REFLECTIONS ON DAILY READINGS FOR JAN 1-15 (ENGLISH AND TAGALOG)

 

 

* January reflections: by Bro. Albert Zabala; edited and translated by ourparishpriest blogspot (image from the internet, thanks!)

 

January 1

Lk 2:16-21

 

Parenthood is difficult. It involves both joy and pain. This is what the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, experienced - a mixture of joy and pain. This is also how we experience life – with happy and sad moments. This new year, let’s ask God to make the saddest moments of this year be happier than the happiest moments of last year. Let’s thank God for both sad and happy moments because we recognize that both are opportunities for blessings. In fact, they are both blessings.

 

Mahirap maging isang magulang; magkahalo ang galak at dusa. Ganyan ang naranasan ni Maria, Ina ng Diyos. Ganito din naman ang karanasan natin kalimitan sa buhay – kapwa masasaya at malulungkot na sandali ng buhay. Ngayong Bagong Taon, hilingin natin sa Panginoon na ang pinakamalungkot na sandali ay maging mas masaya kaysa sa pinakamasayang karanasan natin nang nakaraang taon. Pasalamatan ang Diyos sa masaya at malungkot mang pagkakataon dahil alam nating pareho silang maaaring maging daluyan ng biyaya. Sa katunayan, pareho itong mga biyaya sa mata ng Diyos.

 

 

January 2

Jn 1:19-28

 

Have you experienced being given credit for something good that you didn’t do? The gospel reminds us to know our place in the world, to happily do what we are supposed to do and to give credit where credit is due. This is what John the Baptist did in today’s Gospel. He pointed to Jesus, to Whom all credit is due.  John was humble enough to recognize that he was not Jesus; he was not God; he was not the Messiah. May we also accept who we really are and the vocation to which we are called.

 

Napuri ka na ba sa mabuting bagay na hindi naman galing sa iyo? Ano ang ginawa mo? Paalala ng mabuting balita na dapat alamin natin ang lugar natin sa mundo at masayang gampanan ang dapat nating gawin at ipagkaloob ang nararapat sa tunay na karapat-dapat. Ganito ang ginawa ni Juan Bautista. Itinuro niya ang Panginoon, na siyang dapat tumanggap ng papuri. Naging mababang loob si Juan at kinilala niyang hindi siya ang Mesiyas; hindi siya ang Diyos, hindi siya ang Tagapagligtas. Tanggapin natin kung sino talaga tayo at masayang isabuhay ang bokasyong ipinagkaloob sa atin ng Panginoon.

 

 

 

January 3

Jn 1:29-34

 

Do you think you will recognize God when He comes? In truth, He comes to us every day. In fact, He is with us because His name is Emmanuel. Let’s ask for the grace to recognize Jesus in the people that we meet and in the events of our life day by day. For this is what heaven is: to feel God’s presence in our midst.

 

Makikilala kaya natin ang Diyos kung dumating siya bigla ngayon? Sa katunayan, dumarating siya araw-araw. Kapiling natin siya dahil ang ngalan niya ay Emanuel – “nasa sa atin ang Diyos.” Hingin natin ang biyayang makilala si Hesus sa mga taong nakakasalamuha natin sa bawa araw. Ito daw ang tunay na kahulugan ng langit: ang maranasan ang presensya ng Diyos sa piling natin.

 

 

January 4

Jn 1:35-42

 

For us who believe, do we share God to others? Or do we hide our faith? Let’s ask God for the grace to give us the fortitude to proclaim that we belong to Him, that he is our God and that he alone we worship. May others recognize God in our words, works and most importantly the joy that accompany all these. This is one of the marks of the true follower of God – joy. May you have a joyful day today.

 

Sa ating mga nananalig sa Diyos, paano natin siya ibinabahagi sa iba? O baka itinatago natin ang aking pagka-Kristiyano? Hilingin natin ang biyaya na maging matapang sa pagpapahayag na tayo ay sa Diyos at siya ang ating Panginoon na tanging sinasamba. Makita nawa ang Diyos sa ating mga salita, gawa, at sa galak na kalakip ng ating buhay. Ang galak na ito ang isa sa mga tanda ng ating pagiging alagad – kagalakang maka-Diyos! Magalak ka sa araw na ito.

 

January 5

Jn 1:43-51

 

We all have expectations of others. Often, our expectations depend on the kind of person and on what we know about his/her origins. This is how we judge others. Yet, we are also often mistaken. God’s ways are not our ways; He sees right into the heart, not the exterior. We are disappointed because we look at the appearance. The Lord surprises us and shocks us beyond our expectations. Let us ask the Lord for the grace to see others as he does.

 

Lahat tayo’y may inaasahan sa ibang tao. Kalimitan nakabatay ito sa uri tao at sa inaakala nating kanyang pinanggalingan. Ganito natin hinuhusgahan ang kapwa. Subalit minsan nagkakamali din tayo. Ang kilos ng Diyos ay iba sa atin dahil sa puso siya laging nakatingin, hindi sa panlabas. Nabibigo tayo dahil nakatutok naman tayo sa panlabas at sa mababaw. Gumagawa ang Diyos ng mga bagay na lampas sa ating inaasahan. Hilinging na makita natin ang mga malalalim na bagay tulad ng kanyang halimbawa.

 

 

January 6

M 1:7-11

 

Do you know that God loves you? That He is pleased with you like he is pleased with his Son, Jesus? Let’s meditate on this truth. Nobody loves us like God does. He loves us beyond comprehension. Let’s ask Him to grant us the grace to experience this.

 

Alam mo bang mahal ka ng Diyos? At nalulugod siya sa iyo tulad ng pagkalugod niya sa kanyang anak na si Hesus? Pagnilayan natin ito ngayon. Walang nagmamahal sa iyo tulad ng ginagawa ng Panginoon. Pagmamahal na higit sa ating mababaw na pang-unawa. Hilingin natin ang biyayang maranasan natin ang matinding pagmamahal ng Diyos sa araw na ito.

 

 

January 7

Jn 2:1-11

 

If it’s important to you, it’s important to God. Today’s gospel has the only miracle and sign that does not involve healing of the sick and forgiveness of sins. Wedding receptions lasted for a week in Jesus’ time. The hosts will surely run out of wine and when happened, it would be an embarrassment. Jesus does not only heal our illnesses and forgive our sins, He also does not want us to be embarrassed. We are important to God. Whether big or small, He is ready to grant our wishes. We just need to ask Him. So have you asked God lately for anything?

 

Ang mahalaga sa iyo ay mahalaga din sa Diyos. Sa mabuting balita ngayon, nandito ang kaisa-isang himala at tanda na walang kinalaman sa pagpapagaling ng maysakit o pagpapatawad ng kasalanan. Noong panahong ni Hesus, ang kasalan ay tumatagal ng halos isang linggo. Kaya nauubos talaga ang alak at nakakahiya ito. Hindi lang pala nagpapagaling at nagpapatawad ang Panginoon; nais din ni Hesus na sagipin tayo sa kahihiyan. Mahalaga tayo sa Diyos. Malaki man o maliit na bagay, handa siyang ipagkaloob ang lahat sa atin. Kailangan lamang nating tumawag at humingi. May kahilingan ka ba sa kanya ngayon?

 

 

 

January 8

Mt 2:1-12

 

Today we celebrate Epiphany, which means manifestation. We remember how Jesus manifested Himself to the Magi. But His manifestation became possible because these Magi searched for Him. They went to great lengths in order to find Jesus. Do you really look for Jesus? Do you really exert effort in trying to find Him? Ask for the grace of God to do that because if you really do seek Him, you will find Him and when you do find Him, you will also be filled with joy. May you experience that joy that only comes from Jesus’ manifestation in your life.

 

Ang Epifania ay pagpapahayag, pagpapakilala, pagbubunyag ng Diyos. Nagbunyag siya ng sarili sa katauhan ni Hesus sa mga pantas na naghahanap sa kanya. Subalit naganap ito dahil tapat sa paghahanap ang mga pantas. Handa silang maghirap at magdusa sa paghahanap. Ganito din ba natin hinahanap ang Panginoon? Kung tulad tayo ng mga pantas ang ating pagnanasa sa Panginoon, matatagpuan natin siya at mapupuno tayo ng kagalakan. Maging iyo nawa ang kagalakan ng pagbubunyag ng Diyos.

