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.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Do you always respect, take care of and honor your mother?
On this first day of the year the church honor’s Mary as the Holy Mother of God. This is so because the church wants to remind us of the important role of Mary in salvation history. In the gospel, the Blessed Mother quietly kept everything that was told them by the shepherd. No complaint whatsoever, she humbly submitted herself to the will of God.
Mary quietly fulfilled her role as the Holy Mother of God. She did not complain, she simply submitted herself to God’s will. She taught Jesus everything that He needs to know about life. And she also stayed with Jesus until the very end of His life. In return, Jesus greatly recognized her humble submission to the will of God by asking John the apostle to take care of His mother ( John 19:27).
All of us have our own mothers and we are all aware of the great sacrifices that they did for us. Like the Blessed Mother, they never complained they instead quietly assumed their motherly roles. But how are we treating them right now that they are in twilight of their years? Are we giving them the best comfort and care that they could ever have?
Let us give our mothers the best that we could ever give them. Let us express to them our love and gratitude for all of the things that they’ve done for us. If they make mistakes or behave erratically due to their advancing age, let us remain patient and gentle with them.
How are you taking care of your mother? - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon: nagmamadali silang lumakad patungong Betlehem at nakita nila sina Maria at Jose at ang sanggol na nakahiga sa sabsaban. Kaya't isinaysay nila ang mga sinabi ng anghel tungkol sa sanggol na ito; at nagtaka ang lahat ng nakarinig sa sinabi ng mga pastol.
Natanim sa isip ni Maria ang mga bagay na ito at kanyang pinagbulay-bulay. Umalis ang mga pastol na nagpupuri sa Diyos at nagpapahayag ng kanyang kadakilaan dahil sa lahat ng narinig nila at nakita na ayon sa ibinalita sa kanila ng anghel.
Pagdating ng ikawalong araw ay tinuli ang bata at pinangalanang Hesus – ang pangalang ibinigay ng anghel bago pa siya ipinaglihi.
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus 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 the 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.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
The story is told about a mother who was wondering how come her children have no proper values and no love for God. Many parents are perhaps in the same boat, they are puzzled how their children grew up in such manner.
But parents need not look far to discover the cause of their children’s negative behavior. They simply have to face the mirror, and they will surely discover the person behind their children’s negative behavior.
Parents are the basic formators of their children and the pillar of the family as such they are the foremost teachers of their children. If they raise their children with love for God they would mature as lovers of God. If they raise them with discipline and right manners they would grow up as such as well.
Besides fulfilling the Jewish law that mandates bringing the firstborn to the temple and requires the mother to offer a sacrifice for her purification after childbirth. Mary and Joseph ensured that the child Jesus will grow up to become someone who will love God dearly.
This is the reason why they took time to present Jesus to God in the temple. Joseph and Mary knew the crucial role of love for God in their family and in their child’s life. Both of them knew how to properly mold their only child Jesus, so that He would grow as a man who loves God.
Even if we are very busy, let us not forget to make time to bring our children to the Lord by attending Holy Mass as a family. We should introduce Jesus to them by discussing His life, which we can easily find in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John in the Bible. Additionally, let's not overlook the importance of teaching them about our faith, as it will undoubtedly bear fruit in their lives when they start their own families someday.
Do you always attend Holy Mass as a family and have you educated your children about the life of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Nang dumating ang araw ng paglilinis sa kanila, ayon sa Kautusan ni Moises, si Jesus ay dinala ng kanyang mga magulang sa Jerusalem upang iharap sa Panginoon, sapagkat ayon sa Kautusan, "Ang bawat panganay na lalaki ay nakatalaga sa Panginoon." At naghandog sila, ayon sa hinihingi ng Kautusan ng Panginoon: "Mag-asawang batu-bato, o dalawang inakay na kalapati."
May isang tao noon sa Jerusalem, ang pangala'y Simeon. Matapat at malapit sa Diyos ang lalaking ito at naghihintay sa katubusan ng Israel. Sumasakanya ang Espiritu Santo na nagpahayag sa kanya na hindi siya mamamatay hangga't hindi niya nakikita ang Mesias na ipinangako ng Panginoon. Sa patnubay ng Espiritu, pumasok siya sa templo. At nang dalhin doon ng kanyang mga magulang) ang sanggol na si Jesus upang gawin ang hinihingi ng Kautusan, siya'y kinalong ni Simeon.
Ito'y nagpuri sa Diyos, na ang wika, "Kunin mo na Panginoon ang iyong abang alipin, Ayon sa iyong pangako, Yamang nakita na ng aking mga mata ang iyong tagapagligtas, Na inihanda mo para sa lahat ng bansa: Liwanag itong tatanglaw sa mga Hentil, At magbibigay-karangalan sa iyong bayang Israel."
Namangha ang ama't ina ng sanggol dahil sa sinabi ni Simeon tungkol sa kanya. Binasbasan sila ni Simeon, at sinabi kay Maria, "Tandaan mo, ang batang ito'y nakatalaga sa ikapapahamak o ikaliligtas ng marami sa Israel, isang tanda mula sa Diyos ngunit hahamakin ng marami kaya't mahahayag ang kanilang iniisip. Dahil diyan, ang puso mo'y para na ring tinarakan ng isang balaraw."
Naroon din sa templo ang isang propetang babae na ang ngala'y Ana, anak ni Fanuel na mula sa lipi ni Aser. Siya'y napakatanda na. Pitong taon lamang silang nagsama ng kanyang asawa, nang siya'y mabalo, at ngayon, walumpu't apat na taon na siya. Lagi siya sa templo at araw gabi'y sumasamba sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pag-aayuno at pananalangin.
Lumapit siya nang oras ding iyon at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Nagsalita rin siya tungkol kay Jesus sa lahat ng naghihintay sa pagpapalaya ng Diyos sa Jerusalem. Nang maisagawa nila ang lahat ng bagay ayon sa Kautusan, bumalik na sila sa kanilang bayan, sa Nazaret, Galilea. Ang bata'y lumaking malakas, marunong at kalugud-lugod sa paningin ng Diyos.
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.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Where is your life centered?
Is it centered upon our Lord and savior Jesus Christ? If it’s centered upon the
Lord you would be able to overcome whatever problem/s that you are going
through right now.
We all carry our own secret burdens/problems
that nobody knows except us or 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 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 the
Lord will soon save you and give you hope. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong Panahong iyon, naroon din sa templo ang isang propetang babae na ang pangala'y Ana, anak ni Fanuel na mula sa lipi ni Aser. Siya'y napakatanda na. Pitong taon lamang silang nagsama ng kanyang asawa, nang siya'y mabalo. At ngayon, walumpu't apat na taon na siya.
Lagi siya sa templo at araw-gabi'y sumasamba sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pag-aayuno at pananalangin. Lumapit siya nang oras ding iyon at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Nagsalita rin siya tungkol kay Jesus sa lahat ng naghihintay sa pagpapalaya ng Diyos sa Jerusalem.
Nang maisagawa na nila ang lahat ng bagay ayon sa Kautusan, bumalik na sila sa kanilang bayan, sa Nazaret, Galilea. Ang bata'y lumaking malakas, marunong at kalugod-lugod sa paningin ng Diyos.
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.”
+ + + + + +
Reflection:
Are you a parent?
Parents play a very vital role in the formation of
values of their children, where the parents go so their child.
For example, if the parents seldom brings to church
for Holy Mass their children there’s a big chance that when they grow up they
will also rarely go to church for Holy Mass. If parents do not lead worthy
lives there’s a big chance as well that children would be also. In other words
the fruit would almost be the same with the tree.
In the gospel, Mary and Joseph both devoted to their
Jewish faith brought the child Jesus to the temple in compliance with their
Jewish law. They were leading by example on how it is to be faithful to the
laws of God; they were forming the child Jesus to be like them.
It always pays to be good and godly parents because it
helps mold the mind of the child to be good and to be godly as he/she matures.
On the other hand we can just imagine a child being brought up by irresponsible
parents and parents who do not recognize the vital role of God in their
life.
Though it does not assure 100% that the fruit
will always be like the tree. Yet when we always model good and godly behavior
to our children we are already conditioning their minds to always do what is
good and godly.
Therefore this modelling of good behavior will surely
help them become good and law abiding individuals in the future. But the big
question mark is, are we good role models to our children? – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Nang dumating ang araw ng paglilinis
sa kanila, ayon sa Kautusan ni Moises, sila'y pumunta sa Jerusalem. Dala nila
ang sanggol upang iharap sa Panginoon, sapagkat ayon sa Kautusan, "Ang
bawat Panganay na lalaki ay nakatalaga sa Panginoon." At naghandog sila,
ayon sa hinihingi ng Kautusan ng Panginoon: "Mag-asawang batu-bato o
dalawang inakay na kalapati."
May isang tao noon sa Jerusalem, ang pangala'y Simeon. Matapat at
malapit sa Diyos ang lalaking ito at naghihintay ng katubusan ng Israel.
Sumasakanya ang Espiritu Santo na nagpahayag sa kanya na hindi siya mamamatay
hangga't hindi niya nakikita ang Mesias na ipinangako ng Panginoon.
Sa patnubay ng Espiritu, pumasok siya sa templo. At nang dalhin
doon ng kanyang mga magulang ang sanggol na si Jesus upang gawin ang hinihingi
ng Kautusan, siya'y kinalong ni Simeon. Ito'y nagpuri sa Diyos, na ang wika,
"Kunin mo na, Panginoon, ang iyong abang alipin. Ayon sa iyong pangako,
yamang nakita na ng aking mga mata ang iyong pagliligtas, na inihanda mo para
sa lahat ng bansa: liwanag itong tatanglaw sa mga Hentil, at
magbibigay-karangalan sa iyong bayang Israel."
Namangha
ang ama't ina ng sanggol dahil sa sinabi ni Simeon, at sinabi kay Maria,
"Tandaan mo, ang batang ito ay nakatalaga sa ikapapahamak o ikaliligtas ng
marami sa Israel, isang tanda mula sa Diyos ngunit hahamakin ng marami kaya't mahahayag
ang kanilang iniisip. Dahil diyan, ang puso mo'y para na ring tinarakan ng
isang balaraw."
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.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What fuels extreme anger? It’s arrogance of power,
it’s the mindset of ego and superiority.
When King Herod ordered the massacre of all the boys
in Bethlehem and its vicinity within the age of two years and below (Matthew
2:16). His order was certainly fueled by his arrogance, ego, abuse of power and
the mindset of superiority.
Did Herod suffer for his despicable act? He did
certainly, he suffered in silence and he had no peace of mind for the rest of
his life. This could happen to us also when we are arrogant and when we allow
blind and extreme anger to rule over us.
So, instead of allowing ourselves to be controlled by
our anger and arrogance let us be calm. And think of the irreversible
consequences that may come if we allow anger and arrogance to take control of
us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Pagkaalis ng mga Pantas, napakita kay
Jose sa panaginip ang isang anghel ng Panginoon. Sinabi sa kanya,
"Magbangon ka, dalhin mo agad sa Egipto ang mag-ina. At huwag kayong aalis
doon hangga't hndi ko sinasabi sa iyo.
Sapagkat hahanapin ni Herodes ang
sanggol upang patayin." Kaya dali-daling bumangon si Jose at nang gabing
iyo'y dinala sa Egipto ang mag-ina. Doon sila tumira hanggang mamatay si
Herodes. Nangyari ito upang matupad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng
propeta, "Tinawag ko ang aking Anak mula sa Egipto."
Galit na galit si Herodes nang malamang siya'y napaglalangan ng
mga Pantas. Kaya't ipinapatay niya ang mga batang lalaki sa Betlehem at mga
palibot na pook-- lahat na may gulang na dalawang taon pababa, alinsunod sa
paglitaw ng tala na natiyak niyang sa mga Pantas.
Sa
gayo'y natupad ang sinabi ni Propeta Jeremias: "Narinig sa Rama ang
malakas na panaghoy. Tinatangisan ni Raquel ang kanyang mga anak. Hindi siya
maaliw sa tindi ng kalungkutan dahil sa pagkamatay nila."
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.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What does the empty tomb of Jesus signify?
It signifies that Jesus has risen after dying on the cross at Calvary. Simon
Peter perhaps did not immediately believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Unlike
the other disciples (John) who immediately believed after seeing the empty tomb
and the burial cloths.
In this gospel episode it may seem that Peter and John are followers with
contrasting intensity of faith. John with his rock-solid faith and Peter who
seem to be reluctant to immediately believe.
But was Peter’s faith in the resurrection of Jesus really inadequate during
that moment? Perhaps no, perhaps Peter chose to keep in his heart his faith in
Jesus. In the silence of his heart Peter perhaps was also an instantaneous
believer of the resurrection of Jesus.
Faith is a gift, like Peter many of us carry it in our hearts silently. We may
not immediately notice this in our fellow human beings but it’s within them
deeply rooted courtesy of Jesus.
Let us therefore pray to Jesus that He also give us this gift of faith. Let us
also not forget to pray for our loved ones and friends so that they too may
receive the same gift of faith. - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Madilim-dilim pa nang araw ng Linggo,
patakbong pumunta si Maria Magdalena kay Simon Pedro at sa alagad na mahal ni
Hesus, at sinabi sa kanila, “Kinuha sa libingan ang Panginoon at hindi namin
alam kung saan dinala!” Kaya’t si Pedro at ang nasabing alagad ay nagpunta sa
libingan. Kapwa sila tumakbo ngunit si Pedro’y naunahan ng kasamang
alagad.
Yumuko
ito at sumilip sa loob. Nakita niyang nakalagay ang mga kayong lino, ngunit
hindi siya pumasok. Kasunod niyang dumating si Simon Pedro at tuluy-tuloy itong
pumasok sa libingan. Nakita niya ang mga kayong lino, at ang panyong ibinalot
sa ulo. Hindi ito kasama ng mga kayong lino, kundi hiwalay na nakatiklop sa
isang tabi. Pumasok din ang alagad na naunang dumating; nakita niya ito at
siya’y naniwala.
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.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
During Christmas season we savor the many good things about life. Such as food, gifts and other good things that would satisfy us. However, there will come a time that we will be called to live our faith to the fullest. This simply means that we’ll have to witness for our love and faith for Jesus. This witness for Jesus may require us to pass through hard times or it may even require us to even give our very own life.
Saint Stephen the first martyr of the church whose martyrdom we remember today. Is one of those who witnessed for Jesus until the very end of his life. He advanced the faith and did great things in the name of Jesus. But he was eventually savagely killed for witnessing for Jesus.
Until now, we are still called to witness for our faith in Jesus. We are also called to use social media so that Jesus will become more relevant today. Particularly in the hearts and minds of everyone, especially the young ones, as they are the future of the church.
Have you already witnessed for Jesus? Have you already been persecuted for your love for Jesus? Do not be disheartened if you have been through or currently going thru these tests of faith for these are part and parcel of your witness and discipleship for Jesus. Make Jesus more relevant today as what Saint Stephen did during his time. Do not be afraid of the severe consequences that may befall you, because you have nothing to fear if Jesus is with you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus
sa kanyang mga alagad, "Mag-ingat kayo, sapagkat may mga taong magkakanulo
sa inyo sa mga hukuman; at hahagupitin nila kayo sa mga sinagoga. Dahil sa
akin, ihaharap kayo sa mga gobernador at mga hari, at magpapatotoo kayo sa
harapan nila at ng mga Hentil.
Kapag nililitis na kayo, huwag kayong mabalisa tungkol sa
sasabihin ninyo o kung paano ninyo sasabihin. Pagdating ng oras, ito'y
ipagkakaloob sa inyo. sapagkat hindi kayo ang magsasalita kundi ang Espiritu ng
inyong Ama ang magsasalita sa pamamagitan ninyo.
"Ipagkakanulo
ng kanyang kapatid ang kanyang kapatid upang ipapatay; gayon din ang gagawin ng
ama sa kanyang anak. Lalabanan ng mga anak ang kanilang mga magulang, at
ipapapatay. Kapopootan kayo ng lahat dahil sa akin; ngunit ang manatiling tapat
hanggang wakas ang siyang maliligtas.
