Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 10, Martes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 18:12-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:12-14

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Ano sa akala ninyo ang gagawin ng isang taong may isang daang tupa kung maligaw ang isa sa mga iyon? Hindi kaya niya iiwan ang siyamnapu't siyam na nanginginain sa kaburulan upang hanapin ang naligaw? 

Sinasabi ko sa inyo; kapag nasumpungan niya ito, higit niyang ikinagagalak ang isang ito kaysa siyamnapu't siyam na hindi naligaw. Gayon din naman, hindi kaloob ng inyong Amang nasa langit na mapahamak ang isa sa maliliit na ito."

Reflection for Monday December 9 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you. But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 

Then the angel said to her “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his Kingdom there will be no end.   

But Mary said to the angel “How can this be since I have no relations with a man? And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative has also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren for nothing will be impossible for God. Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

We celebrate today the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This was approved in 1476 by Pope Sixtus IV and later extended to the universal Church by Pope Clement XI in 1708. Recognizing the belief held for centuries by the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, Pope Pius IX solemnly proclaimed the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854.

This dogma affirms that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God was preserved free from all stain of original sin” (Ineffabilis Deus, 1854).   

What are you going to do if you receive a shocking announcement? Perhaps the first that would come to your mind is to pray and ask for guidance and strength from God.  

When Mary received the annunciation from angel Gabriel that she would be pregnant with the baby Jesus. She might have been in shock for a moment, then right after she perhaps prayed to God for guidance and strength. After which she was ok and with faith she accepted the will of the Lord for her.  

The pregnancy of the Blessed Virgin Mary conveys to us that nothing is impossible for God. That God can do miracles as He did to Mary. It conveys to us that our God is a God of possibilities, blessings and miracles. Our God can make things happen for us for as long as we have faith and for as long as we have unwavering belief in Him.  

Because of the many challenges that you face, you may somehow feel weariness in your journey in this world. Do not lose heart, continue to journey with God, continue to pray, continue to work hard for whatever aspiration that you have in your heart and  continue to have faith and hope. For the Lord will never abandon those who continue to trust in Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Reflection for Sunday December 8, Second Sunday of Advent: Luke 3:1-6

Gospel: Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. 

John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. 

Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

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Reflection:

A powerful and learned man saw a simple and humble man preaching about the teachings of Jesus. The powerful man became curious about what the simple and humble man was saying. Hence, he got out of his car and listened to the simple man's preaching. 

The powerful man was so captivated by the preaching that he listened intently. After the preaching was over, he said to himself, “I wish God had also given me the same gift of preaching.” 

In the Gospel for this Second Sunday of Advent, Saint Luke presents us with the names of powerful people, such as Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, and many other figures who ruled over their respective kingdoms. 

However, Luke also mentions the name of John, a simple man chosen by God to be the herald for Jesus. God did not choose any of the powerful figures mentioned in the Gospel to prepare the way for Jesus. Despite their influence, God could have easily selected any of them. Instead, He chose John, the humble man from the desert, to be the precursor of Jesus. 

What is the message for us in God’s anointing of John? It tells us that God comes to those who are simple and humble—those who do not allow themselves to be consumed by the trappings and influences of this world. Such as, riches, power, influence, social media and so on. 

John is also preaching to us about repentance and abhorrence of our many sins. In addition, John is preaching to us that we need to lead and live simple lives. For it’s only in the simplicity of our lifestyle that we would be able to hear the voice of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Disyembre 8 Ikalawang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 3:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 3:1-6

Ikalabinlimang taon noon ng paghahari ni Emperador Tiberio. Si Poncio Pilato ang gobernador sa Judea, si Herodes ang tetrarka sa Galilea at ang kapatid naman niyang si Felipe, sa lupain ng Iturea at Traconite. Si Lisanias ang tetrarka sa Abilinia. Sina Anas at Caifas naman ang mga pinakapunong saserdote noon. 

Nang panahong iyon, nasa ilang si Juan na anak ni Zacarias. Dumating sa kanya ang salita ng Diyos, kaya’t nilibot niya ang mga lupain sa magkabilang panig ng Jordan at nangaral. “Pagsisihan ninyo’t talikdan ang inyong mga kasalanan at pabinyag kayo upang kayo’y patawarin ng Diyos,” wika niya. “Sa gayo’y natupad ang nasusulat sa aklat ni propeta Isaias” 

“Ito ang sabi ng isang sumisigaw sa ilang: ‘ihanda ninyo ang daraanan ng Panginoon, tuwirin ninyo ang kanyang mga landas! Tatambakan ang bawat lambak, at titibagin ang bawat burol at bundok.Tutuwirin ang daang liku-liko, at papatagin ang daang baku-bako.

At makikita ng lahat ng tao ang pagliligtas na gagawin ng Diyos.

Reflection for Saturday December 7 Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Gospel: Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.  

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.  

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, "Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."

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Reflection:

Do we hear Jesus speaking to us through this gospel? Jesus commands His disciples to spread His good news this command is for us also. Have we already creatively shared the good news about the transforming words of Jesus by how we live our lives?  

Can we share Jesus without uttering a single word? Yes! By our way of life we can share Jesus. This we can do through humility, through serving others and by living our lives according to the life of Jesus.  

The most powerful method of witness for Jesus and for our faith are not words the most powerful witness are our actions. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is so revered by millions from different faiths because her selfless actions toward the poor speak volumes about her faith. Let us therefore be conscious about how we live our life and faith because through these we can convert others to become followers of Jesus. 

How do you live? Do you live your life according to the teachings of the Lord? Or you live your life according to the teachings of this world? - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Disyembre 7, Paggunita kay San Ambrosio, obispo at pantas ng Simbahan: Mateo 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:35-10, 1, 6-8

Noong panahong iyon, nilibot ni Hesus ang mga bayan at nayon at nagturo sa mga sinagoga. Ipinangaral niya ang Mabuting Balita tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos, at pinagaling ang mga may sakit, anuman ang kanilang karamdaman. Nang makita niya ang napakaraming tao, nahabag siya sa kanila sapagkat sila’y lito at lupaypay, parang mga tupang walang pastol.  

Kaya’t sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad, “Sagana ang anihin, ngunit kakaunti ang mag-aani. Idalangin ninyo sa may-ari ng anihin na magpadala siya ng mga manggagawa sa kanyang anihin.” Tinipon ni Hesus ang labindalawang alagad at binigyan ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng masasamang espiritu at magpagaling ng mga may karamdaman.  

Sila’y pinagbilinan ni Hesus: “Hanapon ninyo ang mga nawawalang tupa ng sambahayan ng Israel. Humayo kayo at ipangaral ninyo na malapit nang maghari ang Diyos. Pagalingin ninyo ang mga maysakit at buhayin ang mga patay. Pagalingin ninyo ang mga ketongin at palayasin ang mga demonyo. Yamang tumanggap kayo nang walang bayad, magbigay naman kayo nang walang bayad.”

Reflection for December 6 Friday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 9:27-31

Gospel: Matthew 9:27-31

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. 

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.

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Reflection:

What compels you to go to church to attend Holy Mass? It’s your faith! When you are sick and in need of healing, what moves you to pray and ask Jesus to heal you? It is your deep faith! When you learn to ask with faith, Jesus will certainly grant it to you!

Faith is the healing balm that we receive from God, but not everyone has this faith yet. Therefore, those who have faith must do something so that those who do not have faith will have it. And this we can do best if we learn to share our faith in Jesus and the many miracles that He has done in our life. 

The two blind men in the gospel obviously had faith for they shouted to Jesus, “Son of David have pity on us!” Who gave them faith? It was somebody who shared to them Jesus and in sharing Jesus with them they slowly but surely gained faith. 

Let us also have the courage to share our faith and friendship with Jesus. For it’s in sharing our faith that we grow in faith and it’s in sharing our faith that we make a positive difference in the lives of others. 

Have you already shared your faith? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 6, Biyernes sa Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 9:27-31

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:27-31

Noong panahong iyon, pag-alis ni Hesus sa lugar na iyon, sinundan-sundan siya ng dalawang lalaking bulag. Sumisigaw sila na ang wika, “Anak ni David, mahabag kayo sa amin!” Pagpasok ni Hesus sa bahay, lumapit sa kanya ang mga bulag. Tinanong sila ni Hesus, “Naniniwala ba kayo na magagawa ko ito?” “Opo, Panginoon,” sagot nila. 

At hinipo niya ang kanilang mga mata, at sinabi, “Mangyari sa inyo ang ayon sa inyong paniniwala.” At hinipo niya ang kanilang mga mata at sinabi, “Mangyari sa inyo ang ayon sa inyong paniniwala.” At nakakita na sila. Mahigpit na ipinagbilin sa kanila ni Hesus na huwag sasabihin ito kaninuman. Ngunit nang sila’y makaalis, ibinalita nila sa buong lupaing yaon ang ginawa sa kanila ni Hesus.

Reflection for December 5 Thursday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Gospel: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.  

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.  But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.

And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.

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Reflection:

Who do you listen to in this world? Do you listen to Jesus and shut out what this world is trying to dictate upon you? When you always listen to Jesus you have an impregnable wall that nobody can destroy. Even the strongest of calamities will not be able to destroy much less discourage you for the simple reason that you have Jesus in your life. 

Often times we are defeated by our problems, worries and sickness because Jesus plays no role in our life. What rules our lives are the many worldly attachments which only make our life in this world burdensome, problematic and heavy. So when we encounter trials many of us are not able to withstand it. 

Indulgence with the pleasures of this world makes us fragile physically and emotionally; it could even make us suicidal. We will be left with nothing except emptiness which will quickly lead us to nothingness. 

Try making Jesus the anchor of your life and you will see that not even the worst of problems can defeat you or bring you down. Even the worst sickness will not be able to conquer you, yes it may conquer your physical being but your spiritual being will remain strong.  And this is because Jesus is the rock solid foundation of your life. 

Is Jesus the foundation of your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 5, Huwebes sa Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 7:21, 24-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:21, 24-27

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Hindi lahat ng tumatawag sa akin, ‘Panginoon, Panginoon,’ ay papasok sa kaharian ng langit, kundi yaon lamang sumusunod sa kalooban ng aking Amang nasa langit.  

“Kaya’t ang bawat nakikinig at nagsasagawa ng mga salita kong ito ay matutulad sa isang taong matalino na nagtayo ng kanyang bahay sa ibabaw ng bato. Umulan nang malakas, bumaha, at binayo ng malakas na hangin ang bahay na iyon, ngunit hindi nagiba sapagkat nakatayo sa ibabaw ng bato.  

Ang bawat nakikinig ng aking mga salita at hindi nagsasagawa nito ay matutulad sa isang taong hangal na nagtayo ng kanyang bahay sa buhanginan. Umulan nang malakas, bumaha, at binayo ng malakas na hangin ang bahay. Bumagsak ang bahay na iyon at lubusang nawasak.”

Reflection for December 4 Wednesday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 15:29-37

Gospel: Matthew 15:29-37 

At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. 

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” 

Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was sick of cancer. Before going to her doctor she would never forget to pray to the Lord for her healing. It was always like that for many years until she got cured of her cancer. 

What do you do when you are sick? Of course you go to the doctor, but have you thought of going to Jesus first? To ask Him to cure you with His mighty healing power. Many of us perhaps have forgotten already that Jesus is the greatest healer who ever walked on this earth. That’s why we sometimes forget to go to Him first in deep prayer before we go to the doctor. 

In our gospel, great crowds went to Jesus, with them were the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many more sick people. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them all. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. 

Whenever we are sick: Whatever it may be and no matter how grave it may be. Let us not forget to remember to go to Jesus first in deep prayer and let us ask Him to heal us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 4, Miyerkules sa Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento: Mateo 15:29-37

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 15:29-37

Noong panahong iyon, nagbalik si Hesus sa tabi ng Lawa ng Galilea. At siya’y umahon sa burol at naupo. Nagdatingan ang napakaraming tao na may dalang mga pilay, bulag, pingkaw, pipi, at marami pang iba. Inilagay nila ang mga maysakit sa harapan ni Hesus at kanyang pinagaling sila. Namangha ang mga tao nang makita nilang nagsasalita na ang mga pipi, gumaling na ang mga pingkaw, nakalalakad na ang mga pilay, at nakakikita na ang mga bulag. At nagpuri sila sa Diyos ng Israel. 

Tinawag ni Hesus ang kanyang mga alagad at sinabi, “Nahahabag ako sa mga taong ito, sapagkat tatlong araw na ngayong kasama ko sila at wala na silang makain. Hindi ko ibig na sila’y paalising gutom; baka sila mahilo sa daan.” At sinabi ng mga alaga, “Saan po tayo kukuha rito ng tinapay na makasasapat sa gayong karaming tao?” “Ilan ang tinapay ninyo riyan?” tanong ni Hesus sa kanila.

“Pito po,” sagot nila, “at ilang maliliit na isda.” Ang mga tao’y pinaupo ni Hesus sa lupa. Kinuha niya ang pitong tinapay at ang mga isda at nagpapasalamat sa Diyos. Pagkatapos, pinagpira-piraso niya ang mga iyon at ibinigay sa mga alagad para ipamahagi sa mga tao. Kumain ang lahat at nabusog; at nang tipunin nila ang mga tinapay na lumabis, nakapuno sila ng pitong bakol na malalaki.

Reflection for Tuesday December 3 Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest: Luke 10:21-24

Gospel: Luke 10:21-24

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. 

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

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Reflection:

What do we need to do to fully grasp the grace of the Holy Spirit in our life? We need to be humble, we need to be childlike for such is the life of Jesus: full of humility and full of childlike trust. 

The Holy Spirit would reveal itself to us once we become humble and childlike. Thus, the Holy Spirit will give us something that others don’t have and that is the enlightenment to discern the workings of God in our life. 

Notice the childlike excitement of those who volunteer their time to serve during Holy Mass or to do volunteer work for the church. Observe their readiness to submit themselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But not everyone has this gift of feeling the profound presence of God in their lives. This is given free without any cost by the Holy Spirit to those who strive to dive deeper into our Catholic faith. 

We impede the grace of the Holy Spirit, as well as invite some misfortunes into our lives when we trust more in our wealth than in God, when we don’t attend Holy Mass, when we are self-righteous, when we are corrupt, when we curse, when we use profanities and swearwords, or when we seek pornography and other sins of the flesh.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Disyembre 3, Paggunita kay San Francisco Javier, pari: Lucas 10:21-24

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 10:21-24

Nang oras ding iyon, si Hesus ay napuspos ng galak ng Espiritu Santo. At sinabi niya, “Pinasasalamatan kita Ama. Panginoon ng langit at lupa, sapagkat inilihim mo sa marurunong at pantas ang mga bagay na ito at inihayag mo sa mga taong ang kalooba’y tulad ng sa bata. 

Oo, Ama, sapagkat gayon ang ikinalulugod mo. Ibinigay sa akin ng aking Ama ang lahat ng bagay.  Walang nakakikilala sa Anak kundi ang Ama, at walang nakakikilala sa Ama kundi ang Anak at yaong marapating pagpahayagan ng Anak.” Humarap si Hesus sa mga alagad at sinabi, na di naririnig ng iba: “Mapalad kayo, sapagkat nakita ninyo ang inyong nakikita ngayon! 

Sinasabi ko sa inyo, maraming propeta at mga hari ang nagnasang makakita ng inyong nakikita ngunit hindi nila nakita. Hinangad din nilang mapakinggan ang inyong naririnig ngunit hindi nila napakinggan.”