1Reflection for Sunday February 28, Second Sunday of Lent: Mark 9:2-10

Gospel: Mark 9:2-10

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.  

Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.  

As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

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Reflection:

Is heaven for real? Yes it is as evidenced by the transfiguration of the Lord. When Jesus brought along the three disciples (Peter, James and John) to have their mountain top experience. He wanted them to see that heaven is for real and not just a creation of the mind. Jesus wanted them to feel how it is to be in heaven literally.  

Indeed, heaven is for real and it is open for all of us. But we have to do also our part so that we could be there. Of course we have to become faithful followers of Jesus and not followers in name only.  We have to become all weather followers and not fair weather followers.  

Someday our journey in this world will be over and we all are surely hoping that we would be with Jesus in heaven. We therefore have to do our part no matter how small. We have to positively change so that we would have a chance to be with Jesus in heaven.  

Nobody of us knows where we would be eventually: Would we be in heaven or hell?  We don’t know only God knows about it but it’s a safe insurance that we ourselves be transfigured. From bad we now become good. From fair-weather followers of Jesus we now become an all-weather and faithful followers of the Lord.

But what is the relevance of the mountaintop experience for Peter, James and John? Why did Jesus ask them to go with Him when he could have went there by Himself? Perhaps Jesus wanted to inspire the three to continue with their mission of evangelization no matter the difficulties that they would be facing. Why? Because there’s a sacred and glorious reward that awaits them and that is the reward of heaven.  

Isn’t this what life is also? There are difficulties here and there we all pass through it most especially right now caused by Covid-19. But for so long as we don’t give up no matter the challenges that are before us right now there would be a reward for us also. What kind of reward we don’t know only God knows. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 28, Ikalawang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Marcos 9:2-10

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:2-10

2 Pagkaraan ng anim na araw, isinama ni Jesus sina Pedro, Jaime at Juan, at umakyat na sila lamang ang kasama sa isang mataas na bundok. At nagbago ang anyo ni Jesus sa harap nila 3 at ku­minang na puting-puti ang kanyang da­mit, na walang makapaglalabang simputi ni­yon sa lupa. 4 At napakita sa kanila sina Elias at Moises na nakikipag-usap kay Jesus.  

5 Kaya nagsalita si Pedro at kanyang sinabi: “Panginoon, mabuti at narito tayo. Gagawa kami ng tatlong kubol: isa para sa iyo, isa para kay Moises, at isa para kay Elias.” 6 Nasindak sila kaya hindi niya malaman kung ano ang sa­sabihin.  

7 At may ulap na lumilim sa kanila. At na­rinig mula sa ulap ang salitang ito: “Ito ang aking Anak, ang Minamahal, pa­king­gan nin­yo siya.” 8 At biglang-bigla, pagti­ngala nila, wala silang nakita liban kay Jesus na kasama nila.  

9 At pagbaba nila mula sa bundok, inu­tu­san niya sila na huwag sabihin ka­ni­nu­man ang nakita nila hanggang ma­ka­ba­ngon ang Anak ng Tao mula sa mga patay. 10 Ini­ngatan nila ang bagay na ito sa kanilang sarili pero nagta­nu­ngan sila kung ano ang pagbangon mula sa mga patay.

Reflection for February 27 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.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a wife who was betrayed by her husband for a younger woman. After years of separation the wife learned that her husband was now sick. Because of her unconditional love for her husband she went to him and she brought her husband to the hospital to heal. 

Jesus in our gospel today gives us teaching about unconditional love. A love that pervades everyone. Including those who have hurt us or continue to hurt us, this is very hard to do but this is who Jesus is. He gives us teachings that are seemingly hard to follow based on our human standards. However if we are really devoted to Him we will obey and follow. 

What would happen to us if we follow the teachings of Jesus? For example His teaching in today’s gospel about loving and praying for our enemies and persecutors. We free ourselves from undeserved hatred and we free ourselves from self-created psychological and emotional imprisonment  which does not bring us any good anyway. 

Let us observe ourselves when we carry hatred in our hearts. We feel that we may explode anytime and this is very bad for our health most especially to our blood pressure. Observe also when we don’t carry any hatred in our hearts, we feel light and we invite the blessings of Jesus to come to us.  

Will you follow this teaching of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for February 26 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 with him. 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:

What is the cure for anger? It’s humility. 

Nobody is perfect once in a while we get angry but do we have the humility to make amends after we have injured someone with our arrogance? Only a gentle and humble person would have the courage to say I’m sorry or to apologize.  

But to say I’m sorry is not easy to do, only a humble person would summon enough courage to say this magic words that have healed so many disputes and arguments. In our gospel for today, Jesus gives us teaching about anger.  

Jesus tells us that we must be reconciled with those whom we have differences and had feelings of enmity. But why do we get angry in the first place? We get angry because we lack humility, we get angry because we have this superiority complex against our fellowmen.  

It’s only humility that could deescalate and eventually eliminate our anger. Let us therefore pray for the grace of humility, let us ask God the Holy Spirit to give it to us. The best test of humility is our willingness to apologize and to admit our mistakes before those whom we have hurt.  

Do you have the humility to reach out and apologize?  Reach out and apologize for it will set you free. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 25 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:
Do you have a prayer before God? 

God always answers our prayers and petitions oftentimes it’s yes, sometimes No. And there will be times that He will test our patience and say to us wait. Whatever God’s response to us let us simply be patient, have hope and continue to pray.   

Almost all of us have our own pending prayer petitions before God. We should not lose our faith and patience. We should continue to hope that in time God will grant us our respective prayer before Him. 

When we ask God for something we must not lie idle and wait for the answers to our prayers to simply land on our lap like manna from heaven. We must do our part also for God looks kindly to those who accompany their prayer petitions with actions. 

The secret therefore is to not give up on God and to always believe that God always answers our prayers. We may not initially like God’s reply to us; nevertheless we have to continuously believe in the goodness of God. 

What are your prayer petitions before God? Believe, work for it and you will have it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 24 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:

Can you still remember the thief at the side of Jesus who asked Jesus to remember him when He is in His kingdom? The thief had an on the spot salvation because he repented from his sins (Luke 23:42-43).  

Jesus calls us also to repentance every minute of our life. Let us not be deaf to this call, let us listen, follow and embrace this call.  

What is sin that many of us can’t leave it behind? What does it give us?  Does committing sin give us fulfillment that many of us continue to embrace it? Whatever pleasure/s sin gives us it’s actually a curse coated in pleasure. For example the sin of adultery, it’s pleasurable and exciting  for the person who commits adultery. Why? Because he/she walks into the doorway of pleasure and excitement until he/she gets caught.  

As the person enjoys the pleasure and excitement, sins start to pile up as well. Until such time that it destroys the individuals involved in the sinful relationship. However, why wait to be destroyed by sin when Jesus is always offering us repentance? When Jesus is ever and always ready to forget and forgive all our past sins provided we leave it behind and completely walk away from it.       

There’s a reward that awaits us the moment we listen to Jesus’ call of repentance. The incentive is maybe like the reward of salvation that He gave to the repentant thief on the cross.  

Perhaps it may not be instant salvation but certainly there would be a reward if we decide to leave our sinful lives. Rewards like: peace of mind, peace in the family, a life free from any guilt of conscience and so forth. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for February 23 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:

If God knows what we need before we ask him, what is the use of our prayer before him? 

The answer is this: It is through our consistent prayer life that we get close with God. In fact the more we pray the more that we get closer to God. If we are not yet prayerful or we don’t have yet a regular prayer life, just try having a consistent prayer life. And you will be surprised by the growth of your friendship with Jesus. 

So we pray not because we want to ask something from God for indeed He knows beforehand what we need. He in fact knows everything that we need and desire today, tomorrow and in the future. We pray because we want to be best friends with God.   

When we pray with piety our whole being talks to God and He listens and in the silence of our hearts He also talks to us. We hear God whispering to us this is hard to explain but this is what occurs when we pray this prayer with devoutness.  This kind of prayer relationship with God is a sign of a mature life of prayer. 

For example, in a married life relationship the marriage bond is strengthened by frequent communication between husband and wife. Through this regular communication they both mature in the marriage covenant relationship. Until such time that they know and understand practically everything about themselves even without verbal expression. 

This is the same with our prayer life; the more we pray with our whole being focused to God the more that we would grow in closeness and friendship with God. Then, there will eventually come a time that when we pray to God we will not anymore utter a single word. We will simply go down on our knees and keep silent and let our heart talk to our merciful, compassionate and loving God. 

How is your prayer life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for February 22 Monday the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle (Feast): 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 have a best friend forever or bff? 

When you are best friend with someone it signifies deeper friendship, it signifies that you spend sizeable time with this person whom you call your best friend. Your friendship with your best friend is much much deeper compared to your ordinary friends and you entrust important things and kept secrets with your best friend than your ordinary friends. 

Saint Peter is the best friend of Jesus because he spent more time with Jesus more than any other apostle in the bible. Although he denied Jesus three times; Peter is still the most trusted apostle of Jesus for the simple reason that Jesus chose to entrust the future of the church to him. 

Do you want Jesus to give to you the gift of faith that others do not have?  The first requirement is you must be best friend with Him.  So start by habitually reading the bible, have time for Holy Mass, be prayerful and live His teachings. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday February 21, First Sunday of Lent: Mark 1:12-15

Gospel: Mark 1:12-15

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. 

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.

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Reflection:

Have you been through a desert experience? 

Desert experience are moments of trials and tribulations for all of us. This is something that we go through in our lifetime not only once but many times. More often than not we pass through this desert experience because we create it for ourselves.  For example, the temptation to sin is a desert experience it’s here where our firm resolve to follow God is tested. Some of us are able to conquer this desert experience but some are not able to do so.  

The moment we succumb to these many temptations that satan dangles before us it will spell trouble for us and our family. We may enjoy fleeting happiness and satisfaction but at the end of the day there will be problems. Why? Because we were not able to resist the temptation of satan. 

Jesus had His own desert experience; He was tested by satan in the wilderness. Yet He did not succumb to the temptation of satan to betray God. Because Jesus was very steadfast in His faith and love for God, can this be said of us as well?    

The moment you are able to conquer your own desert experience many good things will come your way. However when you are not able to overcome your own desert experience be sure of troubles to come along your way. Who wants trouble in this era of Covid – 19 no one wants it.    

Let us therefore be committed to God as Jesus was committed to God and to His mission during His own desert experience.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 21, Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Marcos 1:12-15

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:12-15

Noong panahong iyon itinulak si Jesus ng Espiritu sa disyerto, 13 at apatnapung araw siyang nanatili sa dis­yerto. Tinukso siya ni Satanas; kasama niya ang mga hayop, at pinaglingkuran siya ng mga ang­hel. 

• 14 Pagkadakip kay Juan, pumunta si Jesus sa Galilea. Doon niya ipina­hayag ang magandang balita ng Diyos sa pagsa­sabing 15 “Sumapit na ang panahon; mag­bagong-buhay at mani­wala sa magandang balita; lumapit na nga ang Kaharian ng Langit.”

Reflection for February 20 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:

There is a story of a sinner who wanted to change his ways. So he gathered enough courage and presented himself to his parents to ask for forgiveness. But the parents did not forgive him they instead condemned him as good for nothing and useless. 

In the days that followed they received a call that their son ended his life. If only they were not judgmental they could have saved a life and became an instrument of conversion. But they choose not to forgive. 

How do you treat sinners? Are you quick to condemn them for who they are? Or you are patient with them and even build bridges with them so that they would also feel the love and forgiveness of Jesus? 

When we judge sinners we also immediately cut off the chance for us to be an instrument of their healing and conversion. We are also pushing them deeper into the mud of sin. But why are we judgmental when we are sinners as well? Why are we judgmental when we are not perfect, when we too are subject to judgment? 

When Jesus saw the tax collector named Levi who was labelled as a sinner by those who knew him. Jesus did not condemn the tax collector He instead asked Levi to follow Him and this sinner left everything to follow the Lord. Here we see the redemptive result when we don’t judge and condemn. 

In the heart of hearts of every sinner rest a sacred place that is reserved for someone who will not judge them. A sacred place exclusively for those who would be willing to forgive them and help them get up and start a new life with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for February 19 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:

Have you tried abstaining from eating food?

The question about fasting is most relevant to all of us during this season of Lent. Because it’s here where the church actively reminds us about it.  And the gospel for today is a reiteration of this reminder.

It may seem that Jesus is defending His disciples for not fasting. But in hindsight, they were actually fasting; not the literal fasting per see to appease the discriminating eyes of John's disciples.  The disciples of Jesus were fasting from self-righteousness, from doing wrong, from judging others as good for nothing.

This is the deeper form of fasting that Jesus wants from us all and this should not be done only during the season of Lent. Are we capable of permanently fasting from our bloated egos, from doing wrong and from unjustly judging others?

These are the deeper form of fasting that Jesus appreciates for what good it is if we fast from food when we don’t change our undesirable attitudes? Say for example we fast yet we continue to be arrogant, to be judgmental, to be unforgiving, to be uncaring and so forth. What then is the use of our fasting? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for February 18 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:

Do you have a cross that you carry right now? We all have our own share of little and big crosses that we carry. .

Jesus gives us a paradoxical statement: "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 (Luke 23:25)?"

On the surface this may seem to be an odd statement. But if we are faithful followers of Jesus these are precious and priceless wisdom filled words from the Lord. The moment we decide to follow the path of Jesus we will deny ourselves with anything that is wordly and we will courageously carry our cross to follow Him.

Amidst the carrying of our daily cross we would also notice that it is not that heavy simply because Jesus is with us. He is helping us carry whatever cross that we have, making sure that the burdens that we carry right now are still light.

When Jesus was carrying the cross towards Golgotha/Calvary His cross became a sign of suffering and intense pain. However the same cross became the sign of Triumph and Salvation. If we carry our cross with Jesus the same cross would also be our means of purification, triumph   and salvation.

Are you carrying a cross right now? Humbly ask Jesus to help you carry that cross.

Prayer:

O Lord we humbly beseech you to help us carry our cross. Sinners as we are yet we still know that you will never refuse to help us, you will never refuse to give us hope amidst our many crosses. Make our daily burdens light O Lord no matter how heavy.  This we humbly ask you. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for February 17, Ash Wednesday: 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:

How does the season of lent affect you? Does this make you closer to God? There are three keys for you to have a meaningful observance of lent. The first is Almsgiving, the second is Prayer and the third is Fasting. In all of these three Jesus advocates silence and self-introspection. What Jesus advocates is a contradiction to what this world would normally dictate you to do.  

In Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting Jesus advocates doing it in the privacy of your heart. Nobody will know except you and God alone not even your closest relative or friend.  Why? Because it is in silence and secrecy that you would also receive blessings from God (Most especially spiritual blessings).  For example, how could you have peace of mind? It’s through silence. How would you feel the presence of God in your life it’s in silence also.  

God is not a loud God He is a God that loves silence.  He is not like the many artificial Gods of this secular world that thrives in noise and publicity. Come to think of it, is it possible to have communion with Jesus through noise and publicity? Never. We will never have connection with Jesus through noise, publicity and other acts of self-promotion.     

As we begin our forty (40) day’s journey this lent let us look back on the loudness of our life. Let us look at our facebooks and other social media platforms and observe how we loudly promoted our life there. And let us ask ourselves this question: Has this self-promotion and laud lifestyle led me in close communion with Jesus? 

Lent is the time of year that the Good Lord gives us so that we could get closer and intimate with Him. So that we could repent from all of our sins. It is His hope that through lent we could have a close encounter with Him and this we could best do in silence.

As the priest or lay minister sprinkle on top of your head. Close your eyes and silently pray this to the Lord: Cleanse me O Lord a sinner, forgive me of all of my sins and embrace me with your unconditional love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas