Reflection for March 28, Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent: John 8:21-30

Gospel: John 8:21-30

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come. So the Jews said, “He is not going to kill himself, is he, because he said, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’? He said to them, “You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above.  

You belong to this world but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins. So they said to him, “Who are you? Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you in condemnation.   

But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world. They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father. So Jesus said to them,  When you lift up the Son of Man then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own but I say only what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him. Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.

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Reflection:

What prevents us to be close friends with Jesus? It’s our sinfulness and unfaithfulness to Him. Whenever we sin we put a barrier that divides us from Jesus the more we sin the more barriers that we create that separates us from Jesus.   

But we also know that this separation is not permanent because through our humble submission to the Sacrament of Reconciliation we allow Jesus to reach out to us as we reach out to Him also. This is what separates us from the many Pharisees of Jesus time: We humbly submit to the Lord.   

 By their arrogance and unbelief the Pharisees created a permanent barrier between them and Jesus. This is one of the reasons why Jesus told them (Pharisees), where I am going you cannot come. What then is the key element for us to be able to go eventually where Jesus is? It’s our humility and faith in Jesus.   

We read in the first part of the gospel that Jesus is somewhat distant and aloft. Yes, in His humanity Jesus was perhaps exasperated already with the Pharisees. Who would not be? They always contradict Him, they always find fault in Him and they were full of jealousy and unbelief.   

Nevertheless, Jesus loved them dearly also the same love  that He gave to His followers and to all of humanity. Jesus did not sacrifice His life on the cross for those who only believe Him. He died on the cross for all of us believers, unbelievers and sinners.   

If you think that because of your sinfulness and unbelief you’re already hopeless and out of the loop of the love of the Lord. Think again because you’re not! You still have hope, you’re still dearly loved by Jesus who died for you on the cross.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Marso 28, Martes Ikalimang lingo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Juan 8:21-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 8:21-30

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga Pariseo: "Ako'y yayaon; hahanapin ninyo ako, ngunit mamamatay kayo sa inyong mga kasalanan. Hindi kayo makapupunta sa paroroonan ko." Sinabi ng mga Judio, "Magpapakamatay kaya siya kaya niya sinasabing, 'Hindi kayo makapupunta sa paroroonan ko'?" 

Sumagot si Jesus, "Kayo'y taga ibaba ako'y taga itaas. Kayo'y taga sanlibutang ito, ako'y hindi. Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo na mamamatay kayo sa inyong mga kasalanan. Mamamatay nga kayo sa inyong mga kasalanan kung hindi kayo maniniwalang 'Ako'y si Ako nga'." "Sino ka ba?" tanong nila. Sumagot si Jesus, "Ako'y yaong sinabi ko na sa inyo mula pa noong una. Marami akong masasabi at maihahatol laban sa inyo. Ngunit totoo ang sinasabi ng nagsugo sa akin, at ang narinig ko sa kanya ang ipinapahayag ko sa sanlibutan." 

Hindi nila nauunawaan na siya'y nagsasalita tungkol sa Ama. Kaya't sinabi ni Jesus, "Kapag naitaas na ninyo ang Anak ng Tao, malalaman ninyong 'Ako'y si Ako nga.' Wala akong ginagawa sa ganang sarili ko lamang; nagsasalita ako ayon sa itinuturo sa akin ng Ama. At kasama ko ang nagsugo sa akin; hindi niya ako iniwan, sapagkat lagi kong ginagawa ang nakalulugod sa kanya." Marami sa nakarinig nito ang nainiwala sa kanya.

Reflection for March 27, Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent: John 8:1-11

Gospel: John 8:1-11

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 

Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 

Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was being suspected by her husband of carrying an adulterous affair. She was repeatedly being counseled by her husband to stop it if she was doing it. But she would always strongly deny it until the time came that she was caught by her husband. She asked forgiveness and she was forgiven subject to a few conditions which she complied. 

Are you quick to forgive or you don’t easily forgive? When you are quick to forgive you immediately free yourself from any disastrous situation that could happen caused by unforgiveness. You also free yourself from many forms of negative emotions caused by unforgiveness.       

When the woman in our gospel was caught in the act of adultery, she was immediately condemned by the Pharisees and scribes. Their hearts were full of unforgiveness and hatred. Perhaps, they right away want to lay their punishing hands upon the adulterous woman. 

But Jesus was there to save the woman from that perilous predicament. Jesus said this to those who were condemning the adulterous woman: "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her (John 8:7)."

After hearing this wisdom filled words from Jesus the Pharisees and scribes all walked away. Why? Because they were all sinners as well.  Then Jesus said something very profound to the woman: “I will not condemn you, go and do not sin anymore (John 8:11). 

What does this gospel about the adulterous woman teach us? It teaches us not to judge and condemn for we are all sinners. It teaches us to be forgiving because our God is a forgiving God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Marso 27, Lunes Ikalimang lingo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Juan 8:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Juan 8:1-11

Noong panahong iyon, si Hesus ay pumunta sa Bundok ng mga Olibo. Kinaumagaha’y nagbalik siya sa templo. Lumapit sa kanya ang lahat, kaya’t umupo siya at sila’y tinuruan. Noo’y dinala sa kanya ng mga eskriba at ng mga Pariseo ang isang babaing nahuli sa pakikiapid. Pinatayo ito sa harapan nila, at sinabi kay Hesus, “Guro, ang babaing ito’y nahuli sa pakikiapid. Ayon sa Kautusan ni Moises, dapat batuhinhanggang sa mamatay ang mga gaya niya.  

Ano ang masasabi mo?” Itinanong nila ito upang subukin siya, nang may maisumbong sila laban sa kanya. Ngunit yumuko si Hesus at sumulat sa lupa sa pamamagitan ng daliri. Ayaw nilang tigilan nang katatanong si Hesus, kaya’t sila’y tiningnan niya at sinabi ang ganito, “Sinuman sa inyo na walang kasalanan ang siyang maunang bumato sa kanya.” At muli siyang yumuko at sumulat sa lupa.  

Nang marinig nila ito, sila’y isa-isang umalis, simula sa pinakamatanda. Walang naiwan kundi si Hesus at ang babaing naroon pa rin sa harapan niya. Tiningnan siya ni Hesus at tinanong: “Nasaan sila? Wala bang nagparusa sa iyo?” “Wala po, Ginoo,” sagot ng babae. Sinabi ni Hesus: “Hindi rin kita parurusahan. Humayo ka, at huwag nang magkasala.” 

Reflection for Sunday March 26, Fifth Sunday of Lent: John 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45 or John 11:1-45

Gospel: John 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45 

The sisters of Lazarus sent word to Jesus, saying, “Master, the one you love is ill.” 

When Jesus heard this he said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was. 

Then after this he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea.” When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.”Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; 

whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord.

I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

He became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?”

They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” But some of them said, “Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?”

So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, 

“Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?”

So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this,  that they may believe that you sent me.” And when he had said this, He cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth.

So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.

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Reflection: 

Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? The siblings Martha, Mary and Lazarus were friends with Jesus they have a personal relationship with the Lord. Jesus loves the three of them dearly. 

When Jesus was informed by Martha and Mary than their brother Lazarus was sick the Lord went there. Even if He knew that Lazarus had died already the Lord nevertheless went to the siblings place notwithstanding the developing danger to his life. Why? Because Martha, Mary and Lazarus were best friends with Jesus.      

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave, He showed us that there is life and resurrection for as long as we believe in Him. There is hope for a new life even if we die but to have this new life we should not only know Jesus. We must also die from our sinfulness and we should be friends with Him as well.

Jesus went to the tomb of his friend Lazarus for only one purpose and that is to bring His friend back to life again. Why? This is for the reason that Jesus wanted them to believe and have faith in Him. Jesus wanted them to know that nothing is impossible for Him, that even death He can mightily defeat.

Jesus’ raising of Lazarus opens our minds to the reality that there’s a new life after our mortal death provided that we are friends with Jesus and provided that we are willing to accept Him as our Lord and savior.

Are you now friends with Jesus and is He already your Lord and Savior? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Marso 26, Ikalimang Linggo ng Apatnapung araw na Paghahanda: Juan 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45 or Juan 11:1-45

Mabuting Balita: Juan Juan 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45

Noong panahong iyon: Nagpasabi kay Hesus ang mga kapatid na babae ni Lazaro, “Panginoon, ang kaibigan mong minamahal ay may sakit.” Ngunit nang marinig ito ni Hesus ay sinabi niya, “Hindi magwawakas sa kamatayan ang sakit na ito. Nangyari ito upang maparangalan ang Diyos at sa pamamagitan nito’y maparangalan ang Anak ng Diyos.”

Mahal ni Hesus ang magkakapatid na Marta, Maria at Lazaro. Gayunma’y pinaraan pa niya ang dalawang araw matapos mabalitaang may sakit si Lazaro bago sinabi sa kanyang mga alagad, “Magbalik tayo sa Judea.” Pagdating ni Hesus, nalaman niyang apat na araw nang nakalibing si Lazaro. Nang marinig ni Marta na dumarating si Hesus, sinalubong niya ito; ngunit si Maria’y naiwan sa bahay. 

Sinabi ni Marta, “Panginoon, kung kayo po’y narito, hindi sana namatay ang aking kapatid. Ngunit nalalaman kong kahit ngayo’y ibibigay sa iyo ng Diyos ang anumang hingin ninyo sa kanya.” “Muling mabubuhay ang iyong kapatid,” wika ni Hesus. Sumagot si Marta, “Nalalaman ko pong siya’y mabubuhay uli sa huling araw, sa muling pagkabuhay.” 

Sinabi naman ni Hesus, “Ako ang muling pagkabuhay at ang buhay. Ang nananalig sa akin, kahit mamatay ay muling mabubuhay, at sinumang nabubuhay at nananalig sa akin, kahit mamatay ay mabubuhay kailanman. Pinaniniwalaan mo ba ito?” “Opo, Panginoon!” sagot niya. “Nananalig ako sa inyo. Kayo po ang Anak ng Diyos, ang Mesiyas na inaasahang paparito sa sanlibutan.”

Si Hesus ay napahimutok. “Saan ninyo siya inilibing?” tanong niya. Sumagot sila, “Panginoon, halikayo at tingnan ninyo.” Tumangis si Hesus; kaya’t sinabi ng mga Judio, “Talagang mahal na mahal niya si Lazaro!” Ngunit sinabi ng ilan, “Nakapagpadilat ng bulag ang taong ito. Bakit hindi niya nahadlangan ang pagkamatay ni Lazaro?”

Muling napahimutok si Hesus pagdating sa libingan. Ito’y yungib na natatakpan ng isang bato “Alisin ninyo ang bato,” sabi ni Hesus. Sumagot si Marta, “Panginoon, nangangamoy na po siya ngayon; apat na araw na siyang patay. Sinabi ni Hesus, “Hindi ba sinabi ko sa inyo na kung mananalig ka sa akin ay makikita mo kung gaano kadakila ang Diyos?”

At inalis nila ang bato. Tumingala si Hesus at ang wika, “Ama, nagpapasalamat ako sa iyo, sapagkat dininig mo ako. Alam kong lagi mo akong dinirinig. Ngunit sinabi ko ito dahil sa mga taong nasa paligid ko, upang maniwala silang ikaw ang nagsugo sa akin.” Pagkasabi nito, sumigaw siya, “Lazaro, lumabas ka!” Lumabas nga si Lazaro; napupuluputan ng kayong panlibing ang kanyang mga kamay at paa, at nababalot ng panyo ang kanyang mukha. Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Kalagan ninyo siya, at nang makalaya.”

Marami sa mga Judiong dumalaw kay Maria ang nakakita sa ginawa ni Hesus at nanalig sa kanya.

Reflection for Saturday March 25, Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you. But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 

Then the angel said to her “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his Kingdom there will be no end.  

But Mary said to the angel “How can this be since I have no relations with a man? And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.  And behold, Elizabeth, your relative has also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren for nothing will be impossible for God. Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her.

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Reflection:

What are you going to do if you receive a shocking announcement? Perhaps the first that would come to your mind is to pray and ask for guidance and strength from God.  

When Mary received the annunciation from angel Gabriel that she would be pregnant with the baby Jesus. She might have been in shock for a moment, then right after she perhaps prayed to God for guidance and strength. After which she was ok and with faith she accepted the will of the Lord for her.  

The pregnancy of the Blessed Virgin Mary conveys to us that nothing is impossible for God. That God can do miracles as He did to Mary. It conveys to us that our God is a God of possibilities, blessings and miracles. Our God can make things happen for us for as long as we have faith and for as long as we have unwavering belief in Him.  

If you somehow feel weariness in your journey in this world. Do not lose heart, continue to journey with God, continue to pray, continue to work hard for whatever aspiration that you have in your heart and  continue to have faith and hope. For the Lord will never abandon those who continue to trust Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for March 24, Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Gospel: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. 

Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” 

So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.

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Reflection:

How courageous are you in your desire to spread your faith? 

In the gospel for today, even if there was a threat to His life Jesus still secretly went to Judea to attend the Feast of the Tabernacle. He courageously spoke in the temple area at the risk of His life. Where does His courage comes from? It originates from His deep passion for His mission and His oneness with God. 

Let us also aspire to have the same passion and oneness with God. So that we would also have the courage to express what we want to say on how God has made a big difference in our life. So that we would be able to face and overcome whatever problems and trials that may come our way.   

A good way to start is to have a regular time for God. Through our daily readings of his words in the bible, through our presence at Holy Mass and through our prayers. 

If we do these acts of worship and piety we surely would develop a deep friendship and oneness with Jesus. And the result is we will have the courage to live His teachings, to share it and even preach it. 

A faithful follower should live and preach the teachings of Jesus. If he/she can't preach it because not everyone has the gift of preaching he/she must live it. For this is one of the many marks of a faithful follower of Jesus.  

What kind of follower are you? Are you a follower in name only or a follower in name and in deed? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Marso 24, Biyernes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Juan 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Noong panahong iyon, nilibot ni Jesus ang Galilea; iniwasan niya ang Judea, sapagkat ibig siyang patayin ng mga Judio roon. Nalalapit na ang Pista ng mga Tolda, isang pista ng mga Judio. Pagkaalis ng kanyang mga kapatid, si Jesus ma'y pumunta rin sa pista, ngunit hindi hayagan. 

Sinabi ng ilang taga-Jerusalem, "Hindi ba ito ang taong gusto nilang patayin? Hayan! Lantaran siyang nagsasalita, ngunit wala silang sinasabi laban sa kanya! Baka naman nakilala ng mga pinuno na siya nga ang Mesias! Walang makaaalam kung saan magmumula ang Mesias pagparito niya, ngunit alam naman natin kung saan nagmula ang taong ito!" 

Kaya't nang nasa templo si Jesus at nagtuturo, malakas niyang sinabi, "Ako ba'y nakikilala ninyo? Alam ba ninyo kung saan ako nagmula? Hindi ako naparito sa ganang akin lamang. Ang Totoo ang siyang nagsugo sa akin, ngunit hindi ninyo sila nakikilala. Nakikilala ko siya, sapagkat ako'y mula sa kanya, at siya ang nagsugo sa akin." Tinangka nilang dakpin siya; ngunit walang nangahas, sapagkat hindi pa niya oras.

Reflection for March 23, Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:31-47

Gospel: John 5:31-47

Jesus said to the Jews: “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved.  

He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.  

But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life.  

“I do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?  

Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

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Reflection:

How are you as a witness for Jesus? Do you live and share His teachings? A good witness for Jesus is someone who walks with Him all through the seasons of his/her life. What would you get for witnessing for Jesus?  

There would be instances that you would be ridiculed. It doesn’t matter anyway because everything is worth it for Jesus including the ridicules and chastisement. You may not immediately see the fruits of your witnessing for Jesus but in His own perfect time you shall harvest those fruits. 

In our gospel Jesus mentions John the Baptist who prepared the way for Him. John told those who were acclaiming him to be the messiah that he was not. He told them that somebody greater is to come after him and He was none other than Jesus.  

John was an effective witness for Jesus because he did not grab the credit that was only due for the Lord. He was content to fade away so that Jesus would be highlighted more. With John’s witness for Jesus we are educated about lessons on witnessing and humility.   

That humility is one of the best if not the best virtue that we could harness so that we can effectively bring and lead others to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Marso 23, Huwebes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Juan 5:31-47

Mabuting Balita: Juan 5:31-47

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Judio: "Kung ako lamang ang nagpapatotoo tungkol sa aking sarili, huwag ninyong tanggapin, ngunit may ibang nagpapatotoo tungkol sa akin, at totoo ang kanyang sinasabi. Nagpasugo kayo kay Juan, at nagpatotoo siya tungkol sa katotohanan. Hindi sa kailangan ko ang patotoo ng tao; sinasabi ko lamang ito para maligtas kayo. 

Si Juan ay parang maningas na ilaw na nagliliwanag noon, at kayo'y sandaling nasiyahan sa kanyang liwanag. Ngunit may patotoo sa akin na higit sa patotoo ni Juan: ang mga gawaing ipinagagawa sa akin ng Ama, at siya ko namang ginaganap -- iyan ang patotoo na ako'y sinugo niya. At ang Amang nagsugo sa akin ay nagpapatotoo rin tungkol sa akin. 

Kailanma'y hindi ninyo narinig ang kanyang tinig, at nakita ang kanyang anyo. Walang pitak sa inyong puso ang kanyang salita, sapagkat hindi kayo nananalig sa akin na sinugo niya. Sinasaliksik ninyo ang Kasulatan, sa paniwalang doon ninyo matatagpuan ang buhay na walang hanggan. Ang mga ito ang nagpapatotoo tungkol sa akin, ngunit ayaw naman ninyong lumapit sa akin upang kayo'y magkaroon ng buhay. 

"Hindi ako naghahangad ng parangal ng mga tao. Ngunit kilala ko kayo; alam kong wala kayong pag-ibig sa Diyos. Naparito ako sa ngalan ng aking Ama, at ayaw ninyo akong tanggapin. Kung may ibang pumarito sa kanyang sariling pangalan, siya'y inyong tatanggapin. Ang hinahangad ninyo'y ang parangal ng isa't isa, at hindi ang parangal na nanggagaling sa iisang Diyos; paano kayong makapaniniwala? 

Huwag ninyong isiping ako ang magsasakdal sa Ama laban sa inyo; si Moises na inaasahan ninyo ang siyang maghaharap ng sakdal laban sa inyo. Kung talagang pinaniniwalaan ninyo si Moises, ako'y paniniwalaan din sana ninyo, sapagkat sumulat siya tungkol sa akin. Ngunit kung hindi ninyo pinaniniwalaan ang mga sinulat niya, paano ninyong paniniwalaan ang mga sinasabi ko?"

Reflection for March 22, Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:17-30

Gospel: John 5:17-30

Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God. 

Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. 

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 

For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation. 

“I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

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Reflection:

Do you believe in the oneness of God the Father and God the Son? 

We can best summarize the first half of Jesus pronouncements in the gospel as, “Like father like son.” We believe this because Jesus is the second person in the Trinity. He is the word made flesh (John 1:14). 

Since we look up to Jesus as the founder and leader of our faith it is without doubt that we are His followers. But are we worthy followers of Jesus? Yes, we believe His pronouncements in the gospel about His oneness with the Father. But do we translate this belief or this adherence to actual actions of faith? 

 For example, do we extend help if there’s someone in need? Do we speak the truth when we need to speak the truth? Do we always embody the great virtue of humility? Do we live what read about the pronouncements of Jesus? 

Do we live the preaching of Jesus? For example, if a spouse who went ashtray would ask for your forgiveness and wants to reconcile with you. Will you forgive and reconcile? Or you will already slam the door and lock it permanently with unforgiveness? - Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita para Marso 22, Miyerkules sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Juan 5:17-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 5:17-30

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga Judio: “Ang aking Ama’y patuloy sa paggawa, at gayun din ako.” Lalong pinagsikapan ng mga Judio na patayin siya, sapagkat nilabag na niya ang batas tungkol sa Araw ng Pamamahinga ay sinasabi pa niyang ang Diyos ang kanyang Ama, at sa gayo’y ipinapantay ang sarili sa Diyos. 

Kaya’t sinabi sa kanila ni Hesus, “Dapat ninyong malaman na walang ginagawa ang Anak sa kanyang sarili lamang; ang ginagawa lamang niya’y ang nakikita niyang ginagawa ng Ama. Ang ginagawa ng Ama ay siya ring ginagawa ng Anak. Sapagkat minamahal ng Ama ang Anak, at ipinakikita sa Anak ang lahat ng ginagawa niya. 

At higit pa sa mga ito ang mga gawang ipakikita sa kanya ng Ama at manggigilalas kayo. Kung paanong binubuhay ng Ama ang mga patay, gayun din naman, bubuhayin ng Anak ang sinumang nais niyang buhayin. Hindi humahatol kaninuman ang Ama. Ibinigay niya sa Anak ang buong kapangyarihang humatol upang parangalan ng lahat ang Anak, tulad ng kanilang pagpaparangal sa Ama. Ang hindi nagpaparangal sa Anak ay hindi nagpaparangal sa Amang nagsugo sa Anak.  

“Sinasabi ko sa inyo: Ang nakikinig sa aking salita at nananalig sa nagsugo sa akin ay may buhay na walang hanggan. Hindi na siya hahatulan kundi inilipat na sa buhay mula sa kamatayan. Tandaan ninyo: darating ang panahon – ngayon na nga – na maririnig ng mga patay ang tinig ng Anak ng Diyos at ang makinig sa kanya ay mabubuhay. Ang Ama ang may kapangyarihang magbigay-buhay at ang Anak ay binigyan niya ng kapangyarihang magbigay-buhay.  

Binigyan din siya ng kapangyarihang humatol sapagkat siya ang Anak ng Tao. Huwag ninyo itong pagtakhan, sapagkat darating ang oras na maririnig ng mga patay ang kanyang tinig. Sila’y muling mabubuhay at lalabas sa kinalilibingan nila. Lahat ng gumawa ng mabuti ay pagkakalooban ng buhay na walang hanggan at lahat ng masama ay parurusahan.” 

“Wala akong ginagawa sa sarili ko lamang. Humahatol ako ayon sa sinasabi sa akin ng Ama, kaya’t matuwid ang hatol ko; hindi ang sarili kong kalooban ang aking sinusunod kundi ang kalooban ng nagsugo sa akin.”

Reflection for March 21, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:1-16

Gospel: John 5:1-16

There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” 

The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked. 

Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” He answered them, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’“ They asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” 

The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there. After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath.

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Reflection:

Imagine that Jesus is in front of you and He tells you this question: “Do you want to be well?” How would you reply? Of course you will say, Yes, I want to be well! After which Jesus will tell you, then go humble yourself before me in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Then you tell Jesus some other time Jesus I’m busy right now and then with the passing of days you eventually forgot about the command of Jesus to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

Many of us want to get closer to Jesus and we want to be healed by Jesus. Yet we don’t bother to humbly submit ourselves to the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation. In this sacrament we are healed from our spiritual sickness brought about by our many sins. And we may not know it that through the Lords infinite power we are also healed from our many physical sickness. 

When we humble ourselves through this healing sacrament we allow Jesus to wash away all our sins no matter how severe. We entrust ourselves to the infinite mercy of Jesus. Saint John Paul II once said:  "Confession is an act of honesty and courage - an act of entrusting ourselves beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God."  

The disabled man in our gospel for today who had been sick for thirty eight years was instantly healed by Jesus because he obeyed His command. The disabled man did not care if it was a Sabbath day, a day of rest for them. What was important for him was to obey the command of the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas