Noong panahong iyon: Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Ang
pagdating ng Anak ng Tao ay matutulad sa pagdating ng baha noong panahon ni
Noe. Noon, ang mga tao’y nagsisikain, nagsisiinom at nag-aasawa, hanggang sa
araw na pumasok sa daong si Noe.
Dumating ang baha di nila namalayan at tinangay silang
lahat. Gayun din ang mangyayari sa pagdating ng Anak ng Tao. Sa panahong iyon,
may dalawang lalaking gumagawa sa bukid kukunin ang isa at iiwan ang isa. May
dalawang babaing magkasamang gumigiling; kukunin ang isa at iiwan ang isa.
Kaya magbantay kayo, sapagkat hindi ninyo alam kung anong
araw paririto ang inyong Panginoon. Tandaan ninyo ito: kung alam lamang ng puno
ng sambahayan kung anong oras ng gabi darating ang magnanakaw, siya’y
magbabantay at hindi niya pababayaang pasukin ang kanyang bahay. Kaya maging
handa kayong lagi, sapagkat darating ang Anak ng Tao sa oras na di ninyo
inaasahan.”
Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware
that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the
anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For
that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you
have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand
before the Son of Man."
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What will happen to us if we are so much
busy with our worldly activities that we forget our intimacy with God? We
become worldly beings that exist only for this temporal world thus we cutoff
any contact with God in favor of this world.
This is dangerously happening now for
example there are countries that prohibit the saying of prayers in schools.
There are countries that proudly promote abortion and other anti-life measures.
We must be watchful and try every possible way to counter this anti-life and
anti-Christian policies and mindset espoused by the liberal minds of today.
Where would we start? We start inside our respective
families, so we bring our children to Mass, we pray the Holy Rosary and worship
God as a family. We teach them the basics of our faith; we teach them how to
read the Bible. And we read to them the words of God in the bible and reflect
on it as a family.
By doing so we would be deeply implanting
the roots of our faith in their young minds and they will imbibe it as they
grow. Therefore, they would be able to withstand whatever worldly tribulations
and temptation that may come their way. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong
panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Mag-ingat kayo na
huwag magumon sa katakawan at paglalasing at mabuhos ang inyong isip sa mga
intindihin sa buhay na ito; baka abutan kayo ng Araw na iyon ng hindi handa.
Sapagkat
darating iyon ng di inaasahan ng tao sa buong daigdig. Kaya't maging handa kayo
sa lahat ng oras. Lagi ninyong idalangin na magkaroon kayo ng lakas upang
makaligtas sa lahat ng mangyayaring ito at makaharap sa Anak ng Tao."
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you
see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you
see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will
not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will
pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Do you have an awareness of the kingdom of
God in your life?
Many of us are only aware today of the
kingdom of this world. Thus, we are very busy to earn for our own survival and
self-gratification. We allow ourselves to be eaten by the rat race culture of
this world. For example, in other countries where the presence of Jesus is
almost non-existent in their people. Once they encounter major failures in
their life some people don’t think twice of committing suicide.
Why is this so? Perhaps the reason behind
this is they’ve already focused themselves on this world only. Every aspect of
their life revolves around this world. There is no illumination of the presence
of Jesus in their life. Here lies the danger of not having God in one’s life.
It’s like always the end times whenever they encounter failures/problems in
their life.
We are therefore very fortunate that we
know Jesus because we always have this fortress of hope and protection where we
can always hold on. Whatever personal problems that we may have and no matter
how bleak the future may seem. We remain hopeful and this hope is always given
to us by Jesus.
Let us therefore share the gift of Jesus
with our fellowmen let us not keep this to ourselves. – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Noong
panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad ang isang talinghaga:
“Tingnan ninyo ang puno ng igos at ibang punongkahoy. Kapag nagdadahon na ito,
alam ninyong malapit na ang tag-araw.
Gayun
din naman, kapag nakita ninyong nangyayari na ang mga ito, malalaman ninyong
malapit nang maghari ang Diyos. Tandaan ninyo: magaganap ang lahat ng ito bago
mamatay ang lahat ng taong nabubuhay sa ngayon. Mawawala ang langit at ang
lupa, ngunit ang salita ko’y hindi magkakabula”
Jesus said to his disciples: “When you see
Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those
in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it,
and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the
time of punishment when all the Scriptures are fulfilled.
Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers
in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful
judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken
as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot
by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon,
and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the
roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of
what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great
glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Are you afraid of the end of this world?
The talk of end times always sends shivers
to many most especially to those who do not have a personal relationship with
Jesus. This topic is something that they always want to avoid as much as
possible. However, if God is in your heart; who can
be against you? If God is with you nothing can distress you no matter how
horrifying the signs of the times are.
For those who are losing hope; for those
who continue to live in sin, for those who do not give space for God in their
lives the end times is within their reach already. But there still hope for
them. And this hope is given to them by Jesus; they simply have to allow Jesus
to come into their lives.
For those who steadfastly believe in God,
who faithfully follow His commands. Who continuously remain hopeful
notwithstanding the discouraging signs of the times. Redemption from any fear
is upon them already.
Why don’t we change our ways and why don’t
we get closer to Jesus and invite Him to come into our lives? So that whatever
happens to this world we’ll have neither worries nor fears for we know that we
are always in God’s loving embrace.
Let us change our ways, let us listen to
the voice of God calling us all to repent through the Sacrament
Confession/Reconciliation. Let us always remember that the indifference of the
people of Jerusalem to Jesus resulted in their destruction. – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Noong
panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Kapag nakita ninyong
kubkob na ng mga hukbo ang Jerusalem, talastasin ninyong malapit na ang
pagkawasak nito. Dapat tumakas sa kabundukan ang mga nasa Judea, at umalis ng
lungsod ang mga naroon; huwag nang pumasok doon ang mga nasa kabukiran.
Sapagkat ito ang ‘Mga Araw ng Pagpaparusa,’ bilang katuparan ng mga nasasaad sa
Kasulatan.
Kawawa ang
nagdadalantao at nagpapasuso sa mga araw na iyon! Sapagkat darating ang
malaking kapighatian sa lupaing ito, at ang poot ng Diyos sa bansang ito.
Mamatay sila sa tabak, at dadalhing bihag sa lahat ng bansa. At ang Jerusalem
ay magiging busabos ng mga Hentil hanggang sa matapos ang panahong itinakda sa
mga ito.
“Magkakaroon
ng mga tanda sa araw, sa buwan, at sa mga bituin. Sa lupa, ang mga bansa ay
masisindak at malilito dahil sa ugong at mga daluyong ng dagat. Ang mga tao’y
hihimatayin sa takot dahil sa pag-iisip sa mga sakunang darating sa sanlibutan;
sapagkat mayayanig at mawawala sa kani-kanilang landas ang mga planeta at iba
pang katulad nito na nasa kalawakan.
Sa panahong
iyon, ang Anak ng Tao’y makikita nilang dumarating na nasa alapaap, may
dakilang kapangyarihan at malaking karangalan. Kapag nagsimula nang mangyari
ang mga bagay na ito, magalak kayo sapagkat malapit na ang pagliligtas sa
inyo.”
Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize
and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It
will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your
defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all
your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed
over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of
you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on
your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Are you ready to be persecuted for your
faith?
We would undoubtedly be persecuted if we
decide to faithfully follow Jesus and surely we would be losing some friends as
well. But we need not worry about persecution or losing friends for the sake of
Jesus.
Therefore it is very important that we
don’t make the mistake of betraying Jesus for the sake of this world. We must
not make the mistake of betraying Jesus for the sake of vested friendships and
interest. We must be faithful until the very end no matter the persecutions and
sacrifices.
What would it benefit us if we gain the
whole world yet we lose Jesus in our lives? We gain nothing except fleeting
happiness which leads us to sin. We gain nothing except temporal power and
riches that may fly away from us anytime.
What would we gain if we have powerful
friends if these friends bring us nothing but sinfulness which unfortunately we
often times enjoy? Nothing except disturbance in our lives! Should we allow
ourselves to be deceived by these false friends who only bring us further away
from the love of Jesus?
But the moment we decide to be faithful to
Jesus no matter the temptations and persecutions. We’ll have peace that He only
can give us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong
panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Darakpin kayo’t uusigin.
Kayo’y dadalhin sa mga sinagoga upang litisin at ipabilanggo. At dahil sa akin
ay ihaharap kayo sa mga hari at mga gobernador. Ito ang pagkakataon ninyo upang
magpatotoo tungkol sa akin.
Ipanatag
ninyo ang inyong kalooban, huwag kayong mababalisa tungkol sa pagtatanggol sa
inyong sarili; sapagkat bibigyan ko kayo ng katalinuhan at ng pananalitang
hindi kayang tutulan o pabulaanan ng sinuman sa inyong mga kaaway.
Ipagkakanulo
kayo ng inyong mga magulang, mga kapatid, mga kamag-anak, at mga kaibigan. At
ipapapatay ang ilan sa inyo. Kapopootan kayo ng lahat dahil sa akin, ngunit
hindi mawawala ni isang hibla ng inyong buhok. Sa inyong pagtitiis ay tatamuhin
ninyo ang buhay na walang hanggan.”
While some people were speaking about how
the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said,
“All that you see here–the days will come when there will not be left a stone
upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will
this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to
happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my
name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not
immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes,
famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs
will come from the sky.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Are you afraid of the end of this world?
Jesus mentions destruction of all the
beautiful structures that we see. Everything including beautiful places of
worship will be destroyed. This scenario is somewhat like the end times
already. But He also tells us do not be terrified (Luke 21:9), so what would we
do? Should we allow the signs of the end times to terrify us? Or we hold on to
Jesus who tells us, “Do not be terrified.” Of course we hold on to what the
Lord tells us.
Earthquakes and calamities with massive
proportion are happening, wars such as the war created by Russia in Ukraine and
in different parts of the world are also raging. But let us take this calmly
for this is bound to happen and let us not attribute these disastrous events to
God as some would do. God doesn’t want this to happen to us otherwise if he
wanted us destroyed God would have not sent Jesus to walk on this earth and die
for us on the cross.
There are wars in different parts of the
world because we humans create it. This is brought about by humans' greed for
power and resources. The same is happening with our abuse of our environment.
There are very destructive
typhoons/hurricanes because of human’s unrelenting abuse of its environment
also. And what are the results? Massive destruction of lives and properties
which is actually preventable if we have compassion for our environment.
In the midst of these bleak signs of the
times let us continue to be calm, to pray and to have faith in the Lord. –
Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong
panahong iyon, pinag-uusapan ng ilang tao ang templo – ang kahanga-hangang mga
bato na ginamit dito at ang mga palamuti nito na inihandog ng mga tao. Kaya’t
sinabi ni Hesus, “Darating ang panahong lahat ng nakikita ninyong iyan ay iguguho,
walang batong ititira sa ibabaw ng kapwa bato.”
Tinanong nila
si Hesus, “Guro, kailan po ito mangyayari? At ano ang magiging palatandaan na
ito’y magaganap na?” Sumagot siya, “Mag-ingat kayo at nang hindi mailigaw
ninuman! Sapagkat marami ang darating sa aking pangalan na magsasabi, ‘Ako ang
Mesias!’ at, ‘Dumating na ang panahon!’ Huwag kayong susunod sa kanila. Huwag
kayong mababagabag kung makabalita kayo ng mga digmaan at mga himagsikan. Dapat
mangyari ang mga ito, ngunit hindi darating karaka-raka ang wakas.”
At sinabi pa
niya, “Makikipagdigma ang bansa laban sa kapwa bansa at ang kaharian sa kapwa
kaharian. Magkakaroon ng malalakas na lindol, magkakagutom at magkakasalot sa
iba’t ibang dako. May lilitaw na mga kakila-kilabot na bagay at mga kagila-gilalas
na tanda buhat sa Langit.”
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting
in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more
than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus
wealth, she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Do you give without counting the cost of
giving?
Jesus in our gospel favored the generosity
of the poor widow for the simple reason that it came from her heart. There was
no string attached in her giving, it did not came from her excess money, she
gave whatever little amount she had.
This gospel invites us also to examine
ourselves not only when we give to our church. It invites us also to reflect
our motive of giving when we give to the poor or to anyone who is in need for
that matter.
The ideal giving is to give from the
heart. The amount of what we give is immaterial what is important is it
originates from our hearts and not from our head. In the gospel, it was not
only the poor widow who gave some wealthy people also gave. However, Jesus was
more pleased with the giving of the poor widow because her giving was pure and
untainted by any form of ulterior motive.
Whatever we give from the heart comes back
to us a hundredfold. In Luke chapter six verse thirty eight (6:38) Jesus tells
us this: “Give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack
good measure, pressed down, full and running over. For the measure you give
will be the measure you receive back. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong
panahong iyon, nang tumingin si Hesus, nakita niya ang mayayamang naghuhulog ng
kanilang kaloob sa lalagyan nito sa templo. Nakita rin niya ang isang dukhang
babaing balo na naghulog ng dalawang kusing.
Ang
wika ni Hesus, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang dukhang balong iyon ay naghulog nang
higit kaysa kanilang lahat. Sapagkat bahagi lang ng di na nila kailangan ang
kanilang ipinagkaloob, ngunit ibinigay ng balong iyon na dukhang-dukha ang buo
niyang ikabubuhay.”
The rulers sneered at Jesus 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.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
The story is told about a
man who was soon to be king; he was a silent but faithful follower of Jesus.
When he was about to be anointed as king by his brother. He told him: “My
beloved brother after my anointment I will give everything under my kingdom to
our people and I will live a simple life of service for them.” His
brother told him: “Why? Don’t you like power and influence? Don’t you like to be
served like other kings?
The man said, I can fully
exercise my power and I will be more fulfilled if I will serve our people even
until death. The baffled brother simply walked away.
Today is the Solemnity of
Christ the King, a fitting homage we give to Jesus as we end the church’s
liturgical calendar.
The Kingship of Jesus is a
paradox for majority of us because how could He be King when He savagely died
on the cross? How could He be King when He doesn’t even have a kingdom nor
armed soldiers to protect Him? How could He be king when He served
instead of Him being served? How could He be king when He was jeered, punished
and then killed on the cross?
Such is the paradox of the
kingship of Jesus; if we look at it superficially it’s really not our idea of
true kingship. But Jesus wants to open our eyes to His own brand of true
kingship; the kingship that the kings and
leaders of this world avoids like a contagious
disease.
Jesus wants us to realize
that it is in our exercise of humility that we align ourselves with His
kingship. It is in our exercise of service for everyone especially to those who
are poor that we become living bearers of His kingship.
We have our own divergent
ideas on how it is to be a king or to be a leader. However, Jesus wants to put
this divergence to rest by inviting us to learn from Him on how He exercised
His kingship. A kingship of Obedience, Humility and Service to His people even
unto death.
Would you follow this path
of Jesus’ kingship? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
