“Kayo’y ilaw
sa sanlibutan. Hindi maitatago ang isang lungsod na nakatayo sa ibabaw ng
burol. Walang nagsisindi ng ilaw at naglalagay nito sa ilalim ng takalan. Sa
halip ay inilalagay ito sa talagang patungan upang matanglawan ang lahat ng
nasa bahay. Gayun din naman, dapat ninyong paliwanagin ang inyong ilaw sa
harapan ng mga tao, upang makita nila ang inyong mabubuting gawa, at
luwalhatiin ang inyong Amang nasa langit.”
Short, Simple and Personal reflections on the daily Holy Mass Gospel. I provide talks.
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Monday, June 06, 2022
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 7, Martes ng Ikasampung Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:13-16
Sunday, June 05, 2022
Reflection for Monday June 6, Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church: John 19:25-34
After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
Now since it was preparation day,
in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the
sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their
legs be broken and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the
legs of the first and then of the other one who
was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was
already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance
into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out.
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Reflection:
How do you feel after finishing a worthy undertaking? You feel good, fulfilled and triumphant no matter how difficult the undertaking. This was the feeling of Jesus when he said “It is finished” while dying in the cross. It was a cry of triumph, at last it’s over at last it’s mission accomplished!
Jesus finally defeated the voice of Satan who was whispering to Him not to finish His salvific mission. Jesus overcame the many hurdles and temptation for Him not to pursue to the end His mission of salvation. Finally, Jesus redeemed the sinful humanity from the enslavement of sin.
However, it’s not finished for us yet, we are still in this journey called life. We are still battling the many demons that constantly whispers to our ears to commit sin. So, what are we going to do to be able to say that, “It's finally finished!”
We have to be faithful to our Lord until our end in this temporal world overtakes us. Then, when it comes, we can finally say, it is finished because we have been faithful to the Lord. We did not give an iota of space for Satan to distract us in our disciples with the Lord.
Would you be able to successfully say, “It
is finished” when the sun sets upon you someday? It is finished because you
have defeated the many demons that were constantly tempting you to sin? –
Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Hunyo 6, Ang Mahal na Birheng Maria Ina ng Sambayanan (Paggunita): Juan 19:25-34
Alam ni Hesus na naganap na ang lahat ng bagay; at bilang katuparan ng Kasulatan ay sinabi niya, “Nauuhaw ako!” May isang mangkok doon na puno ng maasim na alak. Itinuhog nila rito ang isang espongha, ikinabit sa sanga ng isopo at idiniit sa kanyang bibig. Nang masipsip ni Hesus ang alak ay kanyang sinabi, “Naganap na!” Iniyukayok niya ang kanyang ulo at nalagot ang kanyang hininga.
Noo’y Araw ng Paghahanda, ay ayaw ng mga Judio na manatili sa krus ang mga bangkay sa Araw ng Pamamahinga sapagkat dakila ang araw ng Pamamahingang ito. Kaya’t hiniling nila kay Pilato na ipabali nito ang mga binti ng mga ipinako sa krus, at alisin doon ang mga bangkay.
Naparoon nga ang mga kawal at binali ang mga binti ng dalawang ipinakong kasabay ni Hesus. Ngunit pagdating nila kay Hesus at makitang patay na siya, hindi na nila binali ang kayang binti. Subalit inulos ng sibat ng isa sa mga kawal ang tagiliran ni Hesus, at biglang dumaloy ang dugo at tubig.
Thursday, June 02, 2022
Reflection for Sunday June 5, Solemnity of Pentecost: John 20:19-23
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
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Reflection:
An old man was wondering how he could have an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life. He was often murmuring to himself, “I’m already old but I still don’t feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.” This old man is not alone in this predicament because many of us have no awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
What is the secret for us to become aware that the Holy Spirit is alive and working in our life? The secret to unleash the presence of the Holy Spirit is a prayerful life. Is not an intermittent prayer life but a life disposed to daily prayer. Perhaps we can allocate five to ten minutes every day for prayers and meditations. Then slowly but surely the Holy Spirit will manifest its presence within us.
In our first reading we read about the disciples and the Blessed Mother who were together in one place. What were they doing there? They were praying (Acts 1:14) until God the Holy Spirit blessed them with its indwelling presence in their lives (Acts 2:1-4).
The same occurrence happened in our gospel. The disciples were in one room because of their fear of the Jews and they were praying. Then suddenly Jesus appeared to them. He greeted them with peace; afterwards He breathed on them and gave them the presence of the Holy Spirit.
If we want to have an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit there’s no other way for us to do but to have a regular prayerful life. So that we would be blessed by its presence and gifts such as: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Strength, Knowledge and Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).
Are you already aware of the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 5, Linggo ng Pentecostes: Juan 20:19-23
Wednesday, June 01, 2022
Reflection for June 4, Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 21:20-25
It is this disciple who testifies to these
things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are
also many other things that Jesus did but if these were to be described
individually I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would
be written.
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Reflection:
Are you sometimes too inquisitive about the things that do not even concern you? Peter in our gospel is like that, too curious about things that does not even concern him. Why did Peter ask about the beloved disciple?
We don’t know what was going on in peter’s mind when he asked about John the beloved disciple of Jesus. But one thing was sure during that time: Peter was not paying attention to the instruction of Jesus to follow Him.
If we decide to follow Jesus, let us not be nosy about the lives of others in the parish. Or even the lives of our neighbors; let us rather focus on our very own life or family. Many troubles start from our being intrusive with the lives of others and misunderstanding and quarrels may start from it.
Therefore, let us focus solely on our own lives. Let others live their own lives in peace without us meddling or gossiping. Instead of wasting our time meddling or talking about the lives of others which bring us no good.
Let us use our time and energy on thinking
of how we can further improve our personal lives. And on thinking of
ways on how we can focus more on our desire to silently follow Jesus. – Marino
J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Hunyo 4 Sabado sa Ika-7 Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:20-25
Sumagot si Jesus, "Kung ibig kong mabuhay siya hanggang sa pagbabalik ko, ano sa iyo? Sumunod ka sa akin!" Kumalat sa mga kapatid ang balitang hindi mamamatay ang alagad na ito, bagama't hindi sinabi ni Jesus na hindi siya mamamatay, kundi, "Kung ibig kong mabuhay siya hanggang sa pagbabalik ko, ano sa iyo?"
Ito nga ang alagad na nagpapatotoo tungkol sa mga bagay na ito; siya rin ang sumulat ng mga ito, at alam naming tunay ang kanyang patotoo. At marami pang ginawa si Jesus na kung susulating lahat, inaakala kong hindi magkakasya kahit sa buong daigdig ang mga aklat na masusulat.
Reflection for Friday June 3, Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs: John 21:15-19
He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. 18
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked
where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and
another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." 19 (This
he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to
him, "Follow me."
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Reflection:
A young man told a young woman: I love you. The woman said to the man: Marry me to prove your declaration of love. So he married her and they lived as husband and wife only to separate after a few years. Why did they separate? For the reason that they were not able to withstand the turbulence and trials of married life.
Perhaps, I love you; is the most abused phrase today; we often say it without thinking how profound and meaningful this phrase is. This is the reason why when married life is tested by turbulence, the phrase I love you now becomes I don’t love you anymore. Then after a period of time it deteriorates to become I want to separate from you.
In our gospel for today, Jesus wants us to know that the phrase I love you is always loaded with accountability and responsibility. This is the reason why when Jesus asked Peter, Do you love me (three times!)? HE attached it with threefold responsibilities (Feed my lambs, Tend my sheep, Feed my sheep).
Let us pause and think for we may have
loosely said the phase I love you without taking into consideration its
responsibility and accountability. Let us pause and think for we may have
loosely said the phase I love you to simply satisfy our carnal desires. –
Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita: Biyernes Hunyo 3 San Carlos Lwanga at mga kasama, mga martir (Paggunita): Juan 21:15-19
Muli siyang tinanong ni Jesus, "Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako?" Sumagot si Pedro, "Opo, Panginoon, nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo." Ani Jesus, "Pangalagaan mo ang aking mga tupa." Pangatlong ulit na tinanong siya ni Jesus, "Simon, anak ni Juan, iniibig mo ba ako?" Nalungkot si Pedro sapagkat makaitlo siyang tinanong: "Iniibig mo ba ako?" At sumagot siya, "Panginoon, nalalaman po ninyo ang lahat ng bagay; nalalaman ninyong iniibig ko kayo."
Sinabi
sa kanya ni Jesus, "Pakanin mo ang aking mga tupa. Tandaan mo: noong
kabataan mo pa, ikaw ang nagbibihis sa iyong sarili at lumalakad ka kung saan
mo ibig. Ngunit pagtanda mo, iuunat mo ang iyong kamay at iba ang magbibihis sa
iyo at dadalhin ka kung saan hindi mo ibig." Sinabi niya ito upang
ipakilala kung papaano mamamatay si Pedro at sa gayo'y mapararangalan niya ang
Diyos. Pagkatapos, sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Sumunod ka sa akin!"
1Reflection for June 2, Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 17:20-26
Father, they are your gift to me. I wish
that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you
gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous
Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that
you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the
love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
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Reflection:
What would happen if the love of Jesus is present in a family? There is unity and there is an unbreakable bond that exists no matter what happen inside that family. On the other hand what would happen if the love of God is not present in a family? There would be disunity, human created problems and dysfunctionality which would eventually lead to the disintegration of the family.
Jesus love for God and God’s love for Jesus is the only love that can bind and unify members of family. It’s a love that is humble and persevering; no wonder Jesus remained faithful to HIS mission of salvation. Jesus humbled Himself even if HE is equal to God and He persevered to fulfill HIS salvific mission even at the cost of HIS life.
If spouses want their family to remain united in love forever they must also have the same humility and perseverance. The children should have an active prayer life taught by their parents and anchored on their wisdom filled shepherding as well. Thus, it will not fall to the trap of the devil who always incite for the dismemberment of the family.
Let us reflect if we have the love of
Jesus and God inside our own family. Let us reflect if we breathe humility and
perseverance for the sake of the wellbeing of our children. – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita: Hunyo 2 Huwebes sa Ika-7 na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 17:20-26
Ang karangalang ibinigay mo sa akin ay ibinigay ko sa kanila upang sila'y maging ganap na isa, gaya nating iisa; ako'y nasa kanila at ikaw ay nasa akin, upang lubusan silang maging isa. At sa gayon, makikilala ng sanlibutan na sinugo mo ako, at sila'y inibig mo katulad ng pag-ibig mo sa akin.
"Ama, nais kong makasama sa aking kinaroroonan ang mga binigay mo sa akin, upang mamasdan nila ang karangalang bigay mo sa akin, sapagkat inibig mo na ako bago pa nilikha ang sanlibutan. Makatarungang Ama, hindi ka nakikilala ng sanlibutan, ngunit nakikilala kita, at nalalaman ng mga ibinigay mo sa akin na ikaw ang nagsugo sa akin. Ipinakilala kita sa kanila, at ipakikilala pa, upang ang pag-ibig mo sa akin ay sumapuso nila at ako nama'y sumakanila."
Monday, May 30, 2022
1Reflection for Wednesday June 1, Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr: John 17:11b-19
But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world any more
than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate
myself for them so that they also may be consecrated in truth.
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Reflection:
The story is told about a husband and wife who wanted to adhere to the teachings of the church that marriage is for life. So they thought of ways on how they would go about it. In their reflection they thought of making prayer as an agent that would bind them together until they breathe their last. To make a long story short they made prayer part of their married life. Thus, they remained married until the end.
As Jesus was about to be arrested, He prayed to God for His disciples. That they may continually be united as one in their mission, united for the reason that they would not succeed without unity. Isn’t this true also inside a family and married life? A family needs unity for it to succeed, what are the fruits of unity inside the family/marriage? The fruits are: Humility, Honesty, Forgiveness and many more positive attributes.
Every family/marriage that succeeds spiritually is a praying family and a praying family is a united family. Let us therefore not devalue the powerful miracle of prayer inside the family/marriage. Because the family that prays as one would remain united until the end.
Is prayer already part of the culture of
our life, family and marriage? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita: Miyerkules Hunyo 1 San Justino, martir (Paggunita): Juan 17:11b-19
Inalagaan ko sila at ni isa'y walang napahamak, liban sa taong humanap ng kanyang kapahamakan, upang matupad ang Kasulatan. Ngunit ngayon, ako'y papunta na sa iyo; at sinasabi ko ito habang ako'y nasa sanlibutan upang mapuspos sila ng aking kagalakan. Naibigay ko na sa kanila ang iyong salita; at kinapootan sila ng sanlibutan, sapagkat hindi na sila makasanlibutan, tulad kong hindi makasanlibutan.
Hindi ko
idinadalanging alisin mo sila sa sanlibutan, kundi iligtas mo sila sa Masama!
Hindi sila makasanlibutan, tulad kong hindi makasanlibutan. Italaga mo sila sa
pamamagitan ng katotohanan; ang salita mo'y katotohanan. Kung paanong sinugo mo
ako sa sanlibutan, gayon din naman, sinusugo ko sila sa sanlibutan. At
alang-alang sa kanila'y itinalaga ko ang aking sarili, upang maitalaga rin sila
sa pamamagitan ng katotohanan."
Reflection for Tuesday May 31, Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:39-56
And Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”
Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.
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Reflection:
How does it feel to be visited by the Blessed Mother? Nobody of us knows about it, however; in our gospel we read about the reaction of her cousin Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb (Luke 1:39-42).
Elizabeth’s humility is very evident through her acknowledgement of the presence of the Blessed Mother. Same as with Mary’s humility through her acknowledgement of the Lord’s majesty and greatness.
The lesson that we can derive from this visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth is the Holy Spirit dwells within the humble. Mary and her cousin Elizabeth lived and gave a human face to this humility. And through their humility the Holy Spirit dwelt upon them.
Do you also want to feel the presence of
God the Holy Spirit in your life? - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita: Martes Mayo 31 Pagdalaw ng Mahal na Birheng Maria (Kapistahan): Lucas 1:39-56
Sino ako upang dalawin ng ina ng aking Panginoon? Sapagkat pagkarinig ko ng iyong bati ay naggagalaw ang sanggol sa tuwa sa aking tiyan. Mapalad ka sapagkat nanalig kang matutupad ang ipinasasabi sa iyo ng Panginoon!" At sinabi ni Maria, "Ang puso ko'y nagpupuri sa Panginoon, at nagagalak ang aking espiritu dahil sa Diyos na aking Tagapagligtas.
Sapagkat nilingap niya ang kanyang abang alipin! At mula ngayon, ako'y tatawaging mapalad ng lahat ng salinlahi. Dahil sa mga dakilang bagay na ginawa sa akin ng Makapangyarihan -- Banal ang kanyang pangalan!
Kinahahabagan niya ang mga may takot sa kanya, sa lahat ng sali't-saling lahi. Ipinakita niya ang lakas ng kanyang mga bisig, pinangalat niya ang mga palalo ang isipan. ibinagsak niya ang mga hari mula sa kanilang trono, at itinaas ang mga nasa abang kalagayan.
Binusog niya ng mabubuting bagay ang mga nagugutom, at pinalayas niyang wala ni anuman ang mayayaman. Tinulungan niya ang kanyang bayang Israel, bilang pagtupad sa pangako niya sa ating mga magulang, kay Abraham at sa kanyang lahi, magpakailanman!"
Tumira si
Maria kina Elisabet nang may tatlong buwan, at saka umuwi.
Sunday, May 29, 2022
1Reflection for May 30, Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 16:29-33
Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered
to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the
Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In
the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
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Reflection:
The story is told about a man who aimed for worldly riches and greatness in his chosen field of endeavour. By his hard work he was able to achieve his aims. He thought that it would be the crowning glory of his life but he aimed for more riches. In doing so, he had no peace and contentment, he became worldly and a slave of this world.
Jesus tells us in the gospel for this Monday, You will have peace in me, in this world you will have trouble (John 16:33). Many of us allow ourselves to be enslaved by this world up to this very moment. Until we get sick, until we are near death and the reason behind is we keep on chasing the temporal riches and power of this world. Which in reality will not give us good health, peace and contentment.
Jesus offers us His peace. Peace that no one can give us, peace that money can't buy, peace even in the midst of the many worries of this world and peace that we can have even beyond this world.
Let us wholeheartedly accept this and the moment we do we would begin to free ourselves from the possession of this world. In doing so, we will not live for this world anymore and we will not be concerned anymore about others opinion toward us. For the simple reason that we already have the peace of Jesus in our hearts.
Would you accept the peace that Jesus is offering you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Mayo 30 Lunes sa Ika- 7 na Linggo ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Juan 16:29-33
Darating ang
oras -- at ngayon na nga -- na magkakawatak-watak kayo, magkakanya-kanyang
lakad kayo, at iiwan ninyo ako. Gayunma'y hindi ako nag-iisa sapagkat kasama ko
ang Ama. Sinasabi ko ito sa inyo upang kayo'y magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa
pakikipag-isa sa akin. Mayroon kayong kapighatian dito sa sanlibutan; ngunit
lakasan ninyo ang inyong loob! Napagtagumpayan ko na ang sanlibutan!"
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Reflection for Sunday May 29, Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord: Luke 24:46-53
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.
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Reflection:
Did Jesus have a perfect goodbye to his disciples when he ascended to heaven?
Not all goodbyes are perfect like Jesus, for example when we finally say goodbye to this world. A few of us may somehow have a perfect goodbye like that of Jesus. But many of us shall have incomplete parting and this could happen to anyone of us. We can suddenly leave this world without having closures with our relatives and friends.
When Jesus said goodbye to His disciples thru his ascension it was a perfect goodbye because it was finally mission accomplished for Jesus. He accomplished His mission to perfection. There was no void and no remaining question about His earthly journey. Jesus finally ascended to heaven triumphant over all the challenges and trials that He encountered.
Beneath the Ascension of the Lord to heaven is a lesson for us all that we have to remember and do. The lesson that we have to remember and do is to continue the mission of Jesus. We therefore have to do good always, to share and live our faith, to not betray anyone of their trust, to be loving and caring, to listen more and not to judge anyone and to be humble at all times.
So that when it’s time for our own goodbye it would be a perfect goodbye like Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Mayo 29, Pag-akyat ng Panginoon (Dakilang Kapistahan): Lucas 24:46-53
Reflection for May 28, Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:23b-28
“I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.
For the Father himself loves you, because
you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from
the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going
back to the Father.”
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Reflection:
A woman asked Jesus to make her rich, so she prayed for it. After three months of asking and praying the woman never received his prayer petition. She was deeply puzzled why she has not received what she wanted.
Until she had a dream wherein Jesus told her this, “You did not receive what you prayed for because you just relaxed in your house. You never exerted effort to realize what you want. So the next day the woman prayed once again and she coupled her prayer with action and after a period of time she was able to achieve what she was asking from the Lord.
Our petitions for Jesus must not end with our vocal prayers only. We must see to it that we follow it up with actions. For example, we desire something, of course we have to pray and it must not end with our prayers. We must work very hard to realize what we are praying for.
Jesus will generously help us achieve what
we want to happen in our lives for as long as we will exert every ounce of
effort to have it. In other words it must always be prayers with actions and
not prayers alone. – Marino J. Dasmarinas