1Reflection for March 23 Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent: John 8:21-30

Gospel: John 8:21-30

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come. So the Jews said, “He is not going to kill himself, is he, because he said, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’? He said to them, “You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above.  

You belong to this world but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins. So they said to him, “Who are you? Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you in condemnation.  

But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world. They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father. So Jesus said to them,  When you lift up the Son of Man then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own but I say only what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him. Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.

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Reflection:

What prevents us to be close friends with Jesus? It’s our sinfulness and unfaithfulness to Him. Whenever we sin we put barrier that divides us from Jesus the more we sin the more barriers that we create that separates us from Jesus.  

But we also know that this separation is not permanent because through our humble submission to the Sacrament of Reconciliation we allow Jesus to reach out to us as we reach out to Him also. This is what separates us from the many Pharisees of Jesus time: We humbly submit to the Lord.  

 By their arrogance and unbelief the Pharisees created a permanent barrier between them and Jesus. This is one of the reasons why Jesus told them (Pharisees), where I am going you cannot come. What then is the key element for us to be able to go eventually where Jesus is? It’s our humility and faith in Jesus.  

We read in the first part of the gospel that Jesus is somewhat distant and aloft. Yes, in His humanity Jesus was perhaps exasperated already with the Pharisees. Who would not be? They always contradict Him, they always find fault in Him and they were full of jealousy and unbelief.  

Nevertheless, Jesus loved them dearly also the same love and intensity that He gave to His followers and to us. Jesus did not sacrifice His life on the cross for those who only believe Him. He died on the cross for all of us believers, unbelievers and sinners.  

If you think that because of your sinfulness and unbelief you’re already hopeless and out of the loop of the love of the love of the Lord. Think again because you’re not! You still have hope, you’re still dearly loved by Jesus who died for you on the cross.  

Let us pray to the Lord for protection and calmness amidst this increasingly terrible and dangerous Covid-19 pandemic and let us invite Him to come into our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 23 Martes sa Ikalimang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 8:21-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 8:21-30

21 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Pariseo: “Aalis ako at hahanapin ninyo ako, at sa inyong kasalanan kayo mama­matay. Kung saan ako pupunta, hindi kayo makaparoroon.” 22 Kaya sinabi ng mga Judio: “Magpapa­kamatay kaya siya kaya niya sinasabing ‘Kung saan ako pupunta, hindi kayo makaparo­roon’?”  

23 At sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Taga-iba­ba kayo; taga-itaas naman ako. Taga-mun­dong ito kayo. Hindi ako taga-mundong ito. 24 Kaya sinabi ko sa inyo na sa inyong mga kasalanan kayo mama­matay. Sa inyong mga kasa­lanan nga kayo mamamatay kung hindi kayo mani­niwalang Ako Siya. 25 At sinabi nila sa kanya: “Sino ka ba?” sinabi naman sa kanila ni Jesus: “Ba’t pa kaya ako mangungusap sa inyo? 26 Mara­mi akong masasabi at ma­hu­hukuman tungkol sa inyo. Totoo nga ang nagpadala sa akin; at ang narinig ko mula sa kanya – ang mga ito ang sinasabi ko sa mundo.”  

27 Hindi nila naintindihan na ang Ama ang tinutukoy niya. 28 At sinabi ni Jesus: “Kapag itinaas ninyo ang Anak ng Tao, maiintindihan ninyong Ako siya at wala akong ginagawa sa ganang sarili ko kundi ayon sa iniaral sa aking ng Ama – ang mga ito ang aking sinasabi. 29 Kasama ko nga ang nagpadala sa akin at hindi niya ako iniiwang nag-iisa pagkat lagi kong ginagawa ang mga kalugud-lugod sa kanya.” • 30 Habang sinasabi ito ni Jesus, mara­mi ang nanalig sa kanya.

Reflection for March 22 Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent: John 8:1-11

Gospel: John 8:1-11

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”  

They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”

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Reflection:

Are you a person who is quick to judge? Many of us like it very much to judge not knowing that when we judge we also invite others to judge us. This is our weakness we are very quick to judge. What authority do we have to judge and to give condemnation?  

We are quick to judge because we have a mindset of superiority. This is what compels us to quickly judge those who sin. Otherwise if we don’t have this mindset of superiority we would not judge. We instead would give advice or give counsel for this is the best remedy for those who sin.  

Judgment or condemnation will never heal a sinner it will even push a sinner deeper into sin until it destroys him/her.  

In the gospel the woman caught committing adultery was very blessed because her accusers brought her to Jesus. Otherwise if she was brought somewhere else she would have immediately been killed by the arrogance of her accusers. But thanks God Jesus was there to save and protect her.  

To whom do you go to find shelter and solace when you are being condemned and unfairly judged by the people of this world or when you are being disturbed by the worries of this world? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 22 Lunes sa Ikalimang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 8:1-11

 

Mabuting Balita: Juan 8:1-11

1 Pumunta naman si Jesus sa Bundok ng mga Olibo. 2 Maaga siyang muli sa Templo, at naglapitan sa kanya ang lahat ng tao, at pagkaupo niya’y, na-ngaral siya sa kanila. 3 Dinala naman ng mga guro ng Batas at ng mga Pariseo ang isang babaeng huling-huli sa pakikiapid. 

Pinatayo nila siya sa gitna, 4 at sinabi nila kay Jesus: "Guro, huling-huli sa akto ang babaeng ito na nakikiapid. 5 Iniutos sa amin ni Moises sa Batas na batuhin ang ganitong mga babae; ano naman ang sabi mo?” 6 Sinabi nila ito bilang pagsubok sa kanya upang may maiparatang sila sa kanya.  

Yumuko naman si Jesus at nagsulat sa lupa sa pamamagitan ng kanyang daliri. 7 Nang magpatuloy sila sa pagtatanong sa kanya, tumindig siya at sinabi sa kanila: “Ang walang sala sa inyo ang unang bumato sa kanya.” 8 At muli siyang yumuko at nagsulat sa lupa.  

9 Ang mga nakarinig nama’y isa-isang nag-alisan mula sa matatanda, at naiwan siyang mag-isa pati ang babae na nasa gitna. 10 Tumindig si Jesus, at sinabi sa kanya, “Babae, nasaan sila? Wala bang humatol sa iyo?” 11 At sinabi niya: “Wala, Panginoon.” Sinabi ni Jesus: “Hindi rin kita hahatulan. Humayo ka at mula ngayo’y, huwag nang magkasala pa.”  

Reflection for Sunday March 21, Fifth Sunday of Lent: John 12:20-33

Gospel: John 12:20-33

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus. Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. 

“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name. Then a voice came from heaven “I have glorified it and will glorify it again. The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder but others said, “An angel has spoken to him. Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself. He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man sick with cancer that asked the Lord, why me O Lord? I do not deserve this severe sickness! But he said, “I will embrace this trial in my life for I know that you have a good reason why I have this affliction.”  From thereon he resigned from his job and devoted his remaining time in this world on spreading the word of God. He was very successful in his new vocation for he led many to Jesus. 

There are instances in life that we have to encounter trials for us to lose our life in this world. And give this very same life a new breath of life in the vineyard of the Lord. Such is God when He wants to call us to advance His kingdom. He creates mysterious instances for us to find Him. 

 But how would we know that the good Lord has a mission for us?  We simply have to become sensitive to His call and be ready to leave everything and embrace something that is worthy and noble even if it is not easy to do. We could only find this new kind of life when we are ready to abandon everything into the hands of God. 

In the gospel, Jesus is already insinuating of His coming arrest, passion and death on the cross. In His humanity Jesus had His own trepidation during that fearful time. So He simply left everything into  the  hands of God. It was not easy for Him to do but Jesus had to embrace it so that He could fulfill His mission of salvation. 

There comes a point in your life that you also have to make a choice in order for you to find the real essence and meaning of your life. This is not easy to do most especially if you are already used to the present life that you have. But how can you find the real meaning of your life if you are afraid to hear the call of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Marso 21, Ikalimang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 12:20-33

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:20-33

20 May ilang mga Griyego sa mga umahon para sumamba sa Piyes­ta. 21 Kaya lumapit sila kay Felipe na taga-Betsaida ng Galilea at ipina­kiusap sa kanya: “Ginoo, gusto naming makita si Jesus.” 22 Pinuntahan at sinabihan ni Felipe si Andres. Pinun­tahan naman at sinabihan nina Andres at Felipe si Jesus. 

23 Sumagot si Jesus sa kanila: “Duma­ting na ang oras para luwalha­tiin ang Anak ng Tao. 24 Talagang-talagang sina­sabi ko sa inyo, nama­malaging nag-iisa ang butil ng trigo kung hindi ito nama­matay pag­kahulog sa lupa. Ngunit kung mama­tay ito, nagdudulot ito ng mara­ming bunga. 

25 Nagpapahamak ng kanyang sarili ang umiibig dito ngunit iingatan naman ito para sa buhay magpakailanman ng napopoot sa kanyang sarili sa mun­dong ito. 26 Patuloy akong sundan ng nagli­lingkod sa akin at kung nasaan ako, naroon din ang aking lingkod. Kung may nagli­­lingkod sa akin, parara­ngalan siya ng Ama. 

• 27 “Ngayo’y nababagabag ang aking kalu­luwa. Sasabihin ko bang ‘Ama, iligtas mo ako sa hatid ng oras na ito? Ngunit dahil dito kaya ako sumapit sa oras na ito. 28 Ama, luwalhatiin mo ang iyong Panga­lan.” Kaya may tinig na nagmula sa langit: “Niluwalhati ko at muli kong lulu­­wal­ha­tiin.” 29 Kaya pagkarinig ng mga taong naroon, sinabi nila: “Ku­mulog!” Sinabi naman ng iba: “Nangu­sap sa kanya ang isang anghel.” 

30 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi alang-alang sa akin kaya ito ipinarinig kundi alang-alang sa inyo. 31 Ngayo’y paghu­hukom sa mun­dong ito; ngayon itataboy palabas ang pinuno ng mun­dong ito. 32 At kapag itinaas ako mula sa lupa, hihila­hin ko sa akin ang lahat.” 33 Sinabi niya ito para bigyang-tanda ang uring kamatayang ikamamatay niya.

1Reflection for March 20 Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 7:40-53

Gospel: John 7:40-53

Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, “This is truly the Prophet. Others said, “This is the Christ. But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived? So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.  

So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him? The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man. So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed. Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing? They answered and said to him “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”  

Then each went to his own house.

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Reflection:

Do you find time to read the words of Jesus in the bible with reverence? 

You allow the Lord to speak to you when you read the words of Jesus in the bible with reverence. And this encounter will transform you and create a positive impact in your life. There would be renewal in your life and you will live a life that has new meaning and purpose.  

The guards who were supposed to arrest Jesus were suddenly changed by the very words of Jesus. Thus they were not able to carry out their mission they instead became secret followers of Jesus. This is the great mystery of the words of Jesus the moment you begin to read it.  

Just try reading His words in the bible with reverence and notice how it will sink to you and how it will soon transform you. There’s great power in the words of Jesus if only we would try to read and reflect upon it.  

But do we still have time to read His words in the bible today? Today wherein our time is occupied by our worry about covid-19 on how we can avoid getting sick of it. We must create time for this noble endeavor regardless of what is happening around us. Because this is our ticket to have a personal encounter with Jesus and this is also our ticket to have calmness in the midst of the uncertainties around us.  

Never mind if you will read the words of Jesus for the very first time in a very long time. For the Holy Spirit will always be there to open your mind and walk you through it. After a period of time of reading the bible you will notice a positive transformation in your life.  

Positive transformation that will change you and those around you. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 19 Sabado sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 7:40-53

 

Mabuting Balita: Juan 7:40-53

40 Sinabi ng ilang nakarinig kay Jesus, “Tunay ngang ito ang Propetang hinihintay natin!” 41“Siya na nga ang Cristo!” sabi naman ng iba. Ngunit mayroon namang sumagot, “Maaari bang magmula sa Galilea ang Cristo? 42Hindi ba sinasabi sa kasulatan na ang Cristo ay magmumula sa lipi ni David, at ipanganganak sa Bethlehem na bayan ni David?” 43Magkakaiba ang palagay ng mga tao tungkol sa kanya. 44Gusto ng ilan na dakpin siya, ngunit wala namang mangahas na humuli sa kanya.  

45Nang bumalik ang mga bantay ng Templo, tinanong sila ng mga punong pari at mga Pariseo, “Bakit hindi ninyo siya dinala rito?” 46Sumagot sila, “Wala pa po kaming narinig na nagsalita nang tulad niya!” 47“Pati ba kayo'y nalinlang na rin?” tanong ng mga Pariseo. 48“Mayroon bang pinuno o Pariseong naniniwala sa kanya? 49 Mga tao lamang na walang nalalaman sa Kautusan ang naniniwala sa kanya, kaya't sila'y mga sinumpa!”  

50 Isa sa mga naroon ay si Nicodemo, ang Pariseong nagsadya kay Jesus noong una. At siya'y nagtanong, 51“Hindi ba't labag sa ating Kautusan na hatulan ang isang tao nang di muna nililitis at inaalam kung ano ang kanyang ginawa?” 52 Sumagot sila, “Ikaw ba'y taga-Galilea rin? Saliksikin mo ang Kasulatan at makikita mong walang propetang magmumula sa Galilea.”  53Pagkatapos nito, umuwi na ang lahat. 

Reflection for March 19 Friday Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Gospel: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. 

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 

Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

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Reflection:

Are you obedient to the will of God? 

When Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant he decided to quietly separate from her. Quietly because Joseph is a quiet and humble man. As much as possible Joseph did not want to create any scene that could result to Mary’s being ostracized by her town mates.    

Perhaps the devil was already insidiously trying to provoke Joseph to do something that would humiliate Mary. But Joseph calmly defeated whatever evil machinations the devil had. He defeated this by listening to what the angel told him to do thus Joseph faithfully loved and protected his family. By his action of obedience to the will of God we can safely conclude that Joseph loved Mary deeply. 

Many fathers today easily give up when their marriage is tested by fire, they easily succumb when tempted by the devil. And they do not anymore listen to the voice of God who always tells them to keep the sanctity of marriage and family life. 

Let us be inspired by the life of Saint Joseph: His humility, His obedience to the voice of God. His unconditional love and protection for his wife and his child. 

Saint Joseph Patron Saint of Fathers, Patron Saint of Family and Patron Saint of Happy Death we beseech you to always pray for us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 19 Biyernes, San Jose, Kabiyak ng Mahal na Birheng Maria (Dakilang Kapistahan): Mateo 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:16, 18-21, 24a

16 Si Jacob ang ama ni Jose – ang asawa ni Maria na siyang pinagmulan ni Jesus na tinawag na Kristo. 

18 Ganito ipinanganak si Jesucristo. Ipinag­kasundo na kay Jose ang kanyang inang si Maria pero bago sila nagsama bilang mag-asawa, nagdadalantao na siya gawa ng Espiritu Santo. 19 Kaya binalak ni Jose na hiwalayan nang lihim ang kanyang asawa. Matuwid nga siya at ayaw niya itong mapahiya. 

20 Habang iniisip-isip niya ito, napa­kita sa kanya sa panaginip ang Anghel ng Panginoon at sinabi: “Jose, anak ni David, huwag kang matakot na tang­ga­pin si Maria bilang iyong asawa. Gawa ng Espi­ritu Santo kaya siya naglihi, 21 at ma­nga­nganak siya ng isang sanggol na lalaki, na panga­ngalanan mong Jesus sapagkat siya ang magliligtas sa kanyang samba­yanan mula sa kanilang mga kasa­lanan.”  

24 Kaya pagka¬gising ni Jose, ginawa niya ang sinabi ng Anghel ng Panginoon at tinang¬gap niya ang kanyang asawa.

Reflection for March 18 Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:31-47

Gospel: John 5:31-47

Jesus said to the Jews: “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved. 

He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. 

But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life. 

“I do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God? 

Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

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Reflection:

How are you as a witness for Jesus? Do you live and share His teachings? A good witness for Jesus is someone who walks with Him all through the seasons of his/her life. What would you get for witnessing for Jesus? 

There would be instances that you would be ridiculed. It doesn’t matter anyway because everything is worth it for Jesus including the ridicules and chastisement. You may not immediately see the fruits of your witnessing for Jesus but in His own perfect time you shall harvest those fruits. 

In our gospel Jesus mentions John the Baptist who prepared the way for Him. John told those who were acclaiming him to be the messiah that he was not. He told them that somebody greater is to come after him and He was none other than Jesus. 

John was an effective witness for Jesus because he did not grab the credit that was only due for the Lord. He was content to fade away so that Jesus would be highlighted more. With John’s witness for Jesus we are educated about lessons on witnessing and humility.  

That humility is one of the best if not the best virtue that we could harness so that we can effectively bring and lead others to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 18 Huwebes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 5:31-47

Mabuting Balita: Juan 5:31-47

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 31 Kung nagpapatunay ako sa aking sarili, di  mapanghahawakan ang aking patunay. 32 Ngunit iba ang nagpapa­tunay tungkol sa akin at alam kong mapang­hahawakan ang patunay niya tungkol sa akin. 33 Nagpasugo kayo kay Juan at binigyang-patunay niya ang katotohanan. 34 Ipinaaalaala ko ito para maligtas kayo; ngunit hindi ko hangad ang patunay mula sa tao. 35 Siya nga ang ilaw na may sindi at nagniningning, at ginusto n’yong magalak pansaman­tala sa kanyang liwanag.  

36 May patunay naman ako na higit pa kaysa kay Juan – ang mga gawang bigay sa akin ng Ama upang tuparin ko ang mga iyon. Ang mga gawa mismong ginagawa ko ang nagpapatunay na sinugo ako ng Ama. 37 At nagpapatunay rin sa akin ang Amang nagsugo sa akin. Kailanma’y di ninyo narinig ang kanyang tinig ni    nakita ang kanyang anyo. 38 At hindi rin nama­malagi sa inyo ang kanyang salita dahil hindi kayo naniniwala sa kanyang sinugo.  

39 Sinasaliksik ninyo ang mga Kasu­latan dahil inaakala ninyong doon kayo magkakaroon ng buhay magpa­kailan­man. Nagpapatunay nga sa akin ang mga iyon 40 ngunit ayaw n’­yong luma­pit sa akin para mabuhay. 41 Hindi ko hangad ang papuri mula sa mga tao, 42 ngunit kilala ko kayo: wala sa inyong sarili ang pagmamahal sa Diyos.  

43 Sa ngalan ng aking Ama ako dumating at hindi n’yo ako tinatanggap; kung sakaling may dumating sa sarili niyang ngalan, siya ang inyong tatang­gapin. 44 Paano kayo makapani­niwala kung pa­puri sa isa’t isa ang hangad n’yo at hindi ang papuring galing sa tanging Diyos ang hangad? 45 Huwag n’yong akalain na ako ang mag­sasakdal laban sa inyo sa harap ng Ama. Si Moises ang nagsa­sakdal laban sa inyo, siya na inyong inaasahan.  

46 Kung pinaniwalaan nga nin­yo si Moises, pani­niwalaan din sana ninyo ako sapagkat tungkol sa akin siya nag­sulat. 47 Ngu­nit kung hindi n’yo panini­walaan ang kan­yang mga sinulat, paano n’yo pani­niwa­laan ang aking mga pananalita?

1Reflection for March 17 Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:17-30

Gospel: John 5:17-30

Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God. 

Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. 

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 

For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation. 

“I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

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Reflection:

What does faith do to us? It makes us believe in something that is hard to believe for many. 

In the gospel Jesus mentions of His equality with God.  Do you believe it? If you do, count yourself as blessed for others do not believe. After believing in the equality of Jesus and God the Father, what should you do next? You must obey His teachings and help Him spread the good news of His salvation for this is His will for you. 

As we journey in this world there would be instances that we would veer away from Jesus and disobey His commands. We would embrace the teachings of this world, we would embrace sin and in the process we slowly but surely are creating distance between us and Jesus. 

But all is not lost no matter how despicable the sins that we have committed. The infinite love of Jesus is always there for us, it’s there for us to take and to ask for. Therefore, let us be aware of this infinite love and mercy of Jesus while we still have the luxury of time in this world. Let us go to Him and let us turn our backs from sin. 

In the latter part of the gospel Jesus mentions about judgment that would befall those who have done evil. Let us not wait for that judgment to come to us.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 17 Miyerkules sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 5:17-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 5:17-30

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Judio: “Gumagawa pa rin ang aking Ama kaya gumagawa rin ako.”  Kaya lalo pang hinangad ng mga Judio na patayin siya dahil dito sapag¬kat hindi lamang niya nilalabag ang Araw ng Pahinga kundi sariling Ama pa ang tawag niya sa Diyos, at ipinapantay niya ang sarili sa Diyos.

 Kaya sumagot si Jesus at sinabi sa kanila: “Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi makagagawa ng anuman sa sariling kusa ang Anak maliban sa naki¬kita niyang gina¬gawa ng Ama. Anu¬man ang gawin niya, ganoon din ang pag¬gawa ng Anak. Sapagkat mahal ng Ama ang Anak, at itinuro niya sa kanya ang lahat niyang gina¬gawa. At mas maha¬laga pang mga gawa ang ituturo niya kayat mamamang¬ha kayo. 

Ibinabangon nga ng Ama ang mga patay at binibigyang-buhay; gayun¬din naman binibigyang-buhay ng Anak ang sinumang loobin niya. At hinding-hindi nga hinahatulan ng Ama ang sinuman kundi ibinigay niya sa Anak ang buong paghatol at pararangalan ng lahat ang Anak gaya ng pagpapara¬ngal nila sa Ama. Ang hindi nagpapara¬ngal sa Anak ay hindi nagpapa¬rangal sa Amang nagpa¬dala sa kanya. 

Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na may buhay magpakailanman ang nakikinig sa aking salita at nani¬niwala sa nagpadala sa akin. Nakatawid na siya mula sa kamatayan tungo sa buhay, at hindi siya humahantong sa paghu¬hukom. 

Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na dumarating na ang oras, at nga¬yon na nga, na maririnig ng mga patay ang tinig ng Anak ng Diyos at mabubuhay ang mga nakaririnig. 26 May Buhay ang Ama sa kanyang sarili, gayun¬din naman, ibinigay niya sa Anak na magkaroon ng buhay sa kan¬yang sarili. At ibinigay din niya sa kanya ang kapangyarihang maghu¬kom sapagkat anak siya ng tao. 

Huwag n’yo na itong pagtakhan: dumarating ang oras na maririnig ng lahat ng nasa libingan ang tinig niya at mag¬sisilabas sila: sa pag¬ba¬ngon sa buhay ang mga gumawa ng ma¬buti, at sa pagbangon naman sa kapahamakan ang mga gumawa ng masama.

Wala akong magagawa sa sariling kusa. Ayon sa naririnig ko ako naghu¬hukom. At matuwid ang paghuhukom ko dahil hindi sariling kalooban ang hangad ko kundi ang kalooban ng nagpadala sa akin.