Reflection for Friday February 14, Saints Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop: Mark 7:31-37

Gospel: Mark 7:31-37

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

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Reflection:

Have you already witnessed a healing session?

Some of us may have already seen healing sessions on TV wherein an individual on wheelchair is suddenly able to walk. The blind able to see and those who cannot speak are able to speak again. I don’t know if these healings are true because according to an exposé some of these healings are fake. The individuals who are sick are not actually sick; they just pretend to be sick and they are actually members of the sect that conducts the healing sessions.

In the gospel we are presented with an authentic healing presided by Jesus. A deaf man who had a speech impediment is brought to Jesus for healing. To make a long story short Jesus healed the deaf man: he was able to hear and talk again.

I’d like to zero in on the personal healing actions of Jesus. They walked away from the madding crowd and once they were both by themselves Jesus conducted the personal healing. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.

This healing action of Jesus is very much opposite to what we see nowadays. Healers now want it to be publicized they want to be noticed they want to maximize their media exposure so to speak! I can only speculate of their true motives.

Is it still possible for us to have this personal and one on one healing with Jesus now? Yes, a pious presence at Holy Mass or quite visit to our church’s Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel would do it for us. Jesus is there personally waiting for us to heal us of our sickness our personal hurts and pains.

If only we would discover the healing and calming presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, if only we will learn to allocate a portion of our time to give Him a visit there. We would also have an Ephphatha experience.

Our hearts and minds would also be opened to this personal and wondrous healing experience with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and with Jesus at Holy Mass. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Pebrero 14, San Cirilo, monghe at San Metodio, obispo: Marcos 7:31-37

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 7:31-37

31 Umalis si Jesus sa lupain ng Tiro at dumaan sa Sidon papunta sa lawa ng Galilea. Pagdating niya sa lupain ng Deca­polis, 32 may mga nagdala sa kanya roon ng isang bingi na halos di makapag­salita. At hiniling nila kay Jesus na ipatong dito ang kamay.

33 Matapos siyang ihiwalay ni Jesus sa mga tao, inilagay niya ang kanyang daliri sa tainga ng tao at dumura at saka hinipo ang kanyang dila. 34 At tumi­ngala siya sa langit, nagbuntung-­hininga at sinabi: “Ephphata,” na ang ibig sa­bihi’y “Buk­san”. 35 Nabuksan ang mga tainga ng tao at biglang nakalag ang dila niyang naka­buhol kaya naka­pag­salita siya nang tuwid.

36 Tinagubilinan sila ni Jesus na huwag sabihin ito kaninuman ngunit habang pinagbabawalan sila, lalo naman silang nagpapahayag. 37 Labis na namangha ang mga tao at sinabi nila: “Pinaiigi niya ang lahat: nakaririnig ang bingi at naka­pag­sasalita ang pipi.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Thursday February 13, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:24-30

Gospel: Mark 7:24-30

Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

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Reflection:

Are you persistent when you pray before The Lord?

A Greek woman went to Jesus to ask Him to drive out a demon from her daughter. What is very significant here is the woman is an outsider, not a follower of Jesus not even a Jew. But with courage and faith she went to Jesus for help, her mind was focused on reaching out to Jesus.

When she finally was able to reach Jesus, she told Him about her sick daughter. Jesus was reluctant at first to help. But she persisted and she humbled herself before Jesus after which her daughter was healed.

We all have our own problems that we carry in our hearts and we surely have brought these problems to Jesus. Let us not lose heart if we have not yet received a response from Jesus. Let us continue to persist, continue to humble ourselves before Him and untiringly beseech His guidance and help.

The woman never gave up until she got what she wanted from Jesus. So we too must never give up we must continue to badger Jesus with our humble and persistent prayers. Often times we don’t get what we want from Jesus because we easily give up. Same as with our ambitions in life; we don’t get what we want because we give up.

What if we never give up? What if we continue to persist and humbly ask the Good Lord to grant us our prayer/s? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Pebrero 13, Ikalimang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 7:24-30

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 7:24-30

24 Lu­ma­yo si Jesus patungo sa hangganan ng Tiro. Pumasok siya roon sa isang bahay at kahit na ayaw niya itong malaman ninuman, hindi ito nalihim. 25 May isang babaeng nakabalita tung­kol sa kanya. Inaalihan ng maruming espiritu ang kan­yang dalagita kaya pumunta siya at nag­patirapa sa kan­yang paanan. 26 Isa siyang paga­nong taga-Sirofenicia. At ipinaki­usap niya kay Jesus na palayasin ang demonyo sa kanyang anak.

27 Sinabi naman ni Jesus sa kanya: “Ba­ya­an mo munang mabusog ang mga anak. Hindi tama na kunin ang tinapay sa mga bata at itapon ito sa mga tuta.” 28 Su­ma­got ang babae: “Totoo nga, Ginoo, pero kinakain ng mga tuta sa ilalim ng mesa ang mga nalalaglag mula sa mga bata.” 29 At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Dahil sa sinabi mong ito, lumabas na sa iyong anak na babae ang demonyo.” 30 Kaya umuwi ang babae at nakita niya ang bata na naka­higa sa kama; lumabas na nga ang demonyo.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Wednesday February 12, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:14-23

Gospel: Mark 7:14-23

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”

When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) “But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

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Reflection:

Do we discern the voice of the Lord when it speaks to us ?

When Jesus said, “Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” The disciples were asking Him about the meaning of His statement. As if they were saying, Come again Lord, we did not understand what you’ve said. And perhaps in exasperation Jesus said, “Are even you likewise without understanding?

In our walk with the Lord there would be times that we will not understand also the things that are happening in our lives. For example, we might ask the Lord, Why is this happening to me Lord? I don’t get your message; I don’t understand the reason of this event/s in my life.

Why is it that we don’t understand? Because we don’t listen carefully to Him or we may listen but our attention is focused on something else. If only we would learn to carefully listen to the Lord and if only we would try to live to the fullest His teaching.

But how are we going to listen to the Lord? We have to consistently go to Holy Mass. We also have to consistently read the bible which more often than not is not being read. We also have to be humble for the reason that humility is the key for us to discern the voice of the Lord.    

Then, we would know and we would understand that everything that happens in our life is for a good reason. We would discern that Jesus has a purpose why we are going through this and that trial. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Pebrero 12, Ikalimang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 7:14-23

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 7:14-23

14 Tinawag ni Jesus ang mga tao at sinabi sa kanila: “Pakinggan ako at unawain sana ninyong lahat. 15 Hindi ang pumapasok sa tao mula sa labas ang nakapagpaparumi sa kanya kundi ang lumalabas sa tao ang nakapagpaparumi sa kanya. 16 Makinig ang may tainga.”

17 Pagkalayo ni Jesus sa mga tao, nang nasa bahay na siya, tinanong siya ng kanyang mga alagad tungkol sa talin­hagang ito. 18 At sinabi niya: “Wala rin ba kayong pang-unawa? Hindi ba ninyo na­uunawaan na sa bituka pumu­punta ang anumang pumapasok sa tao mula sa labas? 19 Sapagkat hindi sa puso ito puma­pasok kundi sa tiyan at pagkatapos ay itinatapon sa labas.” (Sa gayo’y sinabi niya na malinis ang tanang mga pagkain.)

20 At idinagdag niya: “Ang luma­labas sa tao ang nagpaparumi sa tao. 21 Sa puso nga ng tao nagmumula ang masa­samang hangarin – kahalayan, pagna­nakaw, pag­patay sa kapwa, 22 pakiki­apid, kasa­kiman, kasamaan, pandaraya, ka­las­waan, pagkainggit, paninira, kapala­luan, kabuktutan. 23 Ang masasamang bagay na ito ang nagpaparumi sa tao.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Tuesday February 11, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:1-13

Gospel: Mark 7:1-13

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

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Reflection:

Are we fond of insisting on a rule which we do not actually follow?

Jesus criticized the Pharisees and scribes hypocrites because they were insisting on following the tradition of washing the hands before eating. But Jesus knew them very well, He knew that they were only good at pushing people to follow their tradition and manmade laws. But the irony of it all is they themselves are not following the laws that they’ve crafted.

What made Jesus an extra ordinary leader? He led by example there was no hypocrisy in His system, He practiced what He preached. Are we not like the Pharisees and scribes sometimes or even oftentimes?

We are good at telling people to do this and that, but we ourselves are not doing what we want others to do. For example in a family setting, many parents create rules and regulations for their children to follow. But they themselves do not subscribe to the rules that they’ve created.

Many of us are not being respected because we don’t stand for what we say or we don’t live what we preach. We say something today and then we violate with impunity what we’ve said. We must always be like Jesus who always put to living actions His words and teachings.

Thus, we would earn the respect that we richly deserve.   – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Pebrero 11, Ikalimang Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 7:1-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 7:1-13

1 Nagkatipon sa paligid ni Jesus ang mga Pariseo at ilan sa mga guro ng Batas na galing sa Jeru­salem. 2 Napansin nila na kumakain ang ilan sa mga alagad niya nang may maruming ka­may, na hindi naghu­hugas ayon sa sere­monya. 3 Sinusunod nga ng mga Pariseo pati na ng mga Judio ang tra­disyon ng kanilang mga ninuno at hindi sila kumakain nang hindi muna nag­huhugas ng mga kamay. 4 At hindi rin sila kuma­kain ng anumang galing sa palengke nang di muna ito nililinis, at marami pa’ng dapat nilang tuparin, ha­lim­bawa’y ang pag­li­li­nis ng mga inu­man, mga kopa at ping­gang tanso.

5 Kaya tinanong siya ng mga Pariseo at mga guro ng Batas: “Bakit hindi isi­nasabuhay ng iyong mga alagad ang tra­disyon ng mga ninuno? Hindi nga sila naghuhugas ng kamay bago ku­main.”

6 At sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Tama ang propesiya ni Isaias tungkol sa in­yong mga mapagkunwari. Nasusulat na “Pinararanga­lan ako ng mga ito sa kanilang labi, at ma­layo naman sa akin ang ka­nilang mga puso. 7 Walang silbi ang kani­lang pag­samba sa akin at ka­utusan lamang ng tao ang kanilang itinuturo.”

8 Pinabayaan nga ninyo ang utos ng Diyos para itatag ang tradisyon ng mga tao.” 9 At sinabi ni Jesus: “Mahusay na pina­walang-bisa ninyo ang salita ng Diyos para tuparin ang inyong tradis­yon. 10 Si­nabi nga ni Moises: ‘Igalang mo ang iyong ama at ina’, at ‘patayin ang sinu­mang sumumpa sa kanyang ama o ina.’ 11 Ngunit ayon sa inyo, masasabi ninuman sa kanyang ama o ina, “Inilaan ko na para sa Templo ang maaasahan ninyo sa akin.” 12 At hindi na ninyo siya pinapayagang tumulong sa kanyang ama o ina. 13 Kaya pina­walang-bisa ninyo ang salita ng Diyos sa tulong ng sarili ninyong tradisyon. At marami pa ang mga ginagawa ninyong ganito.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Monday February 10, Memorial of Saint Scholastica, virgin: Mark 6:53-56

Gospel: Mark 6:53-56

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

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Reflection:

Why do you pray to Jesus? Perhaps you pray to Him because you want to offer all your cares and worries to Him.

In our gospel, people went to Him upon learning that Jesus was within their environment. They brought along their sick and perhaps all of the problems that they’ve been keeping in their hearts. They wanted healing for their body and soul and Jesus did not disappoint them.

Whenever we go to Jesus and we ask Him for something let us always expect that He will grant us what we want from Him. Physical healing, emotional healing and any other healing that we want Him to grant us. if we believe that Jesus has already healed us then we are healed already! We have nothing to worry anymore; it’s all in our state of mind.

But how about those who pray to Jesus for physical healing but they are not healed. Yes there are countless instances that we pray yet we don’t receive physical healing. Physical healing  is only a minute/tiny part of the healing that we receive from Jesus.

What we have to always recognize and be thankful for is the emotional and spiritual healing that He generously gives us without fail whenever we go to Him.

If you’re not healed physically you need not worry! The faith that you have in your heart is more than enough for you to pull you through whatever worries and sickness that you may have.

Simply believe and have faith and let Jesus take control of the rest.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Pebrero 10, Santa Escolastica, dalaga: Marcos 6:53-56

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:53-56

53 Pagkatawid ni Jesus at ng kanyang mga alagad, dumating sila sa pampang ng Genesaret at doon nila           isi­nadsad ang bangka. 54 Paglunsad nila ng bangka, nakilala si Jesus ng mga taga­­roon 55 at pa­takbo nilang ipinama­lita ito sa lupaing iyon. Kaya dinala nila ang mga maysakit na nasa higaan kung saan nila mabalitaang naroon siya. 56 At saanman siya lumakad, sa mga nayon man o sa bayan o sa bukid, inilalagay nila sa mga liwasan ang mga maysakit at nakikiusap sa kanya na mahipo man lamang sana nila ang laylayan ng kanyang damit, at gumaling ang lahat ng humipo rito.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday February 9, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:13-16

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

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Reflection:

In a far-flung place stood a school building that was not being utilized for so many years. The community within the school was hoping that one day a teacher would come and educate them.

One morning the whole community was surprised because for the first time in so many years they heard the school bell rung loudly. So they excitedly went to their school building. There, they saw a nun who introduced herself to the community as their volunteer teacher.

Every day the nun would patiently teach them and after a few months had passed many positive transformations occurred. They already know how to read and write, they learned how to be more respectful and helpful. And more importantly the community was taught about the existence and importance of God in their lives.   

After five years of teaching and seeing to it that the noble educational program will continue even without her  the nun was now set to leave them. And naturally everybody from that community was sad and many were crying. To assuage their feelings the nun promised to visit them once in a while.

In today’s gospel Jesus tells us that we are the salt and light of the world. What does salt bring to our food? It defines and gives taste to our food. Light gives us hope, it eliminates darkness and hopelessness.

 This we also have to do, we have to become salt and light to our fellowmen. As salt gives taste we also have to give meaning to the lives of our fellowmen. As light eliminates hopelessness and darkness we also have to become the light in the lives of our fellowmen. 

Being salt and light in the lives of our fellowmen is not easy to do! Why? Because we would be disturb from our own comfort zones and we would be investing something from ourselves for us to make a positive difference in their lives.

Nevertheless, everything will be worth it because our effort will bear fruit in the end, we may not see it in our own lifetime. But it will certainly bear much fruit. Why? Because we dared to obey Jesus voice in the gospel which tells us to become salt and light in the lives of our fellowmen. 

Have you already become salt and light to your fellowmen, to your family and to your church community? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 9, Ikalimang Linggo ng Taon sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:13-16

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:13-16

13Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, kayo ang asin ng mundo. Ngunit kung mawalan ng lasa ang asin, paano pa ito mapaaalat na muli? Wala na itong silbi. Itatapon na lamang at tatapakan ng mga tao.

14 Kayo ang ilaw ng mundo. Hindi maitatago ang lunsod na itinayo sa tuktok ng bundok. 15 Hindi rin sinisindihan ang ilaw para takpan ng kahon,  sa halip ay ini­lalagay ito sa isang lampara at tu­matanglaw sa lahat ng nasa bahay. 16 Ga­yundin naman ang inyong liwanag sa paningin ng mga tao; at makikita nila ang inyong mabubuting gawain at pupurihin nila ang inyong Amang nasa langit.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Saturday February 8, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:30-34

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

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Reflection:   

A woman who had problems in her marriage went to his neighbor to seek advice. The neighbor asked the troubled woman this question: “Is Jesus an integral part of your marriage?” For example, do you pray together? Do you attend Holy Mass together? The woman said no, and then the neighbor advised her to have time for Jesus.

In the gospel vast crowd were running after Jesus (Mark 6:34) because they knew that Jesus would straighten out their lives. They were not only after Jesus because they want to be cured and be fed. Some perhaps were running after Jesus because they want Jesus to heal also their broken marriages. Perhaps they also have family issues and the like.

The vast crowd who were following Jesus wherever he goes saw in Jesus a good shepherd who will not only feed and heal them. They also saw in Jesus a good shepherd who will give them precious advice that can heal their marriage and other family issues.

What does this mean to us?

This means that whenever we have issues in our marriages and other family matters that seem difficult to resolve. We have to go to Jesus in prayer we have to bend our knees before Him and ask Him for help and guidance.

Jesus is our ever present good shepherd. Ever ready to guide us so that we will make the right decisions in strengthening our respective families.  Go to Jesus and ask Him for the gift of humility and forgiveness which are very much lacking in many marriages and families today.  

Jesus is our good shepherd; He will always be there for us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Pebrero 8, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 6:30-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 6:30-34

30 Pagbalik ng mga apostol kay Jesus, isinalaysay nila sa kanya ang lahat nilang ginawa at itinuro. 31 Sinabi naman niya sa kanila: “Tayo na sa isang ilang na lugar para mapag-isa tayo at makapag­pa­hinga kayo nang kaunti.” Sapagkat doo’y marami ang paroo’t parito at hindi  man lamang sila makakain. 32 Kaya lumayo sila at namangka na sila-sila lang patungo sa ilang na lugar.

33 Ngunit nakita silang umalis ng ilan at nabalitaan ito ng marami. Kaya nagtakbuhan sila mula sa kani-kanilang bayan at nauna pang dumating na lakad kaysa kanila. 34 Pagdating ni Jesus sa pampang, nakita niya ang maraming taong nag­kakatipon doon at naawa siya sa kanila sapagkat para silang mga tupang wa­lang pastol. At nagsimula siyang mag­turo sa kanila nang matagal.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.