Reflection for February 25, Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:1-12

Gospel: Mark 10:1-12

Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. The Pharisees approached him and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”  

They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  

So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

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Reflection: 

How is your married life?  

Many marriages are successful, it last a lifetime. If we would ask the couples about the secret of their successful marriage they would normally tell us that God is at the center of their marriage lives. When God is present in the lives of couples the chance of betrayal is nil. There is also the equal presence of Humility, Forgiveness, Patience and Love between husband and wife.  

From the very start the plan of God for married couples is to stay forever together. But the sad reality is some couples are separated and separating and some couples are betraying their vows of marriage.  

 Why is this happening? This is brought about by weak faith in God. There’s no fear and love for God anymore that is why married couples betray their sacred vows of marriage. Many are not even anymore afraid of the negative consequence of separation to their children.  

We may not know this but we are actually hurting ourselves and those we love whenever we betray the sacred vows of marriage. We give ourselves and those we love undeserved stress and problems. We also disturb the innocent minds of our children, try asking a child if he wants his parents to separate he/she surely would say no!   

Whenever we are tempted to betray our vows of marriage let us carefully think of the many aftershocks that it will create in our lives and in the lives of those that we love. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 25 Biyernes ng Ikapitong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, si Hesus ay nagtungo sa lupain ng Judea, at nagtuloy sa ibayo ng Ilog Jordan. Muli siyang pinagkalipumpunan ng mga tao, at tulad ng dati’y nagturo sa kanila. May mga Pariseong lumapit kay Hesus. Ibig nilang masilo siya kaya’t kanilang tinanong, “Naaayon ba sa Kautusan na hiwalayan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa?”  

 Tugon niya, “Ano ang utos sa inyo ni Moises?” Sumagot naman sila, “Ipinahintulot ni Moises na hiwalayan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa matapos bigyan ng kasulatan sa paghihiwalay.” Ngunit sinabi ni Hesus, “Dahil sa katigasan ng inyong ulo kaya niya inilagda ang utos na ito. Subalit sa pasimula pa, nang likhain ng Diyos ang sanlibutan: ‘Nilalang niya silang lalaki at babae. Dahil dito’y iiwan ng lalaki ang kanyang ama at ina, at magsasama sila ng kanyang asawa, at sila’y magiging isa.’ Kaya’t hindi na sila dalawa kundi isa. Ang pinagsama ng Diyos ay huwag paghiwalayin ng tao.”  

Pagdating sa bahay, ang mga alagad naman ang nagtanong kay Hesus tungkol sa bagay na ito. Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Ang sinumang lalaking humiwalay sa kanyang asawa at mag-asawa sa iba ay gumagawa ng masama sa kanyang asawa – siya’y nangangalunya. At ang babaing humiwalay sa kanyang asawa at mag-asawa sa iba ay nangangalunya rin.”

Reflection for February 24, Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:41-50

Gospel: Mark 9:41-50

Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.  

If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.  

“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.” 

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Reflection:

What makes us sin? It’s the absence of Jesus in our lives and not taking seriously His teachings. What will make us avoid sin? It’s the presence of Jesus in our lives and it’s in carefully observing His teachings.  

In our gospel for today, Jesus gives us the grave punishment of sin. It involves maiming and cutting off of body parts. Of course these are just figures of speech but this conveys a message to all of us that there are many punishments for sin.   

If we will not repent for our sinfulness we have to pay for it, there’s no free ride as far as sin is concerned we have to pay for our sins somewhere along our journey. However, if we repent as soon as possible our punishment will forever be forgotten by God.  

But come to think of it, why do we sin and why are we not averse to sin? The answer is very simple, we love this world more than we love God thus there’s a void of the presence of God in our hearts.  

Yes, we know God and yes we go to church to worship Him. But it ends there; we leave Jesus in our church. We don’t bring Him home, we don’t   allow Jesus to have a permanent home in our hearts and we don’t live His teachings.  

Would you allow Jesus to have a permanent home in your heart? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 24 Huwebes ng Ikapitong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9:41-50

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:41-50

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: Kung may magpainom sa inyo ng malamig na tubig alang-alang sa aking pangalan dahil kay Kristo kayo, ta­lagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na hindi siya mana­natiling walang gantimpala. 42 Ngunit kung may tumisod at mag­padapa sa isa sa maliliit na ito na nananalig, mas ma­kabubuti pa para sa kanya na itapon siya sa dagat na may taling malaking bato sa kanyang leeg.  

43 Kung ang kamay mo ang nagtutulak sa iyo sa kasalanan, putulin mo ito. Mas mabuti pa sa iyo ang pumasok na ping­kaw sa buhay kaysa matapon sa walang hang­gang apoy ng impiyerno na may dalawang kamay. 45 At kung ang paa mo ang nagtutulak sa iyo sa kasalanan, putulin mo ito. Mas mabuti pa sa iyo ang pumasok na pilay sa bu­hay kaysa matapon sa impiyerno na may dalawang paa. 47 At kung ang mata mo ang nagtutulak sa iyo sa kasalanan, itapon mo ito. 

Mabuti pa sa iyo ang pumasok sa kaharian ng Diyos na may isang mata kaysa matapon sa impiyerno na may dalawang mata, 48 kung saan walang tigil ang mga uod sa kanila at walang kamatayan ang apoy. 49 Buburuhin nga ng apoy ang lahat. 50 Mabuti ang asin ngunit kung tuma­bang ang asin, paano ninyo ito mapaa­alat uli? Magkaroon kayo ng asin sa inyong sarili at mabuhay sa kapa­ya­paan sa isa’t isa.”

Reflection for Wednesday February 23, Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr (M): Mark 9:38-40

Gospel: Mark 9:38-40

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”

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Reflection:

Have you encountered and arrogant and intolerant person?  

Arrogance and intolerance are often times what prevents us from becoming effective followers of Jesus. For example if we see a group of sinners, should we avoid them? Or should we be friends with them and live the teachings of Jesus through them? The best course of action to take is to be friends with them with the hope in mind that by doing so we would be able to eventually convert and enlighten them.  

When John saw someone who was not in their group driving out demons in the name of Jesus he tried to prevent them. Perhaps, John thought that they only have the monopoly of power and authority to drive out demons. So what did Jesus do when John told Him about this incident? He told John let him do what he was doing for whoever is not against them is for them also. 

To be arrogant, intolerant and judgmental is not good. It prevents us from faithfully doing the mission of Jesus, it prevents us from bringing people closer to Jesus. Lest we forget Jesus became man not only for those who are good but also for sinners.  

Let us avoid to be arrogant, to be intolerant and judgmental. Let us instead always show the mercy, humility and love of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Pebrero 23 San Policarpio, Obispo at martir (Paggunita): Marcos 9:38-40

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:38-40

Noong Panahong iyon sinabi ni Juan kay Jesus: “Guro, nakita namin ang isang di natin kasama na nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa bisa ng iyong pangalan. Ngunit pinigil namin siya dahil hindi natin siya kasama.” 39 At sinabi ni Jesus: “Huwag ninyo siyang pigilan. Wala ngang gumagawa ng himala sa bisa ng aking pangalan na agad na magsasalita laban sa akin. 40 Ang hindi laban sa atin ay kampi sa atin.

 

Reflection for Tuesday February 22, 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 pray to the Lord for the gift of faith? 

Faith in God is a gift that Jesus freely gives us without any form of ransom. However, like we water and nurture a plant because we want it to grow and bear much fruit. It’s the same also with our faith we must also do something to care for it so that it may grow and bear much fruit.   

Otherwise if we would not take care of it will not grow and with the passing of time it will eventually fly away from us.  When Jesus said to the apostles: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" Amongst them it was only Simon Peter who answered correctly when he said: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  

  How did he discover the true identity of Jesus? God gave him that gift to discern the true identity of Jesus. Thus, Peter used that gift to the hilt by nurturing it in doing so he discovered the true nature of Jesus.     

We may not know it but by virtue of our Baptism God has given us gifts too and one of those is the gift of faith. This gift of faith is within us, let us pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we would be able to share it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Pebrero 22 Luklukan ni Apostol San Pedro (Kapistahan): Mateo 16:13-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:13-19

13 Pumunta si Jesus sa may dakong Cesarea ni Filipo. Tinanong niya ang kanyang mga ala­gad: “Ano ang Anak ng Tao para sa mga tao? Sino ako para sa kanila?” 14 Sumagot sila: “May nagsasa­bing si Juan Bautista ka; may iba pang nagsasabing si Elias ka o si Jeremias o isa sa mga propeta kaya.”   

15 Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ngunit sino ako para sa inyo?” 16 At sumagot si Simon Pedro: “Ikaw ang Mesiyas, ang Anak ng Diyos na Buhay.” 17 Sumagot naman si Jesus: “Mapalad ka, Simon Bar-Yona, hindi nga laman at dugo ang nagbunyag nito sa iyo kundi ang aking Amang nasa Langit.  

18 At ngayon sinasabi ko sa iyo: Ikaw si Pedro (o Bato) at sa batong ito ko itatayo ang aking Iglesya; at hinding-hindi ito madadaig ng kapangyarihan ng kama­tayan. 19 Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng kaharian ng Langit: ang itali mo dito sa lupa ay itatali rin sa Langit, at ang ka­lagan mo dito sa lupa ay kakalagan din sa Langit.”

Reflection for February 21, Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:14-29

Gospel: Mark 9:14-29

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?”  

Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.”  

They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”  

Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!” Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”

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Reflection:

What is the root cause of unhealthy prayer life? It’s lack of faith!   

The disciples asked Jesus: “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” Jesus told them: “This kind can only come out through prayer.” Just like some of us the disciples obviously do not have a very healthy prayer life that’s why they were not able to drive out the unclean spirit that possessed the boy. 

When there’s an unhealthy prayer life there is also a fading faith. Perhaps the disciples were already getting used of seeing Jesus doing miracles here and there every day.   

On the other hand the father in the gospel has a very strong faith. Even if the disciples failed to help him he persisted and asked Jesus to heal his son and he was not disappointed. Is it then safe to say that the father of the boy has a healthy prayer life? Surely the father has a healthy prayer life. 

The gospel invites us to examine the health of our prayer life maybe it’s unwell or fading like the disciples. How about our faith? If our faith is fading we have to nurture it by our, vibrant prayer life, pious presence at Holy Mass and by reading about the life of Jesus in the scriptures. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 21 Lunes ng Ikapitong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9:14-29

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:14-29

14 Pagbalik nila Jesus, Pedro, Jaime at Juan sa mga alagad, nakita nila ang napakaraming tao na nakapa­libot sa mga ito at nakikipag­talo naman sa kanila ang mga guro ng Batas. 15 Na­mangha ang lahat pagka­kita sa kanila, at tumakbo sila para batiin siya.  

16 Itinanong naman niya sa kanila: “Bakit kayo nakikipagtalo sa mga ito?” 17 At sina­got siya ng isang lalaki mula sa mga tao: “Guro, dinala ko sa iyo ang aking anak na lalaki na inaalihan ng isang piping espiritu. 18 At kung hinahagip siya nito, inilulugmok siya sa lupa; nagbubula ang kanyang bibig, nagnga­ngalit ang mga ngipin at nani­nigas. Hi­ningi ko sa iyong mga alagad na palayasin ito pero hindi nila kaya.”  

19 Sumagot si Jesus: “Mga walang pananampalataya! Gaano pa katagal akong ma­nanatili sa piling ninyo? Hang­gang ka­ilan ako mag­titiis sa inyo? Dalhin siya rito sa akin.”  

20 At pinalapit nila siya kay Jesus. Pag­kakita sa kanya ng espiritu, pina­ngatog nito ang bata at inilugmok sa lupa kaya nagpa­gulung-gulong siya at bumu­bula ang bibig. 21 Tinanong na­man ni Jesus ang ama: “Gaano na ka­tagal na nangyayari ito sa kanya?” 22 At sumagot ang ama: “Mula pa sa pagka­bata at ma­dalas nga siyang inihahagis sa apoy o sa batis para patayin. Ngu­nit kung kaya mo, maawa ka sa amin at pakitulungan kami.”  

23 Sinagot siya ni Jesus: “Ano itong ‘kung kaya mo’? Lahat ay posible sa sumasam­pa­lataya.” 24 At agad na sumigaw ang ama ng bata sa pagsa­sabing “Sumasampalataya ako pero tulungan mo ang maliit kong pana­nam­palataya.”  

25 Nakita ni Jesus na nagsisitakbo at luma­lapit na ang mga tao kaya iniutos niya sa masamang espiritu: “Pipi at binging espiritu, inuutusan kitang lu­ma­­bas sa kanya at huwag nang bu­malik.”  

26 Nagsisigaw ang espiritu at ini­lugmok ang bata sa lupa bago luma­bas. At ani­mo’y patay ang bata kaya marami ang nagsabing “Na­matay.” 27 Ngunit pagkahawak ni Jesus sa ka­may nito, pinaba­ngon niya ito at pina­tindig.   

28 Pagkapasok ni Jesus sa bahay, ti­na­nong siya ng mga alagad nang sari­linan: “Bakit hindi namin napalayas ang espiritu?” 29 Sinabi ni Jesus sa ka­nila: “Sa panalangin lamang mapala­layas ang ganitong klaseng espiritu.”

Reflection for Sunday February 20, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:27-38

Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.  

Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.  

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man that died who was refused entry into the pearly gates. So he asked the angel manning the pearly gates for the reason and the angel told him that he was very judgmental when he was still alive. Therefore, the man walked away from the gates of heaven with a forlorn face.  

Why do we easily or quickly judge? Because we lack love and forgiveness in our hearts. Otherwise if there’s plenty of love and forgiveness we would not dare judge anyone because we know that the moment we judge we also invite judgment upon us.  

What would it take for us not to become judgmental to those who have wronged us? We have to love as the Lord loved us and this love is not an ordinary  love because this kind of love is a radical love. Which means unconditional love, love which is unmotivated by the possibility of reciprocation or reward. Radical love is a love set afire by forgiveness, compassion, and understanding.  

Because this would require us not to look at the faults and shortcomings of those people who did us wrong. This would instead lead us to remember their good side which they have aplenty but we refuse to think about it since we are enslaved by our hate. 

Next time when there is a temptation for us to pull out the dangerous sword of judgment let us pause for a little while. And force our minds to recall the many good side of the person whom we are judging. 

Are you quick to judge? – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for February 19, Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:2-13

Gospel: Mark 9:2-13

Jesus took Peter, James, and 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; then from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, looking around, the disciples 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. Then they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He told them, "Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things, yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him."

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Reflection:

Do you believe in the afterlife?  

One of the reasons why Jesus was transfigured is for us to see that heaven and the afterlife is existing and real. This is what the apostles: Peter, James and John witnessed when they were brought along to the mountain of tabor by Jesus.   

There’s life after our journey in this world is over, that’s why we must not leave Jesus for anything of this world. We must continue on doing what is good and righteous. We must not stray off the track of righteousness for this is the way for us to be with Jesus someday.  

There is heaven, there is everlasting life and this is proven by the transfiguration of Jesus. So what should we do for us to go there? We must faithfully follow Jesus in His words and deeds no matter how difficult.  

The reward for our faithfulness to Jesus is eternal life, don’t we all want this eternal life? Of course we do, thus we have to become faithful followers no matter the temptation to sin. Thus, we have to leave permanently behind our sinfulness.  And we have to be steadfast in the midst of our trials and the trials that we still have to face.  

Because there would be a reward for those who would not leave the Lord for anything in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 19 Sabado ng Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9:2-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:2-13

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 sa-sabihin. 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.  

11 Tinanong naman nila siya: “Bakit sinasabi ng mga guro ng Batas na dapat munang pumarito si Elias?” 12 At sinabi niya: “Mauuna ngang dumating si Elias para ayusin ang lahat ng bagay. Ngunit bakit  naman nasusulat tungkol sa Anak ng Tao na dapat siyang magtiis nang marami at lapastanganin? 13 Sinasabi ko sa inyo na dumating na si Elias at pinakitunguhan nila siya ayon sa kanilang kagustuhan, tulad ng nasusulat.”

Reflection for February 18, Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:34-9:1

Gospel: Mark 8:34-9:1

Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.  

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”  

He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”

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Reflection:

A very rich and worldly man had a serious sickness which he thought would be his end already. He had a dream where he heard the voice of God who told him, if you want to regain your health you have to leave everything behind and follow me. And so he did and true enough after a few weeks he regained back his health and from then on he became a follower of Jesus.  

There are times that we allow ourselves to be blinded by the glitters of this world. In the process we forget that the true essence of life is not to become the kings of this world but to become the soldiers of God in this world. But to become a soldier of God in this world entails great sacrifice and perseverance. So, many of us are averse to take up our cross and carry it for the sake Jesus.  

To amass wealth is not the purpose of life. If there are people whose sole purpose in life is to have wealth then they are badly misguided. The true purpose of life is to follow the life of Jesus because it is only through Jesus where we can experience the fullness of life.  

This is our mistake; we think that life is all about power, fame and fortune. This is why many of us tirelessly seek fame and fortune that we even sacrifice our health and dignity for it. Fame, power and fortune will even bring us colossal problems eventually.  

What would happen to us if we become citizens of this world only? Yes we gain riches, yes we gain prominence, power and many more worldly trappings. However, all of these will eventually reach an end then we realize that we are nothing and we have achieved nothing.  

It’s only in following Jesus that we would be able to find the true meaning of our lives. And it’s only in following Jesus that we’ll have peace and contentment in our lives. Never in this world will we find peace and contentment. – Marino J. Dasmarinas