 

 

 

January 9

Mt 3:13-17

As we remember Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist, let us realize that Jesus did not have to go through a baptism of repentance. He is God, and thus, sinless. Yet he subjected Himself to it because He wants us to understand that He is willing to go through anything to make us feel that He is also human like each one of us. He wants to experience whatever we are experiencing, whether good or bad. He is truly like us in all things, but sin. Come to Him today. There is nothing about you that He does not understand nor feel. Take God the Father’s advice: Listen to Him. He knows what you’re going through.

 

Habang ginugunita natin ang binyag kay Hesus ni Juan Bautista, unawain nating hindi naman kailangan ni Hesus ang binyag ng pagsisisi. Siya ay Diyos at walang kasalanan! Subalit nagpasailalim siya dito upang ipakitang lahat ay gagawin niya upang maging tulad natin sa lahat, kaaya-aya man ang karanasan o hindi. Naging tulad natin siya sa lahat ng bagay, maliban sa kasalanan. Lumapit ka sa kanya ngayon. Walang anuman sa iyong karanasan ang lingid sa kanyang pang-unawa o damdamin. Pakinggan ang sabin ng Ama: Makinig kayo sa kanya… alam niya ang inyong pinagdadaanan sa buhay.

 

 

 

January 10

Mk 1:21-28

 

Do you recognize Jesus' authority? Do you recognize His power and that He is in control of your life? Today’s gospel reminds us that Jesus is in control. But His control is not to stifle you, but to give you a life that is filled with blessings. So if you want blessings to pour into your life, you’d better surrender to Jesus' authority. He loves you and He will never let you go astray and your life go to waste. You just need to surrender to Him.

 

Kinikilala mo ba ang kapangyarihan ni Hesus? Na siya ang may kapangyarihang gabayan at akayin ang iyong buhay? sa mabuting balita, nakikita nating si Hesus ang may tunay na kapangyarihan subalit hindi upang supilin kundi upang punuin tayo ng pagpapala. Kung nais mo ng pagpapala, isuko ang lahat sa kanya. Mahal ka niya at hindi ka niya pababayaang maligaw ng landas o mapariwara..

 

January 11

Mk 1:29-39

 

Are you suffering from any sickness and are praying for healing? When healed, what do you plan afterwards? When Peter’s mother-in-law got healed, she immediately went to serving Jesus. As you pray for healing, pray also for the grace to be able to serve others once your health is restored. That is your way of thanking Jesus for healing and also your way of responding to His call for you to love, not just Him, but everyone whom He places in your life. Your healing should not only restore your physical health, but should also make you  better at loving the people around you.

 

Maysakit ka ba at nagdarasal na gumaling? Kung pagalingin ka ng Panginoon, ano ang balak mong gawin? Ang biyenan ni Pedro ay agad na naglingkod sa Panginoong Hesus nang nakabangon na ito. Habang umaasa ka sa kagalingan, ipagdasal mo din ang biyayang makapaglingkod sa iba kapag naganap na ito. Ito ang magiging paraan mo ng pasasalamat sa Panginoon at ang paraan ng pagtugon mo sa kanyang panawagang maglingkod sa sinumang inilalagay niya sa iyong buhay. Ang kagalingan ay hindi lamang pisikal kundi ang pagpapanariwa ng pagmamahal sa mga tao sa ating paligid.

 

 

 

January 12

Mk 1:40-45

 

Being a leper in Jesus’ time was more of a social illness rather than a physical one, because the pain of rejection from others seemed to trump the actual pain from leprosy itself. That is why when Jesus touched the leper, the healing that proceeded from Jesus hands was not just medical but also psychological and social. That is why despite Jesus’ injunction that the leper tell no one about his healing except to a priest, who confirms the healing, he still told everyone. The leper suffered years of being avoided and scorned. When he was finally healed, he could say something that is worth everyone’s attention. Jesus gives us his undivided attention. He enters into our world and wants this world to be healed.

 

Ang pagiging ketongin sa panahon ni Hesus ay higit na isang sakit panlipunan kaysa sakit na pisikal lamang, dahil bahagi nito ang pagtakwil ng mga tao sa nagdurusa ng ketong. Kaya nang hipuin ng Panginoon ang ketonging, ang pagpapagaling ay hindi lamang pisikal kundi pang-saykolohikal at panlipunan din. Kaya siguro hindi mapigil ng tao na ipagkalat ang naganap sa kanya dahil ngayon hindi na siya iiwasan ng lahat. Matagal na panahong lumayo ang mga tao sa ketongin. Nang gumaling siya, maaari na siyang pansin at pakinggan. Ibinibigay ni Hesus sa atin ang kanyang buong pansin at pagkalinga. Pumapasok siya sa ating mundo upang hilumin din ang mundong nakapalibot sa atin.

 

 

 

January 13

Mk 2:1-12

 

Good friends lead us to God. Truly good friends want what is best for us. They want our welfare. This is illustrated in today’s Gospel where friends brought the paralytic to Jesus to be healed. Do you have such friends who lead you to Jesus? Do you lead your friends to Jesus? Pray that you be given these kinds of friends because indeed, they are your treasures.

 

Ang mabubuting kaibigan ay nag-aakay sa atin sa Diyos. Ang tunay na mabuting kaibigan ay naghahangad lamang ng mabuti sa atin. Nais nila ang ating kapakanan. Ganito ang mga kaibigan ng paralitiko sa mabuting balita ngayon. May ganitong uri ka ba ng mga kaibigan? At ganito ka din ba sa kanila? Hilingin mo sa Panginoon na pagkalooban ka ng mga ganitong kaibigan na tunay na mga kayamanan ng buhay.

 

 

 

January 14

Mk 2:13-17

 

You need Jesus. If you think you don’t need Him, then you’re being self-righteous. Jesus came for you and me, for us sinners. You and I don’t have the righteousness to claim that Jesus is not needed in our lives. In fact, the more you think you don’t need Him, the more you actually need Him. Go to Jesus today and tell Him that you need Him.

 

Kailangan mo si Hesus. Kung sa tingin mo ay hindi, isa kang mapagmataas na tao. Naparito si Hesus para sa iyo at sa akin, sa ating mga makasalanan. Wala tayong sariling kabanalan na makapagsasabing hindi natin siya kailangan. Sa halip, lalo mong iniisip na hindi mo siya kailangan, lalo mong pinatutunayan na higit mo siyang kailangan. Lumapit sa Panginoon ngayon at anyayahan mo siya sa iyong buhay.

 

 

 

January 15

Jn 1:29-34

 

We are in a covenant relationship with God. By a covenant relationship, it is a relationship likened to but deeper than the family unit. In the bible covenant relationships are accompanied by ceremonies involving the sacrifice of animals, like lambs. In today’s Gospel, John points to Jesus as the “lamb of God”. John points to the fact that if any of the parties involved in a covenant relationship does not fulfill the terms of the contract, that party dies. We know that between us and God, we have not been faithful to the terms of the covenant. Yet Jesus is the one that dies. He is the sacrificial lamb. Do you take your relationship with God seriously? Do you obey his Commandments? Focus on at least one commandment today that you can try to always obey.

 

May tipan tayo sa Diyos. Ang tipan ay isang ugnayan na mas malalim pa sa pamilya. Sa Bibliya, ipinagdiriwang ang tipan sa tulong ng mga seremonya na may kalahok na pag-aalay ng mga hayop na handog. Itinuro ni Juan si Hesus bilang “Kordero ng Diyos.” Sa isang tipan, kapag naging taksil ang isang partido, dapat mamatay ang nagtaksil. Subalit sa ating tipan, si Hesus ang siyang namatay, ang nagsakripisyo, kahit siya ang nanatiling tapat. Seryoso ka ba sa tipanan mo sa Diyos? Sa pagtupad sa kanyang mga utos? Pagtuunan ng pansin kahit isang utos ng Diyos araw-arawa upang matutong maging tapat at masunurin sa kanya.

 #ourparishpriest 2023