Reflection for April 22 Thursday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:44-51

Gospel: John 6:44-51

Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.  

Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”

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Reflection:

How could you have eternal life?  You have to regularly receive the Body of Christ at Holy Mass. Always receive it with reverence and piety never doubt and don’t  think of it as a simple bread because what you receive is Jesus Himself.  

Just imagine the enlightenment and unfathomable blessing that it will bring you if you would always partake of the body of Christ. Just imagine the countless spiritual blessing that it would bring you if you would believe that Jesus is the Consecrated Host that you receive during Holy Communion.  

Your belief and faith in the bread of life will open your mind to the many truths about Jesus and the church that He founded. Things that are hard to explain but is real and felt by the heart, all you have to do is to believe and have faith.  

For without faith and belief you will not fully comprehend how this small and ordinary bread becomes the body of Jesus after it is consecrated by the priest. How this ordinary bread becomes your life and your reason for existing in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 22 Huwebes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:44-51

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:44-51

44 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao: Walang ma­ka­lala­pit sa akin kung hindi siya aakitin ng Amang nagpadala sa akin. At itatayo ko siya sa huling araw. 45 Na­susulat sa Mga Propeta: Tuturuan nga silang lahat ng Diyos. Kaya lumalapit sa akin ang bawat nakarinig at tinuruan ng Ama.  

46 Wala ngang nakakita sa Ama liban sa kanya na galing sa Diyos; siya ang naka­kita sa Diyos. 47 Talagang-tala­gang sina­sabi ko sa inyo, may buhay magpaka­ilanman ang naniniwala. 48 Ako siyang tinapay ng buhay. 49 Ku­main nga ng manna sa disyerto ang inyong mga ni­nuno at nangamatay pa rin. 50 Narito naman ang tinapay na puma­panaog mula sa Langit, upang maka­kain nito ang sinuman at di ma­matay.  

51 Ako siyang tinapay na buhay, na pumanaog mula sa Langit. Kung may kakain ng tinapay na ito, mabubuhay siya magpa­kailanman. At ang laman ko ang tinapay na aking ibibigay alang-alang sa ikabu­buhay ng mundo.

1Reflection for April 21 Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:35-40

Gospel: John 6:35-40

Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. 

And this is the will of the one who sent me,  that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”

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Reflection:

Is Jesus the bread of our lives? When we make Jesus the bread of our lives we are already assured of heavenly dwelling someday. But how are we going to make Jesus the Bread of our lives? We have to receive Him at Holy Communion whenever we attend Holy Mass.

We have to read the life story of Jesus in the Holy Bible and we have to allow Jesus to transform us. We also have to have a daily quality and quite time with Jesus every day of our lives. In our daily quite and quality time with the Lord we have to allow Him to talk to us.

In our gospel for today Jesus tells us this, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. Jesus further tells us, I will not reject anyone who comes to me.

This bread of life discourse of Jesus invites us also to reflect on our own life in this world. Have we already touched lives as Jesus touched lives? Have we given hope to the hopeless as Jesus has given hope to the hopeless? Are our hearts always on fire to help those who come to us? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 21 Miyerkules sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:35-40

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:35-40

35 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Ako siyang tinapay ng buhay. Hinding-hindi magugutom ang lumalapit sa akin at hinding-hindi mauuhaw ka­ilanman ang nananalig sa akin. 36 Pero sinabi ko sa inyo: nakita n’yo, at hindi naman kayo naniniwala.  

37 Lalapit sa akin ang bawat ibini­bigay sa akin ng Ama, at hinding-hindi ko ipagtatabuyan sa labas ang luma­lapit sa akin. 38 Sa­pagkat pumanaog ako mula sa Langit hindi para gawin ang aking kalo­oban kundi ang kalooban ng nagpadala sa akin.  

39 Ito ang kalooban ng nagpadala sa akin: na huwag kong pabayaang ma­wala ang bawat ibinigay niya sa akin; sa halip ay itatayo ko ito sa huling araw. 40 Ito nga ang kalooban ng Ama ko: magkakaroon ng buhay magpakailan­man ang bawat pumapansin sa Anak at nananalig sa kanya, at itatayo ko siya sa huling araw.” 

Reflection for April 20 Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:30-35

Gospel: John 6:30-35

The crowd said to Jesus: "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat."  

So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."  

So they said to Jesus, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who has brain cancer, she was already given by her doctors two months to live. Being so her relatives requested their Parish Priest to administer her the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.  

