Reflection for January 8 Wednesday after Epiphany: Mark 6:45-52

Gospel: Mark 6:45-52

After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. 

Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. 

They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid! He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.

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Reflection:

What does our closeness to Jesus do to us when we are in the midst of waves of problems? It calms us, it gives us hope and it assures us that everything will be OK for as long as we have faith in Him. All of us have been into many difficult situations and time and again our faith in Jesus is always our safe refuge. 

In our gospel the disciples were being heavily battered by huge waves. Perhaps they already thought that it was already the end of their lives. Then, lo and behold in the midst of the violent storm here comes Jesus walking on sea going to them. After that Jesus told His disciples, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid! He got into the boat with them and the wind died down (Mark 6:50-51). 

From being hopeless, from being on the verge of disaster even death the disciples were miraculously saved by Jesus. They did not call on Jesus to save them yet Jesus came to rescue them. 

What is the implication of this saving action of Jesus to us? Nobody of us have a worry free life in this world, we will be encountering trials and problems for as long as we live. Nevertheless we have nothing to fear and there’s always hope for as long as we have Jesus in our lives. 

Do you have Jesus in your life? Do you always reach out to Him through your prayers, through your presence at Holy Mass and by reading His living words in the bible? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 8 Miyerkules kasunod ng Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Marcos 6:45-52

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:45-52

Matapos mapakain ang limang libong lalaki, agad pinasakay ni Hesus sa bangka ang mga alagad at pinauna sa Betsaida, sa kabilang ibayo ng lawa, samantalang pinauuwi niya ang mga tao. Pagkaalis nila, siya’y umahon sa burol upang manalangin. Sumapit ang gabi. Nasa laot na noon ang bangka, samatalang si Hesus ay nag-iisa sa katihan. 

Nakita niyang nahihirapan sa pagsagwan ang kanyang mga alagad, sapagkat pasalungat sila sa hangin. At nang madaling-araw na, sumunod sa kanila si Hesus na naglalakad sa ibabaw ng tubig. Lalampasan niya sana sila, ngunit nakita ng mga alagad na siya’y lumalakad sa ibabaw ng tubig, kaya’t napasigaw sila. 

Ang akala nila’y multo, at kinilabutan silang lahat. Ngunit agad niyang sinabi sa kanila, “Huwag kayong matakot, si Hesus ito! Lakasan ninyo ang inyong loob!” Sumakay siya sa bangka, at tumigil ang hangin. Sila’y lubhang nanggilalas, sapagkat hindi nila naunawaan ang nangyari sa tinapay; hindi pa ito abot ng kanilang isip.

Reflection for January 7 Tuesday after Epiphany: Mark 6:34-44

Gospel: Mark 6:34-44

When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. 

Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” 

He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. 

The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. 

They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.

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Reflection:

A woman was generous to a fault. She would always give whatever she has and she would do it without expecting something back. As she observed it, the more that she was generous the more blessings she would receive. She therefore decided to increase some more her generosity. 

Generosity always pays, the more that we are generous the more that God will bless us. Just try to be generous and you’ll see that blessings will be plowed back to you a hundred-fold. 

Oftentimes we don’t dare to give because we are afraid that there will be nothing left for us to keep. But why not try to be generous and see for yourself the wonderful blessing that will be brought back to you? The blessing of good health, the blessing of a wonderful family, the blessings of peace of mind and a lot more blessing that is anchored on our being generous. 

If Jesus was not generous or if Jesus was not moved with pity for those who were following Him. He would have not been able to feed the vast crowd (More than five thousand) and there would have not been twelve wicker baskets full of fragments. 

Do you live generosity? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 7 Martes kasunod ng Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Marcos 6:34-44

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:34-44

Noong panahong iyon, nakita ni Hesus ang napakaraming tao; nahabag siya sa kanila sapagkat para silang mga tupang walang pastol. At sila’y tinuruan niya ng maraming bagay. Nang dapit-hapon na, lumapit sa kanya ang mga alagad at ang sabi, “Ilang ang pook ng ito at malapit nang lumubog ang araw.

Payaunin na po ninyo ang mga tao sa mga karatig-nayon at bayan upang makabili ng pagkain.” Ngunit sinabi niya, “Kayo ang magbigay sa kanila ng makakain.” “Bibili po ba kami ng halagang dalawandaang denaryong tinapay upang ipakain sa kanila?” Tanong ng mga alagad. “Ilan ba ang dala ninyong tinapay? Tingnan nga ninyo,” wika niya. Pagkatapos tingnan ay kanilang sinabi, “Lilima po, at dalawang isda.”

Iniutos ni Hesus na ang lahat ay maupo nang pulu-pulutong sa damuhan. Kaya’t naupo sila nang manda-mandaan at lima-limampu. Kinuha ni Hesus ang limang tinapay at dalawang isda, tumingala sa langit, at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Pinaghati-hati niya ang mga tinapay at ibinigay sa mga alagad upang ipamahagi sa mga tao. 

At pinaghati-hati niya ang dalawang isda at ipinamahagi rin. Ang lahat ay nakakain at nabusog. Nang tipunin ng mga alagad ang lumabis na hati-hating tinapay at isda, nakapuno sila ng labindalawang bakol. Sa mga nagsikain, limanlibo ang mga lalaki.   

Reflection for January 6 Monday after Epiphany: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

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.” 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. 

His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

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Reflection:

Why did Jesus withdraw to Galilee? Perhaps, to rest, think and ponder deeply about His mission. Every once in a while, it’s good to withdraw/retreat from the hustle and bustle of life so that we’ll have time for ourselves and for God. 

Withdrawal from this busy life means that we have time to reflect as to where are we in our relationship with Jesus. Where are we being directed by our materially driven world. We must always be watchful that we are not carried away or eaten up by the cycle of busy life.  

Otherwise we would be like zombies who mechanically walk to a single direction that directs us away from God. Then at the end we forget God, thus we easily sin without any guilt of conscience. Because we allowed ourselves to be misled by this busy life. 

Take time once in a while to withdrew/retreat from this busy life and get connected with God for it will further strengthen you spiritually as you face the challenges of your busy life. Remember that Jesus withdrew after which He proceeded to do His mission with vigor and determination. 

So, you too should withdraw even for a short while to primarily assess your life and most importantly your relationship with Jesus.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 6 Lunes kasunod ng Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Mateo 4:12-17, 23-25

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 4:12-17, 23-25

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’y 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 tumalanglaw 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.”

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.

Siya’y nabantog sa buong Siria kaya’t dinadala sa kanya ang lahat ng maysakit at mga pinahihirapan ng iba’t ibang karamdaman: mga inaalihan ng mga demonyo, mga himatayin, mga paralitiko. Silang lahat ay kanyang pinagaling. At sinundan siya ng napakaraming tao buhat sa Galilea, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, at maging sa ibayo ng Jordan.

Reflection for Sunday January 5 Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord: Matthew 2:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

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

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah are by no means least among the rulers of Judah since from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel. 

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word that I too may go and do him homage.” 

After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. 

They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures  and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod they departed for their country by another way.
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Reflection:
Are you yearning for the presence of Jesus in your life? What do you do when you are yearning for Him? Do you read your Bible and meditate on His living words? Do you go to church for Holy Mass, or do you spend time with Him in the Adoration Chapel?

We have searched for Jesus in one way or another, and our search for Him has always borne fruit, for Jesus never hides Himself from us. He is always there for us when we diligently seek Him. The moment we encounter Him, we will never be the same, for He will change and complete us according to His will.

The three Magi in our Gospel were also searching for Jesus. But why were they searching for the child Jesus? Of course, we all know that they had something special to give Him. However, aside from the gifts they wanted to offer, why were they searching for Jesus?

They were searching for Jesus because something was deeply missing in their lives, a void that could only be filled by finding Him. So, they searched diligently. They went to Jerusalem and looked for Him there. Eventually, they were guided by the star to Bethlehem, where they found the baby Jesus. 

Upon finding Him, they paid homage to the Lord by offering their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But this is not the end of the story. For when they found Jesus, they also found inner healing that only He could give. Their encounter with the child Jesus completely changed and renewed them.

Let us also seek the Lord with all our hearts, for those who seek Jesus will find Him and be enormously renewed and blessed by Him.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 5 Dakilang Kapistahan ng Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Mateo 2:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 2:1-12

Si Hesus ay ipinanganak sa Betlehem ng Judea noong kapanahunan ni haring Herodes. Dumating naman sa Jerusalem ang ilang Pantas mula sa Silangan at nagtanung-tanong doon: “Nasaan ang ipinanganak na Hari ng mga Judio? Nakita namin sa Silangan ang kanyang tala at naparito kami upang sambahin siya.” 

Nang mabalitaan ito ni haring Herodes, siya’y naligalig, gayun din ang buong Jerusalem. Kaya’t tinipon niya ang lahat ng punong saserdote at mga eskriba sa Israel at itinanong sa kanila kung saan ipinanganak ang Mesiyas. “Sa Betlehem po ng Judea,” tugon nila. “Ganito ang sinulat ng propeta:

‘At ikaw, Betlehem, sa lupain ng Juda,

ay hindi nga huli sa mga pangunahing bayan ng Juda.

Sapagkat sa iyo lilitaw ang isang pinuno

na mamamahala sa aking bayang Israel.’” 

Nang mabatid ito, lihim na ipinatawag ni Herodes ang mga Pantas at itinanong kung kailan lumitaw ang mga tala. At pinalakad niya sila patungong Betlehem matapos pabilinan ng ganito: “Humayo kayo at inyong hanaping mabuti ang sanggol. Kapag inyong natagpuan, ibalita agad ninyo sa akin upang ako may makasamba sa kanya.” 

At lumakad na nga ang mga Pantas. Muli silang pinangunahan ng talang nakita nila sa silangan hanggang sa sumapit ito sa tapat ng kinaroroonan ng bata. Gayun na lamang ang galak ng mga Pantas nang makita ang tala! Pagpasok sa bahay, nakita nila ang bata sa piling ng kanyang inang si Maria.  

Lumapit sila at nagpatirapa at sinamba ang bata. Binuksan nila ang kanilang mga sisidlan at inihandog sa kanya ang dala nilang ginto, kamanyang at mira.

Nang sila’y pabalik na, sinabi sa kanila ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng panaginip na huwag na silang babalik kay Herodes. Kaya, nag-iba na sila ng daan pauwi.

Reflection for January 4 Saturday before Epiphany: John 1:35-42

Gospel: John 1:35-42

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?"  

They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.  

He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.

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Reflection:

Would you respond to Jesus if He calls you? The call of Jesus comes in so many ways. He would indirectly call you using a friend, a written commentary, an event in your life and there are many more ways when the Lord calls.    

We have to respond when Jesus calls us, we must not ignore His call. What is the centerpiece of Jesus call? It’s always to walk away from sinfulness. Therefore, when God calls us it’s an offer to take away our problems, problems that we create for ourselves brought about by our sinfulness.     

Let us respond to this call of Jesus and we would see that little by little there will be less sin related problems in our life. Problems that we create for ourselves because we refuse to hear the call of Jesus.  

What else would happen when we respond to Jesus call? We will know more about Jesus and His life. There would be strengthening of our faith and we will have a sturdy wall to lean on whenever we pass through the many challenges of life.  

In our gospel when Andrew and his companion heard John said: “Behold the Lamb of God.” The phrase uttered by John struck a chord in them that they decided to follow Jesus. As they were following they asked Him: Where are you staying?” And Jesus gave them a very meaningful response by saying: “Come and you will see.” (John 1:39)  

This is also what Jesus is telling us, come because you will discover more of me. Come because I am here to help you carry whatever burdens that you have. Come for I will walk with you from now on. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 4 Sabado bago ang Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Juan 1:35-42

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:35-42

Noong panahong iyon, naroon uli si Juan at ang dalawa sa kanyang mga alagad. Nakita niya si Jesus na nagdaraan, at kanyang sinabi, "Ito ang Kordero ng Diyos!" Narinig ng dalawang alagad ang sinabi niya, at sumunod sila kay Jesus. Lumingon si Jesus at nang makitang sumusunod sila ay kanyang tinanong, "Ano ang hinahanap ninyo?"  

Sumagot sila, "Saan po kayo nakatira, Rabi?" Ang kahulugan ng salitang ito'y Guro. "Halikayo at tingnan ninyo," ani Jesus. Sumama sila at nakita nila ang kanyang tinitirhan; at tumuloy sila roon ng araw na yaon. Noo'y mag-iikaapat na ng hapon. Ang isa sa dalawang nakarinig kay Juan at sumunod kay Jesus ay si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro. 

Una niyang hinanap ang kapatid niyang ito, at kanyang sinabi sa kanya, "Natagpuan namin ang Mesias!" Ang kahulugan ng salitang ito'y Cristo. At siya'y isinama ni Andres kay Jesus. Tiningnan ni Jesus si Simon at sinabi sa kanya, 'Ikaw si Simon na anak ni Juan. ang ipangangalan sa iyo'y Cefas." Ang katumbas ng pangalang ito'y Pedro. 

Reflection for January 3 Friday before Epiphany: John 1:29-34

Gospel: John 1:29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." 

John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."

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Reflection:

Do you live the virtue of Humility? CS Lewis once said: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.” 

When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him, he said this: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. John recognized the true identity of Jesus because he lived the virtue of humility to the core of his bones. There was no fakery and pretension, it was authentic humility. 

We also always hear these words of John when we go to Holy Mass. The priest raises the Sacred Host and pronounces these very words of John at Holy Mass before Holy Communion as the faithful kneel and fix its gaze upon it with deep reverence. 

Jesus will heal us from all of our sins no matter how grave. But we have to humble ourselves before our Lord. This kind of humble demeanor without a doubt was with John thus John was able to recognize the majesty of Jesus over anyone else.         

We will never recognize the magnificence of Jesus if we don’t have humility. And we will never fully grasp the reason why John called Jesus the lamb of God. If we are not ready to strip ourselves with anything that is contrary to the virtue of humility. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 3 Biyernes bago ang Pagpapakita ng Panginoon: Juan 1:29-34

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:29-34

Kinabukasan, nakita ni Juan si Hesus na lumalapit sa kanya. Sinabi niya, “Ito ang Kordero ng Diyos. Ito ang nag-aalis ng mga kasalanan ng sanlibutan! Siya ang tinutukoy ko nang sabihin kong dumarating na kasunod ko ang isang higit sa akin sapagkat siya’y siya na bago pa ako ipanganak. Hindi ko rin siya lubos na nakikilala noon, bagamat ako’y naparitong nagbibinyag sa tubig upang ipakilala siya sa Israel.”  

Ito ang patotoo ni Juan, “Nakita ko ang Espiritung bumababa buhat sa langit, gaya ng isang kalapati, at nanatili sa kanya. Hindi ko nga siya lubos na nakikilala noon, ngunit ang nagsugo sa akin upang magbinyag sa tubig ang nagsabi sa akin, ‘Makikita mo ang Espiritu na bababa at mananatili sa isang tao – siya ang magbibinyag sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo.’ Nakita ko ito, at pinatototohanan kong siya ang Anak ng Diyos.”

Reflection for Thursday January 2 Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church: John 1:19-28

Gospel: John 1:19-28

This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you? He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah? 

And he said, “I am not. “Are you the Prophet? He answered, No. So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” 

He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord, as Isaiah the prophet said. Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet? 

John answered them “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize the one who is coming after me whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie. This happened in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

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Reflection:

How can we remain in the perpetual grace of God? We would always remain in the perpetual grace of God when we are always humble. But it’s hard to be humble all the time, it’s hard to always bow; it’s hard to always bend in humility. It’s hard to conquer our egos most especially when we are doing well. 

John the Baptist remained in the perpetual grace of God for he was always humble. He did not salivate for power and fame; he never had an awareness of the word ego for he remained humble and self-effacing throughout his short life.   

We know now how to be in the perpetual grace of God. But then again we will say, “It’s hard to be humble all the time.” It’s hard indeed to be humble all the time for the simple reason perhaps that we think that humility is a byproduct of our own effort. 

We don’t dispense humility to ourselves, its God through the graciousness of the Holy Spirit who gives us the grace of humility. We therefore pray to Jesus to grant us the grace of humility for He freely dispense it to those who humbly ask for it. 

Have you already asked Jesus to dispense unto you the virtue of humility? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Enero 2, San Basilio Magno at San Gregorio Nasianceno mga Obispo at pantas ng Simbahan (Paggunita): Juan 1:19-28

Mabuting Balita: Juan 1:19-28

Nang suguin ng mga Judio sa Jerusalem ang ilang saserdote at Levita upang itanong kung sino siya, sinabi ni Juan ang katotohanan. Sinabi niyang hindi siya ang Mesias. “Kung gayo’y sino ka?” tanong nila. “Ikaw ba si Elias?” “Hindi po,” tugon niya. “Ikaw ba ang Propetang hinihintay namin?” Sumagot siya, “Hindi po.”  

“Sino ka kung gayun?” Tanong nila uli. “Sabihin mo sa amin para masabi namin sa mga nagsugo sa amin. Ano ang masasabi mo tungkol sa iyong sarili?” Sumagot si Juan, “Ako ‘Ang tinig ng isang sumisigaw sa ilang: Tuwirin ninyo ang daraanan ng Panginoon!’” Ang Propeta Isaias ang maysabi nito.  

Ang mga nagtanong ay sugo ng mga Pariseo. Muli nilang tinanong si Juan, “Bakit ka nagbibinyag, hindi pala naman ikaw ang Mesias, ni si Elias, ni ang Propeta?” Sumagot siya, “Ako’y nagbibinyag sa tubig, ngunit nasa gitna ninyo ang isang hindi ninyo nakikilala.

Siya ang susunod sa akin, subalit hindi ako karapat-dapat magkalag man lamang ng tali ng kanyang panyapak.” Ito’y nangyari sa Betania, sa ibayo ng Jordan na pinagbibinyagan ni Juan.