Reflection for Tuesday January 28 Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church: Mark 3:31-35

Gospel Mark 3:31-35

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

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

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Reflection:

A homeless boy was given shelter by a compassionate family. They treated him as a member of their family and supported his education until college. After finding a job, he generously gave back to the family. All the love and care they had given him, he returned a hundredfold. 

The family who assumed responsibility for this boy is a relative of Jesus, and this poor, God-fearing boy is a brother of Jesus. Why? Because Jesus tells us that whoever does the will of God is His brother, sister, and mother. 

What about those who do not live according to the commandments of Jesus? Those who do no good for the poor and needy and those who are sinful? Are they already cut off from Jesus? No, they are not—for the simple reason that Jesus is a merciful and forgiving God. He patiently waits for those who are misguided, those who lack compassion and love, until they find enlightenment. 

The infinite mercy of Jesus is always available to us, no matter who we are. Yet, Jesus also challenges us to do good for our fellowmen. —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Enero 28 Paggunita kay Santo Tomas de Aquino, pari at pantas ng Simbahan: Marcos 3:31-35

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:31-35

Noong panahong iyon, dumating ang ina at mga kapatid ni Hesus. Sila’y nasa labas ng bahay at ipinatawag siya. Noon nama’y maraming taong nakaupo sa palibot ni Hesus, at may nagsabi sa kanya, “Nariyan po sa labas ang inyong ina at mga kapatid; ipinatatawag kayo.”  

“Sino ang aking ina at mga kapatid?” ani Hesus. Tumingin siya sa mga nakaupo sa palibot niya at nagwika: “Ito ang aking ina at mga kapatid! Sapagkat ang sinumang tumatalima sa kalooban ng Diyos; ay siya kong ina at mga kapatid.” 

Reflection for January 27 Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 3:22-30

Gospel: Mark 3:22-30

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

And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a family who would always attend Holy Mass together as a family. Whenever there was a problem in their household, the father or mother would always see to it that they reconciled before the day was over, for to them, God always desired a unified family. Indeed, God is an advocate of unity. 

Yet, the devil seeks to destroy the unity of the family for the simple reason that he thrives on disunity, problems, and conflict. When there is discord and conflict, the evil one has the opportunity to come in and sow more havoc and division. 

In the Gospel, Jesus talks about the importance of unity. He tells us: ‘If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.’ (Mark 3:24-25) 

Unity is indeed very important and essential, especially in a family. What would happen if there is no unity between the father and mother? The same applies to friendship—how can a friendship last if friends are not on the same wavelength? 

The same is true if we are not united with Jesus in our daily lives. What would happen to us if we lived apart from Him and tried to stand on our own in this world? We would end up with nothing but division, loneliness, and evil. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Enero 27 Lunes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 3:22-30

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 3:22-30

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ng mga eskribang dumating mula sa Jerusalem, “Inaalihan siya ni Beelzebul, ang prinsipe ng mga demonyo. Ito ang nagbigay sa kanya ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng mga demonyo!” Kaya’t pinapalapit ni Hesus ang mga tao at sinabi sa kanila ang ilang talinghaga: “Paano mangyayaring palayasin ni Satanas si Satanas?” 

Kapag naglaban-laban ang nasasakupan ng isang kaharian, hindi mananatili ang kahariang iyon. At kapag naglaban-laban ang magkakasambahay, hindi mananatili ang sambahayang iyon. Gayun din naman, kapag naghimagsik si Satanas laban sa kanyang sarili at naglaban-laban ang kanyang nasasakupan, hindi magtatagal at darating ang kanyang wakas. 

“Walang makapapasok sa bahay ng isang taong malakas at makaaagaw ng kanyang ari-arian, malibang gapusin muna niya ang taong iyon. Saka pa lamang niya malolooban ang bahay na iyon. 

“Tandaan ninyo ito: maaaring ipatawad sa mga tao ang lahat ng kasalanan at panlalait nila sa Diyos, ngunit ang sinumang lumait sa Espiritu Santo ay hindi mapatatawad. Ang kanyang kasalanan ay hindi mapapawi kailanman.” Sinabi ito ni Hesus sapagkat ang sabi ng ilan, “Inaalihan siya ng masamang Espiritu.”

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.