Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 8 Sabado kasunod ng Miyerkules ng Abo: Lucas 5:27-32

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:27-32

Noong Panahong iyon, nakita ni Jesus ang isang publikano na nag ngangalang Levi, nakaupo sa paningilan ng buwis. Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Sumunod ka sa akin." Tumindig si Levi, iniwan ang lahat, at sumunod kay Jesus.  

Si Jesus ay hinandugan ni Levi ng isang malaking piging sa kanyang bahay. Nakasalo niya roon ang mga publikano at ang iba pang mga tao. Nagbulung-bulungan ang mga Pariseo at ang kanilang mga kasamang eskriba. Sinabi nila sa mga alagad ni Jesus, "Bakit kayo kumakain at umiinom na kasalo ng mga publikano at ng mga makasalanan?"  

Sinagot siya ni Jesus, "Hindi nangangailangan ng manggagamot ang walang sakit kundi ang may sakit. Naparito ako, hindi upang tawagin ang mga matuwid kundi ang mga makasalanan upang magsisi."    

Reflection for March 7 Friday after Ash Wednesday: Matthew 9:14-15

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” 

Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

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Reflection:

Have you ever tried abstaining from food? 

The question of fasting is most relevant to all of us during this season of Lent because this is when the Church actively reminds us about it. The gospel for today reiterates this reminder. 

It may seem that Jesus is defending His disciples for not fasting. But in hindsight, they were actually fasting—not in the literal sense to appease the discriminating eyes of John's disciples. The disciples of Jesus were fasting from self-righteousness, from doing wrong, and from judging others as good for nothing. 

This is the deeper form of fasting that Jesus wants from all of us, and it should not be practiced only during the season of Lent. Are we capable of permanently fasting from doing wrong, from feeling superior, and from judging others? 

This is the deeper form of fasting that Jesus appreciates. For what good is it if we fast from food but do not change our undesirable attitudes? For example, what if we fast yet continue to be arrogant, judgmental, unforgiving, uncaring, and so forth? What, then, is the use of our fasting? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 7 Biyernes kasunod ng Miyerkules ng Abo: Mateo 9:14-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 9:14-15

Noong Panahong iyon, lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad ni Juan Bautista at ang wika, "Malimit kaming mag-ayuno, gayon din ang mga Pariseo.

Bakit po hindi nag-aayuno ang inyong mga alagad?" Sumagot siya, "Maaari bang magdalamhati ang mga panauhin sa kasalan habang kasama nila ang lalaking ikinasal? Kapag wala na siya, saka pa lamang sila mag-aayuno." 

Reflection for Thursday March 6 Thursday after Ash Wednesday: Luke 9:22-25

Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

Jesus said to his disciples: “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.” 

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?”

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Reflection:

A man of the world was on the verge of ending his life. He decided to go to a cliff to jump, hoping to end everything. On his way, he saw a church with an inscription of the words of Jesus: "Come, follow me" (Matthew 9:14). He gave it serious thought, changed his mind, and decided to enter the church to inquire about its meaning. 

There, he was informed that it was a call to vocation in the service of the Lord. He then chose not to end his life but instead responded to the call of vocation. Soon after, he found God and discerned the true meaning of his life with Jesus. 

Many of us spend our lifetime pursuing earthly ambitions, such as wealth and power. Yet, when we reach the pinnacle of our success, we often discover that something is still lacking. We yearn for something meaningful—something that will truly satisfy our inner being. 

This deep longing is no other than God. No matter how rich or powerful we become, we will still lack contentment and peace of mind. The simple reason is that only God gives true peace, inner calmness, and healing. However, following God is not easy, as it requires us to carry our own cross. 

But the big question is this: Are we willing to carry that cross? Are we willing to give our lives to God so that He may save us and make full use of us? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 6 Huwebes kasunod ng Miyerkules ng Abo: Lucas 9:22-25

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:22-25

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Ang Anak ng Tao'y dapat magtiis ng maraming hirap. Itatakwil siya ng matatanda ng bayan, ng mga punong saserdote at ng mga eskriba. Ipapapatay nila siya, ngunit sa ikatlong araw ay muling mabubuhay." 

At sinabi niya sa lahat, "Kung ibig ninumang sumunod sa akin, limutin niya ang ukol sa kanyang sarili, pasanin araw-araw ang kanyang krus at sumunod sa akin. 

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?” 

Reflection for March 5 Ash Wednesday (Fasting and Abstinence): Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. 

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.” 

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Reflection: 

What is the relevance of Ash Wednesday to your life? 

Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of our forty-day journey of self-examination and self-reflection on our walk with the Lord and our journey through this fleeting world. We examine ourselves to see whether we have been able to shun the many sins and temptations of this world in favor of our love for God. 

We also examine our attitude when we give alms, pray, and fast. Do we perform these acts of piety to serve our own intentions or to fulfill the will of God? Many of us do these acts to show the world our own righteousness rather than to glorify Him. 

As we approach the priest or church ministers to receive ashes in the sign of the cross on our foreheads, we are reminded that one day, we shall return to dust, and our mortal bodies will forever remain part of this world. 

We will leave behind all our temporal achievements, knowledge, and riches. Eventually, we will be forgotten and permanently fade from the memory of this world. 

But God will not forget us—if only we learn to repent and truly turn away from everything that leads us to sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 5 Miyerkules ng Abo (Pag-aayuno at Abstinensya): Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Pag-ingatan ninyo na huwag maging pakitang-tao lamang ang paggawa ninyo ng mabuti. Kapag ganyan ang ginawa ninyo, wala kayong matatamong gantimpala buhat sa inyong Amang nasa langit. 

“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 gagantihan ka ng iyong Amang nakakikita ng kabutihang ginagawa mo nang lihim.  

“At kapag nananalangin kayo 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 gagantihan 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.”

Reflection for March 4 Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:28-31

Gospel: Mark 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, ‘We have given up everything and followed you. 

Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. 

But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.

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Reflection:

A young man was asking for the heart of his beloved. The beloved said to him, "You have to give up your vices, especially smoking, drinking, and womanizing." The young man acceded, and from then on, he never smoked, drank, or womanized. After a few months, they ended up at the altar of God to become one.

When we give up something for someone we dearly love, we can be assured of receiving something more worthy—something that will complete us. This may not make us happy immediately, but certainly, something beautiful will come out of it in place of what we gave up.

If we give up even a portion of our worldly life for Jesus, we can expect something in return from Him. It may not be material riches or worldly power, but we will certainly receive something from Him.

It may be peace of mind, which may have eluded us for the longest time. It could be good health or anything that cannot be measured or seen with our naked eyes, yet it can certainly be felt in our hearts.

When Jesus asks us to give up something for Him, we should hurry to obey and follow. We should never hesitate; instead, we should give it up immediately—like a child jumping with reckless abandon into his father’s arms.

What are you willing to immediately give up for Jesus? — Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 4 Martes sa Ikawalong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:28-31

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:28-31

Noong panahong iyon, nagsalita si Pedro kay Hesus, “Tingnan po ninyo, iniwan namin ang lahat at kami’y sumunod sa inyo.” 

Sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo ito: ang sinumang mag-iwan ng bahay, o mga kapatid, ina, ama, mga anak, mga lupa, dahil sa akin at sa Mabuting Balita, ay tatanggap ng makasandaang ibayo sa buhay na ito – mga bahay, mga kapatid, mga ina, mga anak, at mga lupa – ngunit may kalakip na pag-uusig.

At sa kabilang buhay ay magkakaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. Ngunit maraming nauuna na magiging huli, at maraming nahuhuli na magiging una.”

Reflection for March 3 Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:17-27

Gospel: Mark 10:17-27

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” 

He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” 

They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

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Reflection:

A businessman was on his deathbed. As he lay in his final moments, his wife and all his children were by his side. Seeing them all, he suddenly wore a worried expression and said, “Why are you all here? Who’s tending the business?” He was in the throes of death, yet his mind was still fixated on his material wealth. 

What must we do to inherit eternal life? Jesus tells us to follow the commandments, sell what we have, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Him. This is how Saint Francis of Assisi lived his life. He was the son of a rich merchant, but he disowned all his inheritance and instead chose to help the poor. He lived a life of simplicity and poverty, relying more on God’s providence than on worldly possessions. 

There are people who are overly concerned with their material wealth, as if they could take it to the grave. Some are even willing to sell their souls to the devil just to be rich. But we should not invest in these things, for they are temporary and can be taken from us at any time. 

Instead, we should focus more on God rather than on this world. We should help those in need and steadfastly follow Christ. There is nothing wrong with being rich, as long as we do not make riches our god—and we can best avoid this by sharing what we have. Let us always remember that we are merely stewards of the things entrusted to us. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 3 Lunes sa Ikawalong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:17-27

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:17-27

Noong panahong iyon, nang paalis na si Hesus ay may isang lalaking patakbong lumapit, lumuhod sa harapan niya at nagtanong, “Mabuting Guro, ano po ang dapat kong gawin upang magkamit ng buhay na walang hanggan?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Bakit mo ako tinatawag na mabuti? Walang mabuti kundi ang Diyos. 

Alam mo ang mga utos: ‘Huwag kang papatay; huwag kang mangangalunya; huwag kang magnanakaw; huwag kang magsisinungaling sa iyong pagsaksi; huwag kang magdadaya; igalang mo ang iyong ama’t ina.’” “Guro,” sabi ng lalaki, “ang lahat po ng iya’y tinutupad ko na mula pa sa aking pagkabata.”

Magiliw siyang tiningnan ni Hesus, at sinabi sa kanya, “Isang bagay pa ang kulang sa iyo. Humayo ka, ipagbili mo ang iyong ari-arian at ipamigay sa mga dukha ang pinagbilhan, at magkakaroon ka ng kayamanan sa langit.  

Pagkatapos, bumalik ka at sumunod sa akin.” Namanglaw ang lalaki nang marinig ito, at malungkot na umalis, sapagkat siya’y napakayaman. Tiningnan ni Hesus ang mga nasa paligid niya at sinabi sa kanyang mga alagad, “Napakahirap mapabilang ang mayayaman sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos.” Nagtaka ang mga alagad sa pananalitang ito.  

Muling sinabi ni Hesus, “Mga anak, talagang napakahirap mapabilang sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos! Madali pang makaraan ang kamelyo sa butas ng karayom kaysa pasakop sa paghahari ng Diyos ang isang mayaman.” Lalong nagtaka ang mga alagad, kaya’t sila’y nagtanungan, “Kung gayo’y sino ang maliligtas?”

Tinitigan sila ni Hesus at sinabi sa kanila, “Hindi ito magagawa ng tao, ngunit hindi ito mahirap sa Diyos. Magagawa ng Diyos ang lahat ng bagay.” 

Reflection for March 2 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:39-45

Gospel: Luke 6:39-45

Jesus told his disciples a parable, "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?  

How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,' when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite!  Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye.  

"A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks."

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Reflection:

A woman saw a handsome man. The handsome man, sensing that the woman was looking at him, also looked at her. Their eyes met, and she immediately fell in love with him. After a few weeks, they got married. However, two months into their marriage, the man's domineering and arrogant behavior started to unravel. 

Are you easily swayed by outward appearances? For example, have you ever seen a handsome man or a beautiful woman and felt immediately attracted to that person? An attractive outward appearance can be very deceiving. Why? Simply because we cannot fully know a person's true character based on what we see. 

What we see is merely a façade—it can be faked. The exterior is not a reflection of a person's true character. A person's true nature lies hidden in their heart, and we can only discover it once we get to know them better.

Many young people today easily fall into the trap of being captivated by outward appearances. This is often what attracts them to their future spouse. However, after marriage, the hidden, dark, and devious aspects of their partner’s character may begin to emerge. 

The same applies to friendships. We should not choose friends based solely on wealth or influence. Instead, we should befriend people because of their good character. It does not matter if a person is poor—what truly matters is the goodness that emanates from their heart. 

In our first reading, according to the book of Sirach, it says: "One’s speech discloses the bent of one’s mind" (Sirach 27:6). And in our Gospel, Jesus tells us: “From the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). 

So, how can we avoid being misled by outward appearances? We must take the time to truly know a person by engaging in conversation with them and carefully discerning their words. 

For what a person speaks comes from the heart, and what originates from the heart is the true measure of their character. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 2 Ikawalong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 6:39-45

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:39-45

Noong panahong iyon, tinanong ni Hesus ang kanyang mga alagad nang patalinghaga: “Maaari bang maging tagaakay ng bulag ang isa ring bulag? Kapwa sila mahuhulog sa hukay kapag ginawa ang gayun. Walang alagad na higit sa kanyang guro; ngunit kapag lubusang naturuan, siya’y magiging katulad ng kanyang guro. 

“Ang tinitingnan mo’y ang puwing ng iyong kapatid ngunit hindi mo pinapansin ang tahilan sa iyong mata. Paano mo masasabi sa iyong kapatid, ‘Kapatid, bayaan mong alisin ko ang iyong puwing,’ gayung hindi mo nakikita ang tahilang nasa iyong mata? Mapagpaimbabaw! Alisin mo muna ang tahilan sa iyong mata, at makakikita kang mabuti; sa gayo’y maaalis mo ang puwing ng iyong kapatid.” 

“Walang mabuting punongkahoy na namumunga ng masama, at walang masamang punongkahoy na namumunga ng mabuti. Nakikilala ang bawat punongkahay sa pamamagitan ng kanyang bunga. Sapagkat hindi nakapipitas ng igos sa puno ng aroma, at di rin nakapipitas ng ubas sa puno ng dawag. 

Ang mabuting tao ay nakapagdudulot ng mabuti sapagkat tigib ng kabutihan ang kanyang puso; ang masamang tao ay nakapagdudulot ng masama, sapagkat puno ng kasamaan ang kanyang puso. Sapagkat kung ano ang bukambibig siyang laman ng dibdib.

Reflection for March 1 Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:13-16

Gospel: Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 

Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

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Reflection:

Who are the main formators of children? Of course, it’s the parents. From their parents, children learn basic Christian values such as love for God, humility, obedience, and other virtues. Children learn almost everything from their parents. 

Therefore, virtues such as these are taught by parents to their children. What is taught by the parents is imbibed by their children. What is observed from parents is copied by children. 

For example, if children are taught by their parents about love for God and humility—and these teachings are also lived or practiced by the parents—it’s a no-brainer that they will grow up practicing these virtues throughout their lives. Conversely, if children are taught arrogance and they observe the same behavior from their parents, it’s a cinch that they will also become arrogant. 

Therefore, the mind of a child is fertile soil for the inculcation of proper Christian values by their elders, specifically their parents. 

In our Gospel, we see people (most probably parents) bringing children to Jesus. These people were trying to instill in the minds of the children that it is essential to go to Jesus, which is always the right thing to do. However, the disciples prevented them. When Jesus saw this, He became angry. He told the disciples to let the children come to Him, then He embraced them and blessed them by placing His hands on them. 

Let us not forget that the future of the children whom Jesus loves so dearly rests in our hands. We are the primary formators of our children, and the very first lesson we must teach them is love for God. Let us always bring them to Jesus, for He loves them even more than we do. 

Do you teach your children to love Jesus? Do you teach them to pray and listen to Him? —Marino J. Dasmarinas