Pasanin
ninyo ang aking pamatok, at mag-aral kayo sa akin; ako'y maamo at
mababang-loob, at makasusumpong kayo ng kapahingahan para sa inyong kaluluwa.
Sapagkat maginhawang dalhin ang aking pamatok, at magaan ang pasaning ibibigay
ko sa inyo."
All things
have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the
Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son
wishes to reveal him.”
What is the life of Jesus?
It is a life of simplicity, prayer, sacrifice and humility.
Simplicity is deeply connected with humility, and this is the life Jesus embraced—and the life He lovingly invites us to live as well. Though Jesus is equal with God, He always found time to withdraw in prayer, seeking the Father’s presence, unburdening His heart to Him, and offering Him praise. This is an invitation for us too: to seek the Father daily, to pour out our hearts, and to lift up our gratitude to Him.
If we desire to grow in wisdom, we need hearts that are simple and humble. God does not delight in self-righteous, self-centered, and ego-driven lives. Often without our awareness, when we choose simplicity and humility, we create a welcoming space in our hearts for God to dwell. Unknown to us, our simplicity and humility shine through our presence, and others can sense God’s gentle touch through us.
Just as Jesus did, it is essential that we set aside time each day to be with God—to speak to Him and to listen for His voice in the stillness of our hearts. It is in these sacred moments that we grow closer to Him and allow Him to shape us. A beautiful way to begin is by offering our first moments upon waking in the morning, and our last moments before sleeping at night, to prayer and thanksgiving.
In the quiet of the morning, before the concerns of the day fill our minds, we can turn our hearts to God and invite Him to guide us. At night, as we prepare to rest, we can speak to Him once more, thanking Him for the day He has given us, entrusting to Him our hopes and burdens, and asking Him to watch over us through the night.
If we feel we do not yet have the virtue of humility, let us be patient with ourselves and continue to ask the Lord to bless us with this grace. For it is only through humility that we truly come to know God, to hear His voice, and to discover the beautiful plans He has prepared for us.
Do you live
with humility? Do you find time each day to be with Jesus and allow Him to fill
your heart with His love? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Oo, Ama, sapagkat gayon ang ikinalulugod mo. "Ibinigay sa akin ng aking Ama ang lahat ng bagay. Walang nakakikilala sa Anak kundi ang Ama, at walang nakakikilala sa Ama kundi ang Anak at yaong marapating pagpahayagan ng Anak."
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum: Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the nether world.
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
Why do we sin?
We sin because, at times, we allow the devil to take control of our lives. When we let him in, sinning can slowly become an ordinary routine. We lose the voice of guilt in our conscience, and our hearts grow numb to criticism and to the consequences of our actions. We even find ourselves becoming angry with those who try to correct us.
Why is this so? Because sin often offers us fleeting moments of earthly pleasure, promising us gratification that never truly satisfies. We continue in this path until the day comes when we get caught and receive the punishment we deserve. But why wait for that day? Why continue to walk a path that leads us away from God’s love and peace?
Why don’t we stop, turn around, and embrace the unconditional love that Jesus is offering us every single day?
In our gospel reading today, we hear Jesus reproaching the towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida because they refused to listen to God’s call to turn away from their sinful ways. Like them, we, too, often close our hearts to God’s gentle invitation to change. Yet even in our stubbornness, the Lord never stops reaching out to us, patiently calling us back to Him.
Every now and then, God will gently nudge us, reminding us that there is no good in sin, that sin will bring us nothing but trouble, sorrow, and regret. We may enjoy the fruits of our sinfulness for a while, but this kind of enjoyment is shallow and short-lived. Eventually, we will face the consequences of our choices.
God’s love is far greater than any temporary pleasure that sin can offer. His forgiveness is waiting for us. His mercy is ready to embrace us. His love can heal us and restore our peace.
Why not walk
away from sin today and run into the forgiving, merciful, and loving arms of
God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay higit na mabigat ang sasapitin ninyo kaysa sasapitin ng mga taga-Tiro at taga-Sidon. At ikaw, Capernaum, ibig mong maging mataas kaysa langit? Ibabagsak ka sa Hades! Sapagkat kung sa Sodoma ginawa ang kababalaghang ginawa rito sa inyo, sana'y nananatili pa ito hanggang ngayon. Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo, sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay higit na mabigat ang ipaparusa sa inyo kaysa dinanas ng Sodoma."
"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple–amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."
When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples, he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.
There once lived a man of profound generosity, and many of his neighbors envied him. No matter how often he gave money and food to the poor around him, he never seemed to run out of resources. One day, a curious friend finally asked, “What is your secret? Why do you never seem to run out of money?” The generous man simply smiled and replied, “There is no secret at all. I give because it is in my heart to give.”
Whatever we give with a sincere and generous heart will return to us a hundredfold in ways we may never expect. If we struggle to believe this, let us try to live generously for even a week and witness how God, in His faithfulness, pours blessings back into our lives. These blessings are not confined to financial gain alone; they come in the form of good health, peace of mind, restored relationships, and a sense of deep joy that the world cannot give.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus assures us that even the smallest act of kindness and generosity does not go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father. Why is this so? Because it is in giving that we truly receive, and the more we give from a place of love, the more we open our hearts to receive the grace and abundance God desires to bestow upon us.
May we learn
to give without counting the cost, to love without expecting anything in
return, and to trust that our Father in Heaven sees every act of generosity, no
matter how small. For in His perfect timing, He will return it to us in ways
that will draw us closer to His heart. — Marino J. Dasmarinas
Sapagkat naparito ako upang papaglabanin ang anak na lalaki at ang kanyang ama, ang anak na babae at ang kanyang ina, ang manugang na babae at ang kanyang biyenang babae. at ang kaaway ng isang tao'y ang kanya na ring kasambahay.
"Ang umiibig sa ama o sa ina
nang higit sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. At ang umiibig sa anak na
lalaki o babae nang higit sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. Ang hindi
nagpapasan nang kanyang krus at sumusunod sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa
akin. Ang nag-iingat ng kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito, at ang
nawawalan ng kanyang buhay dahil sa akin ay magkakamit nito."
"Ang
tumatanggap sa inyo ay tumatanggap sa akin, at ang tumatanggap sa akin ay
tumatanggap sa nagsugo sa akin. Ang tumatanggap sa isang propeta dahil sa
siya'y propeta ay tatanggap ng gantimpala ukol sa propeta. At ang tumatanggap
sa isang taong matuwid dahil sa siya'y matuwid ay tatanggap ng gantimpalang
nauukol sa taong matuwid.
At
sinumang magbigay ng kahit isang basong tubig na malamig sa isa sa maliliit na
ito dahil sa ito'y alagad ko-- tinitiyak kong tatanggap siya ng
gantimpala." Matapos tagubilinan ang labingdalawang alagad, umalis si
Jesus upang magturo at mangaral sa mga bayang malapit doon.
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
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Reflection:
How can we best share the love, compassion, and mercy of Jesus?
It is when we go out of our way to help someone in need. It is when we choose to forgive those who have wronged us. It is when we take a step of faith to show the world that God is alive and living within us.
In our Gospel this Sunday, the Samaritan, did the unexpected. He helped a man who had been robbed and left near death. He could have simply walked by, just as the priest and the Levite did, ignoring the man in his suffering.
But the Samaritan did not walk away. He stopped, cared for the man, and brought him to a place where he could recover and regain his strength. The Samaritan showed mercy, love, and compassion to someone who had been brutally victimized.
Who is this Samaritan who mirrored the qualities and character of Jesus? We do not know his name. But perhaps it is safe to say that he was a true follower of the Lord—not a follower in name only, but a follower in words and in deeds.
If we call ourselves followers of Jesus, the story of the Good Samaritan should also be our story. We, too, are called to be merciful, loving, and compassionate—even to those whom we think no longer deserve our mercy, love, and compassion.
Otherwise, we are no different from the
priest and the Levite, who were servants in the temple of God but were servants
in name only. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Tumugon siya, “‘Ibigin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buong puso, nang buong kaluluwa, nang buong lakas, at nang buong pag-iisip’; at ‘Ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili.’” “Tama ang sagot mo,” wika ni Hesus. “Gawin mo iyan at mabubuhay ka.”
Sa hangad ng eskriba na huwag siyang lumabas na kahiya-hiya, tinanong niya uli si Hesus, “Sino naman ang aking kapwa?” Sumagot si Hesus: “May isang taong naglalakbay buhat sa Jerusalem, patungong Jerico. Hinarang siya ng mga tulisan, kinuha pati damit sa katawan, binugbog at halos patay na nang iwan.
Nagkataong dumaan doon ang isang saserdote at pagkakita sa taong nakahandusay, siya’y lumihis at nagpatuloy ng kanyang lakad. Dumaan din ang isang Levita, ngunit tiningnan lamang niya ito at nagpatuloy ng kanyang lakad. Ngunit may isang Samaritanong naglalakbay na naparaan doon. Nakita niya ang hinarang at siya’y nahabag. Lumapit siya, binusan ng langis at alak ang mga sugat nito at tinalian.
Saka isinakay ang tao sa kanyang sinasakyang hayop, dinala sa bahay-panuluyan, at inalagaan doon. Kinabukasan, dumukot siya ng dalawang denaryo, ibinigay sa may-ari ng bahay-panuluyan at sinabi, ‘Alagaan mo siya, at kung magkano man ang kakulangan niyan, babayaran ko sa aking pagbabalik.’
Sino
ngayon sa palagay mo ang nagpakita ng kanyang pakikipagkapwa sa taong hinarang
ng mga tulisan?” tanong ni Hesus. “Ang nagpakita ng habag sa kanya,” tugon ng
eskriba. Sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, “Humayo ka’t gayun din ang gawin mo.”
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Repleksyon:
Paano nga ba natin maipapakita ang pag-ibig, habag, at awa ni Jesus?
Ito ay kapag handa tayong lumapit at tumulong sa nangangailangan. Ito ay kapag pinipili nating magpatawad sa mga taong nakasakit sa atin. Ito ay kapag naglalaan tayo ng oras at lakas upang ipakita sa mundo na ang Diyos ay buhay at nananahan sa ating puso.
Sa ating Mabuting Balita ngayong Linggo, ang Samaritano, ay gumawa ng hindi inaasahan. Tinulungan niya ang isang lalaki na hinarang, ninakawan, at halos patayin. Maaari sana siyang dumaan na lamang at magkunwaring walang nakita, gaya ng ginawa ng Saserdote at Levita, ngunit hindi niya ito ginawa.
Sa halip, huminto ang Samaritano, nilapatan ng lunas ang lalaki, at dinala siya sa isang tahanan upang matiyak na siya ay gagaling at manunumbalik ang kanyang lakas. Ipinakita niya ang awa, pagmamahal, at malasakit sa isang taong walang kakayahang gumanti sa kanya.
Sino ba ang Samaritano na ito na nagpapakita ng ugali at puso ni Jesus? Hindi natin alam ang kanyang pangalan. Ngunit marahil, masasabi nating siya ay isang tunay na tagasunod ni Jesus—hindi lamang sa pangalan kundi sa salita at gawa.
Kung tinatawag natin ang ating sarili na mga tagasunod ni Jesus, ang kwento ng Mabuting Samaritano ay dapat maging kwento rin ng ating buhay. Tinatawag tayo upang maging maawain, mapagmahal, at mahabagin—kahit sa mga taong sa tingin natin ay hindi na karapat-dapat sa ating awa, pagmamahal, at malasakit.
Kung hindi,
katulad lamang tayo ng Saserdote at Levita na naglilingkod sa templo ng Diyos ngunit
paglilingkod sa pangalan lamang. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! "Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."
What does the modern world promote today? It promotes the idolatry of the passing things of this world. It entices us in many forms with the idolatry of money, lust, and power. It glorifies greed, hedonism, and arrogance.
It seems that there is no more room for us to acknowledge, share, and live out the teachings of Jesus. It is heartbreaking to see that the teachings of Jesus often have no place in many of our hearts. What will we do about this? Will we simply stand on the sidelines and become silent witnesses to the moral decay of our society?
Let us not remain silent. Let us rise and do something to share the teachings of Jesus with love and courage. Let us not fear persecution or hardship, for Jesus is with us every step of the way. May we always remember that we are pilgrims in this world, journeying toward our true home in His heavenly kingdom.
Let us aspire for a place in heaven by courageously sharing the teachings of Jesus with others. And if we are not comfortable with preaching in words, let us find the courage to preach by the way we live. Let us use social media to spread the light of Jesus, sharing the faith and hope that He has entrusted to us.
May we never forget that we are mere
passersby in this temporary world. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus and on the hope
of our eternal home in heaven, where true joy, peace, and fulfillment await
those who choose to follow Him faithfully. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
"Kaya huwag kayong matakot sa kanila. Walang natatago na di
malalantad, o nalilihim na di mabubunyag. Ang sinasabi ko sa inyo sa dilim,
ulitin ninyo sa liwanag; at ang ibinulong sa inyo ay inyong ipagsigawan. Huwag
ninyong katakutan ang pumapatay ng katawan ngunit hindi nakapapatay ng
kaluluwa.
Sa halip, ang katakutan ninyo'y ang nakapapatay ng kaluluwa at
katawan sa impyerno. Hindi ba ipinagbibili ang maya nang dalawa isang pera?
Gayunman, Kahit isa sa kanila'y hindi nahuhulog sa lupa kung hindi kalooban ng
inyong Ama. Maging ang buhok ninyo'y bilang na lahat. Kaya, huwag kayong
matakot; higit kayong mahalaga kaysa libu-libong maya."
"Ang
sinumang kumilala sa akin sa harapan ng mga tao ay kikilalanin ko rin naman sa
harapan ng aking Amang nasa langit. Ngunit ang magtatwa sa akin sa harapan ng
mga tao ay itatatwa ko rin naman sa harapan ng aking Amang nasa langit."
When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”
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Does it pay to leave our sinfulness for the sake of Jesus? Does it pay to walk away from friends who lead us only into sin? Yes, it does! Following Jesus may not be easy. We may face persecution, be scorned, or even be harmed. Yet all these sufferings and earthly imbalances are nothing compared to the peace, joy, and eternal life that Jesus brings into our lives.
The moment we decide to faithfully follow Jesus, we must be ready to face persecution. We should expect to be looked down upon and to receive insulting remarks from those who cannot understand our choice to live for Jesus. Nonetheless, let these trials strengthen our resolve and deepen our faith.
Almost all of the apostles were severely persecuted because they chose to follow Jesus faithfully. The world persecuted them, but God exalted them and rewarded their faithfulness with eternal glory.
How about you? Which will you choose: the fleeting, immoral enticements of this world, or the initially difficult but ultimately rewarding path that leads to Jesus and eternal life?
May we always
choose Jesus, no matter the cost, for in Him alone will we find peace, purpose,
and salvation. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Dahil sa akin, ihaharap kayo sa mga gobernador at mga hari, at
magpapatotoo kayo sa harapan nila at ng mga Hentil. Kapag nililitis na kayo,
huwag kayong mabalisa tungkol sa sasabihin ninyo o kung paano ninyo sasabihin.
Pagdating ng oras, ito'y ipagkakaloob sa inyo. Sapagkat hindi kayo ang
magsasalita kundi ang Espiritu ng inyong Ama ang magsasalita sa pamamagitan
ninyo.
"Ipagkakanulo ng kanyang kapatid ang kanyang kapatid upang ipapatay; gayon din ang gagawin ng ama sa kanyang anak. Lalabanan ng mga anak ang kanilang mga magulang, at ipapapatay. Kapopootan kayo ng lahat dahil sa akin; ngunit ang manatiling tapat hanggang wakas ang siyang maliligtas. Kapag inuusig nila kayo sa isang bayan, tumakas kayo sa kasunod. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi pa ninyo napupuntahan ang lahat ng bayan ng Israel ay darating na ang Anak ng Tao."
Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
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Reflection:
Have you already shared Jesus using social media?
Lady A is a social media fanatic. She shares almost everything about herself on Facebook, hoping to create an impression that her life is perfect. But deep inside, is it truly the life she lives, or is it just a facade to cover up the emptiness within?
Many of us are like Lady A. We love to share every detail of our day, even the smallest, non-essential moments, on social media—especially on Facebook and Instagram. But have we ever paused to think: Have I shared Jesus today? Have I shared something that will lead others closer to Him, using the very platform I use daily?
In the Gospel, we see Jesus commissioning the apostles to go and share the Good News of our salvation. They faithfully fulfilled their mission, spreading His teachings and the stories of His miracles wherever they went, no matter the cost.
What is striking is that the apostles never shared about themselves. It was always about Jesus, always about His love, His mercy, and His call to repentance and faith.
For a change, why not consider sharing Jesus instead of yourself on social media? A Bible verse, a reflection, or a simple testimony of how Jesus is working in your life can touch someone who is silently scrolling and searching for hope.
When you share Jesus, you plant seeds of faith in the hearts of others. You become a channel of God’s blessing, and in the process, your own faith deepens as you witness the gentle ways God uses your small act of sharing for His glory.
Will you take that step today? Will you share Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
