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Mabuting Balita | Enero 6, 2023 – Biyernes bago ang Pagpapakita ng Panginoon   #MabutingBalita #DaughtersOfStPaulPhilippines #PaulinesPH

Ebanghelyo: Marcos 1: 7-11

Ito ang sinabi ni Juan Bautista sa kanyang pangaral: “Parating na kasunod ko ang gagawa nang higit pa sa akin. Hindi nga ako karapat-dapat yumuko para magkalag ng tali ng kanyang panyapak. Sa tubig ko kayo bininyagan, at sa Espiritu Santo naman niya kayo bibinyagan.” Nang panahong iyon, dumating si Jesus mula sa Nazaret ng Galilea at bininyagan siya ni Juan sa Ilog Jordan. At pagkaahon niya sa tubig, nakita niyang nahawi ang Langit at parang kalapating bumababa sa kanya ang Espiritu ng Diyos. At narinig mula sa Langit: “Ikaw ang Aking Anak, ang Minamahal, ikaw ang aking Hinirang.”

Pagninilay:

Dahil sa ating binyag, tayo ay mga anak ng Diyos na kanyang minamahal at inaaruga. Sapagkat ang Diyos ay maawain binibigyan tayo araw-araw ng sariwang hangin, ng tubig na maiinom, ng pagkain sa ating pagkagutom, kaligtasan sa mga sakit, sakuna at masamang panahon. Ibinibigay Niya sa atin ang lahat ng bagay na ating kinakailangan sa ating buhay na para sa Kanya higit nating kailangan

Kahit tayo makasalanan, nananatili tayong kanyang mga anak. Humingi tayo ng tawad sa ating mga kasalanan laban sa Kanya at sa ating mga pagkakasala sa ating kapwa. Mahalin natin ang Diyos nang higit sa lahat, sundin natin ang kanyang mga utos at mahalin ang ating kapwa tulad ng pagmamahal niya sa atin. Hikayatin natin ang mga magulang na pabinyagan agad ang kanilang mga anak.

Kapanalig, natatandan mo pa ba ang anibersaryo ng iyong binyag? Magpasalamat sa Diyos sa grasya ng binyag na iyong natanggap at ipagdiwang ito. Amen.

Sr. Anna Bagadiong, fsp | Daughters of St. Paul

You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp

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Mabuting Balita | Enero 5, 2023 – Huwebes bago ang Pagpapakita ng Panginoon

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Ebanghelyo: Juan 1:43-51

Natagpuan ni Felipe si Natanael at sinabi nito sa kanya: “Ang tinutukoy ni Moises na nakasulat sa Batas at Mga Propeta, siya ang natagpuan namin – si Jesus na anak ni Jose, na taga-Nazaret.” “May mabuti bang galing sa Nazaret?” “Halika’t tingnan mo.” Nakita ni Jesus na palapit sa kanya si Natanael at sinabi niya tungkol sa kanya: “Hayan ang tunay na Israelitang walang pagkukunwari.” “Paano mo ako nakilala?” “Bago ka pa man tawagin ni Felipe, habang nasa ilalim ka ng puno ng igos, nakita na kita.” “Rabbi, ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos, ikaw ang Hari ng Israel.” “Sinabi ko lang sa iyong nakita kita sa ilalim ng puno ng igos, at naniniwala ka na? Higit pa sa mga ito ang makikita mo. Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, makikita ninyong nakabukas ang Langit at panhik-panaog sa Anak ng Tao ang mga anghel ng Diyos.”

Pagninilay:

“May mabuti bang nagmumula sa Israel?” sarkastikong sumbat ni Nathaniel kay Philip sa ebanghelyo natin ngayong araw.

Sobrang tagal na rin kasing naghihintay ang bayan ng Israel para sa kanilang pinakaaasam na Messiah o tagapagligtas. Ngunit ilang daang taon na ang nagdaan, heto’t sakop pa rin sila ng mga Romano. Sa kamalayan kasi ng mga hudyo noon, mayroong magliligtas sa kanila mula sa mga naniniil sa kanilang bayan. Kaso, parang wala namang nangyayari. Kaya siguro, ganito na lamang ang reaksyon ni Nathaniel nang ipakilala sa kanya ni Philip si Hesus, isa na namang nagpapakilalang “tagapagligtas.” Siguro, sa loob-loob ni Nathaniel sabi niya, “Psshhh. Narinig ko na ‘yan!” Ngunit, alam ni Hesus na sa likod ng tila pabalang na pagtatanong na ito ay ang nilalaman ng loob ni Nathaniel: ang Paghahari ng Diyos sa bawat nilalang. Marahil sinabi noon ni Hesus sa kanya, “Nathaniel, alam ko kung ano ‘yang nasa puso mo. Alam kong matagal mo nang desirena dumating na sana ang Messiah. Alam kong frustrated ka na sa dami nang nagpapakilalang Mesiyas.” Nilampasan ni Hesus ang hindi kaaya-ayang pagtanggap sa kanya ni Nathaniel at tinugunan agad ang nilalaman ng kanyang pagdududa. At ang tugon ni Nathaniel? Ang sarkastiko at nagdududang si Nathaniel, biglang kambyo, “Ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos; ang Hari ng Israel.” Binuksan ni Hesus ang kanyang mga mata sa tunay na mukha ng Paghahari ng Diyos!

Mga kapatid, maraming pagkakataon, nabubulagan tayo sa paggalaw ng Diyos sa ating buhay. Marahil, dala na rin siguro ng ating pagkapagod sa sandamukal na problemang lumulunod sa atin araw-araw. Pero, kapatid, buksan mo ang iyong mga mata! Kasi, minsan, tulad ni Nathaniel, nasa harap na natin ang pagbubunyag ng Diyos, pinalalampas at pinagdududahan pa natin. Nasa harap na natin sana ang magdudulot sa atin ng kapanatagan, kapayapaan, at pag-ibig, aba’y pinagkibit-balikat pa natin. Minsan, ang matagal mong pinakaaasam, minsan ang matagal na nating pinakahihintay, naku, nariyan na pala sa iyong tabi.

- Cl. Ian Gabriel Ceblano, SSP | Society of St. Paul

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Mabuting Balita | Enero 4, 2023 – Miyerkules bago ang Pagpapakita ng Panginoon

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Ebanghelyo: Juan 1:35-42

Naroon [sa Betaraba, sa kabilang ibayo ng Jordan] si Juan at dalawa sa kanyang mga alagad. Pagkakita niya kay Jesus na naglalakad, ito ang kanyang sinabi: “Hayan ang Kordero ng Diyos.” At narinig ng dalawang alagad ang kanyang binigkas at sinundan nila si Jesus. Lumingon si Jesus at nakita niya silang sumusunod sa kanya, at sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ano ang hinahanap ninyo?” “Rabbi, saan ka nakatira?” “Halikayo at makikita ninyo.” At pumaroon sila at nakita nila kung saan siya tumutuloy, at maghapon silang nanuluyan sa kanya. Mag-iikaapat ng hapon ang oras noon. Si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro ay isa sa dalawang nakarinig kay Juan at sumunod sa kanya. Una niyang hinanap ang kapatid niyang si Simon at sinabi sa kanya: “Natagpuan namin ang Mesiyas.” Inihatid niya siya kay Jesus. Pagkakita sa kanya ni Jesus, sinabi niya: “Si Simon ka na anak ni Juan. Kefas ang itatawag sa iyo.”

Pagninilay:

Natagpuan nila ang Mesiyas! Sino sa atin ang mapalad na nakatagpo kay Jesus? Mapalad ka kung tumatango ka ngayon. Napanood nyo ba ang movie na Forrest Gump? Nagtanong noon si Lieutenant Dan, habang nasa wheelchair siya. Sarcastic siya sa tanong niya kay Forrest Gump. May halong sakit ng loob. Ang tanong niya: “Natagpuan mo na ba si Jesus? Sumagot naman si Forrest na “Hindi ko alam na dapat ko siyang hanapin.” Isa na nagdududa dahil sa miserableng sitwasyon. Ang isa naman ay mangmang. Sila ang simbolo ng nakararami sa atin. Mayroon na kahit papaano, nakakarinig na kailangang matagpuan ang Diyos, pero ayaw maniwala. Ang isa naman,

hindi pa umaabot sa kaalaman niya na kailangang matagpuan ang Diyos, ang ating Tagapagligtas. Minsan nang nag-Christmas visit kami, may nabisita kami na halos hindi

na makakita. Nakabukas ang mata pero mukhang nababalutan ng katarata. Nang kumakanta na kami ng Christmas songs, bakas sa mukha niya ang saya. Sumasabay

pa nga siya sa amin sa pagkanta. Kapag nag-co-coaching naman ako sa mga kabataan, may transformation mula sa pagiging malumbay o naguguluhan at matatapos kami na lumiliwanag ang bukas ng mukha. Sa ganitong moments, hindi ito dahil sa amin, o sa akin, kundi dahil bago pa man kami dumating o bago ko pa makausap ang isang kabataan, sinisimulan na tayong tagpuin ng ating Panginoon. Sa mga nagtatanong na “Nasaan ang Diyos?” Kailan Siya magpapakita? O kailangan nga ba Siyang matagpuan? Maraming tanong na wala kang masabi kundi yakapin sila o hawakan nang may pagmamahal at walang paghuhusga. Hindi ito madadala sa pakiusap o sa paliwanag. Kailangan itong maranasan. Ngayong araw ng Miyerkules, bilang preparasyon natin sa Pagdiriwang ng Pagpapakita ng Diyos na Sanggol sa mundo, kung sino man sa atin ang mga nadidiliman ng isip, ang mga matagal nang pumapasan ng matinding problema, ang mga naguguluhan na wala nang matakbuhan, ang mga nawawalan ng pag-asa na tinatanggihan na ang sikat ng umaga, sinasamahan namin kayo. Hindi kayo nag-iisa. Si Jesus ang liwanag. Siya ang pag-asa. Siya ang laging sumasaatin. Kung sakaling hindi mo pa rin siya matatagpuan sa susunod na sandali, si Jesus ang hahanap sa iyo. Alam Niya kung paano tayo magkakatagpo. Hintayin mo lang.

Sr. Gemmaria dela Cruz, fsp | Daughters of St. Paul

ST. GENEVIEVE l PATRON OF PARIS

Feast day: JANUARY 3

In the study of history, you must have heard of Attila the Hun. He was one of the fiercest barbarian rulers who pillaged cities, invaded Greece, Italy, France and other European countries. Our saint for today, Saint Genevieve, is known to have saved Paris from being sacked by Attila. Genevieve was born in Naterre, France in 422 of a pious peasant couple. She was brought up in the love and fear of God and she practiced many charitable works, did much prayer and penance. When the holy Bishop St. Germanus visited her place, many people came to him to ask for his blessing. Among them was the 15-year-old Genevieve. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Bishop sensed the holy life of Genevieve and singled her out by prophesying about her future sanctity. He led her to the church, accompanied by many parishioners, and consecrated her to God. He presented her with a cross engraved brass medal to be worn around her neck, as a reminder of the consecration she made of herself to God. He ordered her to never wear any other bracelets, necklaces or jewelry, to avoid falling into vanity.Although not officially recognized as a religious group, the Bishop entrusted to Genevieve the care of young girls to teach them how to love God, to pray and to preserve purity. Genevieve faithfully led the young virgins to holiness and to a greater love for Jesus. After the death of her parents, Genevieve went on to live with her grandmother in Paris. She shared the faith to others, performed acts of charity, prayed for the sick. Her dedicated Christian way of life was filled with the signs of the Holy Spirit working through her and she was given the gift of prophesy. The signs included miracles and spiritually inspired predictions. She frequently had visions of heavenly angels and saints. However, when she shared those visions and experiences of the Lord, people began to turn against her. They called her a hypocrite and accused her of being a false visionary. In fact, they were determined to drown her in a lake of fire. However,  Bishop Germanus intervened and silenced those who were persecuting her and accusing her  falsely. Genevieve received divine guidance. When Attila and his army of Huns came upon Paris, the Parisian Christians were prepared to leave their homes, and escape to another place, but Genevieve spoke to them and convinced them to stay, within their homes, fast and pray to the Lord. She assured them they would have the protection of Heaven. Her prediction came true as Attila suddenly changed his path and turned away from Paris. When Clovis became king of Gaul  (then composed of France, part of Belgium and Germany), and was converted to Christianity, Genevieve had a great influence on him through his holy wife St. Clothilda. Genevieve was the one who suggested to him to build a church in honor of Sts. Peter and Paul in Paris. After a life pf prayer, austerity and service Genevieve died in 512. Many miracles happened near her tomb, and she was acclaimed a saint. Her body was later interred in the church which was built in honor of Sts. Peter and Paul and the church was named after her. Her intercessions were so great. Once, she saved the city from a great flood. She cured the small pox of a king in Gaul. A plague broke out in Paris and some 14, 000 died in a short time. After prayers and a procession in her honor, only three persons died of the disease. During the French Revolution, the church was taken over by the Revolutionists and given the name Pantheon, to serve as burial place for distinguished Frenchmen. Besides being the patron of Paris, France, she is also the patron for young girls. She is particularly invoked in time of drought, flood, illnesses, fire and other disasters. Her feast day is January 3. 

You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp

This podcast is brought to you by the Paulines Multimedia. It is our mission to Bring the WORD of GOD to all peoples, through sounds and images, voices and music. Come and join us as we share “A THOUGHT A DAY”.

Mabuting Balita | Enero 3, 2023 – Martes bago ang Pagpapakita ng Panginoon

Ang Kabanal-banalang Ngalan ng ating Panginoong Jesus

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EBANGHELYO: Juan 1:29-34

Nakita ni Juan Bautista si Jesus na papalapit sa kanya. Sinabi niya: “Hayan ang Kordero ng Diyos, ang nag-aalis ng kasalanan ng mundo. Ito ang tinutukoy ko nang sabihin kong ‘Nagpauna na sa akin ang lalaking kasunod kong dumating sapagkat bago ako’y siya na.’ Hindi ko nga siya nakilala pero dahil sa kanya kaya ako pumaritong nagbibinyag sa tubig upang mahayag siya sa Israel.” At nagpatotoo si Juan: “Nakita ang Espiritu na bumababa mula sa langit gaya ng isang kalapati, at nanatili sa kanya. Hindi ko nga siya nakilala ngunit ang nagsugo sa akin na magbinyang sa tubig ang nagwika sa akin, ‘Kung kanino mo makita ang Espiritung bumababa at nananatili sa kanya, siya ang magbibigay sa Espiritu Santo!’ Nakita ko at pinatotohanan ko na siya nga ang hinirang ng Diyos.”

PAGNINILAY:

Sa tuwing dumadalo po tayo ng misa, sinasabi ng pari bago tayo mangomunyon: “Ito si Hesus ang Kordero ng Diyos na nag-aalis ng mga kasalanan ng sanlibutan!” Ang mga salitang ito ay hindi imbento lamang ng ating simbahan—sa ebanghelyong ating binasa ngayong araw, si Juan Bautista mismo ang nagsabi at nagpatotoo na si Hesus ay siya ngang kordero ng Diyos!

Ang kordero po sa English ay Lamb—ibig sabihin ay maliit na tupa. Ang tupa po ay ginagamit noon bilang hain sa templo para kay Yahweh. Si Hesus, sa kanyang pagsunod sa Ama, inako niya ang ating pagkamakasalanan. Kaya naman sa Krus, siya’y naging Korderong hain para sa ikapagpapatawad ng ating kasalanan.

Kaya nga’t ang huling sinsabi ng pari, mapapalad tayong inaanyayahan sa pagsasalong ito: sapagkat ang hain, ang kordero ay walang iba kundi si Hesus!

Sa paggunita po natin ngayon ng kabanalbanalang ngalan ni Hesus, at sa patuloy nating kagalakan sa pagdiriwang ng kapaskuhan at biyaya ng bagong taon—hayaan nawa nating maghari si Hesus sa ating buhay sa buong taong ito, sa pamamagitan ng pagkilala at pagsunod sa kanya. Sa tuwing makararanas ng pagsubok, lungkot, sakit, pagkadismaya—tingnan lamang natin si Hesus—naging korderong hain, tiniis ang lahat hanggang kamatayan, para sa ating lahat. Amen.

- Cl. Vinz Aurellano, SSP | Society of St. Paul

ST. THOMAS BECKET l PATRON OF DIOCESAN PRIESTS AND  DEACONS

Feast Day – December  29

Our saint for today was a man who, the day after his ordination to the priesthood, was consecrated Bishop by the Bishops of the place. Then, two years and a few months after his death, he was canonized as a martyr and saint. Friends, please welcome St. Thomas Becket, also known as St. Thomas of Canterbury. St. Thomas was born in Cheapside, England on December 21, 1118. At 10 years old he became a student at the Merton Priory, then proceeded to a grammar school in London. At age 20, he was sent to study in Paris. When his father suffered financial loses in his business, Thomas was forced to work as a clerk. Through the recommendation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, he was entrusted with several important missions to Rome and Bologna. His employer sent him also to study canon law. He was named Archdeacon of Canterbury and given other ecclesiastical responsibilities. Due to his efficiency, he was recommended to King Henry II for the office of Lord Chancellor and was appointed in January 1155.

Becket’s work included the enforcement of taxes from landowners, bishoprics and churches, the sources of revenue for the King. On June 2, 1162, Becket was ordained a priest and on the following day, June 3, 1162 he was consecrated as Archbishop of Canterbury. He resigned as Chancellor to the King and sought to regain the rights of the archbishopric and of the clergy. This caused a conflict between him and the King. The King influenced other  bishops against him and forced him through a council to agree to the King’s wishes, but Becket refused. Then the King forced Becket to face another great council to answer allegations of contempt of royal authority and wrongdoings as a Chancellor. Since the judges were chosen by the King, Becket was convicted, but he ran out from the trial room and fled to France, where King Louis VII offered him protection. He stayed nearly two years in a Cistercian abbey but Henry’s threats against the monks obliged him to return to Sens.

Becket fought back by threatening excommunication but the Pope, although he was sympathetic with Becket, chose a more diplomatic approach. He sent delegates to find solutions to the conflict. Henry offered a compromise that would allow Becket to return to Canterbury. In June 1170, three Bishops crowned the heir apparent of the King, but the coronation violated requirements of the law, so Becket excommunicated the three. Upon hearing this, Henry was enraged and uttered words which was interpreted that he wanted Becket killed. Immediately, four knights set out to confront Becket. They asked Becket to go to Winchester with them to give account of his action, but Becket refused. He went inside the hall for vespers in order to pray. The monks tried to bolt themselves for safety, but Becket told them to open the doors. When the knights found Becket they pulled him out and killed him with clubs and swords. The last words of Becket were: “For the name of Jesus and the protection of the Church I am ready to embrace death.” After Becket’s death, the monks prepared his body for burial and they found that he was wearing a hair shirt, a sign of penance. Within a few days, pilgrims came to his tomb and the people of Europe began to venerate him as a martyr. On February 21, 1173, a little more than two years after his martyrdom, he was canonized by Pope Alexander III. On July 12, 1174, Henry humbled himself in public making penance at Becket’s tomb. Becket’s assassins, who fled to Scotland, were excommunicated by the Pope. They returned to Rome and asked for forgiveness. As penance they were assigned to serve as knights in the Holy Land for 14 years. Today, St. Thomas Becket is venerated around the world and many churches and schools are named in his honor. He is the patron saint of diocesan priests and deacons.