday 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.”

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Reflection:

Do you know how it feels to hope on nobody but the Lord Jesus? Simeon the man from Jerusalem certainly knew this unique feeling, he was already ready to go out if this world upon seeing the young Jesus. His hope and salvation rested on nobody but Jesus, is Jesus the Hope and Salvation of your life?

Simeon was searching for Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit he was able to find Jesus in the temple being offered to God by his parents. Do you search for Jesus in your life and do you thirst for Him? You will certainly find Jesus when you search and thirst for Him. This may sound impossible to you but this is certainly true as true as the rising of the sun in the morning.

But many of us don’t even bother to search for Jesus and we hardly have time for Jesus. So what happens to our life? We have so many fears in life; the fear of dying, the fear of sickness and we also have no more fear of sin. Simeon in our gospel reading is not fearful of anything even death! He is even ready to die already for he already found Jesus.

As you continue your journey in this world you will be going after so many worldly things such as riches, power, higher learning and so forth. All of these worldly things will not give you peace of mind these things may even disturb your mind.

For a change, why not stop going after these worldly things and thereafter begin your search for Jesus? He’s just around the bend waiting for you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13

Reflection for Thursday December 28, Feast of 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.

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Reflection:

Do you believe in angels?

What if Joseph did not listen to the command of the angel of the Lord? The child Jesus would have been killed by Herod and his minions. But Joseph is a good and obedient man of the Lord.  So he listened and in the process he helped save the life of the baby Jesus.

Angels who act as messengers of God abound in this world and they are not the winged ones anymore. They are humans like you who would always advise you to avoid doing what is not good and sinful. Or they would advise to do good always even if others are not doing good. Therefore, you have to listen because if you will not listen you would eventually be in a problematic situation.

There is a story of a married man. Who for three long years was always advising his wife to cease her affair with her adulterous, wicked and evil married officemate. The wife did not listen to her husband’s countless counsels, she instead continuously manipulated and lied to him.

Eventually the husband laid a trap for his wife and her wicked, evil and shameless paramour. So they were caught in flagrante delicto or in the very act of sexual misconduct. Cases were filed by the husband against his wife and the wicked, evil and devious lover. Soon after the long-suffering husband took the high and difficult but honorable road by forgiving both of them. Thus, he withdrew the cases filed against them.

One afternoon, the husband visited his wife he embraced her tightly, kissed her on the forehead. And immediately the wife said to her husband: "Would you be willing to forgive me?" whimpering he said: “I have forgiven your offense already, I have forgotten it and I have thrown it into the deepest ocean so that it will not anymore haunt me for the rest of my life.”  Afterwards he slowly walked away into the sunset never to be seen by her for the rest of her life.

As Saint Joseph listened to the command of the angel of the Lord. We too have to listen to the wisdom filled advice/s being given to us by people who have nothing but concern and love for us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Wednesday December 27, Feast of 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.

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Reflection:

Do you have sometimes this feeling that you look for God and you hunger for Him yet you cannot find Him? Don’t give up for if you will not give up you will be able to find Him.  Yet if you want to easily find God and make Him your friend and daily companion you have to do the following:

1. Always find time to be present in the celebration of the Holy Mass.

2. Have a daily habit of prayer at least twice a day, preferably upon waking up in the morning and before retiring at night.

3. Have a daily habit of planned reading the Holy Bible: Start with the first four gospels of the New        Testament.

4. Discover the beauty of praying the Holy Rosary.

5. Have that hunger for the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Confession.

If you do all of these God would always be by your side. In the gospel, Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter and the other disciple went to the tomb of Jesus. Only to find out that He was not there anymore for He had resurrected already.

But surely it was only the physical presence of Jesus that they were missing.  Deep in their hearts Jesus was also with them for all of them were very close to Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Tuesday 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.”

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Reflection:

What fuels a person to give his/her life for Jesus? It’s their fidelity to the mission of Jesus and it’s their love for Jesus. For many of us it’s hard to think that there are people who are willing to give their life for Jesus. But this is the reality; there really are unsung heroes who will willingly give their life for the mission of Jesus.

Another reality of life is this, those who humbly continue the mission of Jesus are often times persecuted also. Let us think about the many martyrs of the church who shed their blood for Jesus’ mission. There are many of them some became saints and some silently went to heaven. They never wavered in their fidelity to the mission of Jesus they continued amidst the persecution.

Let us say for example, what if you will also be called to witness for Jesus inside your family? Will you take the risk to speak about the teachings of Jesus even if its unpopular to the majority of your family members?

A faithful follower will never be afraid to speak for Jesus, for to speak for Jesus teachings is always right. But we must also do it in such a way that we do it with a mindset of humility, gentleness and love. And we also have to see to it that we don’t share Jesus with a superior mindset otherwise we wouldn’t be able to successfully share Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday December 25, Christmas, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord- 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.

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Reflection:

Do you perceive the presence Jesus in your life? Do you feel His abiding love and care? Jesus is born into this world for you today. God so love you that He became human like you. He walked in this world and mingled with the ordinary people of His time. For what reason did God do this? The reason is no other than love, God so love us dearly that He willingly gave His only begotten son for us. 

Jesus descended into this world through Mary to let us know that He is not a distant God. To let us know that He is a God amongst us, a God who walks with us and a God who is always there for us.

If through His birth Jesus humbled Himself for us so that we may live and have life, in what way do you humble yourself before God? Are you silently doing our share to help Jesus advance His mission in this world? Do you invite others to go to church for Holy Mass so that they too would feel the love of God?      

In this day of the birth of Jesus the church is teeming with people for Holy Mass. However some or many of them don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus yet. They are there because they’ve grown with this holy tradition. If we know someone who is like them it would be noble therefore if we would gently educate them about the birth of Jesus today and the reason why He was born into this world.

Have you done something to share the real reason for this Christmas day? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday, December 24, Fourth Sunday of Advent; Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his Kingdom there will be no end.

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man? And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative has also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

How deep is your love for God or how profound is your love for God? Are you willing to sacrifice something of yourself for God? For example, if somehow through your conscience you hear the voice of the Holy Spirit telling you to do something good and worthy, would you be willing to do it?

Christmas is just around the bend one more day to be exact, what does the Holy Spirit telling you to do this Christmas? Surely it’s not to buy things for yourself! Surely it’s not actions that will make you personally happy! For there’s no real happiness in doing something for oneself, real and profound happiness comes out from our hearts when we do something for others. Most especially to those who cannot give back the good that we do for them.

When the Blessed Mother obeyed the will of God for her to be the mother of Jesus she sacrificed her own happiness for the will of God. The Blessed Mother put aside her own safety and honor so that she could honor the will of God for her. So that she could help bring joy and salvation to all of humanity.    

When the Blessed Mother said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38). There was already profound happiness in her heart for she knew that she would be doing something not for herself but for God and humanity.

For this Christmas why not try doing something different? Instead of doing it all for yourself why not do something for the people that He loved dearly? The poor and the unwanted those people who cannot give back the goodness that you will be doing for them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas