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!"

Reflection for Sunday January 19, Feast of the Sto. Nino: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. 

And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

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Reflection:

Why did the disciples ask Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Were they expecting Him to say that they were the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven because they were His disciples?

Instead, Jesus called a child and said: “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4) 

The key that unlocks the Kingdom of Heaven for us is the humility of a child, which we must always emulate. The same childlike humility invites the grace of the Holy Spirit upon us.

It’s a no-brainer to ask: why a child and not an adult? Unlike adults, children have the simplest and purest minds. They are not tainted by sin and are docile, humble, and obedient. In contrast, adults like us are sinful; we defy God’s commandments in favor of our worldly desires.

Life nowadays is not easy. Many of our children today are also more exposed to poverty than before. We just need to open our eyes, and we will see it. What interventions can we take to help these children? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Linggo Enero 19 Kapistahan ng Banal na Sanggol o Santo Nino: Lucas 2:41-52

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:41-52

Taun-taon, tuwing pista ng Paskuwa, ang mga magulang ni Hesus ay pumupunta ng Jerusalem. At nang labindalawang taon na siya, pumaroon sila gaya ng dati nilang ginagawa. Pagkatapos ng pista, sila’y umuwi na. Nagpaiwan si Hesus sa Jerusalem ngunit hindi ito napansin ng kanyang mga magulang. 

Sa pag-aakala ng isa na si Hesus ay kasama ng isa, nagpatuloy sila sa maghapong paglalakbay. Nang malaman nilang hindi siya kasama, siya’y hinanap nila sa kanilang mga kamag-anak at kakilala. Hindi nila siya matagpuan, kaya’t bumalik sila sa Jerusalem upang doon hanapin. 

At nang ikatlong araw, natagpuan nila si Hesus sa loob ng templo, nakaupong kasama ng mga guro. Nakikinig siya sa kanila at nagtatanong; at ang lahat ng nakarinig sa kanya ay namangha sa kanyang katalinuhan. Nagtaka rin ang kanyang mga magulang nang siya’y makita. 

Sinabi ng kanyang ina, “Anak, bakit naman ganyan ang ginawa mo sa amin? Balisang-balisa na kami ng iyong ama sa paghahanap sa iyo.” Sumagot siya, “Bakit po ninyo ako hinahanap? Hindi ba ninyo alam na ako’y dapat na nasa bahay ng aking Ama?” Ngunit hindi nila naunawaan ang pananalitang ito. 

Siya’y umuwing kasama nila sa Nazaret, at naging isang masunuring anak. Ang lahat ng bagay na ito ay iningatan ng kanyang ina sa kanyang puso. Patuloy na lumaki si Hesus. Umunlad ang kanyang karunungan at lalong kinalugdan ng Diyos at ng mga tao.

Reflection for Sunday January 19 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 2:1-11

Gospel: John 2:1-11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you."  

Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it.  

And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

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Reflection:

What can we learn from the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding in Cana? We learn about the enormous influence of His mother, Mary, over Him. In the middle of the wedding banquet, they suddenly ran out of wine. However, thanks to Mary, who informed Jesus that there was no more wine left.

Mary went to Jesus to tell Him that they had no more wine. On the surface, it appears that Jesus didn’t care. However, deep within, He cared for the simple reason that His mother, Mary, brought it to His attention.

What if Mary had not been at the wedding? Who among the disciples would have had the courage to approach Jesus and tell Him that there was no more wine? Perhaps nobody would have dared to disturb their Master. But thanks to the presence of Mary, her motherly instinct, and her influence over Jesus.

Mary is always listened to by Jesus for the simple reason that she is His mother. Jesus came into this world through Mary, and from His birth up to His death, she was with Him as well. It is no small wonder that Mary has great influence over Jesus.

Do you always seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Enero 19 Ikalawang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Juan 2:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Juan 2:1-11

Noong panahong iyon, may kasalan sa Cana, Galilea, at naroon ang ina ni Jesus. Si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad ay naroon din. Kinapos ng alak kaya’t sinabi ng ina ni Jesus sa kanya, “Nauubusan sila ng alak.” Sinabi ni Jesus, “Huwag ninyo akong pangunahan, Ginang! Hindi pa ito ang panahon ko.” Sinabi ng kanyang ina sa mga naglilingkod,“Gawin ninyo ang anumang sabihin niya sa inyo.”

Doo’y may anim na tapayan, ang bawat isa’y naglalaman ng dalawampu hanggang tatlumpung galon. Nakalaan ang mga ito para sa paglilinis ayon sa tuntuning panrelihiyon ng mga Judio. Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga katulong, “Punuin ninyo ng tubig ang mga tapayan.” At pinuno nga nila hanggang sa labi. Pagkatapos, sinabi niya, "Sumalok kayo ngayon at dalhin ninyo sa namamahala ng handaan." Dinalhan nga nila ang namamahala ng handaan.

Tinikman naman nito ang tubig na naging alak. Hindi niya alam kung saan nanggaling iyon, bagamat alam ng mga katulong na sumalok ng tubig, kaya't tinawag niya ang lalaking ikinasal. Sinabi niya rito, "Ang una pong inihahain ay ang masarap na alak. Kapag marami nang nainom ang mga tao, saka inihahain ang mababang uri. 

Ngunit ipinagpahuli ninyo ang masarap na alak." Ang nangyaring ito sa Cana, Galilea, ay siyang unang kababalaghang ginawa ni Jesus. Sa pamamagitan nito'y inihayag niya ang kanyang kadakilaan, at nanalig sa kanya ang mga alagad.