Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Marso 9, Ikalawang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 6:36-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:36-38

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 36 Maging maawain kayo gaya ng inyong Amang maawain. 37 Huwag kayong humatol, at hindi kayo hahatulan; huwag ninyong sum­pain ang sinuman, at hindi kayo susum­pain; mag­patawad kayo, at kayo’y patata­wa­rin. 38 Magbigay kayo, at kayo’y bibig­yan – isang saganang takal, siksik, liglig at umaapaw ang mabu­buhos sa inyong kandungan. Sapag­kat susukatin kayo sa sukatang gina­gamit ninyo.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday March 8, Second Sunday of Lent: Matthew 17:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

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Reflection:

Has there been a time in your life wherein you feel giving up already because of the hardship that you’ve been going through? What did you do? Did you ask Jesus to help you face you trials? Did you ask Jesus to help you carry your burdens? And did you ask Jesus to strengthen your sagging morale?

One of the many reasons why Jesus brought Peter, James and John to the mountain of Transfiguration was to strengthen them. Jesus knew beforehand that Peter, James and John would be facing gargantuan challenges in their mission for Him. That’s why Jesus saw it fit to bring them first to the mountain of transfiguration to assure them that heaven exist and it’s for them to own someday if they would be faithful to their mission.

Isn’t this our life with Jesus? Life full of challenges and often times trials as well? However, let us not be daunted by these difficulties let us face it with faith for Jesus is with us. He will never abandon us, He will be with us every step of the way as we face our many life’s challenges.

The event of transfiguration shows us that heavenly glory awaits us all. If only we would be faithful to our Baptismal mission which is to help Jesus in His mission of evangelization. But the sad reality is many are not doing it and many are not even aware that they have a mission to fulfill to propagate the faith.

  

We who know about this must never lose heart in doing our mission for Jesus and for the church. Yes, there would be obstacles and challenges along the way. But that is nothing compared to what awaits us after our journey in this world is over.

Jesus is assuring us that there is heaven and that is where we would be someday.  We therefore have to share and live the teachings of our Lord no matter what it might cost us. Because the cost is nothing compared to the reward in heaven someday.

Have you done something to share in the mission of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Marso 8, Ikalawang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 17:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 17:1-9

1 Isinama ni Jesus sina Pedro, Jaime at ang kapatid nitong si Juan, at umakyat na sila lamang ang kasama sa isang mataas na bundok. 2 Nagbago ang anyo ni Jesus sa harap nila: nag­ning­ning gaya ng araw ang kanyang mukha at kuminang na puting-puti ang kanyang damit gaya ng liwanag. 3 At napa­kita sa kanila sina Moises at Elias na nakikipag-usap kay Jesus.

4 Kaya nagsalita si Pedro at sinabi niya: “Panginoon, mabuti at narito tayo. Kung gusto mo, gagawa ako ng tatlong kubol: isa para sa iyo, isa para kay Moises, at isa para kay Elias.” 5 Nagsasalita pa si Pedro nang takpan sila ng isang makinang na ulap. At mula sa ulap ay narinig ang salitang ito: “Ito ang aking Anak, ang Mina­mahal, ang aking Hinirang; pakinggan ninyo siya.”

6 Nang marinig iyon ng mga alagad, napasubsob sila sa lupa, na takot na takot. 7 Ngunit nilapitan sila ni Jesus at hinipo, at sinabi: “Tumayo kayo, huwag matakot.” 8 At pagtingala nila, wala silang nakita liban kay Jesus. 9 At sa pagbaba nila mula sa bundok, inutusan sila ni Jesus na huwag sabihin kani­numan ang pangitain hanggang ma­ibangon ang Anak ng Tao mula sa mga patay.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for March 7, 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 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:

It’s very easy to love those who love us back but can we still love those whose love for us is declining?

During the infancy of marriage both spouses love each other deeply. But after a couple of years cracks would surely show up to test the strength of the marriage bond. For example, the spouse will not be affectionate anymore he/she would not be as what he/she used to be during the early part of their marriage.

Would you easily give up on your spouse whose love for you is waning? Of course not! You should rather continue on loving your spouse no matter his/her coldness toward you. You should never give up and try to understand his/her imperfections and shortcomings for the simple reason that you also have your own imperfections and shortcomings as well.

Jesus’ love for us is not a selective love, its a love that is not based on the love that we give to Him. He loves us dearly in spite of our many imperfections and shortcomings. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Marso 7, Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 5:43-48

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:43-48

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 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 March 6, Friday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 5:20-26

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

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Reflection:

A young man who was working as a houseboy was always being insulted by the family that he worked for. Name all the insulting words around and chances are that it could have been already hurled against him. Eventually the young man reached the limit of his patience so instead of doing something criminal to the family. He just walked away from them emotionally hurting and wounded.  

In the gospel Jesus reminds us to be careful with the words that we say for it can create a permanent wound in the emotions of our fellowmen. If the words that we will say are insulting it’s better not to say it. It’s better to simply shut our mouths, be quite and let the anger be cured by time.

Insulting words deeply hurts the receiver and it carves a permanent emotional wound in his being. But why do we say words that are not fit to be said? Why are we very quick to insult and belittle? This is primarily brought about by our arrogance, bloated egos and the feeling of superiority.

What is the cure for this unhealthy behavior? The cure is Jesus, if we will follow Jesus and if we will allow Him to change us. He will cleanse us of our arrogance, egotism and feeling of superiority. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Marso 6, Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 5:20-26

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:20-26

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad sinasabi ko sa inyo na kung hindi mas ganap ang inyong kabanalan kaysa sa mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo, hin­ding-hindi kayo makapapasok sa Kaha­rian ng Langit.

21 Narinig na ninyo na sinabi sa in­yong mga ninuno: Huwag kang papatay; ang sinumang pumatay ay lilitisin. 22 Sinasabi ko naman sa inyo: Ang sinu­mang magalit sa kanyang kapa­tid ay lilitisin. Ang sinumang manuya sa kan­yang kapatid ay lilitisin sa Sanggunian. At ang sinumang manghiya sa kanyang kapatid ay nara­rapat lamang itapon sa apoy ng impiyerno.

23 Kaya sa paglalagay mo sa altar ng iyong hain at naalaala mong may reklamo sa iyo ang kapatid mo, 24 iwan mo muna ang iyong hain sa harap ng altar at puntahan mo ang iyong kapatid para maki­pagkasundo sa kanya. At saka ka bumalik at ialay ang iyong hain sa Diyos.

25 Makipagkasundo na sa iyong kaaway habang papunta pa kayo sa hukuman, at baka ipaubaya ka niya sa hukom na magpapaubaya naman sa iyo sa pulisya na magkukulong sa iyo. 26 Talagang sinasabi ko sa iyo: hindi ka makalalabas hang­ga’t di mo nababaya­ran ang kahuli-hulihang sentimo.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for March 5, Thursday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 7:7-12

Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

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Reflection:

What do you do when your child ask something from you? You try your very best to give what he/she is asking from you. Why? Because you love your child and you don’t want to disappoint him/her. What if your parents will ask something from you? For the same reason you will also try your very best to give what your parents are asking from you.

The love of Jesus is far greater than the love of a parent to his/her child or a child’s love for his/her parents. What does this mean? If we will do everything to grant the request of our loved ones, Jesus will surely grant also whatever we sincerely ask from Him.

Our sincerity counts when we ask something from Jesus. For example when Jesus said to His disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7). It goes without saying that Jesus expects utmost sincerity from them.

This is also what Jesus expects from us when we ask Him for something. The pureness of our desire is a major factor for Jesus to grant us what we want from Him. If Jesus sees that there’s no purity and sincerity in our prayers or if our prayers are centered  to serve our selfish ends. Then we can be assured that nothing will come out from it for we do it for our own selfish objectives.

In hindsight, this is also an invitation for us to reflect on our prayers for Jesus. He may not have yet granted some of our prayers, perhaps we need to re-assess our objectives. Perhaps we need to be more sincere and selfless in our prayers.

Are you always sincere and selfless when you pray to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Marso 5, Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 7:7-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:7-12

7 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, humingi at kayo’y bibigyan; magha­nap at matatagpuan ninyo; kumatok at bubuksan ang pinto para sa inyo. 8 Talaga ngang tumatanggap ang humi­hingi, naka­kakita ang naghahanap, at pagbu­buksan ang kuma­katok.  9 Sino sa inyo ang magbibigay ng bato sa kanyang anak kung tinapay ang hinihingi nito? 10 Sino ang magbi­bigay ng ahas kung isda ang hinihingi nito? 11 Kahit masama kayo, marunong kayong magbigay ng mabu­ting bagay sa inyong mga anak. Gaano pa kaya ang inyong Amang nasa Langit? Mag­bibigay siya ng mabubuting bagay sa mga hihingi sa kanya.

12 Kaya gawin ninyo sa iba ang gusto ninyong gawin sa inyo, ito ang nasa Batas at Mga Propeta.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for March 4, Wednesday of the First Week of Lent: Luke 11:29-32

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.  At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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Reflection:

A sinful man had a conversion, when he was asked what moved him to be good and Godly. He replied this, “I have a terminal sickness so I don’t want to be in hell when I depart this world. Hell is real as well as heaven and those who continue to sin and will continue to ignore God’s call to conversion will certainly end up in hell someday.

Some of us may ask, is heaven and hell for real? Yes, it’s both real and it’s already here in our midst.  If we always do good our life would be like heaven on earth, yes there would be problems from time to time. But we will always overcome these problems because Jesus is always at our side to help. On the other hand, if we continue to do bad we can expect our lives to be in a hellish situation today. This is the practical reality of heaven and hell.

However, God loves us so much that He also wants us to repent and permanently walk away from our sinfulness. This is for the reason that the good Lord wants us to experience heaven while we are still here in this world. And He also wants us to be in heaven after our passing in this world.  This is the great love of God for us, He always calls us to repentance in everyday of our lives.

Someday when we die some of us will say, if only I listened to Jesus’ call of repentance. I would not be in this hellish environment right now but I did not. I instead continued to enjoy the many pleasures that were brought to me by the devil.

Nonetheless all is not lost yet, because there is still ample time for us to repent and walk away from anything that make us sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Marso 4, Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 11:29-32

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:29-32

29 Nang dumadagsa na ang mga tao, nag­simulang magsalita si Jesus: “Masamang lahi ang lahing ito; humi­hi­ngi ito ng palatandaan pero walang ibang palatandaang ibibigay rito kundi ang palatandaan ni Jonas.

30 At kung paanong na­ging palatandaan si Jonas para sa mga taga-Ninive, gayundin naman ang Anak ng Tao para sa mga tao sa kasalukuyan. 31 Sa paghuhukom, ba­bangon ang Reyna ng Timog kasama ng mga lalaki ng la­hing ito at hahatulan sila.

Sapagkat duma­ting siya mula sa kabilang dulo ng mundo para masak­sihan ang karunu­ngan ni Solomon at dito’y may mas dakila pa kay Solomon. 32 Sa paghuhukom, babangon ang mga lalaking taga-Ninive kasama ng salinla­hing ito at hahatulan nila ito dahil nagbalik-loob sila sa pangangaral ni Jonas; at dito’y may mas dakila pa kay Jonas.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for March 3, Tuesday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 6:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.   

“This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

What is the secret toward closeness with God? Its prayers that come from the depths of our beings. This is the foundation of our closeness with God. From the fountain of our prayerful life will emanate the God given desire to know more about God. Do we always pray with our hearts and minds on it? Or we only pray when we feel that we need to pray or when we have the time to pray?

The most effective method of prayer is to pray without any excess baggage in our hearts. What does this mean? We pray without carrying any hatred in our hearts. For example if someone has done us wrong and this person is asking for our forgiveness. What would we do? Would we forgive or not forgive? Of course we have to forgive. For how can God forgive us when we ourselves are not willing to forgive? We have to live forgiveness if we want God to hear and forgive us.

We are mere passersby in this world, sooner or later the curtains of our life in this world will come to a close. How can we go to heaven if we carry the weight of unforgiveness in our hearts? And how can we go to heaven if we carry the weight of hatred in our hearts?

When Jesus was dying on the cross He said a short yet very meaningful prayer to God. While gasping for breath Jesus prayed this: Father forgive them for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). If Jesus can forgive why can’t we forgive?       

Do you have hatred or any form of unforgiveness in your heart right now? Let go of it and if you still cannot let go humbly pray to Jesus and ask Him to heal you.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Marso 3, Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 6:7-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:7-15

7 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad pag mananalangin kayo, huwag ka­yong magsalita nang magsalita gaya ng ginagawa ng mga pagano; nani­niwala nga sila na mas paki­kinggan sila kung marami silang sina­sabi. 8 Huwag kayong tumulad sa kanila. Alam ng inyong Ama ang mga panganga­ila­ngan ninyo bago pa man kayo humingi.

9 Kaya, ganito kayo manalangin: Ama naming nasa Langit, sambahin ang Ngalan mo, 10 dumating ang Kaharian mo, sundin ang loob mo         dito sa lupa para nang sa Langit. 11 Bigyan mo kami ngayon ng aming kakanin sa araw-araw, 12 patawarin mo ang aming mga pagkakautang          gaya ng pagpapatawad namin sa mga nagkakautang sa amin.

13 Huwag mo kaming dalhin sa tukso, at iligtas mo kami sa Masama. 14 Kung patatawarin ninyo ang mga nag­kasala sa inyo, patatawarin din kayo ng inyong Amang nasa Langit. 15 At kung hindi ninyo patatawarin ang mga nag­ka­sala sa inyo, hindi rin kayo patatawarin ng inyong Ama.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for March 2, Monday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 25:31-46

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?

When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ i And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ * j Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’  Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ l And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of the last judgment?

Jesus speaks about the last judgment today, the separation of those who are worthy in His eyes and those who are not. Those who are worthy will be at His right and those who are not will be at His left. 

Do we need to fear His last judgment? Of course not! We who truly follow Jesus should not fear the judgment of God. If it comes to us we would welcome it with open arms, we will not hide from it.

Why welcome the judgment of God with open arms? For the reason that we did what we have to do, we feed the hungry. We gave water to the thirsty, we welcomed strangers without any reservations. We clothed the naked, we took care of the sick and visited those who were in prison.

Put these virtues together and we could label it now as Devine charity. We give not a part of ourselves to help our fellow human beings but our very selves. We give and help the marginalized without any hidden motives whatsoever for we are just doing what Christ Jesus told us to do.

Someday we will be joining the multitude of souls in the great beyond. But the paradox of the end of our lives is we don’t know which side we would be. Would we end up on the right side or left side of God?

Nobody knows except God, for now we simply have to continue our journey of faith, love and obedience to Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas