Reflection on the Seven Last words of Jesus

1. “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) 

Are you forgiving? 

Mahatma Gandhi once said: “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Forgiveness simply means that we choose to move on and not allow hatred to destroy us. 

Hanging on the cross and near death Jesus spoke these profound words. Who was Jesus alluding  to when He spoke these words? Jesus was alluding to those who persecuted Him which led Him on the cross. They were His critics like the Pharisees, Scribes, High priest and the like. Included also were the Soldiers who brought Him to the mountain of Calvary to nail Him on the cross. 

Here we see that Jesus is full of mercy, love and forgiveness towards those who made life very difficult for Him. Jesus did not bear any hatred towards those who hated and killed Him. 

We have to reflect here on how we forgive those who sinned against us. For example, if a person betrayed our trust or a person hurts us. Have we forgiven them already? We have to forgive no matter how deep the hurt they’ve inflicted upon us. Why? Because if Jesus can forgive who are we not to forgive? 

Forgiveness is a gift that we give not to those who’ve hurt us or betrayed us. Forgiveness is a gift that we give to ourselves for the simple reason that we are only hurting our very selves when we don’t forgive. We have to free ourselves from being imprisoned by hatred caused by our unforgiveness. Therefore, we have to forgive. 

Are you forgiving? 

2.  “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) 

Where is the paradise that Jesus is referring? 

The paradise is with Him, in Him and in His kingdom in heaven. Jesus addressed this statement to one of the criminals hanging on the cross by His side. The criminal said to Jesus: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42).” And right there Jesus said to the criminal: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) 

The criminal was enlightened while he was hanging on the cross side by side with Jesus.  This is the reason why he asked the Lord to remember him when He is already in His kingdom. Don’t we all want to have the same enlightenment that he had? Of course, we want it as well. So, we have to humbly ask the Lord for the same enlightenment coursed through our prayers to the Lord. Many of us are so fixated in this fleeting word that we think and feel that this is our paradise. 

But as we went through the covid-19 pandemic experience and as we see the destructive result of Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine we discover that this world is not at all paradise. We seek worldly pleasures (many of these worldly pleasures influence us to sin). We seek temporal wealth and worldly power and influence only to find out that this is not where paradise is located. Why?  For the simple reason that we humans have no satisfaction we will seek these earthly things which we think would satisfy us. Only to realize in the end that it cannot and will not satisfy us. 

So, where is the real paradise that the Lord is talking? This paradise we can only find, feel and experience with Him, in Him and through Him. The true and real paradise that Jesus mentions is already here and now when we make Jesus part and parcel of our daily living.  

Where is your paradise?  

3.  “Woman, behold thy son. After that, he said to the disciple: Behold thy mother.” (John 19: 26-27) 

Do you respect and love the Blessed Mother and your own mother?  

When Jesus was on the cross dying, He saw His mother Mary still looking after Him. His mother, who cared, nurtured and watched over Him from the beginning until the end of His life. Dying and all, Jesus saw that nobody would take care of His mother so He asked John, His beloved disciple to take care of her. 

Do we also take care of the Blessed Mother by respecting her as Jesus respected her? Mary is the mother of Jesus therefore it is incumbent for us to give her the respect and love which she richly deserves.  We show our love and respect for the Blessed Mother when we pray the Holy Rosary. When we politely teach others to respect her because she is the mother of Jesus and our mother as well. Mary our mother who will always be there to listen to us when no one would dare listen to us.  Mary our mother who will always be there to pray for us. 

This is also to remind us that we have to respect and love at all times our own respective mothers. We would never exist in this world without our mothers. We would never become who we are today without their guidance and nurturing. Jesus would not have existed in this world without the consent of his mother Mary. As a debt of gratitude to his mother Jesus saw it fit to entrust his mother to his beloved disciple John. 

Do you respect and love the Blessed Mother and your own mother?  What are you doing right now to show your respect and love for the Blessed Mother? Do you invoke her intersession when you pray? Do you defend her when someone is demeaning her role in the life of Jesus? 

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) 

Do you sometimes feel forsaken by the Lord? 

On the cross and dying Jesus uttered these words. These are words of surrender, frustration and giving up. After going through all of the persecutions, torture and abandonment Jesus felt forsaken. Who among us would not feel the same way when we’ve been through what Jesus had been through? We would also understandably feel forsaken and abandoned by the Lord.    

But did God abandon Jesus when He was gasping and dying on the cross? Does God abandon and forsake us when we are at the lowest point of our life? Is God absent as we navigate through the dangerous waters of  this covid-19 pandemic experience? God did not abandon Jesus, God was with Jesus all the way! God was strengthening Jesus when Jesus was at the lowest and weakest point in His life. And certainly God is also walking with us as we try to survive this covid-19 pandemic experience. 

We are humans subject to our own human frailties. It is understandable to feel forsaken by the Lord once in a while. But truth be told, God’s presence in our lives is strongest when we feel forsaken by this world and the people of this world. God will never forsake us, God will never abandon us and God will always be there to strengthen us. Therefore, we always have to cling to Him in good times and most especially in the turbulent episodes of our lives. 

Do you sometimes feel abandoned and forsaken by the Lord? 

5.“I thirst.” (John 19:28) 

What do we thirst for? 

Was it physical thirst that Jesus was feeling when He said: “I thirst.” In His humanity, yes physical thirst but more than that it was the thirst for those people who were formerly with Him. These are the people who were with Jesus during His healing and speaking ministry. 

Dying on the cross perhaps, Jesus was whimpering while saying, “I thirst.” Why? For the reason that He was also thirsting for His followers and apostles who were with Him during His miraculous healing and powerful speaking ministry. 

It is in the lowest episodes of our lives that we would know who is really for us and not for us. Those who are for us would choose to remain no matter the odds against us. Those who are not for us would immediately evaporate from our sights to save their necks. 

When we encounter these words: “I thirst.”  Let us imagine that Jesus is addressing these words to us. I thirst for you to be faithful in your marriage covenant. I thirst for you to be honest where you are presently working right now. I Thirst for you to value the sacredness of life over the evils of abortion and extra judicial killing. I thirst for you to always be humble and simple. 

 I thirst for your presence at Holy Mass every day or even every Sunday if you cannot make it every day.  I thirst for you to become a good father/mother. I thirst for you to become a good and God loving son/daughter. I thirst for you to be faithful to your priesthood. I thirst for you to be faithful to your religious life. I thirst for you to help those who are hungry.   

Would you respond to Jesus thirst? 

 6. “It is finished.” (John 19:30) 

How do you feel after finishing a worthy undertaking? 

You feel good and triumphant. This second to the last word of Jesus is a word of triumph, at last it’s over at last it’s mission accomplished! 

Jesus finally defeated the voice of Satan who was whispering to Him not to finish His salvific mission. Jesus overcame the many hurdles and temptation for Him not to pursue to the end His mission of salvation. Finally, Jesus redeemed the sinful humanity from the enslavement of sin. 

However, it’s not finished for us yet, we are still in this journey called life. We are still battling the many demons that constantly whispers to our ears to commit sin. So, what are we going to do to be able to say that, “It's finally finished!” 

We have to be faithful to our Lord until our end in this temporal world overtakes us. Then, when it comes, we can finally say, it is finished because we have been faithful to the Lord. We did not give an iota of space for Satan to distract us in our disciples with the Lord. 

Would we be able to successfully say, “It is finished ” when the sun sets upon us someday? It is finished because we have defeated the many demons that were constantly tempting us to give up in our disciples for Jesus. 

7. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)    

Are you afraid to die? 

After all has been said and done it’s now the end, it’s the victorious death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus conquered our sinfulness by dying on the cross. By giving His very life on the cross Jesus showed us the true meaning of sacrifice and love. 

Death is something that many of us fear but why fear death if we live our life with Jesus in this world? Why fear death when this is the final hurdle for us to be with the Lord in heaven? Why fear death when it ends all our sufferings in this world? If we have not done wrong in this world we would not fear death. When we love the Lord over this fleeting and temporal world we would not fear death. 

Many of us fear death for the simple reason that we are so attached to this world. But if we are detached from this world and attached to our Lord, we would not fear death. What are the attachments that we have that makes us fear death?  Are we so attached to our worldly possession that’s why we fear death? 

When we make this world our God we would fear death, when we make our worldly possession our master instead of servant we would fear death. Jesus conquered His fear of death because He has no worldly attachments. From the beginning Jesus detached Himself from this world because it would encumber Him from devoting His life to His mission of salvation.  

Let us slowly but surely detach ourselves from this world. So that when we are at the doorway going to the everlasting life we can say to our Lord: "I'm finally coming home my Lord, into your hands I commend my spirit." -  Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for April 7, Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion: John 18:1-19:42

Gospel John 18:1-19:42

Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. Judas his betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards  from the chief priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 

Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.” He said to them, “I AM.” Judas his betrayer was also with them. When he said to them, “I AM,  they turned away and fell to the ground. So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I AM. So if you are looking for me, let these men go. This was to fulfill what he had said, “I have not lost any of those you gave me.” 

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?” So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus, bound him, and brought him to Annas first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people. 

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

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

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

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

So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?”Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting  to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. 

But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” 

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

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

Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” Now when Pilate heard this statement, he became even more afraid, and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” Jesus did not answer him. 

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

When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and seated him on the judge’s bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha. It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon. And he said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 

Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. here they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 

So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews’.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be, “ in order that the passage of Scripture might be fulfilled that says: They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. This is what the soldiers did. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. 

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

Here all kneel and pause for a short time. 

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

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

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Reflection:

Why did Jesus die on the cross? It was in loving obedience to the will of the Father. It was also out of His immense love for us, Jesus died on the cross so that we may live and have life.   

We ask ourselves this question: What have we done in return to give back and to gratefully acknowledge this self-emptying of Jesus on the cross? Have we lived and shared His teachings? Have we also willfully carried or helped carry the cross of others to lighten their burdens? Have we become another Christ to our fellowmen? 

The cross is a sign of contradiction because it is a sign of sacrifice but at the same time it is also a sign of salvation and enlightenment. Let us not be afraid to carry our own cross even if it seems that we would be burdened by it. Let us not be afraid to lighten the cross of our fellowmen also because there will come a time that we will harvest something worthy from that cross. 

As Jesus loved the cross for our sake, let us also learn to embrace and love our cross/crosses no matter how hard and difficult it may seem. Because on that cross lies our redemption, enlightenment and many hidden blessings that will unfold before us someday. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 7, Biyernes Santo sa Pagpagpapakasakit ng Panginoon: Juan 18:1-19:42

Mabuting Balita: Juan 18:1-19:42

Noong panahong iyon, umalis si Jesus kasama ang kanyang mga alagad. Pumunta sila sa ibayo ng batis Cedron at pumasok sa isang halamanan doon. Ang lugar na ito'y alam ni Judas na nagkanulo sa kanya, sapagkat madalas magpunta roon si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad. Pumaroon si Judas, kasama ang ilang bantay sa templo at isang pangkat ng mga kawal na padala ng mga punong saserdote at mga Pariseo. May dala silang mga parol, sulo at sandata. Alam ni Jesus ang lahat ng mangyayari sa kanya, kaya't sila'y sinalubong niya at tinanong, "Sino ang hinahanap ninyo?" "Si Hesus na taga-Nazaret," tugon nila, Sinabi niya, "Ako si Hesus." 

Kaharap nila si Judas na nagkanulo sa kanya. Nang sabihin ni Jesus na siya nga, napaurong sila at nabuwal sa lupa. Muli siyang nagtanong, "Sino nga ang hinahanap ninyo?" "Si Jesus na taga-Nazaret," sagot nila. "sinabi ko na sa inyong ako si Jesus. Kung ako ang hinahanap ninyo, hayaan ninyong umalis ang mga taong ito," wika niya. Sinabi niya ito upang matupad ang kanyang salita, "Walang napahamak kahit isa sa mga ibinigay mo sa akin, Ama." Binunot ni Simon Pedro ang kanyang tabak at tinaga ang alipin ng pinakapunong saserdote. Natigpas ang kanyang tainga ng aliping yaon na ang pangala'y Malco. Sinabi ni Jesus kay Pedro, "Isalong mo ang iyong tabak! Dapat kong inumin ang saro ng paghihirap na ibinigay sa akin ng Ama." 

Si Jesus ay dinakip at ginapos ng mga bantay na Judio at ng pangkat ng mga kawal sa pamumuno ng kanilang kapitan. Siya'y dinala muna kay Anas na biyenan ni Caifas na pinakapunong saserdote nang panahong yaon. Si Caifas ang nagpayo sa mga Judio na mas mabuti para sa kanila na isang tao lamang ang mamatay alang-alang sa bayan. 

Si Simon Pedro at ang isa pang alagad ay sumunod kay Jesus. Kilala ng pinakapunong saserdote ang alagad na ito, kaya't nakapasok siyang kasama ni Jesus sa patyo ng bahay ng pinakapunong saserdote. Naiwan naman si Pedro sa labas ng pintuan. Lumabas ang alagad na kilala ng pinakapumong saserdote , kinausap ang dalagang nagbabantay sa pinto, at pinapasok si Pedro. Si Pedro'y tinanong ng dalaga, hindi ba't isa ka sa mga alagad ng taong iyan?" "Hindi," sagot ni Pedro. Maginaw noon, kaya't nagpabaga ng uling ang mga alipin at mga bantay at tumayo sa paligid ng siga upang magpainit. Nakihalo si Pedro at nagpainit din. 

Si Jesus ay tinanong ng pinakapunong saserdote tungkol sa kanyang mga alagad at sa kanyang itinuturo. Sumagot si Jesus, "Hayagan akong nagsasalita sa madla; lagi akong nagtuturo sa mga sinagoga at sa templo ng mga Judio. Wala akong sinabing palihim. Bakit ako ang tinatanong ninyo? Ang tanungin ninyo'y ang mga nakarinig sa akin; alam nila kung ano ang sinabi ko." Pagkasabi nito, siya'y sinampal ng isa sa mga bantay na naroroon. "Bakit mo sinasagot ng ganyan ang pinakapunong saserdote?" tanong niya. Sinagot siya ni Jesus, "Kung nagsalita ako ng masama, patunayan mo! Ngunit kung mabuti ang sinabi ko, bakit mo ako sinampal?" 

Si Jesus na nagagapos pa noon ay ipinadala ni Anas kay Caifas, ang pinakapunong saserdote.

Samantala, naroon pa rin si Simon Pedro at nagpapainit. Siya'y tinanong nila, "Hindi ba't alagad ka rin ng taong iyan?" "Hindi!" sagot ni Pedro. Tinanong naman siya ng isang alipin ng pinakapunong saserdote , kamag-anak ng lalaking tinagpasan niya ng tainga, "Hindi ba ikaw ang nakita kong kasama ni Jesus sa halamanan?" Muling itinatwa ito ni Pedro. Siya namang pagtilaok ng manok. 

Mula sa bahay ni Caifas, si Jesus ay dinala nila sa palasyo ng gobernador. Umaga na noon. Hindi pumasok ang mga Judio sa palasyo ng gobernador, upang sila'y huwag maituring na di karapat-dapat kumain ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa. Kaya't sa labas sila tinanggap ni Pilato at tinanong, "Ano ang sakdal ninyo laban sa taong ito?" Sumagot sila, "Kung hindi po siya gumawa ng masama, hindi namin siya dadalhin sa inyo." Sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato, "Dalhin ninyo siya, at hatulan ayon sa inyong kautusan." Sumagot ang mga Judio, "Wala po kaming kapangyarihang humatol ng kamatayan kaninuman." Nangyari ito upang matupad ang sinabi ni Jesus tungkol sa paraan ng kanyang pagkamatay. 

Si Pilato'y pumasok uli sa palasyo at tinawag si Jesus. "Ikaw ba ang Hari ng mga Judio?" tanong niya. Sumagot si Jesus, "Iyan ba'y galing sa inyong sariling isipan, o may nagsabi sa inyo?" "Ako ba'y Judio?" tanong ni Pilato. "Ang mga kababayan mo at ang mga punong saserdote ang nagdala sa inyo rito. Ano ba ang ginawa mo?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Ang kaharian ko'y hindi sa sanlibutang ito. Kung sa sanlibutang ito ang aking kaharian , ipinakipaglaban sana ako ng aking mga tauhan at hindi naipagkanulo sa mga Judio. Ngunit hindi sa sanlibutang ito ang aking kaharian!" Kung gayon, isa kang hari?" sabi ni Pilato. Sumagot si Jesus, "Kayo na ang nagsabing ako'y hari. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit ako ipinanganak at naparito sa sanlibutan: upang magsalita tungkol sa katotohanan. "Ano ba ang katotohanan?" tanong ni Pilato. 

Pagkasabi nito, muling lumabas si Pilato at sinabi sa mga Judio, "Wala akong makitang kasalanan sa taong ito. Ngunit ayon sa inyong kaugalian, dapat akong magpalaya ng isang bilanggo kung araw ng Paskuwa. Ibig ba ninyong palayain ko ang Hari ng mga Judio?" "Hindi!" sigaw nila. "Huwag siya, kundi si Barrabas!" Si Barrabas ay isang tulisan. 

Kaya't ipinakuha ni Pilato si Jesus at ipinahagupit. Ang mga kawal ay kumuha ng halamang matinik, ginawang korona, at ipinutong kay Jesus. At sinuutan siya ng balabal na purpura. Isa't isa'y lumalapit sa kanya ang wika,"Mabuhay ang Hari ng mga Judio!" At siya'y pinagsasampal.

Lumabas uli si Pilato at sinabi sa kanila, "Ihaharap ko siya sa inyo upang malaman ninyo na wala akong makitang kasalanan niya!" At inilabas si Jesus na may koronang tinik at balabal na purpura. Sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato, "Narito ang mga tao!" Pagkakita sa kanya ng mga punong saserdote at ng mga bantay sila'y sumigaw: "Ipako siya sa krus! Ipako sa krus! " Sinabi ni Pilato, "Kunin ninyo siya, at kayo ang magpako sa, at kayo ang magpako sa kanya. Wala akong makitang kasalanan niya." Sumagot ang mga Judio, "Ayon sa aming kautusa'y nararapat siyang mamatay, sapagkat siya'y nagpapanggap na Anak ng Diyos." 

Lalong natakot si Pilato nang marinig ang mga pananalitang ito. Muli siyang pumasok sa palasyo at tinanong si Jesus, "Tagasaan ka ba?" Subalit hindi tumugon si Jesus. "Ayaw mo bang makipag-usap sa akin?" ani Pilato. "Hindi mo ba alam na maari kitang palayain o ipapako sa krus?" At sumagot si Jesus, "Kaya mo lang magagawa iyan ay sapagkat ipinagkaloob sa iyo ng Diyos ang kapangyarihang iyan, kaya mas mabigat ang kasalanan ng nagdala sa akin dito." Nang marinig ito ni Pilato, lalo niyang hinangad na palayain si Jesus. Ngunit nagsigawan ang mga tao, "Kapag pinalaya mo ang taong iyan, hindi ka kaibigan ni Cesar! Sinumang nagpapanggap na hari ay kalaban ni Cesar." Pagkarinig ni Pilato sa pangungusap na ito, inilabas niya si Jesus, at siya'y lumuklok sa hukuman sa dakong tinatawag na "Ang Plataporma" Gabata sa wikang Hebreo. 

Araw noon ng Paghahanda sa Paskuwa, at mag-iikalabindalawa na ng tanghali. Sinabi ni Pilato sa mga Judio, "Narito ang inyong hari!" Sumigaw sila, "Patayin siya! Patayin! Ipako sa krus!" Ipapako ko ba sa krus ang inyong hari?" tanong ni Pilato. Sumagot ang punong saserdote, "Wala kaming hari kundi ang Cesar!" Kaya't si Jesus ay ibinigay sa kanila ni Pilato upang ipako sa krus.

Kinuha nga nila si Jesus. At lumabas siya na pasan ang kanyang krus, patungo sa lugar na kung tawagi'y "Dako ng Bungo" Golgota sa wikang Hebreo. Pagdating doon , siya'y ipinako sa krus, kasama ng dalawa pa -- isa sa gawing kanan at isa sa kaliwa. Sumulat si Pilato ng ganitong pangungusap at ipinalagay sa krus: "Si Jesus na taga-Nazaret, ang Hari ng mga Judio." Nasusulat ito sa mga wikang Hebreo, Latin, at Griego at marami sa mga Judio ang nakabasa nito, sapagkat malapit sa lunsod ang dakong pinagpakuan kay Jesus. Kaya't sinabi ng mga punong saserdote kay Pilato, "Huwag ninyong isulat na Hari ng mga Judio, kundi, 'Sinabi ng taong ito, Ako ang Hari ng mga Judio.' " Sumagot si Pilato, "Ang naisulat ko'y naisulat ko na." 

Nang maipako na ng mga kawal si Jesus, kinuha nila ang kanyang kasuutan at pinaghati-hatian ng apat. Kinuha rin nila ang kanyang tunika; ito'y walang tahi at hinabi ng buo mula sa itaas hanggang sa ibaba. Nag-usap-usap ang mga kawal, "Huwag nating punitin ito; magsapalaran na lamang tayo para malaman kung kanino ito mauuwi." Nangyari ito upang matupad ang isinasaad ng Kasulatan, "Pinaghati-hatian nila ang aking kasuutan; at ang aking damit ay kanilang pinagsapalaran." Gayon na nga ang ginawa ng mga kawal. 

Nakatayo sa tabi ng krus ni Jesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae nitong si Maria, na asawa ni Cleopas. Naroon din si Maria Magdalena. Nang makita ni Jesus ang kanyang ina, at ang minamahal na alagad sa tabi nito, kanyang sinabi, "Ginang, narito ang iyong Anak!" At sinabi sa alagad, "Narito ang iyong Ina!" Mula noon, siya'y pinatira ng alagad na ito sa kanyang bahay.

Pagkatapos nito, alam ni Jesus na naganap na ang lahat ng bagay; at bilang katuparan ng Kasulatan ay sinabi niya, "Nauuhaw ako!" May isang mangkok doon na puno ng maasim na alak. Itinubog nila dito ang isang espongha, ikinabit sa sanga ng isopo at idiniit sa kanyang bibig. Nang masipsip ni Jesus ang alak ay kanyang sinabi, "Naganap na!" Iniyukayok niya ang kanyang ulo at nalagot ang kanyang hininga. 

(Dito luluhod ang tanan at sandaling mananahimik.)

Noo'y araw ng Paghahanda, at ayaw ng mga Judio na manatili sa krus ang mga bangkay sa Araw ng Pamamahinga sapagkat dakila ang Araw ng Pamamahingang ito. Kaya't hiniling nila kay Pilato na ipabali nito ang mga binti ng mga ipinako sa krus, at alisin doon ang mga bangkay. Naparoon nga ang mga kawal at binali ang mga binti ng dalawang ipinakong kasabay ni Jesus. Ngunit pagdating nila kay Jesus at makitang patay na siya, hindi na nila binali ang kanyang binti. Subalit inulos ng sibat ng isa sa mga kawal ang tagiliran ni Jesus, at biglang dumaloy ang dugo at tubig. Ang nakakita nito ang nagpatotoo -- tunay ang kanyang patotoo at alam niyang katotohanan ang sinabi niya -- upang kayo'y maniwala. Nangyari ang mga ito upang matupad ang sinasabi ng Kasulatan. "Walang mababali isa man sa kanyang mga buto." At sinabi naman ng ibang bahagi ng Kasulatan, "Pagmamasdan nila ang kanilang inulos." 

Pagkatapos nito, si Jose na taga-Arimatea ay nagsadya kay Pilato upang humingi ng pahintulot na makuha ang bangkay ni Jesus. Si Jose'y isang alagad ni Jesus, ngunit palihim nga lamang dahil sa takot sa mga Judio. At pinahintulutan siya ni Pilato; kaya't kinuha ni Jose ang bangkay ni Jesus. Sumama sa kanya si Nicodemo, may dalang pabango -- mga 100 libra na pinaghalong mira at aloe. Siya ang nagsadya kay Jesus isang gabi. Kinuha nila ang bangkay ni Jesus, at nilagyan ng pabango , habang binabalot sa kayong lino, ayon sa kaugalian ng mga Judio. Sa pinagpakuan kay Jesus ay may halamanan, at dito'y may isang libingang hindi pa napaglilibingan. Yamang noo'y araw ng Paghahanda ng mga Judio, at dahil malapit naman ang libingang ito, doon nila inilibing si Jesus.

Reflection for April 6, Holy Thursday -Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper: John 13:1-15

Gospel: John 13:1-15

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

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

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

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

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Reflection:

Have you already experienced washing the feet of another person? Not yet perhaps, the simple thought of washing someone’s feet makes us cringe in aversion. This is for the reason that this kind of action is reserved for servants, and no one of us wants to become servants of anyone. 

We want to be served; we don’t want to serve we want to be masters and not servants. We want ourselves to be treated with respect and not to be disrespected. We want ourselves to be esteemed, to be appreciated and not be depreciated. 

When Jesus washed His disciples’ feet it was for the purpose of giving them a lesson. That if they truly want to become His followers they must learn to live and breathe humility and service in everyday of their lives. They must at all times learn to serve and not be served. 

Those who served in the church or identified to be close to the church are always faced with this challenge of humility and service. For example, if there’s a problem in your community that nobody wants to do because it somewhat demotes a person’s social status. Would you be willing to offer yourself to do that task that nobody wants to do? Are you willing to stoop and swallow your pride so that relationship can be restored once again?  

The true mark of a true follower of Jesus is not measured by someone’s eloquence, riches, power and ability to memorize and quote lengthy verses in the bible. The true mark of a true follower rest in someone’s willingness to embrace without any question the humility of Jesus. 

Would you embrace the humility of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 6, Huwebes Santo: Juan 13:1-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 13:1-15

Bisperas na ng Paskuwa. Alam ni Hesus na dumating na ang panahon ng kanyang paglisan sa sanlibutang ito upang bumalik sa Ama. Mahal niya ang kanyang mga tagasunod na nasa sanlibutan, at ngayo’y ipakikita niya kung hanggang saan ang kanyang pag-ibig sa kanila. 

Naghahapunan si Hesus at ang mga alagad. Naisilid na ng diyablo sa isip ni Judas, anak ni Simon Iscariote, ang pagkakanulo kay Hesus. Alam ni Hesus na ibinigay na sa kanya ng Ama ang buong kapangyarihan; alam din niyang siya’y mula sa Diyos at babalik sa Diyos. Kaya’t nang sila’y naghahapunan, tumindig si Hesus, naghubad ng kanyang panlabas na kasuotan, at nagbigkis ng tuwalya. 

Pagkatapos, nagbuhos siya ng tubig sa palanggana, at sinimulang hugasan ang paa ng mga alagad at punasan ng tuwalyang nakabigkis sa kanya. Paglapit niya kay Simon Pedro, tumutol ito. “Panginoon,” sabi niya, “diyata’t kayo pa ang maghuhugas ng aking mga paa?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Hindi mo nauunawan ngayon ang ginagawa ko, ngunit mauunawaan mo rin pagkatapos.” Sinabi sa kanya ni Pedro. “Hinding-hindi ko po pahuhugasan sa inyo ang aking mga paa.” 

“Kung hindi kita huhugasan, wala kang kaugnayan sa akin,” tugon ni Hesus. Kaya’t sinabi ni Pedro, “Panginoon, hindi lamang po ang mga paa ko, kundi pati ang aking kamay at ulo!” Ani Hesus, “Maliban sa kanyang mga paa, hindi na kailangang hugasan pa ang naligo na, sapagkat malinis na ang kanyang buong katawan. At malinis na kayo, ngunit hindi lahat.” Sapagkat alam ni Hesus kung sino ang magkakanulo sa kanya, kaya sinabi niyang malinis na sila, ngunit hindi lahat. 

Nang mahugasan na ni Hesus ang kanilang mga paa, siya’y nagsuot ng damit at nagbalik sa hapag. “Nauunawaan ba ninyo kung ano ang ginawa ko sa inyo?” tanong niya sa kanila. “Tinatawag ninyo akong Guro at Panginoon, at tama kayo, sapagkat ako nga. Kung akong Panginoon ninyo at Guro ay naghugas ng inyong mga paa, dapat din kayong mahugasan ng paa. Binigyan ko kayo ng halimbawa at ito’y dapat ninyong tularan.” 

Reflection for April 5, Wednesday of Holy Week: Matthew 26:14-25

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

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

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

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said,

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

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Reflection:

What are you capable of doing to possess money? Would you embrace evil and betray somebody for it?  Judas did it to have money, money that possessed him and money that eventually destroyed him. Money is not evil per see it becomes evil when you allow it to possess and dictate upon you. 

 Perhaps Judas was not an evil person initially he was a good person in the beginning. The proof of this is he joined the group of select men who became Jesus apostles. If Judas was evil from the beginning, he would not have joined Jesus. 

Judas became evil when he became the treasurer of the group. There he allowed Satan to seduce him so that he would be possessed by money. Hence, Judas allowed greed to reign over him in the process Judas betrayed Jesus. What did Judas achieve when he got money? Did he gain peace in his life? Did he become happy? Judas gained nothing for his greed and love for money except evil and misery in his life. 

What if Judas did not allow himself to be possessed by money? Jesus would have not died early and Judas wouldn’t have decided to end his own life.  But Judas allowed the many evils of greed for money to control him. 

Would you allow money to dictate and possess you?  - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 5, Miyerkules Santo: Mateo 26:14-25

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 26:14-25

Si Judas Iscariote, isa sa Labindalawa, ay nakipagkita sa mga punong saserdote. "Ano po ang ibibigay ninyo sa akin kung tulungan ko kayong madakip si Jesus?" tanong niya. Noon din ay binilangan niya siya ng tatlumpong salaping pilak. Mula noon, humanap na si Judas ng pagkakataon upang maipagkanulo si Jesus. 

Dumating ang unang araw ng Kapistahan ng Tinapay na Walang Lebadura. Lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad at nagtanong, "Saan po ninyo ibig na ipaghanda namin kayo ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa?" Sumagot siya, "Pumunta kayo sa lunsod at hanapin ninyo ang taong ito. Sabihin sa kanyang ganito ang ipinasasabi ng Guro: 'Malapit na ang aking oras. Ako at ang mga alagad ko'y sa bahay mo kakain ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa.' " Sinunod ng mga alagad ang utos ni Jesus, at inihanda nila ang Hapunang Pampaskuwa. 

Nang gabing yaon, dumulog sa hapag si Jesus, kasama ang labindalawang alagad. Samantalang sila'y kumakain, nangusap si Jesus, "Sinasabi ko: isa sa inyo ang magkakanulo sa akin." Nanlumo ang mga alagad, at isa't isa'y nagtanong sa kanya, "Ako po ba, Panginoon?" Sumagot siya, "Ang kasabay kong sumawsaw sa mangkok ang siyang magkakanulo sa akin. 

Papanaw ang Anak ng Tao, ayon sa nasusulat, ngunit sa aba ng nagkanulo sa kanya! "Mabuti pang hindi na ipinanganak ang taong iyon." Si Judas, na magkakanulo sa kanya, ay nagtanong din, "Guro, ako po ba?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Ikaw na ang nagsabi."

Reflection for April 4, Tuesday of Holy Week: John 13:21-33, 36-38

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

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

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

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

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

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Reflection:

Have you already experienced how it is to be betrayed by a trusted friend? Have you already experienced being denied by somebody very close to you? Jesus experienced these all, He was betrayed by an apostle in Judas and He was denied also by an apostle who sworn allegiance to Him in Peter. 

Just imagine how Jesus felt during that time; He knew that His world was getting smaller by the day. Then, came the betrayal and denial of Judas and Peter perhaps Jesus’ heart was already bleeding with sorrow. He was sorrowful but He never took it personally upon them for Jesus knew that something good would soon come out of these sorrows and betrayals. 

What was the good that came out from Judas betrayal? Jesus was able to unmask the traitor amongst His followers. What was the good that came from Peter’s denial? Jesus was able to discover that even those who profess to be loyal to Him would deny Him so that they could save their own lives. Nevertheless, Jesus never took these betrayal and denial personally; for He still forgave the two of them. 

We too have denied and betrayed Jesus for countless times already. Has Jesus took our betrayals and denials personally? No, because Jesus doesn’t know how to keep ill feelings in His heart. What is the lesson that we can learn from this gospel episode? 

We should not betray anyone of their trust. And if ever someone would betray us, let us forgive even if the betrayer will not ask for forgiveness. Why? For the reason that we are followers of Jesus and aside from that, keeping hatred and unforgiveness in our hearts will not do us any good. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 4, Martes Santo: Juan 13:21-33, 36-38

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

Noong panahong iyon, habang nakahilig kasama ng kanyang mga alagad, nagugulumihanang sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo: ako’y ipagkakanulo ng isa sa inyo.” Nagkatinginan ang mga alagad; hindi nila alam kung sino ang kanyang tinutukoy. Ang alagad na minamahal ni Hesus ay nakahilig na kalapit niya. Kinalabit siya ni Simon Pedro at sinabi, “Itanong mo kung sino ang tinutukoy niya.”  

Kaya humilig siya sa dibdib ni Hesus at itinanong: “Panginoon, sino po ba ang tinutukoy ninyo?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Ang ipagsawsaw ko ng tinapay, siya na nga.” At nang maisawsaw ang tinapay, ibinigay niya ito kay Judas na anak ni Simon Iscariote. Nang matanggap na ni Judas ang tinapay, si Satanas ay pumasok sa kanya.  

Sinabi ni Hesus, “Gawin mo na ang gagawin mo!” Ngunit isa man sa mga kasalo niya ay walang nakaalam kung bakit niya sinabi ito. Sapagkat si Judas ang nag-iingat ng kanilang salapi, inakala nilang pinabibili siya ni Hesus ng kakailanganin sa pista o kaya’y pinapaglilimos sa mga dukha. Nang makain na ni Judas ang tinapay, siya’y umalis. Gabi na noon. 

Pagkaalis ni Judas ay sinabi ni Hesus, “Ngayo’y mahahayag na ang karangalan ng Anak ng Tao; at mahahayag din ang karangalan ng Diyos sa pamamagitan niya. At kung mahayag na ang karangalan ng Diyos, ang Diyos naman ang maghahayag ng karangalan ng Anak, at gagawin niya ito agad. Mga anak, kaunting panahon na lamang ninyo akong makakasama. Hahanapin ninyo ako; ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo ngayon ang sinabi ko sa mga Judio, ‘Hindi kayo makapupunta sa paroroonan ko.’” 

“Saan po kayo pupunta, Panginoon?” tanong ni Simon Pedro. Sumagot si Hesus, “Sa paroroonan ko’y hindi ka makasusunod ngayon, ngunit susunod ka pagkatapos.” “Bakit po hindi ako makasusunod sa inyo ngayon?” tanong ni Pedro. “Buhay ko ma’y iaalay ko dahil sa inyo.” Sumagot si Hesus, “Iaalay mo ang iyong buhay dahil sa akin? Tandaan mo: bago tumilaok ang manok, makaitlo mo akong itatatwa.”

Reflection for April 3, Monday of Holy Week: John 12:1-11

Gospel: John 12:1-11

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

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

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

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Reflection:

What can you offer Jesus this Holy Week? Can you offer Him your time by going through all of the liturgical celebration in your parish? Can you offer Him some of your treasures by helping somebody in need? Or you have nothing to offer to the Lord because Holy Week is just like one of the ordinary days for you. 

When you treat Holy Week as one of the ordinary days or you treat it as your vacation day. You miss something very significant in your life. You miss the opportunity to have a personal encounter with the Lord. You miss the opportunity to deepen your faith in the Lord. 

When Jesus went to the house of the siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus, the three of them gave their precious time to the Lord. Martha prepared food, Mary was beside the Lord listening to Him and even anointed His foot with expensive perfume. Lazarus dined with Jesus and listened to Him as well. No wonder the three of them were close to the Lord because they gave their precious time to the Lord. 

Think also of how you could give your time to the Lord this Holy Week. It could be by listening to Him via podcast or youtube. it could be by serving Him or any activity that could bring you closer to the Lord. You can also read your bible and meditate and reflect on the readings about the passion of Jesus. This Holy Week, shut yourself out from this boisterous world and enough of the noise of this world for this will not bring you closer to Him. 

When you decide to spend time with Jesus this Holy Week you are already investing for your spiritual growth. Which you could always lean on when you go through episodes of turbulence in your life. 

How will you use your time this Holy Week? - Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Abril 3, Lunes Santo: Juan 12:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:1-11

Anim na araw bago mag-Paskuwa, si Hesus ay dumating sa Betania, sa bayan ni Lazaro na kanyang muling binuhay. Ipinaghanda siya roon ng hapunan; naglingkod si Marta, at si Lazaro’y isa sa mga kasalo ni Hesus. Kumuha si Maria ng mamahaling pabango, isang libra ng dalisay na nardo, at ibinuhos sa mga paa ni Hesus. Pagkatapos, pinunasan ng kanyang buhok. At humalimuyak sa buong bahay ang pabango. 

Si Judas Iscariote, ang alagad na magkakanulo kay Hesus, ay nagsabi, “Bakit hindi ipinagbili ang pabango at ibinigay sa mga dukha ang pinagbilhan? Maaaring umabot sa tatlong daang denaryo ang halaga niyan.” Hindi dahil sa siya’y may malasakit sa mga dukha kaya niya sinabi iyon, kundi dahil sa siya’y magnanakaw. Siya ang nag-iingat ng kanilang salapi at kinukupit niya ito. 

Sumagot si Hesus, “Ano’t siya’y ginugulo ninyo? Pabayaan ninyong ilaan niya ito para sa paglilibing sa akin. Habang panaho’y kasama ninyo ang mga dukha, ngunit ako’y hindi ninyo kasama sa habang panahon.” 

Nabalitaan ng maraming Judio na si Hesus ay nasa Betania kaya’t pumaroon sila, hindi lamang dahil sa kanya, kundi para makita si Lazaro na kanyang muling binuhay. Kaya’t binalak ng mga punong saserdote na ipapatay rin si Lazaro, sapagkat dahil sa kanya’y maraming Judio ang humihiwalay na sa kanila at nananalig kay Hesus.

Reflection for Sunday April 2, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord: Matthew 26: 14 – 27:66

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-27:66

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

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

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said,“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written:I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed; but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise.

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep.

He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people. His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.” Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and he kissed him. Jesus answered him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area,  yet you did not arrest me. But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Peter was following him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard, and going inside he sat down with the servants to see the outcome. The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward who stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God and within three days rebuild it.’” The high priest rose and addressed him, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “You have said so. But I tell you: From now on you will see ‘the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power’ and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.’” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses?

You have now heard the blasphemy; what is your opinion?” They said in reply, “He deserves to die!” Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him, saying, Prophesy for us, Christ: who is it that struck you?” Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.” 

Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!” A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly.

When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.

Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? Look to it yourself.” Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself. The chief priests gathered up the money, but said, “It is not lawful to deposit this in the temple treasury, for it is the price of blood.” After consultation, they used it to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why that field even today is called the Field of Blood. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of a man with a price on his head, a price set by some of the Israelites, and they paid it out for the potter’s field  just as the Lord had commanded me.

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over. While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him.” The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. The governor said to them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” But he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Let him be crucified!” When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourselves.” And the whole people said in reply, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him.

As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.

And when they came to a place called Golgotha ¬—which means Place of the Skull —, they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink. After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!” Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way.

From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,  “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “This one is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. But the rest said, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.” But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there, facing the tomb.

The next day, the one following the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that this impostor while still alive said, ‘After three days I will be raised up.’ Give orders, then, that the grave be secured until the third day, lest his disciples come and steal him and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ This last imposture would be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “The guard is yours; go, secure it as best you can.” So they went and secured the tomb by fixing a seal to the stone and setting the guard.

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Reflection:

Imagine that you are present in the events of the gospel today. From Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem up to His condemnation courtesy of the same crowd who cheered Him going to Jerusalem. Would you have reacted in chorus with the crowd? Perhaps yes or no but there is a bigger chance that you would react as how the crowd reacted.

So, you would also be hollering hosanna to the son of David as Jesus makes His way to Jerusalem riding a donkey. So you would also be in chorus with the crowd yelling crucify him! Crucify him! 

This is who we normally are; we go where the crowd goes, we are afraid to contradict or to go against the crowd. But if we will not go against the crowd, if we will always go with the majority and if we would always say yes. We will not be able to uncover the many wrongdoings that are happening around us. 

Jesus dared to go against the crowd, he dared to do what others did not dare do. And what was it? Jesus exposed the Pharisees which was the ruling power during that time. Jesus exposed the Pharisees manipulative behavior and leadership. 

Jesus opened the eyes of the masses about the enslavement that they had been going thru under the Pharisees. Hence, Jesus paid dearly for going against the crowd, for voicing his opinion and for exposing the powerful Pharisees for who they really are.

As we open the door of Holy Week let us reflect on the action of Jesus of going against the majority. Of having the courage to speak the truth even if it is not popular or even if we will temporarily suffer for it. Because it is only by daring to go against the crowd that we would be able to enlighten minds and touch hearts. – Marino J. Dasmarinas