Ang Mabuting Balita Abril 25 Biyernes sa Oktaba ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Juan 21:1-14

Mabuting Balita: Juan 21:1-14

Noong panahong iyon, muling napakita si Jesus sa mga alagad sa tabi ng Lawa ng Tiberias. Ganito ang pangyayari. Magkakasama sina Simon Pedro, Tomas na tinaguriang Kambal, Natanael na taga-Cana, Galilea, ang mga anak ni Zebedeo, at dalawa pang alagad. Sinabi sa kanila ni Simon Pedro, "Mangingisda ako." "Sasama kami," wika nila.  

Umalis sila at lumulan sa bangka, subalit walang nahuli nang gabing iyon. Nang magbubukang-liwayway na, tumayo si Jesus sa pampang , subalit hindi siya nakilala ng mga alagad. Sinabi niya, "Mga anak, mayroon ba kayong huli?" "Wala po," tugon nila. "Ihulog ninyo ang lambat sa gawing kanan ng bangka, at makahuhuli kayo," sabi ni Jesus. Inihulog nga nila ang lambat at hindi nila ito mahila sa dami ng huli.  

Sinabi kay Pedro ng alagad na minamahal ni Jesus, "Ang Panginoon iyon!" Nang marinig ito ni Simon Pedro, siya'y nagsuot ng Damit sapagkat hubad siya at tumalon sa tubig. Ang kasama niyang mga alagad ay sumapit sa pampang, sakay nang munting bangka, hila-hila ang bangka na puno ng isda. Hindi sila gaanong kalayuan sa pampang -- mga siyamnapung metro lamang. 

Pag-ahon nila sa pampang ay nakakita sila roon ng mga baga na may isdang nakaihaw, at ilang tinapay. "Magdala kayo rito ng ilang isdang nahuli ninyo," sabi ni Jesus. Kaya't sumampa sa bangka si Simon Pedro at hinila sa pampang ang lambat na puno ng malalaking isda -- sandaan at limampu't tatlong lahat.  

Hindi napunit ang lambat, kahit ganoon karami ang isda. Halikayo at mag-almusal tayo" sabi ni Jesus. Isa man sa mga alagad ay walang nangahas magtanong kung sino siya, sapagkat alam nila na siya ang Panginoon. Lumapit si Jesus, kinuha ang tinapay at ibinigay sa kanila, gayon din ang isda.  

Ito ang ikatlong pagpapakita ni Jesus sa mga alagad pagkatapos na siya'y muling mabuhay.

Reflection for April 24 Thursday in the Octave of Easter: Luke 24:35-48

Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread.  

While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.  

Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.  

He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 

And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” 

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Reflection:

How would you react if a dead friend suddenly appeared before you? 

Of course, you would be shocked—and perhaps after a few seconds, you would shout and run away. This reaction is human nature; it's a natural response because you are not used to seeing a ghost. 

This was also the reaction of the disciples when Jesus suddenly appeared before them and said, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified—who wouldn’t be? Then, Jesus slowly revealed Himself to His disciples by inviting them to look at His hands and feet, and even to touch them if they wanted, to prove that He had indeed risen and was truly with them. 

Perhaps some of us are troubled and worried because of our present life circumstances. If we are, Jesus would tell us:

“Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Firmly believe in me and I will take care of you. Call on me anytime and I will be with you. Follow me and I will not disappoint you! I will give you peace—peace that this world cannot give. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid!” 

The peace that Jesus gives us is beyond compare—nothing in this world can equal it. Some of us mistakenly look for peace and comfort in the world, only to end up holding an empty bag. Why? Because it is only through Jesus that we will find true peace. 

Look for the peace that only Jesus can give, and humbly ask Him for it. If you are persistent, He surely will give it to you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for April 23 Wednesday in the Octave of Easter: Luke 24:13-35

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him.

But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”

And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”

So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”

So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel down, hopeless, and discouraged because of the many challenges you are going through in your life right now? In the midst of your life’s trials, you must continue to remain hopeful, for there is no hopeless situation as long as your life is centered on God.

The two followers who were going to Emmaus were clearly discouraged—they were feeling down and somewhat hopeless. They were in such a mood because their Lord and Master had suffered a violent death on the cross. They thought that Jesus was their powerful Savior, but they were disappointed when He died, badly bruised and beaten.

Their expectations of a mighty Jesus were suddenly replaced by feelings of loneliness, defeat, and hopelessness—until the Risen Christ walked with them, conversed with them, and eventually went to their house to break bread with them.

After breaking bread, Cleopas and his companion recognized that it was Jesus who had walked with them, talked with them, and shared a meal with them. Upon discovering the identity of Jesus, their loneliness and despair were immediately replaced by joy. Their discouragement was overpowered by encouragement. Their hopeless spirits were suddenly aflame and glowing.

What do we do when we feel hopeless, sad, and discouraged? Do we just sulk in a corner, as if we are the most miserable and hopeless person in the world? Or do we call on Jesus to give us hope and strength?

When we are at our lowest, we must always remember that Jesus is always there for us and ever ready to listen. He wants to give us hope. He wants to inspire us and say this to us: "Be full of hope, for I will never, ever abandon you." — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 22 Tuesday in the Octave of Easter: John 20:11-18

Gospel: John 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” 

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher.  

Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her.

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Reflection:

Are you always aware of the movement and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in your life?

For example, you’re leaning toward committing sin. Then, out of the blue, you are suddenly reminded of the evils and the punishment that could come after committing sin. 

You immediately become aware of this mistake, as if you were doused with cold water. You realize that the devil is leading you to destroy yourself. 

Who gave you this enlightenment? Who stopped the devil from destroying you? It’s none other than Jesus Himself!  

Jesus is omnipresent. He is always with us. He walks with us, He cries and commiserates with us. He comforts us. He gives us hope. He is an ever-present shoulder to cry and lean on. But we are not always aware of this fact.  

Mary Magdalene, in our Gospel reading, was not aware that Jesus was already beside her. She thought He was the gardener—until Jesus called her name. And right there, she became aware that she was already with Jesus (John 20:14–16). 

How can we always discern the presence of Jesus in our lives? 

We must have our regular prayer time—prayer time means time spent conversing with and listening to Jesus. We must always attend Holy Mass and receive Him during Holy Communion. We must read about Him in the Bible, and we must also lead a life worthy in the eyes of Jesus. 

Do you have an awareness of Jesus' presence in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 21 Monday in the Octave of Easter: Matthew 28:8-15

Gospel: Matthew 28:8-15

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”  

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ 

And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.

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Reflection:

Can we hide or suppress the truth? 

We can never suppress the truth, no matter what we do. We may be able to hide it for a period of time, but eventually, the truth will come out. 

The chief priests and the elders tried very hard to hide the truth about the resurrection of Jesus. But except for their supporters who refused to believe, the followers of Jesus believed that He had risen from the bondage of human death. 

Just like Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, we also believe that Jesus has defeated the curse of death through His resurrection. But belief is not enough—we must put our faith into action to show that Jesus has truly risen. 

How are we going to do this? Let us do good at all times. Let us help those who are in need. Let us be humble, truthful, forgiving, kind-hearted, and loving. Let us do all the good that we can in this world. We need to do this so that the risen Jesus may truly become visible and alive in our lives. 

Otherwise, if we do not perform these worthy acts, then our belief in the Lord is useless. It would remain forever a figment of our imagination. And in the process, we become failed missioners for Jesus—for the simple reason that we did not live our faith. 

Are you doing something to live your faith in the risen Lord Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 20 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord: John 20:1-9

Gospel: John 20:1-9

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him."  

So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.  

Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

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Reflection:

Imagine you were in the situation of Mary of Magdala, Simon Peter, and the disciple whom Jesus loved. Would you have been worried as they were upon seeing that Jesus was no longer in the tomb? Of course! It is simply the normal human reaction—you would feel bewildered and worried as well.

But what if they had known beforehand that Jesus would rise from the dead after three days? Would they have been as apprehensive? Of course not. They would have been excited and in a celebratory mode, for their expectation would already be fulfilled.

This is what separates us now from Mary of Magdala, Simon Peter, and John (the beloved disciple), because during their time, they did not know that Jesus had risen. It was only during the succeeding events that transpired that they received the revelation of His resurrection.

Notwithstanding the gloom that is brought about by the current economic downturn, notwithstanding the harshness of life that we are presently passing through, we who know about the resurrection of Jesus must still be joyful.

For the reason that we have a God who gave His life on the cross for our sake. We have a God who loves us so dearly, and we have a God who forgives us of our sinfulness, no matter how severe.

This Easter Sunday, the Risen Christ invites us to rise with Him— to be His living witnesses in a world that longs for light. He calls us to walk boldly in faith, to shine with hope, and to bring comfort and courage to those facing life’s hardest battles. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 19 Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter: Luke 24:1-12

Gospel: Luke 24:1-12

At daybreak on the first day of the week the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 

While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. 

Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.” And they remembered his words. Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. 

The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles, but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened.

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Reflection:

How would you react if you were with the women who went to the burial site of Jesus?

You surely would also be amazed, and perhaps you would also ask, “Where is the body of my Lord?” There was no physical manifestation of Jesus’ resurrection except for the stone rolled away from the tomb and Jesus’ burial cloths. Where was Jesus then? Where can we find the Lord? We should not look far, for the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ is not far from us.

Many of us look for Jesus, especially when we are being buffeted by problems. Some of us may even ask, “Where are You, Lord, while I was going through the storms of my life?” Since our baptism, the Lord Jesus Christ has always been with us, and He is an ever-present part of our lives—yet we have no awareness of it.

Many of us are unaware of His presence in our lives because we don’t call upon Him as often as we can. Yet Jesus is always there for us. If we would only try to call on Jesus, we surely would find Him. We would surely be enlightened about His ever-present presence in our lives.

Instead of always being connected to our smartphones and other hi-tech gadgets, let us try to always be connected to our Lord. Then we would find that our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ is always an ever-present presence in our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Abril 19 Sabado Santo Ang Magdamagang Pagdiriwang sa Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay: Lucas 24:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 24:1-12

Umagang-umaga nang araw ng Linggo, ang mga babae’y nagtungo sa libingan, dala ang mga pabangong inihanda nila. Nang dumating sila, naratnan nilang naigulong na ang batong nakatakip sa pintuan ng libingan. Ngunit nang pumasok sila, wala ang bangkay ng Panginoong Hesus.

Samantalang nagugulo ang kanilang isip tungkol dito, nakita nila’t sukat sa tabi nila ang dalawang lalaking nakasisilaw ang damit. Dahil sa matinding takot, sila’y lumuhod, sayad ang mukha sa lupa. Tinanong sila ng mga lalaki, “Bakit ninyo hinahanap ang buhay sa gitna ng mga patay?

Wala na siya rito – siya’y muling nabuhay! Alalahanin ninyo ang sinabi niya sa inyo noong nasa Galilea pa siya: ‘Ang Anak ng Tao ay kailangang maipagkanulo sa mga makasalanan at maipako sa krus, at sa ikatlong araw ay muling mabuhay.’” At naalaala ng mga babae ang mga sinabi niya. Pagbabalik mula sa libingan, isinalaysay nila ang lahat ng ito sa Labing-isa at sa iba pang kasama nila.

Ang mga babaing ito’y sina Maria Magdalena, Juana, at Mariang ina ni Santiago; sila at ang iba pang mga babaing kasama nila ang nagbalita nito sa mga apostol. Ngunit inakala ng mga apostol na kahibangan lamang ang kanilang sinabi, kaya hindi nila pinaniwalaan ang mga babae. Gayunma’y tumindig si Pedro at patakbong nagpunta sa libingan.

Yumukod siya at pagtingin sa loob ay wala siyang nakita kundi ang mga kayong lino. Kaya’t umuwi siyang nagtataka sa nangyari.

Reflection for April 18 Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion (Fasting and Abstinence): John 18:1—19:42

Gospel: John 18:1-19:42

Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. Judas his betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards  from the chief priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 

Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.” He said to them, “I AM.” Judas his betrayer was also with them. When he said to them, “I AM,  they turned away and fell to the ground. So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I AM. 

So if you are looking for me, let these men go. This was to fulfill what he had said, “I have not lost any of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?”  

So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus, bound him, and brought him to Annas first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people.  

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Now the other disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered the courtyard of the high priest with Jesus. But Peter stood at the gate outside. So the other disciple, the acquaintance of the high priest,  went out and spoke to the gatekeeper and brought Peter in.

Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter, “You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire that they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there keeping warm.  

The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. Why ask me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. They know what I said. When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.  

Now Simon Peter was standing there keeping warm. And they said to him, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied it. And immediately the cock crowed.  

Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. It was morning. And they themselves did not enter the praetorium, in order not to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?” They answered and said to him, “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.”

At this, Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” The Jews answered him, “We do not have the right to execute anyone, “ in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled that he said indicating the kind of death he would die. So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?”

Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting  to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”  

When he had said this, he again went out to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this one but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.  

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly. Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.”

The Jews answered, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” Now when Pilate heard this statement, he became even more afraid, and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” Jesus did not answer him. So Pilate said to him, “Do you not speak to me?

Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” Consequently, Pilate tried to release him; but the Jews cried out, “If you release him, you are not a Friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”  

When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and seated him on the judge’s bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha. It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon. And he said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 

Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. here they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.”

Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews’.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be, “ in order that the passage of Scripture might be fulfilled that says: They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.

This is what the soldiers did. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.  

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.  

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.  

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and that they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true;  he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe. For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled: Not a bone of it will be broken. And again another passage says: They will look upon him whom they have pierced.  

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds.

They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.

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Reflection:

Today is Good Friday. Why is it called Good Friday, in spite of the fact that on this very day Jesus died on the cross? We call this day Good Friday because Jesus made the greatest sacrifice for all of us—and that is to die on the cross for our salvation.

Before breathing His last, Jesus’ final words were: “It is finished.” After all the suffering inflicted on Him by the Roman soldiers, after all the betrayal and denial by almost all of His disciples, after all the persecution by the Pharisees, scribes, Sanhedrin, and the powers that be—it is now finished. Mission accomplished, in other words.

It is no mystery why Jesus had to undergo such torture; it was all for us, for our salvation. Out of love for us all, He willingly went through these sufferings. Being God, He could have chosen to bypass this terrible chapter of His earthly life, but Jesus saw that we were in great need of His love and mercy. So, He gave His life as a ransom for us all. What have we done so far to reciprocate His love?

Some of us are so enslaved by this world that we no longer have time for God. We don’t have time to worship Him at Holy Mass or communicate with Him in prayer. This Good Friday, let us begin to change this cycle of worldliness into godliness. Let us aspire to know more about God—for we will never go wrong with Him. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection on the Seven Last words of Jesus

1. “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) 

Are you forgiving?

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Forgiveness simply means that we choose to move on and not allow hatred to destroy us. 

Hanging on the cross and near death Jesus spoke these profound words. Who was Jesus alluding  to when He spoke these words? Jesus was alluding to those who persecuted Him which led Him on the cross. They were His critics like the Pharisees, Scribes, High priest and the like. Included also were the Soldiers who brought Him to the mountain of Calvary to crucify Him. 

Here we see that Jesus is full of mercy, love and forgiveness towards those who made life very difficult for Him. Jesus did not bear any hatred towards those who hated and killed Him. 

We have to reflect here on how we forgive those who sinned against us. For example, if a person betrayed our trust or a person hurts us. Have we forgiven them already? We have to forgive no matter how deep the hurt they’ve inflicted upon us. Why? Because if Jesus can forgive who are we not to forgive? 

Forgiveness is a gift that we give not to those who’ve hurt us or betrayed us. Forgiveness is a gift that we give to ourselves for the simple reason that we are only hurting our very selves when we don’t forgive. We have to free ourselves from being imprisoned by hatred caused by our unforgiveness. Therefore, we have to forgive. 

Are you forgiving?

 

2.   “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) 

Where is the paradise that Jesus is referring? 

The paradise is with Him, in Him and in His kingdom in heaven. Jesus addressed this statement to one of the criminals hanging on the cross by His side. The criminal said to Jesus: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42).” And right there Jesus said to the criminal: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43).” 

The criminal was enlightened while he was hanging on the cross side by side with Jesus.  This is the reason why he asked the Lord to remember him when He is already in His kingdom. Don’t we all want to have the same enlightenment that he had? Of course, we want it as well. So, we have to humbly ask the Lord for the same enlightenment coursed through our prayers to the Lord. Many of us are so fixated in this fleeting word that we think and feel that this is our paradise. 

But as we see the destructive result of Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine as we see the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza we discover that this world is not at all paradise. We seek worldly pleasures (many of these worldly pleasures influence us to sin). We seek temporal wealth and worldly power and influence only to find out that this is not where paradise is located. Why?  For the simple reason that we humans have no satisfaction we will seek these earthly things which we think would satisfy us. Only to realize in the end that it cannot and will not satisfy us. 

So, where is the real paradise that the Lord is talking? This paradise we can only find, feel and experience with Him, in Him and through Him. The true and real paradise that Jesus mentions is already here and now when we make Jesus part and parcel of our daily living.  

Where is your paradise? 

 

3.  “Woman, behold thy son. After that, he said to the disciple: Behold thy mother.” (John 19: 26-27) 

Do you respect and love the Blessed Mother and your own mother?  

When Jesus was on the cross dying, He saw His mother Mary still looking after Him. His mother, who cared, nurtured and watched over Him from the beginning until the end of His life. Dying and all, Jesus saw that nobody would take care of His mother so He asked John, His beloved disciple to take care of her. 

Do we also take care of the Blessed Mother by respecting her as Jesus respected her? Mary is the mother of Jesus therefore it is incumbent for us to give her the respect and love which she richly deserves.  We live our love and respect for the Blessed Mother when we pray the Holy Rosary. When we politely teach others to respect her because she is the mother of Jesus and our mother as well. Mary our mother who will always be there to listen to us when no one would dare listen to us.  Mary our mother who will always be there to pray for us. 

This is also to remind us that we have to respect and love at all times our own respective mothers. We would never exist in this world without our mothers. We would never become who we are today without their guidance and nurturing. Jesus would not have existed in this world without the consent of his mother Mary. As a debt of gratitude to his mother Jesus saw it fit to entrust his mother to his beloved disciple John. 

Do you respect and love the Blessed Mother and your own mother?  What are you doing right now to show your respect and love for the Blessed Mother? Do you invoke her intersession when you pray? Do you defend her when someone is demeaning her role in the life of Jesus?

 

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) 

Do you sometimes feel forsaken by the Lord? 

On the cross and dying Jesus uttered these words. These are words of surrender, frustration and giving up. After going through all of the persecutions, torture and abandonment Jesus felt forsaken. Who among us would not feel the same way when we’ve been through what Jesus had been through? We would also understandably feel forsaken and abandoned by the Lord.    

But did God abandon Jesus when He was gasping and dying on the cross? Does God abandon and forsake us when we are at the lowest point of our life? Is God absent as we navigate through the dangerous waters of  the challenges and trials in our lives? God did not abandon Jesus, God was with Jesus all the way! God was strengthening Jesus when Jesus was at the lowest and weakest point in His life. And certainly God is also walking with us as we try to survive the trials and challenges in our lives. 

We are humans subject to our own human frailties. It is understandable to feel forsaken by the Lord once in a while. But truth be told, God’s presence in our lives is strongest when we feel forsaken by this world and the people of this world. God will never forsake us, God will never abandon us and God will always be there to strengthen us. Therefore, we always have to cling to Him in good times and most especially in the turbulent episodes of our lives. 

Do you sometimes feel abandoned and forsaken by the Lord?

 

5.“I thirst.” (John 19:28) 

What do we thirst for? 

Was it physical thirst that Jesus was feeling when He said: “I thirst.” In His humanity, yes physical thirst but more than that it was the thirst for those people who were formerly with Him. These are the people who were with Jesus during His healing and speaking ministry. 

Dying on the cross perhaps, Jesus was whimpering while saying, “I thirst.” Why? For the reason that He was also thirsting for His followers and apostles who were with Him during His miraculous healing and powerful speaking ministry. 

It is in the lowest episodes of our lives that we would know who is really for us and not for us. Those who are truly for us would choose to remain no matter the odds against us. Those who are not for us would immediately evaporate from our sights to save their necks. 

When we encounter these words: ‘I thirst.’  Let us imagine that Jesus is addressing these words to us. I thirst for you to be faithful in your marriage covenant. I thirst for you to be honest where you are presently working right now. I Thirst for you to value the sacredness of life over the evils of abortion and extra-judicial killing. I thirst for you to always be humble and simple. 

 I thirst for your presence at Holy Mass everyday or even every Sunday if you cannot make it every day.  I thirst for you to become a good father/mother. I thirst for you to become a good and God loving son/daughter. I thirst for you to be faithful to your priesthood. I thirst for you to be faithful to your religious life. I thirst for you to help those who are hungry.   

Would you respond to Jesus thirst? 

 6. “It is finished.” (John 19:30) 

How do you feel after finishing a worthy undertaking? 

You feel good and triumphant. This second to the last word of Jesus is a word of triumph, at last it’s over at last it’s mission accomplished! 

Jesus finally defeated the voice of Satan who was whispering to Him not to finish His salvific mission. Jesus overcame the many hurdles and temptation for Him not to pursue to the end His mission of salvation. Finally, Jesus redeemed the sinful humanity from the enslavement of sin. 

However, it’s not finished for us yet, we are still in this journey called life. We are still battling the many demons that constantly whispers to our ears to commit sin. So, what are we going to do to be able to say that, “It's finally finished!” 

We have to be faithful to our Lord until our end in this temporal world overtakes us. Then, when it comes, we can finally say, it is finished because we have been faithful to the Lord. We did not give an iota of space for Satan to distract us in our disciples with the Lord. 

Would we be able to successfully say, ‘It is finished’ when the sun sets upon us someday? It is finished because we have defeated the many demons that were constantly tempting us to give up in our disciples for Jesus. 

7. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)    

Are you afraid to die? 

After all has been said and done it’s now the end- it’s the victorious death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus conquered our sinfulness by dying on the cross. By giving His very life on the cross Jesus showed us the true meaning of sacrifice and love. 

Death is something that many of us fear but why fear death if we live our life with Jesus in this world? Why fear death when this is the final hurdle for us to be with the Lord in heaven? Why fear death when it ends all our sufferings in this world? If we have not done wrong in this world we would not fear death. When we love the Lord over this fleeting and temporal world we would not fear death. 

Many of us fear death for the simple reason that we are so attached to this world. But if we are detached from this world and attached to our Lord, we would not fear death. What are the attachments that we have that makes us fear death?  Are we so attached to our worldly possession/wealth that’s why we fear death? Life is dynamic never static we never know what would happen in the next seconds, minutes, hours and days. 

When we make this world our God we would fear death, when we make our worldly possession our master instead of servant we would fear death. Jesus conquered His fear of death because He has no worldly attachments. From the beginning Jesus detached Himself from this world because it would encumber Him from devoting His life to His mission of salvation.  

Let us slowly but surely detach ourselves from this world. So that when we are at the doorway going to the everlasting life we can say to our Lord: "I'm finally coming home my Lord, into your hands I commend my spirit." -  Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for April 17 Holy Thursday -Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper: John 13:1-15

Gospel: John 13:1-15

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.  

He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”  

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”  

So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” 

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Reflection:

Would you be willing to emulate the humility of Jesus?

Aside from being the Son of God, what is the secret behind the endless longevity of Jesus’ teachings? Countless people have already belittled Jesus as an ordinary human being, yet His legacy and teachings still echo to this very moment—and will continue to echo for eternity. What is the secret to the permanence of Jesus’ teachings?

The secret is in His self-sacrifice; the secret is in His humility. Jesus never thought of His own safety. He never created comfort zones or anything that would ensure His own protection. Instead, He blazed the trail of self-sacrifice and humility.

In His self-sacrifice, Jesus instituted the Eucharist—the first Mass—on this very day to humbly keep Himself and His teachings alive. He did this so we would have something to hold on to as we face the many battles and struggles of our lives. Thus, He continuously strengthens us every time we make ourselves present in the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. He nourishes us each time we partake of His Body and Blood during Holy Communion.

Through His humility, Jesus embodied servant leadership. He showed the twelve apostles—and us—what it truly means to serve. He washed the feet of the apostles to signify that they must do the same for those they are called to serve. They would only become true leaders once they learned to give their lives in humble service to others.

Are you willing to follow the path of Jesus’ self-sacrifice and humility? If you are, your legacy will be forever etched in the hearts of those who know you—and they will remember you with fondness. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 16 Wednesday of Holy Week: Matthew 26:14-25

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.  

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The teacher says, My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.'" The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.  

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said,

"Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, "Surely it is not I, Lord?" He said in reply, "He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. 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." Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" He answered, "You have said so."

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Reflection:

What happened to Judas Iscariot? He killed himself. But what if, instead of taking his own life, Judas had simply approached Jesus and said, “I’m sorry, Lord, for betraying You”? How would Jesus have reacted? Jesus would have forgiven him. 

But the sad part is that humbling himself before Jesus never came to Judas’ contemplation. For thirty pieces of silver, Judas Iscariot sold his soul to the devil. Obviously, Judas loved money more than the Lord—otherwise, he would not have betrayed Jesus.

Indeed, “the love of money is the root of all evil. Because of this greed, some have wandered away from the faith, bringing on themselves afflictions of every kind” (1 Timothy 6:10).

What power does money have that many of us are willing to sell our souls to the devil just to obtain it? What power does money have that we are willing to punish ourselves, even to the detriment of our health, just to have it?

Money per se is not evil; It becomes evil when we greed for it, and when we allow it to possess us. But what price are we willing to pay just to have money? Judas betrayed the Lord and eventually destroyed his very life because of his greed for money.

There is always a heavy price to pay when we allow ourselves to be possessed by greed. Just observe those people who are greedy for money—what happened to them? Where are they now?

The betrayal of Judas, bought for thirty pieces of silver, sends us a chilling lesson:
That our greed and love for money will bring us no good—only misery, and countless more miseries.

All the money in this world cannot buy us harmony in the family. All the money in this world cannot buy us peace of mind—and so forth. — Marino J. Dasmarinas