Jesus’ Powerful and Life-Changing Words - 4

 

Reflection for February 17, 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:

The story is told about a middle aged man who was newly retired from politics. When he was still active he amassed a lot of dubious wealth. Having a feeling of financial security already, he said to himself now I can enjoy all of my money. 

 However, in spite of his wealth he didn’t have peace of mind he was always being hounded by the questionable deals that he made while he was still in power. Then he had a heart attack and he died immediately without enjoying his stolen wealth. 

When he was about to enter the pearly gates, Saint Peter refused him entry and told him that he’s not welcome because of the things that he did when he was still alive. 

What will it profit us if we gain the riches of this world if we will not be able to gain entry in heaven? What will it profit us if we will continue to steal dubious money if we will not have peace of mind? 

Unfortunately, this is the mentality of a lot of us; we are so short-sighted that we focus on the here and now even if it’s sinful. We continuously neglect to do good, we purposely shut God out of our system to enjoy worldly life. 

All of us are temporary travellers passing through this world. In God’s time we will leave this world. Where would we be by then?  Would we be in heaven with Jesus or in the other side? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Pebrero 17, Biyernes, ng Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:34-9:1

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:34-9:1

Noong panahong iyon, pinalapit ni Hesus ang mga tao, pati ang kanyang mga alagad, at sinabi, “Kung ibig ninumang sumunod sa akin, limutin niya ang ukol sa kanyang sarili, pasanin ang kanyang krus at sumunod sa akin. Ang naghahangad na magligtas ng kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito; ngunit ang mag-alay ng kanyang buhay alang-alang sa akin at sa Mabuting Balita ay siyang magkakamit niyon. 

Ano nga ang mapapala ng isang tao, makamtan man niya ang buong daigdig kung ang katumbas naman nito’y ang kanyang buhay? Ano ang maibabayad ng tao para mabalik sa kanya ang kanyang buhay? Kapag ang sinuman ay nahiyang kumilala sa akin at sa aking mga salita sa harapan ng lahing ito na makasalanan at hindi tapat sa Diyos, ikahihiya rin siya ng Anak ng Tao, pagparito niya na taglay ang dakilang kapangyarihan ng kanyang Ama, at kasama ang mga banal na anghel.”  

Sabi pa ni Hesus sa kanila, “Tandaan ninyo: may ilan sa inyo rito na hindi mamamatay hangga’t di nila nakikitang naghahari ang Diyos nang may buong kapangyarihan.”

Reflection for February 16, 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:

Have you suffered for someone you love? 

Suffering is part and parcel of loving, there’s no real love without suffering for that love. For so long as you love you should expect some big and little sufferings along the way. Why? Because suffering perfects and purifies love, love without suffering is not love it’s simply lust or a shallow object of attraction.  

For example, a man and a woman decided to marry. So, after their marriage they move to a place to be together.  After a few months the man found out that his partner is sick of cancer so he decided to leave her.  It was not real love that attracted the man to the woman. It was simply lust for he was not willing to suffer for his beloved.  

Jesus in the gospel gives us the best example of perfect love when He said that the Son of man must suffer greatly. To whom did Jesus suffer? For us, He suffered out of His great love for us; He could have avoided going thru intense suffering for He was God too. But He chose to tread the road of suffering so that we can be redeemed from our sinfulness.  

Would you be willing to suffer for someone you love? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Pebrero 16, Huwebes, ng Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:27-33

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:27-33

Noong panahong iyon, si Hesus, kasama ang kanyang mga alagad, ay nagtungo sa mga nayon ng Cesarea, sakop ni Filipo. Samantalang sila’y naglalakbay, tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad, “Sino raw ako ayon sa mga tao?” Sumagot sila, “Ang sabi ng ilan ay si Juan Bautista kayo; sabi naman ng iba, si Elias kayo; at may nagsasabi pang isa kayo sa mga propeta.” “Kayo naman – ano ang sabi ninyo? Sino ako?” tanong niya. “Kayo ang Kristo,” tugon ni Pedro. “Huwag ninyong sasabihin kaninuman kung sino ako,” mahigpit na utos niya sa kanila.

Mula noon, ipinaalam na ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad na ang Anak ng Tao’y dapat magbata ng maraming hirap. Siya’y itatakwil ng matatanda ng bayan, ng mga punong saserdote at ng mga eskriba at ipapapatay. Ngunit sa ikatlong araw, muli siyang mabubuhay. Maliwanag na sinabi niya ito sa kanila. Kaya’t niyaya siya ni Pedro sa isang tabi at sinimulang pagsabihan. Ngunit humarap si Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad at pinagwikaan si Pedro: “Lumayo ka, Satanas! Ang iniisip mo’y hindi sa Diyos Kundi sa tao.”

Reflection for February 15, 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:

The story is told about a woman who was a come and go Catholic who suddenly decided to leave the church in favor for another Christian denomination. When she was asked why she decided to leave, she said: “The protestant faith opened my eyes to the real Christian church.”  

Perhaps we know of Catholics who are not well versed about the basic teachings of the church. They are also vulnerable to abandon the faith. What should we do? We must be the vehicle for their enlightenment about the truths of the catholic faith.  

Let us open their eyes and let them know that we don’t worship the saints. Let us open their eyes and let them know that the Catholic church was founded by Jesus through Peter. Let us open their eyes and let them know that the Holy Bible is the book of the church that we must always read.  

There are many more truths about the church that our fellow Catholics do not know yet. Let us allow ourselves to be Jesus’ vehicle so that their eyes of faith will be opened. So that they will not anymore be blinded to decide to leave the church which Jesus founded through Peter. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Pebrero 15 Miyerkules, ng Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:22-26

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:22-26

Noong panahong iyon, dumating sina Hesus at ang mga alagad sa Betsaida. Dinala kay Jesus ng ilang tao ang isang bulag at ipinamanhik na hipuin ito. Inakay niya ito sa labas ng bayan, niluran sa mga mata saka ipinatong ang kanyang mga kamay. "May nakikita ka na bang anuman?" tanong niya.  

Tumingin ang lalaki at ang wika, "Nakakakita po ako ng mga taong lumalakad, ngunit sila'y parang punongkahoy." Muling hinipo ni Jesus ang mga mata ng bulag; ito'y tuminging mabuti. Nanumbalik ang kanyang paningin at malinaw na niyang nakita ang lahat. Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Umuwi ka na. Huwag ka nang dumaan sa bayan."

Mga salita na puno ng Aral at Karunungan - 8

 

Words of Wisdom - 6

 

Reflection for Tuesday February 14, Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop: 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:

How do you handle power? 

Power corrupts people who don’t know how to handle it. The Pharisees and King Herod were very powerful but they did not use their power responsibly they in fact abused it. They used it to oppress and manipulate people. Eventually they allowed the same power that they had to corrupt them. 

Opposed to the manipulative and arrogant power of the Pharisees and Herod is the power of Jesus that emanates from God. Power that is used to sincerely help and power that is used with humility and purity. This power was shown to them by Jesus when He feed twice the thousands of people. 

Many of us handle power like how the Pharisees and Herod handled it. We use it to manipulate, we use it to advance our selfish agendas. Many politicians use their power to steal money from the government in the guise of helping the poor. The power of the Pharisees and King Herod is temporary it doesn’t last and this kind of power has a retribution factor in the end. 

Of course, we know the power of Jesus; it forever leaves an imprint in our hearts. It’s power firmly rooted in humility and power that will bring us safely to God’s kingdom someday.

Whose power do you embrace? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Martes Pebrero 14, San Cirilo, monghe at San Metodio, Obispo (Paggunita): Marcos 8:14-21

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:14-21

Noong panahong iyon, nalimutan ng mga alagad na magdala ng tinapay, at iisa lang ang kanilang tinapay sa bangka. "Kaiingat kayo! Ilagan ninyo ang lebadura ng mga Pariseo at ang lebadura ni Herodes," babala ni Jesus sa kanila. Nag-usap-usap ang mga alagad, "Wala kasi tayong dalang tinapay kaya niya sinabi iyon." 

