Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 10, Biyernes Santo Pagdiriwang ng Pagpapakasakit ng Panginoon (Pag-aayuno at Abstinensya): Juan 18:1-19-42

Mabuting Balita: Juan 18:1-19-42

1 Lumabas si Jesus kasama ang kanyang mga alagad sa kabilang-ibayo ng sapa ng Kedron. May bukid doon at puma­sok siya roon at ang kanyang mga alagad. 2 Alam din ni Judas na nagkakanulo sa kanya ang lugar dahil doon malimit magtagpo si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad. 3 Kaya isinama ni Judas ang tropa ng mga sundalo at mga bantay ng Templo mula sa mga punong-pari at mga Pariseo, at nag­punta sila roon na may mga sulo, ilawan at armas. 4 Alam ni Jesus ang lahat ng sa­sapitin niya kaya lumabas siya at sinabi sa kanila: “Sino’ng hinahanap ninyo?” 5 Sumagot sila sa kanya: “Si Jesus na taga-Nazaret.” Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ako siya!” Naroon ding kasa­ma nila si Judas na nagkanulo sa kanya.

6 At nang sabihin ni Jesus sa kani­lang “Ako siya!” napaurong sila at nabuwal sa lupa. 7 Kaya muli niya silang tinanong: “Sino’ng hinahanap ninyo?” Sinabi naman nila: “Si Jesus na taga-Nazaret.” 8 At sumagot si Jesus: “Sinabi ko sa inyong ako siya. Kaya kung ako ang hina­hanap ninyo, pabayaan n’yong makaalis ang mga ito.” 9 Ganito kailangang maganap ang salitang sinabi niya: “Hindi ko iwinala isa man sa mga ibinigay mo sa akin.” 10 May tabak si Simon Pedro, binunot niya ito at tinaga ang utusan ng Punong-pari at tinagpas ang kanang tenga nito. Malko ang pangalan ng utusan. 11 Kaya sinabi ni Jesus kay Pedro: “Ibalik mo ang tabak sa suk­bitan nito. Hindi ko ba iinumin ang kalis na ibinigay sa akin ng Ama?”

12 Kaya dinakip si Jesus ng tropa, ng kapitan at ng mga bantay ng mga Judio, at iginapos siya. 13 At dinala muna nila siya kay Annas na biyenan ni Caifas na siya namang Punong-pari nang taong iyon. 14 Ngayon, si Caifas ang nagpayo sa mga Judio na mas makabubuting isang tao ang mamatay alang-alang sa samba­yanan. 15 Sumusunod naman kay Jesus si Simon Pedro at ang isa pang alagad. Dahil kilala ng Punong-pari ang alagad na iyon, nakapasok siyang kasabay ni Jesus sa patyo ng Punong-pari. 16 Na­katayo naman sa labas si Simon Pedro, sa may pintuan. Kaya lumabas ang isa pang alagad na kilala ng Punong-pari at kinausap ang babaeng bantay sa pinto at pinasok sa loob si Pedro.

17 Kaya sinabi kay Pedro ng dala­gitang bantay sa pintuan: “Di ba’t isa ka rin sa mga alagad ng taong ito?” Sumagot siya “Hindi ako!” 18 Nanga­tayo naman ang mga utusan at mga bantay, nagsiga sila at nagpapainit dahil maginaw. Kasama nilang naka­tayo rin si Pedro at nagpa­painit.

19 Siniyasat si Jesus ng Punong-pari tungkol sa kanyang mga alagad at tungkol sa kanyang turo. 20 Sumagot sa kanya si Jesus: “Lantaran akong na­ngu­sap sa mundo. Lagi akong nagtu­turo sa sinagoga’t sa Templo na pinag­ti­tipunan ng lahat ng Judio. Wala akong ipina­ngusap nang palihim. 21 Ba’t ako ang tinatanong n’yo? Ang mga nakarinig sa ipinangusap ko sa kanila ang tanungin n’yo. Siguradong alam nila ang mga sinabi ko.”

22 Sa pagsagot niya nang ganito, sinampal si Jesus ng isa sa mga bantay na nakatayo roon at sinabi: “Ganyan ka ba sumagot sa Punong-pari? 23 Sinagot siya ni Jesus: “Kung nangusap ako ng masama. Patunayan mong masama; kung mabuti naman, bakit mo ako pinagbuhatan ng kamay?” 24 At nakagapos siyang ipinadala ni Annas kay Caifas na Punong-pari. 25 Ngayon, nakatayo naman si Simon Pedro at nagpapainit. Kaya sinabi nila sa kanya: “Di ba’t isa ka rin sa kanyang mga alagad?” Itinatuwa niya iyon at sinabi: “Hindi ako.” 26 Sina­bi naman ng isa sa mga utusan ng Punong-pari, na kamag-anak ng tinag­pasan ni Pedro ng tenga: “Di ba’t nakita kitang kasama niya sa bukid? 27 Ngunit muli itong itinatuwa ni Pedro. At biglang tumilaok ang tandang.

• 28 Mula kay Caifas, dinala si Jesus sa palasyo ng gobernador. Umaga na noon at hindi sila pumasok sa palasyo para makakain ng Hapunang Pampas­kuwa, kung hindi’y marurumihan sila ng lugar na iyon. 29 Kaya nilabas sila ni Pilato at tinanong: “Anong sakdal ang dala n’yo laban sa taong ito?” 30 Sumagot sila: “Kung hindi guma­gawa ng masama ang taong ito, hindi sana namin siya ipinaubaya sa iyo.” 31 Kaya sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato: “Kunin n’yo siya, at kayo ang humu­kom sa kanya ayon sa inyong batas.” sinabi naman sa kanya ng mga Judio: “Hindi ipinahi­hintulot sa amin na humatol ng kama­tayan.” 32 Sa gayon magaganap ang salitang sinabi ni Jesus tungkol sa kamatayang ikamamatay niya.

33 Kaya muling pumasok si Pilato sa palasyo, tinawag si Jesus at sinabi sa kanya: “Ikaw ba ang hari ng mga Judio?” 34 Sumagot si Jesus: “Mula ba sa ’yo ang salitang ito o may nagsabi sa ’yo tungkol sa akin?” 35 Sumagot si Pilato: “Ako ba’y Judio? Ipinaubaya ka sa akin ng mga kalahi mo at ng mga punong-hari. Ano ba’ng ginawa mo?” 36 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi sa mun­dong ito galing ang pagkahari ko. Kung sa mundong ito galing ang pagkahari ko, makikibaka sana ang mga tauhan ko upang hindi ako maipaubaya sa mga Judio. Ngunit hindi nga dito galing ang pagkahari ko.”

37 Kaya sinabi sa kanya ni Pilato: “Eh di hari ka nga?” sumagot si Jesus: “Sinabi mong hari nga ako. Para dito ako isinilang at dahil dito kaya ako dumating sa mundo: upang magpa­tunay sa katoto­ha­nan. Nakikinig sa tinig ko ang bawat makatotohanan.” 38 Sinabi sa kanya ni Pilato: “Ano ang katotohanan?” Pagkasabi nito, lumabas siyang muli sa mga Judio at sinabi sa kanila: “Wala akong matagpuang krimen sa kanya. 39 May kaugalian kayo na pinalalaya ko sa inyo ang isang tao sa araw ng Pas­kuwa. Kaya gusto n’yo bang palayain ko sa inyo ang Hari ng mga Judio?” 40 At muli silang nag­sigawan: “Hindi siya kundi si Barabbas!” Si Barabbas ay tulisan.

 19  1 Kaya ipinakuha noon ni Pilato si Jesus at ipinahagupit. 2 Pag­ka­­pu­lupot naman ng mga sundalo ng isang koronang tinik, ipinutong ito sa kanyang ulo at binalabalan siya ng kapang pulang-panghari, 3 at nagla­pitan sa kanya sa pagsasabing “Mabu­hay ang Hari ng mga Judio.” At pinag­sasampal nila siya. 4 Nang muling lumabas si Pilato, sinabi niya sa mga Judio: “Narito’t inilabas ko siya sa inyo upang mala­man n’yong wala akong matagpuang krimen sa kanya.” 5 Kaya lumabas si Jesus, suot ang tini­kang korona at ang kapang pulang-panghari. Sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato: “Hayan ang Tao!”

6 Kaya nang makita siya ng mga punong-pari at mga bantay, nagsi­gawan sila: “Ipako sa krus! Ipako sa krus!” sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato: “Kunin n’yo siya at kayo ang magpako sa krus dahil wala akong matagpuang krimen sa kanya.” 7 Sumagot sa kanya ang mga Judio: “May Batas kami at ayon sa Batas ay dapat siyang mamatay sa­pag­kat ginawa niyang Anak ng Diyos ang kanyang sarili.” 8 Nang marinig ni Pilato ang salitang ito’y lalo siyang natakot. 9 Pumasok siyang muli sa palasyo at tinanong si Jesus: “Tagasaan ka ba?” Wala na­mang isinagot si Jesus sa kanya. 10 Kaya sinabi sa kanya ni Pilato: “Hindi ka ba maki­kipag-usap sa akin? Hindi mo ba alam na may ka­pangyarihan akong palayain ka at may kapang­yarihan ding ipapako ka sa krus?”

11 Sumagot si Jesus: “Wala kang anumang kapangyarihan sa akin kung hindi ito ibinigay sa iyo mula sa itaas. Kaya mas mabigat ang kasalanan ng nagpaubaya sa akin sa iyo.” 12 Mula noo’y hinangad ni Pilato na palayain siya. Nagsisisigaw naman ang mga Judio: “Kung palayain mo siya, hindi ka kaibigan ng Cesar. Nagsasalita laban sa Cesar ang sinumang guma­gawang hari sa kanyang sarili!” 13 Nang marinig ni Pilato ang mga salitang ito, ipinadala niya sa labas ni Jesus at pinaupo sa luklukan, sa lugar na tinatawag na Lithostrotos, na sa Hebreo’y Gabbatha.

14 Paghahanda noon ng Paskuwa, magtatanghaling-tapat ang oras. sinabi niya sa mga Judio: “Hayan ang inyong Hari!” 15 Kaya nagsigawan ang mga iyon: “Alisin, alisin, ipako siya sa krus!” Sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato: “Ipa­pako ko ba sa krus ang inyong Hari?” Sumagot ang mga punong-pari: “Wala kaming hari liban sa Cesar.” 16 Kaya noo’y ipinaubaya siya ni Pilato sa kanila upang ipako sa krus.

Kinuha nila si Jesus. 17 Siya mismo ang nagpasan ng krus at lumabas tungo sa lugar ng kung tawagi’y Pook ng Bungo, na sa Hebreo’y Golgotha. 18 Doon nila siya ipinako sa krus, at kasama niya ang dala­wang iba pa sa magkabila, nasa gitna naman si Jesus. 19 Ipinasulat din ni Pilato ang kara­tula at ipinalagay sa krus. Nasusulat: Jesus na taga-Nazaret, ang Hari ng mga Judio. 20 Marami sa mga Judio ang nakabasa sa karatulang ito dahil malapit sa lunsod ang lugar na pinagpakuan sa krus kay Jesus, at nasusulat iyon sa Hebreo, Latin at Griyego. 21 Kaya sinabi kay Pilato ng mga punong-pari ng mga Judio: “Huwag mong isulat ‘ang Hari ng mga Judio,’ kundi ‘Ito ang nagsabing “Hari ako ng mga Judio.’” 22 Sumagot si Pilato: “Ako ang sumulat at nakasulat na.”

23 Nang maipako ng mga sundalo si Jesus sa krus, kinuha nila ang kanyang mga damit, at pinaghati sa apat – tig-isang bahagi sa bawat sundalo – at ang tunika. Ngayon, wa­lang tahi ang tunika, at hinabi nang buo mula taas. 24 Kaya pinag-usapan nila: “Huwag natin itong punitin kundi pagsapalaranan natin kung mapa­pa­­kanino.” Gayon kailangang maganap ang kasulatan: Pinagbaha-bahagi nila sa kani-kanila ang aking mga damit, at pinagpalabunutan ang aking suot. Ito nga ang ginawa ng mga sundalo.

25 Nangakatayo naman sa tabi ng krus ni Jesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae ng kanyang ina, si Maria ni Cleofas at si Maria Magdalena. 26 Kaya pagkakita ni Jesus sa ina at sa alagad na mahal niya na nakatayo sa tabi, sinabi niya sa Ina: “Babae, hayan ang anak mo!” 27 pagkatapos ay sinabi naman niya sa alagad: “Hayan ang iyong ina.” At mula sa oras na iyon, tinanggap siya ng alagad sa kanyang tahanan.

 28 Pagkaraan nito, alam ni Jesus na ngayo’y natupad na ang lahat. Ngunit kailangang maganap ang Kasulatan, at sinabi niya: “Nauuhaw ako!” 29 May sisidlan doon na puno ng maasim na alak. Kaya ikinabit nila sa isopo ang isang esponghang ibinabad sa alak at idiniit sa kanyang bibig. 30 Pagkasipsip ni Jesus ng alak, sinabi niya: “Natupad na!” At pagka­yuko ng ulo’y ibinigay ang espiritu. 31 Dahil paghahanda noon, ayaw ng mga Judio na mamalagi sa krus ang mga katawan sa Araw ng Pahinga sapagkat dakilang araw ang Araw na iyon ng Pahinga. At ipinakiusap nila kay Pilato na baliin ang mga binti ng mga nasa krus at saka alisin.

32 Kaya pumaroon ang mga sundalo. Binali nila ang mga binti ng una at ng isa pang kasama niyang ipinako sa krus. 33 Ngunit pagsapit nila kay Jesus, nakita nilang patay na siya kaya hindi nila binali ang kanyang mga binti. 34 Gayunma’y sinibat ng isa sa mga sundalo ang kanyang tagiliran, at biglang may umagos na dugo at tubig. 35 Ang nakakita ang nagpapatunay, at totoo ang kanyang patunay. At Siya ang naka­aalam na totoo ang sinasabi niya para maniwala kayo. 36 Gayon kailangang maganap ang Kasulatan: Walang babaliin sa kanyang mga buto. 37 At sinasabi ng isa pang Kasulatan: Pagmamasdan nila ang kanilang sinibat.

38 Pagkatapos ay nakiusap kay Pilato si Joseng taga-Arimatea – ala­gad nga siya ni Jesus pero palihim dahil sa takot sa mga Judio – upang maalis niya ang katawan ni Jesus. At pinahintulutan siya ni Pilato. Kaya pumaroon siya at inalis ang katawan niya. 39 Pumaroon din si Nicodemo, ang pumaroon kay Jesus nang gabi noong una, may dala siyang pinaghalong mira at aloe, na mga sandaan libra. 40 Kaya kinuha nila ang katawan ni Jesus at binalot iyon sa telang linen kasama ang mga pabango, gaya ng kaugalian ng mga Judio sa paglilibing. 41Ngayon, may hardin sa lugar na pinagpakuan sa kanya at sa hardin nama’y may libingang bago na wala pang nailalagay roon. 42 Kaya dahil Paghahanda ng mga Judio at dahil malapit ang libingan – doon nila inilagay si Jesus.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection on the Seven Last words of Jesus on the Cross at Mount Calvary

1. “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Are we forgiving? 

Mahatma Gandhi once said: “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Forgiveness simply means that we choose to move on and not allow hatred to destroy us.

Hanging on the cross and near-death Jesus spoke these profound words. Who was Jesus alluding  to when He spoke these words? Jesus was alluding to those who persecuted Him which led Him on the cross. They were His critics like the Pharisees, Scribes, High priest and so forth. Included also were the Soldiers who brought Him to the mountain of Calvary to nail Him on the cross.

Here we see that Jesus is full of mercy, love and forgiveness towards those who made life very difficult for Him. Jesus did not bear any hatred towards those who hated and killed Him.

We have to reflect here on how we forgive those who sinned against us. For example, if a person betrayed our trust or a person hurt us. Have we forgiven them already? We have to forgive no matter how deep the hurt the they’ve inflicted upon us. Why? Because if Jesus can forgive who are we not to forgive? 

Forgiveness is a gift that we give not to those who’ve hurt us or betrayed us. Forgiveness is a gift that we give to ourselves for the simple reason that we are only hurting our very selves when we don’t forgive. We have to free ourselves from being imprisoned by hatred caused by our unforgiveness. Therefore, we have to forgive. 

Are we forgiving?

2.   “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Where is the paradise that Jesus is referring here?

The paradise is with Him, in Him and in His kingdom in heaven. Jesus addressed this statement to one of the criminals hanging on the cross by His side. The criminal said to Jesus: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42).” And right there Jesus said to the criminal: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

The criminal was enlightened while he was hanging on the cross side by side with Jesus.  This is the reason why he asked the Lord to remember him when He is already in His kingdom. Don’t we all want to have the same enlightenment that he had? Of course, we do want it as well. So, we have to humbly ask the Lord for the same enlightenment coursed through our prayers to the Lord.

Many of us are so fixated in this fleeting word that we think and feel that this is our paradise. But as we go through the covid-19 pandemic experience we already have that this world is not at all paradise. We seek worldly pleasures (many of these worldly pleasures influence us to sin). We seek temporal wealth and worldly power and influence only to find out that this is not where paradise is located. Why?  For the simple reason that we humans have no satisfaction we will seek these earthly things which we think would satisfy us. Only to realize in the end that it cannot and will not satisfy us.

So, where is the real paradise that the Lord is talking? This paradise we can only find, feel and experience with Him, in Him and through Him. The true and real paradise that Jesus mentions is already here and now when we make Him part and parcel of our daily living.  When we make Jesus our Lord and Savoir.   

Where is your paradise?  

3.  “Woman, behold thy son. After that, he said to the disciple: Behold thy mother.” (John 19: 26-27)

Do you respect and love the Blessed Mother and your own mother?  

When Jesus was on the cross dying, He saw His mother Mary still looking after Him. His mother who cared, nurtured and watched over Him from the beginning until the end of His life. Dying and all, Jesus saw that nobody would take care of His mother so He asked John, His beloved disciple to take care of her.

Do we also take care of the Blessed Mother by respecting her as Jesus respected her? Mary is the mother of Jesus therefore it is incumbent for us to give her the respect and love which she richly deserves.  We show our love and respect for the Blessed Mother when we pray the Holy Rosary. When we politely teach others to respect her because she is the mother of Jesus and our mother as well. Mary our mother who will always be there to listen to us when no one would dare listen to us.  Mary our mother who will always be there to pray for us.

This is also to remind us that we have to respect and love at all times our own respective mothers. We would never exist in this world without our mothers. We would never become who we are today without their guidance and nurturing. Jesus would not have existed in this world without the consent of his mother Mary. As a debt of gratitude to his mother Jesus saw it fit to entrust his mother to his beloved disciple John.

Do you respect and love the Blessed Mother and your own mother?  What are you doing right now to show your respect and love for the Blessed Mother? Do you invoke her intersession when you pray? Do you defend her when someone is demeaning her role in the life of Jesus?

4.“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)

Do we sometimes feel forsaken by the Lord?

On the cross and dying Jesus uttered these words. These are words of surrender, frustration and giving up. After going through all of the persecutions, torture and abandonment Jesus felt forsaken. Who among us would not feel the same way when we’ve been through what Jesus had been through? We would also understandably feel forsaken and abandoned by the Lord.    

But did God abandon Jesus when He was gasping and dying on the cross? Does God abandon and forsake us when we are at the lowest point in our lives? Is God absent as we navigate through the dangerous waters of  this covid-19 pandemic experience? God did not abandon Jesus, God was with Jesus all the way! God was strengthening Jesus when Jesus was at the lowest and weakest point in His life. And certainly God is also walking with us as we try to survive this covid-19 pandemic experience. 

We are humans subject to our own human frailties. It is understandable to feel forsaken by the Lord once in a while. But truth be told, God presence in our lives is strongest when we feel forsaken by this world and the people of this world.

God will never forsake us, God will never abandon us and God will always be there to strengthen us. Therefore, we always have to cling to Him in good times and most especially in the turbulent episodes of our lives.

Do we sometimes feel being abandoned and forsaken by the Lord?

5.“I thirst.” (John 19:28)

What do we thirst for?

Was it physical thirst that Jesus was feeling when He said: “I thirst.” In His humanity, yes physical thirst but more than that it was the thirst for those people who were formerly with Him. These are the people who were with Jesus during His healing and speaking ministry.

Dying on the cross perhaps, Jesus was whimpering while saying, “I thirst.” Why? For the reason that He was also thirsting for His followers and apostles who were with Him during His miraculous healing and powerful speaking ministry. 

It is in the lowest episodes of our life that we would know who is really for us and not for us. Those who are for us would choose to remain no matter the odds against us. Those who are not for us would immediately evaporate from our sights to save themselves.

When we encounter these words: “I thirst.”  Let us imagine that Jesus is addressing these words to us. I thirst for you to be faithful in your marriage covenant. I thirst for you to be honest where you are presently working right now. I Thirst for you to value the sacredness of life over the evil of abortion. I thirst for you to always be humble.

 I thirst for your presence at Holy Mass everyday or even every Sunday if you cannot make it every day.  I thirst for you to become a good father/mother. I thirst for you to become a good and God loving son/daughter. I thirst for you to be faithful to your priesthood. I thirst for you to be faithful to your religious life.

Would we respond to Jesus thirst?

 6.“It is finished.” (John 19:30)

How do you feel after finishing a worthy undertaking?

You feel good and triumphant. This second to the last word of Jesus is a word of triumph, at last its over at last its mission accomplished!

Jesus finally defeated the voice of Satan who was whispering to Him not to finish His salvific mission. Jesus overcame the many hurdles and temptation for Him not to pursue to the end His mission of salvation. Finally, Jesus redeemed the sinful humanity from the enslavement of sin.

However, it’s not finished for us yet, we are still in this journey called life. We are still battling the many demons that constantly whispers to our ears to commit sin. So, what are we going to do to be able to say that, “It's finally finished!”

We have to be faithful to our Lord until our end in this temporal world overtakes us. Then, when it comes, we can finally say, it is finished because we have been faithful to the Lord. We did not give an iota of space to the devil to distract us in our disciples with the Lord.

Would we be able to successfully say, “It is finished ” when the sun sets upon us someday? It is finished because we have defeated the many demons that were constantly tempting you to give up in our disciples for Jesus.

7. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)    

Are you afraid to die?

After all has been said and done it’s now the end, it’s the victorious death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus conquered our sinfulness by dying on the cross. By giving His very life on the cross Jesus showed us the true meaning of sacrifice and love.

Death is something that many of us fear but why fear death if we live our life with Jesus in this world? Why fear death when this is the final hurdle for us to be with the Lord in heaven? Why fear death when it ends all our sufferings in this world? If we have not done wrong in this world we would not fear death. When we love the Lord over this fleeting and temporal world we would not fear death.

Many of us fear death for the simple reason that we are so attached to this world. But if we are detached from this world and attached to our Lord, we will not fear death. What are the attachments that we have that makes us fear death?  Are we so attached to our worldly possession that’s why we fear death?

When we make this world our God we would fear death, when we make our worldly possession our master instead of servant we would fear death. Jesus conquered His fear of death because He has no worldly attachments. From the beginning Jesus detached Himself from this world because it would encumber Him from devoting His life to His mission of salvation.  

Let us slowly but surely detach ourselves from this world. So that when we are at the doorway going to the everlasting life we can say to our Lord: "I'm finally coming home my Lord, into your hands I commend my spirit." -  Marino J. Dasmarinas    

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1Reflection for April 9, Holy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper: John 13:1-15

Gospel: John 13:1-15

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later. Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well. Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all. For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

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Reflection:

What is the unwritten requirement for somebody to become a true follower of Jesus? It’s the virtue of humility. For this is one the few virtues that will sustain a person to continue to follow Jesus. Jesus Himself lived this virtue of humility when He followed to the letter the mission that was given to Him by God.

When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet He did not do this for Him to be admired by anyone. He washed His disciples’ feet to send a strong message to them that if He who is their Lord and Master did this supreme act of humility. They too must do the same to one another, for what reason? So that the faith the He founded through Peter would survive. Jesus knew that without humility there’s was no chance for the faith to grow and blossom as it is today.

However to live the virtue of humility is not easy to do, take for example the act of washing His disciples’ feet. Could we do this also to each and every member of our family? Could we do this also to each and every member of our church’s community?

It’s not easy to live the virtue of Humility yet if we truly desire to follow Jesus we would be able to imbibe and live humility. For it is in our humility that we would grow more in knowledge and friendship with Jesus. It’s through our humility that we could convince others to follow Jesus.  

Do we desire to have a personal relationship with Jesus? Do we desire to convince others to follow the Lord? Let us live and breathe Humility for this is the only way.  - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 9, Huwebes Santo, Misa sa Pagtatakipsilim sa Paghahapunan ng Panginoon: Juan 13:1-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 13:1-15

Bago magpiyesta ng Paskuwa, alam ni Jesus na duma­ting na ang kanyang oras para tumawid mula sa mundong ito tungo sa Ama, sa pagmamahal niya sa mga sariling kanya na nasa mundo, minahal niya sila hanggang kaganapan. • 2 Naghahapunan sila at naisilid na ng diyab­lo sa kalooban ni Judas na anak ni Simon Iskariote na ipagkanulo siya. 3 Alam naman ni Jesus na ipinag­kaloob ng Ama sa kanyang mga kamay ang lahat, at mula sa Diyos siya galing at sa Diyos siya pabalik.

4 Kaya tumindig siya mula sa hapunan at hinubad ang panlabas na damit, at pagka­kuha ng tuwalya ay ibi­nigkis sa sarili. 5 Pagkatapos ay nag­buhos siya ng tubig sa hugasan, at sinimulang hugasan ang mga paa ng mga alagad at punasan ng tuwalyang na­kabigkis sa kanya.

6 Nang lumapit siya kay Simon Pedro, sinabi nito sa kanya: “Pangi­noon, ikaw ba ang mag­hu­hu­gas sa aking mga paa?” 7 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi mo alam ngayon ang ginagawa ko pero mauuna­waan mo makaraan ang mga ito.”

8 Sinabi sa kanya ni Pedro: “Hinding-hindi mo kailanman huhugasan ang aking mga paa.” Sumagot si Jesus sa kanya: “Kung hindi kita huhu­gasan, hindi ka makababahagi sa akin.” 9 Sinabi sa kanya ni Simon Pedro: “Pangi­noon, hindi lamang ang mga paa ko kundi pati na ang mga kamay at ulo.” 10 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Mga paa lamang ang kailangang hugasan ng naligo na dahil malinis na ang buo niyang sarili. Malinis nga kayo pero hindi lahat.” 11 Alam ni Jesus ang mag­kakanulo sa kanya. Dahil dito kaya niya sinabing: “Hindi lahat kayo’y malinis.”

12 Kaya nang mahugasan niya ang kanilang mga paa, kinuha niya ang kanyang panlabas na damit at bumalik sa hapag, at sinabi niya sa kanila: “Nauu­nawaan n’yo ba ang ginawa ko sa inyo? 13Tinatawag n’yo akong ‘Guro’ at ‘Pangi­noon.’ At tama ang pagsasabi ninyo: ako nga. 14 Kaya kung hinu­gasan ko ang inyong mga paa, akong Panginoon at Guro, gayundin kayo dapat mag­hugasan ng mga paa ng isa’t isa. 15 Isang halimbawa ang ibinigay ko sa inyo upang gawin din ninyo gaya ng ginawa ko sa inyo.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for April 8, Wednesday of Holy Week: Matthew 26:14-25

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.” The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord? He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born. Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

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Reflection:

Are we lovers of money or do we allow money to take control of us?

What a shame that Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver it was again his greed for money that made him betray Jesus. Money indeed can make people do inhuman things such as betrayal of one’s trust. The love for money is indeed the root of all evils (1 Timothy 6:10).

 If Judas did not love money or if he did not allow money to take control of him he would not have betrayed Jesus. But he loved money and he allowed money to get the better of him. Don’t we sometimes also betray Jesus for our love and greed for money?

In what other way do we betray Jesus? When we are also so much greedy for power not only in secular organizations. We also betray Jesus when we are greedy with power to head church organizations. We must not let ourselves be taken by any form of greed fro greed is from Satan. Instead of loving money why not hate it like a plague by sharing it with those who are in need? Many are going hungry right now caused by this Covid-19 pandemic, let us therefore share whatever money that we have with them.

Let us share it because it’s in sharing our blessings that we would receive more blessings from the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 8, Miyerkules Santo: Mateo 26:14-25

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 26:14-25

14 Pumunta sa mga punong-pari ang isa sa Labindalawa, ang tinatawag na Judas Iskariote, at sinabi: 15 “Mag­kano ang ibibigay ninyo sa akin kung ibibigay ko siya sa inyo?” Inalok nila ito ng tat­lumpung baryang pilak, 16 at mula noon, naghanap ito ng pag­kakataong maipag­kanulo siya.

17 Sa unang araw ng Piyesta ng Tinapay na Walang Leba­dura, lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad at sinabi sa kanya: “Saan mo kami gustong maghanda ng Hapunang Pam­pas­kuwa para sa iyo?” 18 Sumagot si Jesus: “Puntahan ninyo ang lalaking ito sa lunsod at sabihin sa kanya: ‘Sinasabi ng Guro: malapit na ang oras ko at sa bahay mo ako magdiriwang ng Paskuwa kasama ng aking mga alagad’.”

19 At ginawa ng mga alagad ang lahat ng iniutos ni Jesus at inihanda ang Pas­kuwa. 20 Pagkalubog ng araw, nasa hapag si Jesus kasama ng Labindalawa. 21 Ha­bang kumakain sila, sinabi ni Jesus: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: ipagka­kanulo ako ng isa sa inyo.” 22 Lubha silang nalungkot at nagta­nong ang bawat isa: “Ako ba, Panginoon?”

23 Sumagot siya: “Ang kasabay kong nagsawsaw ng tinapay sa plato ang magkakanulo sa akin. 24 Pa­tuloy sa kan­yang daan ang Anak ng Tao ayon sa isi­nulat tungkol sa kanya ngunit kawawa ang nagkakanulo sa Anak ng Tao; mas mabuti pa para sa taong ito kung hindi na siya ipinanganak pa.” 25 Nagtanong din si Judas na magka­ka­nulo sa kanya: “Ako ba, Guro?” Sumagot si Jesus: “Ikaw na ang nag­sabi.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for April 7, Tuesday of Holy Week: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it? Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly. Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.

When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

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Reflection:

Have you already experienced how it is to be betrayed by a trusted friend? Have you already experienced being denied by somebody very close to you? Jesus experienced these all, He was betrayed by an apostle in Judas and He was denied also by an apostle who sworn allegiance to Him in Peter.

Just imagine the feelings of Jesus during that time; He knew that His world was getting smaller by the day. Then, came the betrayal and denial of Judas and Peter perhaps Jesus’ heart was already bleeding with sorrow. He was sorrowful but He never took it personally upon them for Jesus knew that something good would soon come out of these sorrows.

What was the good that came out from Judas betrayal? Jesus was able to unmask the traitor amongst His followers. What was the good that came from Peter’s denial? Jesus was able to discover that even those who profess to be loyal to Him would deny Him so that they could save their own lives. Nevertheless, Jesus never took this betrayal and denial personally; for He still forgave the two of them.

We too have denied and betrayed Jesus for countless times already. Has Jesus took our betrayals and denials personally? Of course not for Jesus doesn’t know how to harbour ill feelings in His heart.

But can we do something so that we could somehow show to Jesus that we are remorseful of our disloyalty to Him? Yes we can do something and we begin it during this Holy Week. By means of observing all the liturgical activities of the church through TV or facebook via live streaming. Such as The Way of the Cross, The Chrism Mass and the Mass of the Last Supper, The Veneration of the Holy  Cross and the Easter Vigil Mass.

If we would observe these Holy Liturgical Celebrations even if we are quarantined in our respective homes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. We will not only signify our remorse to Jesus. Through these holy activities we also are opening ourselves for the presence of Jesus in our lives.

Would we make ourselves available for any of these sacred celebrations this Holy Week? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 7, Martes Santo: Juan 13:21-33, 36-38

Mabuting Balita: Juan 13:21-33, 36-38

21Nang masabing gayon ni Jesus, siya'y nagulumihanan sa espiritu, at pinatotohanan, at sinabi, Katotohanan, katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo, na ako'y ipagkakanulo ng isa sa inyo. 22Ang mga alagad ay nangagtingintinginan, na nangagaalinlangan kung kanino niya sinasalita. 23Sa dulang ay may isa sa kaniyang mga alagad, na minamahal ni Jesus na nakahilig sa sinapupunan ni Jesus. 24Hinudyatan nga siya ni Simon Pedro, at sinabi sa kaniya, Sabihin mo sa amin kung sino ang sinasalita niya. 25Ang nakahilig nga sa dibdib ni Jesus ay nagsabi sa kaniya, Panginoon, sino yaon? 26Sumagot nga si Jesus, Yaong aking ipagsawsaw at bigyan ng tinapay ay siya nga. Kaya't nang maisawsaw niya ang tinapay, ay kinuha niya at ibinigay niya kay Judas, na anak ni Simon Iscariote. 27At pagkatapos na maisubo, si Satanas nga ay pumasok sa kaniya. Sinabi nga sa kaniya ni Jesus, Ang ginagawa mo, ay gawin mong madali. 28Hindi nga natalastas ng sinomang nasa dulang kung sa anong kadahilanan sinalita niya ito. 29Sapagka't iniisip ng ilan, na sapagka't si Judas ang may tangan ng supot, ay sinabi ni Jesus sa kaniya, Bumili ka ng mga bagay na ating kailangan sa pista; o, magbigay siya ng anoman sa mga dukha. 30Nang kaniya ngang matanggap ang subo ay umalis agad: at noo'y gabi na.

31Nang siya nga'y makalabas na, ay sinabi ni Jesus, Ngayon ay niluluwalhati ang Anak ng tao, at ang Dios ay niluluwalhati sa kaniya: 32At luluwalhatiin siya ng Dios sa kaniyang sarili, at pagdaka'y luluwalhatiin siya niya. 33Maliliit na anak, sumasa inyo pa ako ng kaunting panahon. Ako'y inyong hahanapin: at gaya ng sinabi ko sa mga Judio, Sa paroroonan ko, ay hindi kayo mangakaparoon: gayon ang sinasabi ko sa inyo ngayon.

36Sinabi sa kaniya ni Simon Pedro, Panginoon, saan ka paroroon? Sumagot si Jesus, Sa paroroonan ko, ay hindi ka makasusunod sa akin ngayon: nguni't pagkatapos ay makasusunod ka. 37Sinabi sa kaniya ni Pedro, Panginoon, bakit hindi ako makasusunod sa iyo ngayon? Ang aking buhay ay ibibigay ko dahil sa inyo. 38Sumagot si Jesus. Ang buhay mo baga'y iyong ibibigay dahil sa akin? Katotohanan, katotohanang sinasabi ko sa iyo, Hindi titilaok ang manok, hanggang ikaila mo akong makaitlo.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for April 6, Monday of Holy Week: John 12:1-11

Gospel: John 12:1-11

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.  Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

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Reflection:

A wealthy woman said: I love money and I can’t live without it. Do we also love money and can’t we also live without it?

The love for money is the root of all evils we saw this in Judas, he betrayed Jesus all because of his love for money (Matthew 26:15). The same thing in the gospel; Judas criticized Mary for anointing the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume. Judas said “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor (John 12:5)?” However, this statement of his was simply a charade for he is a thief of the highest degree.

Those who love money will never have enough of it. They will continue to amass it with greed and they will do every possible way (even ways that are contrary to morals) just to have it. Not knowing that at the end their greed for amassing money will eventually destroy them. The same greed will be their ticket to the kingdom of the evil one.

 Money is not everything! Money can buy us a house but not a home, money can buy us books but not knowledge. Money can bring us laughter but not true happiness, money can buy us temporary friends but not true friends who will be there through the highs and lows of our life. Money can buy us sex but not love and there are many more things that money can buy but will not give us true peace and happiness.

Do we sometimes allow ourselves to be enslaved by money? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 6, Lunes Santo: Juan 12:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:1-11

1Anim na araw nga bago magpaskua ay naparoon si Jesus sa Betania, na kinaroroonan ni Lazaro, na ibinangon ni Jesus mula sa mga patay. 2Kaya't iginawa siya doon ng isang hapunan: at si Marta ay naglilingkod; datapuwa't si Lazaro ay isa sa nangakaupo sa pagkain na kasalo niya. 3Si Maria nga'y kumuha ng isang libra ng unguentong taganas na nardo, na totoong mahalaga, at pinahiran ang mga paa ni Jesus, at kinuskos ang kaniyang mga paa ng kaniyang mga buhok: at ang bahay ay napuno ng amoy ng unguento. 4Datapuwa't si Judas Iscariote, na isa sa kaniyang mga alagad, na sa kaniya'y magkakanulo, ay nagsabi, 5Bakit hindi ipinagbili ang unguentong ito ng tatlong daang denario, at ibigay sa mga dukha? 6Ito'y sinabi nga niya, hindi sapagka't ipinagmalasakit niya ang mga dukha; kundi sapagka't siya'y magnanakaw, at yamang nasa kaniya ang supot ay kinukuha niya ang doon ay inilalagay. 7Sinabi nga ni Jesus, Pabayaan ninyong ilaan niya ito ukol sa araw ng paglilibing sa akin. 8Sapagka't ang mga dukha ay laging nasa inyo; nguni't ako'y hindi laging nasa inyo.

9Ang karaniwang mga tao nga sa mga Judio ay naalaman na siya'y naroroon: at sila'y nagsiparoon, hindi dahil kay Jesus lamang, kundi upang makita nila si Lazaro naman, na muling ibinangon niya mula sa mga patay. 10Datapuwa't nangagsanggunian ang mga pangulong saserdote upang kanilang maipapatay pati si Lazaro; 11Sapagka't dahil sa kaniya'y marami sa mga Judio ang nagsisialis at nagsisipanampalataya kay Jesus.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.