Reflection for February 24, Saturday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 5:43-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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Reflection:

It’s very easy to love those who love us back but can we still love those whose love for us is declining? 

During the infancy of marriage both spouses love each other deeply. But after a couple of years cracks would surely show up to test the strength of the marriage bond. For example, both spouses will not be affectionate anymore they would not be as what they used to be during the early part of their marriage. 

Would you easily give up on your spouse whose love for you is waning? Of course not! You should rather continue on loving your spouse no matter what. You should never give up and try to understand the imperfections and shortcomings for the simple reason that you also have your own imperfections and shortcomings as well. 

Jesus’ love for us is not a selective love, its a love that is not based on the love that we give to Him. He loves us dearly in spite of our many imperfections and shortcomings. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 24, Sabado sa Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 5:43-48

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:43-48

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Narinig na ninyong sinabi, ‘Ibigin mo ang iyong kaibigan at kapootan mo ang iyong kaaway.’ Ngunit ito naman sabi ko: ibigin ninyo ang mga umuusig sa inyo, upang kayo’y maging tunay na anak ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Sapagkat pinasisikat niya ang araw sa masasama at sa mabubuti, at pinapapatak niya ang ulan sa mga banal at sa mga makasalanan.  

Kung ang mga umiibig sa inyo ang siya lamang ninyo iibigin, ano pang gantimpala ang inyong hihintayin? Hindi ba’t ginagawa rin ito ng mga publikano? At kung ang binabati lamang ninyo’y ang inyong mga kapatid, ano ang nagawa ninyong higit kaysa iba? Ginagawa rin iyon ng mga Hentil! Kaya, dapat kayong maging ganap, gaya ng inyong Amang nasa Langit.”  

Reflection for February 23, Friday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 5:20-26

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.  

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.  

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who suddenly died. When he was about to enter the pearly gates the angels who were guarding refused him entry.  When the man asked, why? The  angels told Him that when he was still alive his heart was full of anger and arrogance.  

Death is uncertain it may come to us anytime.  What if we suddenly die with our hearts full of anger and arrogance?  Many have been brought to perdition by anger and arrogance yet many of us still don’t learn our lesson. Anger and arrogance are emotional disease that originates from our egos, high sense of ourselves and our lack of humility.    

In the gospel we find Jesus giving us lessons on humility. He tells us: if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him (Matthew 5:23-25).  

It’s not easy to imbibe humility but if we only know that humility makes us closer to Jesus. If we only know that humility would save us a lot of trouble even grievous ones. We would not think twice to practice and imbibe humility we may even run after it and cling to it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 23, Biyernes sa Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 5:20-26

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:20-26

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: kung ang pagsunod ninyo sa kalooban ng Diyos ay tulad lamang ng pagsunod ng mga eskriba at mga Pariseo, hindi kayo makapapasok sa kaharian ng Diyos.”  

“Narinig ninyo na noong una’y inutos sa mga tao, ‘Huwag kang papatay; ang sinumang makamatay ay mananagot sa hukuman.’ Ngunit ngayo’y sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang mapoot sa kanyang kapatid ay mananagot sa hukuman; ang humamak sa kanyang kapatid ay mananagot sa Sanedrin, at sinumang magsabi sa kanyang kapatid ‘ulol ka!’ ay mapapasaapoy ng impiyerno.  

Kaya’t kung naghahandog ka sa Diyos, at maalaala mo na may sama ng loob sa iyo ang kapatid mo, iwan mo muna ang iyong handog sa harap ng dambana at makipagkasundo ka sa kanya. Saka ka magbalik at maghandog sa Diyos. “Kung may magsakdal laban sa iyo sa hukuman, makipag-ayos ka sa kanya habang may panahon, bago ka niya iharap sa hukom.

At kung hindi’y ibibigay ka niya sa hukom, na magbibigay naman sa iyo ng tanod, at ikaw ay mabibilanggo. Sinasabi ko sa iyo: hindi ka makalalabas doon hangga’t hindi mo nababayaran ang kahuli-hulihang kusing.”

Reflection for Thursday February 22, Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle: Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

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Reflection:

Do you know Jesus? Yes you know Jesus but do you feel the presence of Jesus in your life? Knowing and feeling Jesus are two different things. Many of us know Jesus but not as many feel His majestic presence. We don’t feel the presence of Jesus in our hearts because we lack time for Jesus. 

Peter did not only know Jesus, he felt also the presence of Jesus in his life. Peter felt the presence of Jesus in his life because Peter gave time for Jesus. Among the disciples it was Peter who was always with Jesus it was Peter who had more time for Jesus. 

Peter went with Jesus to the mountain of transfiguration. When Jesus walked on water Peter saw Jesus and even asked Jesus if he could go to him. And there were many other events that Peter was always in the company Jesus. 

If you want to feel the presence of Jesus in your life. You only have to do one thing and that is to spend more time with Jesus. Be with Him at Holy Mass, hear Him speak to you by  reading your bible. Hear Him assuring you of His abiding presence in your life through your prayers. 

Do you want to feel the presence of Jesus in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Pebrero 22, Luklukan ni Apostol San Pedro (Kapistahan): Mateo 16:13-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:13-19

Noong panahong iyon, dumating si Jesus sa Cesarea ng Filipos, tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad, "Sino raw ang Anak ng Tao, ayon sa mga tao?" At sumagot sila, "Ang sabi po ng ilan ay si Juan Bautista kayo. Sabi naman ng iba, si Elias kayo. At may nagsasabi pang si Jeremias kayo o isa sa mga propeta." "Kayo naman, ano ang sabi ninyo? Sino ako?" tanong niya sa kanila. 

 Sumagot si Simon Pedro, "Kayo po ang Cristo, ang Anak ng Diyos na buhay." Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Mapalad ka, Simon na anak ni Jonas! Sapagkat ang katotohanang ito'y hindi inihayag sa iyo ng ibang tao kundi ng aking Amang nasa langit. At sinasabi ko naman sa iyo, ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking simbahan, at hindi makapananaig sa kanya kahit sa kapangyarihan ng kamatayan. 

Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng kaharian ng langit: ang ipagbawal mo sa lupa ay ipagbabawal sa langit, at ang ipahintulot mo sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa Langit."

Reflection for February 21, Wednesday of the First Week of Lent: Luke 11:29-32

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 

At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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Reflection:

Do you ask for signs before you decide on something? For example, would you ask for a sign if the person courting you is the right one for you? And based on that sign you now would decide to say yes or no to that person. 

Jesus is much bigger than the signs that we ask for from God. If we have Him in our hearts we need not ask anymore for signs. But do we allow Jesus to have a special place in our hearts? Jesus has a simple request for all of us for Him to dwell in our hearts. The simple request is our repentance from all of our sins. This is His simple request for all of us, so that He could dwell in our hearts. 

During the time of Jonah, the people of Nineveh listened to Jonah’s call of repentance. Otherwise there would be destruction upon them. So they listened, they’ve put on sackcloth to show God that they are sorry for the many sins that they’ve committed and they are ready to walk away from it. 

Why do we continue to embrace sin when it will not do us any good? Why do we continue to embrace sin when we know for a fact that sin is evil and it eventually will destroy us? It’s very hard to comprehend why many of us continue to sin. We continue to sin because the devil gives us generous incentives to commit it. But as proven time and again, we will be destroyed eventually because we decided to embrace Satan. 

If we will love this world more than we love God we certainly will continue to sin. However, God is always there for us no matter how sinful we are, ever ready to embrace us with His infinite love and forgiveness. 

Prayer:

I am sinful creature of this world O Lord and I am tired of sinning for it has not brought anything good into my life. I seek your forgiveness O Lord and I seek your love, this I pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 21, Miyerkules sa Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 11:29-32

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:29-32

Noong panahong iyon, samantalang dumaragsa ang mga tao, sinabi ni Hesus, “Napakasama ng lahing ito! Naghahanap sila ng palatandaan mula sa langit, subalit walang ipapakita sa kanila maliban sa palatandaang inilalarawan ng nangyari kay Jonas. Kung paanong naging isang palatandaan si Jonas sa mga taga-Ninive, gayun din naman, magiging isang palatandaan sa lahing ito ang Anak ng Tao. 

Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom, titindig ang Reyna ng Timog laban sa lahing ito at sila’y hahatulan niya ng kaparusahan. Sapagkat nanggaling siya sa dulo ng daigdig upang pakinggan ang karunungan ni Solomon; ngunit higit na di-hamak kay Solomon ang naririto! Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay titindig ang mga taga-Ninive laban sa lahing ito at hahatulan ng kaparusahan, sapagkat nagsisi sila dahil sa pangangaral ni Jonas; ngunit higit na di-hamak kay Jonas ang naririto!” 

Reflection for February 20, Tuesday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 6:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples, “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 

“This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ 

“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

If you have five things to do everyday, is prayer included in that five? 

When we pray with all our heart, we allow the good Lord to nourish our parched spirits. Through our prayers we also invite the good Lord to come into our lives. And it’s also through our humble prayers that we slowly but surely develop our profound friendship with Jesus. 

In the gospel, Jesus teaches us how to pray: It’s simple, short and direct and it does not beat around the bush. This is how we have to pray also for the Lord knows what we need beforehand. We must also be sincere and always humble in prayer before our God. 

For example, do we close our eyes when we pray the Our Father? Does this prayer make us sometimes cry when we pray it? Do we still kneel when we pray this prayer? These are all acts of faith that would help us have a more personal connection and encounter with God. 

Prayer is also like a personal conversation with God, we talk to God though our prayers and we in turn allow God to talk to us when we keep quite and simply listen to Him. But, why do we pray? We pray because prayer strengthens us, prayer heals us, prayer gives us hope.

How important is prayer to your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 20, Martes sa Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 6:7-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:7-15

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Sa pananalangin ninyo'y huwag kayong gagamit ng napakaraming salita, gaya ng ginagawa ng mga Hentil. Ang akala nila'y pakikinggan sila ng Diyos dahil sa dami ng kanilang salita. Huwag ninyo silang tutularan. Sapagkat alam na ng inyong Ama ang inyong kinakailangan bago pa ninyo hingin sa kanya.   

Ganito kayo mananalangin: 'Ama naming nasa langit, Sambahin nawa ang pangalan mo. Ikaw nawa ang maghari sa amin, Sundin nawa ang iyong kalooban dito sa lupa tulad ng sa langit. Bigyan mo kami ng pagkaing kailangan namin sa araw na ito; At patawarin mo kami sa aming mga kasalanan, Tulad ng aming pagpapatawad sa mga nagkakasala sa amin. At huwag mo kaming iharap sa mahigpit na pagsubok, Kundi ilayo mo kami sa Masama!   

Sapagkat iyo ang kaharian at ang kapangyarihan at ang kapurihan, magpakailanman! Amen.' Sapagkat kung pinatatawad ninyo ang mga nagkakasala sa inyo, patatawarin din kayo ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Ngunit kung hindi ninyo pinatatawad ang mga nagkakasala sa inyo, hindi rin kayo patatawarin ng inyong Ama."

Reflection for February 19, Monday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 25:31-46

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 

Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 

When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ i And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’   Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  

For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’  

Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ l And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of the last judgment? 

Jesus speaks about the last judgment today, the separation of those who are worthy in His eyes and those who are not. Those who are worthy will be at His right and those who are not will be at His left.  

Do we need to fear His last judgment? Of course not! We who truly follow Jesus should not fear the judgment of God. If it comes to us we would welcome it with open arms, we will not hide from it. 

Why welcome the judgment of God with open arms? For the reason that we did what we have to do, we feed the hungry. We gave water to the thirsty, we welcomed strangers without any reservations. We clothed the naked, we took care of the sick and visited those who were in prison. 

Put these virtues together and we could label it now as Devine charity. We give not a part of ourselves to help our fellow human beings but our very selves. We give and help the marginalized without any hidden motives whatsoever for we are just doing what Christ Jesus told us to do. 

Someday we will be joining the multitude of souls in the great beyond. But the paradox of the end of our lives is we don’t know where would we be. Would we end up in the kingdom of God or in the kingdom of Satan? 

Nobody knows except God, for now; we simply have to continue our journey of faith, love and obedience to Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 19, Lunes sa Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 25:31-46

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 25:31-46

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Darating ang Anak ng Tao bilang Hari, kasama ang lahat ng anghel, at luluklok sa kanyang maringal na trono. Sa panahong iyon, matitipon sa harapan niya ang lahat ng tao. Sila'y pagbubukud-bukurin niya, tulad ng ginagawa ng pastol sa mga tupa at mga kambing. Ilalagay niya sa kanyang kanan ang mga tupa, at sa kaliwa ng mga kambing. 

At sasabihin ng Hari sa mga nasa kanan, 'Halikayo, mga pinagpala ng aking Ama! Pumasok na kayo at manirahan sa kahariang inihanda para sa inyo mula pa nang likhain ang sanlibutan. Sapagkat ako'y nagutom at inyong pinakain, nauhaw at inyong pinainom. Ako'y isang dayuhan at inyong pinatuloy. ako'y walang maisuot at inyong pinaramtan, nagkasakit at inyong dinalaw; ako'y nabilanggo at ako'y inyong pinuntahan.' 

Sasagot ang mga matuwid, 'Panginoon, kailan po namin kayo nakitang nagutom at aming pinakain, o nauhaw at aming pinainom? Kailan po kayo naging dayuhan at aming pinatuloy, o kaya'y walang maisuot at aming pinaramtan? At kailan po namin kayo nakitang may sakit o nasa bilangguan at aming dinalaw?' Sasagutin ng Hari, 'Sinasabi ko sa inyo: nang gawin ninyo ito sa pinakahamak sa mga kapatid kong ito, ito ay sa akin ninyo ginawa.'

"At sasabihin naman niya sa mga nasa kaliwa, 'Lumayo kayo sa akin, mga sinumpa! kayo'y pasa-apoy na di-mamamatay, na inihanda para sa diyablo at sa kanyang mga kampon. Sapagkat ako'y nagutom at hindi ninyo pinakain, nauhaw at hindi ninyo pinainom. Ako'y naging isang dayuhan at hindi ninyo pinatuloy; ako'y nawalan ng maisuot at hindi ninyo pinaramtan, ako'y may sakit at nasa bilangguan at hindi ninyo dinalaw.' 

At sasagot din sila, 'Panginoon, kailan po namin kayo nakitang nagutom, nauhaw, naging dayuhan, nawalan ng maisuot, may sakit o nasa bilangguan, at hindi namin kayo pinaglingkuran?' At sasabihin sa kanila ng Hari, 'Sinasabi ko sa inyo: nang pinagkaitan ninyo ng tulong ang pinakahamak sa mga ito, ako ang inyong pinagkaitan.' Itataboy ang mga ito sa kaparusahang walang hanggan, ngunit ang mga matuwid ay tatanggap ng buhay na walang hanggan."

Reflection for February 18, First Sunday of Lent: Mark 1:12-15

Gospel: Mark 1:12-15

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

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.

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Reflection:

What is the purpose of temptation? It's to test a person's endurance against Satan and a person’s closeness to God. Many of us fall prey to these temptations because we are spiritually weak, primarily caused by our lack of constant connection with God. This is the main reason why we succumb to temptation: our missing or weak connection with God.

What enabled Jesus to survive His forty days of temptation in the wilderness by Satan? It was His close connection with God. Jesus maintained this connection through a life of prayer. This close bond with God empowered Jesus to withstand the test of temptation in the desert. Despite being tempted by Satan three times, Jesus steadfastly rejected each temptation.

Gold is purified by intense heat to remove impurities, just as humans are purified through temptations to become pure and worthy before God. Passing through and overcoming temptations makes us more worthy in the eyes of God.

As we embark on our own forty-day journey this Lent, we won't physically find ourselves in the desert like Jesus did. However, Satan will undoubtedly attempt to tempt us to sin against God and our fellow humans from time to time.

Let us stand firm against Satan's temptations, no matter how alluring they may seem. When we give in to temptation, we sin and distance ourselves from God's love. Satan is cunning and will go to great lengths to lead us astray. He often disguises sin as something appealing, hoping we'll fall into his trap. If we succumb, we risk falling under Satan's control, putting our lives and personal relationships in jeopardy.

Some may believe that avoiding Satan's temptation is equivalent to defeating it. However, avoidance merely postpones our struggle and maintains our connection with Satan. Instead, let us face Satan and his temptations head-on. When confronted, let us boldly reject him by invoking the powerful name of God.

How do you defeat Satan’s temptation? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Pebrero 18, Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Marcos 1:12-15

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:12-15

Noong panahong iyon si Jesus ay, agad pinapunta ng Espiritu sa ilang. Nanatili siya roon ng apatnapung araw, na tinutukso ni Satanas. Maiilap na hayop ang naroon ngunit si Jesus ay pinaglingkuran ng mga anghel. 

Pagkatapos dakpin si Juan, si Jesus 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."