Reflection for Saturday February 29, Saturday after Ash Wednesday: Luke 5:27-32

Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them.

The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."

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Reflection:

What made Jesus call Levi to follow Him and what made Levi leave everything behind to follow Jesus? Of course the main reason was Levi was a sinner and he was tired of living a life of sin. Therefore when Levi was called by Jesus he threw caution to the wind to follow Jesus. For he knew that at long last there is someone who’s not judging him. And someone who’s willing to give him a second chance to live life away from sin.

In this gospel episode Jesus gives us valuable lesson on how we can call others to conversion. First is let us not be judgmental with those whom we perceive as sinners. Who are we to judge when we are sinners also? Second is let us always give others a second chance no matter how sinful they are.

There are many who are itching to live their lives away from sin but no one is willing to give them a second chance. It seems to them that almost everyone is condemning them. If only we know that they are already sick and tired of living in sin. If only we know that they are just waiting for us to call them to a life of renewal.

Let us make it our vow not to be judgmental. Let us make it our vow to give those whom we perceive as sinners a second chance. There are sinners because there are people who are judgmental and people who are not willing to give them a second chance. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Friday February 28, Friday after Ash Wednesday: Matthew 9:14-15

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

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Reflection:

Do you practice fasting? 

The church teaches us that we have to observe fasting during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Does it have any basis in the Bible? Yes just to name a few: Jonah 3:7, Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water.

Matthew 4:2: “He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.”

Matthew 6:16: When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting.

To practice fasting is an edifying experience for we would discover that we can still be productive even if we are fasting. For as long as we focus our attention to Jesus who observed fasting for forty days in the desert. And in the process was tempted in vain by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11).   

But more than the voluntary denial of food it also requires us to fast from doing anything that would offend God and our fellowmen. From doing anything that would defile us physically and spiritually. For example we fast from committing sin, we fast from judging our neighbor and so forth.  

In the gospel Jesus was asked by the Pharisees and John’s disciples why His followers were not fasting. Jesus answered them that there’s no reason yet for them to fast for the reason that He is with them (Matthew 9:15).

When are we going therefore to be with Jesus so that we will not anymore practice fasting? It’s when we die and eventually ascend to heaven, there we will be with Jesus and we will not be fasting anymore.

But for the mean time that we are still in this world we have to observe fasting not only with food but with anything that makes us sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Thursday February 27, Thursday after Ash Wednesday: Luke 9:22-25

Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

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Reflection:

A man of the world was on the verge of ending his life, he decided to go to a cliff to jump so that he could end everything.  On his way he saw a church that had an inscription of the words of Jesus that says: Come follow me (Matthew 9:14). He gave it a serious thought and decided to go to that church and inquired about it.

 There he was informed that it was a call to vocation in the service of the Lord. He thereafter decided not to end his life he instead responded to the instant vocation call. And soon after he found God and he also discerned the true meaning of his life with Jesus. 

Many of us spend our lifetime to pursue our earthly ambition such as to be rich and powerful. And then when we reach the pinnacle of our ambitions we also discover that something is still lacking or missing. We yearn for something that is meaningful and something that would satisfy our inner being.   

This something that is meaningful that we yearn is no other than God. No matter how rich and powerful some of us may become we would still not have contentment and peace of mind. For the simple reason that only God will gives peace of mind only God will give us inner calmness and healing. But to follow God is not easy because this would entail us to carry our own cross.

But the big question is this: Would we be willing to carry that cross? Would we willing to give away our life to God so that He could save it and make full use of it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas        

Reflection for Wednesday February 26, Ash Wednesday (Fasting and Abstinence): Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who had the habit of showing off through social media the good and pious acts that he does. For example, when he attends Mass he would take pictures of it and post it in his facebook. He does the same thing when he does acts of compassion, he does this so that his friends would take notice of it.  

The three core teachings of the gospel this Ash Wednesday is about Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting. Unlike our many facebook posts (pictures, comments, likes, etc…) wherein we show off so that our friends and many others will know who we are and what we are doing. We are being invited by Jesus to permanently veer away from this selfish and ego tripping mentality.

On the aspect of Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting, Jesus is inviting us to do these noble acts without letting everyone know about it. Let us do these acts piety privately and ensure that nobody will know about it.

For if we do these hidden from the prying eyes of our friends and the public at large. We would then earn approval from Jesus. Because this is what Jesus would always want us to do for as long as we live: Do our noble acts hidden from anyone’s eye.

In the same breath, lent is also an invitation for us to reflect about our life, concerning our relationship with Jesus and the many sins that we have committed. For example concerning our sins; would we just let this sins remain or we will do something about it by humbly submitting ourselves to the Sacrament of Confession?

Our many sins pull us further away from God and if we are not careful we may live our life permanently away from the love of God. Would we want a life permanently cut off from the love of God?  Of course not! Nobody wants to live his/her own life away from the love of God.

Therefore, let us take a deeper spiritual reflection about our life this Ash Wednesday in particular and during lent in general. Let us take a closer look at our sinfulness, the fragility of life and our personal relationship with Jesus.

Are we still mindful of our sins, are we still aware that life can end anytime and how personal and deep is our relationship with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Tuesday February 25, Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:30-37

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all. Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst and putting his arms around it, he said to them “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me and whoever receives me receives not me but the One who sent me.

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Reflection:

What is the most important virtue of a follower of Jesus? It’s the virtue of humility. A humble follower of Jesus seeks to follow Him for no other reason but to humbly serve without seeking anything in return. He doesn’t follow Jesus because he/she wants to be known, to be powerful and to be popular.

While Jesus and His disciples were passing through Galilee, He was discussing to them about the things that will happen to Him soon. But the disciples were not paying attention for the reason that they were preoccupied discussing who among them was the greatest. What an ego trip for the disciples! Instead of listening to Jesus they were burnishing among themselves their own self-image. They were discussing who among them is the greatest.

During that instance the desire to humbly follow Jesus was not anymore present in their hearts. What was present in their hearts was arrogance, the desire to selfishly raise up their own self-image. And the desire to be great based on the finite standards of this world.    

If we truly desire to follow Jesus, we have to follow Him with humility. We have to forget our own selves; we have to discard any form of arrogance in our hearts and the desire to occupy the starring role. We have to be humble and simple at all times for this is the only way whereby we can bring others to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Monday February 24, Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:14-29

Gospel: Mark 9:14-29

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.” They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!” Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”

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Reflection:

How strong is your faith in Jesus?

In the gospel, a boy was possessed by an evil spirit, his father asked the disciples for help but they were unable to drive it out. Then the father saw Jesus who just came from the mountain. The father asked for help, he told Jesus: “I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.”

 Jesus said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Jesus was quite exasperated with his disciples because they were not able to drive out the evil spirit.

Jesus was also frustrated with the Father because he told him: “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”

Jesus was frustrated with both the disciples and the father of the boy and the reason behind was their lack of faith! If only the disciples had faith they could have easily drove out the evil spirit but they had weak faith.

Are we not like the father and the disciples once in a while? We petition God to grant us our prayers yet we easily get impatient when He doesn’t reply immediately. And the reason for this impatience is our lack of faith.

Let us continue to bear in mind these words of Jesus: “Everything is possible to one who has faith.” (Mark 9:23) – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday February 23, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:38-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

“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 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:

The story is told about a wife who discovered that her husband was engaged into an adulterous relationship. The wife calmly told her husband, “You have to stop it otherwise I will live a quite life by myself.” The adulterous and arrogant husband did not stop and continued living his sinful life.  So, the woman left and she lived a quiet and righteous life by herself until she died.  

Jesus in our gospel gives us a blueprint on how we would act to those who did us wrong and to those who continue to do us wrong. Don’t get even and don’t fight fire with fire. Why? Because when we get even and when we fight fire with fire we are sucked into the sinful lifestyle of those people who do us wrong. We simply become like them; we embrace evil as they’ve embraced evil.

When we don’t fight fire with fire we always occupy the moral high ground and we refuse to be brought down to the gutter that they are in. We also give them an option to redeem themselves by inviting them to reflect on how we responded to the wrong that they’ve done. Thus, they might decide to renew their lives and permanently walk away from anything that make them sin.

The way of Jesus is always the right way it maybe hard to walk on that way but that is the right way. The way of the Lord is the way of non-violence to fight evil. The way of turning the other cheek to be slapped all over again. With the prayer in mind that those who did us wrong and who continue to do us wrong will have a conversion experience before it’s too late. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 23, Ikapitong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 5:38-48

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:38-48

38 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad narinig na ninyo na sinabi: Mata sa mata at ngipin sa ngipin. 39 Ngunit sina­sabi ko sa inyo: Huwag ninyong laba­nan ng masama ang masama. Kung sam­palin ka sa kanang pisngi, ibaling ang mukha at iharap ang kabilang pisngi. 40 Kung may magdemanda sa iyo para kunin ang iyong sando, ibigay mo pati ang iyong kami­seta. 41Kung may pumilit sa iyong suma­ma sa kanya nang  isang  kilometro,  dala­wang kilometro ang la­ka­rin mong kasama niya. 42 Bigyan ang nanghi­hingi at huwag talikuran ang may hinihiram sa iyo.

43 Narinig na ninyo na sinabi: Ma­ha­lin mo ang iyong kapwa at kamuhian ang iyong kaaway. 44 Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: Mahalin ninyo ang inyong ka­away, at ipagdasal ang mga umuusig sa inyo. 45 Sa ganito kayo magi­ging mga anak ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Sa­pagkat pinasisikat niya ang araw sa kap­wa ma­sama at mabuti, at pinapapatak niya ang ulan sa kapwa makatarungan at di-maka­tarungan.

46 Kung mahal ninyo ang nagma­mahal sa inyo, bakit kayo gagantim­palaan? Di ba’t ginagawa rin ito ng mga kolektor ng buwis? 47 At kung ang mga kapatid ninyo lamang ang inyong bina­bati, ano ang na­iiba rito? Di ba’t gina­gawa rin ito ng mga pagano? 48 Kaya maging ganap kayo gaya ng pagiging ganap ng inyong Amang nasa langit.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Saturday February 22, 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.

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 through our prayers, through the Sacraments and by always being present during Sunday 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 would ask us this question today: “Who do you say that I am?” will He also be satisfied with our reply? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Friday February 21, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:34-9:1

Gospel: Mark 8:34-9:1

Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”

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Reflection:

What is this cross that Jesus wants us to carry the moment we decide to follow Him?

The cross that Jesus mentioned is the cross of suffering but let us not worry because we will not be overburdened by this cross. No matter how hard/heavy this cross will be we will be able to carry it. Why? Because Jesus will be there to help us carry it.

It is also in carrying our life’s crosses that we will have a clearer picture of who really is Jesus. Therefore, Jesus will become more real to us because of this cross. Lest we forget, life with Jesus is not a bed of roses; it’s rather a bed of crosses.

We therefore have to be ready to carry our own cross and let us not be afraid to carry that cross. Because life without carrying our own cross is life without Jesus.

Are you carrying your own cross right now? If you are you have nothing to worry because Jesus’ abiding presence is with you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Thursday February 20, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:27-33

Gospel: Mark 8:27-33

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of sufferings? 

When Jesus told the disciples that He will have to go through severe sufferings and eventually be killed. Peter took Jesus aside and he rebuked Jesus. Perhaps Peter had this notion that Jesus was immune to sufferings because he is God. But to suffer severely was part of Jesus destiny, He had to go through it to achieve His salvific mission for us.

What happened after Jesus suffering and death on the cross? There was glorious resurrection, salvation and after a few days ascension into to heaven.  What could have happened if Jesus did not suffer, if Jesus did not die on the cross?

We being humans are also bound to suffer, there will be episodes of sufferings in our lives for so long as we exist. But let us not be afraid of these sufferings for these are part of our lives. Let us rather take these sufferings as our glorious opportunity to get closer to Jesus. For it’s in our sufferings that we’ll achieve personal relationship with Jesus.

If Jesus suffered who are we not to go through sufferings? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Wednesday February 19, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:22-26

Gospel: Mark 8:22-26

When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, “Do you see anything?”Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”

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Reflection:

Have you brought someone to Jesus?

When Jesus and His party arrived at Bethsaida people brought to Him a blind man and they asked Jesus to cure him. Who were those people who brought the blind man to Jesus? We don’t know who they were. But even if we don’t know them we know that they believed in Jesus. We also know that they lived their faith otherwise they would have not brought the blind man to Jesus.

Do you believe in Jesus and are you living your faith? It’s quite easy to say that we believe in the Lord but have we brought someone closer to the Lord? Believing in the Lord is not enough we also have to live our belief in the Lord. What is the use if we say that we believe yet we don’t live our belief? We therefore have to live this belief in the Lord by bringing our fellowmen closer to the Lord.  

Jesus wants us to know that there are many more blind men and women out there who badly need to be brought to Him. Let us look around our environment and we would find them. Let us make friends with them by living our faith and let us share the life changing words of Jesus with them. Our faith bears more fruits when we bring others closer to Jesus.

Have you already brought someone closer to Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday February 18, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:14-21

Gospel: Mark 8:14-21

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up? They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

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Reflection:

What do you do when you go through your life’s trials? Do you fully trust the Lord to make things better for you? Do you say, Lord I give to you all my worries and I trust the you will take care of it and you will give me help. 

If your mindset is to surrender everything to the Lord, it then speak volumes of you enormous faith in Jesus. Come what may you will trust Jesus more than trust yourself and anybody else. Is your faith in Jesus as strong as this that you trust Jesus more than anybody else?

In our gospel, when the disciples together with Jesus were already in the boat they found out that they had only one bread. And they were naturally worried, for how could this one bread fill all of their hungry stomachs?

In the midst of their worries Jesus reminded them about His miracle of the loaves where He feed the thousands. As if Jesus was telling them: Why are you worried that you will not be able to eat when I am with you!

The disciples failed their test of faith; they doubted if Jesus would be able to help them. Did they doubt or they momentarily forgot that Jesus was with them in that boat?

We all face our own set of test of faith. Perhaps many of us also fail this test of faith and we doubt if we would be able to achieve what we want in life. Or for the reason of our many worries we simply forget that we have a powerful friend and God in Jesus.

Let us doubt no more let us fully trust Jesus for He will never fail us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday February 17, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:11-13

Gospel: Mark 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.

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Reflection:

A woman wanted to see a sign from her beloved so that she could finally say yes to him. So she said if this man would bring me flowers and chocolates that would be the sign that he loves me. Lo and behold the man came knocking at their gate with flowers and chocolates. To make a long story short she finally said yes to him but after a few months they broke up.  

Unlike the love of a suitor which is often times bounded by time, Jesus love for us is always there it’s not bounded by time. What are the signs of God’s love?  The food on the table, the new life in the morning and countless more! These are obvious signs of Jesus infinite love for us.

But often times these are still not enough for us, we still seek more signs to strengthen our faith in Him. When we seek additional signs from Jesus it also shows how feeble our faith in Him. Otherwise if we have full faith and confidence we would not anymore seek or ask for whatever sign/s.

Do we sometimes seek signs from the Lord to validate our faith in Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas