Reflection for Sunday, January 14, Second Sunday of Ordinary Time; John 1:35-42

Gospel: John 1:35-42

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

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Reflection:

What are you looking for in this world? Are you looking for popularity and riches? Are you looking for power and influence? What are you looking for?

We look for so many things in this world to find our happiness and those things that would satisfy us. Only to find out later that it couldn’t satisfy us, so we look again and again. And it seems that the looking for mantra seems endless.

Why? For the simple reason that we are looking for the wrong things that will not satisfy us and give us contentment. For example, can money, power and other earthly things satisfy us? These worldly things will never satisfy us and it will never give us peace and contentment.

In this Sunday’s gospel, Andrew and Simon Peter were looking for something that would not only give them peace and contentment. They were looking for something that would complete both of them and they found it in Jesus.

Therefore, when Jesus saw the two of them, He said: "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.  (John 1:38-39)

If you want to finally find that elusive peace and contentment and if you want someone who will protect you from all the worries of this world. You only need to look for Jesus you will certainly find Him if you will look for Him.

Are you looking for Jesus in your life right now? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for January 13, Saturday of the First Week; Mark 2:13-17

Gospel: Mark 2:13-17

Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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Reflection:

How could we convert sinners to become followers of Jesus? Of course we must approach them and be friends with them. Then as we become friends with them we also show the light of Jesus to them. With the hope that they would eventually be converted, thus; let us be patient with them. Let us show them our goodness and gentleness and then after doing what we have to do to change their lives. Let us pray and hope for their eventual conversion.

Jesus is a man of interactions He goes to sinners, interacts with them and even dines with them. Jesus always chose to interact with sinners for obvious reasons. How about us, do we interact with sinners? Do we mingle with them? And do we forgive them when they ask for forgiveness?

There are people who prefer to stay in their ivory towers. They look down and despise sinners as if they are not sinners also. They quickly judge them as good for nothing and dangerous. But if we avoid sinners how could we convert them?

If Jesus avoided Levi and the other tax collectors, He could not have converted them. They would have go on sinning until they die. But Jesus chose to interact with them for He knew that this was the only way to convert them. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 12, Friday of the First Week; Mark 2:1-12

Gospel: Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him.

After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” –he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

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Reflection:

The four men who helped the paralytic to be with Jesus were extraordinary men. They have merciful hearts, hearts that are not only concerned for their own wellbeing. Just imagine the hardship that they have to go through so that they could bring the paralytic to Jesus.

Surely, the four selfless men went home very happy with the thought in mind that they’ve done something noble and worthy.  How many of us are like these four altruistic and selfless men? How many of us will take time to visit the sick and to bring the sick to church for Holy Mass or to the hospital?

Let us recall if we have been indifferent to the plight of the sick. Let us recall if we have let a golden opportunity to slip out our hands by not helping those who are in dire need of our help. It’s not yet late to reverse this cycle of indifference to the sick, poor and the underprivileged.

The greatest reward that we could ever receive in this world is not money for it's passing and temporary. Not even self-serving honors for it will be forgotten. The greatest reward is to help someone who cannot pay us back. Who will simply pray for us and who will silently thank God for the help that they’ve received from us. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 11, Thursday of the First Week; Mark 1:40-45

Gospel: Mark 1:40-45

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

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Reflection:

Who does the leper represent today? It’s all of us who are sinners! When Jesus was approached by the leper Jesus did not run away from Him. He instead had pity on the leper, offered his healing hand to touch and clean him of his contagious disease. 

For the reason of their disease lepers were treated us outcast they were not allowed to mingle with the people. For fear that they may pass their sickness to those that they would be in touch with. But Jesus never run from the leper He instead did the contrary by offering His healing hand and right there the man was immediately healed.

This is Jesus for all of us! Merciful, full of love and compassion for all of us. Never minding if we are sinners and never judgmental with the sins that we have committed. What is important for Jesus is we approach Him with humility, trust and repentance.

We bare ourselves to Him and tell Him, I strip myself of anything that makes me unworthy before you O Lord heal me and forgive me. Let us remember that nothing is impossible for Jesus, He makes all things possible including the impossible.

What are the sins that you have committed?  Do you think that you are already unworthy for the reason of your many sins? You are still worthy and precious in the eyes of Jesus. Humbly approach Him and tell Him: Heal me O Lord! – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for January 10, Wednesday of the First Week; Mark 1:29-39

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

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

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Reflection:

There are three kinds of sickness that will bother us in our lifetime; one is physical sickness which is very visible and can easily be seen, spiritual sickness (not necessarily possession by an evil spirit). And the other one is emotional sickness this kind of sickness is subtle and not visible unless we talk to the person. 

In our gospel, after healing all who were ill or possessed by demons Jesus rose up early before dawn. He left, went off to an idle place there He prayed and then went off to other towns to heal and preach.

However there were still many who were looking for Him in the village. Does this mean that Jesus is inconsiderate and He simply abandoned those who were still in deep need of His healings? No I don’t think so.

Perhaps, those people who were still looking for His healings were those who were sick emotionally. Emotional sickness is the kind of ailment that can be cured by the person himself.

With strong faith in Jesus and will power this sickness can easily be defeated by each and everyone of us. So Jesus left them for He must have concluded that their faith on Him was already enough to defeat their emotional sickness.    

This happens to all of us sometimes we feel sick because of certain emotional low-downs. We can easily defeat this through our strong faith in Jesus and through our positive outlook in life.

Do you feel emotionally sick today? Take courage, have faith for Jesus will heal you. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 9, Tuesday of the First Week; Mark 1:21-28

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

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

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Reflection:

There’s a story of a man who was trying very hard to straighten his life. He would often say to himself that he would not womanize anymore. But he would always fall down and succumb to the enticement of the devil. This became a vicious cycle for him: He would promise to himself not to hurt his wife only to fall once again.

Evil possession is a reality of life it is always there hovering around waiting for the right moment to pounce on us. Evil possession is also not solely limited through diabolical possession. It now hides itself through our ego or high sense of self and through our other undesirable motives, thoughts and actions.

Very clearly we have in the gospel the one who can defeat the devil and it’s no other than Jesus. By His authority Jesus drove out the evil spirit possessing the man. And it is also surprising that the evil spirit knew who Jesus was.  This simply means that Jesus was marked as their number one enemy for He alone can defeat them permanently.

Jesus is still the same today as He was yesterday and as He shall be in the future. The evil spirit still trembles before His presence; He is our sole antidote to Satan’s evil scheming. Let us therefore hear His voice crying out for us and let us not harden our hearts for Him. Instead let us open our hearts to Him.

Do you hear the voice of Jesus and would you open your heart to Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Monday January 8, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord; Mark 1:7-11

Gospel: Mark 1:7-11

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

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

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Reflection:

What would you do when you’re given the opportunity to bask in the glory of your achievements? Do you point to yourself as the sole anchor of your achievements? Or do you point to Jesus as the one who is responsible for the glory and achievement that you are presently enjoying right now?

John pointed to Jesus as the one the mighty one which he is not even worthy to be compared. This is what John said about Jesus:  I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:7-8).”

John had the opportunity to claim the peoples’ adulation and bask in the limelight but he never did. Why? For the simple reason that John perfectly knew his role, he is only the precursor. John knew that he is not the actor which occupies the starring role.

In this feast of the Baptism of the Lord let us be reminded that we shouldn’t use the baptism that was administered by the priest to us to glorify ourselves. Or we shouldn’t use our baptism for our own self-glorification.

Whatever achievement we have or we attain in our faith life. We should always learn to point to Jesus as the anchor and the originator of our achievement. For the simple reason that everything emanates from Him and without Him in our lives we are nothing. – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Reflection for Sunday, January 7, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord; Matthew 2:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”

After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

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Reflection:

During Christmas time a mother with twelve grown up children was always alone in her big house.  When she was asked by her neighbor why she was alone she paused while a little bit teary eyed and she replied: “My children have their own families already.”

She further said: I used to be lonely during this time but I’m okay now because a relative introduced me to Jesus: Jesus is in my life now. I go to Mass everyday, read my bible when I’m home and reflect on the readings then I’m all right: I submit my life to Jesus.”

The mother who was abandoned by her children was obviously melancholy, who would not be? It was good that she had a relative who  introduced her to Jesus, the very same Jesus who would cure her loneliness and emptiness.

The Magi were in search for Jesus to give Him homage and to offer Jesus their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. But come to think of it, was it the sole purpose why they were in desperate search of the baby Jesus?

There might have been loneliness and emptiness also in their hearts that is why they were searching for Jesus for they knew that it was only Jesus who would cure their hidden loneliness and emptiness.

In our fast moving and technology driven world today many of us are lonely and empty deep inside us. Yes, some of us may have the riches of the world such as flashy cars, fat bank accounts, beautiful houses and the like.

But deep inside us we may be longing for something that would inwardly cure our loneliness and emptiness. This something that we are longing for is no other than Jesus. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

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

Gospel: Mark 1:7-11

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

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

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Reflection:

What does baptism signify? It signifies the beginning of our faith life journey with Jesus. It also signifies our humility and our willingness to become member of the church that Jesus founded through Peter.

When we were brought to church by our parents our parents did this from their own freewill. Nobody told them to bring that newly born child to church so that it could be baptized. They did this because they want their child to become a member of the church and a certified follower of Jesus.

Unfortunately to many parents this desire for their child to become a member of the church and a follower of Jesus begins and ends with the child’s baptism. They fail to recognize that after their child’s baptism comes the responsibility to bring the child to church for Holy Mass every Sunday.  

When the child is at the right age already comes the responsibility of the parents to teach the growing child about the teachings of the catholic faith. And comes the responsibility of the parents to open their bible to the growing child so that the child could be familiar with the teachings of God.

So what happens to the child? He/she grows without any awareness about his/her responsibilities as a baptized catholic. He/she becomes a follower of this world than a follower of Jesus and the church that He founded. Would you want your child to become a follower of this world than become a follower of Jesus? Of course not!

The Baptism of the Lord is a timely reminder for all parents that their faith obligation to their child doesn’t end with his/her baptism. Baptism is only the beginning after baptism the parents are tasked to form this child about the importance of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the church in their faith life.  So that this child would eventually become a good son or daughter and a productive citizen of this world and fruitful follower of Jesus.

How are you raising your child after his/her baptism or how did your raise your children after they were baptized? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

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

Gospel: John 1:43-51

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

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Reflection:

Do you believe that Jesus knows everything about you? Yes, Jesus knows everything about you! Your thoughts, your actions, your sinful past and your future with Him if you would choose to journey with Him for your future.  

Jesus in the gospel tells Nathanael that he knows about him even if they have just meet for the first time. This is how powerful Jesus is, He is all knowing but how come very few are following Him? This is for the reason that only a few wants to work under His vineyard.

What a paradox of life; quite a few wants to volunteer their time for the advancement of the teachings of Jesus. For what reason? For the reason that you will not earn a windfall of money under Jesus? But money is temporary, in fact it easily slips from our hands.

However, if you would choose to do work for Jesus you are already assured of life beyond this life. You are assured of His lifetime guidance, you are assured that Jesus will walk with you even under the most trying times of your life. 

Jesus is also assuring you of His unconditional love that is if you will choose Him over anything in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for January 4, Thursday before Epiphany; John 1:35-42

Gospel: John 1:35-42

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

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Reflection:

A sinful man saw a poster that states: Do you want to know Jesus? If your answer is yes, you have to read the first four gospels of the new testament. Out of curiosity the sinful man followed the instruction and he read the first four gospels of the new testament. As he read it he felt an edifying feeling that he never felt before in his life. He therefore left everything that made him sin and he became a zealous follower of the Lord.

The call of Jesus comes to us in different shapes and forms. It sometimes come to us through a life altering experience. It comes to us through a friend who would invite us to church and there we become enlightened about the life of Jesus.

What is important in these Jesus experience is our willingness to walk the extra mile to be with Jesus. What does this mean? It simply means that we would be willing to leave behind everything for Jesus. Many do this and they experience a life changing conversion.

Many respond as well but they’re not willing to leave behind sin. They continue to sin even if they know that sin is not good and against the teaching of the faith and Jesus. They therefore continue to mire themselves in sin that would eventually make life miserable for them.

When the followers of John left him for Jesus, it was not an easy decision for them.  But they had a strong resolve to follow Jesus.  So they did and from being ordinary fisherman they became extra-Ordinary fishers of men.  

You may as well encounter an offer to follow Jesus. Follow Him with all your heart this simply means that you would be willing to leave sin behind. And you leave everything including your very life in the healing hands of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas