Reflection for April 15, Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion: John 18:1-19:42

Gospel John 18:1-19:42 

Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. Judas his betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards  from the chief priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.” He said to them, “I AM.” Judas his betrayer was also with them. When he said to them, “I AM,  they turned away and fell to the ground. So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I AM. So if you are looking for me, let these men go. This was to fulfill what he had said, “I have not lost any of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?”  

So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus, bound him, and brought him to Annas first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people. 

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Now the other disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered the courtyard of the high priest with Jesus. But Peter stood at the gate outside. So the other disciple, the acquaintance of the high priest,  went out and spoke to the gatekeeper and brought Peter in. Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter, “You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?”He said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire that they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there keeping warm.  

The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. Why ask me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. They know what I said. When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.  

Now Simon Peter was standing there keeping warm. And they said to him, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied it. And immediately the cock crowed.  

Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. It was morning. And they themselves did not enter the praetorium, in order not to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?” They answered and said to him, “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” At this, Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” The Jews answered him, “We do not have the right to execute anyone, “ in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled that he said indicating the kind of death he would die.  

So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?”Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting  to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” 

When he had said this, he again went out to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this one but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary. 

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly. Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”  

Now when Pilate heard this statement, he became even more afraid, and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” Jesus did not answer him. So Pilate said to him, “Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” Consequently, Pilate tried to release him; but the Jews cried out, “If you release him, you are not a Friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”  

When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and seated him on the judge’s bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha. It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon. And he said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. here they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle.  

Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews’.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier.  

They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be, “ in order that the passage of Scripture might be fulfilled that says: They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. This is what the soldiers did. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.  

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.  

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.  

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and that they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true;  he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe. For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled: Not a bone of it will be broken. And again another passage says: They will look upon him whom they have pierced.   

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.

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Reflection:

Would you have the strength and courage to carry your own cross? 

After all the hardship, betrayal and persecution Jesus has finally accomplished His salvific mission. It seems odd that in His last days He was powerless even though He is powerful. He did nothing to save Himself even if He has at His disposal all the power in this world to save Himself.  

But Jesus did not die for Himself, He died for our sake. He endured everything including the humiliating death on the cross to save us that is how great Jesus’ love for us! Therefore, the cross where He died is also the cross that saved us.  

In hindsight what are we willing to give Jesus in return for saving us? Are we also willing to carry our own cross for His sake? We may not be able to immediately answer this because many of us are already used with the comforts of our hi-tech and smartphone driven world. 

But the comforts of this world are nothing compared to the eternal heavenly dwelling that awaits us. And what is the magic word so that we would be able to go to that eternal heavenly dwelling eventually?  

We must be willing to carry our own cross as well and what is this cross or who is this cross? He/she is someone who makes life difficult for us, we have to be patient with him/her until he/she is enlightened. Another cross is a sickness that we have to endure for as long as we live. Anything that makes life harder for us is our cross and we have to ask Jesus to help us overcome all of these crosses. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 15, Biyernes Santo sa Pagpapakasakit ng Panginoon (Pag-aayuno at Abstinensya): Juan 18:1-19:42

Mabuting Balita: Juan 18:1-19-42

1 Lumabas si Jesus kasama ang kanyang mga alagad sa kabilang-ibayo ng sapa ng Kedron. May bukid doon at puma­sok siya roon at ang kanyang mga alagad. 2 Alam din ni Judas na nagkakanulo sa kanya ang lugar dahil doon malimit magtagpo si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad. 3 Kaya isinama ni Judas ang tropa ng mga sundalo at mga bantay ng Templo mula sa mga punong-pari at mga Pariseo, at nag­punta sila roon na may mga sulo, ilawan at armas. 4 Alam ni Jesus ang lahat ng sa­sapitin niya kaya lumabas siya at sinabi sa kanila: “Sino’ng hinahanap ninyo?” 5 Sumagot sila sa kanya: “Si Jesus na taga-Nazaret.” Sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ako siya!” Naroon ding kasa­ma nila si Judas na nagkanulo sa kanya.  

6 At nang sabihin ni Jesus sa kani­lang “Ako siya!” napaurong sila at nabuwal sa lupa. 7 Kaya muli niya silang tinanong: “Sino’ng hinahanap ninyo?” Sinabi naman nila: “Si Jesus na taga-Nazaret.” 8 At sumagot si Jesus: “Sinabi ko sa inyong ako siya. Kaya kung ako ang hina­hanap ninyo, pabayaan n’yong makaalis ang mga ito.” 9 Ganito kailangang maganap ang salitang sinabi niya: “Hindi ko iwinala isa man sa mga ibinigay mo sa akin.” 10 May tabak si Simon Pedro, binunot niya ito at tinaga ang utusan ng Punong-pari at tinagpas ang kanang tenga nito. Malko ang pangalan ng utusan. 11 Kaya sinabi ni Jesus kay Pedro: “Ibalik mo ang tabak sa suk­bitan nito. Hindi ko ba iinumin ang kalis na ibinigay sa akin ng Ama?”  

12 Kaya dinakip si Jesus ng tropa, ng kapitan at ng mga bantay ng mga Judio, at iginapos siya. 13 At dinala muna nila siya kay Annas na biyenan ni Caifas na siya namang Punong-pari nang taong iyon. 14 Ngayon, si Caifas ang nagpayo sa mga Judio na mas makabubuting isang tao ang mamatay alang-alang sa samba­yanan. 15 Sumusunod naman kay Jesus si Simon Pedro at ang isa pang alagad. Dahil kilala ng Punong-pari ang alagad na iyon, nakapasok siyang kasabay ni Jesus sa patyo ng Punong-pari. 16 Na­katayo naman sa labas si Simon Pedro, sa may pintuan. Kaya lumabas ang isa pang alagad na kilala ng Punong-pari at kinausap ang babaeng bantay sa pinto at pinasok sa loob si Pedro.  

17 Kaya sinabi kay Pedro ng dala­gitang bantay sa pintuan: “Di ba’t isa ka rin sa mga alagad ng taong ito?” Sumagot siya “Hindi ako!” 18 Nanga­tayo naman ang mga utusan at mga bantay, nagsiga sila at nagpapainit dahil maginaw. Kasama nilang naka­tayo rin si Pedro at nagpa­painit.  

19 Siniyasat si Jesus ng Punong-pari tungkol sa kanyang mga alagad at tungkol sa kanyang turo. 20 Sumagot sa kanya si Jesus: “Lantaran akong na­ngu­sap sa mundo. Lagi akong nagtu­turo sa sinagoga’t sa Templo na pinag­ti­tipunan ng lahat ng Judio. Wala akong ipina­ngusap nang palihim. 21 Ba’t ako ang tinatanong n’yo? Ang mga nakarinig sa ipinangusap ko sa kanila ang tanungin n’yo. Siguradong alam nila ang mga sinabi ko.”  

22 Sa pagsagot niya nang ganito, sinampal si Jesus ng isa sa mga bantay na nakatayo roon at sinabi: “Ganyan ka ba sumagot sa Punong-pari? 23 Sinagot siya ni Jesus: “Kung nangusap ako ng masama. Patunayan mong masama; kung mabuti naman, bakit mo ako pinagbuhatan ng kamay?” 24 At nakagapos siyang ipinadala ni Annas kay Caifas na Punong-pari. 25 Ngayon, nakatayo naman si Simon Pedro at nagpapainit. Kaya sinabi nila sa kanya: “Di ba’t isa ka rin sa kanyang mga alagad?” Itinatuwa niya iyon at sinabi: “Hindi ako.” 26 Sina­bi naman ng isa sa mga utusan ng Punong-pari, na kamag-anak ng tinag­pasan ni Pedro ng tenga: “Di ba’t nakita kitang kasama niya sa bukid? 27 Ngunit muli itong itinatuwa ni Pedro. At biglang tumilaok ang tandang.  

• 28 Mula kay Caifas, dinala si Jesus sa palasyo ng gobernador. Umaga na noon at hindi sila pumasok sa palasyo para makakain ng Hapunang Pampas­kuwa, kung hindi’y marurumihan sila ng lugar na iyon. 29 Kaya nilabas sila ni Pilato at tinanong: “Anong sakdal ang dala n’yo laban sa taong ito?” 30 Sumagot sila: “Kung hindi guma­gawa ng masama ang taong ito, hindi sana namin siya ipinaubaya sa iyo.” 31 Kaya sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato: “Kunin n’yo siya, at kayo ang humu­kom sa kanya ayon sa inyong batas.” sinabi naman sa kanya ng mga Judio: “Hindi ipinahi­hintulot sa amin na humatol ng kama­tayan.” 32 Sa gayon magaganap ang salitang sinabi ni Jesus tungkol sa kamatayang ikamamatay niya.  

33 Kaya muling pumasok si Pilato sa palasyo, tinawag si Jesus at sinabi sa kanya: “Ikaw ba ang hari ng mga Judio?” 34 Sumagot si Jesus: “Mula ba sa ’yo ang salitang ito o may nagsabi sa ’yo tungkol sa akin?” 35 Sumagot si Pilato: “Ako ba’y Judio? Ipinaubaya ka sa akin ng mga kalahi mo at ng mga punong-hari. Ano ba’ng ginawa mo?” 36 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi sa mun­dong ito galing ang pagkahari ko. Kung sa mundong ito galing ang pagkahari ko, makikibaka sana ang mga tauhan ko upang hindi ako maipaubaya sa mga Judio. Ngunit hindi nga dito galing ang pagkahari ko.”  

37 Kaya sinabi sa kanya ni Pilato: “Eh di hari ka nga?” sumagot si Jesus: “Sinabi mong hari nga ako. Para dito ako isinilang at dahil dito kaya ako dumating sa mundo: upang magpa­tunay sa katoto­ha­nan. Nakikinig sa tinig ko ang bawat makatotohanan.” 38 Sinabi sa kanya ni Pilato: “Ano ang katotohanan?” Pagkasabi nito, lumabas siyang muli sa mga Judio at sinabi sa kanila: “Wala akong matagpuang krimen sa kanya. 39 May kaugalian kayo na pinalalaya ko sa inyo ang isang tao sa araw ng Pas­kuwa. Kaya gusto n’yo bang palayain ko sa inyo ang Hari ng mga Judio?” 40 At muli silang nag­sigawan: “Hindi siya kundi si Barabbas!” Si Barabbas ay tulisan.  

 19  1 Kaya ipinakuha noon ni Pilato si Jesus at ipinahagupit. 2 Pag­ka­­pu­lupot naman ng mga sundalo ng isang koronang tinik, ipinutong ito sa kanyang ulo at binalabalan siya ng kapang pulang-panghari, 3 at nagla­pitan sa kanya sa pagsasabing “Mabu­hay ang Hari ng mga Judio.” At pinag­sasampal nila siya. 4 Nang muling lumabas si Pilato, sinabi niya sa mga Judio: “Narito’t inilabas ko siya sa inyo upang mala­man n’yong wala akong matagpuang krimen sa kanya.” 5 Kaya lumabas si Jesus, suot ang tini­kang korona at ang kapang pulang-panghari. Sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato: “Hayan ang Tao!”   

6 Kaya nang makita siya ng mga punong-pari at mga bantay, nagsi­gawan sila: “Ipako sa krus! Ipako sa krus!” sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato: “Kunin n’yo siya at kayo ang magpako sa krus dahil wala akong matagpuang krimen sa kanya.” 7 Sumagot sa kanya ang mga Judio: “May Batas kami at ayon sa Batas ay dapat siyang mamatay sa­pag­kat ginawa niyang Anak ng Diyos ang kanyang sarili.” 8 Nang marinig ni Pilato ang salitang ito’y lalo siyang natakot. 9 Pumasok siyang muli sa palasyo at tinanong si Jesus: “Tagasaan ka ba?” Wala na­mang isinagot si Jesus sa kanya. 10 Kaya sinabi sa kanya ni Pilato: “Hindi ka ba maki­kipag-usap sa akin? Hindi mo ba alam na may ka­pangyarihan akong palayain ka at may kapang­yarihan ding ipapako ka sa krus?”   

11 Sumagot si Jesus: “Wala kang anumang kapangyarihan sa akin kung hindi ito ibinigay sa iyo mula sa itaas. Kaya mas mabigat ang kasalanan ng nagpaubaya sa akin sa iyo.” 12 Mula noo’y hinangad ni Pilato na palayain siya. Nagsisisigaw naman ang mga Judio: “Kung palayain mo siya, hindi ka kaibigan ng Cesar. Nagsasalita laban sa Cesar ang sinumang guma­gawang hari sa kanyang sarili!” 13 Nang marinig ni Pilato ang mga salitang ito, ipinadala niya sa labas ni Jesus at pinaupo sa luklukan, sa lugar na tinatawag na Lithostrotos, na sa Hebreo’y Gabbatha.  

14 Paghahanda noon ng Paskuwa, magtatanghaling-tapat ang oras. sinabi niya sa mga Judio: “Hayan ang inyong Hari!” 15 Kaya nagsigawan ang mga iyon: “Alisin, alisin, ipako siya sa krus!” Sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato: “Ipa­pako ko ba sa krus ang inyong Hari?” Sumagot ang mga punong-pari: “Wala kaming hari liban sa Cesar.” 16 Kaya noo’y ipinaubaya siya ni Pilato sa kanila upang ipako sa krus.  

Kinuha nila si Jesus. 17 Siya mismo ang nagpasan ng krus at lumabas tungo sa lugar ng kung tawagi’y Pook ng Bungo, na sa Hebreo’y Golgotha. 18 Doon nila siya ipinako sa krus, at kasama niya ang dala­wang iba pa sa magkabila, nasa gitna naman si Jesus. 19 Ipinasulat din ni Pilato ang kara­tula at ipinalagay sa krus. Nasusulat: Jesus na taga-Nazaret, ang Hari ng mga Judio. 20 Marami sa mga Judio ang nakabasa sa karatulang ito dahil malapit sa lunsod ang lugar na pinagpakuan sa krus kay Jesus, at nasusulat iyon sa Hebreo, Latin at Griyego. 21 Kaya sinabi kay Pilato ng mga punong-pari ng mga Judio: “Huwag mong isulat ‘ang Hari ng mga Judio,’ kundi ‘Ito ang nagsabing “Hari ako ng mga Judio.’” 22 Sumagot si Pilato: “Ako ang sumulat at nakasulat na.”  

23 Nang maipako ng mga sundalo si Jesus sa krus, kinuha nila ang kanyang mga damit, at pinaghati sa apat – tig-isang bahagi sa bawat sundalo – at ang tunika. Ngayon, wa­lang tahi ang tunika, at hinabi nang buo mula taas. 24 Kaya pinag-usapan nila: “Huwag natin itong punitin kundi pagsapalaranan natin kung mapa­pa­­kanino.” Gayon kailangang maganap ang kasulatan: Pinagbaha-bahagi nila sa kani-kanila ang aking mga damit, at pinagpalabunutan ang aking suot. Ito nga ang ginawa ng mga sundalo.  

25 Nangakatayo naman sa tabi ng krus ni Jesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae ng kanyang ina, si Maria ni Cleofas at si Maria Magdalena. 26 Kaya pagkakita ni Jesus sa ina at sa alagad na mahal niya na nakatayo sa tabi, sinabi niya sa Ina: “Babae, hayan ang anak mo!” 27 pagkatapos ay sinabi naman niya sa alagad: “Hayan ang iyong ina.” At mula sa oras na iyon, tinanggap siya ng alagad sa kanyang tahanan.  

 28 Pagkaraan nito, alam ni Jesus na ngayo’y natupad na ang lahat. Ngunit kailangang maganap ang Kasulatan, at sinabi niya: “Nauuhaw ako!” 29 May sisidlan doon na puno ng maasim na alak. Kaya ikinabit nila sa isopo ang isang esponghang ibinabad sa alak at idiniit sa kanyang bibig. 30 Pagkasipsip ni Jesus ng alak, sinabi niya: “Natupad na!” At pagka­yuko ng ulo’y ibinigay ang espiritu. 31 Dahil paghahanda noon, ayaw ng mga Judio na mamalagi sa krus ang mga katawan sa Araw ng Pahinga sapagkat dakilang araw ang Araw na iyon ng Pahinga. At ipinakiusap nila kay Pilato na baliin ang mga binti ng mga nasa krus at saka alisin.  

32 Kaya pumaroon ang mga sundalo. Binali nila ang mga binti ng una at ng isa pang kasama niyang ipinako sa krus. 33 Ngunit pagsapit nila kay Jesus, nakita nilang patay na siya kaya hindi nila binali ang kanyang mga binti. 34 Gayunma’y sinibat ng isa sa mga sundalo ang kanyang tagiliran, at biglang may umagos na dugo at tubig. 35 Ang nakakita ang nagpapatunay, at totoo ang kanyang patunay. At Siya ang naka­aalam na totoo ang sinasabi niya para maniwala kayo. 36 Gayon kailangang maganap ang Kasulatan: Walang babaliin sa kanyang mga buto. 37 At sinasabi ng isa pang Kasulatan: Pagmamasdan nila ang kanilang sinibat.  

38 Pagkatapos ay nakiusap kay Pilato si Joseng taga-Arimatea – ala­gad nga siya ni Jesus pero palihim dahil sa takot sa mga Judio – upang maalis niya ang katawan ni Jesus. At pinahintulutan siya ni Pilato. Kaya pumaroon siya at inalis ang katawan niya. 39 Pumaroon din si Nicodemo, ang pumaroon kay Jesus nang gabi noong una, may dala siyang pinaghalong mira at aloe, na mga sandaan libra. 40 Kaya kinuha nila ang katawan ni Jesus at binalot iyon sa telang linen kasama ang mga pabango, gaya ng kaugalian ng mga Judio sa paglilibing. 41Ngayon, may hardin sa lugar na pinagpakuan sa kanya at sa hardin nama’y may libingang bago na wala pang nailalagay roon. 42 Kaya dahil Paghahanda ng mga Judio at dahil malapit ang libingan – doon nila inilagay si Jesus.   

Reflection for April 14, Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper: John 13:1-15

Gospel: John 13:1-15

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.  

He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Master, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later."  

Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well." Jesus said to him, "Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all." For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean."  

So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."

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Reflection:

What would you do if you know that you are to have the Last Supper of your life? Perhaps, you will be doing something for yourself. Maybe you will isolate yourself and pray with all seriousness before our God. 

Jesus knew beforehand that He would be having His Last Supper but instead of doing something for himself. He washed the feet of the apostles; it was leadership by example personified. He did that act of humility for the reason that He wanted to strongly imprint into the minds of the apostles and to us as well. That those who truly desire to follow Him must first learn to become humble and learn to serve and not to be served.  

Many are not inclined to follow our faith or many are inclined to embrace other faiths because they don’t see the humility of Jesus in us. And who is to blame for this? No other than us because we fail to embrace Jesus template of humility. Many of us don’t grow in faith for the same reason as well.  

If you want to become a great leader, you have to learn to serve and not be served, learn to lead by example and not lead by giving direction and command. And last but certainly not the least learn to follow the humility of Jesus.  

This Holy Thursday let us reflect and ponder on these words of Jesus in the gospel: I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do (John 13:15).” – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 14, Huwebes Santo para sa Misa sa Pagtatakipsilim sa Paghahapunan ng Panginoon: Juan 13:1-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 13:1-15

Bago magpiyesta ng Paskuwa, alam ni Jesus na duma­ting na ang kanyang oras para tumawid mula sa mundong ito tungo sa Ama, sa pagmamahal niya sa mga sariling kanya na nasa mundo, minahal niya sila hanggang kaganapan. • 2 Naghahapunan sila at naisilid na ng diyab­lo sa kalooban ni Judas na anak ni Simon Iskariote na ipagkanulo siya.  

3 Alam naman ni Jesus na ipinag­kaloob ng Ama sa kanyang mga kamay ang lahat, at mula sa Diyos siya galing at sa Diyos siya pabalik.  4 Kaya tumindig siya mula sa hapunan at hinubad ang panlabas na damit, at pagka­kuha ng tuwalya ay ibi­nigkis sa sarili. 5 Pagkatapos ay nag­buhos siya ng tubig sa hugasan, at sinimulang hugasan ang mga paa ng mga alagad at punasan ng tuwalyang na­kabigkis sa kanya.  

6 Nang lumapit siya kay Simon Pedro, sinabi nito sa kanya: “Pangi­noon, ikaw ba ang mag­hu­hu­gas sa aking mga paa?” 7 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi mo alam ngayon ang ginagawa ko pero mauuna­waan mo makaraan ang mga ito.” 8 Sinabi sa kanya ni Pedro: “Hinding-hindi mo kailanman huhugasan ang aking mga paa.” Sumagot si Jesus sa kanya: “Kung hindi kita huhu­gasan, hindi ka makababahagi sa akin.”  

9 Sinabi sa kanya ni Simon Pedro: “Pangi­noon, hindi lamang ang mga paa ko kundi pati na ang mga kamay at ulo.” 10 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Mga paa lamang ang kailangang hugasan ng naligo na dahil malinis na ang buo niyang sarili. Malinis nga kayo pero hindi lahat.” 11 Alam ni Jesus ang mag­kakanulo sa kanya. Dahil dito kaya niya sinabing: “Hindi lahat kayo’y malinis.”   

12 Kaya nang mahugasan niya ang kanilang mga paa, kinuha niya ang kanyang panlabas na damit at bumalik sa hapag, at sinabi niya sa kanila: “Nauu­nawaan n’yo ba ang ginawa ko sa inyo? 13Tinatawag n’yo akong ‘Guro’ at ‘Pangi­noon.’ At tama ang pagsasabi ninyo: ako nga.  

14 Kaya kung hinu­gasan ko ang inyong mga paa, akong Panginoon at Guro, gayundin kayo dapat mag­hugasan ng mga paa ng isa’t isa. 15 Isang halimbawa ang ibinigay ko sa inyo upang gawin din ninyo gaya ng ginawa ko sa inyo.

Reflection for April 13, Wednesday of Holy Week: Matthew 26:14-25

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you? They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.  

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples. The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.  

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?  

He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

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Reflection:

Do you open your house as a shelter for those who are in need? 

Who was the man who opened his house for Jesus and his apostles? We don’t know, what we are certain about him is he was gracious and kind enough to offer his house to Jesus. There was no ulterior motive when he allowed them to use his house for their Passover remembrance.  

Judas was with Jesus and his fellow apostles but he was not there to be in communion with them. He was with them because he was planning something sinister, none other than the betrayal of Jesus.  

We see in the gospel Judas obsession with mammon or dirty material wealth. Why on earth did he betray his Lord and Master? This is for the reason that Judas was already possessed by Satan thus Judas was willing to do anything to please his new master.

The lesson for us here is we must be careful not to allow Satan or the Devil to possess us. Because the moment we allow Satan to gain foothold in our life. Satan will never stop until he possess and eventually destroys us.     

Do you allow Satan’s temptations to win over you or you always reject Satan no matter how attractive his temptations?   – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 13, Miyerkules Santo: Mateo 26:14-25

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 26:14-25

14 Pumunta sa mga punong-pari ang isa sa Labindalawa, ang tinatawag na Judas Iskariote, at sinabi: 15 “Mag­kano ang ibibigay ninyo sa akin kung ibibigay ko siya sa inyo?” Inalok nila ito ng tat­lumpung baryang pilak, 16 at mula noon, naghanap ito ng pag­kakataong maipag­kanulo siya.   

17 Sa unang araw ng Piyesta ng Tinapay na Walang Leba­dura, lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad at sinabi sa kanya: “Saan mo kami gustong maghanda ng Hapunang Pam­pas­kuwa para sa iyo?” 18 Sumagot si Jesus: “Puntahan ninyo ang lalaking ito sa lunsod at sabihin sa kanya: ‘Sinasabi ng Guro: malapit na ang oras ko at sa bahay mo ako magdiriwang ng Paskuwa kasama ng aking mga alagad’.”  

19 At ginawa ng mga alagad ang lahat ng iniutos ni Jesus at inihanda ang Pas­kuwa. 20 Pagkalubog ng araw, nasa hapag si Jesus kasama ng Labindalawa. 21 Ha­bang kumakain sila, sinabi ni Jesus: “Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: ipagka­kanulo ako ng isa sa inyo.” 22 Lubha silang nalungkot at nagta­nong ang bawat isa: “Ako ba, Panginoon?”  

23 Sumagot siya: “Ang kasabay kong nagsawsaw ng tinapay sa plato ang magkakanulo sa akin. 24 Pa­tuloy sa kan­yang daan ang Anak ng Tao ayon sa isi­nulat tungkol sa kanya ngunit kawawa ang nagkakanulo sa Anak ng Tao; mas mabuti pa para sa taong ito kung hindi na siya ipinanganak pa.” 25 Nagtanong din si Judas na magka­ka­nulo sa kanya: “Ako ba, Guro?” Sumagot si Jesus: “Ikaw na ang nag­sabi.”

Reflection for April 12 Tuesday of Holy Week: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” 

Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.”So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night. 

When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.” 

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

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Reflection:

Have you been betrayed already? How did you feel? You felt bad of course; you felt anger and disappointment toward the person who betrayed you. 

When Jesus was betrayed by Judas he felt bad and disappointed same perhaps when He was disowned by Peter not once, not twice but three times! However, after all had been said and done Jesus forgave them all. When Jesus was dying on the cross He said: “Father forgive them for they do not know what they do (Luke 23:34).” 

To be betrayed and disowned by those whom we thought were not capable of doing it to us is something that is very hard to accept. But that’s life, that’s how many of us are when we are tempted by the devil disguised as an attractive person, we easily embrace betrayal. 

For example in the Sacrament of Marriage, how many times have we betrayed our sacred wows for those fleeting wicked self-gratification? Not knowing the immense consequence that will befall us. 

Betrayal initially starts in the mind when we conjure images of the person who attracts us. Until he/she completely captures us, yet betrayal is not an act by the person alone. It is an act by the devil feed to the mind of the person. And when the person has weak faith he/she naturally succumbs to the wicked scheming of the devil until it completely destroy the person.  

When Jesus said on the cross: “Father forgive them for they do not know what they do (Luke 23:34).” He was not only referring to those who denied and betrayed Him during that time of His passion. He was also referring to us who are easily swayed by the many temptations of the devil.

In this Tuesday of Holy Week let us ponder about the many betrayals that we’ve made to Jesus. The many betrayals that we’ve made inside the Sacrament of Marriage/Matrimony. Let us beg for healing and forgiveness from Jesus. And lest we forget let us also beg for forgiveness and restoration from the person whom we have betrayed. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 12 Martes Santo: Juan 13:21-33, 36-38

Mabuting Balita: Juan 13:21-33, 36-38

21Nang masabing gayon ni Jesus, siya'y nagulumihanan sa espiritu, at pinatotohanan, at sinabi, Katotohanan, katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo, na ako'y ipagkakanulo ng isa sa inyo. 22Ang mga alagad ay nangagtingintinginan, na nangagaalinlangan kung kanino niya sinasalita. 23Sa dulang ay may isa sa kaniyang mga alagad, na minamahal ni Jesus na nakahilig sa sinapupunan ni Jesus. 24Hinudyatan nga siya ni Simon Pedro, at sinabi sa kaniya, Sabihin mo sa amin kung sino ang sinasalita niya.  

25Ang nakahilig nga sa dibdib ni Jesus ay nagsabi sa kaniya, Panginoon, sino yaon? 26Sumagot nga si Jesus, Yaong aking ipagsawsaw at bigyan ng tinapay ay siya nga. Kaya't nang maisawsaw niya ang tinapay, ay kinuha niya at ibinigay niya kay Judas, na anak ni Simon Iscariote. 27At pagkatapos na maisubo, si Satanas nga ay pumasok sa kaniya.  

Sinabi nga sa kaniya ni Jesus, Ang ginagawa mo, ay gawin mong madali. 28Hindi nga natalastas ng sinomang nasa dulang kung sa anong kadahilanan sinalita niya ito. 29Sapagka't iniisip ng ilan, na sapagka't si Judas ang may tangan ng supot, ay sinabi ni Jesus sa kaniya, Bumili ka ng mga bagay na ating kailangan sa pista; o, magbigay siya ng anoman sa mga dukha. 30Nang kaniya ngang matanggap ang subo ay umalis agad: at noo'y gabi na.  

31Nang siya nga'y makalabas na, ay sinabi ni Jesus, Ngayon ay niluluwalhati ang Anak ng tao, at ang Dios ay niluluwalhati sa kaniya: 32At luluwalhatiin siya ng Dios sa kaniyang sarili, at pagdaka'y luluwalhatiin siya niya. 33Maliliit na anak, sumasa inyo pa ako ng kaunting panahon. Ako'y inyong hahanapin: at gaya ng sinabi ko sa mga Judio, Sa paroroonan ko, ay hindi kayo mangakaparoon: gayon ang sinasabi ko sa inyo ngayon.  

36Sinabi sa kaniya ni Simon Pedro, Panginoon, saan ka paroroon? Sumagot si Jesus, Sa paroroonan ko, ay hindi ka makasusunod sa akin ngayon: nguni't pagkatapos ay makasusunod ka. 37Sinabi sa kaniya ni Pedro, Panginoon, bakit hindi ako makasusunod sa iyo ngayon? Ang aking buhay ay ibibigay ko dahil sa inyo. 38Sumagot si Jesus. Ang buhay mo baga'y iyong ibibigay dahil sa akin? Katotohanan, katotohanang sinasabi ko sa iyo, Hindi titilaok ang manok, hanggang ikaila mo akong makaitlo.   

Reflection for April 11 Monday of Holy Week: John 12:1-11

Gospel: John 12:1-11

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 

Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, "Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages and given to the poor?" He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." 

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

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Reflection:

Do you allow hatred, greed and envy to sometimes rule over you? What normally is the product when you allow these evils to take control of you? 

The chief priests allowed these evil intentions to rule over them that’s why they plotted to kill Jesus and Lazarus. They saw in Jesus someone who could overthrow them from their seat of power, so they must kill Him whatever it takes. This they did successfully but what was the bargain for their successful plot against Jesus? They allowed the devil to take control of them.  

Hatred, greed and envy are methods of the devil to slowly trap someone to do what it dictates. Take for example corrupt politicians who would do everything to perpetuate themselves in power. Take for example spouses who allowed hatred and unforgiveness to rule over their love for their spouse.  

We all know where these evil emotions brought the chief priests. It brought them to plot the killing of Jesus. And so they thought that they were finally able to rid Jesus out of their system.  

But they were all wrong; by His resurrection Jesus was able to defeat their evil intentions. By His resurrection Jesus was able to impress upon the minds of the chief priests that their hatred, greed and envy have brought them nothing except further misery.  

The same is true with us all, if we allow the devil to sow hatred, greed and envy in our hearts. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Abril 11 Lunes Santo: Juan 12:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:1-11

1Anim na araw nga bago magpaskua ay naparoon si Jesus sa Betania, na kinaroroonan ni Lazaro, na ibinangon ni Jesus mula sa mga patay. 2Kaya't iginawa siya doon ng isang hapunan: at si Marta ay naglilingkod; datapuwa't si Lazaro ay isa sa nangakaupo sa pagkain na kasalo niya. 3Si Maria nga'y kumuha ng isang libra ng unguentong taganas na nardo, na totoong mahalaga, at pinahiran ang mga paa ni Jesus, at kinuskos ang kaniyang mga paa ng kaniyang mga buhok: at ang bahay ay napuno ng amoy ng unguento. 

4Datapuwa't si Judas Iscariote, na isa sa kaniyang mga alagad, na sa kaniya'y magkakanulo, ay nagsabi, 5Bakit hindi ipinagbili ang unguentong ito ng tatlong daang denario, at ibigay sa mga dukha? 6Ito'y sinabi nga niya, hindi sapagka't ipinagmalasakit niya ang mga dukha; kundi sapagka't siya'y magnanakaw, at yamang nasa kaniya ang supot ay kinukuha niya ang doon ay inilalagay. 7Sinabi nga ni Jesus, Pabayaan ninyong ilaan niya ito ukol sa araw ng paglilibing sa akin. 8Sapagka't ang mga dukha ay laging nasa inyo; nguni't ako'y hindi laging nasa inyo.  

9Ang karaniwang mga tao nga sa mga Judio ay naalaman na siya'y naroroon: at sila'y nagsiparoon, hindi dahil kay Jesus lamang, kundi upang makita nila si Lazaro naman, na muling ibinangon niya mula sa mga patay. 10Datapuwa't nangagsanggunian ang mga pangulong saserdote upang kanilang maipapatay pati si Lazaro; 11Sapagka't dahil sa kaniya'y marami sa mga Judio ang nagsisialis at nagsisipanampalataya kay Jesus.

Reflection for Sunday April 10, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord: Luke 22:14 – 23:56

When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you that from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”  

Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.  

“And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table; for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.” And they began to debate among themselves who among them would do such a deed.  

Then an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’; but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves. It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  

“Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” He said to him, “Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.” But he replied, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me.”  

He said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?” “No, nothing, “ they replied. He said to them, “But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, He was counted among the wicked; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.” Then they said, “Lord, look, there are two swords here. ”But he replied, “It is enough!” 

Then going out, he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them,“Pray that you may not undergo the test.”After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me;still, not my will but yours be done.” And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief.He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.” 

While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, “Lord, shall we strike with a sword?” And one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, “Stop, no more of this!”Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and temple guards and elders who had come for him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? Day after day I was with you in the temple area, and you did not seize me; but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness.”  

After arresting him they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest; Peter was following at a distance. They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter sat down with them. When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said, “This man too was with him.” But he denied it saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” A short while later someone else saw him and said, “You too are one of them”; but Peter answered, “My friend, I am not.” About an hour later, still another insisted, “Assuredly, this man too was with him, for he also is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.” Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly. The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying, “Prophesy!  Who is it that struck you?” And they reviled him in saying many other things against him.  

When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, “If you are the Christ, tell us, “but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.”  

Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, “We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Christ, a king.” Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.” But they were adamant and said, “He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here.”  

On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.”  

But all together they shouted out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” — Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder. — Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, “Crucify him!  Crucify him!” Pilate addressed them a third time, “What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.  

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him.Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed.  

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”  

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”  

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.  

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.  

The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This man was innocent beyond doubt.” When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events. Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action. 

He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. It was the day of preparation, and the sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils.  Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment.

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 Reflection:

Denials and betrayals perhaps these two words best describe the fate which sealed the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus would have not been crucified if he was not denied and betrayed by the very people who followed Him, people who benefited from His miracles and people who were praising Him to high heavens as he entered Jerusalem astride on a donkey.  

Why was Jesus betrayed? Jesus was betrayed because there were no more earth-shaking miracles coming from Him. There were no more displayed of powerful healings and eloquence of speech. What they saw was a defeated and powerless man, a man who couldn’t defend Himself. So unlike of the powerful image of Jesus before He entered Jerusalem, thus they left Jesus to fend for himself!  

Such is our human behavior, we side with the powerful and when the powerful is not anymore powerful we hastily abandon ship. To cling to the new power, this is what happened to Jesus, He was abandoned by the very people who were supposed to defend Him.         

Perhaps in His humanity Jesus was expecting to be defended by those who benefited from Him. But His expectation did not become a reality. In His humanity Jesus saw for Himself the pain and agony of betrayal.  

This is the reality of life during the time of Jesus and this is still the reality of life today during this very hour. We love to side with the powerful even if they are already manipulating and using us to advance their own selfish agenda. They use fake news, lies and historical revisionism to put and eventually perpetuate themselves in power.  

If we continue to side with the powerful who are simply using and manipulating us with their endless dispensing of fake news, lies and historical revisionism to perpetuate their deceitful ambitions. We will not find Jesus because Jesus is not with them.  

Jesus is with the powerless, those who are being oppressed and those who have nothing in life except the tattered clothes that they are wearing.   Jesus is with those who fight and advance the welfare of the poor, the marginalized and those whose integrity are beyond question.   

As we begin our journey this Palm Sunday perhaps it’s good to ask ourselves this questions: Have I already encountered this Jesus who is with the poor, this Jesus who fights for the welfare of the poor and marginalized and this Jesus in the person of a politician whose character and intentions  are beyond question? – Marino J. Dasmarinas