Reflection for Sunday January 26 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. 

He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

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Reflection:

A father was having problems with his family. His wife was often out of the house with her friends, and his children were no different—often, they were out as well. Naturally, the father wondered how he could bring back peace, normalcy, and stability to their home.

Many ideas floated in his mind until he remembered the advice given to him by his grandmother years ago. She had told him to develop a regular habit of leading his family in reading and reflecting on the words of God in the Bible. So, he started—at first by himself, then, after a few weeks, he invited his wife and children to join him. Before long, they were living a happy and contented life. Yes, there were still problems from time to time, but they were able to resolve them.

The words of God in the Bible are a living spirit that gives life. They unite us, enlighten us, and refresh us. We must fully take advantage of this gift by dedicating regular time to reading, reflection, and meditation. Sadly, however, many Catholics seldom open their Bible to read, reflect, and partake of its wisdom and miracles.

In our Gospel, Jesus was in the synagogue on the Sabbath. He read aloud the words of the prophet Isaiah, which were meant for Him. Jesus did not keep them to Himself—He shared them with those who were present. Likewise, we must not only read the Bible but also have the courage to share and live its teachings.

Many are afraid to venture into sharing the words of God; they keep them to themselves. By doing so, they restrict the power of God's words within them and miss the opportunity to participate in the evangelization ministry of Jesus. God wills us to share what we know about Him so that many lives may be enlightened, and in the process, many souls will be saved.

As Jesus shared the wisdom of the Bible, so must we. Let us not be afraid of obstacles or our personal limitations, for God will always be there to help us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 26 Ikatlong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Kagalang-galang na Teofilo:

Marami na po ang nagsikap na, sumulat tungkol sa mga bagay na naganap sa gitna namin. Ang kanilang sinulat ay ayon sa sinabi sa amin ng mga nakasaksi nito buhat sa pasimula at nangaral ng Salita. Matapos na ako’y makapagsuri nang buong ingat tungkol sa lahat ng bagay na ito buhat pa sa pasimula, minabuti ko pong sumulat ng isang maayos na salaysay para sa inyo upang lubusan ninyong matiyak ang katotohanan ng mga bagay na itinuro sa inyo. 

Noong panahong iyon, bumalik si Hesus sa Galilea, at sumasakanya ang kapangyarihan ng Espiritu Santo. Kumalat sa palibot na lupain ang balita tungkol sa kanya. Nagturo siya sa kanilang mga sinagoga; at dinakila siya ng lahat.

Umuwi si Hesus sa Nazaret na kanyang nilakhan. Gaya ng kanyang kinagawian, pumasok siya sa sinagoga nang Araw ng Pamamahinga. Tumindig siya upang bumasa; at ibinigay sa kanya ang aklat ni Propeta Isaias. Binuksan niya ang aklat sa dakong kinasusulatan ng ganito:

“Sumasaakin ang Espiritu ng Panginoon, sapagkat hinirang niya ako upang ipangaral sa mga dukha ang Mabuting Balita. Sinugo niya ako upang ipahayag sa mga bihag na sila’y lalaya, at sa mga bulag na sila’y makakikita; upang bigyang-kaluwagan ang mga sinisiil, at ipahayag ang pagliligtas na gagawin ng Panginoon.”

Nilulon niya ang kasulatan, at matapos isauli sa tagapaglingkod, siya’y naupo. Nakatitig sa kanya ang lahat ng nasa sinagoga. At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Natupad ngayon ang bahaging ito ng Kasulatan samantalang nakikinig kayo.”

Reflection for Saturday 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:

Have you already shared Jesus and the Gospel with anyone? Jesus tells the apostles—and us, too—“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

Perhaps more than half of us would say that we have not yet shared the Word of God. But what is the reason? A lack of time is likely not the issue, because if we can make time for our worldly activities, why can’t we set aside time to share the Word of the Lord?

Sharing our faith and spreading the message of Jesus is the duty of every baptized Christian—no one is exempt from this responsibility. But how can we share our faith if we don’t regularly read the Bible? If we seldom attend Holy Mass? It is by immersing ourselves in God’s Word and making ourselves present at Holy Mass that we become effective sharers of our faith.

Saint Jerome once said, “Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ.” This is very true. To effectively share Jesus, we must first know Him. How can we share our faith if we rarely read the Word of God in the Bible or if we seldom go to Holy Mass? We cannot share what we do not have.

Let us not be stagnant followers of Jesus. Let us not be satisfied with the status quo. Instead, let us read God’s Word in the Bible, live it, and have the courage to share it by whatever means possible.

Start by sharing your faith within your family—your spouse, children, and other members of your household. Then, witness for yourself the miracles Jesus will create in your life and in your family as you spread His message.

When you share Jesus, you secure for yourself a sacred place in heaven when your time in this temporary world comes to an end. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Enero 25 Kapistahan ng Pagbabagong-Buhay ni Apostol San Pablo: Marcos 16:15-18

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 16:15-18

Noong panahong iyon, nagpakita si Hesus sa Labing-isa at sinabi sa kanila, “Humayo kayo sa buong sanlibutan at ipangaral ninyo sa lahat ang Mabuting Balita. Ang sumasampalataya at magpabinyag ay maliligtas, ngunit ang hindi sumampalataya ay parurusahan. 

Ang mga sumampalataya ay magtataglay ng ganitong tanda ng kapangyarihan: sa pangalan ko’y magpapalayas sila ng mga demonyo at magsasalita ng ibang wika; sila’y hindi maaano dumampot man ng ahas o uminom ng lason; at gagaling ang mga maysakit na mapatungan ng kanilang kamay.”

Reflection for Friday January 24 Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: 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 wonder why Jesus did not call the powerful and educated to be His apostles? 

The core of His apostles were fishermen, and the others were ordinary people like us. Perhaps the message for all of us is this: We will hear the powerful voice of Jesus in our lives if we live simple lives. 

Oftentimes, we no longer hear the voice of Jesus calling us to follow Him because our lives have become too complicated. We are too busy with this world, allowing it to possess us as if we could take its riches to our graves. 

When we become overly preoccupied with worldly matters, we also distance ourselves from Jesus. As a result, we are no longer able to feel and hear His voice in our hearts. Thus, we become prone to sin. 

The best lifestyle for us to hear the voice of Jesus, who always knocks on our hearts, is a simple one. This doesn’t mean we should stop aspiring to improve our well-being. We will still have aspirations, but in the midst of them, we must remain humble and simple. 

Just like the apostles, who were humble and simple, we too must be humble and simple—so that we may hear the voice of Jesus. - Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Ang Mabuting Balita Biyernes Enero 24 Paggunita kay San Francisco de Sales, obispo at pantas ng simbahan: Marcos 3:13-19

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:13-19

Noong panahong iyon, umahon si Hesus sa kaburulan, kasama ang kanyang mga pinili. Humirang siya ng labindalawa na tinawag niyang mga apostol upang maging kasa-kasama niya, suguing mangaral, at bigyan ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng mga demonyo.  

Ito ang labindalawang hinirang niya: Si Simon na tinagurian niya ng Pedro, Si Santiago at si Juan, na mga anak ni Zebedeo, sila’y tinagurian niyang Boanerges, na ibig sabihi’y mapupusok; sina Andres, Felipe, Bartolome, Mateo, Santiago na anak ni Alfeo, at Tadeo; si Simon na makabayan, at si Judas Iscariote na siyang nagkanulo sa kanya.  

Reflection for January 23 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:

Do you always go to Jesus in prayer every day? 

It is a must for all of us believers that we pray to Jesus everyday so that He can always bless and heal us. If we do not seek Jesus, where will we go? Will we chase after the ephemeral riches that this world constantly offers us? 

Until, eventually, we become hooked on the many temporary pleasures of this world. Then, slowly but surely, the devil will see to it that he takes hold of us as we pursue the many tempting offers of this world. 

In our Gospel, people from all over sought Jesus because they knew that only He could heal and help them. They pursued Jesus like a priceless diamond so that they could be healed of their many sicknesses. 

Let us learn from them by seeking Jesus daily through our prayers, our presence at Holy Mass, and other forms of devotion that demonstrate our deep love for Him. Let us not wait until we are already sick before we embrace Jesus. 

Let us go to Him now so that, as we continue our journey in this world, we will have Jesus journeying by our side. And as He walks with us, He will surely see to it that He is always there for us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 23 Huwebes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 3:7-12

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:7-12

Noong panahong iyos, umalis si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad at nagpunta sa tabi ng lawa. Sinundan siya ng maraming tao buhat sa Galilea. Nagdatingan din naman ang napakaraming tao mula sa Judea, sa Jerusalem, sa Idumea, sa ibayo ng Jordan, at sa palibot ng Tiro at Sidon nang mabalitaan nila ang lahat ng ginawa ni Jesus.  

Nagpahanda si Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad ng isang bangkang magagamit niya, upang hindi siya maipit ng mga taong dumaragsa. Marami na siyang pinagaling, kaya't pinagdumugan siya ng lahat ng maysakit upang mahipo man lamang nila. 

Bawat inaalihan ng masamang espiritu na makakita sa kanya ay nagpapatirapa sa harapan niya at sumisigaw, "Ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos!" At mahigpit silang pinagbawalan ni Jesus; ayaw niyang ipasabi kung sino siya. 

Reflection for January 22 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? 

Helping those in need is for all seasons; it is not strictly confined or limited to certain days or hours. As long as there are people in need of our help, we must assist them by all means, for this is what God wants us to do. 

We see this in today’s Gospel. There was a man with a withered hand, but it so happened that it was the Sabbath day. Did Jesus think of not healing this man because it was the Sabbath and His usual critics were closely monitoring Him? 

No, He did not! Instead, He called the man and said, “Come up here before us.” Then He said again, “Stretch out your hand.” The man stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 

We must not be afraid to help, regardless of who the person is and no matter the circumstances we are in. If we have the capacity to help, we must do so by all means. However, the reality is that some of us help selectively—we choose whom to help. Many of us especially help those who can reciprocate the favor; perhaps this is human nature. 

But Jesus challenges us through today’s Gospel to transcend this mindset and not be selective in extending help. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 22 Miyerkules sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 3:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:1-6

Noong panahong iyon, muling pumasok si Jesus sa sinagoga, at naratnan niya roon ang isang lalaking patay ang isang kamay. Kaya't binantayan si Jesus ng ilang taong naroon upang tingnan kung pagagalingin niya ang lalaking iyon sa Araw ng Pamamahinga, para may maiparatang sila sa kanya.  

Tinawag ni Jesus ang lalaking patay ang kamay: "Halika rito sa unahan!" Tinanong niya pagkatapos ang mga tao, "Alin ba ang ayon sa Kautusan: ang gumawa ng mabuti o gumawa ng masama sa Araw ng Pamamahinga? Magligtas ng buhay o pumatay?"Ngunit hindi sila sumagot.  

Habang tinitingnan ni Jesus ang mga nasa paligid niya, galit at lungkot ang nabadha sa kanyang mukha, dahil sa katigasan ng kanilang ulo. Bumaling siya sa lalaki at sinabi, "Iunat mo ang iyong kamay." Iniunat naman ng lalaki ang kanyang kamay at ito'y gumaling. Umalis ang mga Pariseo at nakipagsabwatan sa mga kampon ni Herodes upang ipapatay si Jesus.

Reflection for Tuesday January 21 Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr: 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 is a Sabbath? 

Sabbath is a day of rest and worship based on this command: “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days you may work and do all your occupation, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD, your God. No work may be done then.” (Exodus 20:8-10) 

 Whenever there is a rule, there is also a valid exception. This is what Jesus was pointing out to the Pharisees. For Jesus, the fulfillment of a valid human need is more important than fulfilling the law—in this case, the Sabbath law. 

Law/s should always serve the good of humanity, laws are there to serve humanity not to punish or restrict humanity. 

Some of us create restrictive and oppressive laws within our respective fields—not to serve their true purpose, but to serve our own selfish interests. In the end, our insistence on fulfilling these self-created, self-serving laws results in enmity and discord among us.

And the law that we have created to create order becomes the very reason for disorder, conflict and disunity. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Enero 21 Santa Agnes, dalaga at martir: Marcos 2:23-28

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 2:23-28

Isang Araw ng Pamamahinga, naparaan si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad sa tabi ng triguhan. Habang daa'y nangingitil ng uhay ang mga alagad, Kaya't sinabi ng mga Pariseo kay Jesus, "Tingnan mo ang ginagawa ng iyong mga alagad. Bawal iyan kung Araw ng Pamamahinga!"  

Sinagot sila ni Jesus, "Hindi pa ba ninyo nababasa ang ginawa ni David noong si Abitar ang pinakapunong saserdote? Nang siya at kanyang mga kasama'y magutom at walang makain, pumasok siya sa bahay ng Diyos at kumain ng tinapay na handog sa Diyos. Ayon sa Kautusan, ang mga saserdote lamang ang may karapatang kumain niyon, ngunit kinain iyon ni David, at binigyan pa ang kanyang mga kasama.  

Sinabi pa ni Jesus, "Itinakda ang Araw ng Pamamahinga para sa kabutihan ng tao; hindi nilikha ang tao para sa Araw ng Pamamahinga. Kaya't maging ang Araw ng Pamamahinga ay nasa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ng Anak ng Tao."

Reflection for January 20 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:

A renewed catholic had said that his life was never the same since he had a personal relationship with Jesus. He said that since he met Jesus he was always joyful.  And even if there were problems he always ensures that it would never ruin his day. His reason for his newfound joyfulness and happiness was his reenergized faith in Jesus.  

Fasting in the context of our gospel reading for today is connected with self-sacrifice or self-denial. Which is actually not bad because it strengthens a person’s faith and dependence on God. But there is something that is very much supreme than fasting and it’s no other than Jesus! If Jesus is in our life we have to rejoice.  

For the reason that Jesus will teach us to fast without anyone else knowing it and this is the more important form of fasting: Fasting that is not for show and fasting that is not seen and known by anyone except Jesus.  

The disciples of John and the Pharisees in our gospel were after the exterior fasting. Fasting that can be seen by the naked eyes and Jesus surely hates this kind of superficiality. If we are already with Jesus we would not be concerned anymore about superficial fasting. For the simple reason that we will fast without broadcasting it for everyone to hear and see.  

Nobody will know about this kind of fasting except you and Jesus. And this would surely happen the moment you learn how to surrender your life to the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 20 Lunes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 2:18-22

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 2:18-22

Noong panahong iyon, nag-aayuno ang mga alagad ni Juan Bautista at mga Pariseo. May lumapit kay Jesus at nagtanong, "Bakit po nag-aayuno ang mga alagad ni Juan Bautista at ang mga alagad ng mga Pariseo, ngunit ang mga alagad ninyo'y hindi?" 

Sumagot si Jesus, "Makapag-aayuno ba ang mga panauhin sa kasalan samantalang kasama nila ang lalaking ikinasal? Hindi! Kapag wala na ang ikinasal, saka pa lamang sila mag-aayuno. 

"Walang nagtatagpi ng bagong kayo sa lumang kasuutan; pag urong ng bagong kayo, mababatak ang luma at lalong lalaki ang punit. Wala rin namang nagsisilid ng bagong alak sa lumang sisidlang-balat. Kapwa masasayang ang alak at ang sisidlan. Bagong alak, bagong sisidlang-balat!"