Reflection for April 6 Fifth Sunday of Lent: John 8:1-11

Gospel: John 8:1-11

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 anymore.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Are you a person who is quick to judge?

Many of us like to judge others without realizing that when we judge, we also invite others to judge us. This is our weakness—we are very quick to judge. But what authority do we have to judge and condemn others?

We are quick to judge because we have a mindset of superiority. This mindset compels us to judge those who sin. Otherwise, if we do not have this sense of superiority, we will not judge. Instead, we offer advice or counsel, as this is the best way to help those who have sinned. Well and good if sinners follow our advice; if not, it is up to them.

Judgment or condemnation will never heal a sinner; in fact, it may push them deeper into sin until it ultimately destroys them.

In the Gospel, the woman caught in adultery was very blessed because her accusers brought her to Jesus. Otherwise, if she had been taken somewhere else, she would have been immediately killed by the arrogance of her accusers. But thanks be to God, Jesus was there to save and protect her.

To whom do you turn for shelter and solace when you are condemned and unfairly judged by the people of this world, or when you are burdened by the worries of life? —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Abril 6 Ikalimang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 8:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Juan 8:1-11

Noong panahong iyon, si Hesus ay pumunta sa Bundok ng mga Olibo. Kinaumagaha’y nagbalik siya sa templo. Lumapit sa kanya ang lahat, kaya’t umupo siya at sila’y tinuruan. Noo’y dinala sa kanya ng mga eskriba at ng mga Pariseo ang isang babaing nahuli sa pakikiapid. 

Pinatayo ito sa harapan nila, at sinabi kay Hesus, “Guro, ang babaing ito’y nahuli sa pakikiapid. Ayon sa Kautusan ni Moises, dapat batuhinhanggang sa mamatay ang mga gaya niya.

  

Ano ang masasabi mo?” Itinanong nila ito upang subukin siya, nang may maisumbong sila laban sa kanya. Ngunit yumuko si Hesus at sumulat sa lupa sa pamamagitan ng daliri. Ayaw nilang tigilan nang katatanong si Hesus, kaya’t sila’y tiningnan niya at sinabi ang ganito, “Sinuman sa inyo na walang kasalanan ang siyang maunang bumato sa kanya.” At muli siyang yumuko at sumulat sa lupa.   

Nang marinig nila ito, sila’y isa-isang umalis, simula sa pinakamatanda. Walang naiwan kundi si Hesus at ang babaing naroon pa rin sa harapan niya. Tiningnan siya ni Hesus at tinanong: “Nasaan sila? Wala bang nagparusa sa iyo?” “Wala po, Ginoo,” sagot ng babae. Sinabi ni Hesus: “Hindi rin kita parurusahan. Humayo ka, at huwag nang magkasala.” 

+ + + + + + +

Repleksyon:

Ikaw ba ay isang taong madaling maghusga? Marami sa atin ang mabilis humusga sa iba pero  kapag tayo’y humuhusga, iniimbitahan din natin ang iba na husgahan tayo. Diba pag ang ating hintuturo ay itinuturo natin ang tatlong daliri natin ay nakaturo pabalik sa atin?  Ito ang ating kahinaan—napakadali nating humusga. Ngunit anong kapangyarihan ang mayroon tayo upang hatulan at kondenahin ang iba?

Mabilis tayong humusga dahil sa tingin natin tayo ay mas malinis sa ating hinuhusgahan. Ang ganitong kaisipan ang nagtutulak sa atin na hatulan ang mga tinatawag nating makasalanan. Kung wala tayong ganitong pag-iisip ng pagiging nakatataas, hindi tayo manghuhusga.

Sa halip, magbibigay tayo ng payo o paggabay, sapagkat ito ang pinakamainam na paraan upang matulungan ang mga nagkasala. Mabuti kung susundin ng makasalanan ang ating payo; ngunit kung hindi, nasa kanya na iyon. Bast ang importante ay nagbigay tayo ng payo hindi ng pag kondena.

Ang paghatol o pagkondena ay hindi kailanman nakabubuti sa isang makasalanan; dahil, maaari pa itong magtulak sa kanya ng mas malalim pa na pagkakasala hanggang sa tuluyang masira ang kanyang buhay.

Sa atin pong mabuting balita, napakapalad ng babaeng nahuling nangangalunya dahil dinala siya ng kanyang mga tagapag-akusa kay Jesus. Kung dinala siya sa ibang tao, maaaring agad siyang pinatay dahil sa pag kondena ng kanyang mga tagapag-akusa. Ngunit salamat sa Diyos, dinala nila siya kay Jesus kaya siya ay nabigyan ng pagkakataon na mag bagong buhay.

Kanino ka ba lumalapit upang humanap ng magtatanggol saiyo kapag ikaw ay kinokondena at hinuhusgahan nang ng mga tao sa mundong ito? O kapag ikaw ay may pinapasan na mabigat na problema sa iyong buhay? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 5 Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 7:40-53

Gospel: John 7:40-53

Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.  

So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?” The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?  

But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.” Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” Then each went to his own house.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What happens when we engage in useless, self-centered debates or conversations? The protagonists try very hard to upstage each other, and then it turns ugly as they attempt to destroy each other’s reputations. No worthy outcome comes from it—only mudslinging and character assassination. 

The crowd was debating Jesus’ origin, which created division within their ranks. They were trying to outdo each other in their knowledge of Jesus’ origins. Thoughts ran through their minds about whether Jesus was a prophet or the promised Messiah. They were like little children in a contest of arguments, each trying to prove who among them had the best idea about Jesus. 

This scenario still exists today. Many of us argue about Jesus to prove that we have superior knowledge of Him over others. But what do we gain from arguing? From trying to show that we know more than anyone else? Nothing—except a display of arrogance, a feeling of superiority, and bloated egos, which only lead to more division and alienation. 

Instead of arguing, let us show through our actions the love, humility, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus. Why? Because the love, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus always unify and heal the wounds of discord.—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 4 Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Gospel: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. 

Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” 

So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come. 

+ + + + + + 

Reflection: 

How courageous are you in your desire to spread your faith? 

In today’s Gospel, even though there was a threat to His life, Jesus still secretly went to Judea to attend the Feast of the Tabernacles. He courageously spoke in the temple area, risking His life. Where does His courage come from? It originates from His deep passion for His mission and His oneness with God. 

Let us also aspire to have the same passion and oneness with God so that we, too, may have the courage to express how He has made a big difference in our lives. With this courage, we will be able to face and overcome whatever problems and trials that may come our way. 

A good way to start is by setting aside regular time for God—through daily readings of His words in the Bible, through our presence at Holy Mass, and through our prayers. 

If we practice these acts of worship and devotion, we will surely develop a deep friendship and oneness with Jesus. As a result, we will have the courage to live His teachings, share them, and even preach them. 

A faithful follower should live and preach the teachings of Jesus. If he or she cannot preach—since not everyone has the gift of preaching—then he or she must live His teachings. For this is one of the many marks of a faithful follower of Jesus. 

What kind of follower are you? Are you a follower in name only, or a follower in both name and deed? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 3 Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:31-47

Gospel: John 5:31-47

Jesus said to the Jews: “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved.  

He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.  

But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life.  

“I do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?  

Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

How are you as a witness for Jesus? Do you live and share His teachings? A good witness for Jesus is someone who walks with Him through all the seasons of his/her life.

What do you gain from witnessing for Jesus? There will be times when you are ridiculed. It doesn’t matter, because everything is worth it for Jesus, including ridicule and chastisement. You may not immediately see the fruits of your witness for Jesus, but in His perfect time, you shall harvest them. 

In our Gospel, Jesus mentions John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Him. John told those who were acclaiming him as the Messiah that he was not. He declared that someone greater was coming after him, and that person was Jesus. 

John was an effective witness for Jesus because he did not take credit for what belonged to the Lord. He was content to fade away so that Jesus would be glorified. Through John’s witness for Jesus, we learn valuable lessons about witnessing and humility. 

Humility is one of the greatest—if not the greatest—virtues we can cultivate to effectively bring and lead others to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Abril 3 Huwebes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 5:31-47

Mabuting Balita: Juan 5:31-47

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Judio: "Kung ako lamang ang nagpapatotoo tungkol sa aking sarili, huwag ninyong tanggapin, ngunit may ibang nagpapatotoo tungkol sa akin, at totoo ang kanyang sinasabi. Nagpasugo kayo kay Juan, at nagpatotoo siya tungkol sa katotohanan. Hindi sa kailangan ko ang patotoo ng tao; sinasabi ko lamang ito para maligtas kayo. 

Si Juan ay parang maningas na ilaw na nagliliwanag noon, at kayo'y sandaling nasiyahan sa kanyang liwanag. Ngunit may patotoo sa akin na higit sa patotoo ni Juan: ang mga gawaing ipinagagawa sa akin ng Ama, at siya ko namang ginaganap -- iyan ang patotoo na ako'y sinugo niya. At ang Amang nagsugo sa akin ay nagpapatotoo rin tungkol sa akin. 

Kailanma'y hindi ninyo narinig ang kanyang tinig, at nakita ang kanyang anyo. Walang pitak sa inyong puso ang kanyang salita, sapagkat hindi kayo nananalig sa akin na sinugo niya. Sinasaliksik ninyo ang Kasulatan, sa paniwalang doon ninyo matatagpuan ang buhay na walang hanggan. Ang mga ito ang nagpapatotoo tungkol sa akin, ngunit ayaw naman ninyong lumapit sa akin upang kayo'y magkaroon ng buhay. 

"Hindi ako naghahangad ng parangal ng mga tao. Ngunit kilala ko kayo; alam kong wala kayong pag-ibig sa Diyos. Naparito ako sa ngalan ng aking Ama, at ayaw ninyo akong tanggapin. Kung may ibang pumarito sa kanyang sariling pangalan, siya'y inyong tatanggapin. Ang hinahangad ninyo'y ang parangal ng isa't isa, at hindi ang parangal na nanggagaling sa iisang Diyos; paano kayong makapaniniwala? 

Huwag ninyong isiping ako ang magsasakdal sa Ama laban sa inyo; si Moises na inaasahan ninyo ang siyang maghaharap ng sakdal laban sa inyo. Kung talagang pinaniniwalaan ninyo si Moises, ako'y paniniwalaan din sana ninyo, sapagkat sumulat siya tungkol sa akin. Ngunit kung hindi ninyo pinaniniwalaan ang mga sinulat niya, paano ninyong paniniwalaan ang mga sinasabi ko?"

Reflection for April 2 Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:17-30

Gospel: John 5:17-30

Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.  

Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed.  

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.  

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself.  

And he gave him power to exercise judgment because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.  

“I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you believe that Jesus and the Father are one? The critics of Jesus did not believe in this oneness of the Father and the Son because their mindset was based on human understanding, which is always subject to limitations.

What separates us from the critics of Jesus in our Gospel? We believe in the oneness of the Father and the Son. We believe because we have faith—faith that is not limited to what our eyes can see and our ears can hear.

If our faith is confined only to what we can see and hear, then it is not true faith, because deep faith requires believing even without seeing. Through our faith in both the Father and the Son, we are able to discover many truths about our Catholic faith. We also grow in faith and deepen our knowledge of our universal Church.

Perhaps some of us may ask, Why am I not growing in faith? The answer is that we may lack something—perhaps it is our faithful adherence to the teachings of our universal Church.

For example, we may lack adherence to the indissolubility of the Sacrament of Matrimony, the sanctity of human life, the healing and cleansing value of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and many other teachings of our Catholic faith. We will certainly not grow in faith if we do not believe in these teachings.

Do you believe in the oneness of the Son and the Father? And do you also believe in and practice the teachings of our Catholic faith?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 1 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:1-16

Gospel: John 5:1-16

There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” 

The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.  

Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” He answered them, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’“ They asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there. 

After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath. 

+ + + + + + 

Reflection:

Is there a relationship between sickness and sin? Based on the pronouncements of Jesus in the Gospel, there is. 

The man who had been sick for thirty-eight long years was asked by Jesus, “Do you want to be well?” (John 5:6). The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” 

Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” (John 5:7-8). Then, in the latter part of the Gospel, Jesus said to the healed man, “Look, you are well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14). 

We may not realize it, but many of our sicknesses are brought about by our sins. For example, the sins of greed, anger, and gluttony. In many ways, greed and anger are among the triggers for illnesses such as high blood pressure. The same is true of gluttony—overindulging in any kind of food will eventually make us sick in the long run. 

Let us therefore repent of our sins and avoid them thereafter. The moment we repent through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we will be free from guilt and surely free from the possession of the devil, which sometimes disguises itself as sickness. 

Let us therefore discard sin from our lifestyle so that we will have a much clearer picture of the presence of the Lord in our lives. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 31 Monday of the fourth Week of Lent: John 4:43-54

Gospel: John 4:43-54

At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast. 

Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. 

Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” 

The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.

+ + + + + + +

 Reflection:

How profound is your faith in Jesus?

To have faith is to believe in something you do not see yet. The official in the Gospel who begged Jesus to heal his sick son had this kind of faith. He wanted Jesus to go and personally heal his son, who was near death at that time.

But Jesus did not grant his request. Instead, He simply told the official, “Go; your son will live.” So the man went home without Jesus but with faith in His words in his heart. When he arrived home, he found that his son was already recovering.

Believing in something we do not see yet is very difficult, especially for those with feeble faith. But for those who have faith, they will believe no matter the odds against them. If the official in our Gospel had not believed in Jesus, his son surely would not have been healed. But he believed!

We all have our own petitions before the Lord. He asks nothing from us but to have faith, for He will take care of everything. What are your petitions before Jesus? Simply believe, have faith, and work for it as well—for He will never fail you.—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 30 Fourth Sunday of Lent: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable. “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’  

So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. 

So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. 

I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.  

He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 

Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing.  

He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. 

He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ 

He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’” 

+ + + + + + 

Reflection:

What if the prodigal son had not decided to go back to his father? 

It is certain that he could have ended up in a very problematic situation. But he returned because he realized his mistake. He returned because he desperately wanted to once again feel the unconditional love of his father. 

This parable is also for us who are like the prodigal son. Jesus is inviting us all to repent of our own sinfulness and return to Him. He wants us to know that He is there, eternally waiting for us—ever ready to embrace us again with His unconditional love and forgiveness. 

Where would we go if we do not return to Jesus? Should we embrace this world? This world will only lead us to sin. This world cannot give us peace of mind for the simple reason that only God can give us true peace. 

When the prodigal son decided to return, he knew that nothing compares to the love of his father. He knew that his father would still accept him without any questions asked. 

We are the modern-day prodigal sons, and Jesus wants to embrace us with His unconditional love. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 29 Saturday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 18:9-14

Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 

The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 

But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

+ + + + + + + 

Reflection: 

Is humility part and parcel of your way of life? 

Aside from Jesus, there are two main characters in this Gospel: the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee is an educated believer who seriously observes and teaches God’s law, while the tax collector is known to be greedy, corrupt, and sinful. They both went to the temple to pray. 

The Pharisee was self-righteous. He claimed that he was not greedy, unjust, or adulterous. He was so sure of his goodness, holiness, and perhaps even his own salvation that he despised the tax collector. 

The tax collector, on the other hand, was a repentant sinner who did not dare to raise his eyes to heaven. Remorsefully beating his breast, he kept asking God for forgiveness. 

Jesus said, "The tax collector went home at peace with God." And the Pharisee? He did not gain any favor from God because he was self-righteous and proud. 

This Gospel is a good reminder for all of us who are self-righteous, proud, or egotistical. It is also for those who look down on their fellowmen simply because they are rich and learned. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 28 Friday of the Third Week of Lent: Mark 12:28-34

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  

The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Why did Jesus give us these two timeless and greatest commandments about love? Because we need these instructions to heal the world of its many sufferings. For example, if only there were authentic love for God in our hearts, there would be no more suffering. 

But many of us don’t have the love of God in our hearts; that’s why so many are suffering. We love to obey our selfish desires rather than follow what God wants us to do, which is to exercise unconditional love. 

Let us heed God's command: let us love Him with all our heart, mind, and soul. Let us also allow God to use us as His instrument so that those who are distant from His love may feel it through us. And those who do not know God may come to know Him because of our unconditional love for them. 

Little by little, let us conquer the enmity of this world with our love for God and our neighbors. And let us not love only those who love us back or those who seem lovable in our eyes. 

Let us also love even those who have hurt us deeply and those who make life difficult for us, because through our exercise of unconditional love, they may be enlightened by God's love. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 27 Thursday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 11:14-23

Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. 

But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? 

Therefore, they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe.  But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection: 

Is the Devil Real? 

The devil is real, and he is a pervasive influence in our society and political system. This is why we frequently hear stories of killings, corruption, arrogance and the abuse of authority by political leaders—not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. 

In the same vein, the devil is an insidious presence within families. This is why there are separations and acts of infidelity within the marriage covenant. Who can defeat the influence of the devil in our society’s political system and our families? It is Jesus and our faithful practice of His teachings. 

Many of us profess to be believers in Jesus, and many of our politicians are graduates of Catholic schools. Yet, there are plunderers and killers in government today. There are also many broken families. Why is this so? It is because many of us are believers in name only. Many attend Holy Mass but do not live out the grace of the Eucharist/Holy Mass. 

If only we would allow our faith in Jesus to take root deep within us, our country would be more progressive. If only we would allow our faith in Jesus to take center stage in our families, there would be fewer broken marriages. 

Let us reflect on how many times we have betrayed our faith in Jesus in exchange for the enticing offers of Satan, which will ultimately destroy us. We must, therefore, immediately reject Satan the moment he manifests himself in our lives. —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 26 Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent: Matthew 5:17-19

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.   

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you obey, teach, and live the laws of the Lord? 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about Himself as the fulfillment of the law. In effect, He was telling the disciples, "I am now the fulfillment of those commandments from the Old Testament." 

For example, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), which God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, were summarized by Jesus into the two greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40). 

Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments, reducing them to the two greatest commandments of love. Indeed, if we truly love Jesus, there would be no room for hatred, condemnation, self-righteousness, bigotry, or narrow-mindedness. 

What would remain in our hearts is love, for love is the advocacy and language of Jesus. Jesus’ love for us is unlike the love we have—His love is not selective but embraces everyone, no matter who we are. 

This is the kind of love we must emulate: to love everyone, even if they do not love us back, and regardless of the sins they have committed against us. —Marino J. Dasmarinas