Alam ito ni Jesus, kaya't sila'y tinanong niya, "Bakit ninyo pinag-uusapan na kayo'y walang dalang tinapay? Hindi pa ba kayo nakababatid o nakauunawa? Hindi pa ba abot ng inyong isip? Wala ba kayong mata? Wala ba kayong tainga? Nakalimutan na ba ninyo nang pagpira-pirasuhin ko ang limang tinapay para sa limanlibo? 

Ilang bakol ang napuno ninyo sa mga lumabis na tinapay?" "Labindalawa po," tugon nila. "At nang pagpira-pirasuhin ko ang pitong tinapay para sa apatnalibo, ilang bakol na malalaki ang napuno ninyo?" tanong niya. "Pitong bakol po," tugon nila. "At hindi pa rin ninyo nauunawaan?" wika niya.

Reflection for February 13, Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

The story is told about a woman wanted to see a sign from her beloved so that she could finally say yes to him. So she said: “If this man would bring me flowers and chocolates that would be the sign that he loves me.” Lo and behold the man came knocking at their gate with flowers and chocolates. To make a long story short she finally said yes to him but after a few months they broke up.   

Unlike the love of a suitor which is often times fickle and bounded by time, Jesus love for us is always there it’s not fickle or bounded by time. What are the signs of God’s love?  The food on the table, the new life in the morning and countless more! These are obvious signs of Jesus infinite love for us. 

But often times these are still not enough for us, we still seek more signs to strengthen our faith in Him. When we seek additional signs from Jesus it also shows how feeble our faith in Him. Otherwise if we have full faith and confidence we would not anymore seek or ask for whatever sign/s. Let us not anymore seek signs from the Lord let us instead ask the Lord to deepen our faith in Him. 

Do you sometimes seek signs from the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita sa Pebrero 13, Lunes ng Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:11-13

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:11-13

Noong panahong iyon, may dumating na mga Pariseo at nakipagtalo kay Hesus. Ibig nilang masila siya kaya hiningi nila na magpakita si hesus ng isang tanda mula sa langit.  

Napabuntong-hininga nang malalim si Hesus at ang wika, “Bakit naghahanap ng tanda ang lahing ito? Sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi sila pagpapakitaan ng anumang tanda.” Iniwan niya sila, at pagkasakay sa bangka ay tumawid sa ibayo. 

Reflection for Sunday February 12, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:17-37

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-37

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

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny. 

“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. 

“It was also said, whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife - unless the marriage is unlawful - causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 

“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,' and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”

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Reflection:

Imagine a world without laws, there would be no order; there would be chaos and anarchy. Imagine life without following the laws of your country. And let us imagine ourselves not being faithful to the teachings of God. There would also be disorder in our life; we will have no peace of mind.

In our first reading according to Sirach (Sirach 15:15-20) we are given choices,  life and death, good and evil. We are made to choose whichever we like. If we like death and evil, it’s really up to us; if we like good and life, it’s also upon our hands. God gave us the freedom but this freedom is not absolute because God wants us to carefully discern our choices. For example if we choose death disguised as fulfillment of the law over life or evil desires over good where would these faulty choices bring us?

But what if we choose life and we choose to do good? Of course we would have peace of mind we will not be bothered by our conscience for the reason that we followed what God wants us to do. And this is absolutely what God wants us to always do in our life!

For example in our gospel, Jesus gives us teaching about Anger (Matthew 5:21-26), teaching about Adultery (Matthew 5:27-30) and teaching about Divorce (Matthew 5:31-32). Just imagine if we would follow all of these teachings. There would be peace and serenity in our life most specifically in our married life. But are we following these teachings or laws of Jesus?

These laws were given to us by Jesus to serve as our lighthouse as we continue to sail in this world. We follow these commands not because we fear it. We follow it because we love Jesus who is the spirit behind His laws. Therefore, if we follow we’ll have peace in our life and we would be much closer to Jesus in this world and beyond this world.

Imagine a peaceful life and imagine a life very close to Jesus, would you not want to have it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas