1Reflection for March 9, Thursday of the Second Week of Lent: Luke 16:19-31

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.   

The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' 

Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’   

He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent. ’Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who did not believe in God and in the afterlife. He wantonly wasted his life by living a life of sinful pleasures.   It was always a life of immoral satisfaction for him: drugs, sex, and other sinful things, in other words he had no time for God. This became his life because he did not believe in the existence of the afterlife much less God.   

Is there really an afterlife or a life which will immediately replace our present life after our life in this world is over and done with already? The answer is a resounding yes! The gospel shows us that there is an afterlife which is very different from the life that we have today. There in the afterlife exist two kingdoms: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of satan where he  and his minions dwell.   

In the gospel, we see the characters of the unnamed rich and indifferent man and the poor man named Lazarus. The rich man perhaps did not believe in the afterlife or was not aware that there is an afterlife that’s why he did not mind the poor man Lazarus who was in dire need of his help. He nonchalantly ignored Lazarus as if the poor man did not exist.  

When both of them died there was a reversal of places: The poor man Lazarus who endured a difficult life when he was still alive was in the kingdom of God and the rich man who savored earthly life was in the dark kingdom of the devil.   

Why was there a reversal of places? Because the rich man was indifferent to the crying need of the poor man Lazarus. If he only knew that Lazarus was very close to God. If he only knew that Lazarus could have been God in disguise. The lesson for us is very simple, we should not ignore the crying need of the poor and we should always be sensitive to their plight. Why? Because the poor is the physical representation of God in disguise.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for March 8, Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent: Matthew 20:17-28

Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”  

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”  

They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt.  

But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Reflection:

Why do we desire to follow the Lord?  

If we want to follow we should prepare for the many sacrifices that we have to go through for the greater glory of God. Many of us are averse to sufferings and sacrifices we want a life of ease and comfort. But life of ease and comfort are not the way of life of Jesus for His way of life is laden with trials, humility and sacrifice.   

Using their mother as their emissary the two disciples were aspiring to be great in the eyes of the world yet they were followers of Jesus. Were they really followers or just pretending to be followers? If they were true followers they would have not asked for the best seats beside Jesus.  

Let us not lose sight of the fact that the essence of following Jesus is to serve with humility. It’s not to serve for us to be noticed, admired and respected for these are all ego-tripping and self-advertisement. 

The true follower is not hungry for power, prestige and entitlement. He is content to humbly serve even if nobody would notice him. The more that he is not noticed for what he does for the Lord the more that the Lord would favor it.  

This is the paradox of true discipleship, it contradicts our way of self-centered thinking. It rather directs us to the real essence of discipleship which involves humility and sacrifice. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Marso 8, Miyerkules sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 20:17-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 20:17-28

Noong panahong iyon, nang nasa daan na si Hesus patungong Jerusalem, ibinukod niya ang Labindalawa. Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Aakyat tayo sa Jerusalem. Doo’y ipagkakanulo sa mga punong saserdote at sa mga eskriba ang Anak ng Tao. Hahatulan siya ng kamatayan, at ibibigay sa mga Hentil. Siya’y tutuyain, hahagupitin at ipapako sa krus; ngunit muli siyang bubuhayin sa ikatlong araw.”  

Lumapit kay Hesus ang asawa ni Zebedeo, kasama ang kanyang mga anak. May ibig siyang hilingin, kaya’t lumuhod siya sa harapan ni Hesus. “Ano ang ibig mo?” tanong ni Hesus. Sumagot siya, “Sana’y ipagkaloob ninyo sa dalawa kong anak na ito ang karapatan na makaupong katabi ninyo sa inyong kaharian – isa sa kanan at isa sa kaliwa.”  

“Hindi ninyo nalalaman ang inyong hinihingi,” sabi ni Hesus sa kanila. “Makakainom ba kayo sa kopa ng hirap ko?” “Opo”, tugon nila. Sinabi ni Hesus “Ang kopa ng hirap ko ay maiinom nga ninyo. Ngunit wala sa akin ang pagpapasiya kung sino ang mauupo sa aking kanan at sa aking kaliwa. Ang mga luklukang sinasabi ninyo’y para sa mga pinaghandaan ng aking Ama.” Nang marinig ito ng sampung alagad, nagalit sila sa magkapatid.  

Kaya’t pinalapit sila ni Hesus at sinabi sa kanila, “Alam ninyo na ang mga pinuno ng mga Hentil ay naghahari sa kanila, at ang mga dinadakila ang siyang nasusunod. Ngunit hindi ganyan ang dapat na umiral sa inyo. Sa halip, ang sinuman sa inyo na ibig maging dakila ay dapat maging lingkod. Ang sinumang ibig maging pinuno ay dapat maging alipin ninyo, tulad ng Anak ng Tao na naparito, hindi upang paglingkuran kundi upang maglingkod at ialay ang kanyang buhay upang matubos ang marami.”

1Reflection for March 7, Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent: Matthew 23:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 

They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 

As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

Do you live what you preach?  

Walk your talk is a language of management, what does this mean? It simply signifies to do what you say and lead by example. For instance, if the leader tells those under him to do this and that, the leader must ensure that he does it first thus he leads the way for his people. 

Many of the Pharisees and the scribes during the time of Jesus were leaders of their communities. And as such they give orders to their people to do this and that, then it ends with giving orders. There was no leadership by example from them, they gave orders and they just stay in their ivory towers observing their subjects.    

Effective leadership for Jesus is leadership by example. These are leaders who walk their talk. For instance, in a family setting if the parents would say to their children, do this and that and observe this discipline and that. To facilitate thorough accomplishment of their orders the parents should lead by example. Thus, they earn the respect of their children. 

Isn’t this advice of Jesus also very useful to our personal lives? If we want our orders to be accomplished and if we want to gain the respect of our people, we must then be ready to lead by example. And this is the way how Jesus lived His life and His leadership. 

How are you as an individual or perhaps as a leader? Are you the type who’s just content of giving orders or you lead by example? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for March 6, Monday of the Second Week of Lent: Luke 6:36-38

Gospel: Luke 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

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Reflection:

What is this mercy that Jesus speaks about in our gospel today? This is an encompassing mercy, mercy that has no limitation and mercy that we give even to our enemies. Often times our mercy is selective we give mercy to those whom we thought deserves our mercy. But to those who we think doesn’t deserve our mercy we don’t. 

The mercy of Jesus is an encompassing mercy. It’s for all of us regardless of how grave our sins are. It doesn’t discriminate and it’s always there available for us. And we find this mercy of Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Through the priest who acts in the person of Jesus we are able to receive this healing and merciful sacrament through the priest absolution of our sins.    

Are we taking advantage of this mercy of Jesus? It may be yes or no, the season of lent is the most opportune time for us to humbly submit to this healing and merciful sacrament. The moment we submit we would feel that a big burden has been lifted off our backs.  

One of the famous lines of the prayer of saint Francis of Asisi states: It is in giving that we receive and It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. Perhaps one of his inspirations when he wrote this prayer is our gospel for today.  

It is indeed true that it is through giving and through our generosity that we will receive more than what we’ve given.   It is in forgiving that we will be forgiven. Who does the giving back of the gifts that we’ve given? Who forgives us when we unconditionally forgive those who’ve hurt us? He is none other than Jesus himself. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday March 5, Second Sunday of Lent: Matthew 17:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

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Reflection:

Has there been a time in your life wherein you felt giving up already because of the trials that you’ve been going through? What did you do? Did you ask Jesus to help you face your trials and help you carry your burdens? 

One of the many reasons why Jesus brought Peter, James and John to the mountain of Transfiguration was to strengthen them. Jesus knew beforehand that Peter, James and John would be facing gargantuan challenges in their mission. That’s why Jesus saw it fit to bring them first to the mountain of transfiguration to assure them that heaven exist and it’s for them to own someday if they would be faithful to their mission.

Isn’t this our life with Jesus? Life full of challenges and often times trials as well? However, let us not be daunted by these difficulties let us face it with faith for Jesus is with us. He will never abandon us; He will be with us every step of the way as we face our many life’s challenges.

The event of transfiguration shows us that heavenly glory awaits us all. If only we would be faithful to our Baptismal mission which is to help Jesus in His mission of evangelization. But the sad reality is many are not doing it and many are not even aware that they have a mission to fulfill to propagate the faith.  

We who know about this must never lose heart in doing our mission for Jesus and for the church. Yes, there would be obstacles and challenges along the way. But that is nothing compared to what awaits us after our journey in this world is over.

Jesus is assuring us that there is heaven and that is where we would be someday.  We therefore have to share and live the teachings of the Lord no matter what it may cost us. Because the cost is nothing compared to the reward in heaven someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Marso 5, Ikalawang Linggo ng Apatnapung araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 17:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 17:1-9

Noong panahong iyon: Isinama ni Hesus si Pedro, at ang magkapatid na Santiago at Juan, at sila’y umakyat sa isang mataas na bundok. Samantalang sila’y naroon, nakita nilang nagbagong-anyo si Hesus: nagliwanag na parang araw ang kanyang mukha, at pumuting parang busilak ang kanyang damit. 

Nakita na lamang at sukat ng tatlong alagad sina Moises at Elias na nakikipag-usap kay Hesus. Kaya’t sinabi ni Pedro kay Hesus, “Panginoon, mabuti pa’y dumito na tayo. Kung ibig ninyo, gagawa ako ng tatlong kubol: isa sa inyo, isa kay Moises at isa kay Elias.” Nagsasalita pa siya nang liliman sila ng isang maningning na ulap. 

At mula rito’y may tinig na nagsabi, “Ito ang minamahal kong Anak na lubos kong kinalulugdan. Pakinggan ninyo siya!” Ang mga alagad ay natakot nang gayun na lamang nang marinig nila ang tinig, at sila’y napasubasob. Nguni’t nilapitan sila ni Hesus at hinipo. “Tumindig kayo,” sabi niya, “huwag kayong matakot.” At nang tumingin sila ay wala silang nakita kundi si Hesus.

At habang bumababa sila sa bundok, iniutos ni Hesus sa kanila, “Huwag ninyong sasabihin kaninuman ang pangitain hangga’t hindi muli nabubuhay ang Anak ng Tao.”

Reflection for March 4, Saturday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 5:43-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.  

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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Reflection:

What is the supreme act of love? It’s the willingness to die for the one that we love. What is the next supreme act of love? It’s to love even those who are not lovable to our eyes. It’s to continuously keep the flame of love alive for a person who does nothing but hurt us.  

But are we capable of following this radical love commandment of Jesus? It’s very hard to love the person who hates us. Take for example a spouse who does nothing but hurt us. How can you love him/her? If you only gaze our sights on this world it’s really difficult to love in such a situation.  

But we are not only made for this world, God created us not only for this world alone. He created us to become a permanent dweller of heaven eventually. Therefore, we have to love even those who do not love us. We have to pray as well for those who do nothing but hurt us.  

What will happen to your spouse if you continue to love him/her even if he/she doesn’t express his/her love for you? What would happen if you never give up and continue to pray for his/her conversion? He/she will eventually see the light of Jesus and be enlightened by it. For this is the miracle that Jesus gives to those who continue to have faith in Him.  

This is what awaits those who never give up on love and the power of prayer. And this is the miracle that Jesus gives to those who never waiver on praying to Him.  

Do you easily give up on love?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for March 3, Friday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 5:20-26

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.   

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.   

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

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Reflection:

What is the cure for anger? It’s humility.  

Nobody is perfect once in a while we get angry but do we have the humility to make amends after we have injured someone with our arrogance? Only a gentle and humble person would have the courage to say I’m sorry or to apologize.  

But to say I’m sorry is not easy to do, only a humble person would summon enough courage to say this magic words that have healed so many disputes and arguments. In our gospel for today, Jesus gives us teaching about anger.    

Jesus tells us that we must be reconciled with those whom we have differences and had feelings of enmity. But why do we get angry in the first place? We get angry because we lack humility, we get angry because we have this superiority complex against our fellowmen.    

It’s only humility that can deescalate and eventually eliminate our anger. Let us therefore pray for the grace of humility, let us ask God the Holy Spirit to give it to us. The best test of humility is our willingness to apologize and to admit our mistakes before those whom we have hurt.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 2, Thursday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 7:7-12

Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  

Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. 

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel helpless and burdened by so many problems? All of us go through these life episodes, some of us are able to survive and some are not. 

In our gospel for today, Jesus gives us a recipe so that we would be able to survive whatever trials and problems that we will be going through in our lives. Jesus tells us:   “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. These are comforting and healing words for all of us if only we believe and take these words of Jesus into our hearts.  

Let us therefore have a permanent daily time with Jesus. Since it’s only through this daily time with Him that we could automatically go to Him to ask for His healing and comfort. The moment we start to incorporate Jesus in our daily lives we then could be assured that we will now be able to survive our problems and worries.  

Let us endeavor to get closer to Jesus in everyday of our lives. Let us ask Him for help and for guidance. Let us detach ourselves from our many worldly attachments for the reason that this is what hinders us to get closer to Jesus. And last but certainly not the least, let us all exert an effort to leave behind our relationship with sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for March 1, Wednesday of the First Week of Lent: Luke 11:29-32

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.   

At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.  

At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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Reflection:

Why do we meet or are acquainted with good and Godly people? It’s for a good reason they don’t just come into our lives, it’s always for a good reason. 

For example, if you become friends with a good and Godly person. God led you to this person for you to become good and godly also. You did not become friends with him/her for you to be bad. Jesus sent this person to you so that you’ll be converted this is always the reason.  

Some of us may listen or let this Godly friend influence us thus we become good and godly as well. But unfortunately this is not always the scenario because there are many who don’t care to listen. No matter how many times God calls them to renewal they will really not listen.  

Jonah, in our gospel was sent by God to the people of Nineveh to call for their repentance.  And they listened to him that’s why God spared them from punishment. After Jonah there were many more prophets who were sent by God they called also for conversion.   

Until Jesus came, many listened to Jesus call for repentance and conversion. But sad to say many did not listen also. There was hardness in their hearts, they ignored Jesus they instead continued to embrace sin.   

Jesus call of repentance did not stop with the people of His time. The Lord’s call for repentance flows like an endless stream up to this very moment and it is now addressed to us – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for February 28, Tuesday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 6:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  

“This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

What is the prayer that reaches God? Its prayer that comes from the heart and a prayer made in the silence of our heart. It could be a long or short prayer that comes straight from our heart.  

Jesus gives us the perfect prayer called the Our Father. This is called the perfect prayer because it comes from Him and Jesus gave it to us. Jesus Himself taught us to pray it.  Do we pray this with our hearts or we simply pray it with our minds wandering elsewhere?  

Let us recall when we are at Holy Mass, how do we pray the Our Father or the Lord’s Prayer? Do we pray it with closed eyes or with open eyes? The best way to pray this perfect prayer is with closed eyes.  Because when we close our eyes we shut ourselves from any form of distraction thus we are able to focus.      

Deep in our hearts we seek to connect with God thru this prayer and thru our personal prayers as well. Because we hunger and thirst for God most especially when we pass through moments of loneliness, trial and disillusionment.  Why? Because God alone gives meaning to our life.   - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for February 27, Monday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 25:31-46

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

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

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

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

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

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

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Reflection:

What do you feel when you sincerely help the needy, poor and in need? You will feel indescribable joy in your heart. Who give you this feeling of indescribable joyfulness? It’s Jesus none other than Jesus for the simple reason that what you do to them you do to Him as well.   

We have in our gospel two groups of people: The group on the right side and the one on the left side.  The group of people on the right side are those who helped the poor, in prison, needy and the like. Those on the left side are those who were insensitive to their needs.  Of course the Good Lord favored those at His right side, so the Lord gave them eternal life. And those who were on His left side, the Lord gave eternal punishment.  

This gospel invites us to reflect on how we relate with the poor and less fortunate. Let us be sensitive and look around. We may have relatives or neighbors who are not as affluent as we are. Many of us are carried away by the riches that we have that we tend to forget the less fortunate and the poor.  

This lent is a wake-up call for all of us. We must be concerned with their welfare, a concern that is real and not just for show. A concern that is given flesh by actually helping the less fortunate without any fanfare and publicity. Because the Lord knows everything anyway. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday February 26, First Sunday of Lent: Matthew 4:1-11

Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread." He said in reply, "It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God." 

Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone." Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test." 

Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve."

Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

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Reflection:

Have you been through the process of temptation?

Many of us if not all of us have gone through the process of temptation. And many of us were able to reject these temptations but sad to say that many also succumb to these temptations.  

Satan always disguises temptation as attractive satan does this to entice his prospects to fall into these temptations. However, after falling into these temptations, here comes sin, here comes problem that will surely disturb our peaceful life.  

After fasting for forty days and nights Jesus was naturally hungry and the devil thought that Jesus was now vulnerable.  Therefore the devil dangled before Jesus three temptations: Make the stone bread, throw himself off from the parapet of the temple for angels would catch him and last was the temptation of material possession. Jesus refused all these three temptations and thereafter He rebuked the devil away from His sight.

The clear message for all of us is to avoid temptation or to stand up against temptation for it will not bear any good fruit. It will only destroy us little by little as we immerse ourselves into it. For example, if you’re already married don’t allow yourself to succumb to the temptation of having an extra-marital affair because it will surely destroy you and those around you sooner or later.

There is no reward for temptation except misery, problems and disturbance of our peaceful life.  But the paradox is many still succumb to it. Why because we simply open ourselves to that temptation, we allow satan to take control of us. Hence, we become the disciple of satan the same satan who will eventually bring us hell even while we are still in this world.  

However, everything is not lost yet, the season of lent offers us a road of renewal which will lead us once again to the loving embrace of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas