Reflection for March 5, Saturday of the Third Week of Lent; Luke 18:9-14

Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

Is humility the weakness of God?

We see in the gospel the humility of the tax collector. He humbly admitted to God his own sinfulness. He was very much aware that before God he was nothing and deserves nothing. This was the reason why the tax collector went home possessing the favor of God.

The secret therefore to gain the favor of God is humility and awareness of our own shortcomings and limitations. The tax collector who gained the favor of God was truly aware of his own sinfulness. He did not attempt to hide it from God, did he know that God knows everything about him? Perhaps he did not know, what he was sure of was his own sinfulness that’s why he humbly asked mercy from God.

It is a given fact that the humble has the eyes and ears of God. The humble doesn’t only gain the favor of God he also gains the respect of his fellowmen. Many of us do not want to be humble because we see it as weakness. But humility is not a weakness it’s actually  a strength! For the simple reason that those who are humble are more respected than those who are not. 

However, to become humble before Jesus and our fellowmen is not easy. For the reason that this entails sacrifice and swallowing of our bloated egos. This entails awareness that we have nothing to be proud of before the presence of God.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton once said: “The gate of Heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it.” We therefore have to be humble if we want to gain entry to heaven. We therefore have to be humble if we want to gain the favor and guidance of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 4, Friday of the Third Week of Lent; Mark 12:28-34

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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Reflection:

Why did Jesus give us these two timeless and greatest commandments about love? Because we need these two instructions about love to heal the world of its many sufferings. For example if only there’s authentic love for God in the hearts of the rich there would be no more sufferings and hunger amongst the poor..

But many of them don’t have the love of God in their hearts that’s why they continue to oppress and take advantage of the poor. They love themselves more than God, they love temporal power more than they love the people of God.

Let us hear the command of God to us: Let us love Him with all our heart, mind and soul. Let us also allow God to use us as his vehicle so that those who are alien to the love of God would feel it through us. And those who don’t know God will come to know God  because of our unconditional love for them.

Let us little by little conquer the enmity of this world with our love for God and for our neighbors. And let us not only love those who will love us back or those who are lovable to our eyes.

Let us also love even those who are not lovable to our eyes for this is the true measure of love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for March 3, Thursday of the Third Week of Lent; Luke 11:14-23

Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

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Reflection:

Is the devil real?

The devil is real and he's a pervading influence in our society and in our political system as well. Why is the Philippines still a third world country considering that it has rich human and natural resources? The reason is many of our leaders have allowed themselves to be seduced and manipulated by the devil. The devil in the guise of corrupted wealth and power always offers himself to our politicians in exchange for their honest to goodness public service and governance.

In the same vein, The devil is also a presence inside the Filipino family. This is the reason why there are separation and infidelity inside the marriage covenant. Who can defeat the influence of Satan in our society’s political system and in our respective families? It’s our practice of our faith in Jesus.

Many of us profess to be believers in Jesus and many of our politicians are graduates of catholic schools. Yet there are many plunderers in government, yet there are many broken families. Why is this so? This is for the reason that many of us are believers in name only. Many of us attend Holy Mass but we don’t live the grace of Holy Mass.

If only we would allow our faith in Jesus to take root deep into our bones, our country would once again be progressive. If only we would allow our faith in Jesus to take center stage in our respective families there would also be no more broken marriages. Let us think about how many times we have betrayed our faith in Jesus. In exchange for the salivating offers of the devil which in the long run will only destroy us.

Reject the devil therefore and do not allow yourself to become his agent in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for March 1, Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent; Matthew 18:21-35

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

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Reflection:

Is it normal for us to harbor resentments? Yes of course for we are humans with emotions. But after that short moment wherein we responded to our feelings let us quickly allow Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness to take over our selfish feelings. 

In the gospel Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?"  Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:21-22).

This is a very simple yet very effective teaching on forgiveness for us from Jesus. In other words He is saying to us that we should always be forgiving. It’s normal for us to be hurt but let us not allow these hurtful feelings to control us. Therefore, we can only be freed from the vicious control of anger which by the way comes from the devil, if we forgive those who have hurt us without any preconditions.

Try to observe yourself when you don’t listen to Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness. Isn’t it that you carry a heavy burden in your heart? When you allow unforgiveness to reside in your heart you allow yourself to be imprisoned and controlled by your anger. 

What if you follow Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness, how would you feel? You will feel light and free. You will feel no burden in your heart. Don’t we all want to feel light, to feel free and without any burdens and hurtful feelings in our heart?

These are the two options before us: To follow Jesus’ teaching on infinite forgiveness or we continue to punish and burden ourselves by being unforgiving. The wisdom filled choice is to always follow the teaching being given to us by Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for February 29, Monday of the Third Week of Lent; Luke 4:24-30

Gospel: Luke 4:24-30

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

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Reflection:

How does God give His blessings?  God gives His blessings to anyone that He pleases and He surely doesn’t play the game of favoritism.

If God has favorites among us because we are prayerful or because we often go to Holy Mass and do noble acts. Our worship for God would now be motivated by our actions focused to get His favor.  Therefore our worship for God is not anymore motivated by our love for Him. It’s now rather motivated by the result that we want from Him.  

In our gospel Jesus shared the story of a Syrian named Naaman who was sick with leprosy. There were also many lepers in Israel around that time but God chose to heal a non Israelite named  Naaman.

Jesus cited the story of Naaman to send a strong message to those who were listening to Him in the synagogue. That they cannot gain God’s favor by means of their selfish acts of piety. Or worship for God that has selfish motivations.

This is a good point of reflection for all of us for we may be doing things for God with selfish motives. Or we do things for God and our fellowmen because we want something in return from God.

For example we would say to God, I will serve you but I request you to bless my family in return. But this is not how it is because our ways is not God’s ways, we cannot force God to do something because we want Him to do it for us.  

When we do acts for God let us make sure that we primarily do it because of our deep love for God. No other motives than our deep love for God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for Sunday February 28, Third Sunday of Lent; Luke 13:1-9

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Jesus said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them— do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”

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Reflection:

A corrupt government official was being prodded by his wife to leave behind his life of sin. The corrupt official would always say to his wife to be quite and enjoy the fruits of his dishonesty for nobody would know about it. After years of enjoying his dirty wealth he was eventually caught and was imprisoned for the rest of his life.         

What does sin do to us? It gives us nothing but misfortune! But sometimes the result of the dangerous fruit of sin doesn’t immediately manifest so we are tempted to enjoy it. Until the point of reckoning comes where both divine and civil punishment will be served upon us.

Sinful ways doesn’t pay, we may enjoy it for a short or long period of time but the eventual weight of punishment will be upon us. We have to realize this fact that we will not gain anything by miring ourselves with sin.  

Let us therefore examine ourselves regarding the many sins that we have committed. If possible let us write these sins on a white bond paper or a piece of clean paper. And after we are through writing let us cross-out every single sin that has possessed us for so long.

 This would now serve as our initial step toward our repentance and reconciliation with Jesus and with those whom we’ve hurt. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for February 27, Saturday of the Second Week of Lent; Luke15:1-3, 11-32

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable. “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing.  He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

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Reflection:

What if the prodigal son did not decide to go back to his father? What would have happened to him? It’s sure that he could have ended in a very problematic situation. But he returned for he realized his mistake, he returned because he badly wants to once again feel the unconditional love of his father.

This parable is also for us who are like the prodigal son. Jesus is inviting us all to repent from our own sinfulness; He wants us to know that He is there eternally waiting for us. Ever ready to embrace us again with His unconditional love and forgiveness.

Where would we go if we will not go back to Jesus? We embrace this world? This world will only give us temporal happiness which afterwards will translate to become problems that could even destroy us. The riches of this world cannot give us peace of mind for the simple reason that it will only pull us farther away from the love of Jesus.

When the prodigal son decided to return he knew that nothing compares to the love of his  father. He knew that his father will still accept him without any questions being asked against him.

We are the modern day prodigal son thus we have to go back to the loving and forgiving embrace of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Reflection for February 26, Friday of the Second Week of Lent; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?

Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.

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Reflection:

Do you see greed in the gospel?  Yes there is greed, the greed of the tenants. They did not give the rightful share of the landowner they instead kept to themselves what was supposed to be the landowner’s share. Was Jesus happy with the greed of the tenants? Of course not! Did the tenants’ greed cause their self-destruction? Yes absolutely!

Our greed will not bring us any good, it will only destroy us; the more that we are greedy the more that we hasten our self-destruction. The more that we are greedy the more that we alienate ourselves from the love of God.

So, what is the cure for our greed? The cure is generosity! If we are always generous we will not run out of things to give. We also free ourselves from the curse of greed which has destroyed so many already.  What is with material things that we are so greedy of it? Can it bring us closer to Jesus?

If the tenants in our gospel generously gave what was for the landowner. They could have continued their tenants and landowner relationship. They could have experienced prosperity, peace and they could have avoided destruction.

The lesson for us therefore is we must not be greedy we instead should always be generous. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for February 25, Thursday of the Second Week of Lent; Luke 16:19-31

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”

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Reflection:

Let us imagine that we are the rich man in the gospel and we also saw Lazarus at our door. How will you react? Will we do the same as the rich man did in the gospel? Or we will give food to the poor man Lazarus?

We will surely answer that we will give food because this is the right course of action to do. And our decision to give food would also be influenced by the misfortune of the rich man after he died for he ended in hell. But is this who we really are? Do we really help the poor most especially when nobody is watching us?

Often times we do good because we are influenced by the circumstances that surrounds us. For example in the gospel we read the rich man ended up in hell. Of course this is the circumstance that will influence us to do good for we of course don’t want to end-up in hell after we die.

But are we really naturally helpful, do we truly have a heart for the poor? The gospel is an invitation for all of us to reflect on how we treat the poor. For example we may have a poor relative and a poor neighbor. How do we look at them? Do we look at them with derision? How do we treat them? Do we treat them like a third class citizen? Or we treat them with respect and love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Reflection for February 24, Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent; Matthew 20:17-28

Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Reflection:

Do you wish to follow Jesus?

If we want to truly follow we should prepare for the many sacrifices that we have to do and face for the greater glory of God. Many of us are averse to sufferings and sacrifices we want a life of ease and comfort. But life of ease and comfort are not the way of life of Jesus for His way of life is laden with trials, humility and sacrifice.  

Using their mother as their emissary the two disciples were aspiring to be great in the eyes of men yet they were followers of Jesus. Are they really followers or just pretending? If they are true followers they would have not ask for the best seats beside Jesus.

Let us not lose sight of the fact that the true essence of following Jesus is to serve with humility. And not to serve for us to be seen or to seek the highest place of prominence for us to be noticed, admired and respected.

The true follower is not hungry for power, prestige and entitlement. He is content to humbly serve even if nobody will notice him. The more that he is not noticed for what he does the more that he would favor it.

This is the paradox of true discipleship, it contradicts our way of earthly thinking and it directs us to the real essence of discipleship which involves humility and sacrifice.

Do you still wish to follow Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 23, Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent; Matthew 23:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

Who is a true follower of Jesus?

A true follower of Jesus is someone who is simple, he doesn’t   think highly of himself neither he isolates himself in an ivory tower so that others will look-up to him. A follower mingles and interacts with the people, he doesn’t throw judgment on anyone regardless who they may be.

A true follower lives and breathes humility, its part and parcel of his way of life. How then can we be humble, how then can we live and breathe humility and how then can we make it our way of life? We always have to do things with the end in mind that everything that we do we do for the greater glory of God. We don’t do things for our own glory, we don’t do things for us to be praised to high heavens.

Many of the Pharisees during Jesus time had a mentality of superiority perhaps this was because they were the ruling power. They love to give commands, they love to be looked-up and they crave for prominence and respect. Servanthood and humility was farthest from their mind.  

From time to time we need to ask ourselves, Am I a true follower of Jesus? Or I’m becoming more like the Pharisees who always seeks prominence, honor and attention. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for February 22, Monday, Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle; Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

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Reflection:

Do you know Saint Peter?

We celebrate today the feast of the chair of Saint Peter. Peter is the most prominent apostle; Jesus built and founded the church thru him, he was also the leader of the twelve. Peter unwaveringly spread the gospel of Jesus even at the expense of his own life.

If someone would ask us this question: “Who is Jesus to you?” I am sure that our answer would depend on how well we know Jesus. Some of us may answer that Jesus is a friend who’s always there for us a friend who walks with us and ever ready to hear us. Others may say that Jesus is a brother who is always ready to help us.

This was the question posed by Jesus to His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” the people were unsure for they don’t know Jesus that well. Then Jesus asked the apostles: “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. Peter knew Jesus well because more than any other apostle he was always prominently with Jesus (Matthew. 10:2; 14:28; 15:15; 17:24; 19:27; Luke 8:51; 12:41).  

Peter also initially did not want Jesus to wash his feet, (John 13:7-9). When Jesus was about to be arrested by the roman soldiers it was Peter who drew his sword and cut off the ear of the soldier, (John 18:10) Peter was the first apostles to enter the empty tomb of Jesus, (Luke 24:12), Peter was the first apostles to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection, (Luke 24:34)

Like Peter, are we always prominently with Jesus by our prayers, through the Sacraments and by always being present during Holy Mass?

Like Peter, do we have that desire to know Jesus fully well by regularly reading the Bible specially the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?

If Jesus will ask us this question today: “Who do you say that I am?” will He also be satisfied with our reply? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday February 21, Second Sunday of Lent; Luke 9:28b-36

Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

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Reflection:

A young wife has decided to finally leave behind her irresponsible and philandering husband. Before leaving him she wrote a letter which contained all of her angst. At the end of the letter she closed it with this statement: If you want me back you have to change otherwise you will not see me again.

In the transfiguration of Jesus at the mountain of tabor the three disciples: Peter, James and John saw firsthand how Jesus was transfigured. From a mortal like them Jesus’ face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white (Luke 9:29).

What went before the three apostles went to the mountain to witness Jesus transfiguration? The three were doing their mission, they witnessed many miracles being performed by Jesus. Yet, Jesus also intimated to them that He would soon suffer and be put to death by His persecutors (Luke 9:22).

Upon hearing from Jesus that He was going to suffer perhaps the three had a low morale. They couldn’t believe that this was going to happen to their Lord and master. And with this hypothesis Jesus brought them along to the mountain of tabor. For the three of them to know and see His real identity.

With their witness of Jesus transfiguration the three apostles were also transfigured albeit in a different manner. Their witness of Jesus transfiguration energized their sagging spirit it boosted their motivation to continue to move-on with their sacred mission of evangelization.

In our story, when the young wife decided to finally leave behind His philandering and irresponsible husband. That decision was her moment of transfiguration and her decision also influenced her husband. To change and leave behind his philandering and irresponsible ways.  

At what stage are you in your life right now? Are you facing your own share of challenges? Let the transfiguration of Jesus energize you and let it give you hope. Let it change, strengthen and empower you so that you too could be motivated by the powerful transfiguration of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for February 20, Saturday of the First Week of Lent; Matthew 5:43-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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Reflection:

Are you still capable of loving someone who doesn’t love you anymore?

In the gospel Jesus calls us to a higher form of love: “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44).

It’s not easy to give love to someone who betrayed your trust. But that’s what Jesus is telling us: to love unconditionally. Regardless of the hurts and betrayal done to us we still need to love and pray for those who’ve hurt us.

There’s no winner when we respond betrayal with betrayal, anger with anger. In spite of the injury done to us, why not try to still be meek and forgiving and leave everything in the hands of God? God doesn’t love us selectively; He doesn’t love us because we follow His commands. He still loves us even if we’ve betrayed Him so many times.    

God loves us without any preconditions; He lets the sun rise and the rain to fall on all of us sinners. Therefore we have to love even those who don’t love us anymore. – Marino J. Dasmarinas