Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Mayo 18, Ikalimang Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 13:31-33a, 34-35

Mabuting Balita: Juan  13:31-33a, 34-35

Pagkaalis ni Judas mula sa Huling Hapunan, sinabi ni Hesus, “Ngayo’y mahahayag na ang karangalan ng Anak ng Tao; at mahahayag din ang karangalan ng Diyos sa pamamagitan niya. At kung mahayag na ang karangalan ng Diyos, ang Diyos naman ang maghahayag ng karangalan ng Anak, at gagawin niya ito agad. 

Mga anak, kaunting panahon na lamang ninyo akong makakasama. Isang bagong utos ang ibinibigay ko sa inyo: mag-ibigan kayo! Kung paanong inibig ko kayo, gayon din naman, mag-ibigan kayo. Kung kayo’y mag-ibigan, makikilala ng lahat na kayo’y mga alagad ko.”

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Repleksyon:

May isang matandang lalaking na malapit nang pumanaw kaya sabi nya sa kanyang mga anak: 

“Sa loob ng ilang oras, alam kong iiwan ko na kayo. Dahil wala akong kayamanang materyal na maipamamana sa inyo, ang tanging maibibigay ko ay ang aking pag-ibig—pag-ibig na walang hangganan. At ang parehong pag-ibig na ito ay nais kong taglayin ninyo sa inyong mga puso.” 

Madaling umibig kapag tayo ay iniibig din. Ngunit paano kung hindi natin natatanggap ang pag-ibig? Paano kung sa halip na pag-ibig ay pagtuligsa at galit ang ating natatanggap? Kaya pa ba nating mag bigay ng pag-ibig kung poot at pagkondena ang ibinabalik sa atin? 

Sa Mabuting Balita, sinabi ng Panginoon sa Kanyang mga apostol na magmahalan sila, sapagkat malapit na Siyang lumisan. Nais Niyang mahalin nila ang isa’t isa gaya ng pagmamahal Niya sa kanila. Ngunit ang mga apostol ay tao rin—may mga kahinaan din sila. Paminsan-minsan, sila rin ay mayroong hindi pagkakaunawaan. 

Gayunman, sa kabila ng kanilang kahinaan, ipinagpatuloy nila ang kanilang misyon ng pagpapalaganap ng Mabuting Balita. At lahat sila ay nagtagumpay—maliban kay Judas na nagtaksil kay Jesus. 

Bakit sila nagtagumpay? Sapagkat isinabuhay nila nang lubusan ang utos ng Panginoon na mag ibigan sila. 

Isinasabuhay mo na ba rin ba ng lubusan ang utos na ito ng Panginoong? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 17 Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 14:7-14

Gospel: John 14:7-14

Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? 

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. 

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

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Reflection:

How well do we know God the Father? How well do we know Jesus? 

If we’re honest, none of us can truly say that we know God the Father and Jesus deeply by our own effort. That kind of knowledge is not something we can earn or achieve—it is a grace, a precious gift from the Holy Spirit. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks tenderly to His disciples—and to us—about His oneness with the Father. Yet Philip, still uncertain, says to Jesus, “Show us the Father, and that will be enough for us” (John 14:8). What must have been going on in Philip’s heart? 

Perhaps he had been following Jesus mainly because of the miracles, drawn by the wonders rather than the relationship. There may not have been a deep conversion within him yet, which is why he couldn’t perceive the unity between Jesus and the Father. 

As we walk our own journey of faith, let us reflect on why we follow Jesus. Is it merely for His blessings and miracles? Or do we follow Him because we long to be part of His mission—because we love Him deeply? 

If our desire to follow the Lord is based only on miracles and answered prayers, that desire will eventually fade. But if we follow Him out of love and a heartfelt longing to share in His mission, our faith will remain firm, even in suffering. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Friday May 16 of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 14:1-6

Gospel: John 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

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Reflection:

Where are we going after our life in this world is over? 

We don’t know—only God knows. But Jesus, in our Gospel, is giving us a hint as to where we would eventually be. Jesus tells us: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

The secret, therefore, to knowing where we will eventually end up is to follow Jesus. Why follow Jesus? Because He is the truth and the life, and we cannot reach the Father in heaven except through Him. 

