Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ng mga
eskribang dumating mula sa Jerusalem, “Inaalihan siya ni Beelzebul, ang
prinsipe ng mga demonyo. Ito ang nagbigay sa kanya ng kapangyarihang magpalayas
ng mga demonyo!” Kaya’t pinapalapit ni Hesus ang mga tao at sinabi sa kanila
ang ilang talinghaga: “Paano mangyayaring palayasin ni Satanas si
Satanas?”
Kapag naglaban-laban ang nasasakupan ng isang kaharian, hindi
mananatili ang kahariang iyon. At kapag naglaban-laban ang magkakasambahay,
hindi mananatili ang sambahayang iyon. Gayun din naman, kapag naghimagsik si
Satanas laban sa kanyang sarili at naglaban-laban ang kanyang nasasakupan,
hindi magtatagal at darating ang kanyang wakas.
“Walang makapapasok sa bahay ng isang taong malakas at makaaagaw
ng kanyang ari-arian, malibang gapusin muna niya ang taong iyon. Saka pa lamang
niya malolooban ang bahay na iyon.
“Tandaan
ninyo ito: maaaring ipatawad sa mga tao ang lahat ng kasalanan at panlalait
nila sa Diyos, ngunit ang sinumang lumait sa Espiritu Santo ay hindi
mapatatawad. Ang kanyang kasalanan ay hindi mapapawi kailanman.” Sinabi ito ni
Hesus sapagkat ang sabi ng ilan, “Inaalihan siya ng masamang Espiritu.”
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel. As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen.
Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
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Reflection:
What is the prerequisite for following Jesus? It is repentance and belief in His gospel message, we cannot follow without repentance and firm belief in His gospel message.
When Simon, Andrew, James and John responded to His call they did not simply respond. Along with their response to Jesus came their desire to repent. They also did not only leave behind their livelihood and families they also left behind their sinfulness and anything that made them sin.
When the four of them joined Jesus to become fishers of men, they were already renewed by the Lord. Additionally, Jesus equipped them with everything they would need as they embarked on their mission.
What is the relevance of the gospel to us and to our faith life? We too are being called by Jesus to a life of renewal and repentance. We too are being called by Jesus to follow Him and become fishers of men. Why does Jesus calls us to a life of renewal and repentance? This is for the reason that we are all sinners, no one of us is without sin.
Will you respond to this call of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Pagkatapos dakpin si Juan, si Hesus ay nagtungo sa Galilea at ipinangaral ang Mabuting Balitang mula sa Diyos: “Dumating na ang takdang panahon, at malapit na ang paghahari ng Diyos! Pagsisihan ninyo’t talikdan ang inyong mga kasalanan at maniwala kayo sa Mabuting Balitang ito.”
Samantalang naglalakad si Hesus sa tabi ng Lawa ng Galilea, nakita niya ang magkapatid na Simon at Andres na naghahagis ng lambat, “Sumama kayo sa akin at kayo’y gagawin kong mamamalakaya ng tao.” Pagdaka’y iniwan nila ang kanilang lambat, at sumunod sa kanya.
Nagpatuloy siya ng paglakad, at sa di kalayuan ay nakita niya ang magkapatid na Santiago at Juan, mga anak ni Zebedeo. SIla’y nasa kanilang bangka at naghahayuma ng mga lambat. Tinawag din sila ni Hesus at sumunod naman sa kanya. Iniwan nila sa bangka ang kanilang ama, kasama ng mga taong upahan.
People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
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Reflection:
Today is the Feast of the Santo Niño or Holy Child, this is a special feast celebrated by the church here in the Philippines, authorized by the Vatican.
Have you already educated your children about Jesus?
Jesus rebuked the disciples who prevented the children from approaching Him. He said, 'Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these' (Mark 10:14). This is because children are still untainted by sin and they are innocent.
The words of Jesus are timeless, it is always in season. So, when He said, let the children come to me it is also for the parents today. He tells us today, bring your children to me; teach them about me and introduce them to me because if you will not, they will become creatures of this world.
Many modern parents today don’t care to educate their children about Jesus. Yet they care to introduce even teach them how to operate modern gadgets. Such as smartphones and other hi-tech gadgets, which do no good to their eyesight and distract them from developing good study habits.
The mistake of many parents nowadays is this; they forget to educate their children about Jesus. Because they were not brought up that way thus they perpetuate this mistake. Let us correct this error by teaching and bringing closer our children to Jesus. Why? Because, if we do that we are assuring our children of a safe and bright future ahead of them.
Have you educated your children about Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, may nagdala ng mga bata kay
Hesus upang hilinging ipatong niya sa mga ito ang kanyang kamay; ngunit
pinagwikaan sila ng mga alagad. Nagalit si Hesus nang makita ito, at sinabi sa
kanila, “Pabayaan ninyong lumapit sa akin ang mga bata, huwag ninyo silang
sawayin, sapagkat sa mga katulad nila naghahari ang Diyos.
Ito ang tandaan ninyo: ang sinumang hindi
tumatanggap sa paghahari ng Diyos tulad ng isang maliit na bata ay hindi
mapapabilang sa mga pinaghaharian niya.” At kinalong ni Hesus ang mga bata,
ipinatong ang kanyang mga kamay sa kanila at pinagpala sila.
Jesus came with his disciples into the
house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat.
When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said,
"He is out of his mind."
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Reflection:
There is a story about an intelligent young man who
decided to enter the seminary against the will of his parents. Being poor and
the only child his parents wanted him to be a doctor so that he’ll become rich
and eventually take care of them when they become old. But he was adamant in
his desire thus he was labelled as someone who is out of His mind by his
relatives and friends.
Jesus too was called as someone who is out of his mind
by his relatives because He chose to live the life of an itinerant preacher and
healer. He chose to fight for the poor and oppressed, he chose to go against
some of the Jewish laws specifically the law of the Sabbath. Thus earning the
ire of the powerful Jewish elite.
Be not afraid to tread the less travelled road of
Jesus. Follow it for so long as you are not steeping on the toes of anyone and
you’re not doing any wrong. They may oppose it now but in God’s time they
surely would be enlightened and they will understand you.
The voice of God is much superior than any worldly
voice. You therefore have to hear it and follow it notwithstanding the
contradiction and opposition. - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, pag-uwi ni Jesus, muling nagkatipon ang
napakaraming tao, anupa't hindi man lamang makuhang kumain ni Jesus at ng
kanyang mga alagad. Nang mabalitaan ito ng kanyang mga kasambahay, sila'y
pumaroon upang kaunin siya, sapagkat ang sabi ng mga tao, "Nasisiraan siya
ng bait!"
Jesus went up the mountain and summoned
those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also
named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to
preach and to have authority to drive out demons:
He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom
he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he
named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and
Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
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Reflection:
What is your responsibility as a follower
of Jesus?
Your responsibility is to help Jesus
spread the faith; to share it with humility through your words and actions.
This is what the twelve apostles did and we must follow it. Every now and then
God constantly reminds us of this responsibility. That we need to do something
in our lifetime to spread our faith for the simple reason that it’s not hard
anymore to do this now.
We have the technology at our disposal to
make a difference and reach out to those who are not properly schooled about
our faith. We have our family (Our domestic church) to share our faith and we
have our extended relatives and close friends to share it with.
What have we done so far to be like the
apostles who fearlessly shared the faith? Are we living the faith with
humility? Have we invited our dormant catholic family and friends to reignite
the fire of their faith by shepherding them to church for Mass?
we have to do something to spread the
faith for us to live a meaningful life in this world. Enough of chasing the
riches of this world for it will not give us contentment. Enough of living a
worldly and sinful life for it will never ever give us peace and peace of mind.
– Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, umahon si Hesus
sa kaburulan, kasama ang kanyang mga pinili. Humirang siya ng labindalawa na
tinawag niyang mga apostol upang maging kasa-kasama niya, suguing mangaral, at
bigyan ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng mga demonyo.
Ito ang
labindalawang hinirang niya: Si Simon na tinagurian niya ng Pedro, Si Santiago
at si Juan, na mga anak ni Zebedeo, sila’y tinagurian niyang Boanerges, na ibig
sabihi’y mapupusok; sina Andres, Felipe, Bartolome, Mateo, Santiago na anak ni
Alfeo, at Tadeo; si Simon na makabayan, at si Judas Iscariote na siyang
nagkanulo sa kanya.
Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his
disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from
Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of
Tyre and Sidon.
He told his disciples to have a boat ready
for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured
many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch
him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and
shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known.
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Reflection:
Are you a follower of Jesus?
Everyone from Galilee, Judea,
Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, Tyre and Sidon want to have a glimpse of
Jesus. During this gospel episode Jesus was like a popular celebrity who
attracts people from different places.
What was the moving force of their
attraction to Jesus? It was Jesus’ miracles and healings. But when Jesus stopped
doing miracles and was already being tortured, made fun of and then killed by
the roman soldiers. Only a few dared to follow Him until the end majority of
them evaporated like a dew in the morning.
Such is life, almost everyone wants to be attached to us and to know us if we
are powerful and popular. But notice also that when we do not have power
anymore, when we grow old and get sick. Only a few will remember us, those who
would stay by our side will be the few true relatives and friends.
Jesus is not concerned as to who will be
staying by His side. What is primordial in His mind is to help. In like
manner we too are being urged to help without any discrimination. No matter who
they are no matter if they would be loyal to us until the end or not. What
is always important is we do good and we live the teachings of Jesus. - Marino
J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyos, umalis si Jesus
at ang kanyang mga alagad at nagpunta sa tabi ng lawa. Sinundan siya ng
maraming tao buhat sa Galilea. Nagdatingan din naman ang napakaraming tao mula
sa Judea, sa Jerusalem, sa Idumea, sa ibayo ng Jordan, at sa palibot ng Tiro at
Sidon nang mabalitaan nila ang lahat ng ginawa ni Jesus.
Nagpahanda
si Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad ng isang bangkang magagamit niya, upang hindi
siya maipit ng mga taong dumaragsa. Marami na siyang pinagaling, kaya't
pinagdumugan siya ng lahat ng maysakit upang mahipo man lamang nila. Bawat
inaalihan ng masamang espiritu na makakita sa kanya ay nagpapatirapa sa harapan
niya at sumisigaw, "Ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos!" At mahigpit silang
pinagbawalan ni Jesus; ayaw niyang ipasabi kung sino siya.
Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a
man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he
would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man
with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.”
Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it
lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather
than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with
anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch
out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees
went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him
to death.
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Reflection:
Do you strictly observe the law or
you sometimes bend the law so that the mercy, love and compassion of
Jesus could be seen through you?
The question of observing the Sabbath day
crops up again in the gospel. And Jesus proves once again that it is far
more important for Him to make a big difference in the lives of the people.
Than observe the Sabbath day as what He did when He cured a man with a withered
hand amidst the protestation of the Pharisees.
The gospel is silent if the sick man had
faith but he was obedient, when Jesus told him: “Come up here.” He simply
followed without question. Our obedience to the teachings of the good Lord can
do us a lot of good if only we would learn to follow it.
Jesus was also aware of the hypocrisy of
the Pharisees. He knew that they were there to watch and denounce His every
move. For the simple reason that He was slowly becoming a threat to their
dominance in their society.
In the same manner, Jesus is also aware of
our own hypocrisy towards Him. If we are only using His name to gain dominance
and popularity in our respective field of influence. And if we are only using
His name to advance our own selfish interest. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, muling pumasok
si Jesus sa sinagoga, at naratnan niya roon ang isang lalaking patay ang isang
kamay. Kaya't binantayan si Jesus ng ilang taong naroon upang tingnan kung
pagagalingin niya ang lalaking iyon sa Araw ng Pamamahinga, para may
maiparatang sila sa kanya.
Tinawag ni Jesus ang lalaking patay ang kamay: "Halika rito
sa unahan!" Tinanong niya pagkatapos ang mga tao, "Alin ba ang ayon
sa Kautusan: ang gumawa ng mabuti o gumawa ng masama sa Araw ng Pamamahinga?
Magligtas ng buhay o pumatay?"Ngunit hindi sila sumagot.
Habang
tinitingnan ni Jesus ang mga nasa paligid niya, galit at lungkot ang nabadha sa
kanyang mukha, dahil sa katigasan ng kanilang ulo. Bumaling siya sa lalaki at
sinabi, "Iunat mo ang iyong kamay." Iniunat naman ng lalaki ang
kanyang kamay at ito'y gumaling. Umalis ang mga Pariseo at nakipagsabwatan sa
mga kampon ni Herodes upang ipapatay si Jesus.
As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath? He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?
How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions? Then he said to them “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”
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Reflection:
Why was Jesus so popular with the common people? This is for the reason that He violates some religious norms of the Pharisees for the greater good of the people that He loves so dearly. For example, the picking of grain during Sabbath day, doing this was prohibited based on the Jewish religion. But Jesus dared to violate this law for the good of His disciples.
Laws or religious norms are good for the reason that it teaches us obedience and discipline. But there are times that we have to violate it so that it could serve a higher and nobler purpose. In the gospel the nobler or higher purpose why Jesus violated the Sabbath law was to feed the hungry stomachs of His disciples.
Jesus violated the Sabbath law because humans are more important that laws. We can amend a law or extinguish the life of a law but would we be willing to extinguish the life of a human being to serve the law?
In a deeper sense Jesus is teaching us that the important need of a person (In this case the need for food) is far more important than any law. For Jesus it’s always the good of the people than the observance of any kind of religious law/s.
This norm of Jesus stands until today we are His priority more than any other rule/law in this world. How about you? Is Jesus your priority more than any other undertaking in this world? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