The family of the woman requested the priest if he could assign an Extra-Ordinary Minister of the Holy Communion for regular Sunday visit so that she could receive Jesus every Sunday. To make a long story short the Priest assigned an Extra-Ordinary Minister to give her Holy Communion every Sunday. 

With the grace of the Lord the two months life that was given her by her doctors became five years.  And her mother would always tell the Extra-Ordinary Minister that the additional four years and ten months of her life was a miracle of the Good Lord which she always receives every Sunday.    

In our gospel today, after Jesus mentioned about the bread from heaven that gives life to the world. The crowd told Him "Lord, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst."  

The sick woman and her mother believed without a single doubt this declaration of Jesus that He is the Bread of Life. How about you? Do you also believe? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 20 Martes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:30-35

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:30-35

30 Sinabi ng mga tao kay  Jesus: “At anong tanda ang matatrabaho mo para makita nami’t maniwala kami sa iyo? Ano ba’ng gawa mo? 31 Kumain ng manna sa dis­yerto ang aming mga ninuno ayon sa nasusulat: Binigyan sila ng tinapay mula sa langit at kumain sila.  

32 Kaya sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi si Moises ang nagbigay sa inyo ng tinapay mula sa Langit; ang Ama ko ang nagbibigay sa inyo ng totoong tinapay mula sa Langit. 33 Ang tinapay ng Diyos ang puma­panaog mula sa Langit at nagbibigay-buhay sa mun­do.” 34 Kaya sinabi nila sa kanya: “Lagi n’yo pong ibigay sa amin ang tinapay na ito.”  

35 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: “Ako siyang tinapay ng buhay. Hinding-hindi magugutom ang lumalapit sa akin at hinding-hindi mauuhaw ka­ilanman ang nananalig sa akin.  

1Reflection for April 19 Monday of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:22-29

Gospel: John 6:22-29

[After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.] The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks.  

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.  

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

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Reflection:

Why do we go to church for Mass or why do we pray? Is it for our love of Jesus or for our need of Jesus? Some of us go to church for Holy Mass because of our need for Jesus, some of us pray for the same reason as well.  

 After our need for Jesus has been addressed already many of us would  slacken and go back to our old ways. Until such time that we again encounter humps and bumps in our lives then we again will need Jesus.  

The people who were following Jesus were looking for Him because they saw how He feed them in the miracle of the loaves and fish. It was not for the love of Jesus that they were looking for Him neither for their desire to join Jesus disciples in their mission of evangelization.  

If we look for Jesus let us not look for Him because of our need for Him alone. We look for Him because we love and miss Him. We look for Him because we want to partake of His mission. 

 It’s always better to look for Jesus rooted in our love for Him.  Since this love that we have for Him is always comprehensively rewarded by Jesus in multifarious ways. Such as good health, peace of mind, peace in the family. feeling of contentment and the like.  

Why do you look for the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 19 Lunes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:22-29

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:22-29

22 Napuna ng mga taong nakatayo sa kabilang ibayo ng dagat na dati’y wa­lang ibang bangka doon kundi isa lang at hindi suma­kay sa bangka kasama ng kanyang mga alagad si Jesus kundi ang kanyang mga alagad lamang ang magkakasamang umalis. 23 May iba namang malalaking bangkang galing Tiberias na dumating malapit sa lugar na kinainan nila ng tinapay pagkapag­pasalamat ng Pangi­noon. 24 Kaya nang mapuna ng mga tao na wala roon si Jesus ni ang kanyang mga alagad, suma­kay sila sa mga bangka at nagpa-Capernaum sa pag­hanap kay Jesus.  

25 Nang matagpuan nila siya sa kabilang ibayo ng dagat, sinabi nila sa kanya, “Rabbi, kailan ka dumating?” 26 Sumagot sa kanila si Jesus at sinabi: “Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, hinahanap n’yo ako hindi dahil sa nakita n’yo sa pamamagitan ng mga tanda kundi dahil sa tinapay na kinain n’yo at nabusog kayo. 27 Magtrabaho kayo, hindi nga para sa pagkaing nasi­sira kundi para sa pagkaing nama­malagi hanggang buhay na magpa­kailanman. Ito ang ibibigay sa inyo ng Anak ng Tao, siya nga ang tinatakan ng Diyos Ama.”  

 28 Kaya sinabi nila sa kanya: “Ano ang matatrabaho namin para maisa­gawa ang mga gawa ng Diyos?” 29 Sumagot si Jesus at sinabi sa kanila: “Ito ang gawa ng Diyos: patuloy kayong manalig sa sinugo niya.”

1Reflection for Sunday April 18, Third Sunday of Easter: Luke 24:35-48

Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread.  

While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” they gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.  

He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a compassionate woman who would always go to a nearby poor community to give food to those who are hungry. The poor whom she had helped would ask her; “Why are you doing this to us?” The woman would reply: “I want to share the love and compassion of Jesus to you.”  

How would we know that we are witnessing for the risen Christ? We hunger to do the things that Jesus did when He walked for three years in this world. For example, we saw a poor man begging for food. And we felt compassion for that man which led us to give him food to alleviate his hunger. Or whenever we see a person in need we always feel the drive to help.  

If we feel these emotions in our hearts we are in fact already witnessing for the Risen Christ. The Lord is manifesting Himself through us and we become the living and breathing witness that Jesus has indeed risen!  

Why are we witnessing for Jesus? We witness for Jesus because we want others to know  Jesus as we know Jesus. We witness for the Lord because we want Jesus to make a positive impact in their lives as what Jesus did for our own lives. Through our witness others would know Jesus and they will feel Jesus presence and love through us.  

In the gospel, the two disciples recalled to their fellow disciples Jesus’ manifestation to them in the breaking of the bread. When you break bread or share your food with the poor and  hungry, you are doing acts of mercy and compassion. When you break bread or share your food with the hungry you witness for Jesus and you become the face of Jesus for them. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 18 Ikatlong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Lucas 24:35-48

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:35-48

35 Isinalaysay ng dalawang alagad ang nang­yari sa daan at kung paano nila siya nakilala sa pagpipiraso ng tinapay. 36 Habang pinag-uusapan nila ang mga ito, tumayo siya mismo sa gitna nila (at sinabi sa kanila: “Huwag ka­yong  matakot, sumainyo ang kapaya­paan!”). 37 Nagulat nga sila at natakot, at akala’y nakakakita sila ng kung anong espiritu. 38 Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: “Bakit kayo naliligalig at puma­pasok ang alinla­ngan sa inyong isipan?  

39 Ting­nan ninyo ang aking mga ka­may at mga paa, ako nga siya. Hipuin ninyo ako at unawain ninyo na walang laman at mga buto ang isang espiritu, at nakikita ninyo na meron ako.” (40 Matapos masabi ito, ipinakita niya sa kanila ang kanyang mga kamay at paa.)  

41 Hindi sila makapaniwala sa labis na galak at nagtataka pa rin kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “May makakain ba kayo rito?” 42 At binigyan nila siya ng isang pirasong inihaw na isda (at pulot-puk­yutan). 43 Ki­nu­ha niya iyon at ku­main sa harap nila. 44 Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Sinabi ko na sa inyo ang mga ito nang kasama ninyo ako: kailangang matupad ang lahat ng nasusulat tungkol sa akin sa Batas ni Moises, Mga Propeta at Mga Salmo.”  

45 At binuksan niya ang kanilang isipan para maunawaan nila ang mga Kasulatan. 46 Sinabi niya: “Ganito ang na­susulat: kailangang magdusa ang Mesiyas at pagkamatay niya’y buhayin sa ikatlong araw. 47 Sa ngalan niya ipahahayag sa lahat ng bansa ang pagsisisi at ang kapa­tawaran ng mga kasa­lanan – sa Jerusalem kayo mag­sisimula. 48 Kayo ang magiging mga saksi sa mga ito.

Reflection for April 17 Saturday of the Second Week of Easter: John 6:16-21

Gospel: John 6:16-21

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.   

The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.

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Reflection:

Do you fear the onslaught of this covid-19 pandemic? Do you fear the unknown? Do you fear darkness? The disciples in the gospel were fearful of both the unknown and darkness. They were at sea in pitch darkness and being tossed by the waves, perhaps it was just fair for them to be fearful. 

In total darkness and coupled with stormy seas. The disciples in the gospel were afraid when they saw Jesus walking towards their boat. Why were they afraid considering that they know Jesus? Perhaps they did not recognize Jesus at sea walking towards them thus they mistakenly labelled Jesus as a ghost.   

There would be trials and problems that we will encounter for as long as we exist in this world. But in the midst of our trials, problems and fears we are also always assured of Jesus abiding presence in our lives. He is always with us notwithstanding the waves of trials, fears and problems that we’re going through such as this destructive and disruptive covid-19 pandemic. 

All we need to do is to call upon Him, aspire to have a deep friendship with Him and we will be alright. We will not anymore fear the unknown and even the darkness we will not fear either. For the simple reason that we have Jesus who is ever ready to help and save us whenever we pass though the many trials, darkness and trepidations of life. 

Fear is all in the mind when you always have Jesus in your heart and mind. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 17 Sabado sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:16-21

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:16-21

16 Nang magtakipsilim na, lumu­song sa aplaya ang kanyang mga alagad, 17at pag­ka­sakay sa bangka ay nagpaka­bilang-ibayo ng dagat pa-Capernaum. Dumilim na at wala pa sa kanila si Jesus: 18 at magalaw ang dagat sa mala­kas na ihip ng hangin.  

19 Pagkasagwan nila nang may lima o anim na kilometro, napansin nilang naglalakad si Jesus sa dagat at palapit sa bangka. Nasindak sila. 20 Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ako siya; huwag kayong ma­takot.” 21 Nang isasakay na nila sa bangka, bigla namang nasa pampang na na pupuntahan nila ang bangka.

1Reflection for April 16 Friday of the Second Week of Easter: John 6:1-15

Gospel: John 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”  

He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough  for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”  

Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”  

So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

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Reflection:

How strong is your faith in Jesus? A person of faith would always say, everything is possible for Jesus but a person who has no faith would fail to see the infinite power of Jesus.  

In our gospel Jesus saw the large crowd that was after Him. Jesus tested the faith of Philip by saying to him, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” Philip answered him, "Two hundred days?' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.'" With his negative reply Philip failed his own test of faith.  

Soon after, Philip saw the miracle of the loaves and fish before his very eyes. With five barley loaves and two fish Jesus nourished the famished five thousand people. As if to say to Philip to begin to have faith because He makes things possible for those who have faith.  

Let us always walk by our faith and not by our sight in our discipleship with the Lord. If we desire something that is noble and worthy and we think that it’s very impossible for us to achieve it. Let us reflect on it and let us check our faith meter it may be very low already if this is so, let us pray to Jesus for the grace of increase of faith.  

For whatever we want from the Lord we will have as long as we have faith. Let us not forget that Jesus fed the five thousand with five barley loaves and two fish. Thus, Jesus makes all things possible for those who have faith.  

How’s your faith in the Lord?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 16 Biyernes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 6:1-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:1-15

1 Nagpunta si Jesus sa kabilang ibayo ng dagat ng Galilea sa may Tiberias. 2 Sinusun­dan siya ng makapal na tao dahil napansin nila ang mga tandang ginagawa niya sa mga maysakit. 3 Uma­hon si Jesus sa bundok at naupo siya roon kasama ang kanyang mga alagad. 4 Malapit na ang Paskuwa na piyesta ng mga Judio.  

5 Kaya pagkatunghay ni Jesus at pag­ka­kita niyang marami ang taong pumu­punta sa kanya, sinabi niya kay Felipe: “Saan kayo makabi­bili ng tinapay para makakain ang mga ito?” 6 Sinabi niya ito bilang pagsubok sa kanya dahil alam na niya kung ano ang napipinto niyang ga­win. 7 Sumagot sa kanya si Felipe: “Dala­wandaang denar­yong tinapay ay hindi sapat sa kanila para makakuha ng tigka­kaunti ang bawat isa.”  

8 At sinabi naman sa kanya ng isa sa kanyang mga alagad na si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro: 9 "May maliit na bata rito na may limang tinapay na sebada at dalawang isda. Ano ito para sa pagkarami-raming tao?” 10 Madamo sa lugar na iyon kaya sinabi ni Jesus: “Paupuin n’yo ang mga tao.” Kaya nag-upuan sila, halos liman­libo ang mga lalaki.  

11 Kaya kinuha ni Jesus ang mga tina­pay at pagkapagpasalamat, at ipi­na­bigay sa mga nakaupo. Gayundin naman sa mga isda – ga­ano man ang gustuhin nila. 12 Nang busog na sila, sinabi niya sa kanyang mga ala­gad: “Tipunin ninyo ang natirang mga piraso para walang masa­yang.” 13 Kaya tini­pon nila ang mga tira ng mga pinakain, at labindalawang bakol ang napuno ng mga pira-piraso mula sa limang tinapay na sebada.  

14 Pagkakita sa tandang ginawa ni Jesus, sinabi ng mga tao: “Ito ngang talaga ang Propeta parating sa mundo.” 15 At alam ni Jesus na parating sila upang agawin siya para gawing hari kaya lumigpit siyang muli na siya lamang mag-isa sa bulubundukin.