From time to time, we hear stories of conversion—about troubled lives, lives lived in sin, without peace and contentment. Until they came to know Jesus, their lives were never the same again. From troublesome or worrisome lives, they became peaceful and serene—courtesy of Jesus. 

Jesus is the only way, and He is the only one who can give us peace that transcends this world. He will give us a glimpse of this peaceful feeling the moment we choose to rest our lives in Him. 

We all know that life in this world is uncertain—it may end very abruptly at any time. Let us, therefore, invest more in Jesus rather than in this world. We can do this by learning more about Him, by helping the poor, and by living Jesus’ life of humility and simplicity. 

If we walk faithfully with Christ each day, by His mercy—we will one day find ourselves in the place He has lovingly prepared for us: our eternal home with Him in heaven. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 15 Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 13:16-20

Gospel: John 13:16-20

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen.  

But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of suffering and betrayal? 

In His humanity, our Lord Jesus also felt fear—He, too, trembled at the thought of suffering and betrayal. Yet these fears did not stop Him from fulfilling the mission entrusted to Him by the Father. Instead, they deepened His resolve. Amidst the overwhelming pain and loneliness, He pressed on—out of love for us. He never gave up, no matter how heavy the burden, for He knew He had a mission to accomplish. 

Marriage often begins like a beautiful rose garden—full of promise, joy, and sweetness. Everything seems perfect, even heaven-sent. But as time passes, trials begin to unfold. Challenges arise, wounds are inflicted, and at times, sacred vows are betrayed. What then should we do? Do we turn our backs and walk away in defeat? Or do we stay, carry the cross, and fight for the sacredness of our covenant before God? 

We are called to remain—to endure and to love even through pain. Just as Jesus remained faithful to His mission despite the agony and betrayal, we, too, are invited to remain faithful to our vocation, especially in marriage. Imagine if Jesus had given up on us. He could have turned away—He is God, all-powerful, and free. But He stayed. He endured. Why? Because of His love for all of us. 

Sadly, many couples today choose the easier path when their marriage is tested. Some give in to betrayal; others walk away entirely, forgetting the sacred vows they once made—vows not just to each other, but before God. In doing so, they also forget the deep impact on their children and family. 

But let us look to Jesus. He never walked away from His mission. He embraced His suffering for the sake of love. He carried the weight of our sins and conquered betrayal—not with anger or resentment, but with divine mercy and unwavering commitment. 

May we, too, find the grace to carry our own crosses. May we draw strength from Jesus, who shows us that love is proven not in comfort, but in sacrifice. — Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Wednesday May 14 Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle: John 15:9-17

Gospel: John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.  

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.  

I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”

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Reflection:

Have you been in love?

Many of us have already fallen in love, and many have fallen out of love as well. For those who are still in love to this very day—say, for example, with your spouse—despite the hurts and pains, the love you carry in your heart is somewhat close to the love of God.

The love of God is a forgiving love. It is not a discriminating love, for it does not look at a person’s physical attributes, sins, or social standing. The love of God is a love that restores and heals.

In the Gospel, Jesus gently commands us: “Love one another as I love you” (John 15:12). What a tender yet powerful invitation this is. It challenges us deeply, for if the love of God knows no boundaries, then our love for others must also stretch beyond what is easy, comfortable, or familiar.

We should be capable of loving even those who have hurt us and those who do not love us in return. If we truly love Jesus, we have no other choice but to love like Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Mayo 14 Kapistahan ni San Matias, apostol: Juan 15:9-17

Mabuting Balita: Juan 15:9-17

Noong panahong iyon: Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: Kung paanong iniibig ako ng Ama, gayon din naman, iniibig ko kayo; mananatili kayo sa aking pag-ibig; tulad ko, tinutupad ko ang mga utos ng aking Ama at ako'y nananatili sa kanyang pag-ibig.  

"Sinasabi ko sa inyo ang mga bagay na ito upang makahati kayo sa kagalakan ko at malubos ang inyong kagalakan. Ito ang aking utos: mag-ibigan kayo gaya ng pag-ibig ko sa inyo. Walang pag-ibig na hihigit pa sa pag-ibig ng isang taong nag-aalay ng kanyang buhay para sa kanyang mga kaibigan. Kayo'y mga kaibigan ko kung tinutupad ninyo ang mga utos ko.  

Hindi ko na kayo inaaring alipin, sapagkat hindi alam ng alipin ang ginagawa ng kanyang panginoon. Sa halip, inaari ko kayong mga kaibigan, sapagkat sinabi ko sa inyo ang lahat ng narinig ko sa aking Ama. 

Hindi kayo ang pumili sa akin; ako ang pumili at humirang sa inyo upang kayo'y humayo at mamunga, at manatili ang inyong bunga. Sa gayon, ang anumang hingin ninyo sa Ama sa aking pangalan ay ipagkakaloob sa inyo. Ito ang iniuutos ko sa inyo: mag-ibigan kayo."

Reflection for May 13 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:22-30

Gospel: John 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”   

Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

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Reflection:

How can we make others believe in Jesus as our Messiah and Savior? 

We have to share our faith in Jesus, and we have to live His teachings. For example, if we say that we follow Jesus, what comes next is an honest-to-goodness self-examination. Are we humble? Are we forgiving? Are we simple? Do we live and practice the faith? 

In our Gospel for this Tuesday, the Jews gathered around Jesus and said to Him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly” (John 10:24). They were obviously unbelievers—non-followers. Yes, they knew Jesus, but they didn’t believe in Him. 

Fast forward to today: not much has changed. We live in a fast-paced, technology-driven world, yet many still don’t believe. Yes, they’ve heard of Jesus. But that’s where it ends. There’s no personal relationship, no encounter, no living faith. 

So what do we do? 

The answer is simple yet challenging: we must learn to live and share our faith—consistently, courageously, and compassionately. When we do this, something amazing happens. Those who didn’t believe may begin to believe. Those who didn’t know Jesus may finally meet Him through us. And those who once had no faith may be awakened to a deeper spiritual life—because we dared to live what we believe. 

Would you share and live your faith in Jesus? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 12 Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:1-10

Gospel: John 10:1-10

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  

When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.  

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

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Reflection:

There’s a story of a mother who worked day and night to provide for her three children. Life wasn’t easy, but she gave her all—not only in supporting them, but in teaching them about God. She helped them understand that life has deeper meaning when it’s rooted in faith. In time, all three children became successful, not just in worldly terms, but as grounded, faithful individuals. And it all began with a mother who shepherded them well. 

Jesus wants nothing but the best for us as well. This is why He patiently shepherds us. His ultimate goal is for us to live our lives according to His will. However, many of us still veer away from the shepherding of Jesus. 

So, what happens when we stray from the Lord’s shepherding? We labor endlessly for the things of this world—temporal things that amount to nothing in the end, for the simple reason that they cannot truly satisfy us. 

In our Gospel, Jesus tells us: “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture” (John 10:9). If only we would deeply reflect on this statement of the Lord, we would realize that it is only through Him—and through His shepherding—that we can find the real meaning of life. 

Would you allow Jesus to shepherd your life from here on? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 11 Fourth Sunday of Easter: John 10:27-30

Gospel: John 10:27-30

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. 

No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

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Reflection:

Once upon a time, there was a shepherd who promised to take care of his sheep. He did what he was supposed to do as their shepherd—until a grave danger confronted his flock. Instead of defending them with his life, the shepherd was the first to flee. He did not care about the safety of his sheep. Hence, he was selfish and a false shepherd, concerned only with saving himself. 

But Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is not like that. He stays with us, even in our most difficult and painful moments. When life confronts us with burdens too heavy to bear, He does not run away. He draws closer to help us carry our burdens. When we grow weary from the trials of this world, Jesus is there—strengthening us, encouraging us, and telling us not to give up. 

This is what a true shepherd must be. He must lead and guide his people. And the perfect image of the Good Shepherd is Jesus. During His three years of public ministry, He showed the way for His disciples. He taught them life-changing lessons; He taught them how to be humble, selfless, and patient. He showed them what it means to be a true leader. 

Jesus is always with us. In whatever season of life we find ourselves, the Lord remains our guiding light. We need only to listen to His voice calling us to follow Him. For only in Him can we find true peace and lasting contentment. Only in Him can we begin to live a life of purpose and meaning. 

