Reflection for March 7, Monday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 25:31-46

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.  

Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'  

Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'  

Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.'  

Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

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Reflection:

Last February 24, on orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin the Russian armed forces invaded Ukraine. There was no provocation whatsoever the Ukranians were living in peace when their nation was suddenly attacked by the Russian forces with missiles, tanks and other hardware of war and destruction. Thousands have died already, houses are being bomb indiscriminately and President Putin even threatened to use Russia’s nuclear weapons to countries that would help Ukraine. By starting an unnecessary and unprovoked war Putin who is a dictator is acting like he is the king of the world.  

Do we have the kingship of Christ in our hearts right now? If our answer is yes, it is therefore incumbent upon us not to have a dictatorial and tyrannical mindset and attitude. This is for the reason that Jesus Christ was never a dictator. Jesus never exercised His authority with iron fist, He exercised His authority and power with love, gentleness and humility.  

Christ kingship is already here and now.  It resides in our hearts and minds if we are like those placed on the right side of the king. This happens when we feed those who are hungry and thirsty when we help a stranger at our doorstep.  

When we care for the sick, when we visit those in prison. When we forgive those who have wronged us no matter how deep the wound that they have inflicted upon us. When we do all of these we make Jesus the king of our lives and His kingdom is already within us.  

Is Jesus the King of your life?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday March 6, First Sunday of Lent: Luke 4:1-13

Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” 

Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me,  and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” 

Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

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Reflection:

What do you see in the forty days temptation of Jesus in the desert? Do you see that the devil is powerful too? Yes indeed, the devil is also powerful he can entice us to follow him through his many temptations. Temptations that are very hard to resist for those who are disconnected from God. And for those who seldom pray and for those who have superficial faith.

What do you see in Jesus? Do you see the intense connection of Jesus with God and the Holy spirit? Before Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert, Jesus was baptized first by John in the river Jordan and in the process of His baptism He prayed to God and the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended to Him and God said to Jesus, “You are my Son, in whom I am well pleased (Luke 3:21-22).” 

Temptations are part and parcel of our life so as the devil, it’s always there ever ready to sow temptation for us to sin. Yet the love, guidance and protection of God are also always there for us it has not left us since we were baptized. It’s ours to own and take!

We can always ward off whatever temptation the devil may sow upon our way if we always have a connection with God. This we can do best through our prayers, our pious presence at Holy Mass and our reading and meditation of the words of God in the bible. 

As we begin our forty days journey this lent. The good Lord is always reminding us that He is just a prayer away from us. He is always by our side ever and always ready to protect us from the many temptations of the devil. 

Are you always connected with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Marso 6, Unang Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda para sa pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Lucas 4:1-13

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 4:1-13

Noong panahong  iyon, 1 Umalis mula sa Jordan si Jesus na puspos ng Espiritu Santo at naglibot sa disyerto na akay ng Espiritu 2 sa loob ng apatnapung araw; at sinubok siya roon ng diyablo. Hindi siya kumain ng anuman sa loob ng mga araw na iyon at sa katapusa’y nagutom siya. 3 Sinabi sa kanya ng diyablo: “Kung ikaw ang anak ng Diyos, iutos mo sa batong ito na maging tinapay.” 4 Ngunit sumagot sa kanya si Jesus: “Sinasabi ng Kasulatan: Hindi sa tinapay lamang nabu-buhay ang tao.”

5 Pagkatapos ay itinaas niya si Jesus at ipinakita sa kanya sa isang kisap-mata ang lahat ng kaharian sa mundo. 6 Sinabi ng diyablo sa kanya: “Sa iyo ko ibibigay ang kapangyarihan sa lahat ng ito at ang kaluwalhatiang kalakip nito dahil sa akin ito ipinagkatiwala at maibibigay ko ito sa maibigan ko. 7 Kaya mapapasaiyo itong lahat kung magpapatirapa ka sa harap ko.” 8 Ngunit sumagot sa kanya si Jesus: “Sinasabi ng Kasulatan: Ang Panginoon mong Diyos ang iyong sasambahin at siya lamang ang iyong paglilingkuran.” 

9 Pagkatapos ay dinala siya ng diyablo sa Jerusalem at itinayo siya sa nakausling pader ng Templo at sinabi sa kanya: “Kung ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos, tumalon ka mula rito paibaba 10 sapagkat sinasabi ng Kasulatan: Iniutos niya sa kanyang mga anghel na pangalagaan ka at 11 bubuhatin ka nila para hindi matisod ang iyong paa sa bato.” 12 Ngunit sumagot si Jesus sa kanya: “Nasasaad: Huwag mong hamunin ang Panginoon mong Diyos.” 13 Kaya matapos siyang subukin ng diyablo sa lahat ng paraan, nilisan siya nito hanggang sa takdang panahon.

Reflection for March 5, Saturday after Ash Wednesday: Luke 5:27-32

Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them.   

The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

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Reflection:

Who are the modern day sinners that Jesus wants to call to repentance? It’s no other than us, we are sinners; we sin through our thoughts, actions and words. Like the tax collector Levi, Jesus calls us to follow Him, to leave behind us our sinfulness.  

Why does Jesus calls us to follow Him? Because he wants to build a deeper friendship with us. And this would only happen if we would choose to respond to His call. Rather than respond to the call of the devil who always calls us to sin.  

When we respond to the call of Jesus we ensure ourselves of a meaningful life. This doesn’t mean that the moment we say yes to Jesus we would be free from worries and trials. We would still have our own share of trials and worries. Yet in the midst of our worries and trials we will feel the abiding presence of Jesus in our lives.   

If we decide to follow Jesus there would be people who will despise and perhaps belittle us. But we have nothing to worry with those who will despise us. What is most important is we choose to leave behind our sinfulness in favor of Jesus’ call.  

To leave behind our sinfulness is not easy to do because the devil will not easily let us go until we get destroyed by sin.  Nevertheless, nothing is impossible for Jesus all He asks us is our yes and our firm desire to leave behind our sinfulness.  

Lest we forget, a sinful life is a life in union with the devil and a sinful life is a problem filled life. Problem/s that is presented to us as pleasurable in the eyes of this world but would only destroy us in the end. Let us therefore respond to this call of Jesus. 

Would you respond to the Lord’s call? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 5, Sabado kasunod ng Miyerkules ng Abo: Lucas 5:27-32

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:27-32

Noong panahong iyon, 27 Nakita ni Jesus ang isang kolektor ng buwis na nagngangalang Levi na naka­upo sa paningilan ng buwis. Sinabi niya rito: “Sumunod ka sa akin.” 28 Tu­mayo naman ito, iniwan ang lahat at sumunod sa kanya.   

29 Naghandog sa kanya si Levi ng isang marang­yang handaan sa kanyang bahay at nakisalo sa kanila ang maraming kolektor ng buwis at iba pang mga tao. 30 Dahil dito’y pabulong na nag­reklamo ang mga Pariseo at ang panig sa kanilang mga guro ng Batas sa mga alagad ni Jesus: “Bakit kayo kuma­kain at umiinom kasama ng mga mani­ningil ng buwis at mga maka­sa­lanan?”   

31 Sumagot naman si Jesus at sinabi sa kanila: “Hindi ang malulusog ang na­ngangailangan ng doktor kundi ang mga may­sakit. 32 Hindi ako pumarito para tawagin ang mabu­buti kundi ang mga makasalanan tungo sa pagba­balik-loob.”

Reflection for March 4, Friday after Ash Wednesday: Matthew 9:14-15

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

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Reflection:

Do you practice fasting?  

The disciples of John interpreted the literal meaning of fasting when they asked Jesus this question: “Why are your disciples not fasting?  Then Jesus replied in a meaningful way when He said: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? Of course His disciples were not literally fasting or denying themselves food because He was with them.  

We have here the question about literal fasting or fasting that is seen which the disciples of John and the Pharisees were doing. Jesus disciples were obviously not doing this kind of fasting they were in fact joyous because Jesus was with them.  

Therefore, they were not fasting, but they were actually doing and sharing with the mission of Jesus. The question now is, which is more important to fast or to share in the mission of Jesus? Of course it’s to share in the mission of Jesus.  

In this gospel episode perhaps Jesus wants to open our eyes to the fact that true fasting is much more than just our willing abstention from food. True fasting is when we learn to give a part of ourselves so that others may live, have life and know Jesus through us.    

Do you practice true fasting? Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 4, Biyernes kasunod ng Miyerkules ng Abo: Mateo 9:14-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo:9:14-15

14 Noo’y lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad ni Juan at nagtanong: “May araw ng ayuno kami at ang mga Pariseo, at wala bang pag-aayuno ang iyong mga alagad?”   

15 Sinagot sila ni Jesus: “Puwede bang magluksa ang mga abay sa kasalan habang kasama pa nila ang nobyo? Darating ang panahon na aagawin sa kanila ang nobyo at sa araw na iyon sila mag-aayuno.  

Reflection for March 3, Thursday after Ash Wednesday: Luke 9:22-25

Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of suffering? 

Suffering is part and parcel of our Christian life; in fact we will not be able to reach the fullness of our Christian life without suffering.  For the reason that it is in our suffering that we intensely feel the presence of God. It is through these periods of sufferings that God becomes more real to us. 

Try observing your behavior when you don’t have sufferings. God seems distant for we rarely remember Him in our days of prosperity. But notice also that when we are having some difficult moments it seems that God is within our reach. We call on Him we cry and unburden to Him.  

In the gospel, Jesus tells His disciples about the suffering that He has to go through. Why? This is for the reason that this was Jesus’ destiny. From the beginning Jesus knew that He would be going through intense suffering. So why did He not exempted Himself from it when He actually could?  

Because Jesus is faithful to the mission that was given to Him by God, thus Jesus endured suffering for His love of God.  Therefore, the true measure of our love for God is when we are ready to suffer for Him and when we are ready to sacrifice our everything for Him. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 3 Huwebes kasunod ng Miyerkules ng Abo: Lucas 9:22-25

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:22-25

22 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Kaila­ngang magtiis ng marami ang Anak ng Tao. Itatakwil nga siya ng mga Matatanda ng bayan, ng mga punong-pari at ng mga guro ng Batas. Papatayin siya at muling babangon sa ikatlong araw.”  

23 Sinabi naman ni Jesus sa lahat: “Kung may gustong sumunod sa akin, itakwil ang kanyang sarili at kunin ang kanyang krus araw-araw para sumunod sa akin. 24 Sapagkat ang naghahangad na magligtas ng kanyang sarili ay mawa­walan nito, at ang mawawalan ng kanyang sarili alang-alang sa akin ay siyang ma­ka­­pagliligtas nito. 25 Ano ang pakinabang ng tao tubuin man niya ang buong daig­dig at mawawala naman o mapapahamak ang kanyang sarili?  

Reflection for March 2, Ash Wednesday (Fasting and Abstinence): Matthew 6:6-1, 16-18

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.  

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

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Reflection:

What is the relevance of Ash Wednesday to your life?  

Today is Ash Wednesday; this is the start of our forty days journey of self-examination and self-reflection of our journey with the Lord and and our journey in this fleeting world. We examine ourselves if we were able to shun the many sins and temptations of this world in favor for our love for God.  

We also examine our attitude when we give Alms, when we Pray and when we Fast. Do we do these acts of piety to serve our own intentions or the intentions of God? Many of us do these acts of piety to show to the whole world our own intentions.  

As we go to the priest or to the ministers of the church for them to impose ash with the sign of the cross on our foreheads. We are reminded that someday we shall become ash and our mortal bodies will forever be part of this world.  

We will leave behind whatever temporal achievements, learning and riches that we have acquired. And after that be forgotten and permanently fade away from the memory of this world. 

But God will not forget us if only we would learn to repent and permanently walk away from anything that makes us sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 2 Miyerkules ng Abo (Pag-aayuno at Abstinensya): Mateo 6:6-1, 16-18

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18

1 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad  pag-ingatang huwag maging pakitang-tao lamang ang in­yong mabubuting gawa. Kung ganito ang ga­gawin ninyo, wala na kayong gantimpala sa inyong Amang nasa langit. 2 Kaya pag nagbibigay ka ng limos, huwag pahipan ang trumpeta sa unahan gaya ng gina­gawa ng mga mapagkunwari sa sinagoga at sa mga daan; gusto nilang mapuri ng mga tao. Sinisiguro ko sa inyo na nagan­timpala­an na sila nang husto.   

3 Kaya kung ikaw naman ang magbi­bigay ng limos, huwag ipaalam sa iyong kaliwang kamay ang ginagawa ng iyong kanang kamay; 4 at mananatiling lihim ang iyong pagli­limos at ang iyong Amang nakakakita sa mga lihim ang siyang ga­gantimpala sa iyo.    

5 Kung mananalangin kayo, huwag nin­yong tularan ang mga mapagkunwari. Gustung-gusto nilang tumayo sa mga sinagoga o sa mga daan para manala­ngin nang nakikita ng marami. Sinisi­guro ko sa inyo na nagantimpa­laan na sila nang husto. 6 At kung ikaw naman ang mana­nalangin, pumasok sa iyong silid, isara ang pinto at mana­langin sa iyong Ama na kasama mo nang lihim; at ang iyong Ama na naka­kakita sa ipinag­lilihim ang gagantimpala sa iyo.   

16 Pag mag-aayuno kayo, huwag magpakita ng lungkot sa mukha gaya ng mga mapagkunwari. Nagpapakita sila ng lungkot sa mukha para makita ng tao na nag-aayuno sila. Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na nagantimpalaan na sila nang husto. 17 Kung ikaw naman ang mag-aayuno, maghilamos at ayusin ang sarili 18 sapagkat hindi ka nag-aayuno para pakitang-tao lamang kun­di para sa iyong Amang naka­kakita sa lahat. At gagantimpalaan ka ng iyong Amang nakakakita sa lahat ng lihim.

Reflection for March 1, Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:28-31

Gospel: Mark 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, ‘We have given up everything and followed you. Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.

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Reflection:

A young man was asking for the heart of his beloved. The beloved said to him you have to give up your vices most especially your smoking and drinking. The young man acceded and from then on never did he smoke and drink. After a few months they end up in the altar of God to become one.  

When we give up something for someone we dearly love we could be assured of something more worthy. Something that would complete us, this may not make us happy immediately. But certainly something beautiful will come out of it in lieu of what we gave up.  

If we give up even a portion of our worldly life for Jesus we could expect something in return from Jesus. It may not be material riches or worldly power but we will certainly receive something in return from Him.  

 It may be peace of mind which may have eluded us for the longest time. It could be good health or anything that cannot be measured and seen by our naked eye. Yet certainly be felt by our hearts.  

When Jesus asks us of something to give up for Him we should hurry to obey and follow. We should never think twice, we should give it up immediately like a child jumping with reckless abandon to his father’s arms. 

What are you willing to immediately give up for Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 1 Martes ng Ikawalong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:28-31

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:28-31

28 Noong panahong iyon nagsalita si Pedro kay Jesus at si­nabi: “Iniwan namin ang lahat para su­munod sa iyo.” 29 Sinabi ni Jesus: “Talagang sina­sabi ko sa inyo: walang nag-iwan ng tahanan, mga kapatid, ina at ama at mga anak at mga bukid alang-alang sa akin at sa Ebanghelyo 30 na walang gantimpala.  

Tatanggap nga siya ngayon ng makasandaang beses ng mga tahanan, mga kapatid, mga ina at mga anak at mga bukid sa gitna ng mga pag-uusig, at sa pana­hong darating nama’y makakamit niya ang buhay na walang hanggan.  

31 May mga una ngayon na mahuhuli at may mga huli naman na mauuna.”

Reflection for February 28, Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:17-27

Gospel: Mark 10:17-27

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.”  

He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”  Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.  

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God! The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

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Reflection:

Do you cling to your wealth as if your life hangs upon it?  

The man who asked Jesus as to what must he do to have eternal life was at the threshold of eternal life. But when Jesus asked him to part ways with his wealth and give it to the poor. His face fell, after which he walked away from Jesus for he couldn’t obey the request of Jesus.  

Many of us are like this man, very possessive and in love with wealth that we are not willing to give it away. But what we don’t know is it is when we give away our wealth that we will receive more wealth. Perhaps Jesus was just testing this man if he could still accept more wealth. But the man failed the prosperity test of Jesus.  

If we want to attract wealth we must always be willing to give because it’s only in giving that we would receive more blessings. Never in not giving that we would receive more wealth. Let us look around and see who are those who are prosperous they are the people who are generous. Let us therefore pray to have the grace to become more generous so that we could bless others.  

What if we continue to cling to our wealth and refuse to become generous?  We therefore shut the door of blessings from God and we distance ourselves from His kingdom. But all is not lost yet, we still can change our mind because we still have time to turn things around and hear the call of Jesus for us to become generous. – Marino J. Dasmarinas