Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 21 Lunes ng Ikapitong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9:14-29

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:14-29

14 Pagbalik nila Jesus, Pedro, Jaime at Juan sa mga alagad, nakita nila ang napakaraming tao na nakapa­libot sa mga ito at nakikipag­talo naman sa kanila ang mga guro ng Batas. 15 Na­mangha ang lahat pagka­kita sa kanila, at tumakbo sila para batiin siya.  

16 Itinanong naman niya sa kanila: “Bakit kayo nakikipagtalo sa mga ito?” 17 At sina­got siya ng isang lalaki mula sa mga tao: “Guro, dinala ko sa iyo ang aking anak na lalaki na inaalihan ng isang piping espiritu. 18 At kung hinahagip siya nito, inilulugmok siya sa lupa; nagbubula ang kanyang bibig, nagnga­ngalit ang mga ngipin at nani­nigas. Hi­ningi ko sa iyong mga alagad na palayasin ito pero hindi nila kaya.”  

19 Sumagot si Jesus: “Mga walang pananampalataya! Gaano pa katagal akong ma­nanatili sa piling ninyo? Hang­gang ka­ilan ako mag­titiis sa inyo? Dalhin siya rito sa akin.”  

20 At pinalapit nila siya kay Jesus. Pag­kakita sa kanya ng espiritu, pina­ngatog nito ang bata at inilugmok sa lupa kaya nagpa­gulung-gulong siya at bumu­bula ang bibig. 21 Tinanong na­man ni Jesus ang ama: “Gaano na ka­tagal na nangyayari ito sa kanya?” 22 At sumagot ang ama: “Mula pa sa pagka­bata at ma­dalas nga siyang inihahagis sa apoy o sa batis para patayin. Ngu­nit kung kaya mo, maawa ka sa amin at pakitulungan kami.”  

23 Sinagot siya ni Jesus: “Ano itong ‘kung kaya mo’? Lahat ay posible sa sumasam­pa­lataya.” 24 At agad na sumigaw ang ama ng bata sa pagsa­sabing “Sumasampalataya ako pero tulungan mo ang maliit kong pana­nam­palataya.”  

25 Nakita ni Jesus na nagsisitakbo at luma­lapit na ang mga tao kaya iniutos niya sa masamang espiritu: “Pipi at binging espiritu, inuutusan kitang lu­ma­­bas sa kanya at huwag nang bu­malik.”  

26 Nagsisigaw ang espiritu at ini­lugmok ang bata sa lupa bago luma­bas. At ani­mo’y patay ang bata kaya marami ang nagsabing “Na­matay.” 27 Ngunit pagkahawak ni Jesus sa ka­may nito, pinaba­ngon niya ito at pina­tindig.   

28 Pagkapasok ni Jesus sa bahay, ti­na­nong siya ng mga alagad nang sari­linan: “Bakit hindi namin napalayas ang espiritu?” 29 Sinabi ni Jesus sa ka­nila: “Sa panalangin lamang mapala­layas ang ganitong klaseng espiritu.”

Reflection for Sunday February 20, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:27-38

Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.  

Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.  

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man that died who was refused entry into the pearly gates. So he asked the angel manning the pearly gates for the reason and the angel told him that he was very judgmental when he was still alive. Therefore, the man walked away from the gates of heaven with a forlorn face.  

Why do we easily or quickly judge? Because we lack love and forgiveness in our hearts. Otherwise if there’s plenty of love and forgiveness we would not dare judge anyone because we know that the moment we judge we also invite judgment upon us.  

What would it take for us not to become judgmental to those who have wronged us? We have to love as the Lord loved us and this love is not an ordinary  love because this kind of love is a radical love. Which means unconditional love, love which is unmotivated by the possibility of reciprocation or reward. Radical love is a love set afire by forgiveness, compassion, and understanding.  

Because this would require us not to look at the faults and shortcomings of those people who did us wrong. This would instead lead us to remember their good side which they have aplenty but we refuse to think about it since we are enslaved by our hate. 

Next time when there is a temptation for us to pull out the dangerous sword of judgment let us pause for a little while. And force our minds to recall the many good side of the person whom we are judging. 

Are you quick to judge? – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for February 19, Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:2-13

Gospel: Mark 9:2-13

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."  

He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, looking around, the disciples no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.  

As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant. Then they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He told them, "Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things, yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him."

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Reflection:

Do you believe in the afterlife?  

One of the reasons why Jesus was transfigured is for us to see that heaven and the afterlife is existing and real. This is what the apostles: Peter, James and John witnessed when they were brought along to the mountain of tabor by Jesus.   

There’s life after our journey in this world is over, that’s why we must not leave Jesus for anything of this world. We must continue on doing what is good and righteous. We must not stray off the track of righteousness for this is the way for us to be with Jesus someday.  

There is heaven, there is everlasting life and this is proven by the transfiguration of Jesus. So what should we do for us to go there? We must faithfully follow Jesus in His words and deeds no matter how difficult.  

The reward for our faithfulness to Jesus is eternal life, don’t we all want this eternal life? Of course we do, thus we have to become faithful followers no matter the temptation to sin. Thus, we have to leave permanently behind our sinfulness.  And we have to be steadfast in the midst of our trials and the trials that we still have to face.  

Because there would be a reward for those who would not leave the Lord for anything in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 19 Sabado ng Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9:2-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:2-13

2 Pagkaraan ng anim na araw, isinama ni Jesus sina Pedro, Jaime at Juan, at umakyat na sila lamang ang kasama sa isang mataas na bundok. At nagbago ang anyo ni Jesus sa harap nila 3 at kuminang na puting-puti ang kanyang damit, na walang makapaglalabang simputi niyon sa lupa. 4 At napakita sa kanila sina Elias at Moises na nakikipag-usap kay Jesus.  

5 Kaya nagsalita si Pedro at kanyang sinabi: “Panginoon, mabuti at narito tayo. Gagawa kami ng tatlong kubol: isa para sa iyo, isa para kay Moises, at isa para kay Elias.” 6 Nasindak sila kaya hindi niya malaman kung ano ang sa-sabihin. 7 At may ulap na lumilim sa kanila. At narinig mula sa ulap ang salitang ito: “Ito ang aking Anak, ang Minamahal, pakinggan ninyo siya.” 8 At biglang-bigla, pagtingala nila, wala silang nakita liban kay Jesus na kasama nila.  

9 At pagbaba nila mula sa bundok, inutusan niya sila na huwag sabihin kaninuman ang nakita nila hanggang makabangon ang Anak ng Tao mula sa mga patay. 10 Iningatan nila ang bagay na ito sa kanilang sarili pero nagtanungan sila kung ano ang pagbangon mula sa mga patay.  

11 Tinanong naman nila siya: “Bakit sinasabi ng mga guro ng Batas na dapat munang pumarito si Elias?” 12 At sinabi niya: “Mauuna ngang dumating si Elias para ayusin ang lahat ng bagay. Ngunit bakit  naman nasusulat tungkol sa Anak ng Tao na dapat siyang magtiis nang marami at lapastanganin? 13 Sinasabi ko sa inyo na dumating na si Elias at pinakitunguhan nila siya ayon sa kanilang kagustuhan, tulad ng nasusulat.”

Reflection for February 18, Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:34-9:1

Gospel: Mark 8:34-9:1

Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.  

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”  

He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”

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Reflection:

A very rich and worldly man had a serious sickness which he thought would be his end already. He had a dream where he heard the voice of God who told him, if you want to regain your health you have to leave everything behind and follow me. And so he did and true enough after a few weeks he regained back his health and from then on he became a follower of Jesus.  

There are times that we allow ourselves to be blinded by the glitters of this world. In the process we forget that the true essence of life is not to become the kings of this world but to become the soldiers of God in this world. But to become a soldier of God in this world entails great sacrifice and perseverance. So, many of us are averse to take up our cross and carry it for the sake Jesus.  

To amass wealth is not the purpose of life. If there are people whose sole purpose in life is to have wealth then they are badly misguided. The true purpose of life is to follow the life of Jesus because it is only through Jesus where we can experience the fullness of life.  

This is our mistake; we think that life is all about power, fame and fortune. This is why many of us tirelessly seek fame and fortune that we even sacrifice our health and dignity for it. Fame, power and fortune will even bring us colossal problems eventually.  

What would happen to us if we become citizens of this world only? Yes we gain riches, yes we gain prominence, power and many more worldly trappings. However, all of these will eventually reach an end then we realize that we are nothing and we have achieved nothing.  

It’s only in following Jesus that we would be able to find the true meaning of our lives. And it’s only in following Jesus that we’ll have peace and contentment in our lives. Never in this world will we find peace and contentment. – Marino J. Dasmarinas                

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 18 Biyernes ng Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:34-9:1

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:34-9:1

34 At tinawag ni Jesus ang kanyang mga alagad pati ang mga tao, at sinabi: “Kung may gustong sumunod sa akin, itakwil ang kanyang sarili at kunin ang kanyang krus para sumunod sa akin. 35 Sapagkat ang naghahangad na magligtas ng kanyang sarili ay mawa­walan nito, at ang mawawalan ng sarili alang-alang      sa akin at sa ebang­helyo ang magliligtas nito.

36 Ano ang pakinabang ng tao tubuin man niya ang buong daigdig kung sarili naman niya ang mawala? 37 At pagka­tapos ay ano ang maibibigay niya para mabawi ang kanyang sarili? 38 Ang ikinahihiya ako at ang aking  mga salita sa harap ng di-tapat at makasalanang lahing ito ay ikahihiya rin ng Anak ng Tao pagdating niyang taglay ang luwalhati ng kanyang Ama, kasama ng mga banal na anghel.”

9  1 At idinagdag ni Jesus: “Totoong sinasabi ko sa inyo na di daranas ng kamatayan ang ilan sa mga naririto hanggang hindi nila nakikita ang kaharian ng Diyos na dumarating na may kapang­yarihan.”  

Reflection for February 17, Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:27-33

Gospel: Mark 8:27-33

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.  

He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

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Reflection:

What is the meaning of the word Christ?   

Christ means the chosen one or the savior and Peter got it right when he replied to Jesus: “You are the Christ (Mark 8:29).” Unlike the other disciples Peter knew the real identity of Jesus. But up to that point in the gospel his knowledge of the true identity if Jesus was still limited because when Jesus said that He will suffer greatly he didn’t believe.  

Peter only knew of the powerful Christ not the Christ who would suffer and eventually die on the cross. Isn’t this our mindset as well? We know Jesus Christ as the powerful one who would save us from our troubles. Yet there is an important side of Jesus that we also have to know and that is the Christ who suffered and died on the cross at calvary.  

It is said that: “To follow Christ is always right; but it is never easy.” Jesus was actually foreshadowing the path that Peter has to go thru when He said that He must suffer greatly and be rejected.  

This is also Jesus’ own foreshadowing for us: We have to go through suffering as well for the sake of the teachings of Jesus. This may be hard to swallow for many but that this is really how it is: Suffering is part and parcel of our faithful discipleship!  

If we really are true and faithful followers of Jesus Christ we must expect sufferings and rejections. We will suffer when we stand for what is right, we will be rejected when we push what is moral.  Let us not worry when we suffer for the Lord because the Lord will be with us as we suffer for Him. 

Are you ready to suffer for the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 17 Huwebes ng Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:27-33

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:27-33

27 Pumunta si Jesus kasama ang kanyang mga alagad sa mga nayon ng Cesarea ni Filipo. At habang nasa daa’y tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad: “Sino raw ako ayon sa mga tao?” 28 Su­magot sila: “May nag­sa­sa­bing si Juan Bautista ka; may iba pang nagsasabing si Elias ka o isa sa mga propeta kaya.”  

29 At tinanong niya sila: “Ngunit ano naman ang sinasabi ninyo kung sino ako?” At sumagot si Pedro: “Ikaw ang Mesiyas.” 30 At inutusan niya sila na huwag sabihin kaninuman ang tungkol sa kanya.  

31 At sinimulan niyang ituro sa kanila na kailangang magtiis ng marami ang Anak ng Tao. Itatakwil nga siya ng mga Mata­tanda ng bayan, ng mga punong-pari at ng mga guro ng Batas. Papa­tayin siya at muling babangon pagka­tapos ng tatlong araw. 32 At buong-­tapang siyang nag­salita. Dinala naman siya ni Pedro sa isang tabi at sinimulan siyang pagsa­bihan. 33 Ngunit pagtalikod ni Jesus, nakita niya na naroon din ang kanyang mga alagad. Kaya pinagsabihan niya si Pedro: “Sa likod ko, Satanas! Hindi sa Diyos galing ang iniisip mo kundi mula sa tao.”

Reflection for February 16, Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:22-26

Gospel: Mark 8:22-26

When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, “Do you see anything?” 

Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”

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Reflection:

Jesus asked the blind man: “Do you see anything?” Let us try to modify this question of Jesus in such a way that it is addressed to us who are often times blinded by the things of this world. It will be like this: Amidst the trappings of this world do you see anything worthy about me?  

I certainly don’t know what would be our individual answers to this question but one thing is sure Jesus wants to penetrate our hearts. He wants to reside there so that we will not be blinded by the temporary things of this world.  

If you will not have that instant feeling of Jesus in your heart just be patient, engage in prayer as often as you can. Pray for enlightenment and for discernment so that the hazy image of Jesus could become clearer in your mind  until it becomes crystal clear.  

The moment you surrender your life to Jesus you will lose your appetite for the things of this world. You'll simply be satisfied with simple things for your eyes, heart and mind are not anymore blinded by the temporal things of this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 16 Miyerkules ng Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:22-26

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:22-26

22 Pagpasok ni Jesus at ng kanyang mga alagad sa Betsaida, isang bulag ang dinala sa kanya at hiniling sa kanyang hipuin ito. 23 Inakay ito ni ­Jesus sa labas ng bayan, pinahiran ng laway ang mga mata nito at ipinatong ang kanyang mga kamay.  

At saka niya ito tina­nong: “May nakikita ka ba?” 24 Tumingin ang tao, at sinabi nito: “Parang mga punongkahoy ang nakikita ko pero lumalakad, tiyak na mga tao ito.” 25 Kaya agad na ipinatong ni Jesus ang kanyang mga kamay sa mga mata nito, at nakakilala siya at gumaling, at nakita nga niya nang malinaw ang lahat.  

26 Pinauwi ito ni Jesus sa pagsasa­- bing: “Huwag kang pumasok kahit na sa na­yon.”

Reflection for February 15, Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:14-21

Gospel: Mark 8:14-21

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend?  

Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

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Reflection:

Why do we often times do not get the message that Jesus wants us to understand? Because we allow ourselves to be distracted by the things around us. We thus lose focus on the message that Jesus wants us to imbibe.  

This is the situation in our gospel; Jesus wanted the disciples to be wary of the teachings and over zealousness of the Pharisees and Herod to externally fulfill their laws. But Jesus used the word leaven and since they have no bread they understood it as something that relates to their lack of bread. 

This is what happens when we have shallow faith, when we allow ourselves to be distracted by our worldly preoccupations. We are not able to get what Jesus wants us to understand. So, we get lost in this worldly jungle that is dominated by materialism, deception, arrogance, greed, lust and the like.  

Try focusing your attention on Jesus alone, try being faithful to Him and disregard worldly temptations. This will therefore result in your deeper friendship  with Him and you surely will understand the message that Jesus wants to convey to you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 15 Martes ng Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:14-21

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:14-21

14 Nakalimutan ng mga alagad na magdala ng tinapay at isa lang ang dala nila sa bangka. 15 At pinagsabihan sila ni ­Jesus: “Mag-ingat at huwag magtiwala sa leba­dura ng mga Pariseo at sa lebadura ni Herodes.” 16 At sinabi ng mga alagad sa isa’t isa: “Oo nga, ano? Wala tayong dalang tinapay.”   

17 Alam ni Jesus ang mga ito kaya si­nabi niya sa kanila: “Bakit ninyo pinag-uusapan ang tinapay na wala sa inyo? Hindi pa ba ninyo maisip at maunawaan? Mapurol ba ang inyong pag-iisip? 18 May mata kayong di nakakakita at may ta­i­ngang di naka­karinig? Hindi na ba ninyo naaalala 19 nang pinira-­piraso ko ang limang tinapay para sa limang libo, ilang basket na puno ng mga pira-piraso ang inyong naipon?”   

At suma­got sila: “Labin­dalawa.” 20 “At nang may pitong tinapay para sa apat na libo, ilang ba­yong na puno ng mga pira-piraso ang inyong na­ipon?” At suma­got sila: “Pito.” 21 At si­nabi ni ­Jesus: “Hindi pa ba ninyo nauunawaan?”

Reflection for Monday February 14, Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop: Mark 8:11-13

Gospel: Mark 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation. Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.

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Reflection:

What does it mean when we seek signs from Jesus? It means weakness of faith, it means that Jesus is not yet enough for us to hold on for our salvation for we still need signs, miracles and wonders from Jesus. A true believer and a person of faith will not anymore seek a sign from the Lord. He/She will trust the Lord Jesus regardless of if he/she will see or not see signs from Him.  

If we truly love the Lord and if we have faith in the Lord we would not anymore ask for a sign from Him. Why? Because His name alone is more than enough to deliver us from all of our fears and doubts.  This is for that reason that we always feel His abiding presence in our lives.  

The Lord is with us the moment we reverently attend Holy Mass most especially when we partake of His Body and Blood during Holy Communion. The Lord speaks to us the moment we reverently read His words in the bible. Jesus is with us the moment we pray with reverence the Holy Rosary.   

If only we would invest time to dive deeper into the life of Jesus and our catholic faith we would not anymore ask for any signs from Jesus. Because as we invest time for Him, we will also notice slowly but surely His abiding presence in our life.  

Let us not ask for signs let us instead develop deeper friendship with Jesus by our faithful and pious presence at Holy Mass. By having a daily habit of reading our bible and by having a daily quite time in prayer with Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Pebrero 14, San Cirilo, monghe at San Metodio, Obispo (Paggunita): Marcos 8:11-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:11-13

Noong panahong iyon, 11 Dumating ang mga Pariseo at nagsimulang makipagtalo kay Jesus. Gusto nilang subukan si Jesus at humingi ng isang makalangit na tanda. 12  Nagbuntung-hininga siya at sinabi: “Bakit humihingi ng palatandaan ang lahing ito? Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: walang tandang ibibigay sa lahing ito.” 13 Kaya iniwan sila ni Jesus at sumakay sa bangka patawid sa kabilang ibayo.