When the world weighs us down with failure, fear, and despair, let us remember: Jesus, our Good Shepherd, never leaves our side. He urges us to press on, to be strong, and to continue the journey with Him. 

Who is shepherding your life today? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Mayo 11, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 10:27-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:27-30

Noong panahong iyon: Sinabi ni Hesus: “Nakikinig sa akin ang aking mga tupa; nakikilala ko sila, at sumusunod sila sa akin. Binibigyan ko sila ng buhay na walang hanggan, at kailanma’y di sila mapapahamak; hindi sila maaagaw sa akin ninuman. 

Ang aking Ama, na nagbigay sa kanila sa akin, ay lalong dakila sa lahat, at hindi sila maaagaw ninuman sa aking Ama. Ako at ang Ama ay iisa.”

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Repleksyon:

Noong unang panahon, may isang pastol na nangakong aalagaan niya ang kanyang mga tupa. Ginampanan niya ang kanyang tungkulin bilang kanilang tagapag-alaga—hanggang sa dumating ang matinding panganib sa kanyang kawan. Pero sa halip na ipagtanggol sila ay siya pa ang unang tumakas. Hindi niya inintindi ang kaligtasan ng kanyang mga tupa. Kaya’t siya ay makasarili at huwad na pastol—iniisip lamang ang sarili niyang kaligtasan. 

Ngunit si Jesus, ang ating Mabuting Pastol, ay hindi ganoon. Siya ay nananatili sa atin, lalo na sa mga panahon ng matinding pagsubok at pagdurusa. Kapag tayo'y may  mga pasanin na hindi na natin kayang dalhin, hindi Siya tumatalikod. Sa halip, lalo Siyang lumalapit upang tulungan tayong pasanin ang mga ito. Kapag tayo’y napapagod sa bigat ng buhay, nariyan si Jesus—pinalalakas tayo, pinalalakas ang ating loob, at hinihimok tayong huwag sumuko. 

Ganito dapat ang tunay na pastol—nangunguna, gumagabay, at nagsisilbing huwaran para sa kanyang kawan. At ang ganap na larawan ng Mabuting Pastol ay si Jesus. Sa loob ng tatlong taon ng Kanyang pampublikong ministeryo, itinuro Niya ang tamang daan sa Kanyang mga alagad. Ibinahagi Niya ang mga aral na bumago ng kanilang buhay; itinuro Niya kung paano maging mapagpakumbaba, di-makasarili, at matiisin. Ipinakita Niya kung ano ang tunay na pamumuno. 

Si Jesus ay palaging nariyan para sa atin. Sa anumang panahon ng ating buhay, ang Panginoon ay nananatiling ating ilaw at gabay. Kailangan lamang nating pakinggan ang Kanyang tinig na tumatawag sa atin upang sumunod sa Kanya. Sapagkat tanging sa Kanya natin matatagpuan ang tunay na kapayapaan at ganap na kapanatagan. 

Kapag tayo’y pinanghihinaan ng loob dahil sa kabiguan, takot, o kawalan ng pag-asa, si Jesus, ang ating Mabuting Pastol, ay palaging nandiyan para gumabay sa atin. Hinihimok Niya tayong magpatuloy, magpakatatag, at ipagpatuloy ang ating paglalakbay kasama Siya. 

Sino ang nag papastol sa buhay mo ngayon? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 10 Saturday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:60-69

Gospel: John 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.  

The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”  

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

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Reflection:

When many of the followers of Jesus went back to their former way of life because they couldn’t believe His Bread of Life discourse, Jesus—perhaps quite sad—turned His attention to His twelve apostles and said to them: “Do you also want to leave?” (John 6:67) This is the million-dollar question that confronted the twelve apostles:“Do you also want to leave?” (John 6:67) 

For many of us, the teachings of Jesus are actually hard to follow. For example, His teachings about humility—how many of us are still willing to offer the other cheek if we are struck on one side? (Luke 6:29) Or His teachings about fidelity to the Sacrament of Matrimony (Matthew 19:4–6). Are we still faithful, or have we ever been faithful, to our respective spouses? 

And there are many more teachings that Jesus wants us to follow, but we don’t—for the simple reason that we want to satisfy our earthly desires. 

It’s hard to follow Jesus because He will stir our lives according to what He wants them to become, not according to what we want them to be. Jesus will turn our lives upside-down. He will shake and disturb them until we are purified. And this is hard for many of us because we want to follow our own self-serving wants and desires. 

But if we do not follow Jesus, where else shall we go? Shall we follow the fleeting pleasures of this world, only to find ourselves lost and broken? When we choose the path of sin, we begin to experience a kind of hell even while still alive. 

It’s only through Jesus that we can have peace—a peace this world cannot give. And it’s only through Jesus that we can have eternal life. The things we have right now are all temporary. We will leave them—or they will leave us—at any time. 

Therefore, we must always be faithful to the Lord, no matter the trials. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 10 Sabado sa sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:60-69

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:60-69

Noong panahong iyon, marami sa mga alagad ni Jesus ang nagsabi, "Mabigat na pananalita ito; sino ang makatatanggap nito?" Alam ni Jesus na nagbubulung-bulungan ang kanyang mga alagad tungkol dito, kaya't sinabi niya, "Dahil ba rito'y tatalikuran na ninyo ako? Gaano pa kaya kung makita ninyong umaakyat ang Anak ng Tao sa dati niyang kinaroroonan?

Ang espiritu ang nagbibigay-buhay; hindi ito magagawa ng laman. Ang mga salitang sinabi ko sa inyo ay Espiritu at buhay. Ngunit may ilan sa inyong hindi nananalig sa akin. " Sapagkat talastas ni Jesus buhat pa noong una kung sinu-sino ang hindi nananalig sa kanya. Idinugtong pa niya, "Iyan ang dahilan kaya ko sinabi sa inyo na walang makalalapit sa akin malibang loobin ito ng Ama." 

Mula noo'y marami sa kanyang mga alagad ang tumalikod at hindi na sumama sa kanya. Kaya't tinanong ni Jesus ang Labindalawa, "Ibig din ba ninyong umalis?" Sumagot si Simon Pedro, "Panginoon, kanino po kami pupunta? Nasa inyo po ang mga salitang nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan. Naniniwala kami at ngayo'y natitiyak naming kayo ang Banal ng Diyos."

Reflection for Friday May 9 of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:52-59

Gospel: John 6:52-59

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.

For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was on the verge of death and was already gasping for breath. His doctors told his relatives that it was just a matter of minutes before he would expire. In such a situation, relatives and close friends would understandably feel helpless and forlorn.

But no—we will not feel helpless if we know that the person on his deathbed is a frequent Holy Mass-goer, and if we know that he is regularly nourished by the Body of Christ during Holy Communion.

This is because we believe, to the core of our being, in the proclamation of Jesus: that whoever eats His Flesh and drinks His Blood has eternal life.

We hold on to this assurance from Jesus, and we feel and believe it as we receive His Body and Blood during Holy Communion. But not everyone is aware of this Bread of Life—none other than Jesus Himself.

It is therefore our responsibility to echo this gift of life from Jesus so that many may be enlightened and saved. Let us not become hearers only; let us also become sharers of this Good News.

Will you share what you know about Jesus, our Bread of Life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 8 Thursday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:44-51

Gospel: John 6:44-51

Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.  

Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. 

Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”

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Reflection:

How can you have eternal life? 

You have to regularly receive the Body of Christ at Holy Mass. Always receive it with reverence and piety—never doubt, and don’t think of it as simple bread, because what you receive is Jesus Himself. 

Imagine the light that will shine in your soul, the unfathomable blessings that will flow into your life, if you make it a habit to partake in this sacred mystery with faith. Think of the countless graces waiting to be poured into your heart if you firmly believe that Jesus is the Consecrated Host you receive during Holy Communion.

Your faith in the Bread of Life will open your heart and mind to the many truths about Jesus and the Church He founded through Peter. These are truths that the mind may struggle to explain but the heart deeply understands—truths revealed through prayer, belief and faith.

For without prayer, belief and faith, you will not fully comprehend how this small and ordinary bread becomes the Body of Jesus after it is consecrated by the priest—how this ordinary bread becomes your life and your reason for existing in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas