Gayon na
lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sanlibutan, kaya ibinigay niya ang kanyang
bugtong na Anak, upang ang sumampalataya sa kanya ay hindi mapahamak, kundi
magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. Sapagkat sinugo ng Diyos ang kanyang
Anak, hindi upang hatulang maparusahan ang sanlibutan, kundi upang iligtas ito
sa pamamagitan niya.
"Hindi
hinahatulang maparusahan ang nananampalataya sa Anak ng Diyos; ngunit hinatulan
nang parusahan ang hindi nananampalataya sa kanya. Hinatulan sila sapagkat
naparito sa sanlibutan ang ilaw, ngunit inibig pa ng tao ang dilim kaysa
liwanag, sapagkat masama ang kanilang mga gawa.
Ang gumagawa
ng masama ay ayaw sa ilaw, at hindi lumalapit dito upang hindi mahayag ang
kanyang mga gawa. Ngunit ang namumuhay sa katotohanan ay lumalapit sa ilaw; sa
gayon, nahahayag na ang kanyang mga ginagawa'y pagsunod sa Diyos.
Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘You must be
born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it
makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with
everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How
can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of
Israel and you do not understand this?
Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what
we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our
testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will
you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses
lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so
that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Who is Nicodemus and how does his
situation relate with us? He is a Pharisee, a secret faithful follower of
Jesus; He visited Jesus during night time (John 3:1–21). Nicodemus also appeared
after the Crucifixion of Jesus to provide the embalming ingredients for the
body of Jesus. He also assisted Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of
Jesus (John 19:39–42).
Like Nicodemus we too must become a
faithful follower of Jesus. A follower who is averse to sin. A follower in
words and in deeds and a follower who will stay with Jesus no matter how strong
the temptation to betray him.
We should aspire to become a modern day
Nicodemus who will support Jesus. Who will work for Jesus and who will do
things for Jesus even outside of the glare of lights. For this is the challenge
before us who are followers of the Lord.
But are we really His true followers? Or
we are followers in good times only but when the testing of our faith comes. We
easily betray Jesus in favor of the many sinful enticements of this world. Like
Nicodemus, are we also followers who are ever ready to leave behind
everything in favor of Jesus?
Leave everything behind this means
everything that made you sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong
panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus kay Nicodemo: Huwag kayong magtaka sa sinabi ko
sa inyo, 'Lahat ay kailangang ipanganak na muli.' Umiihip ang hangin kung saan
ibig at naririnig ninyo ang ugong nito, ngunit hindi ninyo alam kung saan
nanggagaling at kung saan naparoroon.
Gayon din ang
bawat ipinanganak sa Espiritu." "Paano pong mangyayari ito?"
tanong ni Nicodemo. Sumagot si Jesus, "Guro pa naman kayo sa Israel ay
hindi ninyo nauunawaan ang bagay na ito? Tandaan ninyo: ang aming nalalaman ang
sinasabi namin, at ang aming nasaksihan ang pinatototohanan namin, ngunit hindi
ninyo tinatanggap ang aming patotoo.
Kung hindi
ninyo paniniwalaan ang sinasabi ko tungkol sa mga bagay sa sanlibutang ito,
paano ninyo paniniwalaan kung ang sabihin ko'y tungkol sa mga bagay sa langit?
Walang umakyat sa langit kundi ang bumaba mula sa langit -- ang Anak ng
Tao."
"At kung
paanong itinaas ni Moises ang ahas doon sa ilang, gayon din naman, kailangang
itaas ang Anak ng Tao, upang ang sinumang sumasampalataya sa kanya ay magkaroon
ng buhay na walang hanggan.
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a
ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know
that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs
that you are doing unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen,
amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of
God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again?
Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”
Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What
is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be
amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it
wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes
from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Who is Nicodemus?
Nicodemus is a follower who is seeking
deeper meaning in his discipleship with Jesus. So Jesus gave him a clue on how
to discover a more meaningful life with Him. And that is to be born
again.
How could we be born again when we have
already been born? Indeed, we can never be literally born again. However to be
born again with a more meaningful life of purpose in this world is very much
possible for everyone of us.
How can we be born again with a life of
purpose and meaning? We must be willing to leave behind our sinfulness. For
example, our greed, self-centeredness and anything that makes us sin we must be
willing to leave it all behind us. So that we can have a life of purpose and
meaning with Jesus and those people that we love.
Who would benefit if you allow yourself to
be born again with a life of purpose and meaning with Jesus? The first
beneficiary is you, second is your family and third is those who are around you
and those who know you.
Would you allow yourself to be born again
with a new life of purpose with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
May
isang Pariseo at pinuno ng mga Judio, na nagngangalang Nicodemo. Isang gabi,
siya'y nagsadya kay Jesus, "Rabi," sabi niya, "nalalaman po
naming kayo'y isang gurong mula sa Diyos, sapagkat walang makagagawa ng mga
kababalaghang ginagawa ninyo malibang sumasakanya ang Diyos."
Sumagot
si Jesus, "Sinasabi ko sa inyo: maliban na ipanganak na muli ang isang
tao, hindi siya paghaharian ng Diyos." Paano pong maiipanganganak na muli
ang isang tao kung matanda na siya? Makapapasok pa ba siya sa tiyan ng kanyang
ina para ipanganak uli?" tanong ni Nicodemo.
"Sinasabi
ko sa inyo," ani Jesus, "maliban na ang tao'y ipanganak sa tubig at
Espiritu, hindi siya paghaharian ng Diyos. Ang ipinanganak sa laman ay laman,
at ang ipinanganak sa Espiritu ay espiritu. Huwag kayong magtaka sa sinabi ko
sa inyo, 'Lahat ay kailangang ipanganak na muli.' Umihip ang hangin kung saan
ibig at naririnig ninyo ang ugong nito, ngunit hindi ninyo alam kung saan
nanggagaling at kung saan naparoroon. Gayun din ang bawat ipinanganak sa Espiritu."
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."
Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Do you sometimes feel alone, fearful and without peace of mind caused by the worries that you have?
After the death of Jesus the apostles had this feeling of being orphaned and without a leader. Add to this was the feeling of fear that was constantly being fed to their minds by the religious leaders. To counter this feeling of helplessness the apostles would meet every now and then to strengthen each other’s morale.
So, while in a room meeting and in the midst of their loneliness and fear Jesus appeared to them and told them, “Peace be with you.” Jesus greeted them peace be with you to strengthen and assure them of His abiding presence in each and everyone of them.
Does Jesus still gives us this peace right now? Of course! Up to this very moment Jesus is still assuring us of this greeting of peace. But the peace that Jesus’ gives us is something that is elusive for many of us. Because the peace that Jesus’ imparts is not a byproduct of accumulation of money, material things and power.
We may all have the wealth and power in this world but if we don’t have Jesus we would still be without peace of mind. We would still be yearning for something far greater than wealth and that is to have peace within ourselves.
Jesus in the gospel greeted His followers: “Peace be with you” not once, not twice but three times! To say to them that amidst your difficulties continue to believe that I have risen, continue to have faith in me, and continue to be faithful to me. Because no one else can give you peace that transcends this world but me.
Wealth will not give us peace for it may even give us endless depression and pressure. Power whatever it is will not give us peace as well. Our friends may give us fleeting happiness but not peace of mind.
Who then can give us this feeling of true peace as we are being assaulted by the fear of uncertainty? He is no other than Jesus! He alone can give us this elusive peace and serenity within us. Jesus is always with us assuring us of peace that nobody in this world can give us except Himself.
Do you already have this peace which only Jesus can give you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Kinagabihan ng araw ding iyon, ang mga alagad ay nagkakatipon. Nakapinid ang mga pinto ng bahay na kanilang pinagtitipunan dahil sa takot nila sa mga Judio. Dumating si Jesus at tumayo sa gitna nila. "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" sabi niya.
Pagkasabi nito, ipinakita niya ang kanyang mga kamay at ang kanyang tagiliran. Tuwang-tuwa ang mga alagad nang makita ang Panginoon. Sinabi na naman ni Jesus, "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan! Kung paanong sinugo ako ng Ama, gayon din naman, sinusugo ko kayo." Pagkatapos, sila'y hiningahan niya at sinabi, "Tanggapin ninyo ang Espiritu Santo. Ang patawarin ninyo sa kanilang mga kasalanan ay pinatawad na nga; ang hindi ninyo patawarin ay hindi nga pinatawad."
Ngunit si Tomas na tinaguriang Kambal, isa sa Labindalawa, ay wala roon nang dumating si Jesus. Kaya't sinabi sa kanya ng ibang alagad, "Nakita namin ang Panginoon!" Sumagot si Tomas, "Hindi ako maniniwala hangga't di ko nakikita ang butas ng mga pako sa kanyang mga kamay, at naisusuot dito ang aking mga daliri, at hangga't hindi ko naipapasok ang aking kamay sa kanyang tagiliran."
Makalipas ang walong araw, muling nagkatipon sa loob ng bahay ang mga alagad; kasama nila si Tomas. Nakapinid ang mga pinto, ngunit pumasok si Jesus at tumayo sa gitna nila. Sinabi niya, "Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" Saka sinabi kay Tomas, "Tingnan mo ang aking mga kamay at ilapit dito ang iyong daliri.
Ipasok mo ang iyong kamay sa aking tagiliran. Huwag ka nang mag-alinlangan, maniwala ka na." Sumagot si Tomas, "Panginoon ko at Diyos ko!" Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Naniniwala ka na ba sapagkat nakita mo ako? Mapapalad ang mga naniniwala kahit hindi nila ako nakita."
Marami pang kababalaghang ginawa si Jesus na nasaksihan ng mga alagad, ngunit hindi natatala sa aklat na ito. Ang mga natala rito'y sinulat upang sumampalataya kayong si Jesus ang Mesias, ang Anak ng Diyos, at sa gayo'y magkaroon kayo ng buhay sa pamamagitan niya.
When Jesus had risen, early on the first
day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven
seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping.
When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not
believe. After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on
their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not
believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he
appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart
because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He
said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every
creature.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Among the many to whom Jesus can appear,
why to Mary Magdalene first? Mary Magdalene was a sinner who was formerly
possessed by seven demons? Why not to anyone of His eleven apostles first who
by the way were with Him for three years? Or why not appear first to His Mother
Mary?
Why appear to Mary Magdalene first? We
don’t know but what we know of Mary of Magdalene is she is a sinner who
repented. A former prostitute who left behind her sinful life to become a
follower of Jesus.
Perhaps the message to us is nobody is
beyond reach of the love of God. The more sinful we are the more that Jesus
desires to manifest Himself to us. The more that Jesus wants to convert us from
sinner to become nonsinner even saint.
Nothing is impossible for God. That God
when He so desires can effect change into our lives no matter how dark our
past. However, we must also cooperate with God’s plan of conversion for us.
This is for the reason that even if God desires
to convert us but we are not cooperating with His plan, then He can’t do
anything. For He also gave us the freedom of will, if we would abide with His
desire or not but if we abide with the plan of God we are assured of salvation.
Mary of Magdalene was docile to the desire
of God to convert her that’s why she totally left behind her sinful life and became
a follower of the Lord.
Umagang-umaga
ng araw ng Linggo, matapos na muling mabuhay si Hesus, siya’y unang napakita
kay Maria Magdalena. Pitong demonyo ang pinalayas ni Hesus sa babaing ito.
Pumunta siya sa mga alagad ni Hesus, na noo’y nahahapis at umiiyak, at
ibinalita ang kanyang nakita.
Ngunit hindi
sila naniwala sa sinabi ni Maria na buhay si Hesus at napakita sa kanya. Siya’y
napakita rin sa dalawang alagad na naglalakad patungo sa bukid, ngunit iba ang
kanyang kaanyuan. Bumalik sa Jerusalem ang dalawa at ibinalita sa kanilang
kasamahan ang nangyari, ngunit sila ma’y hindi pinaniwalaan.
Pagkatapos,
napakita siya sa Labing-isa samantalang kumakain ang mga ito. Pinagwikaan niya
sila dahil sa hindi nila pananalig sa kanya, at sa katigasan ng ulo, sapagkat
hindi sila naniwala sa mga nakakita sa kanya pagkatapos na siya’y muling
mabuhay. At sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Humayo kayo sa buong sanlibutan at
ipangaral ninyo sa lahat ang Mabuting Balita.”
Jesus revealed himself again to his
disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together
were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them,
"I am going fishing."They said to him, "We also will come with
you."
So they went out and got into the
boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus
was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was
Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to
eat?" They answered him, "No." So he said to them, "Cast
the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something."
So they cast it, and were not able to pull
it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to
Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The
other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about
a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on
shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them,
"Bring some of the fish you just caught."
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the
net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were
so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come, have
breakfast." And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are
you?" because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the
bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third
time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Do you sometimes feel spiritually weak and
empty? You’re not alone, everyone of us goes through this spiritual dryness and emptiness. This is the reason why we sometimes feel spiritually weak, vulnerable and empty.
After the death of Jesus some of the
apostles didn’t know that Jesus had already risen. So they went back to their
former work feeling spiritually empty and weak nonetheless they moved on with
their lives. Feeling weak and empty they went fishing and they returned ashore
without any catch at all.
Then afterwards, lo and behold the risen
Christ appeared before them and He said to them, have you caught any fish? They
said no, so Jesus told them to throw it once again onto the water, consequently
they did. And they caught so many fish that they couldn’t bring it anymore to
shore.
In their emptiness and weariness Jesus
appeared to them to give them hope and to give them strength. To tell them that
I am again here with you, I have risen, I have not abandoned you all even for a
single second. I was with you as you struggle with my death on the cross as I
was with you as you felt your emptiness and loneliness. Never have I abandoned
you!
The same is what Jesus is telling us all
today as we also struggle with our journey in this world. As we feel and face
our own moments of emptiness, helplessness and loneliness caused by the many
life challenges that we continuously face. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong
panahong iyon, muling napakita si Jesus sa mga alagad sa tabi ng Lawa ng
Tiberias. Ganito ang pangyayari. Magkakasama sina Simon Pedro, Tomas na
tinaguriang Kambal, Natanael na taga-Cana, Galilea, ang mga anak ni Zebedeo, at
dalawa pang alagad. Sinabi sa kanila ni Simon Pedro, "Mangingisda
ako." "Sasama kami," wika nila.
Umalis sila
at lumulan sa bangka, subalit walang nahuli nang gabing iyon. Nang
magbubukang-liwayway na, tumayo si Jesus sa pampang , subalit hindi siya
nakilala ng mga alagad. Sinabi niya, "Mga anak, mayroon ba kayong
huli?" "Wala po," tugon nila. "Ihulog ninyo ang lambat sa
gawing kanan ng bangka, at makahuhuli kayo," sabi ni Jesus. Inihulog nga
nila ang lambat at hindi nila ito mahila sa dami ng huli.
Sinabi kay
Pedro ng alagad na minamahal ni Jesus, "Ang Panginoon iyon!" Nang
marinig ito ni Simon Pedro, siya'y nagsuot ng Damit sapagkat hubad siya at
tumalon sa tubig. Ang kasama niyang mga alagad ay sumapit sa pampang, sakay
nang munting bangka, hila-hila ang bangka na puno ng isda. Hindi sila gaanong
kalayuan sa pampang -- mga siyamnapung metro lamang.
Pag-ahon nila
sa pampang ay nakakita sila roon ng mga baga na may isdang nakaihaw, at ilang
tinapay. "Magdala kayo rito ng ilang isdang nahuli ninyo," sabi ni
Jesus. Kaya't sumampa sa bangka si Simon Pedro at hinila sa pampang ang lambat
na puno ng malalaking isda -- sandaan at limampu't tatlong lahat.
Hindi napunit
ang lambat, kahit ganoon karami ang isda. Halikayo at mag-almusal tayo"
sabi ni Jesus. Isa man sa mga alagad ay walang nangahas magtanong kung sino
siya, sapagkat alam nila na siya ang Panginoon. Lumapit si Jesus, kinuha ang
tinapay at ibinigay sa kanila, gayon din ang isda.
Ito ang
ikatlong pagpapakita ni Jesus sa mga alagad pagkatapos na siya'y muling
mabuhay.
The disciples of Jesus recounted what had
taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the
breaking of bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their
midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." But they were startled
and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
Then he said to them, "Why are you
troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my
feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh
and bones as you can see I have." And as he said this, he showed them his
hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed,
he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece
of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.
He said to them, "These are my words
that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about
me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled."
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
And he said to them, "Thus it is
written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name
to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these
things."
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Who moves and inspires us to go on when we
feel spiritually/emotionally weary and tired? Of course He is no other than
Jesus! During these times of weariness and tiredness we earnestly pray to the Lord
and we ask Him for help and strength. And the moment we sincerely do these
prayers and petitions we would feel energized as such we are very much ready
again to face the many trials in our life.
While the disciples of Jesus were feeling
weary and down because they thought that Jesus had not risen. He suddenly stood
in their midst and He greeted them, "Peace be with you and He said to
them: “Why are you troubled?” And why do questions arise in your hearts? Jesus
appeared to his followers once again to tell them that He had truly risen and
that He is there for them.
Whether we admit it or not, we are often
times like the apostles of Jesus. We doubt, we feel abandoned by the Lord and
we sometimes question Him. If He is really there for us and if He is really
real!
If He is there and if He is truly real
then how come there are still difficult moments in our lives? In the midst of
these momentary difficulties let us persevere and let us continue to have faith
in Jesus.
What does this gospel episode tells us? It
tells us that we are never alone that the Risen Jesus is always by our side
most especially when we pass through trials and problems. He is always there to
help us and to strengthen us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong
panahong iyon, samantalang isinalaysay ng mga alagad ni Hesus ang nangyari sa
daan, at kung paano nila siyang nakilala nang pagpira-pirasuhin niya ang
tinapay. Samantalang pinag-uusapan nila ito, si Hesus ay tumayo sa gitna nila.
"Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!" sabi niya sa kanila. Ngunit nagulat sila
at natakot sapagkat ang akala nila'y multo ang nasa harapan nila.
Kaya't sinabi
ni Hesus sa kanila, "Ano't kayo'y nagugulumihanan? Bakit nag-aalinlangan
pa kayo? Tingnan ninyo ang aking kamay at paa, ako nga ito. Hipuin nga ninyo at
pagmasdan. Ang multo'y walang laman at buto, ngunit ako'y mayroon, tulad ng
nakikita ninyo." At pagkasabi nito, ipinakita niya sa kanila ang kanyang
mga kamay at mga paa. Nang hindi pa rin sila makapaniwala dahil sa malaking galak
at pagkamangha, tinanong sila ni Hesus, "May makakain ba riyan?"
Siya'y binigyan nila ng kaputol na isdang inihaw, kinuha niya ito at kinain sa
harapan nila.
Pagkatapos,
sinabi sa mga alagad, "Ito ang tinutukoy ko nang sabihin ko sa inyo noong
kasama-sama pa ninyo ako: dapat matupad ang lahat ng nasusulat tungkol sa akin
sa Kautusan ni Moises sa mga aklat ng mga propeta at sa aklat ng mga
Awit." At binuksan niya ang kanilang mga pag-iisip upang maunawaan nila
ang mga Kasulatan.
Sinabi niya
sa kanila. "Ganito ang mga nasusulat: kinakailangang magbata ng hirap at
mamatay ang Mesias at muling mabuhay sa ikatlong araw. Sa kanyang pangalan, ang
pagsisisi at kapatawaran ng mga kasalanan ay dapat ipangaral sa lahat ng bansa,
magmula sa Jerusalem. Kayo ang mga saksi sa bagay na ito."
That very day, the first day of the week,
two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem
called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself
drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing
him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing as
you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas,
said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know
of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to
them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to
Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and
all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a
sentence of death and crucified him.
But we were hoping that he would be the
one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this
took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at
the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and
reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was
alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the
women had described, but him they did not see.”
And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you
are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not
necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his
glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to
them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village
to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is
almost over.”
So he went in to stay with them. And it
happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the
blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened
and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to
each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the
way and opened the Scriptures to us?”
So they set out at once and returned to
Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who
were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then
the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to
them in the breaking of the bread.
+ + + + + +
Reflection:
Do you sometimes feel down, hopeless and
discourage for the reason of the many life challenges that you are going
through right now? In the midst of your life’s challenges, you have to continue
to remain hopeful for there is no hopeless situation for as long as your life is
centered on God.
The two followers who were going to Emmaus
were obviously discouraged they were feeling down and somewhat hopeless. They
were in such mood because their Lord and Master had a violent death on the
cross. They thought that Jesus was their powerful savior but they were
disappointed. For Jesus died on the cross badly bruised and beaten.
Their expectations of a powerful Jesus
were suddenly replaced by feeling of loneliness, defeat and hopelessness.
Until the Risen Christ walked with them, conversed with them and eventually
went to their house to break bread with them.
After breaking bread with them, Cleopas
and his companion recognized that it was Jesus who walked, conversed and broke
bread with them. Upon discovering the identity of Jesus their loneliness and
despair were immediately replaced by happiness, their discouragement was
overpowered by encouragement. Their hopeless spirits were suddenly aflame and
glowing.
What do we do when we feel hopeless, sad
and discouraged? Do we just sulk in one corner as if we are the most hopeless
and miserable person in this world? Or we always call on Jesus to give us hope
and strength?
When we are at our lowest we always have
to remember that Jesus is always there for us and ever ready to listen to us.
He wants to give us hope, He wants to inspire us and tell us this: Be full of
hope for I will never ever abandon you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
