Ang Mabuting Balita para Marso 10, Biyernes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 21:33-43, 45-46

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:33-43, 45-46

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga punong saserdote at matatanda ng bayan: "Pakinggan ninyo ang isa pang talinghaga. May isang taong nagtanim ng ubas sa kanyang bukid, at ito'y binakuran niya. Gumawa siya roon ng pisaan ng ubas, at nagtayo ng isang mataas na bantayan. 

Pagkatapos, kanyang iniwan sa mga kasama ang ubasan, at siya'y nagtungo sa ibang lupain. Nang dumating ang panahon ng pitasan, pinapunta ng may-ari ng ubasan ang kanyang mga alipin upang kunin sa mga kasama ang kanyang kaparte. Ngunit sinunggaban ng mga kasama ang mga alipin; binugbog nila ang isa, pinatay ang ikalawa, at binato naman ang ikatlo. 

Pinapunta ng may-ari ang mas maraming alipin, ngunit gayon din ang ginawa ng mga kasama sa mga ito. Sa kahuli-huliha'y pinapunta niya ang kanyang anak na lalaki. 'Igagalang nila ang aking anak,' wika niya sa sarili. Ngunit ng makita ng mga kasama ang anak, sila'y nag-usap-usap: 'Ito ang tagapagmana. Halikayo! Patayin natin ng mapasaatin ang kanyang mamanahin.' Kaya't siya'y sinunggaban nila, inilabas sa ubasan at pinatay. 

"Pagbalik ng may-ari ng ubasan, ano kaya ang gagawin niya sa mga kasamang iyon?" sumagot sila, "Lilipulin niya ang mga buhong na iyon, at paaalagaan ang ubasan sa ibang kasama na magbibigay sa kanya ng kaparte sa panahon ng pamimitas." Tinanong sila ni Jesus, "Hindi pa ba ninyo nababasa ang talatang ito sa Kasulatan? 

'Ang batong itinakwil ng mga tagapagtayo ng bahay ang siyang naging batong panulukan. Ginawa ito ng Panginoon, at ito'y kahanga-hanga!' Kaya nga sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi na kayo ang paghaharian ng Diyos kundi ang bansang maglilingkod sa kanya ng tapat. Narinig ng mga punong saserdote at ng mga Pariseo ang mga talinghaga ni Jesus, at naunawaan nilang sila ang pinatatamaan niya. Darakpin sana nila siya, ngunit natakot sila sa mga tao, sapagkat kinikilala ng mga ito na propeta si Jesus.

Reflection 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   

Ang Mabuting Balita para Marso 9, Huwebes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Lucas 16:19-31

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 16:19-31

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Pariseo: "May isang mayamang nagdaramit ng mamahalin at saganang-sagana sa pagkain araw-araw. At may isa namang pulubing nagngangalang Lazaro, tadtad ng sugat, na nakalupasay sa may pintuan ng mayaman upang mamulot kahit mumong nahuhulog mula sa hapag ng mayaman. At doo'y nilalapitan siya ng aso at dinidilaan ang kanyang mga sugat.  

Namatay ang pulubi, at dinala ng mga anghel sa piling ni Abraham. Namatay rin ang mayaman, at inilibing. Sa gitna ng kanyang pagdurusa sa Hades, tumingala ang mayaman at kanyang natanaw sa malayo si Abraham, kapiling si Lazaro. At sumigaw siya: 'Amang Abraham, mahabag po kayo sa akin. Utusan ninyo si Lazaro na isawsaw sa tubig ang dulo ng kanyang daliri at palamigin ang aking dila, sapagkat naghihirap ako sa apoy na ito.'  

Ngunit sinabi sa kanya ni Abraham, 'Anak, alalahanin mong nagpasasa ka sa buhay sa ibabaw ng lupa, at si Lazaro'y nagtiis ng kahirapan. Ngunit ngayo'y inaaliw siya rito, samantalang ikaw'y nama'y nagdurusa. Higit sa lahat, inilagay sa pagitan natin ang isang malaking bangin upang ang mga narini ay hindi makapariyan at ang mga nariyan ay hindi makaparini.' At sinabi ng mayaman, 'Kung gayon po, Amang Abraham, ipinamamanhik ko sa inyong papuntahin si Lazaro sa bahay ng aking ama, sapagkat ako'y may limang kapatid na lalaki.  

Paparoonin nga ninyo siya upang balaan sila at nang hindi sila humantong sa dakong ito ng pagdurusa.' Ngunit sinabi sa kanya ni Abraham, 'Nasa kanila ang mga sinulat ni Moises at ng mga propeta; pakinggan nila ang mga iyon.' 'Hindi po sapat ang mga iyon,' tugon niya, 'Ngunit kung pumunta sa kanila ang isang patay na muling nabuhay, tatalikdan nila ang kanilang mga kasalanan.' Sinabi sa kanya ni Abraham, 'Kung ayaw nilang pakinggan ang mga sinulat ni Moises at ng mga propeta, hindi rin nila paniniwalaan ang isang patay na muling nabuhay.'"  

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.”

Reflection 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   

Ang Mabuting Balita para Marso 7, Martes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 23:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 23:1-12

Noong panahong iyong, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao at sa kanyang mga alagad, “Ang mga eskriba at ang mga Pariseo ang kinikilalang tagapagpaliwanang ng Kautusan ni Moises. Kaya’t gawin ninyo ang itinuturo nila at sundin ang kanilang iniuutos. Ngunit huwag ninyo tularan ang kanilang gawa, sapagkat hindi nila isinasagawa ang kanilang ipinangangaral. 

Nagbibigkis sila ng mabibigat na dalahin at ipinapasan sa mga tao; ngunit ni daliri ay ayaw nilang igalaw upang tumulong sa pagdadala ng mga iyon. Pawang pakitang-tao ang kanilang mga gawa. Nilalaparan nila ang kanilang mga pilakterya at hinahabaan ang palawit sa laylayan ng kanilang mga damit. Ang ibig nila’y ang mga upuang pandangal sa mga piging at ang mga tanging luklukan sa mga sinagoga. Ang ibig nila’y pagpugayan sila sa mga liwasang-bayan, at tawaging guro. 

Ngunit kayo — huwag kayong patawag na guro, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Guro, at kayong lahat ay magkakapatid. At huwag ninyo tawaging ama ang sinumang tao sa lupa, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Ama, ang Amang nasa langit. Huwag kayong patawag na tagapagturo, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Tagapagturo, ang Mesias. Ang pinakadakila sa inyo ay dapat maging lingkod ninyo. Ang nagpakakataas ay ibababa, at ang nagpapakababa ay itataas.”

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

Ang Mabuting Balita para Marso 6, Lunes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Lucas 6:36-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:36-38

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: Maging mahabagin kayo gaya ng inyong Ama." "Huwag kayong humatol, at hindi kayo hahatulan ng Diyos. Magpatawad kayo sa inyong kapwa, at patatawarin kayo ng inyong Diyos. Magbigay kayo, at bibigyan kayo ng Diyos: hustong takal, siksik, liglig, at umaapaw pa ang ibibigay sa inyo. Sapagkat ang takalang ginagamit ninyo sa iba ay siya ring gagamitin ng Diyos sa inyo." 

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  

Ang Mabuting Balita para Marso 4, Sabado sa Unang Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 5:43-48

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:43-48

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Narinig na ninyong sinabi, ‘Ibigin mo ang iyong kaibigan at kapootan mo ang iyong kaaway.’ Ngunit ito naman sabi ko: ibigin ninyo ang mga umuusig sa inyo, upang kayo’y maging tunay na anak ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Sapagkat pinasisikat niya ang araw sa masasama at sa mabubuti, at pinapapatak niya ang ulan sa mga banal at sa mga makasalanan.  

Kung ang mga umiibig sa inyo ang siya lamang ninyo iibigin, ano pang gantimpala ang inyong hihintayin? Hindi ba’t ginagawa rin ito ng mga publikano? At kung ang binabati lamang ninyo’y ang inyong mga kapatid, ano ang nagawa ninyong higit kaysa iba? Ginagawa rin iyon ng mga Hentil! Kaya, dapat kayong maging ganap, gaya ng inyong Amang nasa Langit.”  

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