Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Marso 27, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Lucas 15:1-3, 11-32

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 15:1-3, 11-32

1 Lumapit kay Jesus ang lahat ng ko­lektor ng buwis at mga makasa­lanan para makinig. 2 Kaya nag­bulung-bulungan ang mga Pariseo at mga guro ng Batas: “Tinatanggap niyan ang mga makasalanan at na­kikisalo sa kani­la.” 3 Kaya sinabi ni Jesus ang ta­linhagang ito sa kanila:

11 “May isang ta­ong may dalawang anak na lalaki. 12 Sinabi ng bunso sa kanyang ama: ‘Itay, ibigay na ninyo sa akin ang parte ko sa mana.’ At hinati sa kanila ng ama ang ari-arian. 13 Pagkaraan ng ilang araw, tinipon ng bun­song anak ang lahat ng kanya at nag­lakbay sa malayong lupain. Doon niya winaldas ang sa kanya sa malu­wag na pamumuhay. 

14 Nang maubos na ang lahat sa kanya, nagkaroon ng matin­ding taggutom sa lupaing ’yon at nagsi­mula siyang maghikahos. 15 Kaya pumunta siya at namasukan sa isang tagaroon, at inu­tusan siyang mag-alaga ng mga baboy sa bukid nito. 16 At gusto sana niyang pu­nuin kahit na ng kaning-baboy ang kanyang tiyan pero wala namang magbigay sa kanya.  

17 Noon siya natauhan at nag-isip: ‘Gaano karaming arawan sa bahay ng aking ama na labis-labis ang pagkain at namamatay naman ako dito sa gu­tom. 18 Titindig ako, pupunta sa aking ama, at sasabihin ko sa kanya: ‘Itay, nag­ka­sala ako laban sa langit at sa harap mo. 19 Hindi na ako karapat-dapat pang ta­wa­­ging anak mo; ituring mo na akong isa sa iyong mga arawan.’  

20 Kaya tumindig siya papunta sa kanyang ama. Malayo pa siya nang ma­tanaw ng kanyang ama at naawa ito, patakbo nitong sina­lubong ang anak, niyakap at hinalikan. 21 Sinabi sa kanya ng anak: ‘Ama, nagkasala ako laban sa langit at sa harap mo; hindi na ako karapat-dapat   pang tawaging   anak  mo.’  

22 Pero sinabi ng ama sa kanyang mga utu­san: ‘Madali, dalhin ninyo ang dati niyang da­mit at ibihis sa kanya; suutan ninyo ng sinsing ang kanyang daliri at ng sapatos ang kanyang mga paa. 23 Dalhin at katayin ang pinatabang guya, kumain tayo at magsaya 24 sa­pag­kat namatay na ang anak kong ito at nabuhay, nawala at natagpuan.’ At nagsimula silang mag­diwang.  

25 Nasa bukid noon ang panganay na anak. Nang pauwi na siya at malapit na sa bahay, narinig niya ang tugtugan at sayawan. 26 Tinawag niya ang isa sa mga utusan at tinanong kung ano ang nang­yari. 27 Sinabi nito sa kanya: ‘Nagbalik ang kapatid mo kaya ipinapatay ng iyong ama ang pinatabang guya dahil nabawi niya siyang buhay at di naano.’  

28 Nagalit ang panganay at ayaw puma­sok kaya lumabas ang ama at nakiusap sa kanya. 29 Sumagot naman siya sa ama: ‘Maraming taon na akong nagsisilbi sa inyo at kailanma’y di ko nilabag ang in­yong mga utos pero kailanma’y di ninyo ako binigyan ng kahit na isang kambing na mapagpipiyestahan namin ng aking mga ka­barkada. 30 Ngunit dumating la­mang ang anak ninyong ito na lumustay sa inyong kaya­manan sa mga ba­baeng bayaran, at ipinakatay pa ninyo ang pinatabang guya.’  

31 Sinabi sa kanya ng ama: ‘Anak, lagi kitang kasama at sa iyo rin ang la­hat ng akin. 32 Pero dapat lamang na mag­diwang at magsaya dahil namatay na ang kapatid mo at nabuhay, nawala at natagpuan’.”  

Reflection for March 26, Saturday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 18:9-14

Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. 

I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

Is humility part and parcel of your way of life? 

Aside from Jesus there are two main characters in this Gospel: the Pharisee: he is an educated believer, he seriously observes and teaches God’s law and the Tax collector: he is known to be greedy, corrupt and sinful. They both went to the temple to pray.  

The Pharisee was self-righteous he claims that he is not greedy, unjust, adulterous. He is so sure of his goodness, holiness and maybe of his own salvation he even despised the tax collector.  

There is also this repentant sinner (tax collector) who did not dare to raise his eyes to heaven. He was remorsefully beating his breast and he keeps on asking God for forgiveness.  

Jesus said: “the tax collector went home at peace with God.” and the Pharisee? He did not gain any favor from God because he was self-righteous and proud.  

This Gospel is a good reminder for us all who are self-righteous, who are proud and who are egotist. This is also for those who look down on their fellowmen for the simple reason that they are rich and learned. – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 26 Sabado sa Ika-3 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Lucas 18:9-14

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 18:9-14

9 Sinabi ni Jesus ang talinha­gang ito tungkol sa ilang taong kumbinsido na mabuti sila at minamata naman ang iba: 10  “Dalawang tao ang umakyat sa Templo para mana­langin: Pariseo ang isa at publikano naman ang isa pa. 11 Nakata­yong nananalanging mag-isa ang Pariseo. Sinabi niya: ‘O Diyos, salamat at hindi ako gaya ng ibang mga tao – mga magnanakaw, mandaraya, nakikiapid, o gaya ng kolektor ng buwis na iyan.  

12 Dalawang beses akong nag-aayuno isang linggo, nagbibigay ako ng ikapu sa lahat kong ari-arian.’  13 Nasa likuran naman ang kolektor ng buwis at hindi man lang makatingala sa langit. Dinadagukan niya ang dibdib sa pagsasabing ‘O Diyos, kaawaan mo ako na isang makasalanan.’  

14 Sinasabi ko sa inyo na ito ang umu­wing nasa grasya ng Diyos ngunit hindi ang isa. Sapagkat ibababa ang lahat ng nagpapakataas at itataas naman ang nagpapakababa.”

Reflection for Friday March 25, Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord: 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:

Among many women why was Mary chosen to be the mother of Jesus? This is for the reason that Mary was humble and compliant to the will of God. Mary did not say: “I will not submit to the will of God because I have my own agenda for myself.”

The Lord always chooses and uses the humble and the compliant for the realization of His plans in this world. Simply put, Mary humbly submitted her own humanity to the wisdom of our all-knowing God. Like Mary do we always submit to the wisdom of God? Or we only submit when it favors us when it doesn’t favor us, we decline God’s wisdom and submit to our own will.  

God’s wisdom is always for our own betterment. We may initially see it as something that is very hard to follow because we would be pulled out from our own comfort zones or from our own sinful zones. But at the end we will realize that the plan of God is correct and it’s for our own good.  

Today being the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. Let us reflect upon the Blessed Mother’s humility, obedience and compliance to the plan and will of God. That the plan of God is always designed for our own good no matter how difficult it may seem for us. We may not understand it now but God’s plan is always for our own good.  

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

1Reflection for March 24, Thursday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 11:14-23

Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons. Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.  

And if Satan is divided against himself how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.  

When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

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Reflection:

Do you believe in Jesus as your Lord and savior? In our gospel for today, after casting out the demon from a man Jesus was accused to be one with the demons. They obviously did not believe in Jesus as their Lord and savior. They also can’t believe that Jesus is capable of doing this miracle with good intentions in His heart. Otherwise they would have not accused Him as one with the demons.  

Who is one with the demons? Is it Jesus or the ones who refuse to believe in Him? There are only two options that we have in this world to believe in Jesus or not to believe in Jesus. To believe means that we should walk the path of Jesus for we can’t say that we believe yet we don’t walk the path of Jesus. Those who don’t believe are those who are vulnerable to the company and possession of the devil. 

Many of the people of today are like those in the time of Jesus who did not believe in Him. For what reasons? Perhaps they are so obsessed with their own selves. That they regard themselves as somebody who know better than Jesus that’s why they don’t believe. Or they believe but they don’t follow the teachings of Jesus.  

But the consequence of not believing in Jesus is enormous. First and foremost is they invite the devil to possess them. And once they are already possessed by the devil they now are capable of doing evil without any guilt of conscience.  

This is the reason why there are mothers who abort their unborn child without any guilt of conscience. This is the reason why there are married couples who engaged in adulterous relationships without guilt of conscience. They are capable of doing these despicable acts because they’ve allowed themselves to be possessed by the devil.      

But there’s still hope for as long as there are people like you who believe in Jesus. People like you who will stand for the teachings and values of Jesus. People like you who will value the gift of life more than the evil of abortion and wicked convenience. And people like you who will respect the sanctity of the marriage covenant and not succumb to wicked, evil and lustful desires enticed by the devil. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 24 Huwebes sa Ika-3 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Lucas 11:14-23

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:14-23

14 Minsa’y nagpapalayas si Jesus ng isang demonyo at ito’y pipi. Nang luma­bas na ang demonyo, nakapagsa­lita ang pipi at namangha ang mga tao. 15 Ngunit sinabi ng ilan sa kanila: “Pinalalayas niya ang mga ito sa tulong ni Beelzebul na pinuno ng mga demonyo.” 16 Gusto naman ng iba na subukin si Jesus at humi­ngi sila sa kanya ng isang tanda galing sa langit.   

17 Alam ni Jesus ang kanilang iniisip kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “Mabu­buwag ang bawat kahariang nagka­kahati-hati at magigiba roon ang mga samba­hayan. 18 Ngayon, kung nagkakahati-hati si Sa­tanas, paano mag­ta­tagal ang kanyang kaharian? Di nga ba’t sinasabi ninyo na nagpapalayas ako ng mga de­monyo sa tulong ni Beelzebul? 19 Kung sa pamamagitan ni Beelzebul ako nag­pa­palayas ng mga demonyo, paano na­man napalalayas ng inyong mga ka­anib ang mga ito? Sila mismo ang nara­rapat sumagot sa inyo.  

20 Sa daliri ng Diyos ako nagpapa­layas ng mga demonyo kaya sumapit na sa inyo ang kaharian ng Diyos. 21 Kung sandatahang binabantayan ni Malakas ang kanyang palasyo, hindi magagam­bala ang kanyang mga pag-aari. 22 Pero kung salakayin siya ng mas makapang­yarihan sa kanya at talunin siya, maa­agaw nito ang kanyang mga armas na kanyang inasahan at ipamamahagi ang kanyang mga ari-arian.  23 Ang hindi panig sa akin ay laban sa akin, at ang hindi nagtitipong kasama ko ay nagpapangalat. 

Reflection for March 23, Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent: Matthew 5:17-19

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.  

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

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Reflection:

Do you obey, teach and live the laws of the Lord?  

Jesus in our gospel for today speaks about Himself as the fulfillment of the law. In effect Jesus was telling the disciples I am now the fulfilment of those commandments from the Old Testament.  

For example, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) which God gave to Moses in the mountain of Sinai. Jesus summarized these ten to become the two greatest commandments which states: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments (Matthew 22:37-40).”  

Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments thus it became the two greatest commandments of love. Indeed, if we really love Jesus there would be no room for hatred, condemnation, self-righteousness, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.  

What would remain in our hearts is love for love is the advocacy and language of Jesus. Jesus love for us is so unlike the love that we have. This is for the reason that Jesus’ love is not a selective kind of love but love for everyone of us no matter who we are.   

This is therefore the exercise of love that we have to emulate: To love everyone no matter how they loved us and no matter the sins that they’ve committed against us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 23 Miyerkules sa Ika-3 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 5:17-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:17-19

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 17 Huwag ninyong akalain na napa­rito ako para pawalang-bisa ang Batas at Mga Propeta. Naparito ako hindi para magpa­walang-bisa kundi upang mag­bigay-kaganapan. 18 At talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: habang hindi naba­bago ang langit at lupa, hindi maba­bago ni isang kudlit o kuwit ng Batas: lahat ay matu­tupad.   

19 Kung may lumabag sa pinakamaliit na ipinag-uutos ng Batas at magturo ng ganoon sa mga tao, ituturing din siyang pinakamaliit sa Kaharian ng Langit. Ngu­nit kung may magsagawa at magturo ng mga ito sa mga tao, magiging dakila siya sa Kaharian ng Langit.

 

1Reflection for March 22, Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent: Matthew 18:21-35

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. 

That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. 

At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’

Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. 

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

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Reflection:

Why is it that many of us are not able to forgive? This is for the reason that we think highly of ourselves and we think that we are superior than the person who sinned against us. Unforgiveness also emanates from our arrogance, pride and lack of humility. Unforgiveness is also a sign that we love ourselves more than we love Jesus.  

If we truly love Jesus and if we really are humble we would be forgiving no matter how deep the wound that had been inflicted upon us. For example, if a wayward spouse would ask for forgiveness we would think deeply upon it and would eventually forgive.  

If we would continue to provide safe harbor for hatred and unforgiveness in our hearts, we are only creating an invisible prison cell within ourselves. Prison cell that perpetually punish and enslave us. 

In our gospel, Peter asked Jesus: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:21-22). This simply means that forgiveness should be never-ending or limitless.  

Those who are humble and those who deeply love Jesus are the only ones capable of unlimited forgiveness. Are you forgiving? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 22 Martes sa Ika-3 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 18:21-35

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:21-35

21 Nagtanong naman si Pedro: “Panginoon, gaano kadalas ko naman dapat patawarin ang mga pagku­kulang ng aking kapatid? Pitong be­ses ba?” 22 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi, hindi pitong beses kundi pitumpu’t pitong beses.  

23 Tungkol sa kaharian ng Langit ang kasaysayang ito. Isang hari ang nag­pasyang pagbayarin ng utang ang kanyang mga utusan. 24 Nang simulan niyang suriin ang kuwenta, ini­harap sa kanya ang isang may utang na sampung libong baretang ginto. 25 Dahil walang ma­ibayad sa kanya ang tao, iniutos ng panginoon na ipagbili at maging alipin siya kasama ng kan­yang asawa, mga anak at mga ari-arian bilang bayad-utang.  

26 At nagpatirapa sa paanan ng hari ang opisyal at sinabi: ‘Bigyan mo pa ako ng panahon, at ba­bayaran kong lahat ang utang ko.’ 27 Naawa sa kanya ang hari at hindi lamang siya pinalaya kundi kinansela pa ang kanyang utang. 28 Pagkaalis ng opisyal na ito, nasa­lu­bong ni­ya ang isa sa kanyang mga kasamahan na may utang namang sandaang barya sa kanya. Si­nung­gaban niya ito sa leeg at halos sakalin habang sumisigaw ng ‘Bayaran mo ang utang mo!’  

29 Nagpa­tirapa sa paanan niya ang kanyang kasamahan at nag­sabi: ‘Big­yan mo pa ako ng panahon, at baba­yaran kong lahat ang utang ko sa iyo.’ 30 Ngunit tumanggi siya at ipina­kulong ito hanggang maka­bayad ng utang. 31 Labis na nalungkot ang iba nilang kapwa-lingkod nang makita ang nang­yari. Kaya pinuntahan nila ang kani­lang panginoon at ibinalita ang buong pang­yayari. 

32 Ipinatawag naman niya ang opisyal at sinabi: ‘Masamang utusan, pinatawad ko ang lahat ng iyong utang nang maki­usap ka sa akin. 33 Di ba dapat ay naawa ka rin sa iyong kasamahan gaya ng pagkaawa ko sa iyo?’ 34 Galit na galit ang panginoon kaya ibinigay niya ang kanyang utusan sa mga tagapag­pa­hirap hang­gang mabaya­ran nito ang lahat ng utang.” 

35 Idinagdag ni Jesus: “Ganito rin ang gagawin sa inyo ng aking Ama sa Langit kung hindi pata­tawarin ng bawat isa sa inyo mula sa puso ang kanyang kapatid.”           

Reflection for March 21, Monday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 4:24-30

Gospel: Luke 4:24-30

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land.  

It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 

When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

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Reflection:

Are you sometimes envious of the success of your fellowmen? 

Crab mentality perhaps was in the minds of Jesus townmates that is why they did not acknowledge Him as their prophet. His townmates were envious of His newfound celebrity status they could not accept that a simple carpenter was doing all these life changing preaching, healings and miracles.  

The reality of our lives is this: We don’t control the destiny of others only God controls it. God can raise up seemingly ordinary people to give them extraordinary gifts and missions. We must not be envious of these people who were given by God with these extra-ordinary gifts we instead must be happy for them. 

The result of their loathsome behavior towards Jesus is this: Jesus did not do much miracles in their place.  Let us not be like the townmates of Jesus let us embrace Jesus and let us deeply believe in Him and follow His teachings. Because Jesus is the only one who holds the key to the door of our salvation.   – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 21 Lunes sa Ika-3 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Lucas 4:24-30

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 4:24-30

Pagdating ni Jesus sa Nazaret sinabi niya sa lahat ng mga taong nasa sinagoga24 “Talagang sinasabi ko: walang propetang katanggap-tanggap sa sarili niyang bayan. 25 Tinitiyak ko sa inyo na maraming babaeng balo noon sa kapana­hunan ni Elias nang sarhan ang langit sa loob ng tatlo’t kala­hating taon at nagkaroon ng matin­ding taggutom sa buong lupain.  

26 Gayon pa ma’y hindi ipinadala si Elias sa isa man sa kanila kundi sa baba­eng balo ng    Sarepta sa may Sidon. 27 Marami ring may­ketong sa Israel sa kapana­hunan ni Propeta Eliseo pero wala sa kanilang pinaga­ling kundi ang Siriong si Naaman.”   

28 Napuno ng galit ang lahat sa sinagoga pagkarinig dito, 29 tumindig sila at ipinagtulakan siya sa labas ng bayan. Dinala nila siya sa gilid ng burol na ki­na­­­ta­tayuan ng kanilang bayan para ihu­log. 30 Ngunit du­maan siya sa gitna nila at umalis.

Reflection for Sunday March 20, Third Sunday of Lent: Luke 13:1-9

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Jesus said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them— do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” 

And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”

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Reflection:

Would you obey this call of repentance by Jesus? 

Repentance is something that we all need to do for we are all sinners. But why is it that many of us are not willing to obey this call of Jesus? The reason behind is we don’t have the virtue of humility. And many of us have mortgaged our life to the Devil to enjoy sinful earthly pleasures.  These are the reasons why we refuse God’s call for us to repent. But what price are we willing to pay for snubbing Jesus call of repentance?  Would we be willing to endure shame, suffering or even death for snubbing the Lord’s call of repentance? 

The moment we repent a huge burden would immediately be removed from our hearts and conscience. We will feel light and peaceful and our seamless connection with Jesus will immediately be restored. But many of us refuse to repent we instead prefer to be slaves of sin. Many of us prefer to embrace the devil rather than God.   

Jesus in our gospel for today is calling us to repent from all of our sins. This means that we would be willing to walk away from any sinful actions and thoughts. We would completely walk away from anyone who makes us sin and who influence us to sin. And we would be willing to submit ourselves to the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

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

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

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

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

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

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Reflection:

Do you agree that Joseph is a man who listens to the voice of God? 

Today is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph the Humble, Righteous and Godly husband of Mary. When Joseph discovered that Mary was carrying a child prior to their living together, Joseph decided to quietly divorce Mary. 

However, an angel of the Lord spoke to him in his dream and through the angel Joseph listened to the Lord. Thus, it averted their divorce and the punishing predicament that Mary would have undergone.    

In our modern and high-tech times right now many marriages are falling apart. This is for the reason that we easily judge, we allow our inflated egos and anger to get the better of us. For the reason of our ego, unforgiveness and judgmental mindset we have no time to listen to the voice of God.  

The voice of God who always tells us to be forgiving as He has forgiven us and not to be judgmental for He does not judge us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas