Reflection for February 1, Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:1-6

Gospel: Mark 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? 

What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” 

And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

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Reflection:

Have you experienced the feeling of envy? 

Envy and lack of faith are negative emotions that deprives us of peace of mind it also deprives us of unfathomable blessings from God. For example, if we envy our neighbor because they have a higher status in life. We would normally try very hard to also match their lifestyle even at the expense of our own financial difficulties.  

When Jesus went back to His native place He was met with scorn by His town mates because they envied Him. They were surprised of the miracles that He does, so; they questioned His miracles and they even belittled him. 

They did this to Jesus because they know Him well as someone who was ordinary like them. They grew up with him they only focused on this aspect of Jesus’ life: His being human like them. They purposely closed their eyes on His God given abilities. Even if they were aware of it they refused to acknowledge the many miracles of Jesus. 

What happened to them? Because of their doubt and unbelief Jesus was not able to perform mighty deeds for them. This will happen to us also once we start to doubt on our faith in Jesus. Doubting Jesus or doubting ourselves if we can accomplish an endeavor will never do us any good. Therefore, instead of doubting the power of Jesus, why not believe and have faith? Instead of doubting if we can accomplish this or that goal, why not work hard and leave everything to the mercy and power of God?  

Our faith and belief in Jesus will always be rewarded with something beautiful it may not come on the time that we want it. However, if we would be patient, if we will be willing to wait and never give up to work for it there will be abundant reward that awaits us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday January 31, Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest: Mark 5:21-43

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live. He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.  

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.  

Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to Jesus, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’ And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” 

 While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer? Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 

So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel like your near giving up on your faith in Jesus? 

If faith is all that we have, we must hold on to it and never ever let go of it for it will save us. It will cure us if not physically it will certainly cure us spiritually and it will give us hope. 

In the gospel we have two stories of faith: Jairus whose daughter had died; he went to Jesus with faith. He begged Jesus to go to his house and cure his dying daughter.  There is also the hemorrhaging woman she went up to Jesus and with great faith she touched the end of His clothes. 

Both Jairus and the sick woman got what they wanted from Jesus because they both had faith. Indeed, faith is the secret formula in having what we want from Jesus.      

But how can we have faith when some if not many of us don’t have a regular prayer life? How can we have faith when we treat Jesus like a medicine that we only get in touch with when we are in dire need of him? How can we have faith when we seldom attend Holy Mass? How can we have faith when we rarely read the bible? How can we have faith when we are so taken by social media the things of this world? 

Therefore, detachment from this world and attachment to Jesus is the key for us to have faith. Would we be willing to slowly detach ourselves from this world and begin as well to attach ourselves to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for January 30, Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 5:1-20

Gospel: Mark 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain.  

In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones.  

Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory.  

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.” And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. 

The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. 

Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

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Reflection:

Have you been possessed by the devil? 

This gospel episode of Jesus encounter with the man possessed by the evil spirit could happen to anyone of us. And the liberation from the possession of the evil spirit that Jesus did to this man could also happen to us. The conversion of this freed man who later became Jesus follower could also happen to us too! 

But why are there possessions by an evil spirit? This happens because we distance ourselves from Jesus. Or we don’t distance ourselves from Jesus but we don’t live His teachings. By doing so we give room for the devil to operate and take control of ourselves. 

For example, yes we pray and go to Holy Mass. But how come that when temptations come along we are not able to resist it? This occurs for the simple reason that we don’t let Jesus come into our hearts and take control of it. 

We are often times followers in name only. Therefore, we open ourselves to the possession of the many evils of our times. What are these? Lust, betrayal of the sacred marriage covenant, addiction to pornography, allowing ourselves to be possessed by our high-tech gadgets and the like.   

We therefore have to be faithful to our discipleship with Jesus. And we have to ask Jesus to protect us from whatever evils that lurks around us. And after that we now have to do our part because at the end of the day it's still in our hands, God has given us the freewill to decide. Would we allow ourselves to be tempted by the devil or we go and walk with Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday January 29, fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:1-12a

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad,

for your reward will be great in heaven.”

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Reflection:

What are the beatitudes all about? The beatitudes are guidelines for living that Jesus gave to His disciples. The beatitudes deal also with humility and total dependence upon God.      

We are being invited to take a closer look at our life, do we live it with humility and dependence on the Lord? Those who are humble are always close to God and they humbly submit everything to the will of God. Those who depend on God put first God above anything else, they trust in God and not in themselves for the realization of their endeavors.

We have to discard our selfish and self-centered ways because it will only lead us to the land of misery and desolation.  We instead have to humbly embrace the beatitudes of Jesus because this is the way to our salvation. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 29, Ikaapat na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:1-12a

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:1-12a

Noong panahong iyon, nang makita ni Hesus ang napakakapal na tao, umahon siya sa bundok. Pagkaupo niya’y lumapit ang kanyang mga alagad, at sila’y tinuruan niya ng ganito:

“Mapalad ang mga aba na wala nang inaasahan kundi ang Diyos, sapagkat makakasama sila sa kanyang kaharian.”

“Mapalad ang mga nahahapis sapagkat aaliwin sila ng Diyos.”

“Mapalad ang mga mapagkumbaba, sapagkat tatamuhin nila ang ipinangako ng Diyos.”

“Mapalad ang mga nagmimithing makatupad sa kalooban ng Diyos, sapagkat ipagkakaloob sa kanila ang kanilang minimithi.”

“Mapalad ang mga mahabagin, sapagkat kahahabagan sila ng Diyos.”

“Mapalad ang mga may malinis na puso, sapagkat makikita nila ang Diyos.”

“Mapalad ang mga gumagawa ng daan sa ikapagkakasundo, sapagkat sila’y ituturing ng Diyos na mga anak niya.”

“Mapalad ang mga pinag-uusig dahil sa kanilang pagsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos, sapagkat makakasama sila sa kanyang kaharian.”

“Mapalad kayo kapag dahil sa aki’y inaalimura kayo ng mga tao, pinag-uusig at pinagwiwikaan ng lahat ng uri ng kasamaan na pawang kasinungalingan. Magdiwang kayo at magalak, sapagkat malaki ang inyong gantimpala sa Langit.” 

1Reflection for Saturday January 28, Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church: Mark 4:35-41

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.  

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

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Reflection:

Are we easily rattled when we pass through stormy episodes in our life? Or we remain calm amidst the storms because we know that Jesus is always there for us.   

The disciples were in a boat together with Jesus when their boat suddenly encountered a violent storm. They were terrified for they thought that the boat might not be able to withstand the storm.  Why were they terrified when Jesus was with them? Perhaps they were overtaken by fear. 

For as long as we exist in this world, we would continue to encounter also our own share of storms and worrisome moments in our life. But let us not fear it, let us keep calm in the midst of our life storms. Let us learn to always trust the Lord for He knows what is best for us. The Lord will not let us down, the Lord will always be there for us to save us.   

We simply have to constantly be connected with the Lord for the reason that He will take care of everything. Jesus will calm us in the midst of our distressful storms. Jesus will make a way when there seems to be no way.   

 All He asks from us is to have faith and this we can have if we ask Him to give us the gift of faith. Because faith is a gift that Jesus gives to those who sincerely ask for it. 

Prayer:

O Lord in the midst of the many storms in our life we beseech you to give us the gift of faith. So that we would be able to withstand whatever worrisome situation that we may encounter. Forgive our feeble faith, forgive us for not trusting you and for not always recognizing that you’re always with us. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 27, Friday of the Third Week of Ordinary Time: Mark 4:26-34

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: "This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come."  

He said, "To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade." With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

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Reflection:

Do you know that God has scattered the seeds of faith in your heart? 

Our knowledge of God always starts with a little idea in our minds. For example, when we were young we know that there’s a God but as to who is this God and what is the role of this God in our life we don’t know it yet. As we mature we nurture this idea by thinking  about God. By going to Holy Mass, by reading the scriptures and by researching about our faith on the internet. 

By doing all these things the little idea that God has given us would now grow bigger until God becomes the stronghold of our life. God now becomes our safe refuge that we always look for during our time of distress.  

However, not all nurture their idea about God and not all seek refuge in God. Many of us seek refuge in our vices and with our friends. Only to discover later that the refuge that they provide are short lived and passing. The only refuge that is forever is God all other refuges that others seek during their time of distress are all tied with the passing of time.  

What is our part in this scheme of scattering of seeds by God? Our part is to help this seeds grow in the hearts of our fellowmen. This we can best do by sharing what we know about God, by living the teachings of God. And by encouraging others to read the scriptures and to attend Holy Mass. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for Thursday January 26, Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops: Luke 10:1-9

Gospel: Luke 10:1-9

The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.  

Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves payment.  

Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”

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Reflection:

Are you doing something to share the teachings of Jesus? 

Like the seventy two which Jesus sent ahead of Him. We too are laborers in the vineyard of the Lord, what is the implication of this to our life? We are also called to share and live the teachings of Jesus. 

Jesus told the disciples: “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” This is very true until to this very day. The harvest indeed is plentiful but the laborers are so few. Therefore in our own little way let us also be laborers like the seventy two. Let us spread and live the teachings of Jesus, let us not be afraid for God will be with us.  

Many of us invest so much of our time in laboring for this world alone that we forget to labor in the vineyard of the Lord. But where would our labors for this world bring us? Only here in this world but if we labor for the Lord we go to the Lord’s kingdom after the end of our journey in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Jesus’ Powerful and Life-Changing Words - 2

 

Si Jesus at ang kanyang Makapangyarihang mga Pananalita - 2

 

Reflection for Wednesday January 25, Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle: Mark 16:15-18

Gospel Mark 16:15-18

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.  

These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

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Reflection:

Do you know of someone who was formerly a critic of the church that eventually converted to become a follower of Jesus?

Sometimes it’s hard to believe how a persecutor of Jesus becomes a follower of Jesus. Often times we are skeptical about them, we don’t believe that they’ve turned a new page in their lives. But nothing is impossible for Jesus; He can do miracles in our lives He can convert us to become His followers. 

Today is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. Saul who became Paul is a former persecutor of Jesus and the church that He built. He had nothing but hatred and scorn for the church and its people until Jesus converted Him. 

While he was on a journey going to Damascus he saw a blinding light and he heard a voice that asked him: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me (Acts 9:3-4)?” This encounter with Jesus on the road of Damascus was the beginning of Saul’s conversion and it culminated when he regain his sight. 

Everyone of us has a dark past yet the good Lord is always there for us ever ready to convert us. What He only asks from us is our willingness to leave behind our sinful lives and start a new journey with the Lord for the rest of our life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday January 24, Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Mark 3:31-35

Gospel: Mark 3:31-35

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” 

But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

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Reflection:

Would you want to be a relative of Jesus? 

Jesus has a very simple requirement for us to become His brother, sister and mother and this is to do the will of God. What does this mean to us? We must feed the hungry, we must help those who need help, we must forgive and pray for those who’ve hurt us. And there are many more selfless actions that we can do, so that we can be called relatives of Jesus.  

It seems simple by reading through it but to live what Jesus wants us to do is another story. Do we really feed the hungry? Are we really quick to forgive? Are we really selfless? The challenge for all of us is to live our faith to the hilt. This means that we must at all times be like Jesus: through our actions, words and through our way of life.  

However, this is easier said than done, yet God in His infinite mercy gives us the opportunity everyday for us to become part of Him. He presents us life situations wherein we could always live what we have learned from Him. 

The reality of life is it’s hard to be a relative of Jesus because many of us don’t undress ourselves with everything that makes us creatures of this world. Such as self-centeredness, arrogance, greed and a lot more negative attitudes. Which makes us relatives of the evil one rather than a relative of Jesus.   

But all is not lost yet, if we want to be a relative of Jesus we must strive to be like Him: His humility, His acts of kindness and His countless selfless actions.  These are the challenges that we must ponder if we want be a true relative of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for January 23, Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 3:22-30

Gospel: Mark 3:22-30

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 

And if a house is divided against itself that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man.  

Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin. For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.

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Reflection:

What is the antidote to evil possession or who can defeat the devil? It’s our faith in Jesus, only Jesus can defeat the devil. Before we only attribute the presence of the devil to evil possession.  But not anymore today!  

The devil of today doesn’t only present itself by way of evil possession. It presents itself in manifold ways such as: greed, lust, covetousness, enslavement to the modernity of time and so forth. Who can defeat the devil today? It’s still Jesus the same Jesus that defeated the devil in our gospel.    

Jesus doesn’t change He is the same Jesus yesterday, today and tomorrow. His power to defeat the devil is still present today as it was present in the gospel. But do we allow Jesus to dwell in our lives? Do we still have time for Him in this era of internet and high-tech gadgets?    

We must at all times give time for Jesus so that we could always ward off the devil from our midst. If we always have Jesus in our life we give no room for the devil to dwell in our life. How do we give time for Jesus? We have to read the inspiring life of Jesus in the bible, we have to be present at Holy Mass as often as we can. And we have to have our personal prayer time for Jesus every day.    

Do you give time for Jesus even for only a minute every day? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

The Life Changing and Powerful Words of Jesus - 1

 

Ang Nakapagbabago ng buhay at Makapangyarihang mga pananalita ni Jesus - 1

 

Reflection for Sunday January 22, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 4:12-23

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.

They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

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Reflection:

Have you had an experience of a call from Jesus which facilitated a much deeper friendship with the Lord? For example, you have read something about the words of Jesus in the bible and thereafter you felt that He was already directly speaking to you. Calling you to renew your life and become His faithful follower.  

Perhaps the four apostles (Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John) have already heard about Jesus. They might have heard about His baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17). Until they saw and heard Jesus up close and personal, calling them to follow Him. That encounter with Jesus resulted to a lifetime discipleship. 

The four apostles were veteran fishermen but deep in their hearts there was still that empty space and they were yearning for something that would finally fill that empty space.

Until their yearning for fulfillment was addressed by their personal encounter with Jesus. After which their lives were never the same again and from thereon they lived their lives with deeper meaning and purpose.

Are you yearning for something meaningful in your life? Yes, you may be financially secure already, but deep inside; you are still looking for that something that is still lacking within you. 

That something is no other than Jesus, the same Jesus who called Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 22, Ikatlong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 4:12-23

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 4:12-23

Noong panahong iyon, nabalitaan ni Hesus na ibinilanggo si Juan, kaya’t bumalik siya sa Galilea. Ngunit hindi na siya sa Nazaret nanirahan kundi sa Capernaum. Ang bayang ito ay nasa baybayin ng Lawa ng Galilea, sa mga hangganan ng Zabulon at Neftali. Sa gayo’y natupad ang sinabi ni Propeta Isaias:

“Ang lupain ng Zabulon at lupain ng Neftali daanan sa gawing dagat sa ibayo ng Jordan, Galilea ng mga Hentil! Itong bayang nag-apuhap sa gitna ng kadiliman sa wakas ay nakakita ng maningning niyang ilaw!

Liwanag na taglay nito’y siya ngayong tumatanglaw sa lahat ng nalugami sa lilim ng kamatayan!” Magmula noon ay nangaral na si Hesus. Ang sabi niya, Pagsisihan ninyo’t talikdan ang inyong mga kasalanan, sapagkat malapit nang maghari ang Diyos.”

Sa paglalakad ni Jesus sa pampang ng lawa ng Galilea, nakita niya ang  magkapatid na Simon na tinawag na Pedro at Andres na naghahagis ng mga lambat dahil mga mangingisda sila. Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Halikayo, sumunod kayo sa akin, at gagawin ko kayong mangingisda ng tao.”

Agad nilang iniwan ang kanilang mga lambat at sumunod sa kanya. Nagpatuloy siya sa paglakad at nakita naman niya ang magkapatid na Jaime at Juan na mga anak ni Zebedeo. Nasa bangka sila kasama ng kanilang amang si Zebedeo at nagsusursi ng kanilang lambat.

Tinawag sila ni Jesus. 22 Agad nilang iniwan ang bangka nila at ang kanilang ama, at nag-simulang sumunod sa kanya. Nilibot ni Hesus ang buong Galilea. Nagtuturo sa mga sinagoga at ipinangangaral ang Mabuting Balita tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos. Pinagaling din niya ang mga tao sa kanilang mga sakit at karamdaman.

Reflection for Saturday January 21, Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr: Mark 3:20-21

Gospel: Mark 3:20-21

Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again, the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

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Reflection:

Are you quick to judge based on what you see? Jesus was called as someone who is out of His mind by His relatives. Why? Because Jesus dared to do something out of the ordinary. Just imagine instead of enjoying an ordinary life as a carpenter Jesus did the extra-ordinary.  

 Jesus ventured into something that is totally alien to His environment and background. Jesus left His comfort zone to become a nomad, a healer and itinerant preacher. And Jesus relatives couldn’t believe and accept His unorthodox decision.  

This is perhaps the reason why they called Him as someone who is out of His mind. Did Jesus’ relatives really know who He was during that time? Yes, perhaps they knew Him as the son of Mary and Joseph but they had no idea about His true identity. 

They judged Jesus based on their superficial knowledge about Him. The trouble with judging others is it blinds us of our own faults and shortcomings as if we are perfect, as if we don’t sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Sabado Enero 21, Santa Agnes, dalaga at martir (Paggunita): Marcos 3:20-21

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:20-21

Noong panahong iyon, pag-uwi ni Jesus, muling nagkatipon ang napakaraming tao, anupa't hindi man lamang makuhang kumain ni Jesus at ng kanyang mga alagad. Nang mabalitaan ito ng kanyang mga kasambahay, sila'y pumaroon upang kaunin siya, sapagkat ang sabi ng mga tao, "Nasisiraan siya ng bait!"

Reflection for January 20, Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 3:13-19

Gospel: Mark 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

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Reflection:

Do you have regular solemn moments of reflection in your life? Solemn moment of reflections concerning your relationship with God, your family and an honest to goodness assessment of your life’s true purpose in this world. 

Jesus had those solemn moments, every now and then He would go to the mountain primarily to pray and commune with God. Then after His private moments in the mountain He would make important decisions. In the gospel, after going to the mountain He called and appointed the twelve apostles.   

We should also have our own private moments with God for us to reflect and know our deeper purpose in this fragile world. We should not allow ourselves to be eaten by the frenetic pace of this world. Otherwise before we know it we are not anymore in touch  with God and God has no more say in our life. This is very dangerous because the moment that God is not anymore in our life that’s also when the devil comes in to temp and eventually destroy our life.  

We therefore must always allocate our daily private moments with God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for January 19, Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 3:7-12

Gospel: Mark 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.   

He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." He warned them sternly not to make him known.

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Reflection:

Why do you follow Jesus? Many were pressing themselves towards Jesus because of His healing touch. Do we also follow Jesus for the reason of the miracles that we can receive from Him? But it’s not all the time that Jesus would heal us. There would be times that we will still be sick no matter how hard we push ourselves towards Jesus. 

Let us not lose faith in Jesus even if He doesn’t heal us physically because the Lord has His own reasons. Perhaps it’s a test of our faith; perhaps Jesus wants us to journey with Him in His suffering towards Calvary. The more that healing seems elusive that more that we must intensely follow Jesus. 

How about the miraculous healings of Jesus? Does Jesus wants His miraculous healings publicized? No! Jesus would never want publicity from His miracles and healings. The more that His actions are unknown the more the He likes it, the more that He is not given credit the more that He appreciates it.  

This is attributed to Jesus’ Humility and Self-effacing behavior. Let us therefore forget about prestige and honor and let us not fret if we are not given honor for the things that we do. It’s already enough that we do silent acts of kindness with no one noticing it.   

Would you want to emulating the humility and self-effacing attitude of Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for January 18, Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 3:1-6

Gospel: Mark 3:1-6

Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”  

But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

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Reflection:

Do you always help when you see somebody in need of help or you sometimes make excuses so that you would not be obliged to help? Like, pretending not to see anyone who is in need of your help. For example you see a poor man who is in dire need of help, what are you going to do to that poor man? Pretend not to see his obvious need of help? 

When Jesus went to the synagogue there was this man with a withered hand. He did not ask Jesus for help but Jesus knew that he needed help so Jesus called him and right there Jesus restored his withered hand.  

All of us also encounter people who are in need of our help. Perhaps many of us simply pretend not to see them for we don’t want to be disturbed. But there are those who would proactively go out of their way to give help even if they are not asked and these people are like Jesus and they have the heart of Jesus.

Let us always be proactive when we give help and let us always be sensitive to their needs. For there really are people who will not ask for help even if they obviously need help. They will simply leave everything in the hands of God and keep silent in the midst of their agony and distress. Therefore, we must do something to help them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday January 17, Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbott: Mark 2:23-28

Gospel Mark 2:23-28

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? 

How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

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Reflection:

What would be your stand if you are made to choose between the observance of the law or the lawful need of your fellowmen? Jesus gives us a clear choice, for Him it’s always the primary need of our fellowmen. As exemplified by His mention of David who violated the Sabbath to address their need to satisfy their hunger. 

Rules and laws are created to create order and to prevent chaos. But there are times that it’s disregarded for a much higher and noble purpose. If the welfare of our fellowmen are at stake their interest  must come first. This is what we must always follow and we must also not create rules to serve our own selfish ends.  

For example, in a family setting, parents would normally have rules for their children to follow. However, we should always be amenable to bend these rules no matter how stringent. We do this if there is a valid need or reason. Stringent rules can also be bent when parents want to show that they love their children more than the implementation of their house rules. 

Jesus is a compassionate God, He would not mind if we violate religious rules for so long as there is a higher and noble purpose. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for January 16, Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 2:18-22

Gospel Mark 2:18-22

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast? Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.  

But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them and then they will fast on that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”

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Reflection:

What is a wineskin? A wineskin is a dried goat or sheep’s skin used as a container for wine this is perhaps the equivalent of wine bottle or wine drum today. What is the relevance of the new wineskin which represents Jesus?  

By our sinfulness we become the old wine that is not fit to be poured into the new wineskin. But if we desire to be poured into the new wineskin we have to decide to leave behind our old sinful lives. 

Thus we become new wine that is very much appropriate for the new wineskin. And the moment we are poured into this new wineskin we become secure. In other words the new wineskin which is Jesus Himself becomes our security blanket. Jesus is always offering Himself to us so that we can have a new life in this world. What He only asks from us is to leave behind our sinfulness.  

Has sin done us any good? No it did no good to us and it will never do good to us in the future! We therefore have to leave it behind so that we could journey in this world hand in hand with our new wineskin and our security blanket which is none other than Jesus. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for Sunday January 15, Feast of the Sto. Nino (Philippines): Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. 

And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

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Reflection:

Why did the disciples ask Jesus: “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” Were they expecting that Jesus would tell them that they’re the greatest in the kingdom of heaven because they are His disciples?  

Instead, Jesus called a child and said: “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4) 

The key that can unlock for us the kingdom of heaven is the humility of a child that we must always emulate. The key that can invite the grace of the Holy Spirit upon us is the same childlike humility. 

 It’s no brainer to ask why a child and not an adult?  Unlike adults, children have the simplest and purest minds. Children are not tainted by any form of sin and they are docile humble and obedient. Adults like us are sinful we defy God’s commandments to satisfy our whims and caprices. 

Life nowadays is not easy as well many of our children today are also more exposed to poverty than before. We just need to open our eyes wide and we would see it. What intervention can we do to help these children? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas