1Reflection for March 27, Saturday, the Fifth Week of Lent: John 11:45-56

Gospel: John 11:45-56

45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him; 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council, and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.  

48 If we let him go on thus, every one will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation." 49 But one of them, Ca'iaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all; 50 you do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish."  

51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they took counsel how to put him to death.  

54 Jesus therefore no longer went about openly among the Jews, but went from there to the country near the wilderness, to a town called  E'phraim; and there he stayed with the disciples. 55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?"

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Reflection:

There’s a saying that, Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  

During the time of Jesus the Pharisees were the ruling class they were very powerful yet they were also afraid to lose power. Why were they afraid to lose power? For the reason that they were afraid to lose their influence in their territory.  

 After years of being in power the powerful Pharisees were suddenly being threatened by the powerful and charismatic personality of Jesus. So they must do everything to hold on to their power which include the plot to kill Jesus.  

But why were the Pharisees afraid to lose power? They were afraid that people would discover the many skeletons in their closets. That’s why they plotted to kill Jesus because they saw in Jesus someone who would finally unseat and expose them.  

What is the lesson for us here? 1. We should not be threatened by anyone who does good, instead of being threatened we should help that person who does good. 2. Our hands must always be clean and free from any form of sin otherwise there would come a time that we would be exposed eventually. 3. We must not use and manipulate our fellowmen to advance our own corrupt and selfish agenda/s. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 27 Sabado sa Ikalimang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 11:45-56

Mabuting Balita: Juan 11:45-56

Marami nga sa mga Judio ang nagsiparoon kay Maria at nangakakita ng ginawa ni Jesus, ay nagsisampalataya sa kaniya. Datapuwa't ang ilan sa kanila ay nagsiparoon sa mga Fariseo, at sinaysay sa kanila ang mga bagay na ginawa ni Jesus.

 Ang mga pangulong saserdote nga at ang mga Fariseo ay nangagpulong, at nagsipagsabi, Ano ang ginagawa natin? sapagka't ang taong ito'y gumagawa ng maraming tanda. 48Kung siya'y ating pabayaang gayon, ang lahat ng mga tao ay magsisisampalataya sa kaniya: at magsisiparito ang mga Romano at pagkukunin ang ating kinaroroonan at gayon din naman ang ating bansa.  

49Nguni't ang isa sa kanila na si Caifas, na dakilang saserdote nang taong yaon, ay nagsabi sa kanila, Kayo'y walang nalalamang anoman. 50 Ni inyong niwawari na sa inyo'y nararapat na ang isang tao ay mamatay dahil sa bayan, at hindi ang buong bansa ay mapahamak.  

51Ito nga'y sinabi niya na hindi sa kaniyang sarili: kundi palibhasa ay dakilang saserdote nang taong yaon, ay hinulaan niya na si Jesus ay dapat mamatay dahil sa bansa; 52 At hindi dahil sa bansa lamang, kundi upang matipon din naman niya sa isa ang mga anak ng Dios na nagsisipangalat. 

53Kaya't mula nang araw na yaon ay pinagsanggunianan nilang ipapatay siya. 54 Si Jesus ay hindi na naglalakad ng hayag sa gitna ng mga Judio, kundi naparoon doon sa lupaing malapit sa ilang, sa isang bayan na tinatawag na Efraim; at siya'y nanahanan doong kasama ng mga alagad.  

55Ang paskua nga ng mga Judio ay malapit na: at maraming nagsiahon sa Jerusalem mula sa lupaing yaon bago magpaskua, upang magsipaglinis. 56Pinaghahanap nga nila si Jesus, at pinaguusapan ng isa't isa, samantalang nangakatayo sila sa templo, Anong akala ninyo? Na hindi na kaya siya paririto sa pista?

1Reflection for March 26 Friday, the Fifth Week of Lent: John 10:31-42

Gospel: John 10:31-42

The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me? The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.”  

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, ‘You are gods”‘? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?  

If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power. He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained.  

Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel unrewarded for the effort/s that you do? For example, you did something good to someone and then the person did not care to compliment or recognize your good deed.  

How would you feel? Perhaps you would be disheartened or even feel bad. On second thought instead of feeling disheartened or bad I think you should still feel good for the reason that you’ve done something worthy to someone.  

In the gospel, Jesus did everything for the Jews yet they never recognized Him. He instead was persecuted for doing good. Did He feel bad for not being given due recognition? Perhaps yes, because He was human like us. However Jesus did not allow their ingratitude to bring Him down and distract Him from His mission of salvation.   

This is the reality of life, there are those who would not compliment us for the good that we’ve done for them. Nevertheless let us continue to do good and not be disheartened for God knows everything and God will always reward those who do good.  

Do you sometimes feel disheartened when you are not recognized for the good that you do or you simply don't mind it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 26 Biyernes sa Ikalimang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 10:31-42

Mabuting Balita: Juan 10:31-42

31 Nagsidampot uli ng mga bato ang mga Judio upang batuhin si Jesus. 32 Sinagot sila ni Jesus, Maraming mabubuting gawa na mula sa Ama ang ipinakita ko sa inyo; alin sa mga gawang yaon ang ibinabato ninyo sa akin? 33 Sinagot siya ng mga Judio, Hindi dahil sa mabuting gawa ay binabato ka namin, kundi sa pamumusong; at sapagka't ikaw, bagaman ikaw ay tao, ay nagpapakunwari kang Dios.  

34 Sinagot sila ni Jesus, Hindi baga nasusulat sa inyong kautusan, Aking sinabi, Kayo'y mga dios? 35 Kung tinawag niyang mga dios, yaong mga dinatnan ng salita ng Dios (at hindi mangyayaring sirain ang kasulatan), 36 Sinasabi baga ninyo tungkol sa kaniya, na pinabanal ng Ama at sinugo sa sanglibutan, Ikaw ay namumusong; sapagka't sinasabi ko, Ako ang anak ng Dios?  

37 Kung hindi ko ginagawa ang mga gawa ng aking Ama, ay huwag ninyo akong sampalatayanan. 38 Datapuwa't kung ginagawa ko, ang mga yaon kahit hindi kayo magsisampalataya sa akin, ay magsisampalataya kayo sa mga gawa; upang maalaman ninyo at mapagunawa na ang Ama ay nasa akin, at ako'y nasa Ama. 39 Muling pinagsikapan nilang siya'y hulihin: at siya'y tumakas sa kanilang mga kamay. 

40 At siya'y muling naparoon sa dako pa roon ng Jordan sa dako nang una'y pinagbautismuhan ni Juan; at siya'y tumira doon. 41 At marami ang mga nagsiparoon sa kaniya; at kanilang sinabi, Katotohanang si Juan ay hindi gumawa ng tanda: nguni't lahat ng mga bagay na sinalita ni Juan tungkol sa taong ito ay totoo. 42 At marami ang mga nagsisampalataya sa kaniya roon.

Reflection for March 25 Thursday, The Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity): Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”  

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

Do you always humble yourself before God? 

There is something in the Blessed Mother that many of us don’t have. We may ask, what is it which the Blessed Mother have that we often don’t usually have?  It’s the humility and docility to follow the will of God.  

 After the angel Gabriel told her everything about the Lord’s plan for her. The blessed Mother simply said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)  

God speaks to us as well in so many ways, He even uses people and events in our lives to  convey His message to us. But we often chose to purposely ignore it and go on with what we want in our lives. What if the Blessed Mother chose to ignore the angel and move on with her life?  

But she chose to listen to the voice of God. Listening to the voice of God is something that is often lacking in our lives today more than ever. Yes we pray, yes we go to church for Holy Mass. But more often than not it’s still our selfish will that we follow.  

This is primarily the reason why we sin and why we have enormous problems. Because we often ignore the voice of God and we often don’t pay attention to the teachings of the church which always tells us to only do what is good and right. The Blessed Mother did not resist God’s will she simply believed and humbly submitted herself to the will of God.  

Do you always submit to the will of God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

1Reflection for March 24 Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent: John 8:31-42

Gospel: John 8:31-42

31 Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." 33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham, and have never been in bondage to any one. How is it that you say, `You will be made free'?" 

34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, every one who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not continue in the house for ever; the son continues for ever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you.  

38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father." 39 They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God; this is not what Abraham did. 41 You do what your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God." 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded and came forth from God; I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.

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Reflection:

What will happen to us if we give space for the words of Jesus in our hearts? Of course we will start to build a deeper friendship with Jesus. We will start to trust Jesus more than we trust ourselves and we will also become averse to sin. 

In our first reading, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted more on their faith in God than  obey the command of the king. They were being forced by king Nebuchadnezzar to worship his own God. But until the end the three did not follow the king’s order so they were thrown into the fiery furnace yet they were not hurt because God was with them. 

This is what would happen to us also if we faithfully follow Jesus, yes there would be instances of persecution. But if we remain faithful then our being persecuted is nothing compared to the glory or reward that awaits us.  

If there’s glory or reward for those who would remain faithful, why are we not faithful to Jesus? Why do we easily betray Him for the fleeting and sinful pleasures of this world?  This is so for the simple reason that we allow ourselves to succumb to the inducement of the devil. That’s how plain and simple it is, we give up Jesus for this world because we love this world more than we love Jesus. We love to satisfy our sinful human needs than satisfy the needs of our souls.  

As we approach the holiest of weeks let us reflect on how many times have we given up Jesus for the sinful pleasures of this world. And what have we gained for giving up Jesus for this world? Nothing except the continuous pilling up of emptiness and problems disguised as hedonistic pleasures. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 24 Miyerkules sa Ikalimang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 8:31-42

Mabuting Balita: Juan 8:31-42

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Judiong na nagsisisampalataya sa kaniya, Kung kayo'y magsisipanatili sa aking salita, kung magkagayo'y tunay nga kayong mga alagad ko;  At inyong makikilala ang katotohanan, at ang katotohana'y magpapalaya sa inyo.  Sa kaniya'y kanilang isinagot, Kami'y binhi ni Abraham, at kailan ma'y hindi pa naging alipin ninomang tao: paanong sinasabi mo, Kayo'y magiging laya? 

Sinagot sila ni Jesus, Katotohanan, katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo, Ang bawa't nagkakasala ay alipin ng kasalanan.  At ang alipin ay hindi nananahan sa bahay magpakailan man: ang anak ang nananahan magpakailan man.  Kung palayain nga kayo ng Anak, kayo'y magiging tunay na laya.  Talastas ko na kayo'y binhi ni Abraham; gayon ma'y pinagsisikapan ninyong ako'y patayin, sapagka't ang salita ko'y hindi magkasiya sa inyo.  Sinasalita ko ang mga bagay na aking nakita sa aking Ama: at ginagawa rin ninyo ang mga bagay na inyong narinig sa inyong Ama.  

Sila'y nagsisagot at sa kaniya'y sinabi, Si Abraham ang aming ama. Sa kanila'y sinabi ni Jesus, Kung kayo'y mga anak ni Abraham, ay gagawin ninyo ang mga gawa ni Abraham.  Datapuwa't ngayo'y pinagsisikapan ninyo akong patayin, na taong sa inyo'y nagsaysay ng katotohanan, na aking narinig sa Dios: ito'y hindi ginawa ni Abraham.  Ginagawa ninyo ang mga gawa ng inyong ama. Sinabi nila sa kaniya, Hindi kami inianak sa pakikiapid; may isang Ama kami, ang Dios.  Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus, Kung ang Dios ang inyong ama, ay inyong iibigin ako: sapagka't ako'y nagmula at nanggaling sa Dios; sapagka't hindi ako naparito sa aking sarili, kundi sinugo niya ako.

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