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.
The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were to take place in two days’ time. So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to arrest him by treachery and put him to death. They said, “Not during the festival, for fear that there may be a riot among the people.”
When he was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil costly genuine spikenard. She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head. There were some who were indignant. “Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days’ wages and the money given to the poor.”
They were infuriated with her. Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them. When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money. Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He sent two of his disciples and said to them, Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.
When it was evening, he came with the Twelve. And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one, “Surely it is not I?” He said to them, “One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish. For 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.”
While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.
Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed. But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.”Peter said to him, “Even though all should have their faith shaken, mine will not be.” Then Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.”
But he vehemently replied, “Even though I should have to die with you,
I will not deny you.” And they all spoke similarly. Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch.” He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you.
Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will. When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing.
Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
Then, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.”
He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me? Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me; but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.”
And they all left him and fled. Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked.
They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest’s courtyard and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire.
The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none. Many gave false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. Some took the stand and testified falsely against him, alleging, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands.’” Even so their testimony did not agree.
The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus, saying, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” But he was silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, “Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?” Then Jesus answered, “I am; and ‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.’
At that the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as deserving to die. Some began to spit on him. They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards greeted him with blows.
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the high priest’s maids came along. Seeing Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said, “You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” So he went out into the outer court. Then the cock crowed. The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.”
Once again he denied it. A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more, “Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean.” He began to curse and to swear, “I do not know this man about whom you are talking.” And immediately a cock crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” He broke down and wept.
As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested. A man called Barabbas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. The crowd came forward and began to ask him to do for them as he was accustomed. Pilate answered, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate again said to them in reply, “Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?” They shouted again, “Crucify him.” Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified.
The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, Hail, King of the Jews!” and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him.
They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.They brought him to the place of Golgotha — which is translated Place of the Skull —They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it. Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.
The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross.”
Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him.
At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemasabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “Look, he is calling Elijah. One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink saying, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.” Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
Here all kneel and pause for a short time.
The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome. These women had followed him when he was in Galilee and ministered to him. There were also many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.
When it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died.
And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid.
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Reflection:
Do you see yourself in the Gospel of the Lord's passion narrative this Sunday? Could you be one of the crowd who was shouting 'Hosanna' as the Lord, astride on a donkey, entered Jerusalem?
Could you be Peter, the rock, who said to Jesus that he would never deny Him? Yet, the same Peter, who professed loyalty to Jesus, denied Him not once, not twice, but three times! Could you be the Chief Priest, the scribes, and the others who plotted to kill Jesus?
Could you be Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver? Could you be one of the crowd who shouted, 'Crucify Him, crucify Him'?
Could you be Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross of Jesus? Could you be one of the women who stayed loyal to Jesus until His death on the cross?
Could you be the centurion who said, 'Truly, this man was the Son of God!' after Jesus breathed His last? Could you be Joseph of Arimathea, who took care and buried the body of Jesus?
You could be any one of these actors in the Gospel of the Passion of the Lord. You may be one of the villains, or you may be one of those who helped Jesus and remained loyal to Him until the very end. You could also be the centurion who was enlightened by God to recognize Jesus as the Son of God.
As you begin your Holy Week, reflect on your relationship with Jesus. Consider how you can strengthen and deepen it some more during this time, so that you will have a clearer picture of Jesus’ role in your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Dalawang araw na lamang at Pista na ng Paskuwa at ng Tinapay na Walang Labadura. Ang mga punong saserdote at ang mga eskriba ay naghahanap ng paraan upang lihim na maipadakip si Hesus at maipapatay. Sinabi nila, “Ngunit huwag sa kapistahan, baka magkagulo ang mga tao.”
Noo’y nasa Betania si Hesus, sa bahay ni Simong ketongin. Samantalang siya’y kumakain, dumating ang isang babaing may dalang sisidlang alabastro na puno ng mamahaling pabango – ito’y dalisay na nardo. Binasag niya ang sisidlan at ang pabango’y ibinuhos sa ulo ni Hesus.
Nagalit ang ilang naroroon, at sila’y nag-usap-usap, “Ano’t inaksaya ang pabango? Maipagbibili sana iyon nang higit pa sa tatlong daang denaryo, at maibibigay sa mga dukha ang pinagbilhan!” At sinisi nila ang babae. Ngunit sinabi ni Hesus, “Bakit ninyo siya ginugulo? Pabayaan ninyo siya! Mabuti ang ginawa niyang ito sa akin. Habang panaho’y kasama ninyo ang mga dukha, at anumang oras na inyong ibigin ay magagawan ninyo sila ng mabuti. Ngunit ako’y hindi ninyo kasama sa habang panahon.
Ginawa niya ang kanyang makakaya – hindi pa ma’y binusan na niya ng pabango ang aking katawan bilang paghahanda sa paglilibing sa akin. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: saanman ipangaral ang Mabuting Balita, mababanggit din naman ang ginawa niyang ito bilang pag-aalaala sa kanya.”
Si Judas Iscariote, isa sa Labindalawa, ay pumunta sa mga punong saserdote upang ipagkanulo si Hesus. Natuwa sila nang marinig ang gayon at nangakong bibigyan siya ng salapi. Mula noo’y humanap na si Judas ng pagkakataon upang maipagkanulo si Hesus.
Unang araw ng Pista ng Tinapay na Walang Lebadura, araw ng pagpatay ng kordero para sa Paskuwa. Tinanong si Hesus ng kanyang mga alagad, “Saan po ninyo ibig na ipaghanda namin kayo ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa?” Inutusan niya ang dalawa sa kanyang mga alagad. “Pumunta kayo sa bayan. May masasalubong kayong isang lalaki na may dalang isang bangang tubig.
Sundan ninyo siya sa bahay na kanyang papasukan at sabihin ninyo sa may-ari, ‘Ipinatatanong po ng Guro kung saang silid siya maaaring kumain ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa, kasalo ng kanyang mga alagad.’ At ituturo niya sa inyo ang isang malaking silid sa itaas na mayroon nang kagamitan. Doon kayo maghanda para sa atin.” Nagtungo sa bayan ang mga alagad at natagpuan nga nila roon ang lahat, gaya ng sinabi niya sa kanila. At inihanda nila ang Hapunang Pampaskuwa.
Kinagabiha’y dumating si Hesus, kasama ang Labindalawa. Nang sila’y kumakain na, sinabi ni Hesus: ”Tandaan ninyo ito: isa sa inyo na kasalo ko’y magkakanulo sa akin.” Nanlumo ang mga alagad, at isa’t isa’y nagtanong sa kanya, “Ako po ba Panginoon?” Sumagot siya, “Isa sa inyo na kasalo ko sa pagsawsaw ng tinapay sa mangkok. Papanaw ang Anak ng Tao, ayon sa nasusulat, ngunit sa aba ng taong magkakanulo sa kanya! Mabuti pa sa taong yaon ang hindi na ipinanganak.”
Samantalang sila’y kumakain, dumampot ng tinapay si Hesus, at matapos magpasalamat sa Diyos ay kanyang pinaghati-hati at ibinigay sa mga alagad. “Kunin ninyo; ito ang aking katawan,” wika niya. Hinawakan niya ang kalis, at matapos magpasalamat ay ibinigay sa kanila; at uminom silang lahat. Sinabi niya, “Ito ang aking dugo ng tipan, ang dugong mabubuhos dahil sa marami. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi na ako iinom ng alak na mula sa ubas hanggang sa araw na inumin ko ang bagong alak sa kaharian ng Diyos.” Umawit sila ng isang imno, at pagkatapos nagtungo sa Bundok ng mga Olibo.
Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Ako’y iiwan ninyong lahat, sapagkat nasasaad sa Kasulatan, ‘Papatayin ko ang pastol, at mangangalat ang mga tupa,’ Ngunit pagkatapos na ako’y muling mabuhay, mauuna ako sa inyo sa Galilea.” Sumagot si Pedro, “Kahit na po iwan kayo ng lahat, hindi ko kayo iiwan.” “Tandaan mo,” sabi ni Hesus sa kanya, “sa gabi ring ito, bago tumilaok nang makalawa ang manok ay makaitlo mo akong itatatwa.” Subalit matigas na sinabi ni Pedro, “Kahit ako’y pataying kasama ninyo, hindi ko kayo itatatwa.” Gayon din ang sabi ng ibang alagad.
Dumating sila sa isang lugar na tinatawag na Getsemani. Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Dito muna kayo at mananalangin ako.” Ngunit isinama niya si Pedro, Santiago at Juan. At nagsimulang mabagabag at maghirap ang kanyang kalooban. Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Ang puso ko’y tigib ng hapis at halos ikamatay ko! Maghintay kayo rito at magbantay.”
Pagkalayo nang kaunti, siya’y nagpatirapa at nanalangin na kung maaari’y huwag nang dumating sa kanya ang oras ng paghihirap. “Ama, Ama ko!” wika niya, “mapangyayari mo ang lahat ng bagay. Alisin mo sa akin ang kalis na ito ng paghihirap. Gayunma’y huwag ang kalooban ko kundi ang kalooban mo ang masunod.”
Nagbalik siya at dinatnan niyang natutulog ang tatlong alagad. Sinabi niya kay Pedro, “Natutulog ka, Simon? Hindi ka ba makapagbantay kahit isang oras man lang? Magpuyat kayo at manalangin upang huwag kayong madaig ng tukso. Ang espiritu’y nakahanda, ngunit ang laman ay mahina.”
Muling lumayo si Hesus at nanalangin, at ang dati niyang kahilingan ang siyang sinambit. Nagbalik siyang muli sa kanyang mga alagad at naratnan na namang natutulog, sapagkat sila’y antok na antok. At hindi nila malaman kung ano ang kanilang sasabihin sa kanya.
Sa ikatlong pagbabalik niya ay kanyang sinabi sa kanila, “Tulog pa ba kayo hanggang ngayon? Kayo ba’y namamahinga pa? Tama na! Dumating na ang oras na ang Anak ng Tao’y ipagkakanulo sa masasama. Tayo na’t narito na ang magkakanulo sa akin!”
Nagsasalita pa si Hesus nang dumating si Judas, isa sa Labindalawa, na kasama ng maraming taong may mga dalang tabak at pamalo. Inutusan sila ng mga punong saserdote, ng mga eskriba at ng matatanda ng bayan. Ang taksil ay nagbigay sa kanila ng isang hudyat: “Ang hagkan ko – iyon ang inyong hinahanap. Siya’y dakpin ninyo at dalhin, ngunit bantayang mabuti.”
Pagdating ni Judas, agad siyang lumapit kay Hesus, “Guro!” ang bati niya, sabay halik. At sinunggaban si Hesus ng mga tao at dinakip. Nagbunot ng tabak ang isa sa mga naroon, at tinaga ang alipin ng pinakapunong saserdote, at natigpas ang tainga niyon. At sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao, “Tulisan ba ako at naparito kayong may mga dalang tabak at pamalo upang ako’y dakpin?
Araw-araw ako’y nagtuturo sa templo at naroon din kayo, ngunit hindi ninyo ako dinakip. Subalit kailangang matupad ang sinasabi ng Kasulatan!” Nagsitakas ang mga alagad at iniwan siya. Sinundan siya ng isang binatang walang damit sa katawan maliban sa balabal niyang kayong lino. Sinunggaban siya ng mga tao, ngunit iniwan niya ang kanyang balabal at tumakas na walang kadamit-damit.
At dinala nila si Hesus sa bahay ng pinakapunong saserdote; doo’y nagkatipon ang lahat ng punong saserdote, ang matatanda ng bayan, at ang mga eskriba. Si Pedro’y sumunod sa kanya, ngunit malayo ang agwat. Nagtuloy siya hanggang sa patyo ng bahay ng pinakapunong saserdote, naupo sa tabi ng apoy at nagpainit na kasama ng mga bantay.
Ang mga punong saserdote at ang buong Sanedrin ay naghahanap ng maipararatang kay Hesus upang maipapatay siya, ngunit wala silang makuha. Maraming saksi ang nagsabi ng kasinungalingan laban sa kanya, ngunit hindi nagkaisa ang kanilang mga patotoo.
May ilang sumaksi laban sa kanya at nagsabi ng ganitong kasinungalingan: “Narinig naming sinabi niya, ‘Gigibain ko ang templong ito na gawa ng tao, at sa loob ng tatlong araw ay magtatayo ako ng iba na di gawa ng tao.’” Gayunma’y hindi pa rin nagkaisa ang kanilang mga patotoo.
Tumindig ang pinakapunong saserdote sa harap ng kapulungan, at tinanong si Hesus, “Ano ang masasabi mo sa paratang nila sa iyo? Bakit di ka sumagot?” Ngunit hindi umimik si Hesus; hindi siya nagsalita gaputok man. Muli siyang tinanong ng pinakapunong saserdote: “Ikaw ba ang Mesiyas, ang Anak ng Kataastaasan?” “Ako nga,” sagot ni Hesus.
“At makikita ninyo ang Anak ng Tao, na nakaupo sa kanan ng Makapangyarihan sa lahat. At makikita ninyong siya’y dumarating, nasa alapaap ng langit.” Winasak ng pinakapunong saserdote ang sariling kasuotan, at sinabi, “Hindi na natin kailangan ang mga saksi! Kayo na ang nakarinig ng kanyang kalapastanganan sa Diyos! Ano ang pasya ninyo?” Ang hatol nilang lahat ay kamatayan.
At niluran siya ng ilan, piniringan at pinagsusuntok, kasabay ng wikang “Hulaan mo nga, sino ang sumuntok sa iyo?” at pinagsasampal siya ng mga bantay. Si Pedro nama’y naroon pa sa ibaba, sa patyo, nang dumating ang isa sa mga alila ng pinakapunong saserdote. Nakita ng babaing ito si Pedro na nagpapainit sa apoy, at kanyang pinagmasdang mabuti.
“Kasama ka rin ng Hesus na iyang taga-Nazaret!” sabi niya. Ngunit tumanggi si Pedro. “Hindi ko nalalaman… hindi ko nauunawaan ang sinasabi mo,” sagot niya. At siya’y lumabas sa pasilyo at tumilaok ang manok. Nakita na naman siya roon ng alilang babae at sinabi sa mga naroon, “Ang taong ito’y isa sa kanila!” Ngunit itinatwa na naman ito ni Pedro.
Makalipas ang ilang sandali’y sinabi na naman kay Pedro ng mga nakatayo roon, “Talagang isa ka sa kanila. Taga-Galilea ka rin!” “Sumpain man ako ng langit, talagang hindi ko nakikilala ang taong iyan!” sagot ni Pedro.
Siyang namang pagtilaok ng manok. Naalaala ni Pedro ng sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Bago tumilaok nang makalawa ang manok ay makaikatlo mo akong itatatwa.” At siya’y nanangis. Kinaumagahan, nagpulong agad ang mga punong saserdote, ang matatanda ng bayan, ang mga eskriba, at ang iba pang bumubuo ng Sanedrin.
Ipinagapos nila si Hesus, at dinala kay Pilato. “Ikaw ba ang Hari ng mga Judio?” tanong sa kanya ni Pilato. “Kayo na ang nagsasabi,” tugon naman ni Hesus. Nagharap ng maraming sumbong ang mga punong saserdote laban kay Hesus, kaya’t siya’y muling tinanong ni Pilato, “Wala ka bang isasagot? Narinig mo ang dami ng kanilang sumbong laban sa iyo.” Ngunit hindi na tumugon pa si Hesus, kaya’t nagtaka si Pilato.
Tuwing Pista ng Paskuwa ay nagpapalaya si Pilato ng isang bilanggo – sinuman ang hilingin sa kanya ng taong-bayan. Nakabilanggo noon ang isang lalaking nagngangalang Barrabas, kasama ng ibang naghimagsik at nakapatay nang nagdaang himagsikan. Lumapit ang mga tao at hiniling kay Pilato na isagawa na ang kanyang kinaugaliang pagpapalaya ng isang bilanggo.
“Ibig ba ninyong palayain ko ang Hari ng mga Judio?” tanong niya sa kanila. Alam ni Pilato na inggit ang nag-udyok sa mga punong saserdote na dalhin sa kanya si Hesus. Ngunit ang mga tao’y sinulsulan ng mga punong saserdote na si Barrabas ang hilinging palayain.
“Kung gayon, ano ang gagawin ko sa taong ito na tinatawag ninyong Hari ng mga Judio?” tanong uli ni Pilato. “Ipako sa krus!” sigaw ng mga tao. “Bakit, ano ba ang kasalanan niya?” ani Pilato. Ngunit lalo pang sumigaw ang mga tao, “Ipako siya sa krus!” Sa paghahangad ni Pilato na pagbigyan ang mga tao, pinalaya niya si Barrabas. Si Hesus ay kanyang ipinahagupit at ibinigay sa kanila upang ipako sa krus.
Dinala ng mga kawal si Hesus sa pretoryo, ang tirahan ng gobernador, at kanilang tinipon ang buong batalyon. Sinuutan nila si Hesus ng isang balabal na purpura. Kumuha sila ng halamang matinik, ginawang korona at ipinutong sa kanya. At sila’y patuyang nagpugay at bumati sa kanya: “Mabuhay ang Hari ng mga Judio!” Siya’y pinaghahampas nila ng tambo sa ulo, pinaglulurhan, at palibak na niluhud-luhuran. At matapos kutyain, siya’y inalisan nila ng balabal, sinuutan ng sariling damit, at inilabas upang ipako sa krus.
Nasalubong nila ang isang lalaking galing sa bukid, si Simon na taga-Cirene, ama nina Alejandro at Rufo. Pilit nilang ipinapasan sa kanya ang krus ni Hesus. At kanilang dinala si Hesus sa lugar na kung tawagi’y Golgota – ibig sabihi’y “Pook ng Bungo.” Binigyan nila siya ng alak na may kahalong mira, ngunit hindi niya ininom. Ipinako siya sa krus, at nagsapalaran sila upang malaman kung alin sa kanyang mga damit ang mapupunta sa bawat isa.
Ikasiyam ng umaga nang ipako nila sa krus si Hesus. Sa itaas ng krus isinulat ang sakdal laban sa kanya, “Ang Hari ng mga Judio.” Dalawang tulisan ang kasabay niyang ipinako sa krus – isa sa kanan niya at isa sa kaliwa. Sa gayo’y natupad ang nasasaad sa Kasulatan: “Ibinilang siya sa mga salarin.”
Nilibak siya ng mga nagdaraan, na tatangu-tangong nagsabi, “Di ba ikaw ang gigiba ng templo at muling magtatayo nito sa loob ng tatlong araw? Iligtas mo ngayon ang iyong sarili! Bumaba ka sa krus!” Kinutya rin siya ng mga punong saserdote at ng mga eskriba, at ang sabi sa isa’t isa: “Iniligtas niya ang iba, ngunit di mailigtas ang sarili! Makita lang nating bumaba sa krus ang Mesiyas na iyan na Hari ng Israel – maniniwala tayo sa kanya.” Inalipusta din siya ng mga nakapakong kasama niya.
At nagdilim sa buong lupain mula sa tanghaling tapat hanggang sa ikatlo ng hapon. Nang mag-iikatlo ng hapon, si Hesus ay sumigaw, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” na ang ibig sabihi’y “Diyos ko! Diyos ko! Bakit mo ako pinabayaan?” Narinig ito ng ilan sa mga nakatayo roon, at kanilang sinabi, “Pakinggan ninyo, tinatawag niya si Elias!”
May tumakbo at kumuha ng espongha; ito’y binasa ng maasim na alak, at pagkatapos ay inilagay sa dulo ng isang tambo at ipinasipsip kay Hesus. Sabi niya, “Tingnan nga natin kung darating si Elias upang ibaba siya.” Sumigaw nang malakas si Hesus at nalagutan ng hininga.
Dito luluhod ang tanan at sandaling mananahimik.
Biglang nawasak sa gitna ang tabing ng templo, mula sa itaas hanggang sa ibaba. Nakatayo sa harap ng krus ang isang kapitan ng mga kawal at kanyang nakita kung paano namatay si Hesus kaya’t sinabi niya, “Tunay ngang Anak ng Diyos ang taong ito!” Naroon din ang ilang babae at nakatanaw mula sa malayo; kabilang sa kanila si Maria Magdalena, si Mariang ina nina Santiagong bata, at Jose at Salome. Mula pa sa Galilea’y nagsisunod na sila at naglingkod kay Hesus. At naroon din ang iba pang babaing sumama kay Hesus sa Jerusalem.
Nang magtatakipsilim na, dumating si Jose na taga-Arimatea, isang iginagalang na kagawad ng Sanedrin; siya’y naghihintay sa pagdating ng paghahari ng Diyos. Sapagkat araw noon ng Paghahanda, o bisperas ng Araw ng Pamamahinga, naglakas-loob siyang lumapit kay Pilato at hiningi ang bangkay ni Hesus. Nagtaka si Pilato nang marinig niyang patay na si Hesus, kaya’t ipinatawag niya ang kapitan at tinanong kung ito’y totoo.
Nang malaman niya sa kapitan na talagang patay na si Hesus, pumayag siyang kunin ni Jose ang bangkay. Bumili si Jose ng kayong lino. Nang maibaba na ang bangkay ay kanyang binalot sa kayong ito at inilagay sa isang libingang inuka sa tagiliran ng dalisdis na bato. Pagkatapos, iginulong ang isang malaking bato sa pintuan ng libingan. Nagmamasid naman si Maria Magdalena at si Mariang ina ni Jose, at nakita nila kung saan inilibing si Hesus.
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Repleksyon:
Nakikita mo ba ang iyong sarili sa mabuting balita ngayong linggo ng pagpapakasakit ng Panginoon? Isa ka ba doon sa mga taong sumisigaw ng Hosanna, hosanna habang ang Panginoon ay nakasakay sa asno na pumapasok sa jerusalem?
Ikaw ba si Pedro na nagsabi kay Jesus na hindi nya siya iiwan at itatatwa? Pero siya rin ang pedro na nag tatwa kay Jesus, hindi lang isang beses, o dalawang beses kundi tatlong beses.
Isa kaba sa mga punong pari o escriba na nag plano na ipapatay si Jesus? Ikaw ba si Judas iscariote na nagkanulo kay Jesus sa pamamagitan ng tatlumpong salaping pilak? Kabilang kaba sa mga taong sumigaw na si Jesus ay ipako sa Krus?
Ikaw ba si Simon na taga-Cirene na nag pasan ng krus ni Jesus? Isa ka ba sa mga babaeng naging tapat kay Jesus hangang sa huling sandali ng kanyang buhay sa Krus? Ikaw ba yung kapitan ng mga kawal na nagsabing, tunay ngang anak ng Diyos ang taong ito. Ikaw ba si Jose na taga- Arimatea na nag ayos at nag libing sa bangkay ni Jesus?
Maaring isa ka sa kanila na gumanap ng importanteng papel sa pagpapakasakit ng Panginoon. Maaring isa ka sa mga nag pahirap sa buhay ni Jesus. Pwede ring isa ka sa iilan na naging tapat kay Jesus hangang sa dulo ng kanyang buhay.
Sa Pagsisimula ng semana santa, pagnilayan mo ang iyong relasyon kay Jesus. Paano mo ba ito mas mapapalalim pa para mas maging matingkad pa ang presensya ni Jesus sa buhay mo. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
45 Many of the Jews, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him; 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council, and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.
48 If we let him go on thus, every one will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation." 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all; 50 you do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish."
51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they took counsel how to put him to death.
54 Jesus therefore no longer went about openly among the Jews, but went from there to the country near the wilderness, to a town called E'phraim; and there he stayed with the disciples. 55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?"
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Reflection:
There’s a saying that, Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
During the time of Jesus the Pharisees were the ruling class they were very powerful yet they were also afraid to lose power. Why were they afraid to lose power? For the reason that they were afraid to lose their influence in their territory.
After years of being in power the powerful Pharisees were suddenly being threatened by the powerful and charismatic personality of Jesus. So they must do everything to hold on to their power which includes the plot to kill Jesus.
But why were the Pharisees afraid to lose power? They were afraid that people would discover the many skeletons in their closets. That’s why they plotted to kill Jesus because they saw in Jesus someone who would finally unseat and expose them.
What is the lesson for us here? 1. We should not be threatened by anyone who does good, instead of being threatened we should help that person who does good. 2. Our hands must always be clean and free from any form of sin otherwise there would come a time that we would be exposed eventually. 3. We must not use and manipulate others to advance our own corrupt and selfish agenda/s. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, marami sa mga Judiong dumalaw kay Maria ang nakakita sa ginawa ni Hesus, at nanalig sa kaniya. Ngunit ang ilan sa kanila’y pumunta sa mga Pariseo at ibinalita ang ginawa ni Hesus. Kaya’t tinipon ng mga punong saserdote at ng mga Pariseo ang mga kagawad ng Sanedrin.
“Ano ang gagawin natin?” wika nila. “Gumagawa ng maraming kababalaghan ang taong ito. Kung siya’y pababayaan natin, mananampalataya sa kanya ang lahat. Paririto ang mga Romano at wawasakin ang Templo at ang ating bansa.” Ngunit isa sa kanila, si Caifas, ang pinakapunong saserdote noon ay nagsabi ng ganito: “Ano ba kayo? Hindi ba ninyo naiisip na mas mabuti para sa atin na isang tao lamang ang mamatay alang-alang sa bayan, sa halip na mapahamak ang buong bansa?”
Sinabi niya ito hindi sa ganang kanyang sarili lamang. Bilang pinakapunong saserdote ng panahong iyon, hinulaan niyang mamamatay si Hesus dahil sa bansa – at hindi dahil sa bansang iyon lamang, kundi upang tipunin ang nagkawatak-watak na mga anak ng Diyos. Mula noon, binalangkas na nila kung paano ipapapatay si Hesus, kaya’t hindi na siya hayagang naglakad sa Judea. Sa halip, siya’y nagpunta sa Efraim, isang bayang malapit sa ilang. At doon siya nanirahang kasama ng kanyang mga alagad.
Nalalapit na ang Pista ng Paskuwa. Maraming taga-lalawigang pumunta sa Jerusalem bago mag-Paskuwa upang isagawa ang paglilinis ayon sa Kautusan. Hindi nila nakita si Hesus sa templo, kaya’t nagtanungan sila,”Ano sa akala ninyo? Paririto kaya sa pista o hindi?” Ipinag-utos ng mga punong saserdote at ng mga Pariseo na ituro ng sinumang nakaaalam kung nasaan si Hesus upang siya’y maipadakip nila.
The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.
Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For
which of these are you trying to stone me? The Jews answered him, “We are not
stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself
God.”
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law,
‘I said, ‘You are gods”‘? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came,
and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has
consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of
God’?
If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe
me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so
that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in
the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their
power. He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first
baptized, and there he remained.
Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign,
but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to
believe in him.
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Reflection:
Do you sometimes feel unrewarded for the effort/s that
you do? For example, you did something good to someone and then the person did
not care to compliment or recognize your good deed.
How would you feel? Perhaps you would be disheartened
or even feel bad. On second thought instead of feeling disheartened or bad I
think you should still feel good for the reason that you’ve done something
worthy to someone.
In the gospel, Jesus did everything for the Jews yet
they never recognized Him. He instead was persecuted for doing good. Did He
feel bad for not being given due recognition? Perhaps yes, because He was human
like us. However Jesus did not allow their ingratitude to bring Him down and
distract Him from His mission of salvation.
This is the reality of life, there are those who
would not compliment us for the good that we’ve done for them. Nevertheless let
us continue to do good and not be disheartened for God knows everything and God
will always reward those who do good. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, ang mga Judio'y
muling kumuha ng bato upang batuhin si Hesus. Kaya't sinabi sa kanila ni
Jesus,: "Maraming mabubuting gawa mula sa Ama ang ipinakita ko sa inyo;
alin ba sa mga ito ang dahilan at ako'y inyong babatuhin?" Sinagot siya ng
mga Judio, "Hindi dahil sa mabuting gawa kaya ka namin babatuhin, kundi dahil
sa paglapastangan mo sa Diyos!
Sapagkat nagpapanggap kang Diyos gayong tao ka lang." Tumugon
si Jesus, "Hindi ba nasusulat sa inyong Kautusan, 'Sinabi ko, Mga diyos
kayo'? Mga diyos ang tawag sa Kautusan sa mga pinagkatiwalaan ng salita ng
Diyos, at hindi maaaring tanggihan ang sinasabi ng Kasulatan.
Ako'y hinirang at sinugo ng Ama; paano ninyong masasabi ngayon na
nilalapastangan ko ang Diyos sa sinabi kong ako ang Anak ng Diyos? Kung hindi
ko ginawa ang ipinagagawa ng aking Ama, huwag ninyo akong paniwalaan. Ngunit
kung ginagawa ko iyon, paniwalaan ninyo ang aking mga gawa, kung ayaw man ninyo
akong paniwalaan. Sa gayon, matitiyak ninyong nasa akin ang Ama at ako'y nasa
kanya."
Tinangka
na naman nilang dakpin siya, ngunit siya'y nakatalilis. Muling pumunta si Jesus
sa ibayo ng Jordan, sa pook na noong una'y pinagbabautismuhan ni Juan. Nanatili
siya roon, at maraming lumapit sa kanya. Sinabi nila, "Si Juan ay walang
ginawang kababalaghan, ngunit totoong lahat ang sinabi niya tungkol sa taong
ito." At doo'y maraming sumampalataya kay Jesus.
Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar.
But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.
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Reflection:
Are you always on the same page with Jesus?
It’s very obvious that Jesus and those who were listening to Him were not on the same page. Otherwise they would have understood each other. For example, Jesus told the Jews; whoever keeps my world will never see death and the Jews were mocking Jesus because they couldn’t believe this statement.
How about us? Do we believe this statement of Jesus that whoever keeps His word will never see death? For worldly people this is hard to believe they will even be mocking also those who would tell this to them. But come to think about it, how would those with deeper faith react to these pronouncements of Jesus?
Of course they will believe since they have deeper faith and they’ve already developed this personal and deep relationship with Jesus. This is what separates the believer from the unbeliever, the believer because of his deep and personal relationship with Jesus will always believe whatever Jesus tells him in the gospel.
Believer makes every pronouncement of Jesus in the scriptures as their guiding light. Jesus is not a historical figure to them Jesus to them is an ever present guiding light that illuminates their lives.
Invite Jesus to guide and illuminate your life too! - Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Judio: "Tandaan ninyo: ang namumuhay ayon sa aking aral, kailanma'y di makararanas ng kamatayan." Sinabi ng mga Judio, "Ngayo'y natitiyak naming inaalihan ka nga ng demonyo. Namatay si Abraham, at ang mga propeta, pero sinasabi mong hindi mamamatay kahit kailan ang sinumang namumuhay ayon sa iyong aral. Dakila ka pa ba kaysa aming amang si Abraham? Siya'y namatay, gayon din ang mga propeta. Ano ba ang akala mo sa sarili mo?"
Sumagot si Jesus, "Kung ako ang nagpaparangal sa aking sarili, iya'y walang kabuluhan. Ang aking Ama ang nagpaparangal sa akin at sinasabi ninyong siya ang inyong Diyos. Hindi ninyo sila nakikilala, ngunit siya'y nakikilala ko. Kung sabihin kong hindi ko siya nakikilala, ako'y magigng sinungaling tulad ninyo. Subalit nakikilala ko siya at ginagawa ko ang kanyang sinasabi.
Natuwa ang inyong amang si Abraham nang mabatid na makikita niya ang araw ng pagparito ko; nakita nga niya ito at siya'y nagalak." Dahil dito'y sinabi sa kanya ng mga Judio, "Wala ka pang limampung taon, at nakita mo na si Abraham?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Sinasabi ko sa inyo: bago ipanganak si Abraham 'Ako'y Ako Na'. Dumampot sila ng bato upang siya'y batuhin, ngunit nagtago si Jesus at lumabas ng templo.
Jesus said to
those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly
be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have
never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus
answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a
slave of sin.
A slave does
not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son
frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of
Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I
tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard
from the Father."
They answered
and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them,
"If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But
now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard
from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your
father!" So they said to him, "We were not born of fornication. We
have one Father, God."
Jesus said to
them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and
am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me."
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Reflection:
What will
happen to us if we give space for the words of Jesus in our hearts? Of course
we will start to build a deeper friendship with Jesus. We will start to trust
Jesus more than we trust ourselves and we will also become averse to sin.
In the first
reading, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted more on their faith in
God than obey the command of the king. They were being forced by king
Nebuchadnezzar to worship his own God. But until the end the three did not
follow the king’s order so they were thrown into the fiery furnace yet they
were not hurt because God was with them.
This is what would happen to us also if we faithfully
follow Jesus, yes there would be instances of persecution. But if we remain
faithful until the end, our being persecuted is nothing compared to the glory
or reward that awaits us.
If there’s glory or reward for those who would remain
faithful, why are we not faithful to Jesus? Why do we easily betray Him for the
fleeting and sinful pleasures of this world? This is so for the simple
reason that we allow ourselves to succumb to the inducement of the devil.
That’s how plain and simple it is, we give up Jesus for this world because we
love this world more than we love Jesus. We love to satisfy our sinful human
needs than satisfy the needs of our souls.
As we approach the holiest of weeks let us reflect on
how many times have we given up Jesus for the sinful pleasures of this world.
And what have we gained for giving up Jesus for this world? Nothing except the
continuous pilling up of emptiness and problems disguised as hedonistic
pleasures. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong
panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga Judiong naniniwala sa kanya, “Kung
patuloy kayong susunod sa aking aral, tunay ngang kayo’y mga alagad ko;
makikilala ninyo ang katotohanan, at ang katotohanan ang magpapalaya sa inyo.”
Lahi kami ni Abraham,” tugon nila, “at kailanma’y di kami naalipin ninuman.
Paano mo masasabing palalayain kami?”
Sumagot si Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo: alipin ng kasalanan ang lahat ng
nagkakasala. Ang alipin ay hindi kabilang sa sambahayan sa habang panahon,
subalit ang anak ay kabilang magpakailanman. Kapag kayo’y pinalaya ng Anak,
tunay nga kayong malaya.
Nalalaman kong lahi kayo ni Abraham; gayunma’y pinagsisikapan
ninyo akong patayin, sapagkat walang pitak sa inyong puso ang aral ko. Sinasabi
ko ang aking nakita sa aking Ama; ginagawa naman ninyo ang inyong narinig sa
inyong ama.” Sumagot sila, “Si Abraham ang aming ama.” “Kung kayo’y mga anak ni
Abraham, tutularan ninyo ang kanyang ginawa,” ani Hesus. “Ngunit pinagsisikapan
ninyo akong patayin, gayong sinasabi ko lamang ang katotohanang narinig ko sa
Diyos.
Hindi
ganyan ang ginawa ni Abraham. Ang ginagawa ninyo’y tulad ng ginawa ng inyong
ama.” “Hindi kami mga anak sa labas,” tugon nila. “Ang Diyos ang aming Ama.”
Sinabi ni Hesus, “Kung talagang ang Diyos ang inyong Ama, iibigin ninyo ako,
sapagkat nagmula ako sa Diyos. Hindi ako naparito sa ganang sarili ko lamang,
kundi sinugo niya ako.”
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
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Reflection:
Do you always obey the will of God for your marriage? For example the will of God for the marriage covenant is for the couple to be faithful until the end. Are you always faithful to this marriage covenant in your thoughts and actions?
Today is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Aside from being a responsible father and husband to Jesus and Mary, what else makes Saint Joseph so especial? Joseph humbly and quietly followed the will of the Lord.
Saint Joseph accepted without question what God wanted him to do. Yes he was planning to quietly divorce Mary. However, the moment the angel appeared in his dream to convey God’s message for him. He never questioned the will of the Lord. He humbly and quietly followed what the angel told him to do, he loved Mary and Jesus deeply and he responsibly took care of them.
Let us reflect on the humility of Saint Joseph and compare it with our humility before God and our fellow human beings. Let us reflect on the submissiveness of Joseph to the will of the Lord and compare it with our own submissiveness to the will of the Lord regarding our fidelity to the marriage covenant.
Let us reflect on the sacrificial and deep love of Joseph towards Mary and Jesus and compare it with our love for our respective spouses and children. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Si Jacob, ang ama ni Jose na asawa ni Maria. Si Maria naman ang ina ni Jesus na tinatawag na Cristo.
Ganito ang pagkapanganak kay Jesu-Cristo. Si Maria na kanyang ina at si Jose ay nakatakda nang pakasal. Ngunit bago sila nakasal, si Maria'y natagpuang nagdadalang-tao. Ito'y sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo. Isang taong matuwid itong si Jose na kanyang magiging asawa, ngunit ayaw niyang mapahiya si Maria, kaya ipinasiya niyang hiwalayan ito nang lihim.
Samantalang iniisip ni Jose ito, napakita sa kanya sa panaginip ang isang anghel ng Panginoon. Sabi nito sa kanya, "Jose, anak ni David, huwag kang matakot na tuluyang pakasalan si Maria, sapagkat siya'y naglihi sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo. Manganganak siya ng isang lalaki at ito’y pangangalanan mong Hesus, sapagkat siya ang magliligtas sa kanyang bayan sa kanilang mga kasalanan.”
Nang magising si Jose, sinunod niya ang utos ng anghel ng Panginoon.
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But
early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the
people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes
and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her
stand in the middle.
They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was
caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded
us to stone such women. So what do you say? They said this to test him, so that
they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to
write on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him, he
straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be
the first to throw a stone at her. Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
And in response, they went away one by one beginning with the elders.
So he was left alone with the woman before
him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her “Woman, where are they? Has no
one condemned you? She replied, “No one, sir. Then Jesus said, “Neither do I
condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Are we sometimes quick to judge those whom
we perceived to be sinners? In the gospel the Pharisees and scribes were
very quick to draw judgement from the woman caught committing adultery. They
brought this woman to Jesus with the expectation that Jesus Himself would
pronounce judgment upon her.
Yet, Jesus never judged her for what she
did, Jesus choose to highlight God’s mercy and compassion upon her. At the end
of the gospel Jesus told her, “I do not condemn you, go and do not sin anymore
(John 8:11). As if Jesus was telling her, go and start a new life, forget the
past for I have already forgiven you. This gospel episode is perhaps one of the
best showcase of Jesus’ mercy and compassion.
Through this gospel Jesus is also inviting
us to look at ourselves and have a self-reflection on how we relate to sinners.
Do we also judge them quickly just like the Pharisees and scribes did? When we
judge we also invite judgment on ourselves, when we judge we further push this
person to commit more sins. And when we judge we only highlight the arrogance
of the devil instead of the mercy and compassion of Jesus.
But who are we to condemn or judge when we
are to be judged also? Who are we to judge when we are sinners also? Instead of
judging let us always show the mercy and compassion of Jesus. In doing so we
show the sinner that there’s a God who cares, a God who listens and surely a
God who is always merciful and forgiving. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
