Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to
come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
yet lose or forfeit himself?”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What would you do after hearing Jesus say this: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
What will register in your mind for sure is Jesus statement about His suffering and death. What will register in your mind is His statement that those who would want to follow Him must learn how to deny himself and carry his cross daily.
This is for the reason that we are normally unenthusiastic with suffering, death and sacrifice. Who would want to suffer, who would want to die at a young age and who would want sacrifice in his life? We don’t want all of these because this entails hardship, perseverance and the like.
But this is the reality of life with Jesus, if we really want to feel His abiding presence in our lives. Then, we must be prepared to suffer, for what reason would we suffer for? We will suffer in our discipleship with Jesus because Jesus Himself suffered. Even if He has the power He did not exempt Himself from suffering.
What would you gain after suffering for
the mission of Jesus? You will be with Jesus in heaven someday. – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Ang naghahangad magligtas ng kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito; ngunit ang mag-alay ng kanyang buhay alang-alang sa akin ay siyang magkakamit niyon. Ano nga ang mapapala ng tao, makamtan man niya ang buong sanlibutan kung ang katumbas naman nito'y ang kanyang buhay? Ano nga ang mapapala niya kung siya’y mapapahamak?”
Amen, I say to you, they have received
their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your
right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees
in secret will repay you.
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who
love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others
may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you
pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the
hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to
be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you
fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that you may not appear to be
fasting except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is
hidden will repay you.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
How will this 2024 season of Lent affect you? Does
this bring you closer to God? There are three keys for you to have a meaningful
observance of Lent. The first is Almsgiving, the second is Prayer, and the
third is Fasting. In all of these three, Jesus advocates silence and
self-introspection. What Jesus advocates contradicts what this world would
normally dictate you to do.
In Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting Jesus advocates
doing it in the privacy of your heart. Nobody will know except you and God
alone not even your closest relative or friend. Why? Because it is in
silence and secrecy that you would also receive blessings from God (Most
especially spiritual blessings!). For example, how could you have peace
of mind? It’s through silence. How would you feel the presence of God in your
life it’s in silence also.
God is not a loud God He is a God that loves silence.
He is not like the many artificial Gods of this secular world that
thrives in noise and publicity. Come to think of it, is it possible to have
communion with God through noise and publicity? Never. We will never have
connection with Jesus through noise, publicity and other acts of
self-promotion.
As we begin our forty (40) day’s journey this lent let
us look back on the loudness of our life. Let us look at our Facebooks,
Instagrams and other social media platforms and observe how we loudly promoted
our life there. And let us ask ourselves this question: Has this self-promotion
and loud lifestyle led me in close communion with Jesus?
Lent is the time of year that the Good Lord gives us
so that we could get closer and intimate with Him. So that we could repent from
all of our sins. It is His hope that through lent we could have a close encounter
with Him and this we can best do in silence.
As the priest and other deputized ministers of the church apply the ash in the shape of a cross on your forehead, close your eyes and silently pray this to the Lord: 'Cleanse me, O Lord, for I am a sinner. Forgive me, O Lord, for I have sinned. Heal me, O Lord, for I have been deeply wounded by sin.’ – Marino J. Dasmarinas
“Kaya nga, kapag naglilimos ka, huwag mo nang ipagmakaingay ito,
katulad ng ginagawa ng mga mapagpaimbabaw doon sa sinagoga at sa mga lansangan.
Ginagawa nila ito upang purihin sila ng mga tao. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tinanggap
na nila ang kanilang gantimpala. Ngunit kung naglilimos ka, huwag mo nang
ipaalam ito kahit sa iyong pinakamatalik na kaibigan upang malihim ang iyong
paglilimos. At gagantihin ka ng iyong Amang nakakikita ng kabutihang ginagawa
mo nang lihim.
“At kapag nananalangin kayom huwag kayong tumulad sa mga
mapagpaimbabaw. Mahilig silang manalangin nang patayo sa mga sinagoga at sa mga
panukalang-daan, upang makita ng mga tao. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tinanggap na
nila ang kanilang gantimpala. Ngunit kapag mananalangin ka, pumasok ka sa iyong
silid at isara mo ang pinto. Saka ka manalangin sa iyong Amang hindi mo
nakikita, at gagantihin ka ng iyong Amang nakakikita ng kabutihang ginagawa mo
nang lihim.
“Kapag nag-aayuno kayo, huwag kayong magmukhang malungkot, tulad ng mga mapagimbabaw. Hindi sila nag-aayos upang malaman ng mga tao na sila’y nag-aayuno. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: tinanggap na nila ang kanilang gantimpala. Kapag ikaw ay nag-aayuno, mag-ayos ka ng buhok at maghilamos upang huwag mapansin ng mga tao na nag-aayuno ka. Ang iyong Amang hindi mo nakikita ang siya lamang nakaaalam nito. Siya, na nakakikita ng kabutihang ginagawa mo ng lihim, ang gaganti sa iyo.”
When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?
They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke
the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did
you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not
understand?”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What do you do when you go through life's trials? Do you fully trust the Lord to make things better for you? Do you say, 'Lord, I give you all my worries, trusting that you will take care of them.
If your mindset is to surrender everything to the Lord, it speaks volumes about your enormous faith in Jesus. Come what may, you will trust Jesus more than yourself or anybody else. Is your faith in Jesus as strong as this, that you trust Him more than anybody else?
In the gospel, when the disciples together with Jesus were already in the boat they found out that they had only one bread. And they were naturally worried, for how could this one bread fill all of their hungry stomachs?
In the midst of their worries Jesus reminded them about His miracle of the loaves where He feed the thousands. As if Jesus was telling them: Why are you worried that you will not be able to eat when I am with you?
The disciples failed their test of faith; they doubted if Jesus would be able to help them. Did they doubt or they momentarily forgot that Jesus was with them in that boat?
We all face our own set of test of faith. Perhaps many of us also fail this test of faith and we doubt if we would be able to achieve what we want in life. Or for the reason of our many worries we simply forget that we have a powerful friend and God in Jesus.
Let us doubt no more let us fully trust Jesus for He will never fail us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Alam ito ni Jesus, kaya't sila'y tinanong niya, "Bakit ninyo
pinag-uusapan na kayo'y walang dalang tinapay? Hindi pa ba kayo nakababatid o
nakauunawa? Hindi pa ba abot ng inyong isip? Wala ba kayong mata? Wala ba
kayong tainga? Nakalimutan na ba ninyo nang pagpira-pirasuhin ko ang limang
tinapay para sa limanlibo?
Ilang bakol ang napuno ninyo sa mga lumabis na tinapay?" "Labindalawa po," tugon nila. "At nang pagpira-pirasuhin ko ang pitong tinapay para sa apatnalibo, ilang bakol na malalaki ang napuno ninyo?" tanong niya. "Pitong bakol po," tugon nila. "At hindi pa rin ninyo nauunawaan?" wika niya.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
A man would always be bothered whenever he watches
news about earthquakes, storms, and other natural calamities on the internet.
He would always tell himself, 'Is this a sign that the end of this world is
near?' Then he would calm down by saying, 'I trust the Lord Jesus Christ;
therefore, I am not disturbed nor bothered.
Why is it that many of us are easily bothered whenever
we see disasters and calamities? This is for the simple reason that we lack
faith otherwise if we don’t lack faith we would not be easily bothered. Human
as we are it’s natural for us to be bothered by these natural calamities. However,
we should always quickly assure ourselves that Jesus is in control we therefore
have to regain our confidence under this disturbing situation.
In the gospel for today the Pharisees were asking for
a sign from the Lord. Why? Because they were testing Him and aside from that
they simply don’t have faith in Jesus.
How about you? Are you easily disturbed by the many wars,
calamities and disasters that are unfolding before your eyes? Are you easily
bothered by the many problems that you are facing right now?
Do not be bothered for Jesus is in control, no sign is
stronger than Jesus Himself. He is more than enough to calm you amidst your
fears and problems whatever those problems are. – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Napabuntong-hininga
nang malalim si Hesus at ang wika, “Bakit naghahanap ng tanda ang lahing ito?
Sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi sila pagpapakitaan ng anumang tanda.” Iniwan niya
sila, at pagkasakay sa bangka ay tumawid sa ibayo.
He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
How would you react if you were the leper who was healed by Jesus? Should you just keep silent about your miraculous healing or you tell everyone how Jesus healed you? Perhaps you would also spread the good news of your healing from Jesus for this is basic human nature.
The healed leper disobeyed Jesus' command not to tell anyone about the miracle he received from Him (Mark 1:44). Did Jesus become angry due to his disobedience? Of course not! Jesus perfectly understood that his disobedience served a good reason.
The healed leper was eager for everyone to know that Jesus heals! He simply wanted to share the good news of his healing so that others could also receive healing from the Lord. Soon after, news of the healing that Jesus performed for the leper spread like wildfire, resulting in people from everywhere coming to Jesus.
Have you received a miracle from Jesus? For example, healing from your sickness, healing of a family relationship or healing from an emotional/spiritual sickness and so on. Don’t keep it within yourself!
Share with everyone the miracle that Jesus has done for you. Humbly speak about the greatest healer to ever walk this earth—none other than Jesus Himself! So that they too would experience healing from the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Sa halip ay pasuri ka sa saserdote. Pagkatapos, maghandog ka ayon sa iniutos ni Moises, upang patunayan sa mga tao na ikaw ay magaling na.” Ngunit umalis siya at bagkus ipinamalita ang nangyari, anupat hindi na hayagang makapasok ng bayan si Hesus. Naroon na lamang siya sa labas, sa mga ilang na pook, at doon pinagsasadya ng mga tao buhat sa iba’t ibang dako.
If I send them away hungry to their homes,
they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.”
His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them
here in this deserted place?”
Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”
They replied, “Seven.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then,
taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his
disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had
a few fish.
He said the blessing over them and ordered them
distributed also. They ate and were satisfied.They picked up the fragments left
over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people. He dismissed the
crowd and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of
Dalmanutha.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
What happened to the crowd after they were fed by
Jesus?
Perhaps they went back to their respective
environments satisfied and spiritually recharged. Did they lead transformed
lives? Did they become fervent and true followers of Jesus? Obviously majority
of them did not live transformed lives and they did not become full blooded
followers. Otherwise they would have not deserted Jesus when He was being
persecuted, tortured and nailed to the cross.
What happens to us after attending Holy Mass wherein
we listen to the words of God and partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus? Do we
allow Jesus to transform us every time we listen to His words and every time we
receive Him during Holy Communion? His fervent desire is to transform us so
that we could become His true followers. This is always the Lord’s desire for
us.
But at the end of the day it’s still in our hands we
still have the liberty to decide for ourselves. If we become His true followers
or not. Or if we allow His Body and
Blood to transform us or not. The choice is ours to take but the wise choice is
to allow Jesus to transform us.
Look around and see the lives of those who did not allow Jesus to transform them. Look around and see those who followed in words only. They may be materially wealthy, they may be politically powerful. But do they have peace and serenity in their lives? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
“Saan po tayo kukuha ng tinapay dito sa ilang para magkasya sa
ganito karaming tao?” tugon ng mga alagad. “Ilan ang tinapay ninyo riyan?”
tanong ni Hesus. “Pito po,” sagot nila. Ang mga tao’y pinaupo ni Hesus sa lupa.
Kinuha niya ang pitong tinapay, at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Pinagpira-piraso niya
ang mga iyon at ibinigay sa mga alagad upang ipamahagi sa mga tao.
Gayun nga ang ginawa ng mga alagad. Mayroon din silang ilang maliliit na isda. Muli siyang nagpasalamat sa Diyos, at iniutos niyang ibigay din iyon sa mga tao. Kumain ang lahat at nabusog; at nang tipunin nila ang mga pira-pirasong tinapay na lumabis, nakapuno sila ng pitong bakol na malalaki. At may apat na libo ang kumain. Pinayaon ni Hesus ang mga tao, saka siya sumakay sa bangka, at nagtungo sa lupain ng Dalmanuta.
He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting,
touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
“Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were
opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.
He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he
ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly
astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear
and the mute speak.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
How do you react when people praise you for the things
that you've done and achieved? Do you gloat over it? Does it increase your
sense of self-worth? Do you feel proud and feel that you are head and shoulders
above others? These reactions are for those people who have a very high regard
for themselves.
Those who are humble when they are praised for the
things that they’ve done and achieved would point to God by saying: Thanks be
to God, or Praise God. They would always deflect the credit out of themselves
and give the glory to God.
Let us look at the gospel and see the humble actions
of Jesus when He was asked to heal the sick man. Instead of healing the sick
man in front of the crowd. He took him away from the crowd then He cured him
just the two of them. Afterwards, He told the healed man not to tell
anyone.
Many of us, when we've done something worthy, would
want the whole world to know about it. This is the reason why several of us
always post pictures/videos on Facebook and other social media platforms, which
show that we're doing or have achieved something, so that we would have a
positive image.
But not Jesus, He would always be non-assuming,
self-effacing and low profile. How about you? – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
